Club recruitment always took place in the sweltering summer heat. Sang Ru dragged Zhou Tingzhao around to various booths, and eventually, they were both accepted into the musical theater society.

With their good looks, accurate English pronunciation, and pleasant singing voices, they were often selected to perform in productions. After multiple performances, it became difficult not to notice them. Many male students took an interest in Sang Ru, while Zhou Tingzhao caught the eyes of numerous female students. However, after inquiring about them, people eventually discovered that these two were a couple.

Over the years, Sang Ru became the president of the society, and Zhou Tingzhao the vice president. They were well-known as the musical theater society’s famous couple.

By senior year, it was time to hand over their positions to the next generation of juniors. For their final performance together on stage, they chose the musical “Spring Awakening.”

The story was set in 19th century Germany, where the collision between the era and adolescence left a group of young boys and girls in confusion and bewilderment.

The young girl, Wendal, learned that her friend had been living with her father’s harsh treatment for a long time. She finally found the boy, Melchior, to share the secret hidden in her heart.

Sang Ru immersed herself in the girl’s pain and struggle, looking at Zhou Tingzhao, yet not seeing him as Zhou Tingzhao.

“I dreamt I was a clumsy little girl who accidentally spilled my father’s coffee,” she said frantically. “He angrily raised his voice, and I was terrified…”

“Wendal, none of that happens anymore, those things only exist in children’s stories…”

Sang Ru interrupted him, as if she truly was this girl at that moment. She expressed concern about her friend’s sadness, hearing the boy say they needed to tell a trusted adult.

“I’ve never known what it feels like to be that afraid. I wonder what it feels like.”

She picked up a prop flower and handed it to Zhou Tingzhao.

Zhou Tingzhao, or rather Melchior, looked at the flower a couple of times and said, “This reminds me of how fragile trust can be.”

“You mean if you break it?”

“Break it?” The boy was incredulous. “What are you thinking? I would never hurt your trust…”

“What if I didn’t mind?”

Time seemed to stand still.

Sang Ru moved closer to him: “What if I asked you to be honest with me?”

The conversation was just as the director described—emotional, intense, and creating an extremely powerful moment on stage.

Zhou Tingzhao controlled his emotions, trying to make this strange discussion seem more meaningful than it was. Sang Ru didn’t feel the character’s pain physically, but as Wendal, she felt emotions so intense she could almost cry, yet she said, “I don’t understand.”

“How about I explain?”

“It doesn’t make sense!”

Increasingly emotional exchanges accompanied each step forward with the question: “What about now?”

She bit her lip, hearing Zhou Tingzhao’s voice filled with an intensity she had never heard before.

Emotions can be overwhelming, and so can sharing them.

She finally knelt on the stage, trembling and crying. The boy looked at her, then suddenly ran away as if confused.

The spotlight fell on Sang Ru and a singer beside her.

Sang Ru heard the lyrics saying: “Yes, I will feel lost, and you will feel lost because of me…”

Next came other actors’ scenes. Sang Ru returned backstage, where Zhou Tingzhao was waiting for her.

His smile was always gentle, flowing from his soft gaze and slightly curved lips.

A character is a character, and he is himself. Sang Ru’s eyes were still emotional as she fell into his friendly embrace.

“Was I too intense just now?” This wasn’t the first time they had rehearsed this segment, yet Zhou Tingzhao always asked this question.

“It was perfect,” Sang Ru shook her head, then changed her answer. “A little intense, but that’s what the scene needed.”

Zhou Tingzhao smiled and gently patted her shoulder reassuringly.

The young girl had partially revealed her feelings in the scene, her emotions, fears, and hopes, perhaps all bearing the weight of her character’s journey. Zhou Tingzhao had no particular thoughts at this moment, but then heard Sang Ru say, “There’s a scene coming up. Can we make it more authentic?”

The scene Sang Ru mentioned took place in a park in the story, their secret hideout.

The girl apologized for pushing the boy to confront difficult truths, while the boy felt confused by the emotions he had experienced. He avoided her, reflected, and the girl encouraged him again and again.

“Let’s run in the rain, it doesn’t matter if we get soaked…” Sang Ru said.

Zhou Tingzhao repeated, “I understand now, I understand…”

The two confused souls suddenly embraced warmly.

He called her name, looking deeply into her eyes: “I can hear your heartbeat. No matter where you are, I can hear your heartbeat, your breathing.”

Sang Ru felt somewhat enchanted, as if this wasn’t just the character’s words, but Zhou Tingzhao’s.

They shared a brief stage kiss, eliciting gentle sighs from the audience.

But the emotional scene continued.

Zhou Tingzhao held her hands tightly, and they leaned close, foreheads touching.

The audience could see their connection, the trust between the characters, building in this poignant moment.

The character was supposed to be breathless at this point. Sang Ru remembered her responsibility, keeping her performance authentic but appropriate.

The microphone was still on, and she delivered her lines with genuine emotion. The soft background music made everything seem more real. The audience watched with rapt attention, completely invested in the story.

Zhou Tingzhao adjusted his position, using his eyes to communicate the next movement.

Sang Ru cooperated by shifting slightly. Her character’s emotional guard was dropping. She couldn’t speak but could express everything with her eyes.

She silently conveyed, “I trust you.”

The audience could see the male lead urgently and somewhat nervously step forward, then gently take her hand under the soft lights. His actions showed the character’s growth before he pulled her into a dance, accompanied by the girl’s surprised laugh of joy.

Then the lights dimmed and brightened again on other opera performers as a new song began.

They had three minutes before their next scene.

Her hand held his tightly as they quickly moved backstage, with only their shared passion for theater connecting them. She was probably nervous about the next scene and wanted him to reassure her.

Zhou Tingzhao turned down both of their microphones and asked, “Are you ready for the next part?”

In the darkness, he couldn’t see her expression. He only heard her “Mm” sound, confident and prepared.

He squeezed her hand supportively, allowing their shared enthusiasm for the performance to carry them through the soaring songs, through those gazes in the audience.

They couldn’t see her, but Sang Ru was extremely focused. She heard Zhou Tingzhao whisper by her ear, reminding: “Remember your stage position.”

Sang Ru nodded, then felt that familiar pre-performance excitement begin to build, slowly and steadily growing as their next cue approached.

A small gasp of anticipation nearly escaped her lips, but was stopped when he raised a finger to signal quiet.

“If you’re nervous, just look at me,” he said.

How could Sang Ru not appreciate his support? She smiled and gave him a thumbs-up.

At this moment, Zhou Tingzhao suddenly felt proud of agreeing to join the theater club with her. He had found his passion, with enthusiasm neither diminished nor forgotten.

He checked her costume one last time, straightening a small detail that was out of place.

“Don’t worry.”

She was about to thank him, squeezing his hand gratefully. Zhou Tingzhao wouldn’t let her miss her cue, so he pointed to the stage, a supportive nod followed by a smile.

“You’ll be amazing.”

Sang Ru wasn’t sure which part was coming next, so while adjusting her costume, she quickly reviewed her lines. Zhou Tingzhao gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

The movement toward the stage quickened, and Zhou Tingzhao whispered a quick “Break a leg.”

There were also people on stage, facing away from them, unaware of the two leads preparing in this corner. They sang: “Hope will give you direction…”

It was incredibly exciting, making the performance all the more meaningful. Zhou Tingzhao always knew how to bring out the best in her acting. Sang Ru took a deep breath and straightened her posture, ready for her entrance.

“Ready?”

Sang Ru whispered: “Mm.”

“Need any last tips?” Zhou Tingzhao asked supportively.

Her response was confident, like a true professional prepared for her moment.

Sang Ru said yes with determination.

Zhou Tingzhao gave her one last encouraging nod and said warmly, “You’re going to shine.”

The stories of the young boys and girls progressed separately. The two emerged from backstage and quickly immersed themselves in the stage performance. Everyone was impressed by their authentic portrayals.

Spring Awakening, Spring Awakening.

Growth comes with challenges. They didn’t understand, they struggled, they felt confused, they wanted answers, they wanted freedom, they wanted to connect.

The curtain closed amid applause. The society members were ready to celebrate, and everyone gathered backstage.

In the bright lights of the theater lobby, Zhou Tingzhao stood beside Sang Ru as they received congratulations. She happily accepted the praise, feeling the success of their hard work.

“Amazing performance…”

Zhou Tingzhao smiled at her, his eyes meeting hers as he murmured: “We did it…”

Sang Ru paused, giving him a grateful smile.

Standing proudly together, they were each other’s biggest supporters. They celebrated their artistic achievement with genuine pride.

Zhou Tingzhao smiled at her and said thoughtfully, “Look, everyone loved our performance.”

Sang Ru looked around at the appreciative audience. Being part of such a successful show made her feel accomplished. She gave Zhou Tingzhao a light tap on the shoulder and said, “I’ll always remember this show.”

“What?”

She said: “I’ll always remember performing with you…”

Zhou Tingzhao’s expression softened, followed by a sincere smile: “That means a lot.”

Sang Ru smiled at him: “We should do another show together someday.”

Zhou Tingzhao nodded enthusiastically. He held up his program for a photo together.

This wasn’t spring but midsummer. The air was humid and warm. It wasn’t raining, yet in this moment, they were thoroughly immersed in the magic of the theater.

Some dialogues and plot elements are inspired by “Spring Awakening.” This adaptation is meant to honor the emotional core of the musical while making it appropriate for younger readers.

Attentive readers will notice that in the original timeline, they also encountered each other while watching this show!