She Lives without Regret in This Life

Liu Yilan was counting on her for tonight's performance costume, and she had asked Su Huai'an to relay the message three days ago. Why hadn't she come yet?

Sheng Ning walked out from backstage, pacing back and forth outside. Suddenly, she heard a roaring whoosh above her and looked up just in time to see five airplanes in a V-formation scream overhead.

"What's going on?"

"Why are they deploying a special plane?"

"During the New Year's period?"

The people around were all startled by the sound, whispering to each other with expressions of fear or curiosity.

Sheng Ning frowned deeply, a sudden thought striking her - could it be that Living Yama had returned? But even if he had completed his mission, there was no need for five special planes, right?

Could something have happened?

At this possibility, her heart sank to the bottom.

"Sheng Ning, Sheng Ning, did you just see that? Was it a special plane? I've never seen a plane in my life!" The people backstage, hearing the noise, rushed out and bombarded Sheng Ning with questions.

"Uh-huh!" She nodded mechanically, as if her soul had left her.

It wasn't until a pair of familiar, warm hands grasped her icy ones that she snapped back to reality.

"What are you spacing out for?" Chen Huaying waved her hand in front of Sheng Ning's eyes, "Come back to your senses, or the Living Yama from your family will be here."

"What did you say? Say it again?" Sheng Ning grabbed her hand, not realizing her own strength, causing Chen Huaying to wince in pain.

"I said they're back." Chen Huaying whispered into Sheng Ning's ear: "I just heard from my grandfather, they're back, the planes have already entered our territory."

"That's great!" Sheng Ning breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though she had died and come back to life in a matter of minutes. "Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you for ages."

"I... Do you think it's close by? I wouldn't have been able to get in if I hadn't been shamelessly tagging along with Su Huai'an." As a National Security University student, she didn't have the clearance to attend such an event.

"Hurry up! We have to surprise everyone tonight." Sheng Ning pulled Chen Huaying to go find Qiu Bai, but two steps out, she realized she'd left the costume bag on the ground and quickly went back to pick it up.

She had been contemplating this idea since she went to see Liu Yilan, especially while making the silver mask for Yilan. She discussed with Teacher Qiu Bai and managed to get a piano solo performance opportunity for Liu Yilan.

In this era, piano players were rare; one application was all it took.

An exquisite silver mask plus a fairy-like, delicately beautiful white dress, Liu Yilan was sure to become the brightest star tonight. The performance was scheduled right after the Phoenix Theater—what a scene it would be to have two Phoenixes appear at the same time; just think of the excitement.

She was responsible for preparing the dress and mask, while Teacher Qiu Bai had full authority over the rest. The mask was ready yesterday, but the dress took longer. She had to find several tailors and pay extra for them to work overnight. It was only ready now because she had no chance to pick it up, so she had the off-duty Chen Huaying deliver it.

The two found Teacher Qiu Bai and handed over the items.

All the teachers had a special resting area. Qiu Bai winked at them, "She has arrived, it's inconvenient for her to show up now. I'll thank you on her behalf."

"You're too polite; we're good brothers." Chen Huaying lapsed back into her old habits as Mr. Chen.

But the look from Sheng Ning and Qiu Bai sent her scurrying away, crestfallen. Once outside, she immediately perked up, "Bai Tian'e is here too, right? Did you see her wild man?"