However, at the thought of heading back to school the next day, Yao Ran lowered her head. She felt a small twinge in her heart. “Actually,” she hesitated. “Mom, can I take a day off? I’m a little tired from studying for my exams… Can I go back the day after tomorrow?”
“Of course. You can rest for a few more days, okay? Don’t worry. I’m sure your teacher will understand.” Qin Man immediately agreed.
After saying this, she pulled her daughter into a hug and they spent the next few minutes just leaning against each other.
Peace surrounded their home when Yao Yuan rushed into the room with a smile painted across his features. He had just hung up the phone, and it was obvious how pleased he was with the result.
“Ranran is already suffering, and you still have the nerve to laugh,” Qin Man snapped.
“It’s not that,” he quickly said. “I was thinking of another way we can help Ranran. Just now, we’ve received an invitation to the Charity Gala tomorrow night. And from what I’ve heard, the other families will be there as well.”
“Even the Qin and Cheng families will be attending! It’s going to be the biggest event in the city!” Yao Yuan clasped his hands together. “The best thing about it is that the event will be broadcasted live. As long as our family is able to donate a collection, Ranran will be able to perform on stage!”
Qin Man looked up curiously. The glint in her eyes was dancing in excitement. “As soon as she’s given a chance to perform, everyone would forget everything about that post,” she stated matter-of-factly.
The more Yao Yuan thought about this, the more relaxed he felt. His daughter had always been used to the spotlight. If anything, he knew that she’d try her best to give a perfect performance.
“But,” she paused. “What will we be donating?” Although they had a few valuable porcelain pieces at home, they weren’t valuable enough to be donated to the charity gala.
The gala, after all, was an extremely exclusive event. Only the inner societal circles had a chance to be invited, and much less if they wanted to perform.
“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll ask father to pick one of the antiques from his collection.”
The smile on his face widened as he turned to his daughter. “Ranran, you have to be well prepared for the gala, all right? The Yao family mustn’t be embarrassed!”
Yao Ran scrambled up. “I’ll play my best song then,” she reasoned. “There wouldn’t be any problems with my performance.”
If she’d be remembered for her great performance, then everyone would soon forget that embarrassing post.
What’s even greater about the event was that the Cheng Family would also be attending.
If Cheng Zhou, the famous young master of the Cheng Family, would be attending, then that meant she had a shot of winning his heart. Who knows, maybe then, she’d be taken in to become his wife.
Just the thought of this already made her giddy.
Wiping away the tears, she smiled. “I’ll practice my performance, Dad,” she said eagerly. “And I won’t let you and Mom down!”
“That’s my girl! Go ahead now.”
Satisfied with her response, Yao Yuan waved his hand in dismissal.
Yao Ran didn’t even waste her breath as she went up the steps. However, as she did so, a trace of viciousness flashed across her eyes. Her fingernails dug into her palm.
She’d make Yao Tang pay for all the humiliation she had suffered from today.
She better be watching her back!
Just then, she heard Qin Man’s voice from the stairwell, “I’ll prepare a new dress for you, what do you say?”
“That’s great! Thanks, Mom!”
…
The next morning, Yao Tang was woken up by the incessant ringing on her phone.
She drank a mouthful of water first before slowly picking it up.
As soon as the call had been connected, she heard a deep voice from the other end of the line.
“Hey, Yao Tang, this is Sheng Ting. Listen, are you free tonight? I just received an offer to perform at the Charity Gala in City A. You think you can make it? I have the chauffeur ready to pick you up if you are!”
Sheng Ting’s musical voice flooded across the room. Although he sounded a bit out of breath, like he was trying to get everything out at once.
Before she could even respond, he added, “The price wouldn’t be a problem. I can even help you negotiate for a better rate.”
Yao Tang tilted her head. “Why me?”
Sheng Ting had quite a few good dancers by his side. Besides, in terms of price, they were far less expensive compared to her rates.
“You’re my choreographer. Of course, you’ll be the first person I’ll ask! Besides, City A’s a big place. We could even meet up before the event.”
On the other side of the City, Sheng Ting gazed at his phone before placing a spoonful of rice into his mouth. It was early in the morning, so he was having breakfast.
As always, his manager had prepared all the nutritious meals one could think of. However, he didn’t look as if he were paying attention to all the expensive platings.
Instead, he was gazing at his phone with a glint of anticipation in his eyes.
“So tonight?” Yao Tang mused, casually tying her hair up to reveal her flushed face.
Even then, her face held no flaws.
“Yes, are you coming? I already have my assistant on speed dial to come to pick you up at six tonight. You don’t even have to worry about your clothes.”
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Sheng Ting wasted no time in trying to convince her.
Yao Tang lowered her gaze. At the thought of money going into her bank account, she nodded. “Fine, I’ll be there,” she responded. “See you then!”
