The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

Art students? Pursuing a career in the arts, hoping to one day perform on stage in front of an audience?

For Xu Xi, hiding in an inconspicuous corner, where no one can notice her, is her comfort zone.

She is an individual who doesn't like to attract attention.

If it weren't for Wen Yao's company today, Xu Xi wouldn't have been able to naturally sing the entire song in front of everyone.

Moreover, I've heard that anything related to music is extremely expensive.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Jiang, I think it's better for me to stick to my regular academic studies."

She looked at Teacher Jiang with a slightly apologetic expression and expressed her thoughts.

Upon hearing this, Teacher Jiang was slightly taken aback, but quickly understood.

For most students, the education they receive from a young age prioritizes academic performance, and any other path is considered a shortcut.

This idea is not wrong in most cases, but it is deeply ingrained in some ways.

Everyone has things they are good at and things they are not good at.

Under this mindset, many children who have special talents in art or sports immerse themselves in studies they are not good at, resulting in mediocre grades and their talents being buried.

Teacher Jiang just felt that it was a real pity that Xu Xi didn't pursue the path of art, given her potential.

"Hehe, it's okay. If you change your mind later, you can come find me~"

"Okay, sure."

After saying goodbye to Teacher Jiang, Xu Xi returned to her classroom.

It had been a while since school ended, and all the students had left the school. Even the students on duty had finished their work, and the classroom was empty.

"Ah, you're finally back, Xu Xi. What did Teacher Jiang say to you?"

Wen Yao appeared out of nowhere behind Xu Xi, who was packing her schoolbag, and patted her on the shoulder.

"No...it's nothing."

Xu Xi scratched his head.

"They asked me if I wanted to take the art exam, saying I was very suitable for the path of art."

"So, you agreed?"

Wen Yao leaned on the table and asked curiously.

Xu Xi shook her head.

"No, I don't really like going on stage."

"Oh, I see."

Wen Yao also felt it was a bit of a pity.

If Xu Xi were to debut as a star, her looks and singing ability would definitely surpass many current celebrities.

However, she had heard that the entertainment industry was very chaotic, and that a naive young girl like Xu Xi would definitely suffer a lot if she got involved.

"Garlic Bird, Garlic Bird, studying hard is actually a good thing. If it were so easy for art students to get accepted, then everyone would be taking the art exam."

Wen Yao swung her ponytail, sat down at the table next to her, and kept swinging her legs while waiting for Xu Xi to finish packing her schoolbag.

"Oh, by the way, Xu Xi, can you tell me why you wanted to sing the song 'Red Bean'?"

She asked curiously.

"I have so many songs on my playlist, and you just had to pick one that I'm worst at singing. It's so embarrassing."

Of course, this was just an excuse Wen Yao made for herself.

No matter what song she sings, she can do it with the same heroic spirit as when she sings military songs.

Xu Xi lowered her head, a barely perceptible sadness flashing in her eyes.

The look in my eyes when I looked at the group photo on Teacher Jiang's desk in the office was exactly the same.

"Because my mother named me after this song."

"Your name?"

Wen Yao quickly recalled the lyrics of the song "Red Bean".

"Perhaps you will stay with me and watch the gentle flow of time?"

Xu Xi nodded gently.

"The original lyrics were supposed to be 'a gentle stream,' but my mother misheard it as 'a flowing brook.' The song was very popular the year I was born, so that's how I got this name."

"I see..."

Wen Yao suddenly realized.

"However, after changing it to 'a flowing stream,' the lyrics seem to have become more evocative."

She closed her eyes, and this image appeared in her mind.

The girl and her sweetheart stood by a babbling brook, hand in hand, their eyes conveying their love for each other.

The babbling brook reflects the figures of the two embracing, carrying this beautiful scene into the distance.

"I'm done packing, let's go."

Xu Xi slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and tugged at Wen Yao, who looked like a lovesick girl.

"Okay, let's go home."

As soon as the two stepped out of the classroom, they saw a dozen tall boys and girls surrounding the classroom door, their faces very unfriendly, as if they were waiting for them.

To be precise, they should be waiting for Xu Xi.

Because their eyes were all focused on Xu Xi.

The person in the lead was none other than Zhao Lin, whose face was gloomy.

"Zhao Lin, this is a school. What do you want?"

Wen Yao pulled Xu Xi behind her and frowned as she looked at Zhao Lin.

She felt somewhat uneasy facing the dense crowd.

Wen Yao secretly placed one hand on her phone in her pocket, ready to dial the emergency call button at any moment.

Although she has a black belt in Taekwondo, she is, after all, a girl, and her strength is limited.

Dealing with two or three people is fine, but if it's a dozen or so, then you're just going to get beaten up.

Zhao Lin raised one hand and pointed at Xu Xi, who was hiding behind Wen Yao with a look of fear on her face.

"I don't care where you're from, stay away from Jia Yi."

"If I see you seducing Jiayi again, I'll make sure you never leave this school."

"Didn't your mother teach you that interfering in someone else's relationship is a despicable act?"

Wen Yao chuckled lightly, her laughter filled with utter contempt.

"Zhao Lin, don't assume everyone is like you."

"Don't you think that rubbing your body against someone of the opposite sex is seduction, is despicable?"

"You can't get the guy you like, so you inexplicably pin the blame on a new classmate in our class? Are you out of your mind?"

Her words were sharp and incisive, directly piercing Zhao Lin's psychological defenses.

"Sister Lin, this shrew is so gossipy, should we beat her up?"

A boy behind Zhao Lin, shaking his head, said to her.

Zhao Lin gritted her teeth, her anger rising to her head, wishing she could tear Wen Yao's mouth apart.

But then she seemed to suddenly remember something, and stomped her foot hard, stopping the boy from doing so.

"Hehe...aren't the sushi I made myself delicious?"

Suppressing her anger, she asked Xu Xi in a low, sarcastic tone.

Just as Wen Yao was about to retort, she heard Xu Xi's voice coming from behind her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that box of sushi was a gift from you to Song Jiayi. If I had known, I wouldn't have accepted Song Jiayi's help."

"I have no feelings for Song Jiayi. I have someone I like who is a thousand times, ten thousand times better than Song Jiayi."

Xu Xi raised her head, her tone flat, but her eyes revealed a coldness.

"My mother has passed away. It is very impolite to mock a deceased person. Please have some self-respect."