Chapter 19: What Should I Call You

Inside the dressing room, Jiang Cheng sat motionless in the chair, surrounded by two makeup artists—one adjusting the lighting, the other carefully applying highlighter to her face.

Soon, Jiang Cheng’s features became more defined, carrying a faintly exotic allure.

Chen Ting brought over a golden wig and cautiously placed it atop Jiang Cheng’s head.

Jiang Cheng looked at herself in the mirror—her appearance and aura had undergone a complete transformation.

She turned her face slightly, allowing the makeup artist to continue attaching the clip-on earrings.

After all, she didn’t have pierced ears.

At last, a noble maiden from the Middle Ages seemed to have come to life before their eyes.

“Ah, I almost forgot this.” 

Chen Ting admired her for a moment before clapping her hands and fishing a pair of colored contact lenses from the pile of cosmetics.

Jiang Cheng, who had never worn them before, looked at Chen Ting with slight hesitation.

“It’s easy! Your eyes are big enough; they’ll go in without any trouble.”

Chen Ting demonstrated with one pair, and Jiang Cheng followed her example, carefully putting in one lens. 

In the mirror, she became a heterochromatic beauty.

Her lazy yet noble expression resembled that of a Persian cat.

“This looks great too…” 

Chen Ting was dazzled, and both makeup artists nodded in agreement.

Something feels strange… Jiang Cheng thought quietly, slipping in the other lens.

She stood up, and the hem of her luxurious gown swirled through the air like a blossoming flower.

The costume team had worked day and night to complete this dress, adjusting the waist and chest areas specifically for Jiang Cheng.

Yet, this hoop-skirted gown felt drafty underneath. Though she wore leggings, Jiang Cheng still wasn’t used to it.

Compared to the short skirt from her first time cross-dressing, this outfit was already much more conservative—perhaps because she would be performing before the entire auditorium, the thought alone made her uneasy.

“Chengcheng, even your figure looks so beautiful in this.” 

Chen Ting’s focus was as unique as ever.

Jiang Cheng almost forgot what this class representative’s real personality was like.

“My leading lady, are you dressed yet?”

Zhou Qingying pushed open the door from outside.

She was wearing an equally lavish outfit—handsome trousers and knee-high boots, her long hair tucked into a reddish-brown wig.

To play Romeo, she had thickened her brows with pencil and toned her lips to a natural nude shade.

“Wow, Yingying, you look so cool! You and Chengcheng look perfect together!” 

Chen Ting gushed, instantly becoming their number one fan.

Zhou Qingying smiled slightly and walked over to Jiang Cheng, speaking softly.

“Don’t be nervous. Just follow the rhythm from rehearsal.”

Jiang Cheng wasn’t nervous to begin with, but the friendly encouragement warmed her heart, and she nodded in acknowledgment.

“Let’s head backstage, then.”

The hallway from the dressing room to the stage prep area wasn’t long, but filled with people coming and going. Some looked astonished, others intrigued.

All of them were struck by the sight of Jiang Cheng in her elaborate gown.

Many had heard rumors about the new transfer student in Class 2, but this was the first time most saw her in person.

Her cool, elegant beauty and the way she gracefully lifted her skirt made her look like a princess walking into a royal ball.

The curtains slowly opened, and Jiang Cheng could still hear the applause from the previous performance, which only added to her pressure.

She took a deep breath, listening to the music as she entered with a few graceful opening dance steps.

The spotlight followed her, as though the stars themselves had gathered to illuminate only her.

Golden hair fluttered as she spun, blue eyes sparkling under the stage lights. 

Her lips curved into a perfect smile, facing the audience directly.

“God…”

The audience was stunned—there was no more murmuring, only the sound of sharp inhales.

“Chengcheng! I love you! You’re radiant, baby!” a girl shouted, setting off a wave of laughter and cheers.

Then came thunderous applause, so loud it seemed the roof might come off.

Backstage, Zhou Qingying smiled helplessly—she could tell the one shouting was Chen Ting. 

That normally quiet girl was, without a doubt, a hopeless face addict.

The audience’s enthusiasm seemed to sweep Jiang Cheng up in its current. 

She made a couple of missteps in her dance but quickly regained her rhythm and reached her designated spot.

Wang Ziyue, standing in the shadows, took it all in.

She had declined the front-row seats arranged for her, wanting to watch quietly from the back.

Now, she regretted that choice.

Jiang Cheng’s brilliance on stage had seized her attention entirely, washing away the gloom of the past few days.

Such a mysterious charm—every time she saw this girl, she felt the same way.

Wang Ziyue raised her phone and took a photo of Jiang Cheng gracefully curtsying.

As the next piece of music began, Zhou Qingying entered the stage as Romeo. 

The two stood apart, their movements leisurely and elegant, carrying a relaxed yet magnetic aura.

Romeo seemed bored at first, until his gaze fell upon Juliet—and he froze, struck by love at first sight.

The judges nodded in appreciation, and Principal Zhou’s eyes shone with pride. 

His niece truly had artistic talent.

Wang Ziyue lowered her phone and bit her lip, watching silently.

Though both performers on stage were girls, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

When Zhou Qingying extended her hand for the dance, and Jiang Cheng gently placed hers on top, Wang Ziyue’s irritation peaked.

Just then, her secretary Fang called. 

Wang Ziyue stepped out of the hall to take it in a quiet corridor.

“Hello, President Wang… the matter you asked me to handle is done.”

“Good. You can return to the company afterward.” 

Wang Ziyue instructed calmly.

“Yes, President. I’ll head back now.”

After hanging up, Wang Ziyue looked at the classroom number and location Fang had sent via WeChat.

She stood for a moment in the empty square outside the hall before turning back.

Inside, the play had reached its climax—Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene.

“Romeo, oh Romeo, why must you be Romeo~”

The girl’s sorrowful voice lingered in the air, tugging at everyone’s heartstrings.

“Perhaps… you do not wish it so—then, just swear to be my love! I’ll no longer be a Capulet!”

“Names themselves mean nothing; that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet. If Romeo had another name, his beauty would remain the same. Romeo, cast away your name—I shall give you my whole heart in exchange for that worthless word!”

The hall grew silent; everyone was lost in the performance.

A flicker of light crossed Wang Ziyue’s eyes. She no longer watched the stage, leaving early for the classroom Fang had arranged.

Some time later, she received a call from Principal Zhou.

“President Wang, I heard you wanted to meet our play’s leading actress?”

“Yes, sorry if this disrupts your schedule.”

“Not at all! The show just ended. After the awards, I’ll have Jiang come to see you.”

“Alright.”

Locking her phone, Wang Ziyue’s reflection stared back from the dark screen. 

She studied it for a while, then let out a soft chuckle.

Their first meeting had been by someone else’s arrangement. 

Back then, she’d been caught off guard.

Now, she was the one arranging the meeting—it felt strangely ironic.

Putting her phone away, she looked toward the doorway, where a panting girl appeared.

She wore her school uniform skirt; her heavy stage makeup still on, and her pink hair clung damply to her cheeks.

Wang Ziyue pulled a pack of tissues from her bag and walked over, handing one to her.

“Jiejie…” 

Jiang Cheng’s soft call deepened the light in Wang Ziyue’s eyes.

“Mm. It’s been a while… Jiang Cheng.”

Then she pulled the girl into her arms, whispering close to her ear, “Or should I call you Jiang Chen?”

Jiang Cheng’s pupils widened in shock, her body trembling uncontrollably.

“Hmm? Why so quiet?”

Wang Ziyue released her, smiling gently—but all Jiang Cheng could sense was danger.

The two stood facing each other in silence as the clock ticked steadily on the wall.

Tick-tock, tick-tock.