Chapter 292: Come On

Chapter 292 Bring It On

There were no speakers or microphones here, so any performance would have to be a cappella.

The surroundings were noisy, putting her vocal skills to the test.

Lu Hanchuan stared at Ye Xiaoxiao—he had never heard Xiao Xiao sing before.

The thought made his expression darken instantly.

Who did Jiang Leyin think she was?

If she’s leaving, she should just go. Why drag Xiao Xiao into singing her a goodbye song?

Lu Hanchuan scowled, his mood souring further.

Had Ye Xiaoxiao not held him back, he would’ve said something.

Jiang Leyin watched as Ye Xiaoxiao stepped forward, poised and confident, then glanced back at her.

A sense of dread crept into Jiang Leyin.

She stepped aside, watching as Ye Xiaoxiao stood calmly under the crowd’s attention.

It had been a long time since Ye Xiaoxiao last sang, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t. After all, she’d had vocal training.

"Beyond the pavilion, along the ancient road..."

A clear, melodious voice slowly rose, delivering chills even without a mic.

The earlier noise died down.

The crowd was spellbound.

Ye Xiaoxiao’s voice was beautiful, and because of her gentle personality, it fit the soothing tune perfectly.

When the song ended, the crowd was still entranced.

But soon, someone started the applause.

In an instant, the cafeteria burst into applause.

Jiang Leyin’s face turned pale—she’d just handed Ye Xiaoxiao the spotlight.

She hadn’t expected to experience such a gut-punch moment before leaving.

Defeat weighed heavy on her, as if no matter what, she could never compare to Ye Xiaoxiao.

Meanwhile, after finishing the song, Ye Xiaoxiao walked straight to Lu Hanchuan, ignoring Jiang Leyin entirely.

"Let’s get some air."

Ye Xiaoxiao reclaimed Lu Hanchuan’s hand and pulled him along.

Only after leaving the cafeteria did she ask, "No applause for me?"

Lu Hanchuan: "Wasn’t singing for me. Why would I?"

So stingy.

Xiao Xiao leaned in closer. "Then next time, I’ll sing just for you."

Hanchuan: "No need to wait—do it now." "I had no idea Xiao Xiao sang this well. I never knew."

Xiao Xiao rose on her toes and kissed him. "Too cold to talk."

As she spoke, she pulled her scarf up over her nose.

Hanchuan reached out to adjust it for her. "Then we’ll sing inside."

Xiao Xiao shoved him lightly, but the force was so slight that Hanchuan didn’t even sway.

"Quit messing around. Next time, I’ll play the violin for you. You’ve never seen a violinist in action, right?"

In her past life, Xiao Xiao had owned a priceless violin handcrafted by a master. But since coming here, she had only ever showcased her medical skills.

Naturally, no one knew she could play the violin.

A flicker of surprise crossed Hanchuan’s face.

Perhaps only now did he realize there were many things about Xiao Xiao he didn’t know.

They hadn’t spent enough time together yet.

If he could, Hanchuan would stay by her side forever—no separation.

But with both chasing careers, it was a pipe dream.

Just like his parents—madly in love, yet rarely together.

Now, holding his beloved’s hand, Hanchuan said, "Better keep your word."

Xiao Xiao: "I keep my promises! Just you wait."

Hanchuan smiled fondly. "Good, I’ll be waiting."

Not much was happening outside, but luckily Li Zhen had bought plenty of fireworks.

However, when Xiao Xiao got back, she didn’t see Li Zhen anywhere.

"Where is she? She promised fireworks, didn’t she?"

Xiao Xiao was puzzled.

Hanchuan picked up two handheld sparklers. "If you’re itching to light some, go for it."

It was already very late, and Hanchuan didn’t want Xiao Xiao burning out—after all, she never stayed up late.

Xiao Xiao: "Then just a handful. We’ll save the rest for Li Zhen."

Once the sparklers fizzled out, Xiao Xiao and Hanchuan went back inside.

No elders meant no New Year’s Eve vigil.

Hanchuan kissed her goodnight and left.

Ye Xiaoxiao locked the door behind her, so even though she was ready for bed, she hadn’t dozed off yet.

This way, she could open the door for Li Zhen when she returned.

The stove was roaring, and the kang was nice and toasty.

Despite the biting cold outside, it was warm inside.

When Li Zhen returned, it was almost eleven o'clock.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Where’ve you been? Why are you back so late?"

Li Zhen waved her hand. "Don’t even ask. Met some clueless guy."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

And you’re one to talk.

But Li Zhen probably meant someone had confessed to her.

Li Zhen was small but impulsive.

But she was actually a few years older than Ye Xiaoxiao.

After tonight, she would be another year older—officially a spinster by society’s clock.

Luckily, Li Zhen had no family left, or she’d definitely be getting nagged about marriage.

"If you think he’s decent, you could consider it. Don’t you want a family?"

At least you’d have someone to lean on.

And that was the meaning of marriage.

Li Zhen thought about it. Before, when no one had confessed to her, she hadn’t wanted it at all.

But now, she was all mixed up. She needed to think it over carefully.

"But I can’t just marry anyone randomly. I make my own living now. Throw a man into the picture, and wouldn’t I have to support him too?"

Li Zhen had her own way of seeing things.

Yet Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t argue with her.

"Running a household together is something for both of you to figure out. Splitting chores depends on your own discussions."

Li Zhen collapsed onto the kang.

"Ugh, what a headache."

...

The next day, the weather was terrible. A twister tore through the area, and the base was swallowed by a sandstorm.

Ye Xiaoxiao bundled up in a scarf, but when she returned, she still gritted sand between her teeth.

During the New Year, everywhere else was dead—except Nalan Base.

Here, it was business as usual. The researchers in the lab were like they were hopped up on caffeine, and no one even thought of clocking out.

The calm lasted until Lunar January 11th, when a big chunk of the base's troops shipped out suddenly.

Ye Xiaoxiao knew Lu Hanchuan had also left to complete the mission he mentioned.

This wasn't some quick one- or two-day mission, so Ye Xiaoxiao could only pray for his safe return.

Around this time, Jiang Leyin was supposed to leave too.

Right before she left, her marriage application with Wu Tao was approved.

They were cleared to get married officially, but since they were about to be separated, they hadn’t gotten around to registering yet.

When Wu Tao saw Jiang Leyin off, he said, "Leyin, let’s get the marriage certificate first. The marriage approval has an expiration date, and if we delay, we’ll have to go through the process all over again."

Jiang Leyin didn’t mind either way.

She'd made her choice with Wu Tao, and marrying him now was the best outcome.

Moreover, from the wedding money his family sent, it was clear his family was well-off.

Jiang Leyin was certain she hadn’t made the wrong choice.

With a sigh, she put thoughts of competing with Ye Xiaoxiao behind her.

Now her focus was on securing her own future.