Chapter 77: PS-Chapter 76 The Past Cannot Be Reclaimed
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Jianghai University holds most of its cultural performances in the He Liangwei Auditorium. The auditorium is large and spacious, with a large backstage area that includes a control room, makeup room, dressing rooms, sound studio, prop room, and even shower and lounge facilities.
When Lu Chen entered, there were at least 100 to 200 people in the makeup room, mostly students getting ready to go on stage. Many girls were dressed in beautiful performance costumes and had already applied their makeup, gathering in small groups to chat and laugh.
Lu Chen had attended several performances and was familiar with the backstage area of the auditorium.
He found a spot in a corner to sit down, casually opened his guitar case, and began to tune his instrument while practicing his fingerwork. His performance was scheduled for 8:30 pm, so he still had plenty of time.
"Lu Chen."
As Lu Chen softly strummed the guitar and hummed, he suddenly heard a light voice calling him from beside him.
When he heard this familiar voice, Lu Chen sighed inwardly.
He put down his guitar and turned around to see a girl in a white dress standing in front of him. She was about five feet tall, with a well-proportioned figure, an oval face with willow-like eyebrows, and long hair cascading down her shoulders with a touch of makeup, making her quite a beauty.
Wang Ying was a student in the Chinese department of Jianghai University and was Lu Chen's ex-girlfriend.
Lu Chen's indifferent attitude made Wang Ying frown. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Lu Chen, has Cao Xiuzhu mentioned anything to you? My uncle's company in Hangzhou is hiring, and the position is quite good."
"I know, the class monitor already told me," Lu Chen interrupted. "Thank you for your kindness, but I plan to develop my career in the capital, so I appreciate it, but I will pass."
"Lu Chen!"
Wang Ying's eyes flashed with displeasure, and her voice rose a tone. "Can you not be so stubborn? What future do you have in the capital? Even if you don't think of yourself, you should think of your family's situation!"
Her face showed a look of disappointment.
Lu Chen just smiled. "Wang Ying, it has been so long, has your temperament not changed? I really think there's nothing left to say between us."
Wang Ying didn't get angry. Instead, she looked thoughtful and asked, "Lu Chen, do you still hate me?"
Lu Chen shook his head and stood up to say, "I did hate you before, but I've come to terms with it now."
"I think even if my family didn't have problems, we wouldn't have survived. I had problems too, so there's no need to blame each other. When we meet again in the future, let's just be classmates and friends."
Wang Ying stared at Lu Chen blankly.
This rational and mature version of Lu Chen felt strange to her, as if the person standing before her was someone else.
It was a feeling of loss.
After a moment, she said somewhat despondently, "Okay then, goodbye.
With that, Wang Ying turned to leave, not walking away willingly.
Lu Chen smiled to himself. He understood Wang Ying's feelings, which were merely an attempt to atone for the guilt of their breakup.
But he wasn't interested in getting a "good" job in Hangzhou and living under someone else's roof.
As for his involvement with Wang Ying, the past cannot be recalled; let it remain in the past!
Just as Lu Chen was about to sit down again, he suddenly felt that something was wrong and instinctively looked to his right.
Just a few steps away from him, there was a stunning beauty with bright eyes and a charming smile.
Her light blue evening gown showed off her graceful figure perfectly, and her long, straight legs were casually posed. Her bright, expressive eyes held a hint of a smile, and her exquisitely beautiful face was a sight to behold.
She sat quietly, exuding a radiance that could light up even the darkest corners.
Lu Chen couldn't help but be astonished. "Su Xuan?"
Su Xuan was a very famous person at Jianghai University. She was the flower of the foreign language department, receiving first-class scholarships every year, and was talented in singing and dancing, with dozens of admirers.
Lu Chen knew Su Xuan; few people didn't, but their acquaintance was limited to that.
He hadn't expected Su Xuan to be hiding here alone.
He hadn't noticed her before.
In Lu Chen's limited impressions, Su Xuan was always surrounded by several attentive admirers.
Su Xuan blinked and said, "Lu Chen, I didn't eavesdrop on you two on purpose.
Lu Chen chuckled, "Sorry to disappoint you but there was nothing exciting in our conversation.
Su Xuan smiled slightly, then straightened her expression and said, "Honestly, I have a feeling that Wang Ying still has feelings for you.
Lu Chen and Wang Ying, once a couple deeply in love, were quite famous at Jianghai University.
"Maybe," Lu Chen replied. "But it's all in the past now."
Su Xuan understood that he didn't want to discuss it further, so she changed the subject. "It must be hard to develop your career in the capital, right?"
She rarely talked to boys because there were too many persistent admirers, and saying a few words often led to misunderstandings. Tonight, she had come to this corner of the backstage area specifically to avoid those suitors.
Unexpectedly, she stumbled upon a conversation between two former lovers.
Su Xuan had heard some gossip about Lu Chen before, and she appreciated his behavior now.
A real man should have self-respect, self-reliance, and self-confidence.
So she didn't mind chatting with Lu Chen a bit more, considering that they would all be going their separate ways tomorrow anyway.
Lu Chen smiled and said, "It is tough and requires a lot of effort; I hope to achieve success."
He then asked her, "What are your plans after graduation?"
This was probably the most frequently asked question among students today.
Su Xuan replied, "I will go to Wharton for graduate studies."
"Wharton?"
Lu Chen exclaimed, "That's impressive!"
Wharton is ranked as the top business school in the world and is part of the University of Pennsylvania, which has over a hundred years of history and has produced countless business elites and economists.
However, getting into Wharton is quite challenging. Lu Chen's sister, Lu Xi, once aspired to attend this prestigious school, but ultimately chose domestic institutions like Jingda and Qinghua for practical reasons.
Su Xuan was not only extremely beautiful, but also academically outstanding, which made Lu Chen admire her even more.
Su Xuan smiled and said, "Thank you! If you ever have the chance to visit Philadelphia, be sure to find me for tea."
Lu Chen chuckled, "I don't even have your contact information.
He had no intention of pursuing Su Xuan, as they were undoubtedly from two different worlds.
He was just enjoying the conversation, so he casually mentioned it.
Su Xuan generously gave him her WeChat ID: "This is my personal number, please don't share it!"
Lu Chen saved it in his phone.
Su Xuan stood up and said, "It's almost my turn to go on stage. See you, Lu Chen."
Lu Chen also stood up. "Goodbye, Su Xuan."
He knew that there would probably not be many opportunities for them to meet again, and he felt a tinge of regret.
For a girl with such grace and talent, even if they didn't become a couple, being friends would still be a great fortune.
As he watched her figure disappear into the backstage, Lu Chen had just sat down when Cao Xiuzhu, the class leader, rushed over, panting and complaining.
"Lu Chen, you jerk! How could you hide here? It was hard to find you!"
Lu Chen was surprised. "What's going on?"
Cao Xiuzhu replied, "Your performance has been moved up. The two acts before you need extra preparation time, so you'll go on after the next act ends!"
Lu Chen exclaimed, "What?!"
In college events, the schedule could be quite flexible. While major performances had prior rehearsals and time slots, unexpected situations could arise, and solo acts like his would need to fill in.
"Don't freak out; I'm already panicking!"
Cao Xiuzhu said urgently, "You'd better get ready! Do you need me to help with your makeup?"
"No, no need!"
Lu Chen quickly said, "Just take this to the control room for me to play when it's my turn."
He pulled a USB drive from his pocket and handed it to Cao Xiuzhu.
A month ago, Cao Xiuzhu had called Lu Chen to tell him about the performance, so he had prepared a music video to go along with his song early on.
"Got it!"
Cao Xiuzhu took the USB and hurried off to the control room.
Lu Chen let out a sigh. He turned to look at himself in the makeup mirror.
He needed to keep it up!
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(This chapter is complete)