Volume One, Chapter 18: An Audience with the Leader

After the final sentence was spoken, the three roommates from Dorm 250, along with his classmates, all stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at Jiang Yu, utterly dumbfounded.

“Come on, let’s head backstage and wait for Fourth!” someone urged.

The audience was silent for a moment, but then the place erupted in wild screams.

“Jiang Yu! Jiang Yu!”

The cries soared upward, applause flooding the stage. What a display of spirit and resolve.

“Incredible!”

“Jiang Yu is so handsome!”

“This is so stirring!”

In the leadership section, Yang He and Ning Anbang were clapping enthusiastically.

“These young ones are truly remarkable. What a powerful line: ‘Though poor, one’s will grows stronger and never loses sight of lofty ambitions!’ Such soaring aspirations, such an unyielding heart!”

“Old Ning, we’re getting on in years, and we can’t match this kid’s drive,” Yang He said.

Ning Anbang’s face showed a hint of pride—Jiang Yu was his student.

Yang He pondered, “A gala is about to start soon. You know, Old Ma has been calling me over and over. Do you think this kid would be suitable?”

“You mean the Army Day celebration?”

“Yes, but military songs are hard to compose. Otherwise, Old Ma wouldn’t be pushing so much. I’d like to talk to the boy and see what he thinks. What do you say?”

“Why not? After our graduation party wraps up, we can have him come over and ask.”

Jiang Yu’s words had electrified these young students, as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

The atmosphere was so intense that even the hosts on stage struggled to control the crowd, turning to Jiang Yu for help.

Jiang Yu smiled, raised a hand, and said, “Congratulations on your graduation, everyone. Until we meet again.”

With that, he prepared to leave the stage.

Yet as he reached the staircase, he felt someone tug at him.

Turning, he saw Su Muyu.

He understood—she needed help getting down the stairs.

But before he could reach out, Su Muyu had already taken his hand. That restless feeling swept over him once more.

“Fourth!” she called.

After leaving the stage, his three sworn brothers were already waiting backstage. Su Muyu quickly let go of his hand.

Jiang Yu couldn’t help but laugh—this little girl.

“Damn, Fourth, what a show you put on today!” Wang Hong was bubbling with excitement. “You have no idea, the crowd was practically insane down there.”

“Honestly, Fourth, I’m convinced!” Xiong Tao said, admiration in his eyes. “You almost made this tough guy cry.”

“Brother, you did us proud in Dorm 250!” Wang Mingxu agreed enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, in the girls’ dormitory...

“Ahhh! Jiang Yu is just too handsome!” Liu Yi shrieked, while Su Muyu looked at her screaming friend with helplessness.

“He’s handsome, sings beautifully, and even more charming when he speaks. How can someone be that attractive?” Liu Yi exclaimed, shaking Su Muyu’s arm in excitement.

“Xiao Yu, do you have Jiang Yu’s contact info?” Liu Yi asked, looking at Su Muyu with eager eyes.

Su Muyu raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Well, before I thought even if Jiang Yu was handsome, it wasn’t such a big deal. But now, he’s so charismatic. It’s true—talented men are the most attractive. I want to be friends with him,” Liu Yi said excitedly.

“No,” Su Muyu replied, her heart trembling slightly. For some reason, Liu Yi’s words made her uneasy, and she blurted out her answer without thinking.

“Ah, what a pity! He helped you onto the stage—didn’t you exchange contact info?” Liu Yi showed a hint of regret, but quickly became excited again.

“Right, you stood next to him while he spoke. What was it like?”

Su Muyu’s hand trembled slightly. “What would I feel?”

“You really are the cool, aloof campus belle. Jiang Yu was so handsome, and you stayed calm. You have no idea, the girls next to me were ready to throw themselves at him!”

A faint blush colored Su Muyu’s earlobes, but she pretended to ask, “Including you, I suppose?”

“Of course! Who wouldn’t be interested in such a handsome man?” Liu Yi replied, her face dreamy.

“I really can’t deal with you!” Su Muyu feigned a look of annoyance. “Go look in the mirror—you’re acting like a lovestruck fool!”

Liu Yi giggled. “So what if I am? If Jiang Yu was on the other side, I’d let myself fall for him without hesitation!”

“That’s enough...” Su Muyu said.

Suddenly, the phone rang.

“Hello, Teacher Ning? I’ll contact Jiang Yu now and send him to the principal’s office.”

The call was from Ning Anbang.

After hanging up, Su Muyu dialed Jiang Yu’s number. “Principal Ning asked us to go to his office.”

When she hung up, she realized something was wrong. Turning, she saw Liu Yi staring at her, looking aggrieved. “Xiao Yu, didn’t you say you didn’t have Jiang Yu’s number?”

Su Muyu’s eyes flashed with panic. “Ah, Principal Ning gave it to me so I could contact him.”

“I don’t believe you! If you won’t give me his number, then maybe you...” Liu Yi’s face suddenly lit up with excitement, her eyes glinting with gossip.

Su Muyu grew even more flustered. “Well, the principal called for me—I have to go!”

...

The boys’ dormitory was close to the Yifu Building; the girls’ dormitory was much farther. Jiang Yu arrived first, waiting for Su Muyu.

After a short while, he saw her approaching.

“Xiao Yu, why do you think your grandfather wants to see us?” Jiang Yu asked.

Su Muyu shook her head. “I don’t know. We’ll find out soon enough.”

Jiang Yu had hoped for some information from the girl, but she didn’t know either. He sighed and headed upstairs.

Suddenly, he felt a soft, familiar sensation in his hand.

Before he could react, the sensation vanished.

He turned and saw a faint blush on Su Muyu’s calm face.

Did she just touch me?

Apparently noticing his gaze, Su Muyu said calmly, “The stairs are a bit slippery.”

So that’s it—he’d been overthinking.

Jiang Yu turned away and continued forward.

Outwardly, Su Muyu maintained a neutral expression, but her heart beat faster. “Why couldn’t I hold back...”

“Xiao Yu, Jiang, you’re here. Please, have a seat.”

They entered the principal’s office.

Aside from Ning Anbang, Yang He—the man who had sat beside Ning earlier—was also present.

He was known as a leader, though his exact position was unclear.

“Jiang, that speech today was impressive! You brought honor to our school,” Ning Anbang said with a smile.

“Old Ning, you really have produced a talented student,” Yang He praised.

Jiang Yu scratched his head, feeling a bit shy. “Thank you, teachers. It was nothing, really—just a few words.”

“Those ‘few words’ were thunderous!”

Hearing the praise from the two elders, Su Muyu felt a surge of joy, though she was also puzzled—surely they hadn’t summoned her and Jiang Yu just to compliment them?

“Is there another reason you wanted to see Jiang Yu and me today?” she asked.

Yang He’s expression turned serious. “Your principal has been recommending you two to me. Now, there’s a task we’d like to entrust to you—are you willing?”