CHAPTER 874: CHAPTER 856: THE NEW MALE LEAD IS SET! (PART 2)

The club members were having a great time tonight; everyone drank quite a bit and decided not to return to campus.

You Xinran booked hotel rooms nearby, with two people per room, separating males from females—a very well-organized arrangement.

Such gatherings were much appreciated by the classmates.

Around midnight, Huo Feng was getting ready to leave, prompting everyone in the room to do the same.

They emerged from the KTV in a large group, each person carrying the scent of alcohol, and the surrounding air was filled with the smell of it too.

Lin Cong, the timid one, was completely drunk tonight and was being supported by Huo Feng.

Actually, he didn’t intend to get drunk; it was mainly because Huo Feng kept chatting with him, toasting him...

Not wanting to upset Huo Feng, Lin Cong drank every time he was toasted.

When Huo Feng downed a bottle, Lin Cong followed suit...

After three bottles, Lin Cong was utterly wasted, while Huo Feng remained unfazed.

Naturally, the task of dealing with this mess fell to Huo Feng.

Fortunately, the hotel You Xinran booked was close to the one booked by Huo Feng.

Huo Feng first escorted the classmates to the hotel; meanwhile, Lin Cong, like a dead weight, leaned heavily on his shoulder, sleeping deeply...

Had it not been for the fact that Huo Feng was the one who got him drunk, Huo Feng wouldn’t have cared.

After reaching the hotel, You Xinran distributed the hotel key cards to the classmates, one per two people, again separating males from females.

Huo Feng collected the key card for Lin Cong, accompanied by a guy named Wu Di walking alongside him.

Because Wu Di and Lin Cong were sharing a room.

After a while, the three of them separated from the main group.

Wu Di, who played ’Sijiu’ in that musical "Butterfly Lovers," was on stage with Huo Feng, so the two had a good rapport.

Late at night, in the hotel corridor, the three of them walked leisurely.

Wu Di suddenly voiced a sigh, "Sigh~"

Huo Feng glanced at him and asked, "What’s up?"

Wu Di looked back at Huo Feng, smiling playfully, "Nothing, just feeling quite happy. It’s been a while since we hung out like this. Plus, I’ve got good news to share..."

Raising an eyebrow, Huo Feng responded, "Oh?"

With a wide smile showing his pearly whites, Wu Di happily said, "I might just be the male lead in ’Phantom of the Opera’."

Huo Feng nodded in surprise, "Not bad, Sijiu stepping up as the lead, congratulations!"

Wu Di scratched the back of his head, "Haha, thank you, thank you. If it weren’t for you stepping down, I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance. Today, I overheard some girls discussing the male lead for ’Phantom of the Opera’ with Xinran. A few of them recommended me. After all, the original male lead in ’Phantom’ isn’t very handsome; it’s all about capability."

"I haven’t read the script for ’Phantom of the Opera’ yet. But from what you say, the role suits you~"

Huo Feng chuckled at him, "Congrats!"

"You shouldn’t just say congrats casually. If it weren’t for you stepping aside, such a good spot wouldn’t have come to me..."

Wu Di expressed his gratitude to Huo Feng, "Thank you. Originally, with Xinran holding you in such regard, you should have been the male lead every time."

"I’m not interested in being the male lead anymore."

Huo Feng casually shrugged, "I’ve experienced being the lead once, felt what it’s like, and that’s enough. Let me tell you, being the male lead is exhausting. Lots of scenes, many lines, pressure on stage, it’s demanding and unrewarding. Nothing good comes of it."

"But you’re doing quite well now, aren’t you?"

Seeing Huo Feng’s casual attitude, Wu Di couldn’t help but feel envious, "You’re just a freshman, already played a lead role upon joining the club, and Xinran values you so much, promoting you. She even boosted your TikTok account, making you a minor internet celebrity. She really thinks highly of you. With the achievements you’ve made, she often flaunts them to her dad. If I had your looks and the treatment you’re getting, I’d be over the moon."

Honestly...

The students in the Musical Club were all envious of the opportunities Huo Feng got since joining, including the stage mishap that made him famous; the classmates were envious of that too...

If it weren’t for that stage accident, Huo Feng wouldn’t have risen to fame so quickly, nor would he have garnered such high regard from You Xinran.

Classmates were also envious of how she went out of her way to introduce Huo Feng to her father. That was the greatest benefit, enough to make anyone green with envy.

Thankfully, Huo Feng wasn’t interested in any of these things in the slightest.

He didn’t seek the limelight, wasn’t the leading man, nor did he try to please You Xinran, often even clashing with her instead.

Such an ungrateful Huo Feng made it easier for classmates to accept, so they didn’t resent him too much out of jealousy.

Wu Di felt the same way.

He didn’t dislike Huo Feng; on the contrary, he appreciated Huo’s decision to give up the opportunity.

Huo Feng was genuinely happy to help Wu Di succeed, "Hey, relax. Now that you’ve got the chance to be the male lead, give it your best. I’ll gradually slack off and eventually quit the club, so you’ll be the mainstay by then."

"Huh?"

Wu Di was taken aback by Huo Feng’s words, "Why would you quit the club? What made you think that? Isn’t our club treating you well?"

"Tired."

Huo Feng nonchalantly replied with those two words, "I’ve got a part-time job too, and I’ll definitely get busier. Honestly, I’ve already had my fun, played the lead, and gained some fame, so I’m satisfied. I originally thought of quitting, but as you all mentioned, the club invested a lot in me, even though it wasn’t my idea. Quitting now wouldn’t be fair to you guys. So, once another mainstay comes up, I’ll step back."

"Oh..."

Wu Di, however, could understand Huo Feng’s reasoning, "So, it’s for earning money."

To Wu Di, Huo Feng had always been a guy with a plan.

He was never surprised by any decision Huo Feng made, for he was someone who knew how to relax while having clear goals.

"So, you must perform well, Brother Sijiu."

Huo Feng jokingly encouraged Wu Di, "Rise to fame quickly and become our club’s mainstay, so that lady won’t come to me for everything. She’s been bothering me nonstop~"

"I honestly envy you..."

Wu Di sent Huo Feng a look of admiration, "If she were to come to me, I’d be thrilled beyond words."

"Oh?"

Detecting something unusual from his words, Huo Feng teased, "What’s that supposed to mean? You’d be thrilled? Do you like her?"

Flushed slightly by Huo Feng’s teasing, Wu Di nervously shook his head, even stuttering as he explained, "N-no, it’s not like that..."

"Seems like you’ve got a crush on her."

Huo Feng bluntly exposed him, "Wow, I actually discovered this, unbelievable."

"It’s not like that..."

Wu Di quickly clarified, "I don’t dare to like her... Her family background is so good, and she’s got such good qualities herself. I don’t even dare to glance at her; it’s way out of my league..."

Huo Feng tutted twice, "What’s wrong with aiming high? If she likes you, even if you’re a broke nobody, she’d still be willing to be with you. Let me tell you, if you like a girl, go for it. If the girl thinks you lack something, just work on it to prove to her. My ex-girlfriend once complained about my poor grades; then I worked hard, showed her I could succeed, and got into Tsinghua just to win her over, isn’t that the way?"

"But... it’s not as simple as you make it out to be..."

Wu Di pursed his lips, his face showing a faint worry, "The adult world is much harsher than the student world, especially for those wealthy people with far superior backgrounds... It’s not just about effort to reach that level."

Huo Feng, after hearing Wu Di’s lengthy speech, confirmed his suspicion about Wu Di’s feelings for You Xinran.

He realized he was surrounded by classmates who tended to have hopeless crushes.

And all of them were so timid...

What’s going on?!

Lacking any courage!

"Even if effort won’t suffice, at least show the willingness to try."

Huo Feng remarked impatiently, "I realize now, among the guys I hang out with, including the ones in my dorm and you... you’re all so timid! Back in high school, the buddies who hung around with me were all quite daring! If they liked a girl, they’d pursue her, no big deal. If they failed, they’d keep trying!"

Wu Di: "..."