Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

In the audience, witnessing this firsthand, Yao Jiping looked at Lin Jing, Zhao YueMin, Little Yu, and then Lin Wanning.

"No way, that brat and Xiaoxiao are dating?" she asked in disbelief.

Lin Jing blinked, and the others followed suit, clearly at a loss for how to answer Yao Jiping's question.

"Probably... not, right..." Xiao Ruawen spoke first, logically she should think of ways to help Xiaoxiao make the relationship official, but for some reason, she didn't.

Lin Wanning and Zhang Yiyi exchanged a glance and chimed in, "Maybe Xiaoxiao just wants to thank Brother Qingfan, I often kiss Brother Qingfan on the cheek too."

"Yeah, yeah, Fan-ge helped a lot with Xiaoxiao's performance this time, she probably wants to thank him!" Wu Lingyu added, going along with the flow.

As for whether Xu Qingfan really helped a lot, it's a laugh, he didn't help at all!

"Is that so?" Yao Jiping looked suspiciously at everyone, there's just something that doesn't feel right.

Of course, it's not right, who expresses gratitude by kissing someone on the cheek, and in front of everyone!

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!"

"That's definitely it!"

The four girls nodded in agreement, no matter what, at least for now, they were united in their stance, which was to prevent Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao's relationship from becoming official!

Lin Jing smiled with her lips pursed and said, "Maybe they're just close friends, having grown up together, it's normal to kiss a cheek."

The group redirected their attention to the screen, Xu Qingfan seemed like he had been hit with an immobilization spell, standing there petrified even after a minute.

The person who previously instigated the "together" chant began again, but this time, the chant had gained widespread support.

"Together!"

"Together!!"

"Kiss!"

Aside from those shouting for them to be together, some classmates also called for a kiss, turning the scene into a chaotic spectacle.

One teacher wanted to turn on the microphone to stop the commotion, but was halted by Song Dongsheng's gaze, "Youngsters should have more vigor, being lifeless all day won't help them in their studies either."

Besides being stunned by Xia Xiaoxiao's sudden bold confession, Xu Qingfan was also struck by the girl's stunning beauty, leaving him momentarily in a daze.

By the time he snapped out of it, the audience had already begun chanting for them to be "together," unsure of how to respond, Xu Qingfan chose to continue playing dumb.

But time was limited in the short thirty seconds, more than ten plans flashed through his mind, like avoidant type: eloping with Xia Xiaoxiao; explosive type: publicly giving Xia Xiaoxiao a passionate French kiss; or simply playing dumb like he was doing now, doing nothing at all.

Despite the crowd yelling for them to be "together," Xia Xiaoxiao didn't rush him, simply watching him quietly as if she hadn't noticed.

Xu Qingfan rarely uses "pure" to describe someone's eyes, but at that moment, he genuinely felt the girl's eyes were pure, without a trace of impurity, focused solely on him.

Xia Xiaoxiao took the first step, having loved him for two lifetimes, how could Xu Qingfan bear to let her down.

Plus, the feeling of disappointment really isn't pleasant, having experienced it himself.

Xu Qingfan stopped playing dumb, a smile suddenly spreading across his face.

Xia Xiaoxiao's anxious heart finally landed, and she followed with a gentle smile.

The photographer captured their smiles perfectly, even aside from the onlookers present, just by looking at such a smile, he couldn't help but break into a contented "auntie smile."

"What are you waiting for, hurry and kiss, it's killing me!" the photographer mumbled to himself, but it was also the unspoken wish of many students present.

Yao Jiping looked around again, thinking: "Is this still just a thank you?"

But seeing everyone's gaze fixed on the screen, she swallowed back the words she wanted to say.

Playing dumb seemed unviable, Xu Qingfan didn't want to go down the explosive route too soon either, so running away seemed the only option left.

"Come with me." he mouthed to Xia Xiaoxiao, and before she could respond, Xu Qingfan had already started running with her across the stage.

The photographer immediately pointed his camera at them, capturing this little dash with cinematic quality, it truly felt like an idol drama had come to life!

"Wow!"

Classmates gasped in awe, not only marveling at the pair's daring act but also, perhaps, subtly wishing the two a happy ending.

The wide-angle lens could only reach so far, the photographer would have loved to chase after them with his camera for a live report, but with the New Year's Eve gala not yet over, he didn't want his pay docked!

The camera panned back to Liu Yue and her three companions on stage, honestly, they were dumbfounded at the moment, it was supposed to be a five-person performance, yet how did it end up with them being forgotten.

Awkwardly following protocol, they bowed and quickly exited the stage.

"Where are they running to?" Yao Jiping spoke aloud to no one in particular.

"Uh..."

"Maybe..."

"Perhaps..."

"Probably..."

The four girls fell into an unusual silence, as Galen whispered softly, what could they say, tell them Xiaoxiao had an emergency and Xu Qingfan was dragging her to the bathroom?

"Let the kids handle their own matters, as parents, we shouldn't interfere. Enjoy the show, enjoy the show." Lin Jing said brightly, patting Yao Jiping's hand.

[Who would've thought, who would've thought, our girl would be so proactive!]

Lin Jing was overjoyed, hoping the two kids would confirm their relationship tonight, so they could marry once they reach the legal age, and bless her with a chubby grandchild after college!