Ch. 30 - An Unexpected Incident on Stage
My Fake Girlfriend is Going All Out to Defend Against Their AttacksThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
The person sitting beside me, wearing a Xingzhihua Middle School uniform, shoulder-length black hair, and glaring at me with clenched teeth, was none other than the girl who had accused me of cutting in line outside the theater. Wasn't this a little too much of a coincidence?
"Oh. It's you."
Not knowing what expression to make, I rubbed my nose and forced an awkward smile.
"Stalker!"
The girl looked at me with obvious contempt. As she sat down, she carefully edged her body toward the left, keeping as much distance from me as possible, as if I were some disgusting insect. Then suddenly she froze. Flustered, she turned her head away and focused on the stage.
What was that about? Confused, I turned around just in time to see Tang Xin lazily withdraw her gaze from our direction before giving me a smile as sweet as cake. Scaring enemies away with nothing but a look...Tang Xin really was some kind of snake spirit, wasn't she?
Although the girl beside me still looked annoyed, the performance was about to begin, so she could only sit quietly in her seat. Tang Xin also settled into an elegant posture. The lights throughout the theater dimmed. A single spotlight illuminated the stage. The competition was about to begin.
"Good afternoon, everyone!"
A host appeared beneath the spotlight and greeted the audience with a pleasant voice. Ballet performances had hosts too? Just as that thought crossed my mind, the host continued:
"Today, we are honored to welcome the youth ballet champions from every city across the province to perform together on this stage."
The host was an energetic young woman.
"We have also invited several instructors from the National Ballet Company to serve as judges for this competition..."
As she introduced the judges one by one, I became increasingly surprised. Every single one of them was a major figure in the ballet world. This wasn't just some city-level competition, it was a championship gathering featuring winners from across the entire province. No wonder they could sell enough tickets to fill the theater.
When Bai Lu had calmly handed me the ticket yesterday while trimming my nails and casually reminded me to come, I had assumed it was some small local performance. Judging by the scale of things now, it was on an entirely different level.
I'd long been used to Bai Lu's personality. No matter how significant something was, she'd always treat it lightly and never make a fuss. But even so, this genuinely surprised me.
Compared to my astonishment, Tang Xin remained perfectly calm. Her eyes still carried that lazy, uninterested look. It always seemed as though nothing in the world could truly excite her. Meanwhile, the Xingzhihua girl sitting beside me had completely forgotten about me. The disdain on her face had been replaced by a faint smile as she watched the stage.
After introducing the judges and making a few opening remarks, the host slowly exited. The lights dimmed completely. Then soft, elegant music began to play. As the melody rose, the stage lights gradually brightened. Several girls dressed in ballet costumes appeared on stage. The competition had officially begun.
The dancers moved gracefully in time with the music, their synchronized motions and elegant spins delighting everyone in attendance. Even though I knew nothing about ballet, I found myself gradually drawn into the performance—the dancers' confidence, their delicate footwork, the way their movements flowed with the music. Without realizing it, my thoughts began drifting along with the dance itself. When the piece finally ended, I returned to reality.
"This really is a championship-level competition..."
Watching the performers bow and leave the stage, I couldn't help sighing in admiration. At the same time, I started worrying about Bai Lu. One team left. Another took its place. Again and again, beautiful performances followed one after another.
Meanwhile, I craned my neck anxiously, waiting for Bai Lu's turn. I watched her dance often. I knew exactly how talented she was. But standing against so many elite competitors, winning a high placement would still be difficult.
"Next, representing Xingzhihua Middle School from Mudan City..."
The host smiled as she announced the next performers. Six girls emerged from backstage. The moment I heard the words Xingzhihua Middle School, I instinctively held my breath. My neck stretched forward. My eyes locked onto the stage. Even Tang Xin's lazy gaze seemed to gain a trace of interest.
The music began. Standing in the center of the formation was Bai Lu. She wore a pure white ballet costume and balanced gracefully on her toes. Under the spotlight, her fair skin and white outfit complemented each other perfectly, her long legs were wrapped in white tights, and her delicate face shone like a precious jewel. She looked like a graceful white swan gliding across a winter lake.
As if sensing my gaze, she subtly glanced in my direction. The familiar gentle smile appeared on her face, like spring rain nourishing the earth. That little brat. I smiled back and silently mouthed a gesture of encouragement.
The melody shifted. Immediately, Bai Lu and the others began moving. The six dancers intertwined elegantly across the stage. Their bodies transformed the music into motion. Every extension of an arm, every lift of a leg, every movement was refined to perfection. It almost seemed as though the stage lights lingered on their fingertips.
"No wonder you're such a sis-con."
Tang Xin nudged my arm and teased me. I shot her a glance before immediately turning back to the stage. What's wrong with being a sis-con? Sis-cons are the greatest.
Ignoring Tang Xin, I continued watching Bai Lu dance. The music gradually built toward its climax. The choreography became increasingly dynamic. Like a flower slowly blooming, the dancers spun and unfolded across the stage. Their movements gained strength and intensity. I watched eagerly. Then suddenly—Bai Lu's expression changed. Only slightly, but enough.
My heart skipped a beat. What happened? I stared at her. Bai Lu rarely showed signs of panic. Yet she continued dancing. At the same time, her eyes briefly flicked toward her waist. Following her gaze, I immediately noticed the problem; a seam in the fabric around her waist had split open. Not a huge tear, but not a small one either.
Because Bai Lu's reaction had been so noticeable, several judges also shifted their attention toward her. This was bad. The costume malfunction itself wasn't serious, her dancing remained flawless. Not a single movement had gone wrong. But in a competition where every contestant possessed nearly identical skill levels, even the smallest mistake could mean elimination.
My emotions churned. I watched Bai Lu's dancing figure with growing anxiety. At that moment—
"Heh..."
A faint chuckle drifted over from my left.