Chapter 78 The Performance

Su Yang looked as if he had just heard earth-shattering news. “When did this happen?” Lu Yan didn’t answer, once again urging him to leave, “Go on, get going. If there’s an opera, come back and call me. If not, just forget it.” Su Yang glanced at him speechlessly, thinking what a peculiar hobby this was. “Don’t forget to go to the cafeteria for lunch at twelve,” he said, and then left.

Wang Sisi was sitting in the backstage dressing room, her makeup sweet and charming, her skin flawless. She was the star of today’s show, and he would definitely see her. She was a cultural soldier in the Capital Arts Troupe, and not only that, a core member. When she heard that a group was to be chosen to go to Yan Prefecture’s Lin City to perform for the researchers working there, she saw the list of scientists and immediately signed up.

“Sisi, I really didn’t expect you’d come to a place so far away and so tough,” a fellow performer admired from beside her. Wang Sisi was a pillar of the troupe, usually staying in the capital and occasionally appearing on television.

Wang Sisi smiled, “We’re only here for five or ten days. Look at those researchers—their units are months or years. Every day they deal with tedious data and experiments. That’s so much harder. Compared to them, what’s this?”

“No wonder Sisi is so valued by the leadership—your sense of duty is so high.”

Wang Sisi’s mood was buoyed by the compliment.

“Hurry up, hurry up, the show’s about to start. The host is already announcing the acts!”

The first batch of dancers, dressed and ready, lifted their skirts and filed out onto the stage. The stage manager watched the girls prepare and felt relieved, sitting beside Wang Sisi and fanning herself. “Good heavens, between the construction workers, the scientists, and the logistics staff, there really are a lot of people.”

“How many?” Wang Sisi asked.

“Over a thousand!” The director replied, then added, “Just don’t get stage fright up there.”

Wang Sisi laughed, “How could I? Who’s sitting in the front row?”

“The group of researchers from the capital.”

Wang Sisi felt reassured.

She was the grand finale, and as she waited, impatience crept in. She asked the director again, “Has anyone left?”

The director chuckled, “Are you kidding? In a place as serious as this, once the project starts, there’s no chance to see a performance. Besides, you haven’t even gone on yet—they wouldn’t dream of leaving. Just don’t mess things up for me.”

Wang Sisi nodded, “I’ve been on TV several times. You can rest assured about this venue—I won’t let you down.”

At last, Wang Sisi’s turn came. As she stepped onto the stage, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Wang Sisi glanced at the front rows, searching for Lu Yan’s silhouette, but he was nowhere to be seen.

First row, second row, third row—none of them. Her heart sank. Had he not come? Impossible. Or perhaps she hadn’t spotted him. With his status, he couldn’t possibly be seated past the third row—unless this was an exception.

Her mind was in turmoil, but the music began, leaving no room for further thought. Fortunately, she had already sung today’s song a hundred times; she picked up the microphone and began. Her sweet voice swept across the performance plaza, and many in the audience tapped along with the rhythm—her popularity was unmistakable.

When the song ended, applause thundered once more.

Wang Sisi left the stage and returned to the makeup table backstage. The other girls who had finished their acts gathered around her. “Sisi, looks like you’re really popular here too!”

Wang Sisi showed no excitement at all, taking off her earrings as she replied, “It’s alright.”

“What do you mean, ‘alright’? I heard the whole research team came—that’s a bunch of science and engineering guys who rarely even listen to music! But when they heard Sisi would be here, everyone came except Lu Yan.”

“You mean Lu Yan didn’t come?” Wang Sisi was both shocked and annoyed.

“Yes, only him.”

Lu Yan was well-known from television, his talent and appearance leaving a deep impression. His name was first on the list for this performance, so he was the focus of much attention.

Wang Sisi’s heart suddenly sank. Was Lu Yan avoiding her on purpose?

At lunchtime, the researchers had their own cafeteria. Lu Yan arrived right on time, and Su Yang, having gotten his meal, sat beside him, excited. “Lu Yan, you really missed out by not going to the performance.”

Lu Yan nodded, “It’s fine—I can afford to miss it.”

Su Yang: !!!

“That woman who’s been on TV, Wang Sisi—she’s beautiful and sings so sweetly! After her act, everyone scrambled to shake her hand. I almost managed, but got pushed aside,” Su Yang said, frustrated.

Lu Yan smiled, “See? By not going, I avoid such troubles.”

Su Yang: !!!

He finished his meal and buried himself in eating, then returned to his dorm to continue working on his formulas.

He calculated until afternoon, only realizing he’d missed dinner when Su Yang came running over. “You were so punctual at lunch—this afternoon, since I didn’t call you, you forgot again!”

Lu Yan looked at the bag on his bed, took out the snacks Shen Qingyi had bought for him, and said, “It’s fine.”

Eating what his wife had bought, Lu Yan suddenly thought: she must have just finished lunch herself, sitting in her room sketching and listening to music.

At that moment, Shen Qingyi was applying medicine to Lu Caiqing’s arm.

The nurse looked at her swollen, red arm and said, “How did it get so bad? If the swelling doesn’t go down tomorrow, you’ll probably need an injection.”

Lu Caiqing shook her head quickly. “It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt at all. Just some ointment and it’ll be better tomorrow.”

Shen Qingyi frowned, “Come back tomorrow for an injection.”

She doubted the swelling would subside anytime soon.

“But what about my stall tomorrow?” Lu Caiqing had finally found this job. The boss was already upset about the conflict with a customer today; if she didn’t show up tomorrow, she’d surely be fired.

Shen Qingyi felt there was something odd about the whole thing. “I’ll help you watch your stall tomorrow. I’ll leave An’an at the Cheng family’s, and you come to the clinic on time.”

Lu Caiqing stayed silent, but the nurse smiled, “Caiqing, just do as your sister-in-law says.”

This was the clinic assigned by the research institute; the nurses all knew them, even Shen Qingyi. Any disturbance in the family compound was common knowledge.

For Shen Qingyi to remain calm and considerate toward her sister-in-law after what the Lu family had done—she thought it was admirable.

Lu Caiqing was full of gratitude. “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

If Money Guihua were here, she’d be scolding her again—for causing trouble and wasting money on medical care.

“It’s no trouble,” Shen Qingyi said, looking at her arm and feeling pain herself.

After applying the medicine, Shen Qingyi led An’an and Lu Caiqing home together.

“Did that customer bring a tool?” The swelling was so high, the blood clotted purple—it surely wasn’t done by hand.

Lu Caiqing nodded, aggrieved, “I don’t know where he pulled out an iron wrench.”

Shen Qingyi was shocked, “Why didn’t you tell me right away?”

Lu Caiqing had only mentioned it because the pain prevented her from making dinner.

“I thought it was nothing—how could I have known?”