Chapter 85

"I didn't come here to avoid the outside world, as I boasted. Instead, my personality is very introverted, and I once had flaws. But that was in the past. Perhaps I haven't fully recovered yet, but I'm trying to change. I think you and I are the same, treating this place as a refuge from the outside world. But I hope you, like me, will keep this place but not make it your entire world. The pressure from the outside world won't stop just because you retreat. If you can't stand up to it, the pressure will only intensify and eventually overwhelm this place, invading even your last sanctuary."

"Do you understand what I mean? I think you will. Even though we've only exchanged a few messages, I can sense that you and I are the same. So I hope you will make the same choice as I have. Hehe, sorry, I might be too vague. If I'm wrong, just consider it nonsense. I wish you happiness every day. See you next time. O(∩_∩)O"

Jin Taeyeon was silent for a while, then closed the diary. She leaned against the wall, hugging her knees, and stared into space, twirling the pen in her hand. Whether by chance or genuine understanding, it felt as if he knew her so well, as if he were right beside her. After just a few messages, he could analyze her problems so thoroughly. Despite all her worries, she still had a place in her heart that was the most peaceful and reassuring. But Jin Taeyeon knew he was right.

Pressure won't stay still just because you retreat. It will only advance more aggressively, invading everything until you have nowhere to retreat, or you resist, or... collapse. After a moment, Jin Taeyeon took out a pen and left a message. She might not have realized it herself, but the smile that appeared here, unconsciously, was the same innocent smile she had at home when she was young. It gradually disappeared from her fair and lovely face after she started school.

She closed the diary and put it aside, took one last look, and walked out, her smile gradually fading. In its place was a determined look. This is the last sanctuary I have after leaving home. But I promise you, I will be like you and never allow myself to be forced to hide here.

I will communicate here on equal terms with you, even though I don't know you and might never see you again. At least now, because of what you said to me, I am willing to take action to protect our shared place, not letting any outside pressure or委屈 invade it.

As she walked out of the abandoned teaching building on the back mountain, Jin Taeyeon heard the sounds of the school anniversary performance and the cheers of the students. She was no longer the Jin Taeyeon who would only bow and apologize when scolded by her senior, nor the Jin Taeyeon who would still try to make amends after being hurt by Li Yayuan. What she least wanted to be was the Jin Taeyeon who silently accepted the drastic changes in Wen Jungwoo's attitude, as if everything was under his control and he was just toying with her.

Fine, in the past, I could compromise and retreat. I could silently endure anything, but not this time. I don't want to be suppressed, so I will resist. I have no strengths; I'm not beautiful, and I'm not outgoing. My academic performance is average, and I'm not outstanding in sports. The only thing that can help me defend myself and withstand all the pressure is singing. Sorry, I don't want to compromise with you. I want your excuses and casual dismissals to go to hell.

Jin Taeyeon composed herself and walked forward calmly. She casually entered the crowd and disappeared. Just like her usual ordinariness, no one noticed her leaving, and no one noticed her return. All the students were immersed in the school anniversary activities. What she didn't know was that in the next ten minutes, she would become extraordinary at school, and this would continue for a long, long time.

Wen Jungwoo watched as the principal Choi and the sullen Lee Soo-young left the backstage. He looked at the silent Song Hye-in and Liu Shangmin, then finally turned his gaze to Li Yayuan.

He smiled and approached, speaking softly, "Did you find Jin Taeyeon?"

Li Yayuan shook her head in response.

Sitting down, Wen Jungwoo shrugged and glanced at Song Hye-in, then smiled at Li Yayuan, "Send her a text to explain the situation. This time, she should believe it, since you saw it with your own eyes, and I didn't lie at all."

Song Hye-in pushed Liu Shangmin to handle the text to Jin Taeyeon, then sat in front of him, "Why are you so reckless? You're in the voice change period, and you insisted on singing this song. If the club president hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have known how serious it was."

Wen Jungwoo waved his hand, "If it were serious, they wouldn't have let me sing. They still agreed to let me perform, didn't they?"

He rubbed his nose and sighed, "But I guess I'll get a good scolding when I get back."

Song Hye-in frowned, "Will... will they hit you?"

Wen Jungwoo was taken aback and laughed, "No, but there are many punishments that are worse than being hit... Did she reply?"

Wen Jungwoo leaned over to look at Li Yayuan, and Liu Shangmin frowned, tapping her head, then turned to the two, "No reply. Could it be that Jin Taeyeon really didn't bring her phone?"

Song Hye-in stood up with a cold face, "Don't let me catch her. If I do, she won't be able to enter school before graduation..."

Wen Jungwoo spoke up, "Senior, it's not her fault. If I had told her earlier and not played these tricks, maybe this wouldn't have happened."

Turning to Li Yayuan, Wen Jungwoo said, "If she doesn't reply, that's fine. I'll explain to her after the performance. We'll still sing in the original key; it will be fine."

Li Yayuan hesitantly said, "But... what if she doesn't receive it?"

Wen Jungwoo waved his hand, "I feel she will sing in the original key. Don't worry. She argued with me that day and was scolded by the senior. After that, she didn't refuse, so it should be fine... Is it my turn?"

Wen Jungwoo watched a few classmates bow on stage and hurriedly took the microphone and walked up. Standing there, he heard the applause and the audience below.

In his rush, Wen Jungwoo didn't think much. He had worked hard for the debut performance, but now the arrival of Lee Soo-young had completely changed its meaning. Wen Jungwoo felt a bit helpless.

It's disappointing. When Lee Soo-young found out that he had chosen "Love Song" to sing, the consequences were predictable. He almost ordered Wen Jungwoo to go back with him right away.

It was the principal Choi's persuasion and Wen Jungwoo's insistence, and finally, a small performance on the spot to prove that singing in that key was fine, that finally convinced Lee Soo-young to reluctantly agree.

But he would definitely get a scolding from Lee Soon-gyu when he got back. In terms of music, would he and Lee Soon-gyu together be a match for Lee Soo-young?

Not to mention the actual singing, just in terms of experience and knowledge. When Lee Soo-young heard him sing, he could tell that the method of barely reaching that pitch was clearly taught by Lee Soon-gyu.

But Wen Jungwoo felt a bit guilty. Yesterday, he had confidently told Lee Soon-gyu that it would be fine as long as she didn't come. Now, it seemed he had been naive and hadn't thought it through.

He hadn't realized how much Lee Soo-young cared about his vocal cords. Watching Jin Taeyeon walk onto the stage from the crowd, Wen Jungwoo laughed and shook his head, finding her quite cooperative.

Everyone else had come from the crowd, and she did the same. After looking for her for so long, she had the time to sit and watch the performance, and not even respond to him?

Jin Taeyeon had no special expression, and Wen Jungwoo just smiled and didn't say anything more. Song Hye-in glanced at Jin Taeyeon on stage and began to introduce their performance.

The prelude of "Love Song" began, and hearing the same key, Wen Jungwoo took a deep breath, watching Jin Taeyeon pick up the microphone and slowly start to sing.

It would be over in about five minutes. Then there would be explanations, to Jin Taeyeon after the performance, to Lee Soo-young when he got back, and helping Lee Soon-gyu avoid more responsibility.

But as Jin Taeyeon finished the first verse and Wen Jungwoo started the second, he didn't see the hidden determination and resistance in her eyes when she looked at him.

There are many clocks hidden around you in life, some fast, some slow, some stationary, some reversed. At this moment, a countdown began between the two, but neither realized what would happen when the time and events finally converged.

(Thank you all for your votes and support. I hope you will continue to support Han Cuo. Thank you. zzang. O(∩_∩)O)

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{Piaotian Literature}