Lost in the Otherworld

Gaoyang swiftly pushed the door open.

Wan Sisi's eyes immediately lit up, her face radiant. In that moment, she was so stunning that she almost overshadowed Qing Ling.

Niu Xuan instantly understood everything, and a surge of anger rushed through him.

Gaoyang again! Always Gaoyang!

Today, I’m going to deal with you!

"Hey! Sing us a song! Don’t spoil everyone’s mood!" Niu Xuan’s tone was forceful.

The more observant classmates had already sensed a brewing tension but said nothing, casually eating sunflower seeds and assuming the role of bystanders.

Wan Sisi was also eager with anticipation. She had heard from classmates that Gaoyang was tone-deaf and couldn't sing, but she never believed it. Someone as gentle as Gaoyang must sing beautifully, right? Even if he didn’t, it would be an adorable kind of bad.

Gaoyang gave Qing Ling a look: “Later?”

Qing Ling returned the glance: “Later.”

"Alright," Gaoyang stood up.

He navigated through the small room, under everyone’s attentive gaze, and headed toward the karaoke machine. In no time, he selected an old song by the king of milk tea, "Can't Speak."

"Oh, an oldie!" Niu Xuan sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "A seasoned karaoke master, I see! Everyone, prepare to cleanse your ears!"

"Haha, no problem!"

"Waiting for the song god!"

"Come on, song god!"

Several boys laughed mockingly.

Gaoyang knew his singing was bad. He intended to brush it off, make a fool of himself, and move on, since discussing serious matters with Qing Ling was more important. But Niu Xuan had crossed the line.

As the gentle prelude began, and just seconds away from his cue, Gaoyang's anger grew. In a moment of impulsiveness, he closed his eyes.

[Beep—]

[System entering]

[You’ve just received 1 luck point. Total: 26 luck points.]

—Which attribute improves singing?

[Charisma. It boosts talent in vocal skills. You currently lack any such talent. Point allocation not advised.]

—All 26 points! Confirm!

[Confirmed.]

[Strength: 17. Agility: 27. Stamina: 28. Endurance: 27. Spirit: 67. Charisma: 55. Luck: 132.]

[System exiting]

…

When Gaoyang opened his eyes, he felt a tickle in his throat and a surge of energy expanding in his chest. He knew the attribute points had taken effect, the transformation lasting about 30 seconds.

"Why isn’t the song god singing yet? Everyone’s waiting!" Niu Xuan urged.

Gaoyang took a deep breath and began, flawlessly entering the lyrics:

“Through the clouds, I try running towards you, but my love reaches you only when you're already in someone else’s arms…”

Pausing, Gaoyang stood up, holding the microphone tenderly, his expression sincere:

“I just can’t tell her, can’t let her know. It’s such a simple few words, yet they make you smile. My whole heart is suspended, and I can only watch from afar. I can do all this, but the person is no longer me…”

As the song ended, a subtle silence settled over the room. The classmates who had been expecting a joke slowly realized they had listened through to the end.

Gaoyang’s singing wasn’t professional, but for an amateur, it was impressive. More than that, his emotions were deeply invested.

The song was also fitting for the mood. Li Weiwei had died not long ago, and everyone couldn’t help but resonate with Gaoyang’s melancholy, thinking, “He couldn't speak up before, and now he’ll never have the chance again.” Several classmates were genuinely moved, their eyes misty, including Wan Sisi.

Wan Sisi first felt joy—Gaoyang sang so beautifully! But then she remembered Li Weiwei’s death, feeling a mix of sorrow and regret. Lastly, her emotions shifted to a faint disappointment: Gaoyang surely loved Li Weiwei, didn’t he? After all, they were childhood sweethearts, with over a decade of deep affection.

Yet, even if Li Weiwei would forever be his untouchable, perfect memory, I won’t give up. I believe that companionship is the longest confession of love…

Wan Sisi lowered her head, her heart playing out a grand, sorrowful monologue.

Niu Xuan sat stiffly on the sofa, looking as though he’d swallowed something bitter, curses swirling in his mind.

Gaoyang handed the microphone to the next person in line to sing, sighing quietly to himself in regret: Impulsiveness is the devil. All for a fleeting moment of pride, and he wasted 26 precious luck points.

While singing, Gaoyang was fully immersed, passionate. But once it was over, he returned to his quiet demeanor, walking to a corner of the room and sitting next to Qing Ling.

"You didn’t sing too badly," Qing Ling remarked.

Gaoyang was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Qing Ling to care about anything outside of getting stronger. "You flatter me. What was it you wanted to tell me earlier?"

Qing Ling moved a little closer, lowering her voice. “Today, I…”

"Gaoyang!" Niu Xuan shouted. "Get over here!"

Interrupted for the second time, Qing Ling’s expression darkened, and it seemed like she might draw her blade and slice Niu Xuan’s head off any second.

"Qing-jie, calm down..." Gaoyang quickly stopped Qing Ling from getting up. "It’s not necessary, really. Leave it to me."

"Make it quick," Qing Ling replied, displeased.

"Yes."