Chapter Sixty-Four: A Change of Heart

Chapter Sixty-Four: A Change of Heart

The pond, formed from colorful stones, was teeming with golden koi fish swimming energetically in the water. Their shimmering scales reflected the light, creating a dazzling display as bubbles floated on the surface, refracting the sunlight into a spectrum of colors.

Aaron King turned to look at Lydia Moore, a handsome and sincere smile spreading across his face. "Good luck with the audition the day after tomorrow!" His smile was genuine, bright, and pure, and it warmed Lydia's heart. She beamed back at him, silently promising to do her very best.

The autumn breeze, intertwined with the natural fragrance of the season, swirled around them, carrying with it a soft and touching sense of connection. Time seemed to stand still in that moment—the vast blue sky, the serene square, the tall sycamores swaying in the breeze, the old, weathered bench, and the gaze exchanged between the boy and the girl—all these elements crystallized into a precious memory, with emotion rippling gently through the air.

The autumn night was clear, with stars twinkling in the sky. The Sakura Academy campus was beautifully lit, with lights shining brightly. However, as winter approached, the temperature had been dropping rapidly over the past few days. During the day, the sun kept the chill at bay, but as soon as dusk fell, the temperature difference became more noticeable. Because of this, most students preferred to stay in their dorms or the study rooms at night, and the campus was unusually quiet under the blanket of night.

A cool night breeze blew in through the open window, rustling the sheet music on the desk. The pages fluttered back and forth until a figure in a light green dress moved to the window and gently closed it, shivering slightly from the cold.

Unable to withstand the chilly air, Lydia Moore took a jacket from her closet and draped it over her shoulders, but it didn't stop her from coughing violently. D*mn! She must have caught a cold from not covering up properly last night, combined with wearing too little today. Lydia sighed in resignation.

She turned her head and saw Elena Rivers standing by the other window, frowning slightly at her. Lydia quickly apologized, "Sorry, I'll be more careful…" But before she could finish her sentence, she started coughing again. Lydia covered her mouth and turned her face away, not wanting to disturb Elena with her coughing.

Noticing the thin, fringed dress Lydia was wearing, Elena Rivers frowned even more deeply. She placed the book she was holding on the windowsill and asked in a calm tone, "Are you really going to wear that dress in this cold weather?" She didn't want to interfere with Lydia's choices, but if she continued like this, she would definitely fall ill, and Elena didn't want to see her bedridden.

After coughing a few more times, Lydia Moore felt better and smiled nonchalantly. "This is the dress I'm supposed to wear for the audition later. I was afraid changing at the venue would waste time, so I put it on now. But don't worry, I'll wear a jacket—I'll be fine." Lydia could hear the concern in Elena's voice, and a wave of warmth spread through her, driving away the chill.

Before Lydia could express her gratitude, Elena Rivers suddenly asked, "Why did you transfer from Qingli to Sakura, pushing yourself so hard to become better? What's the reason?" Elena was genuinely curious. What could give someone such unwavering determination and strength, allowing them to face any challenge or setback without fear?

Lydia Moore was momentarily stunned. After a brief pause, she walked toward the window, her delicate profile reflected in the clear glass. In the night, her eyes sparkled with hope, and a faint smile played on her lips. "Because of my dreams, and because of… the person I love." She gazed up at the bright moon and twinkling stars in the dark sky, her eyes shining as if she could see the dawn of hope breaking through.

After a moment, she turned to Elena Rivers, her smile pure and beautiful. "Love can make a person strong and brave, so Elena, for the sake of Julian Reed, you must work hard too."

How did she know about her feelings? Elena had always thought she had hidden them well. Her heart skipped a beat as she stared at Lydia in disbelief.

Ignoring Elena's surprised gaze, Lydia continued with a gentle smile. "I don't know what you're avoiding or what you're afraid of, but sometimes love is like a gift from an angel. It has wings and can fly away. Once missed, it may never come back. And once you love someone, you must never give up easily, because as long as there's even a one percent chance, it's worth giving one hundred percent effort. Everyone can find happiness in the end."

She believed that one day she would stand before Ethan Knight again, and she also believed that the flower of love, which carried Elena Rivers' hopes, would bloom in the warmth of spring. They both deserved their own happiness.

Elena Rivers had once kept her heart locked away in a dark room with no light, but Julian Reed's arrival had opened a window in her world, brightening her once-dim eyes. But could she really be as brave as Lydia said, and pursue love without fear? Elena had too many doubts, but she knew that at this moment, beneath her calm and quiet exterior, a long-buried feeling was slowly blossoming like a rose. She could no longer escape.

There was still an hour left before the audition. Lydia Moore packed up her things and headed out. Just as she reached the bottom of the dormitory building, she unexpectedly received a call from Julian Reed.

The city lights illuminated the night, with the countless lights of towering buildings twinkling like stars, casting a radiant glow. Among the endless stream of cars, a white Mercedes sped through the streets.

In the car, Lydia Moore kept glancing out the window, her brows furrowed with worry. When she received the call from Julian Reed saying that Jenny Lin was missing, her fear had been overwhelming. With the memory of Jenny Lin's attempted suicide three years ago still fresh in her mind, Lydia was terrified that Jenny might harm herself again. They had searched the area around the school and her home, but none of Jenny's friends had heard from her. It was already so late—where could Jenny Lin have gone? Lydia prayed silently that Jenny would be safe.

Julian Reed, usually so composed, was now far from calm. His heart felt as though it was being squeezed tightly, but he knew he couldn't afford to lose his cool now. He forced himself to stay calm. Glancing at Lydia Moore, who was anxiously peering out the window, he said apologetically, "I'm sorry for calling you out at a time like this. It's just that Jenny Lin has always liked you, and I thought it would be better if you were there when we find her." Despite the worry churning inside him like a stormy sea, he managed to give her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Jenny Lin will be okay."