I see. So that’s how it is. I hadn’t noticed before, but it turns out Meng Wange has such a sensitive side to her heart.
To think she would actually decide to change the entire story just because she thought the fairy tale was too much of a fairy tale…
Su Wanli walked ahead of Meng Wange as they returned to the classroom together, pondering silently to herself.
Still, what Meng Wange said did have some truth to it.
Come to think of it, Cinderella’s story is built on that kind of time-limited magic. Being in the happiest moment of your life, yet constantly worrying that the magic will wear off by midnight… That’s suffocating. In a situation like that, you can’t really enjoy the present moment.
The version Meng Wange came up with establishes a relationship that feels a lot more reassuring. Though the theme has turned out completely different from what Su Wanli initially imagined.
—
Changing a love fairy tale into a family ethical drama… Is this really still Cinderella’s story?
“By the way, Miss Su, for lunch, would you like to join me on the rooftop… No, would you prefer to eat alone in the cafeteria?”
Faced with Meng Wange’s question, Su Wanli immediately crossed her arms in an X shape in front of her chest.
“Nope.”
“I see. Then it’s settled. We’ll meet at the usual place.”
“?”
[Negation Count +1. Current total: 26. Still need 4 more. Host, keep it up.]
Hearing the system’s announcement in her ear, Su Wanli scratched her temple quietly.
…
Alright, alright?
Even though something felt off, the system task for today only had four more left. If she could finish just four more rebuttals, today’s task would be completely done!
Thirty rebuttals? Nothing to it, right?
Thinking like this, she realized she had been way too tense before. For the rest of the time, she didn’t have to be so wound up. She didn’t need to argue with Meng Wange over every single word. She could communicate with Meng Wange in a somewhat normal way now!
With that thought in mind, Su Wanli stepped through the door of Class Three, Year Two, her heart feeling a little lighter.
“Ah, Boss! You’re back! Check this out!”
In the classroom, Xiao Fen, Da Zhuang, and Potato Thunder weren’t lounging around as usual, fiddling with the random little props on their desks. Instead, they had cleared their tables completely, leaving only a large sketchbook.
Seeing Su Wanli and the others arrive, Xiao Fen waved her arm excitedly and held up the sketchbook.
“…Hm?”
Su Wanli raised an eyebrow slightly and cast a critical eye over the blueprint covered in all kinds of complicated lines.
Even though the lines looked a little rough, the details were surprisingly rich. The intricate carved patterns on the walls, the lavish chandelier on the ceiling, all of it had been sketched out by Xiao Fen with thick and thin lines in a convincing way.
“So? What do you think, Boss? I stayed up all night drawing this stage set! I didn’t help much with the script, but at least I’m doing my actual job properly!”
“…Hmph, it’s passable. Could be better. Pull another all-nighter tonight.”
“——”
Even though Su Wanli said that out loud, she was actually a little surprised inside.
Who knew that this slacker, who usually just lounged around with a lollipop spreading ridiculous rumors, actually had some real skills…
Maybe in the original work, Xiao Fen was the type of character who just doodled all over Meng Wange’s desk?
Despite being ordered to put in another all-nighter, Xiao Fen didn’t seem too upset. Instead, she puffed out her chest proudly and pointed at the details on the blueprint, launching into a lively explanation.
“Look here, Boss. This is where I designed the living room of Cinderella’s house. Based on our usual method, we can use KT boards to create the general wall atmosphere. It’s a pretty cost-effective approach.”
“But! When I thought about how this stage was for both you, Boss Su, and Boss Meng, I knew I couldn’t cut corners. I had to make it perfect!”
“So I asked my dad about it. If we use some better specialty materials here and combine it with proper lighting effects, we can make it look almost identical to a real wall!”
As she spoke, Potato Thunder snatched the sketchbook and flipped to the pages showing the ball scene.
“And here! Even though a lot of it got cut from the script, the ball scene is still the main highlight, right? We can rent a dry ice machine, cover the floor with smoke, and use a projector to cast a starry sky onto the curtain. Then you can dance under the stars—”
“Hey hey hey!?! It’s supposed to be a palace! Where did the starry sky come from?!”
“You can simplify the center design of the palace a bit. Just projecting the starry sky onto the wall won’t look too out of place!”
“But why would there even be a starry sky?! Won’t it be cold dancing outside? What if it rains?!”
“…Shh, stop arguing. Let Boss and Meng Wange decide, alright?”
Watching Xiao Fen and the others like this, Su Wanli felt a warm current rising in her heart.
I see.
They weren’t just half-heartedly going through the motions like before. They were genuinely putting in the effort for this play.
…
Ah… So this is what it feels like to be genuinely supported…
“…Heh. I didn’t expect you guys to be so dedicated.”
Su Wanli was just about to relax her villainess persona a little and give them a small compliment, when Xiao Fen heard this and immediately slapped her thigh, declaring in a firm tone.
“Of course we’re dedicated! You’ve always taken care of us, Boss! Every time something went wrong, you took the lead and protected us, letting us do whatever we wanted! An opportunity like this, where we can do something for you, of course we’re going to seize it!”
“Exactly! I can’t help with detailed stuff like drawing, but I’m all in for the heavy lifting—moving things, carrying props, building the stage! I want to do my part for you too, Boss!”
“I can help with the stage atmosphere too! Even though it’s a Western stage, I can set up some feng shui structures and add a few talismans. That way, our stage next Tuesday will go smoothly, and our performance will blow everyone away!”
“You, you guys…”
Hearing their passionate but slightly off declarations, Su Wanç’ƒ opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words to say.
“Don’t feel like you owe us, Boss Su.”
Seeing Su Wanli’s reaction, Xiao Fen stepped forward quietly, clasped her hands together, and looked at Su Wanli with sincere eyes, then at Meng Wange standing beside her.
“…Since you and Boss Meng are getting serious, then we’ll get serious too! Let’s consider this stage as our wedding gift money for you, Boss!”
“…W-Wedding gift money!?!”
“Oh no!?! My blueprint!?!”
Accompanied by Xiao Fen’s panicked shriek, Su Wanli’s face turned bright red. Glaring fiercely at them, she finally couldn’t hold back anymore. She grabbed Meng Wange’s sleeve and yanked her forward with a stumble.
“You guys…!! How many times do I have to tell you?! There’s nothing going on between me and Meng Wange!! If you keep spouting nonsense like that, I swear I’ll kick every single one of you off the sixth floor!!”
Meng Wange was pulled down a head shorter from the force.
She gently covered the corner of her mouth, suppressing the smile that was about to spill out.
Looking at the girl beside her, with her flushed ears and tightly clenched fists, Meng Wange couldn’t help but let her eyes curve into crescents.
Then, she turned to Xiao Fen and the others, shook her head with a soft smile, and raised her left index finger to her lips.
“Shh.”