Though already advanced in years, Luen was not short in stature. As he stepped in front of Su Wanwan, he neatly blocked her line of sight. Hearing his words, she instantly understood—someone must have arrived. It was likely the student the old man had often grumbled about.
She tilted her head slightly, allowing her cascading black hair to glide smoothly over her shoulder, setting off her delicate face, fair as carved jade. Yet all she saw was a figure stepping into the changing room.
"Hello?" Su Wanwan called out suspiciously, but the man didn't even turn his head.
Luen glanced back, and his face immediately darkened. This Fu Liangmu—no matter how much he disliked women—shouldn't have snubbed him so rudely.
"Ahem..." Luen was just about to speak when Fu Liangmu interjected,"Apologies. Time is tight. I'll change first. You must be Su Wanwan. I go by F."
"F??" Su Wanwan was dumbfounded. Who introduces themselves with just a broken letter? Was he deliberately making things difficult because he didn't like her?
Luen had initially intended to reveal Fu Liangmu's full name, but thought better of it. After all, the young man had always used a pseudonym during his numerous past performances—just the letter "F." So Luen chose not to meddle. Still… why had the boy gone so far as to lower his voice deliberately? It didn't sound like him at all.
Fu Liangmu offered no explanation. He simply closed the door behind him, exhaled deeply, and stared at the silver mask in his hand, a faint smile playing at his lips. Things were becoming more and more intriguing...
Outside, Luen pulled Su Wanwan to a seat. She placed the snacks she had brought on the table, only to notice another identical box already there. She took a bite and immediately frowned.
"These are all damp and no longer crisp. Why are you still eating them, old man? Don't tell me this is what I brought you last time?"
Looking slightly embarrassed, Luen nodded, gazing at the pastries like precious treasure."Of course."
Su Wanwan gave a helpless smile."If you like them that much, I'll just bring you more."
"Good, good!" he beamed. Having never had children, and realizing too late that he wanted them, he cherished every gift Su Wanwan gave him.
"By the way, don't mind that boy. He's always had a temper."Su Wanwan nodded lightly.
Luen added apologetically,"I originally hoped the two of you could perform a duet, but F refused."
Su Wanwan merely replied with an "Oh," not particularly bothered. It was their first meeting, and they had no experience performing together. To demand a duet out of the blue was a bit unreasonable.
"It's alright."Luen patted her shoulder and smiled gently,"Alright then, get yourself ready. I'll be heading to the stage soon."
"Alright."
Once Luen left, only Su Wanwan and Fu Liangmu remained backstage. Su Wanwan sat before the mirror, slowly applying makeup with a brush.
Creak—the dressing room door opened. Fu Liangmu emerged, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. The black ensemble amplified his cold, aloof aura. Most of his face was hidden beneath a silver mask, revealing only his sharply defined jaw and those ink-dark eyes.
He sat beside Su Wanwan, keeping a distance befitting strangers, as though they had never met.
"Apologies—I was changing just now and couldn't greet you."
Protected by the mask and masking his voice, Fu Liangmu didn't reveal a single crack in his disguise.
Su Wanwan offered a polite smile, though inwardly she found him a bit odd. The performance hadn't even begun—why was he already wearing a mask?
"No worries. It's perfectly normal for a first meeting."
"By the way, I'll perform first."
Being Luen's only student, F was naturally the finale. Su Wanwan had no intention of stealing the spotlight, so she offered proactively.
Fu Liangmu stiffened slightly. Recalling what he'd just said to Luen, he suddenly regretted it bitterly. If he'd known Luen meant Su Wanwan, he'd never have refused so curtly.
"Let's play together. This is our teacher's final performance—I want it to end perfectly."
A flicker of surprise crossed Su Wanwan's star-bright eyes."But the old man told me you didn't want to—"
"That was a misunderstanding on his part," Fu Liangmu cut in.
"Oh… alright then."Su Wanwan closed her lips, puffed up her cheeks slightly, looking adorably disgruntled.
Fu Liangmu handed her the sheet music."Time is a bit tight. The entire concert lasts three hours—we need to rehearse as much as we can."
Su Wanwan accepted it, scanning the pages calmly."I know this piece well. I won't be a burden."
Fu Liangmu allowed a faint smile to touch his lips."Good."
Just then, Su Wanwan's phone rang. It was Xia Kelan.
"I'll go escort my friend to her seat. I'll be right back."
"Alright."
Circling to the front entrance, Su Wanwan spotted Xia Kelan craning her neck in all directions.
"This way."Su Wanwan waved her over and handed her the ticket."You're in the middle of the third row."
Blowing her a playful kiss, Xia Kelan grinned,"Knew you loved me best! Come, help me find my seat!"
"Sure."
The venue was beginning to fill. Su Wanwan linked arms with Xia Kelan, weaving through the growing crowd.
But Xia Kelan's sharp eyes landed on someone. She tugged Su Wanwan's arm, steering them in a new direction—right behind two familiar figures.
Then—she raised her foot and stomped hard on someone's heel.
"Ah!" Su Nian let out a sharp cry of pain. She was wearing delicate black flats, and her heel couldn't take the abuse. Sure enough, when she looked down—her skin was broken.
Xia Kelan lifted her chin proudly, brimming with righteous fury.
"Wuwuwu, Brother Nan, she stepped on me..."Su Nian's eyes brimmed with tears as she clung to Ye Nan's sleeve, pouting, and glaring at Su Wanwan like a wounded rabbit.
Ye Nan's face turned frosty."Su Wanwan, can you be any more despicable?""When you can't win fair and square, you stoop to low tricks?""You really are capable of anything.""So what, you heard we were coming to the concert and decided to tag along?""Take a good look at yourself—do you have even a shred of artistic sensibility? Can you even appreciate music?"
Su Wanwan lifted her gaze, cold as frost."Did your family build this place?""Why so nosy?""Frankly, you'd make a better security guard than a businessman—plenty of free time, I see.""And next time, try looking in a mirror.""Might help you stop daydreaming in broad daylight."