The absence hit Ling Yue like a cold splash of water, and he frowned, scanning the side of the stage in confusion, thinking that the drummer was going to show up, but then he saw them.
Behind the curtains, barely hidden but clearly enjoying themselves, stood Xu Mingyue and Ling Chen, whispering to each other and smirking as if they were watching a show they expected to end in flames.
Ling Yue's stomach twisted, and he clenched his fists so tightly his nails pressed onto his palms, but the music didn't stop, and neither did the stares.
He heaved a deep sigh as he stared at the backs of his friends, their black robes flowing with the wind, and closed his eyes. And just then, the melody rose to the part where he was supposed to enter and weave into the harmony to complete everything they had practiced for days.
