Chapter 269

Amid the audience's eager anticipation, the curtain on the stage finally opened. 

Miss Yun Jin, dressed in her theatrical costume, turned around and began to sing the familiar opening lines that Xia Zhi knew all too well. 

"What a pity..." 

For Yun Jin, this was only the second performance of her new play. 

Unlike the trial run at Heyu Tea House, today's performance was on a much grander scale. 

With Liyue's elite gathered in the audience, even if her performance fell short, the play The Divine Damsel of Devastation was bound to gain fame through the banquet's prestige. 

But Yun Jin would never let such a thing happen. 

She had resolutely stayed home to practice tirelessly for days, reviewing every detail countless times. She had even rehearsed in her dreams. 

With so much effort poured in, she was determined to succeed—for herself, for her parents, for Yun-Han Opera Troupe, and for the mysterious figure who had guided her so patiently in her dreams… 

The memory of that mysterious "Mr. Xia" caused her to sigh inwardly. 

Since their deep and friendly "exchange" in that dream, she hadn't seen this confidant again. 

No matter what she tried—whether taking morning naps, afternoon naps, evening naps, or even late-night slumbers—she couldn't recreate that dream. 

At times, she wondered if Mr. Xia was just a figment of her imagination, born from her deep concerns about the new play. 

Yet somehow, he seemed familiar to her, as if she had seen him at Heyu Tea House before… 

Sigh… 

As these nonsensical thoughts spun in her mind before the performance, the sound of the gong rang out, snapping her focus back to the present. 

Clearing her thoughts, Yun Jin centered herself on the stage and began singing as the curtain rose. 

"Lamentable…" 

At the same time, her gaze swept over the audience. Then suddenly— 

Huh? 

Her eyes locked onto someone in the first row, a figure that looked very familiar. 

Though he wore dark glasses and new clothing, Yun Jin recognized him at first glance! 

It was him! 

The same person she had been longing for these past few days—the one she had deeply conversed with in her dream and considered a confidant. Mr. Xia! 

The black glasses on his face jolted her memory further—he was that peculiar patron who had listened to her performance at Heyu Tea House before! 

No wonder he seemed so familiar! 

Yun Jin's heart surged with excitement, and she momentarily lost her composure. 

At that moment, she saw Xia Zhi smiling faintly as he raised a hand, gesturing gently as though to remind her. 

Yun Jin quickly snapped out of it. Thankfully, her exceptional skill ensured there were no glaring mistakes in her performance. 

After giving Xia Zhi a meaningful look, she suddenly smiled radiantly, leaving the audience captivated and awe-struck. 

Then, Yun Jin continued her performance. 

---

"Interesting," Zhongli muttered from the second row, his expression slightly intrigued. 

Although to ordinary listeners Yun Jin's singing might not have noticeably changed, Zhongli, with his [Art Appreciation] talent, could discern a stark difference. 

It was as though her performance had suddenly been infused with overwhelming emotion, breathing new life into the play. 

Zhongli's gaze discreetly shifted to the man seated in the front row. If his memory served, Yun Jin had paused momentarily when she saw Mr. Xia. 

Could the two of them know each other? Was there a story between them? 

Just as Zhongli pondered this, his attention was drawn to the petite hand of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, who mischievously pinched Xia Zhi's waist while smiling. 

Hmm? Old colleague, what exactly are you doing? 

A moment later, Zhongli noticed Shenhe on Xia Zhi's other side. She had looped her arm around his and raised her head with a look that could only be described as… territorial, aimed squarely at Yun Jin on stage. 

Hmm? This is… unnecessarily complicated. 

Zhongli withdrew his gaze with a peculiar expression, lifted his teacup, and took a sip. 

Truthfully, the performance was excellent. One could even say it was… highly entertaining—no, no—truly moving. 

---

Meanwhile, Xia Zhi felt a pang of helplessness. 

All he had done was remind Yun Jin to stay focused, yet the goddess on his right and the divine maiden on his left had both immediately noticed something was amiss. 

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata pinched his waist lightly, leaning in with a sly grin. "Big Cousin, what were you just doing?" 

"Nothing. That hurt, you know." 

"I saw it—you moved your hand just now. Some secret gesture, wasn't it?" 

"Why are you accusing me out of thin air?" 

"Then explain what you were doing. Why'd you raise your hand?" 

"I simply thought Miss Yun Jin's performance was good and wanted to applaud her." 

"Really?" 

"Of course. But then I realized clapping in the middle of a performance would be inappropriate, so I put my hand down." 

"I suppose I'll believe you." 

"Doesn't matter if you don't." 

"First it was the aloof Adepti beauty. Now it's Liyue's rising superstar?" 

"Nonsense." 

"Don't lie. Look at her eyes—there's a gleam in them every time she glances at you. And she keeps looking! You seriously want me to believe you two have no connection?" 

"?" 

"Shenhe, you're in danger." 

"!" 

Shenhe's gaze shifted to the stage where Yun Jin's elegant figure and graceful curves were on full display. After a brief pause, she silently tightened her hold on Xia Zhi's arm, as though staking her claim. 

Her actions visibly startled Yun Jin for a moment, though the performer quickly regained her composure. 

Shenhe narrowed her eyes at Yun Jin. Her cousin was right—something about this superstar felt… off. 

Yet Shenhe recalled that Yun Jin had never been to their shop for juice, nor for a massage. She shouldn't know the boss at all. 

…Unless Xia Zhi had met Yun Jin before Shenhe started working at the shop? 

After all, Xia Zhi loved opera. According to Zhu Zi, he had taken her to Heyu Tea House several times before. 

But that still didn't make sense—if Yun Jin were truly a friend of the boss, wouldn't she have visited the shop over the past two months? 

This was so perplexing… 

Feeling Shenhe's arm tighten around his, Xia Zhi sighed internally. 

This was all his cousin's fault! 

Later tonight, during the massage session, he'd make sure she learned what "cousinly authority" truly meant! 

Judging by Yun Jin's earlier reaction, she had clearly recognized him. 

Once her performance ended, she might even approach him. 

Should he acknowledge her? Or pretend not to know her? 

No, wait—why was he even agonizing over this? 

After all, his relationship with Yun Jin was entirely innocent. At most, they could be considered teacher and student. What was there to fear? 

With that thought, Xia Zhi finally felt at ease.

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