Not to mention anything else, just the way she twists her slender waist, the way she lifts her long legs as if she’s about to take flight, and her expressions that shift with the music—sometimes passionate, sometimes sorrowful—really make you feel something, as if you could be drawn right into it.

“Fantastic!” “Encore!” ...When the music ended, Ivy Howard’s dance received a huge round of applause and cheers.

“I’m telling you, bro, that girl’s got skills. Look at that waist, so much strength. But I can tell, she’s holding back—she’s not going all out in some parts.” Among Samuel Wright’s group, someone with sharp eyes commented.

Of course, they were all invited by Ethan, and as soon as he heard this, he wasn’t happy—wasn’t this just boosting her confidence? Ethan immediately retorted, “Hey, can you stop acting like such a big shot?”

“Little Ethan, I used to date a girl from a dance school, I can tell these things.”

“Alright, alright!” The conversation was getting more and more animated, so Ethan quickly put a stop to it—after all, there were more important things to focus on.

Not long after Ivy Howard’s dance ended, it was Samuel Wright’s turn. From the stage, the announcer, senior Lily Sutton, read out: “Next up, from the Class of ‘97 Literature Department, Samuel Wright, performing a song.”

There wasn’t even a song title—Samuel Wright really kept this a secret.

With a clatter, Samuel Wright took the stage, along with a few guys brought by Ethan—not many, just four including Ethan. These were actually friends Ethan Brooks had met while performing at a bar; they made up a small band, all familiar faces.

Originally, Samuel Wright just wanted to use a backing track, but as soon as Ethan’s friends heard it was the film academy’s welcome party, they all insisted on coming. Their motive, of course, was obvious—these guys weren’t here to watch the men, were they?

The school agreed, and the guys said they’d help out for free, just to watch—oh, to “observe.” Samuel Wright was happy to save some money.

Samuel Wright’s outfit was pretty simple: white shirt and jeans, looking quite casual. But the band needed instruments. Ethan’s keyboard was easy enough, and so were the guitar and bass, but the drum set was a hassle—even though it wasn’t assembled on site, it still needed some tuning, right?

“What’s going on? Can you hurry up?”

“Dude, do you really need to be this professional?”

“Come on! 1, 2, 3!” “Give Samuel Wright a big cheer! ...” The crowd started to hype things up.

Seeing this, Ethan Brooks smiled at Samuel Wright and said, “Bro, you nervous?”

“What’s there to be nervous about? Let’s do it!” Samuel Wright just smiled slightly.

Everything was ready. Dang... dang... dang... The intro began, and Samuel Wright timed the melody perfectly. He grabbed the microphone and started to sing.

Chapter 010: The Heart of a Dream-Chaser

“In a world full of flowers, where exactly is it... If it really exists, then I’ll definitely go...

I want to stand on the highest peak there... I don’t care if it’s a sheer cliff...”

Samuel Wright’s voice was plain and unremarkable, almost as if he wasn’t singing at all, just speaking—but with a certain rhythm.

“Live with all your might, love with all your might, even if it costs you everything... Don’t care about pleasing anyone, just be true to yourself...

When it comes to dreams, I’ve never chosen to give up... Even in the days when I was covered in dust and dirt...”

His voice seemed too ordinary, and the heckling hadn’t stopped.

“What the heck is he singing?”

“Are you just talking up there?” ...

But at this moment, Ivy Howard in the audience didn’t say anything. Although she wasn’t a vocal major, the lyrics really resonated with her—they sounded great, even if the singing itself wasn’t anything special.

Facing the heckling, Samuel Wright wasn’t affected at all and kept singing.

“Maybe I don’t have talent... but I have the innocence of dreams!

I will prove it with my whole life,

Maybe my hands are clumsier than my feet... but I’m willing to keep searching,

To give all my youth and leave no regrets!”

Up until that “leave no regrets,” Samuel Wright’s voice seemed to erupt, as if everything before was flat ground, and suddenly he started climbing uphill—but that wasn’t all.

“Run forward! Facing cold stares and ridicule...”

That “run forward” was practically a roar, as if he was pouring his whole life into it!

“The vastness of life—how can you feel it without hardship? Fate... it can’t make us kneel! Down! And beg for mercy!”

That “kneel down and beg for mercy” seemed to contain all of Samuel Wright’s strength!

“Even if... my blood soaks my embrace! ...” Samuel Wright erupted again!

At this point, the students in the audience were completely stunned—there wasn’t a sound.

But it wasn’t over yet! Another roar!

“Keep running! With the pride of a child at heart! The brilliance of life... how can you see it without persevering to the end... Rather than! Dragging out! A wretched existence, better to burn! With passion! One day, it will sprout again!”

Another terrifying roar—the whole song felt like a challenge to fate. Samuel Wright’s voice might not have been good, but his hoarseness, his shouting, made it feel even more passionate!