Xie Chuchu rubbed her cheek.
Her ears instinctively perked up to listen to the conversation nearby.
When she heard a middle-aged woman include Xue Jiamin in her predicted list of finalists, Xie Chuchu couldn't help the corners of her mouth from lifting.
Hehe.
She secretly rejoiced.
From the woman's analysis, it was clear she knew quite a bit about piano.
So her predictions were probably fairly reliable.
And Xiuxiu had also said Xue Jiamin had performed very well and was highly likely to make it to the finals...
Xie Chuchu clasped her hands in front of her chest.
She felt that maybe, possibly... she could almost look forward to—no, wait—to hearing the judges call Xue Jiamin's name in a moment.
"Yes!"
Xie Chuchu cheered softly.
"Xiuxiu!"
She grabbed her friend's hand. "Did you hear that?!"
"Xue Jiamin made it to the finals!"
"Mm."
Chi Xiuke smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.
"I heard."
"That's wonderful."
"Congratulations, Chuchu."
"Ahem~"
Xie Chuchu awkwardly reined in her delight, her gaze turning evasive.
"Congratulations for what?"
"It's not like I made it to the finals."
Chi Xiuke found her friend's denial rather amusing.
"Your eyes have practically disappeared from smiling. And you say it has nothing to do with you?"
"Did they?"
Xie Chuchu instinctively touched her eyes.
"They didn't..."
Xie Chuchu smiled sheepishly.
Chi Xiuke didn't argue with her about it.
Instead, she tactfully changed the subject.
"Come on."
"Huh?"
Xie Chuchu stared at her.
"Come on?"
Where were they going?
Chi Xiuke sighed helplessly.
"The competition's over now."
"Aren't you going backstage to see Xue Jiamin?"
Oh?
Xie Chuchu couldn't help glancing toward the stage.
Indeed.
The stage, which had been quite lively just moments ago, was now deserted.
Half the audience