Chapter 3: "Hello, Poison"

"Get off the stage already!"
"Who even wants you here? Shameless!"
"Guys, let's start a fund to give this pretty boy a lesson—he's just asking for it!"
...

Su Chen paid no heed to the jeers. Most of these people were fans of Xi Siyuan, swept up in their emotions. Reasoning with them was pointless.

"My appearance on stage today is pure coincidence. I won't get into the details," he began. "This is our graduation party. According to tradition, I should be singing a farewell song now, bringing everyone to tears and embraces."

"But that would be too boring," he continued. "So I’ve decided to perform an original song."

Original! At that word, the heckling from Xi Siyuan’s fans grew even louder. Even those who had just been watching out of idle curiosity now frowned.

"This song is called ‘You’re So Toxic.’ I dedicate it to my girlfriend," Su Chen announced. "And since I have the chance, I’ll take this moment to tell her—it's over!"

The crowd erupted. Gossip was in the air!

And what did this gathering have most? People with nothing better to do! The scent of scandal energized them, even if the main character was a nobody.

Even the ones who had been cursing him moments before now wore the eager faces of onlookers eager for drama.

To come on stage with an original song and publicly break up with his girlfriend—now that was rare.

Backstage, Liu Liang was sweating bullets. You said you’d perform an original song, not stir up trouble! But he couldn’t just rush out and stop things now, so he stood anxiously at the entrance.

Su Chen pressed on, undeterred.

"And this song is also for every heartless woman out there!" he added. "Flirting, never refusing, never giving, always keeping things ambiguous! Karma’s coming for you!"

In a dim corner of the auditorium, a portly middle-aged man watched with interest.

"Interesting! Good looks and poise on stage," he mused. "Now, let’s see if he can actually perform. Even if he can’t, he’s got the makings of a pop idol!"

He gave a subtle nod to his female assistant, who instantly understood and began typing out a message on her phone.

In the front row, an elderly man with gold-rimmed glasses and a scholarly air watched quietly. Beside him, a middle-aged man shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"What on earth is Liu Liang doing? How did this make it onto the program? Does he think the graduation party is his personal stage for vendettas?" The man reached for his phone to call Liu Liang, but the old man stopped him.

"Relax," the elder said. "Don’t confine these kids with our way of thinking. This is art—it should flourish in a hundred forms. Let the kids have their fun. Besides, the atmosphere is lively, isn’t it?"

The middle-aged man glanced around nervously, wanting to protest but finally only managed a meek, "Yes, Dean."

"But still..."

The man barely had time to dab at his forehead before straightening up at the Dean’s side.

"Xi Siyuan’s gone too far," the Dean murmured. "No warning, just springing this on us—trouble’s bound to follow."

"I’ll speak to her after the event," the middle-aged man replied, visibly upset.

The Dean nodded and signaled for the show to continue.

By now, Su Chen had stepped forward, adjusted the microphone, and took a deep breath. He strummed his guitar softly, producing a pleasant melody, then—without warning—launched into a wild guitar solo.

In his previous life, this was an old song, but its rhythm was infectious. After the solo, the audience couldn’t help but sway along.

"You say I play dirty, that’s why you can’t leave.
You say I’m selfish, only caring about my own love.
A storm of rain and wind rushes in,
I sway from side to side, nearly crashing down.
Luckily, I still have some strength left,
So you can’t hit my fatal weak spot..."

Su Chen’s voice was low, husky, and deeply textured. The moment he began singing, he realized his voice was just as he remembered—damaged. He couldn’t reach high notes, nor transition his vocal range smoothly.

But this song didn’t require much range; it needed a touch of world-weariness, and that was exactly why he’d chosen it.

"These lyrics are something else!"
"This guy’s been burned too, clearly! Hahaha!"
"Wait, why did you say ‘too’?"
...

The lyrics were charged with emotion and the unique delivery gripped the audience immediately.

"You’re so toxic, so toxic, so toxic,
Boohoohoo,
The more you talk, the stranger it sounds,
The more I listen, the more confused I get,
You’re so toxic, so toxic, so toxic..."

As the chorus soared, the crowd started swaying and singing along, swept up in the rhythm.

"You’re so toxic, so toxic, so toxic, toxic, toxic!"

The catchy, infectious song set the whole place alight.

"What is this trash? Get off the stage!" a few stubborn hecklers shouted, but their voices were quickly drowned by the excited crowd.

"Haha, I’m starting to like this guy," someone laughed.
"On the contrary, I actually feel sorry for him."
"Breaking News: Man publicly breaks up with girlfriend at graduation party!"

At the final line, Su Chen forced his sore throat to reach a new peak—raspy, torn, and bursting with emotion.

Then, wracked by a violent coughing fit, he brought the song to an end.

The audience fell silent for a moment at the sight of his coughing, then the cheers erupted once more.

Just then, the female host walked on stage at the perfect moment. Su Chen bowed gratefully and turned to leave, but she called him back.

"Wait... over here, let’s do a quick interview."

As per the program, each performer had a short interaction segment after their act. The host was nervous, but forced herself to carry on. She glanced at the Dean and the director—seeing them calm, with the Dean even smiling, she relaxed a little.

She adjusted her microphone and addressed the crowd.

"Thank you, Su Chen, for that wonderful performance. Was that exciting or what, everyone?"

"Yes!" the crowd roared.

"Was that explosive?"

"Explosive!"

Whistles echoed as the audience responded enthusiastically. The host’s job was tough—she had to keep the energy up, even after a surprise like that.

"It’s rare to hear such a unique original song on our stage. The melody is seriously catchy! I’m sure everyone’s curious, so I’ll ask on your behalf: Is your girlfriend also from our school?"

She spoke with the tone of someone craving gossip—the exact question everyone wanted answered.

Su Chen managed a self-deprecating smile. "Yes."

"I won’t ask her name, for privacy’s sake," the host said, "but can you briefly share your story?"

Su Chen shook his head. "I can’t really get into specifics."

Then, with a sly smile, "But if anyone’s really curious, I can’t stop you from asking me after the show."

He nodded in thanks once more and left the stage.

"Wow, suddenly I feel sorry for that guy," someone in the crowd sighed.
"Yeah, makes me want to hug him and comfort him!"
"You fangirls, don’t think I don’t know what’s going on in your heads! Even people miles away can hear your schemes!"
"How do you know what I’m thinking?"
"I...!"

The girls in the audience were starting to show concern for Su Chen. After all, good looks win sympathy almost anywhere.

Of course, the whispers of gossip had begun.

"Does anyone know who that is?"
"No idea, never heard of him—he’s a senior, I think."
"What happened that he’d break up with his girlfriend in front of everyone? Anyone from the upper years know?"
"Should we ask?"
"Yeah, let’s ask!"
"A true warrior for love!"

...

p.s. "You’re So Toxic"—original singer: Jacky Cheung; lyrics: Joan Wu; music: Wang Yilong