Chapter 22: The Welcome Gala (Seeking Favorites and Recommendations)
Over a month had passed since the National Day holiday, and the most fervent topic of discussion among freshmen at the university was the upcoming New Year's Eve gala, which doubled as the orientation party. The New Year's galas at Capital Media University had always been spectacular, with various artistic talents showcasing their skills. Li Jie had secretly signed up without Geng Geng’s knowledge, planning to give her a surprise at the event.
On December 30th, the night of the gala, Li Jie waited early beneath Geng Geng’s dormitory building. When her roommates came down, Geng Geng naturally gravitated toward him. Her roommates teased her, remarking that she was quite the neglectful friend, as the two were inseparable from morning till night and she rarely participated in collective dormitory activities.
On the way to the school auditorium, Geng Geng chatted excitedly about the performance her class had prepared. The fact that their act had made the cut among so many others filled her with pride.
"Did your class’s performance get selected? You never mentioned it to me before."
"I... I don't think so. I haven't really been paying attention to that," Li Jie said, scratching his head and lying with a straight face. In reality, his own solo singing performance was the only one from his class that had made it onto the program list.
The two walked into the auditorium amidst laughter and chatter. The hall was already bustling with noise; the freshmen were filled with anticipation, and the upperclassmen were ready to feast their eyes on the evening’s performances. The backstage area was equally lively. Newcomers stepping onto the stage for the first time were nervous, constantly cheering themselves on, while experienced veterans were laughing and discussing which acts were worth looking forward to.
"I heard the acting class from the Drama Academy is performing the opera *Othello*. That’s a rarity!"
"Indeed. But I heard that an original song by a freshman from the History Department has been highly praised by the judges. I heard it during rehearsals; it’s such a romantic song."
"Are you talking about *The Rest of My Life*? The lyrics are as beautiful as poetry. That junior is a well-known writer, after all; he really is talented."
"Yes, they say it was written specifically for his girlfriend. She must be the happiest woman alive! I’m so envious of having a boyfriend like that!"
...
At that moment, the auditorium lights dimmed, the stage curtains slowly parted, and the hosts stepped toward the center of the stage under the spotlights.
"Respected leaders, guests, and fellow students, good evening! Welcome to the annual Capital Media University New Year’s Eve and Orientation Gala..."
...
"Next, please enjoy the solo performance of *Legend* by Wang Min from the School of Television and Journalism. Let’s welcome Wang Min!"
...
*Just because I caught a glimpse of you in the crowd,*
*I could never forget your face.*
*Dreaming of a chance to meet again one day,*
*From then on, I began to feel the loneliness of longing.*
*When I think of you, you are at the edge of the sky,*
*When I think of you, you are right before my eyes.*
*When I think of you, you are in my mind,*
*When I think of you, you are in my heart.*
...
Li Jie was slightly stunned upon hearing the song. It had only been released the previous week, and he hadn't expected it to garner attention so quickly. Truly, classics never go out of style. Once the song finished, he checked the time and realized his own performance was approaching. He made an excuse about needing to use the restroom and told Geng Geng he would be right back.
Seeing that Li Jie hadn't returned after a long while, Geng Geng sent a text message to ask why he had been gone so long. Just then, the host’s voice echoed across the stage.
"Next, please enjoy an original song, *The Rest of My Life*, performed by Lu Xinghe from the History Department. He is quite the accomplished writer, and we hope his singing is as impressive as his writing. Let’s welcome Lu Xinghe to the stage."
Li Jie walked slowly to the center of the stage with his guitar on his back. After standing firm, he looked at Geng Geng in the audience and gave her a warm smile. Collecting himself, he said, "I want to dedicate this song to someone. She is a bit of a glutton, a bit silly, and sometimes quite muddle-headed. But she is kind and considerate. My previous confession to her was too hurried, and I hope to take this opportunity to let everyone here bear witness. Geng Geng, I love you! Thank you, everyone!"
...
*Searching for the sun in a windless place,*
*Being a warm sun in the place where you are cold.*
*The world is full of chaos,*
*But you are always so innocent.*
*For the rest of my life,*
*I only want you.*
*For the rest of my life,*
*The snow is you,*
*The mundane is you,*
*The poverty is you,*
*The glory is you,*
*The gentleness in my heart is you,*
*Wherever my gaze falls,*
*It is also you.*
...
"Wow! This is so romantic! A heartfelt confession in front of the entire school!"
"Who is Geng Geng? That girl is so lucky!"
"The lyrics are written so beautifully! How aesthetic!"
...
"Look at someone else’s boyfriend’s confession, then look at yours. No way! You must make up for it with a proper confession ceremony, or else, hmph, just you wait!"
"If someone confessed to me like that, I’d faint!"
The whispers from the crowd reached Geng Geng’s ears, but she had no time to listen to them now. Her world was filled only with Li Jie’s voice. Touched to the point of tears, she listened to the lyrics—‘For the rest of my life, the winter snow is you, the spring flowers are you, the summer rain is you’—as Li Jie’s warm voice tugged at her heartstrings. She felt enveloped by boundless love, thinking to herself that she was the happiest woman in the world at that moment.
*Clap!*
*Clap!*
*Clap!*
As the song ended, deafening cheers and thunderous applause erupted from the audience!
"Thank you, everyone! I hope those of you who are still single will also find your partners in the time you have left, and may you stay together forever in harmony." After finishing his song, Li Jie offered his blessings to the audience before slowly leaving the stage. Backstage, he heard the lingering applause and cheers from the front, smiled, and then headed toward Geng Geng.
Seeing Li Jie approach, Geng Geng hurriedly wiped the tears from her face, but her tear ducts seemed to have malfunctioned; as soon as she saw him, the tears continued to flow.
"You silly girl! Why are you crying? Come on, stop crying. Shouldn't you be happy right now?" Seeing her tear-stained face, Li Jie hurried to her side and began to wipe away her tears, his voice filled with tenderness.
"I... I am happy! I feel like I am the happiest woman in the world right now." Geng Geng looked at Li Jie with profound affection, unable to take her eyes off him, feeling as though she could never get enough of looking at him.
"I can't speak for the whole world, but I will definitely make you happy. I promise!"
"Mm, I believe you!"
After saying this, Geng Geng leaned slowly against Li Jie’s shoulder, savoring the sound of his breathing and his heartbeat. She loved this feeling.
When the gala ended and the lights came on, the students began to disperse. As Li Jie and Geng Geng walked out of the venue, many recognized Li Jie, offering their blessings and whispering about them.
"Ah! Ah! Ah! Why couldn't that be me?" one girl cried out in frustration.
After she finished, those nearby glanced at her, silently thinking she was dreaming too big.
"Lu Xinghe! Geng Geng! You must be happy together! We are all witnesses!" a boy shouted boldly.
"Yeah! Yeah! You have to stay together! For a lifetime!"
...
"Lu Xinghe! You’re amazing! You’re my idol!"
...
"Mingri-dada, you’re so cool! You must be happy!"
...
Listening to the various praises and blessings, Li Jie held Geng Geng’s hand, responding with a smile and occasionally pressing his palms together to thank everyone. Geng Geng, acting like a shy bride, followed Li Jie and joined him in thanking them.