Time rewound five minutes. Song Xi had managed to sneak into the theater.
She quietly took over the cleaning duties, even changing into a dirty work uniform. It was unsightly, but she could endure it for the sake of seeing the grand performance.
She felt a pang of unwillingness. While she wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics for a role, she still hoped that if anyone fell ill, she could step in immediately.
As the renowned playwright Stanislavski said: "There are no small roles, only small actors."
So, even if she couldn't get the part she wanted, as long as she could get on stage, she asked for nothing more.
"Hey, cleaner, have you finished sweeping the lounge? Hurry up! Wait, you look a bit familiar. Turn your face around!"
The moment of truth for her acting skills had arrived.
Song Xi, unconcerned with her appearance, not only used lipstick to smear around her eyes to deliberately make herself ugly but also contorted her face and spoke in an accent from some unknown region, exuding an air of rustic simplicity.
She turned around, "I know, I know! I'm going, I'm going!"
The man frowned in disgust. Who had hired this person? He'd thought it was a beauty from the back…
And so, Song Xi was forced to clean backstage.
The backstage area was filled with acquaintances. Song Xi, worried about being recognized, had to maintain her disheveled appearance.
But she never expected to run into Lou Yu Ming!
Their eyes met, and silence descended.
Song Xi: "..."
*God, is it too late to regret this?*
She turned to run, but this time Yao Yi Fan reacted swiftly. Not only did he block her escape, but he also shut the door behind her. He stood guard at the entrance with a righteous air, quietly exhaling in relief.
*Good, my job is safe.*
"...Open the door! Open the door!"
Song Xi tugged at the doorknob while gritting her teeth and banging on the door.
Lou Yu Ming sat on the sofa, calmly watching her.
After five minutes, she finally gave up. She squatted on the floor, a small ball of despair, silent and still, unsure if it was due to embarrassment or something else.
Lou Yu Ming loosened his tie. He had plenty of time to play this waiting game.
"You… what are you doing at school?"
Finally, Song Xi spoke first. Her legs were getting numb from squatting. She glanced at the sofa behind her and stealthily shuffled over. The moment she touched the edge with her rear, she was pulled over.
He yanked her so hard she cried out in exaggerated pain, "Ouch!" until her cheeks were roughly pinched.
"Stop pretending!" His fingertip coldly wiped away the lipstick under her eyes. "What are you trying to do by making yourself look like this?"
"Don't I look pretty?" Song Xi was past caring; she had already lost all her dignity.
"Hideous."
Song Xi inwardly scoffed.
Just then, she heard voices outside the door, on the phone. They sounded somewhat familiar, like Yi Xiao Ling!
"What are you looking at! Unauthorized personnel are not allowed in!"
She clearly didn't recognize Yao Yi Fan. After venting her anger at him, she lowered her voice and said, "Have you got the surveillance footage? What are you doing? You said you'd get it within three days! If anyone finds out…"
She lowered her voice further, "I'm the one who dropped the knife. If we're discovered, neither of us will be safe! Zhang Qi promised he'd come to school today. Hurry up and get it done while you have the chance. Let me tell you, my status is different now. Even the Zhang family has to give me some respect. If you dare to go back on your word, I'll make sure you regret it!"
She hung up the phone indignantly, threatening Yao Yi Fan fiercely before leaving.
"If you dare to repeat a single word I just said outside, watch your back!"
Then, silence fell outside.
Song Xi sat rigidly on the sofa, her face gradually losing all color.
She seemed to be under immense shock.
Lou Yu Ming called her name. She trembled and rushed out the door without a word.
"Stop."
Lou Yu Ming extended his long arm and grasped her trembling wrist.
"Let go!"
Song Xi's emotions were on the verge of collapse. She never imagined that Yi Xiao Ling would be the one to hand over the knife!
They had been university classmates for nearly four years, even roommates. What deep-seated hatred could drive her to such a desperate act? Was it all for a man like Zhang Qi? Was it worth it!
Lou Yu Ming's expression also darkened. He reached out and pushed aside Song Xi's scattered hair, his gaze fixed on her messy, ugly makeup. He asked in a cold voice, "Do you want revenge?"
A cold glint appeared in Song Xi's eyes. She nodded heavily.