Wanqing City, Gymnasium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, seniors and juniors, brothers and sisters, audience friends, and school leaders, hello!!”
The host, holding a microphone, passionately shouted towards the camera.
“Welcome to the annual Cultural Performance Festival of Wanqing Yongxing School!!”
At this moment, at the judges’ table, Ji Yuennian was dressed in formal attire, looking dashing and spirited. He focused intently on the opening ceremony on stage, occasionally jotting down notes with the pen in his hand.
This Cultural Performance Festival had a total of ten judges. The scoring system involved removing the highest and lowest scores, then averaging the rest.
The ten judges were students from the student council and various departments. Not just anyone could be a judge; one had to be either meritorious or virtuous.
Unfortunately for Ji Yuennian, he possessed both qualities.
The seating arrangement for the festival placed the judges at the front, the school leaders on the sides, and the students took their seats behind them in order.
The gymnasium was equipped with four massive high-definition screens, so even those sitting at the very back could see clearly.
Just as the opening ceremony was in full swing, Ji Yuennian’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He picked it up and saw it was a call from Yao Shiming.
According to the schedule, that kid should be backstage now. Why call? Trying to get in through the backdoor?
Ji Yuennian still remembered how that morning Yao Shiming had proudly patted his chest, boasting confidently that his performance of The Legend of the White Snake would definitely win first place. The arrogance had been palpable.
After hesitating for a moment, Ji Yuennian discreetly put on his Bluetooth headset and carefully hid it beneath his long bangs by the ear.
“Old Yao, what’s the matter? Hurry up and say it. Don’t you know I’m at the judges’ table? The camera might be on me next second.” He lowered his voice.
“Brother Ji, there’s a problem here.” On the other end, Yao Shiming sounded extremely anxious.
“What happened?”
“The girl playing Qingqing went out drinking with classmates last night. This morning on the way to school, she got hit by a female driver. She’s in the hospital now. I just got the news.”
“Hit? Is she okay?”
“Not serious. She needs a few stitches but can’t get out of bed for a few days and won’t make it to the show. I’m looking for a replacement now, but it will take time.”
A burst of noisy background sounds came through the Bluetooth headset. After a long moment, Yao Shiming’s voice came again. “… Brother Ji, can you negotiate to push back our performance ranking a bit?”
“Fine, I’ll try. You hurry over there.” Ji Yuennian agreed and hung up, frowning slightly.
He thought for a moment, then while everyone’s attention and the cameras were focused on the ballet performance on stage, Ji Yuennian waved at the host to come over. He then bent down and quietly approached Su Bai, the student council president sitting in the first seat of the judges’ panel.
Su Bai was dressed in a white checkered outfit today, looking fresh and handsome. After hearing Ji Yuennian’s explanation, he furrowed his brow but nodded.
“Alright, but it has to be quick, or The Legend of the White Snake will have to be canceled.”
“Today’s live broadcast. If anything goes wrong on stage, it would damage the school’s reputation.”
“Thanks, President.” Ji Yuennian nodded heavily, then turned and returned to his seat at the judges’ table.
At the same time, he silently prayed for Yao Shiming, hoping he could find a suitable substitute in time.
Though Ji Yuennian himself didn’t hold out much hope.
Not to mention that a replacement isn’t outsourced—no one can just show up on demand. Plus, Qingqing’s costume was custom-made in advance; finding a girl with matching height and build on short notice was incredibly difficult.
As time passed, one performance after another went by—comedy skits, serious literature, fairy tales, anime films. Occasionally, some wildly modified plots appeared, like Grey Wolf battling Big Bear and Little Bear, Conan staying overnight at Tom’s to help get rid of Jerry, or a rustic version of Titanic Rick…
In short, it was like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their unique talents. Ji Yuennian wasn’t sure if they could elevate to high art, but making the audience laugh genuinely was enough.
With each program ending, the time left for Yao Shiming’s White Snake grew shorter—less than half an hour now.
Ji Yuennian’s phone rang again. Yao Shiming’s frustrated voice came through: “Brother Ji… help us cancel it. Sorry to trouble you.”
“What happened? You planning to give up? Didn’t you boast to me this morning that you’d definitely take first place?”
Yao Shiming smiled bitterly. “I can’t even find enough people to fill the roles. What can I perform with? Brother Ji, don’t tease me. I just want to be quiet now.”
“Oh, you’re really giving up? Then forget it. And here I was trying to find a replacement for you.” Ji Yuennian sighed lightly, a hint of frustration in his tone.
“What? Replacement?!”
Yao Shiming nearly jumped out of the phone in excitement.
“Of course. Who else would I be?” Ji Yuennian punched his chest hard with one fist, making a dull thud. “I’m Ji Yuennian! Your Brother Ji! When my brothers are in trouble, I go all in!”
“Wait for me, I’ll send her over right away!”
Finally, amid Yao Shiming’s repeated thanks, Ji Yuennian hung up and dialed another number.
“Hello, Su Tian, come to the judges’ table. I’m giving you a chance to experience a formal judge position.”
*****
Backstage, White Snake actors’ dressing room.
Yao Shiming paced back and forth nervously, both anxious and hopeful.
Nearby, Bai Suzhen, dressed as a “young maiden,” looked at him with a hint of pity in her eyes.
No one understood how much heart Yao Shiming had poured into The Legend of the White Snake. Perhaps more than the hefty first-place prize, he wanted to prove himself through this performance—to his parents, his family, and his childhood sweetheart.
His life was no less than anyone else’s!
Not long after, there was a gentle knock on the dressing room door. Yao Shiming hurried to open it and saw a pure and lovely face.
“Your name is Yao Shiming?” The young girl stepped forward and extended her hand with a gentle smile.
“My name is Ji Qingchan. Senior Ji sent me as your replacement.”
*****
On stage, the host, who had planned to wrap up the drama segment and move quickly to the next item, received the news and swallowed the prepared closing lines.
He shifted his tone, speaking passionately: “The love between the little Gourd Spirit and the Snake Demon has just moved us, but another tale of love between humans and demons has been passed down through the ages—and that one is even more heart-stirring. I believe our audience is eager to see this classic story performed!”
Then, skillfully using language and gestures, he successfully roused the enthusiasm of the crowd below. Everyone shouted excitedly as the atmosphere soared to a climax.
Seizing the moment, the host continued: “Next, please join me in giving the warmest applause and most eager anticipation to the performance of The Legend of the White Snake, brought to you by Yao Shiming from Senior 2 Class 3, junior students Ji Qingchan and Lin Li from Senior 1, along with other classmates.”
The list of performers the host held didn’t specifically mark classes, names, or even genders, as these could be faked to protect shy girls and boys performing female roles.
After all, being publicly outed for cross-dressing could ruin one’s future dating prospects.
As the host stepped down, the stage scene rapidly changed as if an invisible hand had swept over it. In an instant, the large screen displayed a picturesque landscape of green mountains and flowing rivers—majestic peaks and crystal-clear streams, like a breathtaking painting.
Then, two graceful figures—one in white, one in emerald green—floated onto the stage like delicate butterflies, their movements elegant and light, as if enchanting spirits had stepped out from a storybook.
The two women gracefully ascended a carefully arranged fake bridge. The one dressed in green extended slender fingers and pointed to a scholar beneath the bridge, her voice crisp: “Sister Bai, look, who’s that bookworm?”
At the back of the gymnasium, a boy quietly reading a book happened to glance at the emerald figure on the big screen. He suddenly stood up involuntarily.