Chapter 18: Thorough Preparation

The empty classroom was filled with chatter, all the desks and chairs pushed to the back.

“This lipstick is too bright, isn’t it?”

“Hmm… I think the rotten tomato color looks better.”

“But once the stage lights hit, the makeup has to be heavier anyway.”

“Should we ask Teacher Ma?”

“I’ll go call her.”

During the last activity period of the day, most of the boys had gone to play basketball, while a few stayed behind to help with props.

The majority of the girls gathered around Jiang Cheng, discussing which lipstick color she should use.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Jiang Cheng felt puzzled. 

Is there really a need to discuss this for so long?

She stretched her arms and legs; sitting still for so long made her sore.

At her side, Zhou Qingying noticed and whispered something to the girl applying eyeshadow.

“Ah, Sister Orange, sorry…” 

The girl acting as the makeup artist pressed her palms together apologetically. 

“Just wait a little longer, I’ll be done soon.”

Jiang Cheng nodded calmly, her lowered lashes trembling slightly.

The nickname Wang Yu gave her had somehow spread throughout the class.

Except for Chen Ting and Zhou Qingying, who still called her Chengcheng, most of her classmates now referred to her as Sister Orange.

Of course, this also had something to do with her exceptional academic performance—many said that her seat was the honor student’s throne.

Today was Wednesday, and their performance was scheduled for Friday. 

Once it ended, her mission would be complete.

Just thinking about the upcoming freedom made Jiang Cheng’s lips curl into a faint smile.

It lasted only a moment, but it was enough to draw everyone’s eyes.

“My Juliet, shall we run through our lines first?”

Jiang Cheng had already memorized the script for two days—she knew it by heart.

Lifting her face, she looked at Zhou Qingying, who was standing only half a step away.

The script was from the balcony scene. 

Recalling her lines, Jiang Cheng’s soft and melodious voice floated from her lips.

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

Zhou Qingying raised her brows but didn’t interrupt.

“Deny your father and refuse your name.”

“Or, if you will not, then swear your love to me, and I will no longer be a Capulet.”

“Chengcheng…”

Unnoticed, Chen Ting had entered the classroom and interrupted her with a complicated expression.

“Hmm?” 

Jiang Cheng tilted her head in confusion, her innocent look making Chen Ting embarrassed to continue.

“There should be… some marks beside your lines, right?” 

Zhou Qingying added helpfully.

“Yes, and notes too.” 

Jiang Cheng remembered those, but since they weren’t part of the dialogue, she hadn’t focused on them.

“Those marks indicate tone and emotional shifts. I made them myself. Chengcheng, did you not understand?” 

Chen Ting sighed and brought out her annotated copy.

It was filled with punctuation marks, wave lines showing where phrases should flow or break naturally.

“It’s the same as mine.” 

Jiang Cheng didn’t understand why she needed to see it again.

“But… Chengcheng, your delivery feels completely flat.”

“Really?” 

Jiang Cheng couldn’t grasp the difference—she had followed the pauses correctly.

Her face was almost expressionless. 

Zhou Qingying rubbed her forehead and then said deliberately, “Can you stay after school for a bit?”

“Sure.”

Since she was the lead, she didn’t mind spending more time rehearsing.

Zhou Qingying smiled awkwardly, already regretting her impulsive choice to cast Jiang Cheng as the heroine.

She should have let her audition first—but everyone seemed to forget about acting the moment they saw that face.

After a while, Teacher Ma arrived. 

She first discussed the makeup details with the student artists, then walked over to check on the two leads.

“How’s everything going? I think our class will do really well this time.” 

Teacher Ma looked at the two outstanding girls, already imagining their victory.

Jiang Cheng’s hand tightened around the hem of her uniform skirt. 

She was about to speak, but Zhou Qingying answered first.

“Don’t worry, Teacher Ma, I’ll make sure everything runs smoothly.”

Zhou Qingying patted Jiang Cheng gently on the back.

“Don’t feel too pressured. Winning is great, but participation matters more.” 

Teacher Ma adjusted her glasses; she seemed to sense something unspoken.

She took Jiang Cheng’s hand and spoke kindly.

“You’ve just transferred here. Don’t keep yourself so tense. Our classmates are all friendly—think of this event as a gathering, not a competition.”

After saying that, she patted Jiang Cheng’s hand again.

Jiang Cheng nodded, relaxing slightly.

“I’ll do my best.”

“That’s not what I want to hear.” Teacher Ma suddenly smiled.

Seeing Jiang Cheng’s startled face, she explained, “Of course, it’s good to win first place. But even if you don’t, does that mean all our effort is wasted? We still performed a wonderful play and shared a meaningful experience—that’s what matters.”

“Yes, Chengcheng, sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

Chen Ting looked apologetic, realizing her earlier words might have sounded like criticism.

“It’s fine.”

Jiang Cheng didn’t understand why she always looked so fragile in their eyes. 

She truly didn’t feel pressured.

“It’s almost dismissal time. Everyone who’s done can head home. We’ll run the full rehearsal again tomorrow.”

Though time was tight, Teacher Ma still encouraged balance. 

She ushered the students out of the room.

Only Jiang Cheng, Chen Ting, and Zhou Qingying remained.

“Chengcheng, let’s start with the basics, okay?”

“Huh?”

“Let’s make your face more expressive first.”

Chen Ting lifted both sides of Jiang Cheng’s cheeks, forcing out a strained smile.

A heavy silence followed.

“Chengcheng, do you really never smile?”

Zhou Qingying was both exasperated and amused.

Looking at her awkward grin in the mirror, Jiang Cheng felt uneasy.

It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to smile—it just didn’t come naturally.

Or rather, people around her rarely stirred her emotions.

No… there’s one exception. A flash of golden hair crossed her mind.

“Whoa, now you’re smiling! Who did you just think of?”

Chen Ting teased.

“My mom.” 

Jiang Cheng turned away, giving a random excuse.

“Then keep that feeling. You’re Romeo, meeting your lover—you should show joy naturally.”

Chen Ting realized her analogy was odd, but continued anyway.

“Before that scene, your monologue is full of conflict. The emotional contrast is key. Chengcheng, can you show a sad expression?”

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment—and to their shock, tears welled up in her big eyes almost instantly.

“Ah, hey, what’s wrong—” Chen Ting panicked.

Zhou Qingying pursed her lips and carefully wiped the tears from Jiang Cheng’s face with a tissue.

“Chengcheng, what were you thinking about?” Chen Ting leaned closer. Her eyes were red—not from acting, but real emotion.

“I’d rather not say.” Jiang Cheng answered honestly.

“Alright then…” 

Chen Ting clutched her chest dramatically, pretending to be heartbroken. 

The exaggerated gesture made Jiang Cheng laugh through her tears.

“Okay, let’s keep rehearsing.”

“Alright.” Jiang Cheng nodded, her eyebrows lifting slightly, her mood clearly brighter.

Zhou Qingying had stayed quiet the whole time. When Jiang Cheng finally looked her way, she smiled softly.

“Let’s practice the dialogue between us first.”

“Mm.”

“Let’s all do our best!”

***

The car sped down the highway. 

In the back seat, Wang Ziyue listened as her secretary reported.

“Have all the new company employees started?”

“Yes, some have already joined, and the rest are finalizing their transitions.”

“And… Ms. Jiang is expected to start in about a week.”

Secretary Fang hesitated briefly. 

She didn’t quite understand why President Wang wanted a second background check on an ordinary employee.

The only logical explanation was that President Wang wanted to cultivate a trusted person in the new company.

Judging from the report, Ms. Jiang—raising her son alone in a big city and still achieving this much—was undoubtedly highly capable.

“I just spoke with Principal Zhou. He invited me to visit the art festival…” Wang Ziyue tapped her folder lightly.

“You mean?”

“Accept the invitation. I heard Wang Yu’s class is performing too.”

“Understood. I’ll contact the school.”

Secretary Fang thought to herself, President Wang is shortening her work schedule again…

“Move Friday’s meeting to tonight. We’ll hold a video conference. Postpone the next few projects—I need a few days off.”

Massaging her temples, Wang Ziyue made the rare decision to delay work.

It was unlike her, but she did it anyway—perhaps seeking some way to release the restless weight inside her.

Opening WeChat, she saw her last conversation with Jiang Cheng was from several days ago. She’d been too busy, and the girl hadn’t messaged her either.

It felt as though she’d been forgotten.

Wang Ziyue smiled faintly, then tossed her phone aside.

Secretary Fang felt a twinge of unease. For some reason, President Wang’s mood had suddenly darkened.

She carefully continued her report until the car entered the city, finally exhaling in relief.

“Prepare the financial report for the New City branch tomorrow.”

After giving the order, Wang Ziyue got out of the car and walked into Fuyuan without looking back.

From the driver’s seat, the chauffeur glanced at the secretary.

“President Wang doesn’t seem very happy, huh?”

“Yeah… I think so too. Anyway, just drop me off at the office—I’ve got to work overtime tonight.”

Secretary Fang patted her face to stay alert.

When it came to gossip about the boss, she dared not say a word.