On the first day of school in September, the “School Anniversary Tribute” became the most important matter for the students of Class 17, Year Two.

Preparations for the short play were in full swing. The classmates unanimously agreed that the main members of the acting group must possess certain physical attributes—according to the latest news that Shen Fuxuan had gathered, the middle school section’s anniversary activities would be held at the Provincial Grand Theater. Several cameras would be aimed at the stage, capturing the performers in real time.

The footage captured by the cameras would be projected onto a large screen behind the stage. This way, audience members sitting in the back rows would also be able to see everything.

Han Peng suggested, “Let’s have Jiang Yubai play the male lead! Jiang Yubai has the best looks. If he plays the lead, once the cameras are on him, everyone will pay attention.”

Duan Qiyan let out a cold laugh. “Who says Jiang Yubai has the best looks?”

Duan Qiyan’s implication was clear: I look better than Jiang Yubai.

However, Tang Tingting, the arts committee member, once again rejected Duan Qiyan’s opinion: “I also think the male lead should be Jiang Yubai. Although Jiang Yubai is younger than us, he stands out the most in a crowd, you know what I mean?”

Stands out?

Does Jiang Yubai deserve to be described as “standing out”?

Duan Qiyan grumbled inwardly while glaring at Jiang Yubai.

Duan Qiyan not only wanted to be the male lead but also hoped to earn the title of “Provincial No. 1 Middle School’s Zhao Benshan.” If his classmates nominated Jiang Yubai as the lead, Duan Qiyan would be relegated to a supporting role—a situation Duan Qiyan did not want to see.

Jiang Yubai was Duan Qiyan’s imagined rival.

Yet Jiang Yubai himself seemed completely detached from the heated casting atmosphere. He unscrewed his thermos, calmly poured out half a cup of water. He slowly leaned back against his chair, drinking water with elegant movements, as if the person being discussed wasn’t him at all.

Duan Qiyan challenged mercilessly: “Jiang Yubai, have you ever acted in a skit or a play before?”

Jiang Yubai responded with carefully chosen words: “I can start practicing my acting skills from today.”

Duan Qiyan sneered coldly. He slightly curled his lips, put his hands on his hips, radiating a strong presence, and announced to everyone: “I once played an important role in the Cultural Arts Festival at the Normal University Affiliated Elementary School, and received rave reviews from all teachers and students.”

Tang Tingting exposed him on the spot: “Duan Qiyan played the little horse in ‘The Little Horse Crosses the River.'”

“Hahahahaha…” Shen Fuxuan couldn’t hold back, laughing so hard he crouched on the ground, unable to stand up.

Duan Qiyan’s face turned from white to red, while Tang Tingting continued adding details: “Duan Qiyan’s face wasn’t even visible. He wore a horse head. A cardboard horse head covered his entire head. If the host hadn’t announced Duan Qiyan’s name, we wouldn’t have known he was the one playing the horse.”

Shen Fuxuan struggled to hold onto the desk, slowly standing up: “Duan Qiyan, even if you’ve acted in a skit before, your face was covered by a horse head, no one in the audience could see your expressions, which means you haven’t practiced acting skills. You’re not as good as Jiang Yubai, who at least has a humble attitude.”

Duan Qiyan was left speechless.

Lin Zhixia asked casually: “Shen Fuxuan, do you want to join the acting group?”

“Being an actor is so boring,” Shen Fuxuan slapped the desk, “I want to be the director, I want to be the general director, the director in charge of the entire production.”

Shen Fuxuan held dual positions as “Deputy Class Monitor” and “Math Class Representative.” His grades were excellent, his prestige was high, he often helped classmates solve problems, and since his mother was the principal of Provincial No. 1 Middle School, few classmates opposed Shen Fuxuan’s opinions.

Shen Fuxuan naturally became the leader of the directing team.

He appointed Jiang Yubai as the male lead.

Lin Zhixia immediately asked for Jiang Yubai’s opinion: “Are you willing to be the male lead, Jiang Yubai? If you’re not willing, just tell me directly, and I can arrange for you to be in another group. Please don’t force yourself.”

Jiang Yubai secured the lid of his water bottle. He reached into his drawer and felt the garden wooden box that Lin Zhixia had given him.

In that garden, Captain Lin Zhixia’s belief was preserved. Jiang Yubai seemed to touch the physical form of that belief, and said with extraordinary determination: “I am willing.”

Even though Jiang Yubai showed no hesitation, Lin Zhixia was still somewhat worried.

Jiang Yubai was the most handsome boy in the class and possessed a high level of comprehension. However, the male lead in a skit was usually a comedic character. Lin Zhixia felt that Jiang Yubai would be more suitable for roles like “Legion Leader,” “Prince Charming,” or “Jedi Knight.”

After some consideration, Lin Zhixia couldn’t help asking: “Can I play the female lead?”

The whole class fell silent.

Lin Zhixia felt a bit anxious inside, but remained outwardly calm and decisive: “If no one objects, then I’ll be the female lead.”

Shen Fuxuan spread his hands: “I thought you would be the scriptwriter. The soul of a skit is the script. If you don’t handle the script, what will happen to it?”

Indeed.

Shen Fuxuan had expressed everyone’s thoughts.

Lin Zhixia had written several perfect-score essays. She cited classics and demonstrated extensive knowledge; her writing materials were rich yet concise, encompassing civilizations and histories from ancient to modern times, both Chinese and foreign. She was the language teacher’s favorite student.

If Lin Zhixia wasn’t writing the script…

Who could take on this important task?

Seeing the class discussion at an impasse, Wan Chunlei volunteered: “I’ll write the script!”

All the classmates’ eyes turned to Wan Chunlei. Wan Chunlei smoothed her jacket, showing great composure: “I won third place in the elementary school division of the Fourth City Go Tournament. I approach things logically. How about I write the script? Do you trust me?”

“I trust you,” Lin Zhixia nodded.

After Lin Zhixia spoke, other classmates followed suit.

Without much effort, Wan Chunlei became the leader of the scriptwriting team. The quality of the performance would be entirely decided by Wan Chunlei, and she immediately felt a great responsibility. She selected seven classmates to assist her.

*

That afternoon, Wan Chunlei borrowed a small classroom to hold a script meeting.

Besides the eight students from the scriptwriting team, Jiang Yubai, Lin Zhixia, and Shen Fuxuan also attended this meeting.

Eleven students gathered together, holding blank draft papers, deep in thought.

Wan Chunlei formed a fist with her hand, supporting her chin, like a statue of The Thinker. She muttered, “What should we perform? What do you want to perform?”

Shen Fuxuan smiled and said: “The Journey to the West – Three Battles with the White Bone Demon.”

Jiang Yubai said seriously: “Romance of the Three Kingdoms – The Burning of the Red Cliffs.”

Shen Fuxuan’s smile deepened: “Wow, Jiang Yubai, you want to perform the Red Cliffs from Romance of the Three Kingdoms? How would we assign the roles? You as Zhou Yu, Lin Zhixia as Xiao Qiao?”

Jiang Yubai as Zhou Yu and Lin Zhixia as Xiao Qiao—this assumption made Jiang Yubai feel embarrassed. He knew that Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao were a married couple. As a middle school student, he shouldn’t get involved in adult matters. Moreover, he and Lin Zhixia were good friends, so they definitely couldn’t portray Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao.

Lin Zhixia was different from Jiang Yubai. She hadn’t considered the “Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao are a married couple” aspect at all.

She simply analyzed calmly: “According to the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Governance, the Battle of Red Cliffs resulted in heavy casualties. When Cao Cao was fleeing, the roads were muddy, fierce winds were blowing, and the army could hardly advance. Cao Cao had some sick and weak soldiers lie on the ground with grass on their backs, and the cavalry’s horses trampled directly over those soldiers, killing many of them.”

The scene Lin Zhixia described shocked the entire scriptwriting team.

“We can’t perform the Battle of Red Cliffs,” Wan Chunlei said firmly. “Teacher Zhang said that the school anniversary should be lively and festive. We shouldn’t do something with countless deaths and injuries.”

Another student from the scriptwriting team asked: “Then what else can we perform? Granny Liu Enters the Grand View Garden from Dream of the Red Chamber?”

Wan Chunlei evaluated: “Granny Liu Enters the Grand View Garden is warm, gentle, and interesting. But what does it have to do with the centennial anniversary of our Provincial No. 1 Middle School?”

The scriptwriting team fell into collective silence again.

Lin Zhixia cupped her face with both hands, quietly watching her classmates. Since she had joined the acting group, she wouldn’t overstep by taking over the scriptwriting team’s work.

Jiang Yubai lacked Lin Zhixia’s understanding.

Jiang Yubai directly suggested: “Provincial No. 1 Middle School originated from a school founded in 1906. We can set up two scenes. The first scene is in 1906, the second scene is in 2006. Our skit can compare the changes over a hundred years, promoting the school motto of ‘Broad Learning, Careful Thinking, Self-Cultivation, and Bright Virtue.'”

The school motto of Provincial No. 1 Middle School was “Broad Learning, Careful Thinking, Self-Cultivation, and Bright Virtue,” combining famous quotes from The Book of Rites: The Doctrine of the Mean and The Book of Rites: The Great Learning.

As soon as Jiang Yubai finished speaking, Shen Fuxuan exclaimed: “Your approach is quite good—it highlights the theme of the centennial celebration and reminds the audience of the school motto. Teacher Zhang will like it.”

In the brightly lit small classroom, Lin Zhixia pressed her hands against the desk and suddenly stood up: “Jiang Yubai’s approach is very good, I support it.”

Most students in the scriptwriting team held the same view. Unable to think of a better idea, they unanimously approved Jiang Yubai’s proposal.

Wan Chunlei enthusiastically prepared the script. She named the script “Transformation,” and divided it into two parts—1906 and 2006.

The students from the scriptwriting team worked overtime and completed the first version of “Transformation” within two days.

Wan Chunlei focused on “the opportunity for girls to receive education.”

Through two dramatic scenes, she recreated history and reality—in 1906, during the late Qing Dynasty, boys and girls were not allowed to attend the same school, and schools for girls were scarce. In 2006, Provincial No. 1 Middle School admitted both male and female students, and nine years of compulsory education were free of miscellaneous fees. Female students could actively participate in class, and female teachers could teach at the podium. A hundred years of history had pushed forward social progress, as well as the innovation and development of education.

The script “Transformation” promoted a spirit of “reviewing school history and loving learning.”

All eight students from the scriptwriting team were confident in “Transformation.” They proofread each other, confirmed the version, and sent the electronic draft to Shen Fuxuan.

Shen Fuxuan took a group of friends to the copy shop at the school entrance, directly printed 36 copies of “Transformation,” and distributed them to every student in Class 17, Year Two.

Everyone received the script, read it repeatedly, and said the scriptwriters had done well, written brilliantly with smooth text and lofty ideas, sure to win the “First Prize for School Anniversary Programs.”

Homeroom Teacher Zhang also liked this script. Although it did not meet his requirements for being “lively and festive,” he recognized the spiritual and cultural depth behind the dialogue. He was very gratified. He encouraged everyone to perform with the enthusiasm of learning and the high spirits of a competitive class.

Teacher Zhang’s high praise made the acting, directing, and prop teams of Class 17 eager to begin rehearsals.

Provincial No. 1 Middle School’s middle school section had an arts building with two rehearsal halls. With the centennial celebration approaching, rehearsal slots were hard to come by, and Class 17, Year Two could only use one rehearsal hall during lunch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

This meant that on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Lin Zhixia could no longer go home for lunch or take a midday nap. At first, she was a bit unhappy, but then she thought that as the class monitor and the female lead of “Transformation,” she should motivate the whole class and take each rehearsal seriously.

The eight students from the scriptwriting team had stayed up for four consecutive nights for the script. In comparison, Lin Zhixia wasn’t tired at all. Lin Zhixia should be energetic and not disappoint her classmates’ expectations!

Lin Zhixia only took a few seconds to persuade herself. She told her mother at home: “Mom, Mom, our school is holding a centennial celebration at the end of September, and our class has prepared a short play…”

She gripped her mother’s apron with her fingers, tilting her head slightly: “It might not be a short play, more like a drama. Mom, I’m the female lead in the drama. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, I won’t be able to come home for lunch and rest anymore. I’ll be participating in rehearsals at school. Other classmates will be rehearsing with me.”

When Lin Zhixia had just entered middle school, her mother often worried that she was too young and might be bullied in class. As it turned out, Lin Zhixia not only became the class monitor but also made many friends. Preparing a program with her classmates didn’t sound like a bad thing, so her mother agreed and asked her: “Xiaxia, how long will you rehearse?”

Lin Zhixia told the truth: “Two weeks of continuous rehearsal, from twelve noon to two in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”

Her mother felt somewhat sorry for her daughter: “Is Xiaxia tired?”

Lin Zhixia shook her head: “Xiaxia is not tired.”

Her mother asked again: “What will Xiaxia eat for lunch?”

Lin Zhixia leaned against her mother and acted coquettishly: “Xiaxia can eat lunch in the school cafeteria.”

“Is the cafeteria food tasty?” Her mother stroked her head. “How about Mom rides a bicycle to your school and brings you lunch?”

Before Lin Zhixia could answer, Lin Zeqiu suddenly appeared behind her. Lin Zeqiu must have heard the conversation between Lin Zhixia and her mother, so he declared with a bad attitude: “Lin Zhixia will be spoiled sooner or later.”

“No, I won’t,” Lin Zhixia turned to look at him. “I don’t want Mom to bring me lunch either. I want to eat in the school cafeteria!”

Lin Zeqiu took a box of strawberry yogurt from the refrigerator. Before he could open the lid, he noticed Lin Zhixia’s pure, uncontaminated gaze. In this house, whenever he ate anything strawberry-related, he had to endure Lin Zhixia’s stare—unless she also had strawberries.

He could only hand the strawberry yogurt to Lin Zhixia and found a peach yogurt for himself. He quickly opened the lid, just took a sip, when suddenly something occurred to him, his expression changed dramatically. He grabbed Lin Zhixia and pulled her into his bedroom.

Lin Zhixia held the strawberry yogurt with both hands, and before she could taste the strawberry flavor, her brother, with a serious face, interrogated her sternly: “Lin Zhixia, let me ask you, if you’re the female lead in the drama, who is the male lead?”

Lin Zhixia guessed what her brother was about to say. She thought he was too old-fashioned and nagging. She simply said directly: “Our homeroom Teacher, Zhang, agreed to let us perform this play, the Year Two Director of Studies has already reviewed our script, so why are you still concerned about who the male lead is? There are no romantic scenes between me and the male lead.”

Her brother’s expression worsened.

Gloom seemed to press on his brow. He held a cup of peach yogurt, took two steps in the narrow bedroom, and then said: “You’re only eleven years old. What do you know about romantic scenes? What TV dramas have you watched at home?”

“TV dramas usually have romantic scenes. Why can’t I watch them?” Lin Zhixia felt no shame at all.

Searching her memory, she also said: “Brother, when you watch TV, you don’t seem to deliberately avoid romantic scenes between the male and female leads. Don’t do unto others what you don’t want done to yourself, brother.”

Lin Zhixia’s attempt to deflect blame did not affect Lin Zeqiu.

Lin Zeqiu had guessed something. His sister refused to tell him who the male lead was, which made him more suspicious that Jiang Yubai was the male lead of the play. Thinking deeper, Lin Zhixia said she had no romantic scenes, but was that true?

Even if their Class 17, Year Two chose fairy tales suitable for all ages like “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Snow White,” or “Beauty and the Beast,” there would still be an ending scene where the prince and princess lived happily ever after.

Lin Zeqiu had originally thought that Lin Zhixia had been noticed by the high school competition class coaches, and her academic focus had completely shifted to high school and university knowledge. She was participating in Olympic competitions for mathematics, physics, and informatics—how could she still have time and energy to maintain “best friend” relationships in middle school?

He hadn’t expected that Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai would be connected through a school anniversary program.

He had miscalculated.

After much thought, he was still worried.

He simply informed his parents that he would accompany Lin Zhixia to rehearsals. He also said that Lin Zhixia might not be used to eating in the school cafeteria, and with him present as her brother, Lin Zhixia would adapt better.

Both parents praised him for being considerate and thoughtful, a gentle and good brother.

*

This September, Lin Zeqiu had advanced to Year Three of middle school.

He was still a top student in the advanced class, an outstanding student in Year Three. He had given up on the competition class and had never taken another test for it.

But he still often heard news about the competition class.

His sister Lin Zhixia not only dominated Year Two but also went to the high school section, sweeping through the competition teams in three subjects. For a period of time, Lin Zeqiu felt that all his classmates were secretly discussing his sister.

Several girls from the Year Three competition class even ran to Lin Zeqiu’s classroom door, specifically to look at him. Lin Zeqiu had outstanding looks and was used to students from other classes peeking at him. However, the competition class seemed to think differently—the reason the Year Three competition class girls came to find him was that they admired his sister.

They pointed at Lin Zeqiu and said: “This is Lin Zhixia’s brother! Lin Zhixia’s own brother!”

One of the girls asked casually: “What’s Lin Zhixia’s brother’s name?”

Another girl said: “I don’t know. Not important, is it?”

After saying these three sentences, those girls floated away. Lin Zeqiu stood alone at the door, his tall shadow falling on the floor, covering a patch of white tiles. As much as he had once yearned for the competition class, he later came to detest the words “competition.”

Without a doubt, Lin Zhixia’s existence had cast a shadow over Lin Zeqiu’s middle school life. But he had never complained to Lin Zhixia. He tried his best to ignore the outside voices, insisting on going to and from school with Lin Zhixia every day. He believed that doing this much as a brother was almost his limit.

The school anniversary program of Class 17, Year Two once again pushed Lin Zeqiu to further expand his limits.

At noon on Tuesday, Lin Zeqiu bought a fried chicken burger from the cafeteria. To save time, he wolfed it down, finishing his lunch without regard for appearances, and rushed straight to the rehearsal hall in the middle school section’s arts building.

The security guard at the arts building stopped Lin Zeqiu, asking which class he was from. He falsely claimed to be a student from Class 17, Year Two, about to play the male lead in a drama. The security guard saw that he indeed looked good, with the style of a male lead, and casually glanced at his student card before allowing him to enter the arts building.

Lin Zeqiu had been studying at Provincial No. 1 Middle School for over two years but had never been close to the arts building. He couldn’t even be bothered to watch the school anniversary programs his class had rehearsed, let alone participate in person.

Now, he was like a wandering ghost, floating eerily in front of the rehearsal hall.

Lin Zeqiu paced for a few seconds before Lin Zhixia spotted him.

Lin Zhixia waved to him: “Brother, Brother!”

Completely unconcerned about the many classmates around, she introduced him openly: “He’s my brother, his name is Lin Zeqiu, he’s studying in Year Three at our school. Brother! Do you want to watch our rehearsal? Come in directly, Brother, you’re the first audience of ‘Transformation.'”

By this point, Lin Zeqiu had no way to retreat. He strode into the room with long, upright steps, attracting countless gazes. The Year Two girls let out soft exclamations of admiration. But he ignored everyone’s comments, casually found a chair, and sat down.

In the rehearsal hall, Shen Fuxuan called out loudly: “Lin Monitor’s brother has come to watch our rehearsal. This is trust in us, everyone don’t get distracted, continue going through ‘Transformation’ according to the script!”

In the “Transformation” troupe, all the actors’ costumes and accessories were provided by Jiang Yubai. Jiang Yubai’s mother ran a clothing business with chain stores of her clothing brand in major cities across the country, and in recent years had even expanded into the Southeast Asian market.

Although Jiang Yubai was not a member of the props team, he had prepared almost all the necessities, providing them free of charge to all classmates. The students on the props team didn’t have to worry about class fund expenses; they only needed to properly maintain the props and reasonably arrange the background.

Jiang Yubai had taken the position of the male lead, thus becoming Duan Qiyan’s number one enemy. But within the “Transformation” troupe, Jiang Yubai wholeheartedly helped his classmates, and Duan Qiyan couldn’t find fault with him. Eventually, Duan Qiyan vaguely admitted that Jiang Yubai was indeed the best choice for the male lead.

Jiang Yubai’s role was very important. He played two characters. In the “Transformation: 1906” stage, Jiang Yubai was a young man who had cut off his queue and changed into Western-style clothes, advocating for “personal liberation and educational reform.” In the “Transformation: 2006” storyline, Jiang Yubai was just an ordinary student who accidentally walked into the school history museum. He and several other actors traced the school’s development over a hundred years, seeing the changes of “major events” through “ordinary people.”

Shen Fuxuan, as the general director, spoke a few words to help Jiang Yubai get into character.

Then, Shen Fuxuan raised his megaphone, calling out with great enthusiasm: “Let’s start from the first section of the first act again! Duan Qiyan, I must specifically criticize you—stop forgetting your lines!”

Duan Qiyan quickly flipped through the script and shouted: “I won’t forget my lines again!”

The first act officially began.

Jiang Yubai walked into the audience’s field of vision. He recited a string of lines, introducing the background of the era and describing his inner confusion.

At this moment, Lin Zhixia made a dazzling entrance.

She wore a silver hairpin, draped in a silk outer garment, carrying a bamboo basket, dressed like a young lady from the late Qing Dynasty.

Lin Zeqiu’s gaze never left his sister.

Lin Zeqiu watched as Lin Zhixia grabbed Jiang Yubai’s sleeve, and what was most unacceptable to Lin Zeqiu was—Lin Zhixia gently and weakly addressed Jiang Yubai as: “Young Master.”

Young Master?

What kind of feudal garbage is this?

Lin Zeqiu slammed the table and stood up: “This kind of program can participate in the school anniversary? The Year Two selection will definitely eliminate you. There are 18 classes in Year Two, and only 7 classes’ programs can be selected for the school anniversary. You’re still immersed in the worldview of 1906…”

The afternoon sunlight was bright, and the window frames were projected onto the wooden floor grid by grid. In the spacious rehearsal hall, the Year Two students stared blankly at Lin Zeqiu.

Lin Zhixia spoke: “Brother, please watch the entire play before giving your criticism. We’re not immersed in 1906. The focus of our play is the founding and inheritance of the school, the changes and development of the times, and the reform and significance of education.”

In front of her classmates, Lin Zhixia took on the demeanor of a class monitor and spoke to Lin Zeqiu in an official, businesslike tone.

However, in Lin Zeqiu’s eyes, Lin Zhixia had always been a “mom-clinger,” a pampered girl who wouldn’t let go of her mother. She was timid, spoiled, had a big temper, and was not easy to provoke. This was the first time he had seen her being treated as a standard for opinions by a group of peers.

Anyway, Lin Zhixia had controlled the situation.

She continued acting calmly.

She portrayed a girl from a wealthy family. She yearned for school, was frustrated and unfulfilled, had great ambitions, and could only silently envy the only son of a wealthy merchant neighbor.

Jiang Yubai was that wealthy merchant’s only son.

Duan Qiyan was Jiang Yubai’s teacher. For this role, he specially wore round glasses without lenses and donned the same long gown that scholars from the late Qing Dynasty would wear.

Arts committee member Tang Tingting was Duan Qiyan’s wife in the play. Of course, Tang Tingting and Duan Qiyan had no physical contact or any emotional scenes. They were a theatrical couple lacking eye contact.

Duan Qiyan saw Lin Zhixia, walked over with measured steps, and drove her away: “You, a mere woman, should not come to a men’s school anymore.”

Lin Zhixia’s cheeks flushed red, her eyes filled with hot tears, and she replied very much in character: “Teacher Duan…”

In the Ming Dynasty’s Hanlin Academy, “teacher” was the exclusive title for teachers in the Hanlin Academy. By the late Qing Dynasty, as schools were established throughout the country, teachers in new-style schools were also called “teacher”—this was information that Wan Chunlei had specifically researched.

So, Lin Zhixia calling Duan Qiyan “Teacher Duan” should be considered somewhat historically accurate. Wan Chunlei thought proudly.

Wan Chunlei clearly saw the expression on Lin Zhixia’s face and couldn’t help but praise: “Lin Zhixia is really good at acting, such talent! She’s expressed all the emotions I imagined for the female lead when writing the script. She’s giving me everything I wanted.”

Shen Fuxuan exchanged thoughts with Wan Chunlei: “Yes, Lin Zhixia is performing the best.” After a pause, he said: “Jiang Yubai needs a bit more experience.”

Not just a bit more.

Jiang Yubai was like a wooden stake, standing next to Duan Qiyan. He had a good appearance but terrible acting skills.

Jiang Yubai had almost no proficiency with dialogue. When he recited his lines, it was like reciting a book during morning reading.

Where was his emotion? Where was his insight?

He had taken on the role of the male lead; he couldn’t just recite lines!

“Is it my problem?” Wan Chunlei began to doubt herself. “Jiang Yubai is such an intelligent and good student, why can’t he feel the deep meaning conveyed by the lines? Could it be that our script isn’t good enough?”

Shen Fuxuan rubbed his chin: “Jiang Yubai is playing a merchant’s son, which should be typecasting. No one in the class has a more wealthy background than him. If he can’t perform well, others would do even worse.”

Wan Chunlei agreed: “That’s right, he’s so rich!”

Shen Fuxuan raised his megaphone: “Stop!”

All the actors stopped their movements.

In the center of the rehearsal hall, Lin Zhixia put down her bamboo basket and darted in front of Jiang Yubai. She stood still, her gaze fixed on him without shifting. The surrounding noises gradually faded, clouds moved with the wind, everything became silent, as if there were only the two of them in the world.

Lin Zhixia said: “Jiang Yubai, treat ‘Transformation: 1906’ as a time branch of ‘Exploring the Universe.’ I know you’re not used to reciting lines written by others, nor are you used to reacting according to frameworks set by others. The backdrop of 1906 somewhat suppresses your personality. So, how about this—you’re the protagonist of the ‘Exploring the Universe’ spin-off plot, we’ve traveled to 1906, and we’re performing the script like we’re in a comic, what do you think?”

Jiang Yubai noticed that Lin Zhixia’s hairpin was crooked. He raised his hand, intending to straighten her hairpin, when suddenly, from the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Lin Zeqiu. Jiang Yubai slightly turned his face, looking in Lin Zeqiu’s direction, and Lin Zeqiu cast a cold, merciless, terrifying gaze at him.

Jiang Yubai was immediately sparked with a strong sense of competitiveness. He said softly: “Alright.”

Lin Zhixia thought her words had encouraged Jiang Yubai. She happily circled around him: “Jiang Yubai, Jiang Yubai, let’s continue rehearsing.”

She made an “ok” gesture to Shen Fuxuan.

The many students from the directing team took their positions, and Shen Fuxuan arranged uniformly: “Alright, let’s start again, ‘Transformation’ Act One, Section One!”

This time, Jiang Yubai seemed like a different person. He successfully portrayed the arrogance and rashness of a wealthy family’s son. Even though he was a young man with progressive ideas in 1906, he couldn’t escape the limitations of the era. In this scene of “Transformation,” he supported women receiving education, but he opposed co-education and was more opposed to abandoning tradition.

Sports committee member Cao Wu played a butcher from the late Qing Dynasty.

Cao Wu wore a gray-blue short garment, his left hand holding a piece of fake pork made of plastic, and circled to Duan Qiyan’s front, saying: “Teacher Duan, when did you accept a female student? With this female student in the school, how can the male students focus on their studies?”

Jiang Yubai, against his conscience, responded: “Indeed, boys and girls should not attend the same school.”

Teacher Duan said: “It’s practically committing a crime.”

Teacher Duan’s wife, Tang Tingting, happened to walk out from the inner room at this moment. Tang Tingting had bound feet, walked slowly, and said in an affected manner: “Aiya, where did this girl come from, specifically running to a school full of boys? Will she ever be able to get married in the future?”

Tang Tingting performed very well. She raised her eyebrows, lightly supporting herself against the doorframe, even though she was internally furiously condemning her own character: Whether she can get married or not, what business is it of yours? Are you bored? Why are you meddling in someone else’s business?

Tang Tingting’s gaze met Lin Zhixia’s. Lin Zhixia was still pleading pitifully: “A teacher is a person, a student is a person…”

At this point, according to the plot setup of “Transformation,” Lin Zhixia should be in tears, timidly crying about how difficult her life was in 1906.

But after a moment’s thought, she changed her lines on the spot.

She raised her head high, facing the butcher, the teacher, and the wealthy young master directly: “Has Teacher Duan read the ‘Infinite Life Sutra’? The scripture says—’Good and evil transform, following what is born. The paths are different, with no scheduled meeting.’ Teacher Duan knows many characters and has read many books, but do you truly understand what is good and what is evil? Do you understand what is a path, what is pursuit? You say I am committing evil, but I feel that I am being immensely kind, with limitless virtue!”

“Stop! Stop right now!” Shen Fuxuan interrupted, “Lin Zhixia, how could you change your lines?”

Lin Zhixia hugged the bamboo basket, her face slightly red: “The original lines were a bit weak.”

Before Wan Chunlei could say anything, Lin Zeqiu, as an observer, interjected: “Hey, aren’t you all making a mistake? Lin Zhixia’s changes are quite good, aren’t they? In her version, the female lead isn’t crying and whining anymore. At the centennial celebration, who wants to see something so fussy and weepy?”

Just as Shen Fuxuan was about to rebut, Wan Chunlei stopped him.

Wan Chunlei thought for a moment and strongly agreed: “That’s right! Lin Monitor’s brother is absolutely right! Cao Wu, Jiang Yubai, Duan Qiyan, and Tang Tingting—these four characters are already foolish enough. If there isn’t a single smart person in the 1906 scene, the audience will think it’s too miserable. The 1906 scene in ‘Transformation’ needs to serve as a bridge, leading to the innovations of 2006. Lin Zhixia should express the most advanced viewpoint in 1906.”

Shen Fuxuan nodded slightly.

Wan Chunlei clapped her hands together: “Lin Zhixia, just follow your instincts! You’re a daughter from a prestigious official family! You should have an air of superiority! An advanced intuition! A courage to accept education! You’re the strongest, the smartest! You should compete with men! A hundred years later, your name will appear in the school’s archives, and thousands upon thousands of students will take you as their model!”

“Alright!” Lin Zhixia readily agreed.

Wan Chunlei then asked: “Lin Zhixia! Can you remember the lines you changed yourself? The other characters’ lines don’t need to change; they’re inherently stubborn characters.”

“Of course I can remember!” Lin Zhixia displayed her talent to her classmates in Class 17, Year Two for the first time.

Lin Zhixia told her classmates: “Things I want to remember, I absolutely will not forget.”

Everyone except Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu mistakenly thought that Lin Zhixia just had a better memory, somewhat stronger than ordinary people. But Lin Zhixia’s performance surprised them. Those lines she had changed, she remembered clearly. She could even remind others when they forgot their lines.

Lin Zhixia’s mental prowess simply transcended the script.

For this performance of “Transformation,” all the students in Class 17, Year Two rehearsed continuously for two full weeks. They passed the Year Two grade selection and were successfully promoted to Provincial No. 1 Middle School’s anniversary program list.

On the day of Provincial No. 1 Middle School’s centennial celebration, all students from the props and acting teams got up early. They arrived at the Provincial Grand Theater at 7:30, and the teacher led them backstage. This was Lin Zhixia’s first time participating in a large-scale cultural performance, and as the female lead, she closely followed behind Jiang Yubai, even slightly pulling his sleeve. He seemed to sense something and spoke to reassure her: “Lin Zhixia, don’t worry, you’ll definitely perform very well.”

Lin Zhixia smiled. She nodded gently and responded: “Mm!”