Next up was Becky.
Young Miss Becky had received a fine upbringing, so playing a few instruments was naturally no trouble for her.
Her family had never intended to turn her into a musical prodigy. She simply enjoyed music as an everyday pastime, a way to cultivate herself!
Becky could handle the class preliminaries, but the school-wide preliminary round would probably prove a little difficult for her.
Young Miss Becky had little interest in competing anyway. She was only taking part for fun.
After that, a succession of little boys and girls went onstage to perform.
The teachers serving as judges struggled through the pain and torment, fatigue written all over their faces.
Finally, it was the second-to-last contestant, Sian Evan's turn. Before leaving, he glanced at Richie and wiped away his drool again.
Then, with an unreadable look in his eyes, he slowly walked up.
Unlike everyone else, he picked up a violin and performed alone.
Si Ang was a quiet boy, his eyes heavy with sorrow so thick it seemed impossible to dissolve.
Richie was still fast asleep, oblivious to everything around him.
A single violin note rang out, and everyone held their breath.
The moment Richie heard that note, he woke up. He slowly lifted his head from the desk and turned his gaze toward the figure onstage.
Si Ang's eyes brimmed with emotion as they opened and closed, and Richie unexpectedly met his gaze.
The instant their eyes met, Si Ang seemed to forget everything, even the music he was playing. The violin fell abruptly silent.
Once again, the whole class felt that suffocating pressure. They could not understand why Si Ang gave off such an overwhelming presence.
It lasted only an instant. Si Ang quickly returned to normal, like a placid lake that had never