Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“No! No! I don’t want to go with you. I want to go find Brother Orange Juice!” Xiaotu continued to wiggle and scream at the top of her lungs.
“Okay, okay, okay…calm down. I’ll take you to go find Brother Orange Juice…” Upon noticing that all the parents who were passing by were starting to glance in their direction, Teacher Zhao quickly waved the white flag and surrendered to Xiaotu.
Despite struggling vigorously and screaming just moments before, Xiaotu instantly quieted down and obediently followed behind Teacher Zhao.
In the backstage area of the auditorium, the students were scattered all about as they waited for their cues. Some were chatting, some were memorizing song lyrics, and others were practicing dance moves.
Teacher Zhao led Xiaotu through the crowd of students as he headed in Cheng Zhiyan’s direction.
The students that they were passing all courteously greeted Teacher Zhao with smiles when they caught sight of him.
Teacher Zhao greeted each and every one of them as well by nodding and smiling.
After finally catching sight of Cheng Zhiyan, Xiaotu was just about to run toward him when a pretty girl in a white tutu dress beat her to him.
“Um…Cheng Zhiyan…this is for you…” Zhai Shiyu, in a beautiful white tutu dress, stared at Cheng Zhiyan with a shy expression as she extended her hand to reveal a piece of candy in her palm.
“Candy?” Cheng Zhiyan frowned slightly. Only Xiaotu liked to eat this sort of stuff.
“Yeah…it’s for all the students who are going to perform on stage. Everyone gets one.” Zhai Shiyu gazed at Cheng Zhiyan with an embarrassed expression, then she pointed to the other students and said, “I gave it to all of them as well. It wasn’t especially prepared for you.”
Cheng Zhiyan glanced around the room. Sure enough, all the students standing around him had a piece of candy in their hands also.
“Thank you very much.” He took the piece of candy from Zhai Shiyu’s hand, and he thanked her courteously.
“You’re welcome, um…now break a leg.” Zhai Shiyu couldn’t help but blush as she felt his fingertips gently brush against her palm.
“Thanks.” Cheng Zhiyan nodded nonchalantly.
“And…” Just as Zhai Shiyu was about to say something more, a impish figure suddenly flashed through her line of sight and jumped into Cheng Zhiyan’s arms, yelling, “Brother Orange Juice!”
Cheng Zhiyan was totally caught off guard. He glanced down at Xiaotu and the expression on his face instantly softened as he asked her, “Why are you here backstage? Where did Teacher Zhao go?”
“The Uncle is right over there.” Xiaotu pointed to an area not that far from where they were standing.
Indeed, Teacher Zhao stood over there, and he gave Cheng Zhiyan a quick nod.
“The performance is almost about to begin. Behave yourself, and follow Teacher Zhao to find a seat to sit in and watch the performance. I’ll come and look for you after the performance ends. Please be a good girl in the meantime.” Cheng Zhiyan stooped down and patted Xiaotu on the head as he whispered in her ear.
Zhai Shiyu stood on the sidelines and gazed at the gentle expression that she had never seen on Cheng Zhiyan’s handsome face before. She couldn’t help but feel a little discombobulated. She asked Cheng Zhiyan, “Is this your younger sister? She’s so adorable.”
Zhai Shiyu stooped down and pulled out another piece of candy from her pocket. She gave it to Xiaotu as she smiled and said, “Little sister, this piece of candy is for you.”
“Thank you, older sister,” Xiaotu replied sweetly as she took the piece of candy from Zhai Shiyu’s hand.
“You’re very well-behaved, and you look a lot like your older brother,” Zhai Shiyu said pleasantly as she smiled at Xiaotu.