She's here for the dance party?
Meng Cheng'an looked at Lu Feng on stage and frowned.
At this moment, someone behind urged, "Why are you blocking the way here?"
Meng Cheng'an turned his head to look.
The person saw it was him, and his attitude worsened, "Oh, it's you. Why are you standing here? If you're going in, go in; if not, leave!"
As he spoke, he gave Meng Cheng'an a shove, squeezed past him, and took two big tangerines from the basket.
But just as he got hold of the tangerines, Tian Xiang snatched them away.
"What are you doing? Taking other people's things!"
Tian Xiang was sitting not far from the side door.
She heard the commotion and turned around to see someone labeled "passerby rogue" bullying a background character, and she rushed over.
The opportunity to get in was given by the background character, so she obviously had to stand up for him!
The person saw a girl suddenly speaking up for Meng Cheng'an and was flustered, "Who are you?"
Tian Xiang tilted the brim of her hat aside, revealing a face as beautiful as a fairy with an unbelievably brazen expression.
"What's up? Got a good look at this m'lady? Want to cuss or fight?"
As she spoke, Tian Xiang began rolling up her sleeves.
What about being a rogue; back in school, she bullied plenty of naughty kids.
She fought so much that those people had to call her sis.
The person saw it was a big beauty, and his frowning brows immediately relaxed.
"Miss, are you from our Mechanical Factory? Which workshop?"
How come he's never noticed such a beautiful woman before?
Even prettier than Zeng Qingwen from the radio room!
Seeing his label from rogue to lovestruck change in an instant, Tian Xiang sneered, "Have some self-respect, will you?" It was her first time seeing someone's persona change so fast.
Tian Xiang: "Stop dreaming, we are not from the same world."
"Why aren't we from the same world? I'll ask you to dance later."
The rogue said as he approached Tian Xiang, but just as he stepped forward, he was pulled back by Meng Cheng'an from behind.
The rogue staggered, barely catching himself on the table.
He glared at Meng Cheng'an, about to scold him, when a basket of tangerines was shoved into his arms.
Meng Cheng'an: "Put them on the table."
Then he took Tian Xiang outside.
The rogue was dumbfounded, "What's with this guy?"
He set down the basket, intending to chase after them, but was stopped by the gatekeeper who somehow appeared.
"They're dating, why are you following?"
"What did you say?"
The rogue seemed struck by lightning.
The gatekeeper said, "The pretty girl is from the Textile Factory and was invited by Mr. Meng..."
On the stage, Lu Feng, who had just tuned the speakers, also came over.
He pushed through the crowd to look outside and saw that tall figure. Just as he was about to go out, someone called, "Lu Feng, it's time to start."
"Oh. Okay..."
Outside the auditorium on the small square.
Tian Xiang asked, "Why did you pull me?"
This person dragged her out without a word.
Was he afraid the rogue would cling to her?
She wasn't afraid!
Meng Cheng'an: "Do you know who he is?"
"I..."
Isn't he just a rogue?
"I don't know."
Meng Cheng'an: "If you don't know, why confront him?"
Huh?
Tian Xiang pointed at herself and then at him, "Wasn't I helping you!"
Meng Cheng'an chuckled, "Do you know who I am?"
You're the background figure; now you've become just a passerby.
Oh, wait, within just those few words, the label on his forehead had changed to "Side Character 99+".
Wow, she had just been talking about how quickly the rogue changed, and this guy is quite similar!
Tian Xiang's big eyes sparkled, "So, who are you?"
Meng Cheng'an slightly curled his lips, a trace of sarcasm in his gaze, "The person you'd best not mess with."
Best not to mess with?
Tian Xiang whispered, "Are you talking about background issues?"
Meng Cheng'an's smile vanished, his gaze deep, "Yes."
So it was really about that!
Having done nothing wrong but still feeling guilty just because of the background.
It's actually unnecessary; one's background isn't something they choose.
Tian Xiang: "It doesn't matter. My reputation isn't great either; you wouldn't know, but around here they all call me a shrew. Over in Sanli Lane, because I caused so much trouble when I was younger, the courtyard used to call me 'little madwoman'. Recently, due to my matchmaking, people are saying my heart is higher than the skies, and none of the guys on Red Fifth Street appeal to me."
Tian Xiang just wanted to say that she wouldn't look down on him because of his background, didn't feel that he was any different from others.
But the more she explained, the darker Meng Cheng'an's expression became, sternly asking her, "Do you know what you're saying?"
"I know! I'm just..."
"Stop talking!"
Meng Cheng'an growled lowly and turned to leave directly.
Hey?
This guy?
Tian Xiang was confused. Why was he angry?
Seriously.
Tian Xiang felt a bit irritated, returning to the auditorium.
Inside, the opening remarks were done, and there was a band performing on stage.
As the master of ceremonies, Lu Feng stood at the entrance to the backstage with Zeng Qingwen. Though they were partners, they kept a distance of three steps, obviously upset and unwilling to talk to each other.
Tian Xiang found a corner seat and continued cracking seeds.
The opening acts were few, with the band's performance followed by a quick clapping performance and singing, all prepared by the staff.
After three acts, the lights dimmed on stage, and dance music started playing.
Not long after, the dance floor was filled with young men and women eager to dance.
The girls around Tian Xiang were gradually invited.
Some guys glanced her way too.
Tian Xiang squinted and glared at them.
She was here to perform a reconnaissance mission, not to dance.
Tian Xiang's gorgeous eyes were fixed on the corner of the stage, and seeing Lu Feng and Zeng Qingwen enter the backstage one after the other, she set down her seeds and sneaked over.
The auditorium layout was very simple, with two dressing rooms behind the stage separated by wooden boards, and a corridor in between.
No leaders attended the evening's event; it was organized spontaneously by the union.
At this time, the backstage was almost empty, except for two logistics workers packing up and the just-finished hosts.
Lu Feng still had to dance later, so there was no need to change out of his suit. He just tidied his hair and went out.
Originally, he intended to find Tian Xiang in the front.
He had seen her earlier at the side door.
But knowing Zeng Qingwen was alone in the adjacent dressing room, he didn't rush off, standing in the corridor waiting for her.
Soon, Zeng Qingwen emerged, dressed in a tangerine-colored fitted long dress with a brown long coat, carrying a leather bag, her permed hair let down, looking like she was ready to leave.
Lu Feng chuckled, asking her, "Not going to dance a little up front?"
Zeng Qingwen didn't even glance at him, striding by with arrogance.
Lu Feng cursed under his breath, yanking her into his arms.
The two of them pressed together, started kissing directly.
From a distance, Tian Xiang, hiding like a ghost behind the door, silently "tsk"ed, her fist clenching...