The two of them discussed it for half the morning, but even after the class bell rang, they still hadn’t come to a decision.
At noon, Lu Ziqing finally gave in. She told Liang Sheng, “Fine, you don’t have to perform with me.”
Liang Sheng was overjoyed. She looked at Young Miss Lu Ziqing with utter gratitude.
“But…” The young miss shifted her tone, and Liang Sheng knew there was a catch.
“I want you to be an emcee instead, announcing the acts.” Lu Ziqing smiled. See how thoughtful she was, always looking out for her friends.
…Fine, Liang Sheng thought dejectedly. That’s still better than performing.
“Isn’t it true that they have to select the emcees? It’s not like anyone who wants the job can just have it.” This was Liang Sheng’s last shred of defiance.
Lu Ziqing assumed Liang Sheng was anxious and patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry. When this young miss handles something, you can rest easy. I’ll make sure you get the spot.”
No, no, no. I hope your connections are terrible.
To prove just how capable she was, Lu Ziqing marched straight to Teacher Dong Yue’s office. By the end of the afternoon, she had Liang Sheng’s emcee position locked in.
Sigh. Such was fate.
When Liang Sheng got home, she told her mother about it. Her father was tied up with company business and wouldn’t be back that night. Zhong Wen listened, then immediately called Liang Wengao. He practically vibrated with excitement when he picked up.
“Wonderful! We’ll all go as a family on Thursday. Oh, right—I’ll tell Assistant Li to buy a gown. Actually, no, I’ll pick it out myself. I’ve got an eye for this stuff. Assistant Li’s too rough around the edges; his taste is all wrong. Okay, that’s settled.”
Assistant Li, standing right beside him, thought, Boss, I’m literally here. Could you give me a little credit? Of course, he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want to risk his paycheck.
By Wednesday, the school was in full preparation mode, buzzing with activity.
That evening, Liang Sheng laid eyes on her gown. She was struck hard by the vast generation gap between parents and children. A bright red gown that looked straight out of a bridal trousseau—Liang Sheng covered her face. Was she supposed to wear this to a ghost flick?
“Dad… about this gown, I…” Liang Sheng hesitated.
A satisfied grin spread across Liang Wengao’s face. “What do you think? Plenty festive, huh?”
Dad… I’m emceeing, not getting married. Liang Sheng hung her head.
“You picked something so tacky?” Zhong Wen didn’t hold back in criticizing her husband. “Our daughter would look ridiculous in that!”
Mom! Preach! You just voiced everything I was too scared to say.
“Ah…” Liang Wengao hung his head too, looking thoroughly dejected.
Liang Sheng hurried to comfort him. “Dad, the gown you picked is… well, a bit ’emm’… but I really appreciate the thought behind it. I’m thrilled!”
That perked Liang Wengao right up. Daughters really were little padded jackets—so warm and caring. Lucky they hadn’t had a rowdy son instead. He beamed with delight.
“But… Dad, I can’t wear it. I’m the emcee, so I need something more formal.”
Liang Wengao was at a loss. “Then…”
Zhong Wen jumped in. “Wear one of her old gowns, then. It’s too late to shop now.” Liang Sheng nodded. They’d have to make do.
Right then, the doorbell rang. Zhong Wen opened it to find Assistant Li on the doorstep, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.
“Assistant Li… what brings you here so late?” Zhong Wen asked, puzzled.
Panting between gasps, Assistant Li managed, “Ma’am… I saw the gown the boss picked today. I-I couldn’t let it stand.” His boss had mocked his taste, but that red monstrosity? Assistant Li had nearly choked on his own saliva. Who had the bad taste here?
He handed over a gift box and stepped inside. He set it down and lifted the lid. Liang Sheng peeked over and sighed in relief. Inside was a ladies’ pantsuit. Sure, it’d make her look a touch mature, but anything beat her dad’s fire-engine-red disaster.
“This one,” Liang Sheng said with a nod.
“Is this okay? It’s hideous!” Liang Wengao scowled at the outfit, shooting Assistant Li a venomous glare. Busybody!
Assistant Li flinched. He was doing them a favor—why the resentment? Under that scorching stare, he slunk off to the side.
Liang Sheng took pity on the downtrodden Assistant Li. “Dad, Uncle Li really saved the day this time. Give him a nice bonus when he gets back!”
Smart girl! How did a dad this quirky end up with a daughter this empathetic? Assistant Li shot Liang Sheng a grateful look.
“Sure, sure,” Liang Wengao said agreeably, playing the doting father. The moment Liang Sheng looked away, though, he made a throat-slitting gesture at Assistant Li, as if to say: You’re toast!
Assistant Li mustered a brave smile. With a boss this childish, he’d just have to grow up a little more—make that a lot more—and rise above it.
The next morning, Zhong Wen roused Liang Sheng bright and early for primping.
Liang Sheng tied on the necktie and stared at her reflection. Wow, how am I this handsome? She struck what she thought was a killer pose, smug as could be.
She swept her hair up high and slicked it back tight against her scalp. Her pale green locks cascaded to her waist, her forehead clean and sleek without a single stray strand. Hey, she looked like a total corporate powerhouse—sharp and seasoned.
Liang Wengao was buzzing with excitement that morning too. He pulled the car around early, and Liang Sheng realized with a jolt that her family even owned one. Since transmigrating, she’d never once ridden in it.
Cruising in the luxury sedan, she couldn’t calm her racing heart. I’m basically high society now… The thought nearly brought tears to her eyes.
At school, kids strutted in all sorts of outfits, finally unshackled from the uniforms. Everyone was letting loose, dressed to the nines.
“Okay, Dad, Mom—grab seats in the auditorium. I’m off to backstage,” Liang Sheng said before heading that way.
Backstage was controlled chaos, with staff and performers scrambling every which way. Truth be told, there wasn’t much actual work; they were mostly putting on a show of diligence whenever some official popped in for an inspection.
There were four emcees total. Besides Liang Sheng, there was an unfamiliar boy, an unfamiliar girl, and one all-too-familiar face: Su Ze.
Unwilling to tangle with Su Ze until she had this world figured out, Liang Sheng kept her distance, stealing the occasional glance his way.
Su Ze caught on to her frequent stares. He turned, their eyes met, and he approached. “Liang Sheng, is something up?”
“Nope, nothing,” she denied at once.
“Hehe~” Su Ze let out a soft chuckle. “You’re adorable.”
Liang Sheng decided to probe him. “Su Ze, between me and Lu Ziqing—who’s cuter?”
He froze, clearly blindsided. After a long pause, he replied, “You, of course. She can’t hold a candle to you.”
Such blatant flattery. Wasn’t that going too far? How could he say that without worrying Lu Ziqing would flip out if she heard? Liang Sheng’s distrust and disgust toward Su Ze deepened.
Su Ze studied her, brow furrowed in a tangle of emotions. “You’re… not happy? Did I say something to upset you? Just tell me—I won’t say it again.”
“Nope,” Liang Sheng shot back instantly.
Why would he even ask that? She lowered her head in thought, tuning out the brooding Su Ze at her side.
At nine sharp, the show kicked off right on schedule. Liang Sheng and Su Ze took the stage first, rattling off the usual filler before declaring the performances officially underway.
Down in the audience, Liang Wengao was like a man on stimulants. He grabbed the arm of the guy next to him and jabbed a finger toward Liang Sheng onstage, pride bursting from every pore. “That’s my girl! My daughter up there!” The poor man could only muster some half-hearted compliments and nods.
The opener was Grade 1 Class A’s girls’ group dance. A squad of skirt-clad beauties grooving to hot beats had Liang Sheng’s mind wandering. Tsk, those legs, those hips, those miniskirts! A+! If they were even shorter…
Up next: Class 1-B’s Lu Ziqing on violin. Her long hair flowed loose, pinned back with a simple clip. The white gown and crystal heels gave her an ethereal glow as she took the stage and drew bow across strings.
Lu Ziqing had picked up the violin at seven and studied under masters for a full decade, so her playing rang out beautifully—like a clear mountain spring, leaving Liang Sheng utterly enchanted.
Once Lu Ziqing finished and returned backstage, Liang Sheng dashed over for a hug, her voice all sugary sweet. “Young Miss Ziqing, you and that violin nearly conquered my heart!”
“Ding~” Favorability rose.
“Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 73”
“Hmph~ Everyone says that. You’re not the only one.” The young miss’s tsundere side flared up again. She was thrilled, even if she’d never admit it.
Su Ze strolled over, ever the gentleman. “Flawless performance. You shone beautifully up there, miss.”
Lu Ziqing was over the moon. The two people she actually cared about were clustered around, singing her praises. Bliss.
Liang Sheng sneaked a side-eye at Su Ze. Here he went again—charming every flower without a single petal sticking.
The show rolled on. When Grade 1 Class E’s turn came, out strutted a tall, sunshiny bombshell in a microskirt, midriff bare and smile dazzling.
Liang Sheng peeked from behind the curtain. Huh? Kinda familiar… Oh, right—that trap! Yeah, the novel had him performing. Sigh, my memory’s shot.
Ye Yuzhe sported a dark pink long wig twisted into a braid that swung down to his butt. Liang Sheng fretted he’d whip it right off mid-dance—talk about embarrassing.
In the novel, Ye Yuzhe nailed it, no mishaps, and scored a fan club full of swooning boys.
But not this time. Near the dance’s end, Ye Yuzhe tossed his head—and the wig flew off. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Liang Sheng stared, jaw dropping in shock. How…?
