Chapter 65
Act VIII: The Cat Who Wants to Become Human (9)
----------
The matter of Qi Ji and Chen Ziran caused Xiang Cai to think a bit more.
In fact, before this, Xiang Cai had begun to reflect on his relationship with Cen Manchuan.
He had always believed that there was love between them - they liked each other and worked hard to integrate into each other's worlds. If this was not love, then what was love?
But he could not deny that this love (let's call it love) caused Xiang Cai to feel tired.
It was not that Cen Manchuan did not do well enough. A former straight man fell in love with him at first sight, actively pursued him, and even quarreled with his brothers for him; he also listened to musicals that he didn't understand at all; gifted Xiang Cai his jersey; and even sold his favorite motorcycle...
Xiang Cai thought to himself: If one were to change the story, Cen Manchuan would be the perfect male lead, while he would be the mediocre boyfriend.
But Xiang Cai was really tired.
One of them was too young and the other was too mature.
Xiang Cai’s life depended on his own two feet. He only had himself, so he had to let himself grow quickly. Cen Manchuan, like every other ordinary, happy male college student in this world, had 'not getting up early in the morning' as his biggest trouble in life.
Xiang Cai had been trying to make Cen Manchuan think about problems like an adult, but he was worried that he was pulling up seedlings. After all, the most lovely part of Cen Manchuan was his sunshine, his liveliness, his innocence.
They were like two mismatched gears. If they continued to run, both would be lost.
He was good, and he was good, too.
But two good people together doesn't necessarily equate to a happy relationship that everyone would praise.
And now ... It was time for Xiang Cai to end this love.
Unexpectedly, they still failed to escape the curse of breaking up after graduation.
Xiang Cai wanted to make an appointment with Cen Manchuan, have a good chat about this matter, and draw an end to this relationship.
Unfortunately, both of them were nearing graduation and there were many things to prepare.
As a result, this matter could only be delayed again and again.
※
Xiang Cai was the most dazzling one among the graduates of Huacheng Dance University. Because he came straight from the affiliated academy, his miserable life was known to everyone the moment he first stepped into the university gates.
Xiang Cai carried the gazes of all the students in the school, striving to dance, sing, and step on the stage ... In the end, he turned all that pity into worship.
The school's principal personally mentioned him and there was no doubt when Xiang Cai was elected as the representative of this year’s outstanding graduates. He would also speak on behalf of all the graduates.
Relatives and friends could be invited to the graduation ceremony, but Xiang Cai’s situation was special. His parents had been silent for six years, with no clue of whether they were dead or alive, and he had no other relatives.
Xiang Cai wanted to invite Cen Manchuan to attend, but given the embarrassing state of their relationship, Xiang Cai could not ask at all.
In other words, when he was standing in front of the microphone, no one from the audience had especially come for him.
Even if one was as strong as Xiang Cai, one would inevitably feel a little lonely at this time.
There were only a few hundred graduates of Huacheng University each year. The graduates together with their families only filled a large gym.
Xiang Cai was wearing a bachelor degree's uniform, a wide cloak with pink trim, which made him look fair and handsome.
As soon as he appeared, there was a commotion in the audience. No matter whether it was a student or a parent, everyone inadvertently raised their mobile phones and took a picture of him.
Someone joked, "Wait a few more years, and Xiang Cai will be a big hit. I'll let this video out and it will definitely make his fans scream!"
Xiang Cai could not hear even one retort from the audience.
His gaze fell into the distance, his eyes firm and kind.
As the boy spoke, his clear and bright voice drifted from the speakers, echoing in the gym.
"I was 12 years old when I stepped into the gates of Huawu Academy. At that time, I told myself that I had only one goal in life - to get on the stage and realize my dreams through my feet." He paused and continued, "I am now 23 years old. Although there have been some deviations in this dream chasing journey, I have never forgotten the spotlight on the stage, and I didn’t dare to forget my dreams. I want to thank Huawu for training me these ten years; I want to thank my teachers and classmates for their encouragement and tolerance; I also want to thank myself that I did not give up dancing even after suffering setbacks.. "
All the audience members were listening quietly.
At this time, Xiang Cai did not know that, on the other end of the network, there was a person who had ‘especially come for him’, watching his every move.
A few days ago, Tan Yiming learned that Huacheng was about to hold a graduation ceremony. He even asked someone if he could go to the graduation ceremony, but the seats were limited. In the end, he could only return without success.
He had to give thanks once again for the development of the online world - the little TikTok internet celebrity from Xiang Cai’s class, was live broadcasting the graduation ceremony on the app as usual.
Tan Yiming pushed off all his work and stood in front of his phone, looking at the little figure on the screen almost greedily.
He rewarded the little internet celebrity with several yachts and asked the other party to zoom in. Looking at the red envelope that was sent, the little internet celebrity went crazy with delight and zoomed in again, so that the tall and slim figure filled the entire screen.
"How about it, our class monitor is very good, right?" The little internet celebrity could not hide his admiration, "Sings well, dances well, looks handsome. When he gets off the stage, I'll let him tell everyone hello!"
Xiang Cai’s speech was very short, only ten minutes. However, Tan Yiming listened very carefully, and wished to record every word and every sentence in his heart.
When the speech was over, Xiang Cai took the diploma from the principal, straightened his back, and shook hands with the principal for a photo.
The photographer responsible for taking pictures was hired from outside. He stood under the stage and shouted enthusiastically: "Little classmate, how about your family? You can call up your family to take a photo together."
"..." Xiang Cai’s smile remained unchanged and he answered calmly, "I have no family."
And this scene was also broadcast by the mobile phone of the little internet celebrity.
Tan Yiming became anxious, and hurriedly typed the question: [Xiang Cai has no family?]
The small internet celebrity didn’t have many fans, and even fewer people watched the live broadcast. Tan Yiming's question was very conspicuous, floating to the top of the barrage.
The little internet celebrity hesitated: "Are you a fan of Xiang Cai’s?"
Tan Yiming input: [Well, I'm a fan of his musical]
The little internet celebrity was not blinded by those yachts. He said with integrity: "This is a private matter of our class monitor and cannot be said."
Others were asking: [Did the handsome boy’s parents pass away?]
The little internet celebrity lips: "For some parents, it's better for them to * as early as possible even if they are alive!"
No matter how many pleaded, the little internet celebrity refused to say.
But that alone was enough to make up for the brains of people watching the live broadcast.
Tan Yiming's heart sank. Once again, he was blocked by that invisible wall. He knew too little about Xiang Cai. He was desperate to know what had happened to that boy, he wanted to enter his life, he wanted to enter his world.
Because - he knew deeply that if he could not know the past of Xiang Cai, he could not accompany his future.
Of course ... it was too early to say this.
Xiang Cai was accompanied by Cen Manchuan. Tan Yiming's sense of morality prevented him from being a third party involved in other people's feelings, but he - even though he felt really sorry about it - could not sincerely send blessings to the little couple.
All he could do was block himself to the other end of the network and watch his most liked boy from afar.
Not approaching, not touching, not doing anything in the ambiguous range ... but he would keep watching.
...
When Xiang Cai finished his speech and returned to the seating area of his class, one of his classmates approached him with a mobile phone.
"Xiang Cai, Xiang Cai!" The classmate said cheerfully, "I'm broadcasting, can you say hello to the audience in my studio?"
Xiang Cai readily agreed, saying hello to the camera generously.
"That's right!" said the internet celebrity classmate. "I still have a fan of your musical in the live studio, and he’s rewarded a lot of yachts." He looked at the screen. "Where is the local fan? Your idol is here, send a comment!"
But no matter how he urged him, the screen was quiet. He didn’t know when, but the local fan who had sent a lot of money had disappeared.
※
After the graduation ceremony, it seemed as if the entire dormitory building became empty overnight.
Two of Xiang Cai’s three dorm-mates had found jobs, preparing to be extra-curricular teachers, and the other one was preparing for the second war, postgraduate entrance examinations.
The only one remaining in the dorm was Xiang Cai.
His intimate dorm-mates in the four years of university, had, in a blink of an eye, scattered. Their luggage had been packed, and after eating their last meal, they would embark on a new road of life, the very next morning.
It was only Xiang Cai whose daily necessities, books, and clothes were not packed.
Someone asked Xiang Cai why he didn't pack his luggage.
Xiang Cai shook his head: "I'm not in a hurry. Didn't the school give a notice before? Graduates don't have to move out of the dormitory so quickly, they can stay until August as long as they move out before the freshmen come."
This was considered an additional benefit from the school. The school knew that graduates might not find work easily, and if they had a tight budget, it would be expensive to rent a house outside. So, they were allowed to live in the dormitory for a longer period of time at a low price, and spend the first difficult period there.
Xiang Cai had been making careful calculations every day, and submitted an extension of residence application early.
He had originally planned that this summer, he could live alone in the school dormitory, wait until Cen Manchuan worked and earned money, and they could find a house to move out together.
But now it seemed that this plan could never be realized.
When the dormitory was empty, Xiang Cai had more time to think about his relationship with Cen Manchuan.
Before making up his mind to break up, he asked himself numerous times, "Is there any way to save this relationship?"
But no matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn't think of a way to change.
This was Xiang Cai’s first relationship. He had read countless literary works and played countless men trapped in love on the stage. He thought he understood countless expressions of love.
But it wasn't until he really experienced love that he understood what love really represented.
—It represented a period of happy and painful growth.
Xiang Cai didn't know how to speak with Cen Manchuan, and after thinking about it, he decided to write a letter and give it to the other party in person.
----------
T/N: This is only half the chapter orz. I'll try to get the other half up tomorrow!
----------
The matter of Qi Ji and Chen Ziran caused Xiang Cai to think a bit more.
In fact, before this, Xiang Cai had begun to reflect on his relationship with Cen Manchuan.
He had always believed that there was love between them - they liked each other and worked hard to integrate into each other's worlds. If this was not love, then what was love?
But he could not deny that this love (let's call it love) caused Xiang Cai to feel tired.
It was not that Cen Manchuan did not do well enough. A former straight man fell in love with him at first sight, actively pursued him, and even quarreled with his brothers for him; he also listened to musicals that he didn't understand at all; gifted Xiang Cai his jersey; and even sold his favorite motorcycle...
Xiang Cai thought to himself: If one were to change the story, Cen Manchuan would be the perfect male lead, while he would be the mediocre boyfriend.
But Xiang Cai was really tired.
One of them was too young and the other was too mature.
Xiang Cai’s life depended on his own two feet. He only had himself, so he had to let himself grow quickly. Cen Manchuan, like every other ordinary, happy male college student in this world, had 'not getting up early in the morning' as his biggest trouble in life.
Xiang Cai had been trying to make Cen Manchuan think about problems like an adult, but he was worried that he was pulling up seedlings. After all, the most lovely part of Cen Manchuan was his sunshine, his liveliness, his innocence.
They were like two mismatched gears. If they continued to run, both would be lost.
He was good, and he was good, too.
But two good people together doesn't necessarily equate to a happy relationship that everyone would praise.
And now ... It was time for Xiang Cai to end this love.
Unexpectedly, they still failed to escape the curse of breaking up after graduation.
Xiang Cai wanted to make an appointment with Cen Manchuan, have a good chat about this matter, and draw an end to this relationship.
Unfortunately, both of them were nearing graduation and there were many things to prepare.
As a result, this matter could only be delayed again and again.
※
Xiang Cai was the most dazzling one among the graduates of Huacheng Dance University. Because he came straight from the affiliated academy, his miserable life was known to everyone the moment he first stepped into the university gates.
Xiang Cai carried the gazes of all the students in the school, striving to dance, sing, and step on the stage ... In the end, he turned all that pity into worship.
The school's principal personally mentioned him and there was no doubt when Xiang Cai was elected as the representative of this year’s outstanding graduates. He would also speak on behalf of all the graduates.
Relatives and friends could be invited to the graduation ceremony, but Xiang Cai’s situation was special. His parents had been silent for six years, with no clue of whether they were dead or alive, and he had no other relatives.
Xiang Cai wanted to invite Cen Manchuan to attend, but given the embarrassing state of their relationship, Xiang Cai could not ask at all.
In other words, when he was standing in front of the microphone, no one from the audience had especially come for him.
Even if one was as strong as Xiang Cai, one would inevitably feel a little lonely at this time.
There were only a few hundred graduates of Huacheng University each year. The graduates together with their families only filled a large gym.
Xiang Cai was wearing a bachelor degree's uniform, a wide cloak with pink trim, which made him look fair and handsome.
As soon as he appeared, there was a commotion in the audience. No matter whether it was a student or a parent, everyone inadvertently raised their mobile phones and took a picture of him.
Someone joked, "Wait a few more years, and Xiang Cai will be a big hit. I'll let this video out and it will definitely make his fans scream!"
Xiang Cai could not hear even one retort from the audience.
His gaze fell into the distance, his eyes firm and kind.
As the boy spoke, his clear and bright voice drifted from the speakers, echoing in the gym.
"I was 12 years old when I stepped into the gates of Huawu Academy. At that time, I told myself that I had only one goal in life - to get on the stage and realize my dreams through my feet." He paused and continued, "I am now 23 years old. Although there have been some deviations in this dream chasing journey, I have never forgotten the spotlight on the stage, and I didn’t dare to forget my dreams. I want to thank Huawu for training me these ten years; I want to thank my teachers and classmates for their encouragement and tolerance; I also want to thank myself that I did not give up dancing even after suffering setbacks.. "
All the audience members were listening quietly.
At this time, Xiang Cai did not know that, on the other end of the network, there was a person who had ‘especially come for him’, watching his every move.
A few days ago, Tan Yiming learned that Huacheng was about to hold a graduation ceremony. He even asked someone if he could go to the graduation ceremony, but the seats were limited. In the end, he could only return without success.
He had to give thanks once again for the development of the online world - the little TikTok internet celebrity from Xiang Cai’s class, was live broadcasting the graduation ceremony on the app as usual.
Tan Yiming pushed off all his work and stood in front of his phone, looking at the little figure on the screen almost greedily.
He rewarded the little internet celebrity with several yachts and asked the other party to zoom in. Looking at the red envelope that was sent, the little internet celebrity went crazy with delight and zoomed in again, so that the tall and slim figure filled the entire screen.
"How about it, our class monitor is very good, right?" The little internet celebrity could not hide his admiration, "Sings well, dances well, looks handsome. When he gets off the stage, I'll let him tell everyone hello!"
Xiang Cai’s speech was very short, only ten minutes. However, Tan Yiming listened very carefully, and wished to record every word and every sentence in his heart.
When the speech was over, Xiang Cai took the diploma from the principal, straightened his back, and shook hands with the principal for a photo.
The photographer responsible for taking pictures was hired from outside. He stood under the stage and shouted enthusiastically: "Little classmate, how about your family? You can call up your family to take a photo together."
"..." Xiang Cai’s smile remained unchanged and he answered calmly, "I have no family."
And this scene was also broadcast by the mobile phone of the little internet celebrity.
Tan Yiming became anxious, and hurriedly typed the question: [Xiang Cai has no family?]
The small internet celebrity didn’t have many fans, and even fewer people watched the live broadcast. Tan Yiming's question was very conspicuous, floating to the top of the barrage.
The little internet celebrity hesitated: "Are you a fan of Xiang Cai’s?"
Tan Yiming input: [Well, I'm a fan of his musical]
The little internet celebrity was not blinded by those yachts. He said with integrity: "This is a private matter of our class monitor and cannot be said."
Others were asking: [Did the handsome boy’s parents pass away?]
The little internet celebrity lips: "For some parents, it's better for them to * as early as possible even if they are alive!"
No matter how many pleaded, the little internet celebrity refused to say.
But that alone was enough to make up for the brains of people watching the live broadcast.
Tan Yiming's heart sank. Once again, he was blocked by that invisible wall. He knew too little about Xiang Cai. He was desperate to know what had happened to that boy, he wanted to enter his life, he wanted to enter his world.
Because - he knew deeply that if he could not know the past of Xiang Cai, he could not accompany his future.
Of course ... it was too early to say this.
Xiang Cai was accompanied by Cen Manchuan. Tan Yiming's sense of morality prevented him from being a third party involved in other people's feelings, but he - even though he felt really sorry about it - could not sincerely send blessings to the little couple.
All he could do was block himself to the other end of the network and watch his most liked boy from afar.
Not approaching, not touching, not doing anything in the ambiguous range ... but he would keep watching.
...
When Xiang Cai finished his speech and returned to the seating area of his class, one of his classmates approached him with a mobile phone.
"Xiang Cai, Xiang Cai!" The classmate said cheerfully, "I'm broadcasting, can you say hello to the audience in my studio?"
Xiang Cai readily agreed, saying hello to the camera generously.
"That's right!" said the internet celebrity classmate. "I still have a fan of your musical in the live studio, and he’s rewarded a lot of yachts." He looked at the screen. "Where is the local fan? Your idol is here, send a comment!"
But no matter how he urged him, the screen was quiet. He didn’t know when, but the local fan who had sent a lot of money had disappeared.
※
After the graduation ceremony, it seemed as if the entire dormitory building became empty overnight.
Two of Xiang Cai’s three dorm-mates had found jobs, preparing to be extra-curricular teachers, and the other one was preparing for the second war, postgraduate entrance examinations.
The only one remaining in the dorm was Xiang Cai.
His intimate dorm-mates in the four years of university, had, in a blink of an eye, scattered. Their luggage had been packed, and after eating their last meal, they would embark on a new road of life, the very next morning.
It was only Xiang Cai whose daily necessities, books, and clothes were not packed.
Someone asked Xiang Cai why he didn't pack his luggage.
Xiang Cai shook his head: "I'm not in a hurry. Didn't the school give a notice before? Graduates don't have to move out of the dormitory so quickly, they can stay until August as long as they move out before the freshmen come."
This was considered an additional benefit from the school. The school knew that graduates might not find work easily, and if they had a tight budget, it would be expensive to rent a house outside. So, they were allowed to live in the dormitory for a longer period of time at a low price, and spend the first difficult period there.
Xiang Cai had been making careful calculations every day, and submitted an extension of residence application early.
He had originally planned that this summer, he could live alone in the school dormitory, wait until Cen Manchuan worked and earned money, and they could find a house to move out together.
But now it seemed that this plan could never be realized.
When the dormitory was empty, Xiang Cai had more time to think about his relationship with Cen Manchuan.
Before making up his mind to break up, he asked himself numerous times, "Is there any way to save this relationship?"
But no matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn't think of a way to change.
This was Xiang Cai’s first relationship. He had read countless literary works and played countless men trapped in love on the stage. He thought he understood countless expressions of love.
But it wasn't until he really experienced love that he understood what love really represented.
—It represented a period of happy and painful growth.
Xiang Cai didn't know how to speak with Cen Manchuan, and after thinking about it, he decided to write a letter and give it to the other party in person.
----------
T/N: This is only half the chapter orz. I'll try to get the other half up tomorrow!
***
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