“Your leg is almost healed!”
“If it weren’t, I’d jump into the river!” Emily shot back.
“Don’t talk nonsense.” Evelyn shook her head, smiling.
“Seriously, I’m waiting. I’m launching my business this month. You’ll see my numbers skyrocket!”
“I’m looking forward to your good news!”
“Honestly, I want to brag, but I have no confidence.” Emily slumped her shoulders, looking defeated.
“That’s fine. Just give it your best shot first. Worry about the rest later.”
“Yeah, I’ll try my best.”
Evelyn had her performance permit. Emily helped carry her things, so the staff let them in without issue.
After a while, Emily stretched her arms and laughed.
Evelyn nodded with a smile.
Truth was, helping carry stuff was just an excuse. Emily’s real goal was to get backstage.
She was sharp, that one.
The performers in front were getting their makeup done. Evelyn went to change into her dress.
Alexander had a designer make it for her.
The school provided funds for the celebration. They could rent or buy a dress.
But Alexander still had this one custom-made for Evelyn.
When Evelyn came out in the dress, everyone backstage was stunned.
“Evelyn, that dress is gorgeous! Where did you buy it?”
“Thanks. It was custom-made.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know. My family ordered it.” Evelyn replied.
“It’s so beautiful. Are those real pearls?”
“I have no idea!” Evelyn answered.
The dress design was simple. The neckline was trimmed with a circle of pearls. They were seawater pearls, with a high luster. Their size and roundness were nearly identical.
Finding a string of pearls that matched so perfectly was rare. And this circle was almost flawless.
The waist was fitted, highlighting Evelyn’s slim figure. The skirt fell to mid-calf.
It looked elegant, yet brought out her sweetness.
The makeup artist gave her a pink look. Her hair was left natural, with a loose braid on top. She added a pearl headband. The whole sweet image was complete.
Evelyn hadn’t felt nervous before. Now, as the performance neared, she was getting anxious.
“Emily, I’m so nervous!” Evelyn grabbed Emily’s hand.
“Nervous about what? Didn’t I tell you? There are just turnips in the audience!” Emily rolled her eyes.
“Then you go on stage.” Evelyn felt deflated.
“I wish I could, but I’m not qualified!” Emily laughed. “Take a deep breath. Relax. Breathe in. Breathe out.”
Someone walked by and said, “She’s having a baby!”
Evelyn and Emily froze for a second, then burst out laughing.
The nervousness vanished instantly.
Meanwhile, Charlotte and Noah had found their seats.
Charlotte knew Noah wanted to see Evelyn’s performance tonight. But it was awkward for him to ask Evelyn directly.
So she’d gotten the tickets from Evelyn in advance.
Sure enough, after walking around campus, they went to the biggest auditorium to watch the show.
Evelyn handed Emily her phone. She asked her to take pictures.
“I’m going to make you look like a fairy!”
“Just don’t make me look like a monster!” Evelyn laughed.
“No way. You’re already a fairy!” Emily replied sincerely.
She took several solo shots of Evelyn. Then they took a few goofy selfies together.
Evelyn looked at the photos. “Why are you making a face in every single one?”
“That’s the only way to highlight your fairy-like beauty!” Emily said triumphantly.
“I don’t want that!”
“Oh, come on. It’s a way to make fun of myself. If I don’t make faces, I’m just as ugly. This way, I have an excuse!”
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Where are you ugly?”
“Okay, okay, stop analyzing my ugliness. Are you nervous now?” Emily asked.
“I wasn’t, but now that you mention it, I am a little!”
“Go!” Emily waved her hand dismissively.
At that moment, warm applause rang out. Emily went out to check. She came back a moment later. “The leaders are here. I saw our boss!”
“What?” Evelyn looked up, confused.
“I saw the person walking with the principal. It looked like our boss, General Manager Sterling!”
“You must be mistaken!” Evelyn said immediately.
Why would Alexander come to watch a school performance?
And she’d asked him yesterday. She told him not to come!
“Really?” Emily looked at Evelyn hesitantly.
She wasn’t sure herself. The lighting was dim. She only saw a profile.
“You definitely saw wrong!” Evelyn stressed.
Just then, the opening music started. The handsome and beautiful hosts walked on stage to give the opening speech. The performance officially began.
When Evelyn heard the host introduce the leaders and guests, she froze at the name “Alexander Sterling, President of Sterling Group.”
Emily glanced at Evelyn. “I told you the boss was coming. You didn’t believe me!”
“What is he doing here?” Evelyn blurted out.
“Isn’t it obvious? The school invited him to participate in our celebration! Sterling Group donates a lot of money to our school every year!” Emily rolled her eyes.
“Oh.” Evelyn answered after a long pause.
That wasn’t what she cared about. Now, she only worried that seeing Alexander would make her too nervous on stage.
“Take a deep breath. Don’t be nervous. Your program is just one act. It’s not that important. Don’t take it too seriously!” Emily poured cold water on her.
Evelyn looked at Emily, amused. She felt Emily was funnier than her sometimes.
Evelyn’s program was scheduled for the second half. Finally, it was her turn to go on stage.
Maybe Emily’s words had helped. Evelyn took a deep breath. She felt less nervous.
Sometimes, taking things too seriously only adds to the burden.
A calm heart can bring unexpected results.
Evelyn started playing the prelude. The accompanist danced along with the music.
“In that remote little mountain village, a small, small mountain village—”
Evelyn was immersed in her own world, quietly singing the song.
In her mind, she saw scenes of her life with Alexander on Misty Isle. She saw Iris Hart. Everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.