I Can Still Salvage It

After Shen Mian finished his performance, he quickly removed his makeup backstage and sneaked into the audience area through a side door.

While the other performers remained backstage, he hid in the darkness and made his way to the area his classmates were seated, just like a mischievous monkey. In his haste, he nearly stepped on the class leader’s shoe.

The class leader glanced at him with displeased eyes from beneath his glasses and re-tied his shoe, while Shen Mian had already taken a seat next to Pei Zhiyi. He leaned over and apologized to him.

“Not bad, Shen Mian,” Xu Jing patted his shoulder from behind. “Look at how many girls are screaming for you. It’s comforting for a father to see his child grow up.”

Shen Mian wanted to kick him, but he couldn’t reach him because of the seats. He could only grit his teeth and give him the middle finger.

The people around them burst into laughter, praising Shen Mian for his beautiful singing and handsome appearance. He was truly the face of Class 2.

Shen Mian graciously accepted all the compliments and said, “Thank you, thank you.”

The evening performances were still ongoing, and after exchanging a few whispers, everyone quieted down and didn’t disturb others watching the performances.

As everyone fell silent, Shen Mian finally had the opportunity to look at Pei Zhiyi. While others had complimented him, Pei Zhiyi remained silent.

Shen Mian reached over the armrest, grabbed Pei Zhiyi’s hand, and lightly scratched his palm with his fingertips.

Annoyed, he murmured to Pei Zhiyi, “it’s my first time on stage today, and I specially performed that song for you. Can I get a review?”

Good or bad, just give an honest opinion.

Pei Zhiyi’s lips curled up.

He had been watching Shen Mian all that time. The room was dim, and Shen Mian hadn’t fully removed his makeup. Those small crystals were still stuck beneath his eyes, shimmering faintly in the darkness as he blinked.

Pei Zhiyi didn’t say if it was good or bad.

He also used his fingers to draw circles in the palm of Shen Mian’s hand and casually said, “Let’s use this song for our wedding in the future.”

At first, Shen Mian didn’t understand the meaning behind his words, but once he realized it, he smiled throughout the rest of the evening.

…

Shen Mian and their performance ultimately received the third prize at the New Year’s Eve party. The first two prizes went to a drama and a classical dance, surpassing them.

Their school always had generous rewards and prizes for various activities, and the third prize came with a reward of one thousand yuan.

That money went directly into the class funds.

Their class was already satisfied with that news. They originally thought they would only be participating without any chance of winning since they had placed third from the bottom last year. But a few outstanding representatives turned the tide, making them end up with a positive result this time.

“I’m sure that half of the judges’ scores were given to our actors,” the entertainment committee member asserted confidently. “The guys were handsome, and the girls were beautiful.”

Others nodded in agreement.

After watching the evening performance, it was almost ten o’clock, but no one wanted to go back to the dorms just yet. Taking advantage of teacher Ding’s inattentiveness, one by one, they slipped out through the entrance and split into groups to have a late-night snack.

It was the last day of the year, and in two hours, it would be New Year’s. 

The teachers knew they couldn’t control the students, so they turned a blind eye and didn’t bother stopping anyone. They just reminded them to remember to wake up the next day and come to school to collect their New Year assignments.

Shen Mian and their group divided into two cars and headed to a Chaozhou-Shantou hot pot restaurant.

They occupied a private room and ordered a bunch of meat dishes, devouring them like hungry wolves. In the end, they half-heartedly ordered some vegetables.

While eating, they discussed the New Year’s Eve performance. The highlight was a junior girl who was incredibly stunning. She had just performed a classical dance and won second place. Wearing a series of green dresses, she looked like a fairy.

Even Mu Lingling and Xu Qian, two girls who were usually indifferent, couldn’t help but agree that she was the new school beauty.

“During the performance, the audience showed the most enthusiasm for you and her performance,” Mu Lingling said. “Many people were asking for your contact information, but I have principles and didn’t take any bribes.”

Xu Jing was shocked. “Why didn’t you tell me about this? I could have sold Shen Mian a hundred times!”

Shen Mian playfully threw peanuts at him. “I knew you were a traitor.”

The two of them began tossing nuts at each other like elementary school students until they almost fell into the hot pot, bringing an end to their game.

They continued eating until half past eleven. The hot pot restaurant was open until two in the morning, so they didn’t hurry to leave. They planned to wait for another half an hour and then head down to the square for the New Year countdown.

Shen Mian felt a bit full from eating, and the warmth inside the room made him a little lightheaded. He grabbed Pei Zhiyi’s hand and suggested going outside for a walk, while also buying drinks for everyone.

The group of them sat in their seats, swaying and nodding. They agreed to meet downstairs in half an hour.

Shen Mian walked out of the hot pot restaurant and was met by a cold breeze that cleared his mind.

The square wasn’t far from there. As they walked, they arrived at the edge of the square. It wasn’t exactly in the city center but rather an old street with several restaurants. Many street vendors were selling things around the square.

The LED screen on the square displayed the New Year countdown.

Shen Mian looked at the countdown for a while and smiled at Pei Zhiyi, saying, “Brother, we have spent another year together.”

That was the 18th year they had spent together.

Pei Zhiyi also gazed at him.

The two of them were reminded of the song Shen Mian had just sung.

“Now and forever, let it be me.

No matter how time passes, let me love you.”

Shen Mian felt his throat go dry. He saw a couple in front of them, with the girl leaning against the boy. Shen Mian imitated their pose and leaned against Pei Zhiyi.

In the midst of the busy environment, he hid his slight shyness and whispered in Pei Zhiyi’s ear, “Brother, is it true that you want to marry me?” Without waiting for Pei Zhiyi’s reply, he revealed his own shortcomings, “You better think it through. I’m lazy, mischievous, not particularly smart, and clingy like a piece of toffee, always sticking to you.”

As Shen Mian spoke, he burst into laughter, realizing just how many flaws he had.

He paused for a moment and whispered, “So if you agree, you won’t be able to shake me off for the rest of your life.”

The square was filled with people. It was almost midnight, the liveliest time. Children’s laughter filled the air, couples embraced each other for photos, and some people held up their phones to record videos.

But they didn’t hear anything.

At that moment, the world was quiet, with only the sound of the wind brushing past their ears.

Shen Mian heard Pei Zhiyi ask, “What size of diamond ring would you like? Do you prefer a Chinese-style or Western-style wedding?”

The question was asked calmly, as if they were discussing something that was destined to happen, something written on their to-do list.

Shen Mian thought for a moment. “I don’t like diamond rings. White gold will do.”

As he spoke, he stood on his tiptoes and brought his lips close to Pei Zhiyi’s.

Surrounded by people, they were the only same-sex couple, yet they kissed without any concerns.

Pei Zhiyi lightly nibbled on Shen Mian’s soft lips.

He whispered, “I wanted to kiss you in the chapel. I held back until now. I don’t even want to eat hot pot; I just want to take you home.”

Shen Mian looked up at him, his eyes shining brightly, and the small crystals on his eyelids also sparkled.

He proudly asked Pei Zhiyi, “Am I particularly attractive today? Do you love me so much that you’re willing to die for me?”

Pei Zhiyi smiled. It wasn’t just that day; everyday Shen Mian had an unparalleled attraction to him.

But that day’s Shen Mian made him especially eager to hold him in his arms.

“Yes,” he said.

He kissed Shen Mian again.

Meanwhile, about ten meters behind them, a row of people crouched at the entrance of an alley, only daring to peek their heads out from the edge of the wall.

When they saw Pei Zhiyi and Shen Mian kissing again, several of them involuntarily gasped.

Xu Jing struggled to swallow his saliva and asked, “Tell me, am I blind or is Pei Zhiyi really kissing Shen Mian, right here, right… doing that?”

He couldn’t bring himself to say the word “kiss.” He felt like he might have had too much beer that day, otherwise, how could he be seeing Pei Zhiyi and Shen Mian kissing?

Han Chao couldn’t answer him. His mind was completely confused. He was the first to notice Pei Zhiyi and Shen Mian, and before he could enthusiastically wave, he saw the two of them kissing. He choked on his breath on the spot and still hadn’t recovered.

As for Mu Lingling and Xu Qian, their legs felt weak. Although they had read their fair share of explicit BL novels, witnessing it live made them feel a bit dizzy.

Xu Qian’s voice was wavering, but she couldn’t help but ask Mu Lingling, “Lingling, can we consider my CP (Couple Pairing) as a happy ending (HE)?”

Mu Lingling was brought back to her senses by that soul-stirring question.

She gazed at the two not far away and said, “Fine, let’s consider it as a HE. But my only question now is, when will those two ever get tired of kissing each other?”

Enough is enough. She had been squatting here for six minutes!

Don’t they feel cold in this winter weather!