Chapter Seventy-Eight: Love's Redemption
Chapter Seventy-Eight: Love's Redemption
Just as she was about to give up, a warm and elegant face suddenly appeared before her, handing her the lost number tag. "I think you were looking for this. Good luck in the competition," he said, his smile brighter than the morning dew, his voice as rich as a cello's melody. Elena Rivers was stunned, staring at the boy in the white shirt who had suddenly appeared in her world like a prince. For the first time, her heart, previously untouched, fluttered like a white feather being gently lifted.
He nodded politely before turning and leaving, his tall, graceful figure unmarred by any impurity. In her moment of despair and helplessness, he had reached out to her, rekindling her hope, while simultaneously disrupting the tranquility that had once filled her world. That day, he won first place in the piano category, standing on the stage like a prince born to shine, all eyes in the room fixed on him.
After that competition, his exceptional musical talent garnered him increasing attention, and he became known as "the miracle of the music world," "the most beloved piano prince among young people." Meanwhile, Elena's affection for him grew day by day. She knew she shouldn't have fallen for him because she was well aware that, according to Kingston Group's rules, she was bound to marry into a wealthy family or a powerful organization after graduation. Liking Julian Reed would only bring disaster to him.
If she had never met Lydia Moore, perhaps she would have kept this love buried deep in her heart, never letting anyone know. But from Lydia, she learned strength, courage, and the will to fight for what she wanted. The moment Elena saw the sorrow in Julian Reed's back, she decided not to hide her feelings anymore. She would bravely love him, doing her best to fill the void in his heart. Even if he didn't love her back, and even if she had to face many challenges and setbacks in the future, she wouldn't give up. She believed that, as Lydia once said, she would eventually find her own happiness.
However, Elena had no idea that this scene was secretly captured by someone hidden behind the flower bed, and that person quietly vanished into the campus.
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It was a leisurely, peaceful Saturday morning, with clear skies and large, fluffy clouds. The air was filled with the refreshing scent of lotus seeds. Elena Rivers stood by the window, her fingers lightly dancing over the fine strings of her violin, producing a series of lively, flowing notes.
Lydia Moore emerged from the small kitchen, placing a bowl of fragrant, sweet lotus seed porridge on the desk. "I've noticed you've been very busy lately, so I made some white lotus seed porridge just for you. The lotus seeds were brought from my home. Please, enjoy it while it's hot." Ever since she fell ill, Elena had been taking care of her every day. Now that Lydia had recovered, she felt it was only right to show her concern for Elena in return.
"Mm," Elena responded simply, her focus still entirely on the violin. "Make sure to drink it before it gets cold," Lydia said, not wanting to interrupt her further. She quietly returned to her desk and picked up a music score to study, occasionally glancing back at Elena with a slight furrow in her brow.
The warmth from the porridge slowly dissipated, and the fragrance began to fade as the wind blew. "Elena, the porridge is getting cold. You should take a break," Lydia reminded her, concerned that Elena had been practicing non-stop for nearly two hours since morning. She worried that Elena's body wouldn't be able to handle much more.
"Mm," Elena murmured as she put down her violin, her arms already aching with fatigue. After a moment of adjustment, she picked up the bowl and took a sip of the porridge. The smooth, silky texture and the fresh, sweet taste spread through her mouth, easing some of her exhaustion and making her feel much more refreshed.
In the past few days, Elena had devoted nearly all of her time to practicing for the upcoming performance, hardly caring for her own well-being. Lydia watched her with a heavy heart, noticing how Elena's face had grown paler with each passing day. Hesitantly, Lydia asked, "Why have you been practicing the violin so hard lately? If you don't rest, your body won't be able to take it, and..."
"I'm doing this for Julian Reed. I like him," Elena's voice was soft but filled with an unyielding determination. Lydia was shocked, unable to believe that Elena would say such a thing.
"I've decided to confess my feelings to him after the performance, so I have to give my best performance. I can't let him down," Elena continued, even though she knew that her confession might end in failure. But as Lydia once said, if there was even a 1% chance, it was worth giving 100% effort to create a miracle. If she didn't seize this last opportunity, she and Julian would never have any connection. Thinking of him, Elena's eyes softened, glowing with a strange warmth.
Although Elena's decision came as a surprise, leaving Lydia unsure of how to react, she was genuinely happy for her after the initial shock wore off. Elena had always harbored too many reservations about her feelings, often wanting to avoid them altogether. But now, she finally had the courage to tell her prince about the love she had kept hidden for so long. It was truly an admirable thing. It turned out that love could indeed create countless dreams and miracles, making people stronger and braver.
"Yes, give it your all. No matter the outcome, this beautiful love is something worth blessing," Lydia said, placing a hand on Elena's shoulder and flashing a bright, radiant smile. "Now, I'm going to share half of my luck and happiness with you. I believe that Julian Reed won't miss out on someone as amazing as you."
There was a mischievous sparkle in Lydia's eyes, and her expression was playful and cute. Elena couldn't help but smile at her, and their laughter echoed softly in the dorm room, the air filled with the gentle fragrance of lotus seeds.
After finishing the porridge, Elena suddenly asked, "What about you? You've already admitted to liking someone, right? You've seen how terrifying Aaron King's influence is at Sakura. If he finds out, the consequences could be disastrous." She knew Aaron King was likely sincere in his feelings for Lydia, but the more genuine those feelings, the less he would tolerate any deception. If Aaron discovered that Lydia had feelings for someone else, he would likely do something even more terrifying to get back at her.
Elena's concerns echoed Lydia's own recent worries. She knew she should have explained everything to Aaron King sooner, and over the past week, she'd tried countless times to speak up. But every time she saw his innocent, happy smile, she found herself unable to shatter that happiness. On the few occasions when she had steeled herself to be firm, some unexpected situation would always arise. As a result, she still hadn't found the right moment to speak up.