Mo Zitong’s act pulled every gaze, clever tricks laced with goofy gags, laughter rippling through the hall like wind over water. But Tang Coco felt little spark; her mood was flat, like a still lake under gray clouds. To her, “magic” was props and misdirection, smoke and mirrors dressing up a lie. She just wanted to sit quietly and let Mo Zitong’s segment pass like a breeze. Wishes are soft as silk; reality had other plans.
“Alright, next, I’ll perform a new trick I learned abroad from a famous magician!”
“Yeah!”
“First, I need one classmate to help me.”
Tang Coco’s heart dropped, a pebble hitting water. Sure enough, Mo Zitong looked straight at her from the stage.
“Mm, that classmate who catches my eye the most.”
Mo Zitong lifted a hand and pointed at Tang Coco’s seat.
“...”
“Waa!”
Tang Coco’s face went dark, storm-clouds rolling in. The rest of the audience lit up, sparks flying.
“Two goddesses on one stage!”
“Heaven, was this planned?!”
“You got this!”
“Go, Coco-jie!”
Xu Yinuo and Meng Xiaoxiao beside her sent over caring looks, like warm lanterns.
“...”
Tang Coco swept a look around; every gaze had landed on her. She sighed, rose, and walked toward the stage from the side stairs, step by step.
“Waa!”
The hall roared with excitement; they hadn’t imagined the two goddesses would share a scene. Tang Coco reached Mo Zitong. Mo Zitong watched her with a smile. Tang Coco couldn’t help rolling her eyes; Mo just smiled, unbothered.
“I’ve long heard of a very beautiful junior. Seeing you today, the rumor rings true.”
“...”
Tang Coco rolled her eyes again, thinking, what an actress; we’ve already met.
“Please work with me and sit on that chair.”
Tang Coco turned to see an ordinary wooden chair set center stage. She walked over and sat down. Mo Zitong stopped five meters out, back to the crowd, and lifted her right hand.
Snap!
Rose petals poured from above like a crimson rain, settling on the stage. As they fell, elegant music unfurled like silk in the air. Mo raised both hands and made a grasping motion toward Tang Coco. The petals around the chair stirred without wind, circling like small whirlpools. More and more petals joined, until the chair sat in a sea of blooms. Then the chair moved, rising slowly, cradled by the spinning petals.
“Wow!”
Cheers surged from below like a breaking wave. It didn’t stop. Petals thickened around Tang Coco, wrapping her in midair. An oval sphere of roses took shape, breathing like a living thing.
Snap!
The floating “ball” burst, petals blasting outward like a scarlet storm. The sight hit hard, and everyone’s eyes lifted to the stage’s sky. Up above, Tang Coco still sat calm-faced. But the chair beneath her had changed into a rosy, luxurious seat. It was large and opulent, a mythic throne, garlanded with roses. The whole scene felt romantic and warm, like dusk light on a garden.
Tap-tap.
High heels clicked as Mo Zitong walked toward her, one step at a time. Petals pooled and gathered ahead of her, shaping into a staircase. Mo lifted a leg and stepped up, drawing close to Tang Coco. The whole hall fell quiet, not wishing to break this painted dream.
Tang Coco reclined back, eyes cool on Mo Zitong. She already knew the “magic” behind it. She had seen the transparent wires on the chair and the magnets under petals. Still, she appreciated Mo Zitong’s craft, and chose to keep playing along.
At last, Mo reached the throne. The seat was big enough; she sat lightly beside Tang Coco. Then she slowly leaned down over her, like a shadow crossing moonlight.
“Hm?”
A prickle rose in Tang Coco; this woman dared to try that here? Tang shifted to avoid her, sliding to the side into a half recline. That only helped Mo; in a blink, Mo’s weight eased onto Tang Coco. A faint fragrance drifted over. Tang Coco’s heartbeat quickened, drums under silk. From this angle, Mo Zitong’s white neck lay completely exposed. All eyes were fixed here, breath held.
Mo moved; her lips drifted toward Tang Coco’s lips, slow as falling petals. Tang couldn’t take it. She knit her brows, shut her eyes, and turned her head aside, denying her. That small motion drew a wave of soft sighs from the crowd. A flawless face paired with that look made people ache to protect her.
“...”
Seeing Tang turn away, Mo paused, then smiled. She closed her eyes and kissed Tang Coco’s cheek, light as a brush of wind.
“Waa!”
The hall erupted; girls screamed brightest, boys mourned in the mix.
“What a pity! Why does goddess like goddess?!”
“So jealous!”
The place buzzed and wouldn’t settle for a long while.
“Satisfied now?”
Mo had only tapped and left. Tang Coco turned to look at her, helplessness cooling her eyes.
“Mm, still not perfect. If only I could kiss your lips.”
“Hmph. You took your advantage. I cooperated. Let’s get along at school and stop making trouble for me.”
“Of course. I’m very grateful.”
The two traded soft words amid the cheers.
“Wow, that was so beautiful just now.”
“Eh? Wait! My Coco-jie got kissed! Damn!”
Meng Xiaoxiao was still floating, then sensed the wrongness. She was about to blow when Xu Yinuo tugged her back. After a long soothe, she finally settled.
Soon, Mo Zitong bowed to the audience. She and Tang Coco left the stage.
Tang Coco planned to return to her seat, grab Meng Xiaoxiao, and head out. Nothing else seemed worth watching. Passing backstage, she suddenly spotted someone. It was Tian Yue, the DJ club president who had helped her before.
“Tian—”
Tang Coco started to greet her. But Tian Yue looked in a rush. With two boys, she ran forward carrying equipment, never seeing Tang.
“What’s going on?”
Confusion clouded Tang Coco’s face, like mist over water.
