The selection committee naturally selected Wang Muman's ballet performance. A few other outstanding performances were also chosen by the teachers: Zhang Mingming's singing performance and Yan Cheng's piano performance. The primary focus was on singing performances, which were more numerous.
Wang Muman boarded the bus again. This time, there weren't many people on the bus. Wang Muman spotted a single seat and went directly to sit down. She took out a book she had borrowed from the school library and began to read. She didn't get dizzy when reading on the bus.
Yan Cheng saw Wang Muman again today at the bus stop, but she seemed deeply lost in her own thoughts and didn't notice him. He got on the bus and sat in the back, watching Wang Muman's every move. He couldn't help but think: she chooses a single seat, she must be a lonely person. He remembered how he used to go to his grandmother's lively house because his parents were busy with work, and he wondered if she was also lonely because of her parents' work. He silently watched her retreating figure.
Wang Muman returned home and skillfully started cooking noodles, adding a fried egg for herself. She turned on the projector and played the Harry Potter movie, which made the place feel a bit livelier. After eating, she went upstairs to practice the dance she was going to perform at the Mid-Autumn Festival gala. When she got tired from practicing, she took a bath and went to bed. Wang Mujin returned late at night. Knowing that Wang Muman was already asleep, he planned to spend time with her the next day since he had the day off.
"Manman, didn't you say you were going to dance at the Mid-Autumn Festival gala? How's the practice going?" Wang Mujin asked Wang Muman after finishing his porridge. "I chose a dance I learned before, something familiar. Practice is going smoothly," Wang Muman replied, drinking her milk. "That's good. Is there anything you want to do today?" "I want to watch a movie and drink milk tea." Wang Muman looked at her brother's expectant eyes and couldn't refuse. "Alright, I'll book the tickets right now." Wang Mujin never asked about his sister's grades. He always wanted to spend more time with her and do things she wanted to do. His sister seemed to have a difficult life. Happy times were always short, and soon they returned to their separate lives.
"Manman, go for it! I'll be watching you from the audience!" Wang Muman, dressed in her ballet costume, danced gracefully on stage, like a butterfly dancing in the clouds – light, free, dreamy, and full of hope. Yan Cheng watched that butterfly intently from backstage. He saw her immersed in her performance on stage, radiant and captivating, proud yet wistful. Her round eyes narrowed slightly, her hands gently tapped the air as if ripples were spreading, and then she turned, chasing the light. The applause was continuous; this butterfly had touched everyone's hearts.
"Manman, you were really, truly beautiful!" He Lele grabbed Wang Muman's hand, her eyes shining. Wang Muman, slightly breathless, steadied her breathing. "I'm going to change, otherwise it'll be uncomfortable to sit." "I'll wait for you outside. There's a seat right here." "Okay." After changing, Wang Muman sat next to He Lele to watch the rest of the performances. "Manman, you're a goddess!" Zhang Jiayi said from the side. "Indeed, I saw those younger guys' eyes glued to you." Shen Jiaxin took out a flower, "For you, my beautiful friend." "Xin Ge, which fan sent you this one?" He Lele looked at the flower, recognizing it. "It's one of those who watched me play basketball before. Her name is Zhang Qing." "Oh, her again." "I'm passing this on as a gift, Manman." "Thank you, Jiaxin." Wang Muman accepted the flower.
The announcer on stage said the next performance was Yan Cheng's piano recital. The sound of male voices cheering reached their ears, "Yan Cheng, I'm your fan!" Zhou Mingyu shouted. Yan Cheng cursed him in his mind and motioned for quiet. The piece, "Castle in the Sky," silenced everyone. His long, slender fingers danced on the piano keys, his calm, handsome face like a tranquil lake with barely a ripple, a slight smile gracing his lips. It was clear this was something he loved. Wang Muman watched his expression, listening to the music, and a memory of an anime surfaced in her mind. The melody conjured a series of images.