Night fell like a vast black silk ribbon, gently covering the entire village, yet a chill pervaded the air. The central square was illuminated as brightly as day by several oil lamps and torches. Villagers arrived from all directions, their faces beaming with excitement and anticipation, as if welcoming a grand festival. The trees surrounding the square swayed gently in the breeze, as if cheering for the performance. Colorful strips of cloth, handmade by the villagers, hung from the branches, fluttering in the wind and adding a festive touch to this special night.

Lin Yue stood backstage, her heart pounding like a deer's. She wore a carefully chosen white shirt with delicate floral embroidery on the cuffs, paired with dark blue trousers, looking simple yet elegant. Her hair was neatly combed back, a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks, adding to her gentle charm. She bit her lip slightly, her eyes filled with both nervousness and anticipation. She frequently glanced through the gap in the curtain at the familiar faces below, silently praying for a successful performance. "Everyone has worked so hard rehearsing, we must succeed," she repeated to herself, her hands unconsciously gripping the curtain tightly.

Chen Yu walked to Lin Yue's side. He was dressed in a clean Zhongshan suit, his posture upright, exuding a calm and composed air. He gently patted Lin Yue's shoulder, sensing her nervousness, and smiled reassuringly, "Yue'er, don't be nervous. Look how much everyone is looking forward to it, we can definitely do it." His eyes were firm and warm, like a ray of light shining into Lin Yue's anxious heart.

Lin Yue turned to look at Chen Yu, nodded slightly, and took a deep breath: "Yes, we can definitely do it." Her voice was still trembling slightly, but with Chen Yu's encouragement, she gained more courage.

Meanwhile, the educated youth and the village actors were busy backstage. The educated youth checked the props and encouraged each other. One of them excitedly said, "Tonight it's all up to us! We must give everyone a wonderful performance!" His eyes shone with confidence, and his face radiated youthful energy. He tightened his grip on the prop in his hand—a simple wooden sword used in a short play. Though rudimentary, it was spotless, thanks to his meticulous cleaning.

The villagers were a mix of nervousness and excitement. Aunt Liu wore a brightly colored performance costume, which she and several other women had worked on together. The costume was embroidered with various patterns; although the stitching was a little rough, every stitch was filled with their enthusiasm. Aunt Liu kept fiddling with the hem of her costume, a hint of unease in her eyes: "My heart is pounding. What if we mess it up?" A woman next to her patted her hand with a smile: "What's there to be afraid of? We've rehearsed for so long, just treat it like fun." The woman's face held a carefree smile, but a trace of nervousness lingered in her eyes.

The performance officially began with a cheerful drumbeat. First was a dance performance, with the educated youth and young villagers taking to the stage together. The music started—a vibrant and lively tune with a brisk rhythm. The educated youth moved fluidly and gracefully, their faces beaming with confident smiles; every turn and leap was full of energy. The young villagers, though still a little nervous, tried their best to keep up with the rhythm. Their eyes were earnest as they danced to the music, seemingly forgetting everything around them.

The audience watched intently, the children in the front row, their eyes wide with curiosity and excitement. They swayed to the rhythm of the music, occasionally letting out gasps of amazement. A little boy pointed at the dancers on stage and excitedly said to his friend next to him, "Look how well they dance! I want to learn to dance when I grow up." His little face was flushed with excitement, and his eyes sparkled with longing.

The adults were also captivated by the lively dance. An uncle nodded gently to the rhythm, a pleased smile on his face: "These children are really good, they dance so well. Our village hasn't been this lively in a long time." His eyes showed admiration for these young people, and his heart was filled with emotion.

After the dance, it was time for singing. A young woman, a former sent-down youth, walked onto the stage. She wore a light pink dress, like a blooming peach blossom. Her voice was melodious and beautiful, like a clear mountain spring flowing into everyone's hearts. The villagers listened quietly, immersed in the beautiful singing. An old man closed his eyes, gently swaying his head, a look of rapture on his face: "This girl sings so well, just like the people on TV." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone around him could hear his admiration.

Next up was a short play, one of the most anticipated performances. The stage was set up as a simple village scene, and the actors began to perform a story adapted from a village legend. This time, the young villager playing the hero didn't make a mistake. He strode confidently onto the stage and shouted, "I will protect our village!" His eyes were resolute, his posture upright, exuding heroic spirit. The audience below was infected by his imposing presence and applauded enthusiastically.

The villager playing the old man also gave an outstanding performance. Leaning on his cane, he walked unsteadily, every movement imbued with a sense of life's hardships. He delivered his lines in a hoarse voice, perfectly capturing the old man's character. When the performance reached the part where the old man recalled his difficult past, tears welled in his eyes, and his sincere emotions moved many in the audience.

As the plot unfolded, the climax arrived. The heroes and enemies engaged in a fierce battle. Although the fighting was simple, the actors performed with great dedication. The audience watched with bated breath, the children even clenching their little fists to cheer on the heroes. "Go! Defeat the bad guys!" The children's shouts echoed in the square, adding to the enthusiastic atmosphere of the performance.

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