Chapter 135: May I Represent You?

"Care for a wager?" Lin Yu asked with a hint of amusement; he found this Bao Qingshan rather interesting.

"Yes, a wager! But we won't bet on material things. We'll bet on our dignity. Whoever loses must stand before the entire school during morning exercises and shout three times: 'I am a cheater!'" With many eyes fixed upon them, Bao Qingshan grew increasingly animated.

"I won't take that bet. Doing something like that would only bring shame to our homeroom teacher, Ms. He." Lin Yu shook his head. While he detested the label of a "cheater," he felt that involving the reputation of his homeroom teacher, Ms. He Jing, was wrong. Regardless of whether he won or lost, he wanted no part in such foolishness.

Seeing Lin Yu decline, Bao Qingshan assumed the other boy was guilt-ridden from his previous cheating and dared not face him. He continued to provoke him: "If you're afraid to compete, then just admit you cheated. Return that twenty-ninth place ranking to me in front of the whole class!"

As Bao Qingshan persisted relentlessly, Qi Yue could no longer contain her anger. She erupted, retorting dismissively, "A bet is a bet, who's afraid of you! I'll take this on for Lin Yu! If he loses, I'll stand before the entire school and shout three times that I am a cheater!"

"Your word doesn't count!" Bao Qingshan immediately brushed her off, signaling that this had nothing to do with her.

"No, her word does count. At any time, in any place, Qi Yue’s words fully represent my own. I accept your challenge. Class is about to start. Say no more, or don't blame me for being impolite." Lin Yu stood up and spoke with resonant conviction.

After he finished, some onlookers couldn't help but let out whistles and jeers.

Qi Yue, who had been quite angry, felt her eyes well up with emotion. It was only after Yang Zhilin teased her that she slowly regained her composure.

In any era, the word "romance" is never far from students. Lin Yu’s brief remarks inadvertently became the most popular catchphrase among the young couples in Class 7, Grade 3.

Under the shade of the camphor trees at the school gate, in the crisp, cool breeze on the rooftop of the teaching building, in the poetic corners of the purple bamboo grove, and even along the rubber track surrounding the football field, one could hear such questions: "Qi Yue can represent Lin Yu. Can I represent you?"

And the reply would follow: "At any time, in any place, your words can fully represent my meaning."

Following this little episode, by the time school ended, the young Miss Qi’s mood index had soared to excellent. She chatted and laughed with Lin Yu and Yang Zhilin all the way home. When they passed a health food store, she even bought two jars of high-quality honey for Xiao Qiangwei.

With the collaboration of Lin Yu, Yang Zhilin, and Xiao Qiangwei, six songs—including "Seeking and Searching," "Divination," and "Qing Ping Yue"—had already been completed in terms of lyrics and composition. They were more than halfway to their goal of ten. He believed that by the time their final exams were over, the ten songs would be ready for final recording.

Few people achieve success in a single leap.

Considering the logistics of instruments and recording, Lin Yu had a sudden inspiration: he should use a camera to record music videos directly. Once the technology matured, they could even script narratives and record micro-films.

Thinking of the prototype micro-film *A Murder Case Caused by a Steamed Bun*, and the first "micro-film" advertisement in history, *The Touch*, starring Daniel Wu, Lin Yu realized his website shouldn't be limited to just music. He could emulate the models of sites like Tudou and Youku to create a massive video-sharing platform where users could upload, watch, share, and download short video clips.

Recalling that Tudou wasn't founded until 2005 and Youku until 2006, Lin Yu felt that being in 2002 gave him immense potential. If he managed it well and the technology matured, he could sweep the entire internet before the major sites even rose to prominence, becoming a giant revered by millions.

Just thinking about it made the young man’s blood boil. His greatest advantage was his epoch-defining vision, allowing him to see the trajectory of the future and stay one step ahead of the era.

When they returned to Qi Yue’s home at the Wealth Center, Xiao Qiangwei was lying on the soft sofa, singing along passionately to *Plucking Green Plums*, the latest song penned by Yang Zhilin, while her hands mimicked playing a piano in the air.

Looking at the nearly empty bowl of honey water on the coffee table, Lin Yu knew the music-loving star had been singing for a long time today. He couldn't help but wonder if Xiao Qiangwei had been a singing oriole in her past life; she was truly a music fanatic.

Her dedication was beneficial to Lin Yu's business, but he felt it wasn't right to keep her cooped up in the room all the time. He clapped his hands to interrupt the three girls' chatter and suggested, "It’s nearly dark now. Why don't we take Sister Qiangwei to my mother's place for dinner? School has been out for a while, so there shouldn't be many people there eating anymore."

This suggestion was immediately met with enthusiasm from Qi Yue, who giggled and chimed in, "Lin Yu's meaning is my meaning."

Seeing her best friend’s lively demeanor, Yang Zhilin offered a knowing smile, though her hands, hidden behind her back, clenched tightly as if she had just made a certain resolution in her heart.

Hearing they had a chance to go out, Xiao Qiangwei looked excited, but a moment later, she said with concern, "I saw in the news today that Liang Tian is still in Bincheng. I'm afraid of being discovered by him. If he takes me back, I'll be in terrible trouble!"

"It's fine. We'll head out later. When it gets dark, you can disguise yourself. Unless someone knows you extremely well, no one should be able to recognize you."

Lin Yu instructed Yang Zhilin and Qi Yue to help Xiao Qiangwei with her makeup. They transformed the naturally pure-looking superstar into someone with heavy, garish makeup—looking somewhat like a streetwalker from a third-rate diploma mill. Unless someone knew her intimately, even standing right next to her, they wouldn't recognize the famous lead singer of *Splendid Paradise*, Jasmine.

Satisfied with their handiwork, Lin Yu had Qi Yue find a pair of sunglasses for her. With that, they set off toward the No. 1 High School.

Afraid that the taxi drivers—each of whom was rumored to be a Chinese Sherlock Holmes—might recognize Xiao Qiangwei, the four of them chose not to take a cab, opting instead for a leisurely stroll.

They stopped and started along the way, browsing a boutique for a while, before walking unhurriedly through the most bustling nightscape of Central Avenue.

Just as they passed Central Avenue and reached Heping Road, their eyes were simultaneously drawn to a brightly lit musical instrument store.