The notice board was crowded.
Not a normal kind of crowded—this was the kind where people were actually pushing just to read a piece of paper.
"Move—move—I can't see anything!" Zhao Xia complained, trying to peek over someone's shoulder.
XinYue stood behind her, barely trying. "You're the one who dragged me here."
"Obviously," Zhao Xia said. "This is important. Societies are open for seniors now. This decides our future."
XinYue raised an eyebrow. "Your future depends on drama club?"
"My future depends on not being bored," Zhao Xia corrected.
Someone finally stepped aside, and Zhao Xia leaned in, scanning the list.
"Drama club… dance club… music… debate…" she read quickly, then turned around with a grin. "We're joining drama."
"We?" XinYue repeated.
"Yes, we," Zhao Xia said like it was already decided. "Don't act like you don't want this."
XinYue hesitated.
She didn't hate the idea.
"…Fine," she said.
Zhao Xia clapped once. "Good. Decision made."
"Of course it is," XinYue muttered.
As they turned to leave, someone walked past them—
Fast. Effortless.
XinYue barely noticed.
But Zhao Xia did.
"Wait," Zhao Xia said, glancing back. "Who was that?"
XinYue followed her gaze, but the guy had already disappeared into the crowd.
"Someone popular, probably," she said.
Zhao Xia narrowed her eyes. "I don't like that vibe already."
---
The drama club room was on the second floor.
By the time they reached it, it was already full.
Students were scattered everywhere—some reading scripts, some practicing lines, some just pretending to look serious.
"This is chaos," Zhao Xia whispered.
"This is your future," XinYue reminded her.
"Don't ruin it."
They found a spot near the side.
At the front, the teacher was explaining the audition process.
"Roles will be decided by voting," she said. "Main roles will be from Cinderella. Perform well if you want the lead."
Zhao Xia leaned toward XinYue. "You're getting Cinderella."
XinYue frowned. "You decided that too?"
"Yes."
Before XinYue could reply—
The door opened.
Not loudly.
But enough.
A few people turned.
Then more.
Then the whole room slowly shifted its attention.
He walked in like he didn't care about being late.
Hands in his pockets. Expression calm. Like the noise around him didn't matter.
"Why is everyone staring?" Zhao Xia muttered under her breath.
Then someone whispered—
"That's Lu Shiye."
"Oh."
That explained it.
Even XinYue recognized the name now.
Basketball team.
Football team.
Basically every sport.
And apparently—
now drama club too.
"Lu Shiye," the teacher said, clearly familiar. "Late."
"Practice," he replied simply.
No excuse. No apology.
The teacher sighed. "Sit."
He picked up a script on the way in, flipping through it once before leaning casually against the wall.
Zhao Xia stared for a second too long.
"…Okay," she said quietly. "He's annoying."
"You just saw him," XinYue said.
"Exactly."
XinYue almost smiled.
---
Auditions started.
One by one, students went up.
Some were good.
Most were trying too hard.
Zhao Xia leaned back. "If I see one more fake crying scene, I'm leaving."
"Stay," XinYue said. "You dragged me here."
"True."
"XinYue," the teacher called.
Zhao Xia straightened instantly. "Go."
XinYue stepped forward.
For a second, the noise faded.
She didn't think too much.
Didn't force anything.
She just followed the lines—and somehow, it felt real.
When she finished, the room was quieter than before.
"Good," the teacher said, writing something down.
From the side, Lu Shiye was watching.
Not smiling.
Not reacting.
Just… paying attention.
---
"Next—Prince."
A few guys went.
Decent.
Forgettable.
Then—
"Lu Shiye."
Zhao Xia blinked. "Of course."
He stepped forward.
No script in hand this time.
XinYue noticed that.
He didn't rush.
Didn't overthink.
When he started speaking, the room changed again.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just controlled.
Confident.
Like he knew exactly what he was doing.
Zhao Xia leaned toward XinYue. "That's unfair."
XinYue didn't reply.
Because she was watching too.
---
Votes were collected.
Counted.
The room waited.
"The role of Cinderella—XinYue."
Zhao Xia grabbed her arm. "I told you."
XinYue blinked, still processing.
"And the Prince—Lu Shiye."
No one was surprised.
Across the room, Lu Shiye glanced at XinYue.
Just once.
Like he'd expected it.
Zhao Xia crossed her arms. "Yeah… this is going to be fun."
XinYue exhaled slowly.
She didn't know why—
but it felt like something had just started.