Chapter 68

Shen Xiche said, "Of course, your second brother wasn't born fearless onstage. I was nervous when I first started performing, too. Someone gave me a candy and said it would calm my nerves. They said I wouldn't be nervous after eating it."

He hadn't believed it at the time, but he'd been so nervous that he'd eaten it anyway. Maybe it was all in his head, but he really had felt calmer afterward. He'd even outdone himself onstage that night. Only later had he learned it wasn't anything special—just an ordinary mint.

As if she'd uncovered a secret, Shen Luoluo asked, "Someone?" Her smile turned sly. "Who was this someone?"

Shen Xiche rubbed his nose. "Kids shouldn't pry into grown-ups' business."

Shen Luoluo pouted. Even if you don't tell me, I can find out. No one can keep a secret from me!

Shen Xiche: !!!

He'd dug himself another hole without meaning to.

"The point isn't that," he said quickly. "You're about to go onstage. Shouldn't you be rehearsing?"

Something occurred to Shen Luoluo. She held out her hand with a smile. "Second Brother, give me a few more of those candies. Don't be stingy."

In the end, Shen Xiche gave Shen Luoluo the entire box of mints.

At eight that evening, the New Year's Gala officially began.

Students filed into the Grand Auditorium and took their assigned seats by class. With students coming and going all around him, Shen Xiche stood behind a stone pillar in the corridor by the entrance. He wore a baseball cap and a mask as he watched the stream of students approaching the auditorium.

He picked out a familiar figure in the crowd at once and reached her in two long strides.

His voice was low and cold. "Shen Anya, we need to talk."