The moment Jiang Xiaoxiao saw her return, her first reaction was joy, but soon her words made Jiang Xiaoxiao’s heart tighten painfully, even startling her so much that she stood up immediately.
The girl, clearly having run quickly all the way here in a hurry to deliver the news, had overexerted herself and was slightly out of breath, struggling for a moment to catch it.
Jiang Xiaoxiao frowned.
She was desperate to know exactly what had happened.
Judging by the girl’s appearance, it clearly wasn’t good news.
At that moment, Jiang Xiaoxiao wondered if someone was trying to take her place.
If that were the case, then all she had done would just be paving the way for someone else.
How could that be allowed!
Her eyes filled with baseless hatred, but she quickly composed herself and comforted her heart.
It’s impossible.
As long as I go back now, I’ll still be the one on stage.
After all, I seriously practiced. Compared to suddenly switching to someone else, it’s definitely better for me to go on.
Teacher Zhang cares so much about this performance—she will definitely let me go.
Yes, that’s right.
I have nothing to worry about!
If Zhang Li truly cared about the results of this performance, her thinking wouldn’t be wrong.
But unfortunately, Jiang Xiaoxiao both overestimated her own importance and misunderstood Zhang Li’s intentions, leading to a severe misjudgment.
After the girl caught her breath, her pale face regained some color, and she continued speaking.
“Teacher Zhang… she let Su Yao go on stage!”
“……?”
Jiang Xiaoxiao heard the name but didn’t react right away.
Su Yao?
Who was that?
Do we even have someone like that in our class?
Could it be an outside substitute?
No way… how could there be an outside substitute…
“Is it that particularly reclusive one?”
The girl who had been with her this whole time spoke the keyword, and Jiang Xiaoxiao quickly pinpointed the inconspicuous figure in her memory.
She recalled various things about Su Yao and was shocked.
“It’s her?!”
Jiang Xiaoxiao had just been wondering if Teacher Zhang would let someone else replace her, and it turned out to be true.
If anyone was going to replace her, the first person Jiang Xiaoxiao thought of was Yun Qing, then a few others whose names she could remember, but definitely not Su Yao!
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked at the messenger girl with hopeful eyes, as if wanting her to say it was just a crude joke.
But facts are facts, and the messenger gave them final confirmation.
“Absolutely, it’s Su Yao!”
She actually… really let Su Yao take my place?!
Jiang Xiaoxiao found it hard to believe that Zhang Li would make such a decision.
Didn’t she care if the performance was ruined?
“They’ve already changed into costumes and are ready to go on.”
That sentence was like the final straw that broke the camel’s back.
Jiang Xiaoxiao nearly collapsed to the floor, but someone nearby caught her.
“Xiaoxiao?”
“Xiaoxiao, are you okay?”
“Why not Yun Qing?”
Jiang Xiaoxiao still couldn’t accept the fact and was struggling to come to terms with it.
“Well… because Su Yao is actually the author of the script. Yun Qing bought it from her, so Teacher Zhang let Su Yao go on instead. And Teacher Zhang seemed a bit angry, didn’t speak as politely as before.”
Hearing this answer, Jiang Xiaoxiao was left speechless.
She never expected Zhang Li to let Su Yao replace her role… things had completely gone beyond her control.
But on the other hand, Jiang Xiaoxiao felt she still had a chance.
Because they hadn’t gone on stage yet.
As long as she hadn’t gone on, there was still a chance!
Yes, there was still a chance!
That role is mine.
I absolutely cannot let some random person snatch it away!
Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face gradually recovered from its pale hue.
She pushed away the person supporting her and hurried toward where the class was gathered.
The distance was quite far.
Even running, it took Jiang Xiaoxiao two or three minutes.
When she finally returned to the classroom location, she was met with an empty space—everyone was gone.
At that moment, Jiang Xiaoxiao completely panicked.
She rushed toward the backstage entrance and found everyone already in place in the Preparation Area.
The students looked at Jiang Xiaoxiao with various expressions—some disdainful, some indifferent, some grinning as if enjoying the drama, and a few whose values seemed to be dictated by their looks, who chose to forgive her.
All eyes were on Jiang Xiaoxiao, making her feel an unprecedented pressure.
But her proud nature wouldn’t let her lower her head.
Gritting her teeth, she walked straight to Zhang Li’s side.
“Teacher Zhang, I’ve thought it through. Let me play the Witch after all. I’ve practiced for so long.”
As she spoke, her gaze swept across and landed on Su Yao, who had already changed clothes at the edge of the group.
Su Yao, sensing the hostile glance, moved a little closer to Mu Nanqiu’s side.
If Su Yao were completely unaware of Jiang Xiaoxiao’s attitude toward the new script, she might have felt a bit guilty.
After all, she had taken someone else’s role.
And Su Yao, who hated trouble and crowds, might have simply given up the role.
But Mu Nanqiu was by her side—a strong backing—making it a completely different story!
If this were a private matter without so many watching, Su Yao would definitely confront Jiang Xiaoxiao just like she did with Yun Qing.
The script was co-written by her and Mu Nanqiu. “You can attack me, but you can’t attack her!”
Leaning even closer to Mu Nanqiu, Su Yao shot a confident glare back at Jiang Xiaoxiao.
Glared back like that, Jiang Xiaoxiao was furious inside, cursing her as a little bitch.
But when she glanced sideways again, Mu Nanqiu’s calm, deep eyes sent a chill down her spine.
It felt like a cat staring at a mouse.
Jiang Xiaoxiao inexplicably gulped, a bead of sweat appearing on her forehead.
She hurriedly avoided the direct eye contact, calming the rising panic in her heart.
Mu Nanqiu glanced at Zhang Li, who was frowning slightly but soon relaxed.
Expressionless, Zhang Li looked at Jiang Xiaoxiao and led her to a more secluded spot.
After making sure no one else could hear, she finally spoke.
“You’re about to go on stage soon. The teacher knows you’ve worked hard, but there really isn’t time now.”
“PJ…”
Jiang Xiaoxiao caught the meaning behind the words but still wanted to argue.
However, seeing Zhang Li’s expressionless face, all her words caught in her throat.
She had been abandoned, truly abandoned…
“Teacher, I…”
“Alright, you rest first. Don’t make things difficult for the teacher.”
Zhang Li didn’t let her continue.
She had already expressed her thoughts gently, trying to save face for Jiang Xiaoxiao since she was still her student, even if her personality was a bit difficult.
“Why can Su Yao replace me? Are you being biased?”
Jiang Xiaoxiao still refused to accept it, feeling they had teamed up against her, and spoke angrily, her voice rising several octaves.
Zhang Li sighed helplessly but didn’t continue arguing.
No matter what she said now, Jiang Xiaoxiao wouldn’t listen, so it was better to say nothing.
She wanted two of Jiang Xiaoxiao’s close friends to stay with her, but when she turned to look, those two had already disappeared into the crowd, avoiding any further involvement.
This made Zhang Li even more troubled.
She could only stay here by herself, worried that this spoiled girl might cause trouble otherwise.
“Are you nervous?”
Mu Nanqiu placed a hand on Su Yao’s shoulder, noticing her slight trembling.
Su Yao turned her head and gently lifted the brim of her wizard hat.
Their eyes met for a second before Su Yao slowly turned away.
“A little…”
What should she say now?
Mu Nanqiu thought for a moment.
Should she tell her to treat the audience like watermelon slices?
She could say that, but it wouldn’t change the fact that nerves were nerves.
After a moment’s thought, Mu Nanqiu spoke.
“I’ll take some good photos of you from below. If you get too nervous, just find me. But remember to say your lines.”
“……”
Feeling Mu Nanqiu’s hand on her face again, Su Yao blushed shyly.
There are so many people here!
The venue was already crowded, and with a beauty like Mu Nanqiu by her side, all eyes naturally followed them.
The whispered words and affectionate cheek-pinching didn’t escape anyone’s notice.
The onlookers cast envious, jealous, and begrudging glances.
“I’m so lemony, seems like the goddess is doing this and that with her~”
“Pfft, you?”
“Tsk tsk, that little one seems pretty cute too.”
Su Yao’s classmates all looked toward the person who said this.
He was a Staff member on site, grinning foolishly.
Seeing so many people looking at him, he was a bit stunned, wondering if he’d said something wrong.
“Uh… what’s up?”
After a few seconds, a few people suddenly exchanged smiles and said,
“I think the little one’s quite charming too.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Little one’s good, best to hold her in your arms and play with her.”
“Pfft, pervert!”
After a female voice scolded, everyone knew better than to provoke further and quickly dispersed.
As the previous performance neared its end, the Staff told their class to start preparing immediately.
Su Yao took off the down jacket draped over her, braving the cold, and stepped onto the stairs.
Looking back once, Mu Nanqiu waved at her, then raised her camera and shook it gently, signaling she would be taking photos from below.
Su Yao looked at the Red Curtain and took a deep breath.
Not being nervous was impossible.
Her legs were shaking, and standing there felt like awaiting execution.
Thankfully, she wasn’t going on first.
After the host finished the opening remarks, the motor whirred, and the curtain slowly drew open.
The monologue began.
“In the legend, atop the towering peaks reaching into the clouds, there exists an ancient dragon…”
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