The Glamorous Comeback of the Ousted Heiress

It was evident that the theater placed great importance on this play.

With the theater undergoing renovations this afternoon and not open to the public, Secretary Xue led Bai Lian through the backstage to the lobby, a curved and expansive space.

A grand staircase led directly to the second floor.

On the stage in front, the crew was setting up, and rehearsals were about to begin. Gao Shu was talking sporadically with a man in his thirties on the left side of the stage.

“This is a younger member of our family,” Gao Shu introduced to the man beside her as soon as Bai Lian arrived.

The man promptly greeted Bai Lian.

Gao Shu also quietly explained the man’s identity to Bai Lian, “This is Mr. Summer’s student, who came to Jiangjing especially for the composition of ‘Blossoms on the Tree’.”

Bai Lian nodded her acknowledgment; she had heard about this from Gao Shu.

As they conversed, the old dean arrived. His hair was gray, his eyes behind presbyopic glasses, exuding a great deal of authority.

He sat in the middle, and Gao Shu went to greet him.

The rehearsal today focused on an earlier segment; drama is a very direct form of performance. Bai Lian sat to the side, watching the segment intently.

The character in the play, modeled after Chen Ye, also included scenes featuring the actor playing Bai Zhongyu.

She watched with rapt attention.

The first half lasted only an hour, and after it finished, the two leads did not take a bow.

The sound of music began to play.

The rhythm of the music, emphasized by drumbeats, drew Bai Lian out of her emotional immersion. She looked up at the stage—

The male and female leads were singing the theme song.

Meanwhile, Jiu Yinghui was talking to the old dean, “Dean, this is the theme song Mr. Shuo composed for ‘Blossoms on the Tree.’ We wanted to ask Dean Jian to do the arrangement, but he didn’t have the time. Please listen.”

As the prelude played, the old dean sat up straight with interest.

The theme song matched the rhythm of “Blossoms on the Tree” perfectly, with its narrative building up tension. It was evident that there was a study of new drama involved.

After the song ended, the old dean nodded; he looked at Shuo Qingyu and nodded slightly, “This theme song is very intriguing, well done.”

For the usually strict dean, this was already exceptionally high praise.

After listening to Dean Jian’s demo and then this theme song, Bai Lian didn’t feel much of anything.

She glanced at Jiu Yinghui and figured that this was probably the person who had tried to snatch someone away from Gao Shu midway through.

Beside her, the student of Mr. Xia stood up after listening, and without a word, walked out through the backstage. Gao Shu immediately followed, signaling Secretary Xue to take Bai Lian for a walk around the theater.

Bai Lian asked about a few things concerning Jiu Yinghui and Shuo Qingyu.

Secretary Xue recounted a few minor disputes between the two, and Bai Lian contemplated them thoughtfully.

**

Only when Gao Shu was about to be done, did Secretary Xue take Bai Lian to the second-floor lounge and brewed a pot of tea for her.

Secretary Xue waited outside the lounge until Gao Shu came up from downstairs, then nervously inquired, “What did he say?”

She was asking about Mr. Xia’s student.

“He said he couldn’t compete with Mr. Shuo in composition and left early. I had Old Li take him to the airport.” Gao Shu massaged her temple, looking rather helpless.

She had listened to Mr. Xia’s student’s work too, and indeed, it couldn’t compare to Shuo Qingyu’s.

Shuo Qingyu had prepared for this opportunity for a long time; ordinary works simply couldn’t compete.

Even the old dean had praised him repeatedly.

The first performance would start next Saturday, and the day after tomorrow was the old dean’s final deadline.

To the side, Jiu Yinghui and Shuo Qingyu, along with the two leads, made their way from the end of the corridor, lively, “I’ve booked a private room at Qingxin Building for 6 p.m. The dean will be there later too; you all must come.”

“Mr. Shuo, rest assured, I’m still in contact with Dean Jian. He’s been busy lately, but we’ll definitely have an opportunity to collaborate on the next piece,” Jiu Yinghui said with a smile in passing to Gao Shu, “Vice Dean Gao, I’m not staying late today; I’ll be going first.”

Shuo Qingyu was aware that Jiu Yinghui could indeed get in touch with Dean Jian, so even in front of Gao Shu, he didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty.

The group departed.