The golden hour painted the campus in hues of amber as Su Yue, cloaked in simple black, sought refuge in a quiet alcove. Her voice, a gentle murmur, carried over the phone to Jiang Ci. “Jiang Ci, do you want to come and see my performance?” A casual dismissal echoed back, “No, I won’t be able to see you even if I come,” yet it was swiftly drowned by the eager chorus of Jiang Haoyan. “Dad, how long will it take before we get to college?” the little one chirped, his short legs kicking a silent rhythm of anticipation.
Su Yue’s laughter, soft and melodious, was a melody across the wires. “I’ll pick you up at the school gate. It’s still early, so I’ll take you for a walk first. After dinner, we can almost watch the show.” Her dark eyes, usually bright, now shimmered with the brilliance of scattered stars, reflecting her joyous smile. Jiang Ci, typically abrupt in his goodbyes, uncharacteristically lingered, savoring the gentle tone of her voice.
“Dad, are we almost there?” Xiao Haohao’s chubby face was a beacon of pure joy. Today, his trusty companion, Coriander, remained at home with chive, leaving him free to embrace the day’s excitement. Jiang Ci, a faint, almost imperceptible curl on his lips, pocketed his phone. “It’s almost there.”
A moment later, Guan Jun appeared, a cup of milk tea extended towards Su Yue. Her smiling eyes, brimming with a captivating moisture, ensnared him, leaving him momentarily speechless. “This is campus’s famous tea for you. Everyone has it. I don’t know what flavor you like, so I just picked up a cup. If you don’t like this taste, I can change it for you,” he stammered, a blush rising beneath the layers of his Poison Queen makeup. But Su Yue, with an ethereal grace, politely declined. “I have something else to do, so I won’t drink. Thank you, Guan Jun.” She turned, her small shoulder bag clutched, and moved towards her seat.
“Yueyue, where are you going?” Jin Mingyuan, her face a canvas of thick foundation and theatrical wrinkles, looked up from her mirror, having surrendered to her dramatic transformation. “Jiang Ci is here, I’ll go pick him up.” Jin Mingyuan gasped, a surprised sound. “Ah, your guy is here?” “Yes, I’m going out first and will be back before the show starts,” Su Yue declared, vanishing in a swift departure.
The school gate pulsed with life, a vibrant tapestry of faces, many illuminated by the presence of Jiang Xuan, the esteemed guest of B University, photographs clutched like precious relics. Su Yue’s gaze fell upon a sleek black car, from which a chubby little figure emerged, followed by a tall, commanding man. She walked towards them, her hand naturally finding Jiang Ci’s arm, intertwining with his. “I thought you really weren’t coming.” Jiang Ci, a faint tug at the corner of his mouth, drawled, “If I don’t come, someone will cry.” “Who’s going to cry?” Su Yue playfully pinched his arm, though his formidable muscles rendered her efforts futile. “It’s Haohao. Daddy didn’t bring Haohao here, so Haohao wants to cry,” the clever little boy chimed in, his voice a sweet, childish lilt. Su Yue laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Come, give me your hand, I’ll hold your hand.” Xiao Haohao, a picture of obedience, offered his chubby hand, letting her clasp it gently.
“Let’s go. The show hasn’t started yet. Let’s go around the campus first and then go eat.” With Su Yue holding Jiang Ci’s arm and Xiao Haohao’s hand, they became an instant spectacle, drawing a symphony of backward glances from passersby. Jiang Ci’s striking profile, Su Yue’s veiled allure, and the utterly adorable Xiao Haohao—a family of three, an unforgettable sight.
The campus thrummed with celebratory energy, clubs hosting various events. Xiao Haohao’s large, dark eyes blinked incessantly, absorbing every detail. “The club is holding an activity here. I’ll take you for a walk by the lake. The scenery over there is beautiful,” Su Yue suggested, keenly sensing Jiang Ci’s quiet discomfort amidst the boisterous crowd. Along their stroll, couples walked hand-in-hand, their smiles infectious. One boy, by the roadside, spoon-fed ice cream to a girl. Jiang Ci’s gaze lingered for a moment, then shifted. He turned to Su Yue, his eyes tracing the delicate curve of her profile, her long eyelashes fluttering like tiny fans. Though her face was masked, her hair, tucked behind her ears, revealed charmingly small earlobes and a slender, alabaster neck. She appeared so vibrant, so captivating, a sudden, possessive urge tightening in his chest.
A memory resurfaced: the attentive boy from their travels, whose admiration for Su Yue had been palpable. The thought sparked a disquieting sensation within him. How many others, he wondered, had shown her such fervent attention when he was not by her side? Jiang Ci’s thin lips pressed together, a strange discomfort settling deep in his chest.
Passing a beverage stall, Su Yue purchased two drinks. She inserted a straw into one and handed the milk tea to Jiang Haoyan. “Don’t drink it all, we have to eat later.” Little Haohao’s eyes brightened; he remembered the deliciousness of this milk tea from a previous encounter. Su Yue held a cup of fruit tea, placing the straw directly to Jiang Ci’s lips. “This is fruit tea. It tastes good. You drink it first.” Jiang Ci took a sip, and then Su Yue, without a hint of hesitation or aversion, drank from the same straw. The initial agitation in Jiang Ci’s chest softened, gradually dissolving as Su Yue finished her fruit tea and then, with an almost imperceptible shift, naturally took his arm. He lowered his eyes, his brows relaxing, the unease dissipating.
Not long after, Su Yue saw a throng of people approaching. “Jiang Xuan, I like you so much, I will always support you!” “Jiang Xuan, can you give me an autograph?” “Xuanxuan, you are so beautiful!” School leaders guided their guests, with Jiang Muhang and Jiang Xuan prominent amidst the crowd. Fans, disregarding the officials, surged forward, clamoring for autographs, only to be held back by vigilant security guards.
Jiang Muhang was the first to spot Jiang Ci. He paused, a perplexed expression on his face. “Brother, why are you here too?” Jiang Xuan, surprised, hadn’t anticipated encountering them at B University. Jiang Ci, a mask of indifference on his face, drawled, “Your sister-in-law pestered me to come, so I came. Is there any problem?” “No.” Jiang Muhang’s gaze drifted to Su Yue, masked beside Jiang Ci, and a vague recollection of her recent transformation surfaced.
The school leader, hearing Jiang Muhang address the scarred man as “Brother,” realized he was the former president of Hengyuan Group. Remembering past invitations that had been met with utter disdain, the leader smiled at Jiang Muhang. “President Jiang, thank you very much for coming to attend our school’s 50th anniversary celebration. We have prepared a sumptuous dinner. If you are willing, you can invite your elder brother to dine with you.” Jiang Muhang turned to Jiang Ci. “Brother, do you want to join us?” “No need,” Jiang Ci said casually, a sneer hinting at his aversion to anything that might disrupt his delicate appetite.
Whispers rippled through the onlookers. “Hiss, that’s President Jiang’s eldest brother? Why is he so ugly?” “No way, President Jiang’s eldest brother’s face is so scary.” “The two brothers are too different. I think Jiang Muhang is more handsome and has more temperament. Jiang Xuan is so happy. I envy her.” “What’s wrong with President Jiang’s eldest brother’s face? Why does he have such a big scar on his face? It’s like worms crawling on it, so scary.”
Jiang Xuan, her voice a soft, delicate whisper, spoke to Su Yue: “Su Yue, what a coincidence, do you want to have dinner with us?” She extended the invitation with genuine kindness. “No thanks.” This time, Su Yue was uncharacteristically direct, refusing without hesitation. While she normally disregarded rumors and comments, at this moment, the comparison between Jiang Ci and Jiang Muhang struck a raw nerve. With that, she guided Jiang Ci and Jiang Haoyan away. Jiang Xuan’s fair face registered a flicker of loss, a detail noticed by her fans, who perceived their idol’s gentle nature. Jiang Muhang, taking his young wife’s hand, turned to the school leaders. “Let’s go.”
Once out of earshot, Su Yue pouted, a touch of anger in her voice. “Jiang Ci, their eyesight is not good.” Jiang Ci raised an eyebrow, a silent invitation for elaboration. Su Yue’s eyes fell upon the left side of Jiang Ci’s face. The scar, noticeably diminished, no longer bore its former unevenness. She spoke in a soft voice: “You are obviously much more handsome than Jiang Muhang, okay?” Jiang Ci glanced at her, and a hint of a smile deepened in the depths of his eyes.
After their campus tour and a shared dinner, the hour grew late. Su Yue swiftly led them to the performance hall. The first row was reserved for esteemed guests, the next four for school leaders, teachers, and family members. Su Yue chose seats in the middle of the fifth row, where the vantage point was optimal. Even though Jiang Ci couldn’t see, sitting closer ensured less noise and clearer sound from the stage.
“I’m going backstage to prepare. I’ll come find you after the performance.” Su Yue, observing the swelling audience, gently patted little Haohao’s head. “Xiao Haohao, you have to take good care of your dad and don’t run around.” Little Haohao nodded obediently, still clutching his half-finished milk tea, reluctant to part with it. “Haohao won’t run around. Dad won’t run around either,” he declared in his childish voice. Jiang Ci remained silent, watching her hurried departure, a thought playing across his mind: Tsk, just treat him as a child.
Backstage, the dressing room was a chaotic symphony of scents—food, perfume, cosmetics—a tangible mess. “What took you so long? The show is about to start.” Jin Mingyuan breathed a sigh of relief. “I was about to call you. Have you eaten? I left a box lunch for you.” “Thank you, but I’ve eaten.” Su Yue set down her small bag, her breathing still slightly uneven from the rush. “Please sit down for a moment and change your clothes.” Jin Mingyuan, noting the host preparing to take the stage, handed Su Yue her costume. “Thank you.”
The school anniversary party commenced with a dazzling dance performance by the school beauty, igniting a wave of enthusiastic screams from the audience. Su Yue, still in the changing room, heard the unrestrained cheers, a testament to the school beauty’s undeniable popularity. Unbeknownst to her, many boys from other schools had foregone evening classes, drawn by the allure of B University’s campus beauty, and had flocked to witness the performance. The seats below the stage were packed, many audience members even bringing their own stools.
After zipping up her black dress, chosen to complement the black cloak, Su Yue swept her hair back. She then donned the cloak, a rented piece of smooth, black fabric that draped loosely, reaching her ankles. When she bent to embody the old witch, it gracefully trailed on the ground. Her crystal-white arms emerged from the cloak’s sides, stark against the dark fabric. She tied a bow at the neckline, pulling it tight to secure the cape. With the large hood pulled over her head, Su Yue emerged.
Jin Mingyuan, returning from backstage, saw Su Yue in her all-black attire, completely enveloped save for her ankles. Her feet, thin, white, and delicate, were exposed. What a pity, Jin Mingyuan thought, who in the audience would notice her feet? Outside, the audience roared their approval for the school beauty’s dance. Jin Mingyuan rolled her eyes; the cheers were so fervent, one might mistake her for a celebrity. Tonight, everyone else would be her mere backdrop.
Jin Mingyuan tugged Su Yue’s cloak. “Yueyue, you are too thin. You could definitely support this cloak before.” Su Yue, content with her current weight, replied, “It’s just that the cloak is too big, but this is how it fits. Is our show ranked fourth?” “Yes, now that school beauty has just finished dancing, there are two more shows ahead, and then it’s our turn.” Jin Mingyuan adjusted her red dwarf hat with a look of distaste. “By the way, Yueyue, where is your long nose? Didn’t you say you were going to wear it?” “Yes, I have to.” Su Yue returned to her seat, planning to remove her mask and then put on the long nose. She scanned the cluttered table, overflowing with cosmetics, but saw no sign of it. “Where’s the nose?” “Did it fall on the ground?” Jin Mingyuan bent to look under the table, amidst empty water bottles, fallen head ornaments, and cosmetics. “Yueyue, your long nose is not here. I remember you showed it to me in the afternoon. Did you put it in your bag?”
Su Yue quickly opened her small shoulder bag. Only her mobile phone, a pack of tissues, and a red lipstick lay inside. “It’s not in my bag.” Jin Mingyuan peered at the gap on the table’s edge, still nothing. “Don’t worry, the room is so small, it won’t be lost anywhere.”
Outside the lobby, a cacophony of sound erupted. The school beauty’s dance concluded to thunderous applause, even whistles from some men. “Oh my god, the campus beauty at B University is much prettier than the ones in our school,” an excited boy in the back row exclaimed. “Have you seen the school belle’s waist? It’s so thin. And her legs and pretty face are beyond words. Moreover, girls who can dance are very flexible and their bodies are so soft, which is the most exciting.” “Why don’t we have such beautiful girls in our school?” another chimed in. “Yes, it’s no wonder that we took a bus to watch the show. B University is famous for its many beautiful girls, and I heard that there will be a beauty in the school playing the piano later,” a third added excitedly.
In the front row, Jiang Ci yawned with disinterest, but a disdainful curl formed on his lips as he overheard the discussions. Xiao Haohao, nestled beside him, quietly sipped his milk tea, his big bright eyes fixed on the stage. He didn’t understand the dance, but he found the performance fascinating. The second act was a song, followed by the school beauty playing the piano, which drew another burst of cheers.
Back in the dressing room, Su Yue and Jin Mingyuan continued their frantic search for the long nose. “Yueyue.” Jin Mingyuan frowned. “Could it be that the cleaning lady who came in to collect the lunch boxes and garbage threw away your props as garbage?” Su Yue was dumbfounded. It was entirely possible. The dressing room was crowded, and everything was messy. Her small, inconspicuous prop could easily have been mistaken for trash.
“Hurry up, we have to go out and gather. We are the next performer, so we have to go out and wait in the backstage.” The deputy monitor rushed in, urging them to gather. Jin Mingyuan stood up, pulling Su Yue. “Yueyue, forget it, don’t look for it. Your hat is so big, no one can see you anyway.” “Wait a minute.” Su Yue turned, quickly removing her mask and stuffing it into her bag. She couldn’t go on stage with it. She then pulled her large hood down, covering herself even more tightly. “Let’s go, let’s go, hurry up,” the deputy monitor pressed. Su Yue hastily followed.
The backstage area was dimly lit as they waited to go on stage. The bright spotlights illuminated the center stage, where the piano-playing beauty seemed bathed in light, captivating the audience with her beauty and temperament. “Hey, is this beauty too nervous? She played a wrong note,” Jin Mingyuan whispered to Su Yue, inadvertently catching a glimpse of Su Yue’s delicate chin peeking out from under the black cloak. “Yueyue, you took off your mask?” Jin Mingyuan exclaimed in surprise, only just realizing it. “Yes, I can’t go on stage with a mask on, there are so many leaders watching me below the stage,” Su Yue explained.
Guan Jun, standing nearby, heard Jin Mingyuan’s words. He looked at Su Yue, but her hat obscured her face, revealing only her snow-white chin. On stage, the piano music ended, followed by warm applause. The host then announced the next act: a crossover skit between the Poison Queen and Black Snow Princess. The audience’s applause noticeably quieted.
“Ah, Dad, it’s the queen and the princess.” Xiao Haohao’s big eyes sparkled as he held his milk tea, excitedly telling Jiang Ci. He remembered Su Yue mentioning her show and playing a bad old witch. At this moment, Jiang Ci, with a gloomy look, raised his eyelids to the stage, just in time to see a dark-looking boy playing the princess. Tsk, so boring. He held his chin with one hand, but his eyes remained fixed on the stage.
When an actor in all black, with a bent back, came on stage, little Haohao’s eyes widened. “Dad, is this the old witch?” he asked in a childish voice. Jiang Ci’s gaze settled on the “old witch.” Listening to Su Yue’s deliberately hoarse, aged voice, he pulled the corners of his mouth. “It’s a stupid witch.” Little Haohao’s big eyes rolled. Had he remembered it wrong? Laughter rippled through the audience.
The previously bored audience was now amused by the funny Black Snow Princess. Little Haohao didn’t understand the humor, but hearing the laughter around him, he joined in, holding his milk tea, his short legs kicking excitedly in the air. Finally, the old witch was “killed” by the prince and thrown to the ground. Jiang Ci looked at the black figure on the ground, his eyes darkening.
The show concluded with warm applause, and even Xiao Haohao clapped his chubby little hands. On stage, Guan Jun approached the “dead” old witch, extending a hand to help her up. Su Yue reached out, preparing to stand. Just as she rose, before she could fully straighten, the hem of her cloak was pulled. The hood, meant to conceal her, was yanked back, revealing her face.
A bright light illuminated her, and Su Yue was momentarily stunned. Guan Jun, who had accidentally stepped on her cloak, was utterly shocked. The enthusiastic applause that had filled the hall a second earlier abruptly ceased. Only the fading notes of music remained, and the hall fell silent.
Jiang Ci, still resting his chin on his hand, stared intently at Su Yue, dressed in black on the stage. Under the spotlights, her red lips, white teeth, black hair, and snow-white skin were starkly visible. His eyes darkened .