Just then, the bell rang to signal the end of class. The teacher gathered her materials from the podium and said, "Alright, class dismissed. Everyone, try to decide today what our class will perform. Submit your proposal to me before the end of the day."
Taking advantage of the moment before anyone could react to what had just happened, Chu Lian grabbed Cai Ya's hand and dashed out of the classroom. Those who had witnessed the earlier scene looked at each other with wry smiles, as if silently asking, "What are we supposed to do now?"
"Let go of me! Let go!" Cai Ya struggled against Chu Lian's grip, but she couldn't break free and had no choice but to run behind her, all the while protesting angrily.
Chu Lian ignored her protests, continuing to pull her along until they reached the rooftop. She locked the iron door behind them and finally stopped, bending over slightly as she caught her breath.
Cai Ya stood far from her. Though she was also a bit tired, her endurance was much better—after all, she was a debut idol who had undergone rigorous dance training. Compared to Chu Lian, she was in much better shape.
"Chu Lian, I don't know why you did that, but I'm warning you: if you ever do something like that again, I won't let it slide." Sweat clung to her cheeks, strands of hair sticking to her skin as she spoke with lingering anger.
"Well, isn't it normal for girls to be a little close? And that was my first kiss, you know! If anything, I'm the one who lost out..." Chu Lian huffed as she caught her breath. Though still uncomfortable, she finally had the strength to speak and replied with mock indignation.
"That was my first kiss too, alright? Don't assume I'm some loose girl just because I'm in the entertainment industry! And besides, our relationship isn't close enough to justify that kind of behavior. What exactly did you mean by it?" Cai Ya straightened her messy hair, her voice full of discontent.
"Ahem... I don't even know why I did it. It just happened. Maybe it was the way you looked just now—it made me want to tease you," Chu Lian said, putting on her best innocent act. She straightened up and spread her hands in a helpless gesture.
"You... you're absolutely shameless..." Cai Ya frowned deeply, her tone now tinged with disappointment. "I thought you were a rare, worthy rival. I didn't expect you to be so... despicable. Looks like I was wrong."
"Oh...?" Chu Lian's carefree expression vanished. She looked up and met Cai Ya's eyes, speaking calmly: "Don't you think you're being naive? I never once said I wanted to be your rival. You were the one who kept treating me as such."
Before Cai Ya could respond, Chu Lian continued: "The world is vast, and we are small. If even in such a place we're caught up in petty rivalries, what's the point?"
"Compared to you, my goal is far clearer. I won't waste time fighting with one person. I consider everyone who stands in front of me as someone I may need to defeat. I don't fight against individuals—I fight against the world."
Her words rang with quiet strength. Though her voice was still youthful and her figure delicate, the aura she exuded stunned Cai Ya into silence.
"You are a gifted singer with a strong background, a beautiful appearance, and a wonderful voice. And clearly, you work very hard."
"I admit that someone like you is far beyond my current reach. You probably know this too, and yet you still view me as a rival. It's an honor, truly... but it's not an honor I want to accept." As she said this, a clear and sincere smile spread across her face, her beautiful eyes focused intently on Cai Ya.
"Because I read your profile. Anyone who can write a bestselling novel at twelve years old is definitely not ordinary..." Cai Ya admitted awkwardly, but she still voiced her thoughts. "Besides, once we entered this school, background, family, and even appearance no longer matter. What matters is personal ability and talent."
"Then you should know that before all this, I was just someone who wrote books. How can I compete with you in a performance-based talent contest?" Chu Lian saw that Cai Ya was beginning to waver and knew it was time to press the advantage.
"I've seen your singing videos online. While your technique and foundation still need work, in terms of vocal tone and talent, you're absolutely not inferior to me. As long as you pick the right song, you could easily match me. That's why I want to compete with you." Cai Ya hadn't intended to reveal that she'd been following Chu Lian.
But with the conversation having reached this point, she couldn't remain silent without coming across as a bully. Though Chu Lian wasn't weak in terms of overall talent, she truly did lag far behind in singing.
Chu Lian hadn't expected that to be the reason, but fortunately, it didn't affect her plans.
She thought for a moment and said, "I'll say it again: I accept the challenge, and I agree the performance will be singing. However..." She paused and looked seriously at Cai Ya. "If I lose, what do you want from me?"
Cai Ya responded without hesitation: "Become my personal pianist. I believe that with your talent, learning piano won't be hard, and you'll achieve great results. That's why I thought of this. I dislike the pianists they assign to me—they all play without any soul. But I believe you could become the perfect pianist. At least, for me."
Chu Lian nodded. "I can agree to that. Even if I win, if you ever need it, I'll be your pianist. But that's only if you accept my condition first."
Cai Ya blinked, surprised. What kind of request could warrant such a response?
"If you lose, become my ally," Chu Lian said seriously. "I won't make you do anything you don't want to, nor will it be a burden. In fact, it will help your personal development greatly. All I ask is that you listen to me... and walk this path beside me. That's all."
She looked up, eyes full of expectation. But Cai Ya turned away, hiding her expression. "If you can take first place in singing, and beat me with an overwhelming margin, then I might consider it. Otherwise, I will never agree."
"Then wait for it. This Saturday, I'll make you admit defeat..." Chu Lian didn't take the vague response as a rejection. She understood Cai Ya's pride. For her to even consider Chu Lian a rival meant she had already lowered her guard. There was no way she'd readily agree to follow someone else.
Still, to get even this much from her was already a great success.
Just as Ayase had said, even if Chu Lian spent her entire life on it, she could only recover about 10% of the lost cultural works of this world. The remaining 90% would require others. Cai Ya was the first person she had chosen.
Chu Lian wanted her to become a singer who would bring her recovered musical works to life. She would give Cai Ya the songs best suited to her. As for Chu Lian herself, she would sing only the songs she truly loved.
Music was not her main path. Ever since completing Main Quest ①, she had decided that even as an "all-around goddess," her core would always be literature. Around that, she would branch out into music, film, and even opera.
Since she couldn't present all the music and film works on her own, she would build a team. And with her system and access to the cultural essence of another world, she was confident her team would be the best in the world.
"I believe you'll say yes. I have that confidence... and the ability..." Chu Lian said as she descended the stairs, her words drifting into Cai Ya's ears.
Cai Ya bit her lip lightly and murmured, "Is that so? Then let's see who's really stronger. I don't believe I'd lose to you in music..."
Two proud girls had finally ignited a spark of rivalry. This was their promise, and the choice that would shape their futures.
Neither of them doubted themselves in the slightest.
Cai Ya's pride surpassed even Chu Lian's. She believed that, in terms of musical skill, she surpassed not only her peers, but even many older, more experienced artists.
Chu Lian, however, possessed even greater confidence—backed by her system and the potential of her current body. She refused to believe there was anyone she couldn't surpass.
Music was more than a universal language. It was a bridge to the soul.