Wednesday afternoon,
The backstage area of the auditorium was as messy as a supermarket that had just been ransacked.
The shrill whistling of the sound system during testing, the chaotic footsteps of the dance troupe,
The noise was mixed in with the student council members shouting themselves hoarse through walkie-talkies, making everyone's head ache.
Lin Que held the "recitation script" in his hand, which only had a few lines of text.
Just as I was about to find a quiet corner, a figure blocked my way.
"Lin Que, where are you going?"
Li Ze wore a name tag that read "Chief Director" around his neck.
He held a rolled-up program in his hand, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.
"Go back to the classroom."
Lin Que pointed outside.
"It's too noisy here, it's affecting my ability to get into the mood."
"stop!"
Li Ze slapped the program booklet into his hand.
"Everyone else is rehearsing, why are you the only one? Hurry up and go on stage, go through the process, I need to check the duration and lighting coordination."
Lin Que sighed and helplessly spread his hands:
"Chairman Li, that was a poetry recitation."
Go up, stand still, open your mouth, finish reciting, bow, and step down.
The whole thing lasted less than five minutes and didn't require a light show.
I don't need any backup dancers, just leave me a microphone.
"no."
Li Ze refused to budge an inch, even taking a step forward and adopting a businesslike demeanor.
"As the chief director of this gala, I have the right to control the quality of every program."
What if you get stage fright on stage?
What if your script violates regulations? A rehearsal is a must!
Several girls from the dance team who were stretching their legs nearby stopped their movements, covered their mouths, and watched the commotion.
"Is Li Ze deliberately picking a fight?"
"Who told Lin Que to steal his thunder? I heard that the city leaders came here specifically for Lin Que, the winner of the grand prize."
Lin Que listened to the whispers around him, but wasn't annoyed. He just lazily looked at Li Ze:
"Director Li, if I were to read it aloud now..."
If the surprise fades, will you take responsibility?
Stop using "surprise" as a shield!
Li Ze was about to explode.
"What happened?"
A cool, clear voice interrupted.
Shen Qingqiu walked over in high heels.
She was carrying lesson plans, so she had obviously come over right after class.
Upon seeing the teacher, Li Ze's arrogance immediately subsided somewhat, but he still stubbornly complained:
"Teacher Shen, Lin Que is not cooperating with the rehearsal."
The party is a big event for the whole school. With him being so disorganized and undisciplined, what if something goes wrong...?
"Alright."
Shen Qingqiu interrupted him, her gaze sweeping between the two of them before finally settling on Lin Que.
"His program is quite special and is indeed not suitable for rehearsals in public."
"But……"
Li Ze wanted to argue further.
"I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong."
Shen Qingqiu's tone was calm, yet it exuded authority.
"I am his mentor, and I will review his manuscript."
"Li Ze, go and do other things. Just leave the lights and sound on for Lin Que."
Li Ze's face turned pale and then red.
He glared at Lin Que one last time, then turned and stormed off.
Lin Que whistled at Li Ze's retreating figure, then turned to look at Shen Qingqiu with a bright smile:
"It still has to be Teacher Shen, so majestic and powerful."
"Be poor."
Shen Qingqiu rolled her eyes at him, annoyed, and turned to walk towards the lounge.
“Come with me.”
No rehearsal needed, but you still have to let me see what you're really up to.
This is what we agreed upon beforehand.
The lounge was much quieter.
Lin Que handed over the crumpled manuscript paper.
Shen Qingqiu took it, expecting to see some stirring parallel sentences or sentimental and ornate language.
But the paper contained only a short text, the title of which read:
Coco
"This is a concept I saw in a movie, and I found it very interesting."
Lin Que leaned against the table, his voice lowered, and he was less of his usual carefree attitude.
"A person will experience death three times in their lifetime."
Shen Qingqiu raised her head and looked at him.
The lounge was so quiet that the only sound was the ticking of the wall clock.
Shen Qingqiu's fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the manuscript paper.
She was a language arts teacher who had read countless articles about life and death.
But this theory of "three deaths" is like a fine needle...
It pierced precisely into the softest part of my heart.
It's simple, yet cruelly insightful.
She felt a slight stinging sensation in her nose and instinctively blinked to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.
"The idea is excellent."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com