Chapter 21.5| Becoming 18

Xing Xiuze took off his coat and placed it on the back of a chair, then took out his phone and tinkered with it for a few moments before handing it to the staff member. 

After connecting to the banquet hall's sound system, Xing Xiuze returned to the stage under the watchful gaze, and Xu Zhiyi unbuttoned a suit button. Both stood with their waists sinking, shoulders relaxed, and their abdomens slightly touching. Zhiyi's right palm gently supported Xiuze's left scapula, and his forearm rose to shoulder level in an arched position; Xiuze's left hand – primarily using his thumb and middle finger – naturally rested on the outer side of Zhiyi's forearm, while Xiuze's right hand clasped Zhiyi's left hand. The two clashed their arms like an open umbrella, stretching upwards in an arc, with their shoulders parallel and both tilting their heads 45 degrees to the left, eyes looking straight ahead.

As the dance posture took shape, the content of the battle was revealed – a duet waltz. In this battle, Xing Xiuze's stance represented the female role, presenting a unique and highly anticipated performance.

The smooth melody of the fourth waltz from the "Tales from the Vienna Woods" leapt out from the sound system, as Xu Zhiyi stepped forward to the right, marking the beginning of the dance. Their standard grip and well-applied force created a sense of unity in their dance, with stable postures and graceful movements that showed their expertise. Approaching the finale, during a turning movement, Xing Xiuze deliberately grasped Xu Zhiyi's right palm with his left hand and lightly supported Zhiyi's left scapula with his right palm, instantly changing the roles of the two dancers. Zhiyi hesitated for a moment, then accepted the new role, relinquishing the lead to Xing Xiuze.

As the lively and elegant fourth waltz came to an end, Zhiyi and Xiuze stood facing each other, exchanged a gentlemanly bow, then turned together to face the audience, repeating the gesture. The audience was taken by surprise, unsure whether the unexpected waltz performance was more delightful or astonishing, and applause filled the room with chants of "amazing" and "elegance" echoing back and forth.

Xipei dumbfoundedly nudged Yin's elbow and said, "Meng Yin, oh no, oh no, these two are dancing, why do I feel a bit excited?"

"Excited," Yin replied, her gaze fixed on the crude little stage, where Xu Zhiyi and Xing Xiuze embraced each other, their smiles deep and thick, dazzling her eyes.

It was her first time seeing Xu Zhiyi waltz, hoping that the adult Xu Zhiyi would have more of these smiles.

On the stage, Xiuze gestured for silence, picked up the microphone again, and smiled casually, "With our Bro Yi sacrificing so much, is this scene alright? No distinction, right?"

"No distinction!"

Xiuze pointed to the table behind Yin, saying, "Zang Kai, heard that? Don't come between my brotherhood with Xu Zhiyi."

"Aren't they childhood sweethearts?" Xipei looked over, surprised that there was still a girl hidden in Class 12 who had spoken the heartfelt words she had only kept in a song.

"Childhood sweethearts are not as good as first love." When Xing Xiuze hit the nail on the head, he found his target and warmly greeted, Miss Chu, before saying, "We are dressed up and have waltzed, isn't it time for the scene of toasting the first glass of adulthood?"

The drinks for this gathering were mainly handled by Chu Yan, not provided by a restaurant, but custom-made by her through a friend. The main feature was the customized bottle shell—an outer circle of transparent glass with various abstract paintings, bold and colourful, telling different stories related to the school if observed closely.

It was a low-alcohol sparkling wine, carefully measured, with each table receiving just one glass per person, not exceeding three sips.

Miss Chu immediately asked for everyone's opinions and agreed to advance the planned scene to the end.

Chairs were pushed back a step, everyone stood up, leaned forward slightly, and clinked their glasses filled with pale yellow liquid, the sound crisp and continuous.

Ten glasses on one table formed a circle, and a countdown of "1, 2, 3—" came from somewhere, followed by everyone knowing what to do, "At eighteen, with aspirations, Happy New Year."

As the echo faded, they, who had just entered the adult world, laughed heartily.

Xu Zhiyi and Xing Xiuze returned to their seats for less than two minutes before being pulled back on stage. Their task was not yet completed. As the host of the event, Miss Chu reminded, "The first to take the stage has the privilege of choosing the next performer." 

"This is like a big adventure!" someone commented from below. 

"After studying at FHS until the third year, there's still no talent to show off?" Miss Chu, dressed in Lolita attire, mutated her comedic persona into a mature lady. 

"These two are too strong as the first pair." 

"Sorry for dragging down the overall talent level of FHS." 

"Is it okay to ship them on the spot?" 

"Let's play a game of truth or dare on the spot!" 

Various cute 'protests' spread in the air. 

To smoothly welcome the next performer, Zhiyi and Xiuze deliberated for ten seconds and selected Miss Yan to be the next performer. 

It was not stated that the designated person could not be a staff member.

Several rounds of performances took place on stage, including singing, dancing, skits, and even on-the-spot confessions. Time never stopped its wheel, and amidst the continuous laughter, the party drew to a close. 

The final performer on the small stage was Mr Wang. 

Standing on stage, he scanned the audience below, seemingly wanting to engrave this moment in his heart. After a moment of silence, Mr Wang brought the microphone close to his mouth and said, "As the closing guest, taking these steps on stage, I have come up with a participatory game for everyone, a simple game called 'Passing the Microphone.' Choose someone in the audience, whether you know them well or not, and say something to them. It could be an opinion, a future expectation, unspoken gratitude or discontent, or a confession." In the age of candid pride, humility, arrogance, and pure enthusiasm, before facing the uncertain future, let's not leave behind regrets. 

"Two hours ago, sitting there," Mr Wang paused rhythmically, pointing to his spot, "Xing Xiuze asked me if I preferred American or British English. Let's start the game with Xing Xiuze." 

Xing Xiuze: "???" Is this even possible?