On the first day of school, the school beauty in black stockings took me to a hotel.

Su Wanqing proudly raised her chin: "Of course! I care about your competition even more than you do! For the past three days, except for eating, sleeping, and going to the bathroom, I've been studying these competitors. Look at my dark circles!" She pointed to her eyes, "It's all for you! Aren't you touched?"

Liu Yu looked at the faint bluish tinge under her eyes, his heart softened, and he reached out to pull her into his arms: "I'm so touched, so very touched."

Su Wanqing nestled against his chest, nuzzling him gently: "So, how are you going to reward me?"

Liu Yu thought for a moment: "I'll buy you a bag if I win the championship."

Su Wanqing shook her head: "No, that was a previous reward. This is extra, so it costs extra."

Liu Yu's lips twitched: "How much more?"

Su Wanqing held up three fingers.

"Three thousand?"

"Three nights."

"..."

"What? You're unwilling? I've sacrificed so much for you, and you can't even bear to part with three measly bowls? Liu Yu, where's your conscience? Have you eaten it?"

Liu Yu sighed: "Fine, three nights it is. But you have to promise me one thing."

Su Wanqing looked at him warily: "What is it?"

Liu Yu said seriously, "Don't shout 'Go, honey!' from the audience during tomorrow's competition. The whole venue could hear you yelling, and it puts a lot of pressure on me."

Su Wanqing glared at her: "I was cheering you on! Encouraging you! Giving you the power of love! How come you're complaining?"

Liu Yu said helplessly, "It's not that I'm disgusted, it's just... after you called out, my heart started racing and my hands were shaking. What if I played the wrong note?"

Su Wanqing thought about it and felt it made sense, but she was still unwilling: "Then I'll shout quietly? Just loud enough for you to hear?"

Liu Yu shook his head: "No, your 'quiet' is about the same as other people's 'normal volume.' Just clap, don't shout."

Su Wanqing pouted and reluctantly nodded, "Fine, then I won't shout. But you have to promise me that after you finish singing, you'll look this way and give me a glance. I want the people around us to know that you're singing for me!"

Liu Yu laughed: "Fine, I'll give you a look. Ten looks, is that enough?"

Su Wanqing nodded in satisfaction: "That's more like it."

The two went through "The Man Who Chases the Light" again and made some adjustments to a few details.

After listening, Su Wanqing frowned: "Honey, I think you sound a bit tense on that high note in the chorus. Are you nervous?"

Liu Yu thought for a moment: "A little. After all, it's the semi-finals. I only came in third in the preliminary rounds, so I need to push forward this time."

Su Wanqing stood up, walked behind him, placed her hands on his shoulders, and began to massage him.

"Don't be nervous. Just imagine the people sitting below are still winter melons. Two thousand winter melons, a lush green expanse, what's there to be nervous about?"

Liu Yu laughed: "Winter melon again? Can you use a different metaphor?"

Su Wanqing thought for a moment: "Then... pumpkin? watermelon? cantaloupe?"

Liu Yu shook his head: "Forget it, let's go with the winter melon. At least the winter melon looks pleasing to the eye."

Su Wanqing nodded in satisfaction: "That's right! Winter melons are so nice, big and round, they look festive. Just imagine, two thousand winter melons sitting below the stage, a lush green expanse, how spectacular! What's there to be nervous about singing to two thousand winter melons?"

Liu Yu was amused by her twisted logic, and his mood relaxed considerably.

He picked up the guitar and played it again.

This time the high notes went much smoother. After listening, Su Wanqing nodded in satisfaction: "Yes, yes, yes! That's the feeling! Relax, be natural, sing however you feel comfortable. Don't keep thinking 'I want to get first place,' just think 'I want to sing for Wanqing.' That way you won't be nervous."

Liu Yu looked at her, feeling a warmth in his heart: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

The two practiced for a while longer, and Su Wanqing checked her phone; it was almost eleven o'clock.

After washing up, the two lay down on the bed.

Su Wanqing rolled into Liu Yu's arms, found a comfortable position, and closed her eyes.

"husband."

"Um?"

"What place do you think we can get tomorrow?"

"I don't know, I'll do my best."

"I think we can get first place. Do you believe me?"

"Are you breastfeeding again?"

"What do you mean by 'milk'? This is a prediction! Do you understand what a prediction is? Based on your performance today, your strength, and my support, first place is a sure thing!"

Liu Yu shook his head helplessly: "Fine, first place. I'll buy you a bag if I get first place."

Su Wanqing opened her eyes and looked at him: "It's settled?"

"It's a deal."

"Pinky promise."

Their little fingers were hooked together, and Su Wanqing shook it vigorously, chanting, "Pinky promise, never to change for a hundred years! Whoever changes is a dog!"

Liu Yu laughed: "Fine, whoever turns into a puppy is the one who gets the title."

Su Wanqing closed her eyes contentedly, a smile playing on her lips, and quickly fell asleep.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Liu Yu's heart melted completely.

This girl can drive you crazy when she's being noisy, but she's also incredibly endearing when she's quiet.

He gently kissed her forehead, turned off the light, and closed his eyes.

Tomorrow, the semi-finals will begin.

He's ready.

At 7:30 the next morning, Liu Yu was woken up by Su Wanqing's slap.

The force and accuracy were as if the person had practiced; the blow landed squarely on the chest with a dull thud.

"Honey!!! Wake up!!! Today's the semi-finals!!!"

Liu Yu clutched his chest, feeling as if his heart was about to jump out of his throat.

He opened his eyes and saw Su Wanqing standing by the bed, fully armed.

Wearing a white T-shirt, denim shorts, white sneakers, and a high ponytail, with exquisite makeup, she looked both sweet and cool. Unlike yesterday, she wore a pair of sparkly earrings today, which glittered under the lights, making people dizzy.

There were two large bags next to him, one was Liu Yu's guitar bag, and the other was Su Wanqing's "agent's treasure box".

It was filled with water, snacks, tissues, band-aids, throat lozenges, spare guitar strings, a portable fan, a power bank... everything imaginable, just like Doraemon's four-dimensional pocket.

Liu Yu glanced at his phone: "7:30, the semi-finals don't start until 2 PM. Why did you call me so early?"

Su Wanqing, hands on her hips, said matter-of-factly, "Early? What do you mean early! Today's the semi-finals! Twenty-four to twelve! Half will be eliminated! It's such an important day, shouldn't we get up early to prepare? You need to eat first! Then practice your voice! Then go to the venue to familiarize yourself with the stage! And you need to do your makeup! Your hair and makeup! Change your clothes! Do you think this is going to the market to buy groceries? You can just throw on some slippers and go?"

Liu Yu was so overwhelmed by her outburst that his head was spinning. Resigned, he got up and headed to the bathroom.

"Okay, okay, whatever you say. You're in charge."

Su Wanqing called out from behind, "Hurry up! I've already ordered breakfast! It'll be there in ten minutes! Use this time to wash up! I'll help you choose an outfit! Today is the semi-finals, you have to look even better than in the preliminary rounds!"

Liu Yu, squeezing toothpaste, poked his head out from the bathroom doorway: "Didn't you say you looked really cool in that outfit from the preliminary round?"