Chapter 52: The One You Are Most Satisfied With

But was Ling Wu wrong?

He was not.

Jing Du actually wanted to reflect on himself.

He was truly insane.

Ling Wu's emotions were like a rainstorm, coming and going in a rush, without any warning; he recovered his calm in an instant, even calmer than before, polite and refined: "Please move aside."

Jing Du really didn't know what to do with him; how could there be such a person, who, no matter what he did, always had that composed and effortless air, and even if he made a slight misstep, he would quickly get back on track, ready to go.

It was as if he were certain that he would let him go.

The next second, Jing Du stepped aside: "You may go."

Ling Wu: "Thank you."

After the person had walked far away, Jing Du punched the wall.

He could be certain that Ling Wu's "thank you" was merely a catchphrase born of good breeding, not a real expression of gratitude; it was highly sarcastic.

Thank you.

Thank you.

"Thank you..."

His voice was so cold he wanted to crush these two words and eat them; why hadn't he realized before that these words were so grating?

Over at the stage play.

The rehearsal was reaching its end; Ling Wu's part was very small, just a supporting role that showed his face, serving to sublimate the theme and highlight the central point, perhaps... also to enhance the atmosphere?

Yin Huaiyu and Yin Cilan were watching this rehearsal from the front row of the audience; Yin Huaiyu was playing with his phone, clearly distracted, as he had no interest in these myths.

He believed even less in the idea that there are gods three feet above one's head.

He was a staunch materialist.

Yin Cilan tapped his fingers lazily, his expression as usual, but the slight tightness of his lips revealed a hint of gravity; he was scrutinizing the effect presented by the stage play, but he always felt something was missing, that it wasn't perfect enough.

Yang Wanyue was holding the script, and seeing him walk over, she waved her hand cheerfully: "Student Ling Wu, you've come just in time, we've already reached the part that needs sublimation!"

"Now it all depends on you!"

The scene was quiet, so much so that this "Student Ling Wu" clearly reached everyone's ears.

Qi Yu looked over at the first moment.

Yin Huaiyu put down his phone, a beat late.

Yin Cilan cast a seemingly casual glance; the person coming from the hallway had an outstanding appearance, a temperament and demeanor wrapped in knowledge, talent, wealth, and vision, radiating a pure, thorough aesthetic from the inside out.

It completely matched his stereotypical pursuit of the aesthetics of gods and Buddhas.

Yin Cilan lifted his chin slightly: "What is his name?"

Yin Huaiyu's roguish, indifferent expression faded, his gaze fixed like a torch on that side profile: "Ling Wu."

Why did he come to perform in a stage play?

Didn't he sign up for piano music?

Yin Cilan paused for a long time before saying: "Not bad, that is a good name."

Yin Huaiyu took a photo, preparing to send it to Jin Shaoyu, acting nonchalant, his tone even a bit proud: "Right? I think so too; he even got a perfect score on the Academy test this time."

"That is very excellent."

Yin Cilan looked at the young man over there and praised him sincerely.

Over there.

Yang Wanyue continued: "When we perform officially tomorrow, there will be XR technology and dry ice smoke provided by the school; anyway, as long as it looks ethereal, that's all that matters."

Yang Wanyue pointed to a spot: "Just stand there when the time comes, and use that look... the look a deity has when looking at people, oh, just use your usual look, and then recite two lines of dialogue."

"And we'll have a perfect curtain call!"

Ling Wu nodded: "Okay."

He memorized the two lines and stood on the stage according to Yang Wanyue's instructions: "Is this okay?"

Yang Wanyue made a gesture from offstage: "A little more to the left, that's right, just on the side near Qi Yu; during the official performance, just follow Qi Yu's position."

Yang Wanyue was usually a shy and introverted person, but she would shine whenever she was in her field of expertise.

Ming Tan clearly had just noticed Ling Wu; this time he had learned to be much more steady, not shouting or yelling, feeling a bit intimidated in his heart, and remained very quiet throughout.

Qi Yu's gaze landed on the cinnabar mark on Ling Wu's forehead, then slid down to his lips, neck, and collarbone, which were shockingly white under the lights.

Finally, he looked at his hem.

"The stage play costume is too long and a bit cumbersome; be careful when you walk."

Ling Wu: "I know."

Once ready, the rehearsal began quickly; only the final part remained, and it would be over in three to five minutes. Yang Wanyue nervously cast a glance toward Yin Cilan over there, and only felt relieved after seeing him nod.

"The rehearsal is over; everyone remember to perform steadily during the official show tomorrow."

"You can change your clothes and leave."

In the art gallery, several sounds of relaxation suddenly appeared: "Finally finished rehearsing."

"Exhausted."

"It's a good thing I didn't live in ancient times; let alone wearing these cumbersome clothes for half a day, wearing them for half an hour would have been the death of me. It's better in this era with advanced technology."

"Let's go, let's go."

Yang Wanyue put away the script and said to Qi Yu and Ling Wu: "Let's three go too."

"Student Ling Wu, you are simply my heaven-sent savior; the Academy gave me, the person in charge, a huge sum of money, let me treat you to a meal; of course, everyone present gets a share, Qi Yu come along too."

Ling Wu: "Okay."

Qi Yu: "Then I'll trouble you."

The three people walked toward the dressing room.

When they came down from the stage, Yin Cilan walked out from the audience seating, dressed in a crisp, mature, and refined suit, his handmade leather shoes clicking against the marble floor as he looked over with a calm gaze.

He stood directly in front of the three, but only looked at Ling Wu, extending a hand: "Hello, fellow student, I am Yin Cilan."

Seeing him approach, Ling Wu maintained a high level of focused attention, the string in their mind pulled taut, reaching a tense moment where it could snap at any time.

They glanced at the hand the other had extended and, as if in defiance, did not shake it or offer a greeting.

Yang Wanyue felt intimidated by these aristocrats from the bottom of her heart, and given the other's immense background, she felt even more uncomfortable now, quietly trying to hide behind Ling Wu.

Yin Cilan swept a glance at the two people beside them and smiled: "You two students, please feel free to go."

Yang Wanyue understood; this was a high-EQ way of telling them to leave, so she shivered and hurriedly pulled Qi Yu, sprinting toward the dressing room.

"We'll go to the dressing room and wait for them."

Qi Yu looked back.

What did this person want with Ling Wu?

Then they saw Ling Wu make a gesture for them to leave.

Yin Cilan did not feel slighted, remaining patiently: "Fellow student?"

Ling Wu seemed to have just snapped back to reality, their chest heaving, and they shook hands with Yin Cilan in a friendly manner: "Ling Wu, I have long admired your great name, President Yin."

"Oh?" Yin Cilan was somewhat surprised: "You know me?"

Ling Wu's reply was watertight: "I have had the fortune to read a few international news reports."

Yin Cilan's eyes flickered, approving of this young person, looking at them with the sharp, appraising gaze of a resting alpha wolf, and patted the youth on the shoulder: "Of this stage play, you are the one I am most satisfied with."