Gala

Tan Chunying was naturally able to perform smoothly. She had recovered quite well, at least not needing to apply for a replacement program. And on the day of the gala, Tan Xiao specially asked the teacher for leave.

"Asking for leave? Going back for the Mid-Autumn Festival?" Ji Huiming said. For the senior year students at Nanchu No. 1 Middle School, they only had one evening off for the Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing students to go back for a reunion, which was basically equivalent to no holiday at all.

"No, I need to accompany my mom for rehearsal. I originally didn't need to go to that Mid-Autumn Gala, but my mom injured her hand not long ago. Although it healed after stitches, the live broadcast program team was worried about accidents and asked me to be a backup performer." Tan Xiao lowered her head, possibly a little embarrassed. It was not easy to ask for leave in the senior year.

"Well, although this is your family matter, you still need to pay attention in your senior year and try to stop these activities for now. This one time is fine, after all your mother is injured, and this is also a matter of bringing glory to our Nanchu." Ji Huiming only mentioned it briefly, feeling that Tan Xiao still had a sense of propriety.

"Oh, wait, this is the mooncake originally to be distributed to the class. Since you are taking leave, take one first." Ji Huiming took a mooncake and gave it to Tan Xiao, "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Thank you teacher, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival." Tan Xiao took the mooncake and just went out. Kong Xuan came in, and the two exchanged a glance as they brushed past each other.

"Teacher, I'm asking for leave." Kong Xuan said.

"You're also asking for leave?" Ji Huiming sized up Kong Xuan, "How come it's the same as Tan Xiao, did you two make an appointment?" He made a joke, "Don't tell me you want to go watch Tan Xiao dance, if I see you in the live broadcast, you're done."

"No, I'm not feeling well." Kong Xuan held his forehead, "I have a high fever."

This was what Tan Xiao taught him.

He originally wanted to come in and spit some blood. Tan Xiao said if you do that, you will be treated to Teacher Ji accompanying you to the emergency room and staying with you until the fever subsides.

"I see your complexion looks quite good." Ji Huiming had a thermometer and some daily medicines here. He took Kong Xuan's temperature on the spot without touching him, just looking at the reading that came out. He couldn't help but gasp, "39.8 degrees?! My god, are you okay?"

Ji Huiming wanted to feel Kong Xuan's forehead, but Kong Xuan staggered and dodged Ji Huiming's hand.

Ji Huiming wanted to support him, but he staggered in another direction and leaned against the wall.

"..." There was a strange feeling that couldn't be described.

"Are you alright?" Ji Huiming simply went out and stopped Tan Xiao who hadn't gone far, "Tan Xiao, come help support Kong Xuan downstairs together. I'll go start the car now. We need to send Kong Xuan to the hospital. Goodness, a fever of nearly 40 degrees."

"No need teacher, I'll take him. It just so happens my mom is taking me to Qiyun Ridge, it's on the way." Tan Xiao stopped the teacher. How could he let Ji Huiming send him.

"Then... alright, send me a message when you arrive." After some thought, Ji Huiming sighed, "Is it because he studied too hard and didn't pay attention to his health? He's so sturdy yet got a high fever. Nearly 40 degrees is too exaggerated. Let him rest more usually." It was a major holiday, and Kong Xuan had no parents at home. It was too miserable. Because Kong Xuan lived at Tan Xiao's home, he was at ease letting Tan Xiao send him.

Hearing Ji Huiming's muttering, Tan Xiao also cooperated in surprise, "Nearly 40 degrees? I only heard him say he was unwell, didn't expect it to be so serious."

"Yeah, you touch him." Ji Huiming said.

Tan Xiao pretended to touch Kong Xuan's hand. What high temperature, Kong Xuan's body was icy cold.

"Can't feel it like this." Kong Xuan leaned over and pressed his forehead against Tan Xiao's.

Tan Xiao: "..."

Their foreheads suddenly pressed together, their noses almost touching.

Caught off guard, Tan Xiao didn't expect Kong Xuan to act like this. Where did he learn this from? He suddenly felt a little flushed.

Ji Huiming: "??" How strange, who exactly has the fever.

"Kong Xuan, did you lower your own temperature? I see Tan Xiao's face is even redder than yours. Tan Xiao, is his face hot?" Ji Huiming asked curiously.

Tan Xiao was momentarily unable to answer, stunned on the spot. He even heard junior schoolmates passing by whistling, making him feel guilty.

Ji Huiming turned his head in exasperation, "Who's still whistling, your senior has a high fever!"

Tan Xiao turned Kong Xuan's head, "... Of course 40 degrees is burning hot! Teacher, I'm taking him to the hospital!"

......

It was mid-autumn, before the arrival of cooler weather, with fine sunny conditions. At the foot of Qiyun Ridge, beside mountains and water, a special X-shaped stage had long been set up as a sub-venue for the China Mid-Autumn Gala, and a huge suspended screen had also been installed.

After the gala ended, this place would not be dismantled, but would become part of Nanchu's tourism industry, used to receive domestic and foreign tourists to enjoy folk art performances.

For the live broadcast in the evening, the place was full of staff in every nook and cranny.

Tan Xiao had nothing to do. Wearing a shaman robe and a peacock mask on his head, no one would pay attention to how strange his outfit was among the coming and going of people. There were many people in various costumes today. He just quietly watched people stick name tags on the backs of the audience seats.

For such a rare grand event, the scene naturally gathered people from all walks of life, including city leaders, local enterprises that sponsored the stage, as well as local literary and art talents.

In addition, tickets for the scene were not sold to the public, only given to local villagers, and also to Nanchu citizens through donations, lucky draws and other forms. However, it was not yet time for them to enter.

After watching for a while, Tan Xiao went backstage.

"Tan Xiao ah."

"Little Tan."

Many people greeted Tan Xiao. Over the years, Nanchu's literary and art activities mostly had familiar faces.

Although Tan Xiao couldn't recognize them, he politely nodded in response.

"Oh, Tan Xiao you're still reading a book while coming to perform? What grade are you in this year?"

"Senior year." Tan Xiao did indeed have a book in his hand, casually stuffing it back into his backpack and smiling in response.

"Then you need to hurry."

Tan Xiao had already walked to Tan Chunying's side. She was still making final communications with the on-site director. Beside her was also today's host, who was wearing a mask and confirming the introduction with Tan Chunying to avoid misreading or mispronouncing some professional terms due to incorrect punctuation.

Tan Xiao raised his chin at the host as a greeting, and said to Tan Chunying, "The meal boxes are here."

"Then let's eat first." Tan Chunying stopped and went to get the meal first.

The taste of this meal box was really not very good. Moreover, both Tan Chunying and Tan Xiao were picky eaters.

But for the evening's activities, they had to stuff some in. If not, they would have to eat the mooncakes later. Tan Xiao opened a live broadcast to watch while eating. It was a live broadcast from the Jiuyi Mountain Scenic Area, which was also quite lively and had started much earlier. They were already in the singing and dancing segment.

"They held a ritual ceremony in the afternoon, right?" Tan Chunying glanced at it and said.

This was not the first time they held this ritual activity, and this year they combined it with the Mid-Autumn Festival activities to make it a big deal. In the end, it's still those same procedures. And essentially, they were doing it to attract tourists, so they also put a lot of effort into the performances. Tan Chunying was still interested in watching a bit more.

"Yeah." Tan Xiao watched the program while picking at his food mouthful by mouthful, finishing it in misery, and then went to get some water to drink.

At this time, the audience was also entering the venue one after another. Tan Xiao was stopped by someone outside for the nth time.

"Tan Xiao?"

Tan Xiao saw that the person approaching was a middle-aged man, dressed in a suit and leather shoes. He was definitely not an actor, and he didn't have a work badge either. But Tan Xiao wasn't sure who he was, so he responded first, "Oh, hello."

"How did you get here even faster than me?" The other party laughed, "Aren't high school seniors only off from evening self-study?"

Tan Xiao quickly judged that the other party should also be from the school. Judging by his age, well, it's most likely. Tan Xiao replied, "I took the afternoon off to help my mom. She was injured... Vice Principal Bai." He had seen the principal's name card on the seat, so he boldly assumed this was their principal.

Sure enough, the other party nodded, "Is that so, I was wondering."

"Have you found your seat? Do you want me to take you there?" Tan Xiao did remember where he should be sitting.

"Sure." Vice Principal Bai could have chosen to have a staff member show him to his seat, but wouldn't it be even better to have his own student? When they got to the seat, he chatted with Tan Xiao for a few more sentences, asking about his family's performance.

Just as Tan Xiao was about to leave, Vice Principal Bai looked around and said with a smile, "Look, your senior is here too." He waved in a direction.

Tan Xiao also couldn't recognize faces, so he maintained a smile and waited for the person to walk up close.

"Zhanxue, I happened to mention you today, wanting to ask on behalf of a friend how your new book is coming along." Vice Principal Bai said warmly. This was Ruan Zhanxue, an outstanding graduate of No. 1 Middle School and an emerging writer.

In fact, when Vice Principal Bai took office at No. 1 Middle School, Ruan Zhanxue had already graduated, but that didn't stop him from having a good impression of talented people.

Ruan Zhanxue's seat was right next to Vice Principal Bai's. As a relatively well-known figure in Nanchu's literary and art circles in recent years, he was also invited to watch the show live this time.

"Still holding it in." Hearing Vice Principal Bai's question, Ruan Zhanxue gave a wry smile and also greeted Tan Xiao, "Tan Xiao, long time no see."

"Senior, long time no see." Tan Xiao also politely called out. The last time they met was at the school anniversary.

"Another performance today?" Ruan Zhanxue had a good temper, and Tan Xiao had given him feng shui advice before, so his tone was quite close.

"Today I'm just a backup performer, I may not go on stage." Tan Xiao said honestly, "Although I took time off to come, I hope I don't have to go on. I can slack off a bit."

Vice Principal Bai and Ruan Zhanxue both laughed. It's not easy being a high school senior.

"Senior, I've been reading your book recently. When you have time, give me an autograph. We have the copy you sent in our book corner, but I went and bought a new one." Tan Xiao really took out a copy of "Five Flavors and Seven Emotions" from his bag, and there were indeed signs of reading.

"Hey, thanks for the support." Ruan Zhanxue signed "To Tan Xiao" on the title page for him, and also wrote a message wishing him success in the college entrance exam.

"Thank you, senior." Tan Xiao glanced at the backstage and waved, "Then I'll go wait backstage first."

Ruan Zhanxue and Vice Principal Bai sat down together, the two of them in adjacent positions.

"Teacher Lin has been much better lately." Vice Principal Bai started chatting about school matters, "Now he's clamoring to come back and teach. We didn't dare let him, after all, his blood pressure soared so high before that he was hospitalized."

"Really?" Ruan Zhanxue always had a smiling face, "Teacher Lin still doesn't admit he's old. Last time my classmates and I went to see him, he still wanted to teach us."

"Indeed, after all, he's taught for a lifetime. When he taught you, he was already quite old, right? To be honest, such an elderly person is our treasure." Vice Principal Bai sighed, and seeing that the screen was already being adjusted, his attention was instantly diverted.

"Our screen is really big, and I heard from my friends in the publicity department that tonight they will also use VR technology and real-time rendering. The level of realism of the special effects can be described in one word—" Vice Principal Bai paused for a moment and said, "Expensive!"

As we all know, special effects are piled up with money.

Ruan Zhanxue was amused, "After all, it's not a one-time stage."

"Yeah, when tourists come down from playing in the folk village above, they can watch the performances in front of the stage by the Nanxi River in the evening. We are also keeping up with the pace of those major tourist cities. I heard that many programs have been arranged, including large-scale light shows and situational plays."

Vice Principal Bai spoke eloquently, but suddenly became pensive, "But I remember that before, it wasn't said that the stage would be made into this cross shape."

"Really? Maybe this way the viewing experience is better." Ruan Zhanxue took a look. This X-shaped stage divided the audience below into several areas. People accustomed to traditional stages might feel a bit awkward on-site, but the experience was definitely not bad. He lowered his head thoughtfully, and there was also a green carpet under his feet, blending with the surrounding green mountains.

It looked good, Ruan Zhanxue chuckled.

"That's true." Vice Principal Bai nodded, "This shape is good-looking and has a sense of design, and it was built quickly too. Last time I came fishing, the stage was only in its initial form. This is the speed of China."

At this time, the sub-venue hosts had already taken the stage, a male and a female host. The male one was wearing a mask until the moment before going on stage. When he took it off, he looked quite gentle and his stage presence was not bad. It's just that he looked unfamiliar, unlike the few old faces who usually host activities in Nanchu.

The two greeted everyone, "Hello everyone, I am tonight's host, Jiao Yang."

"I am Jin Yuan."

Vice Principal Bai was curious in his heart. For such an important occasion, they actually used newcomers? Could they be related to someone?

The live broadcast of the main venue of the evening gala also began. The hosts of the main stage were introducing the sub-venues that would appear this time, "...The moon rises from the sea, and the ends of the earth share this moment. Tonight, we will also present to you the charming local customs of each sub-venue. We will see the romance and affection of Nanchu—"

The camera switched to the Nanchu sub-venue, scanning over the two smiling and waving hosts on the stage, as well as the cheering audience on-site, who were shaking the applause props and glow sticks distributed to them. The crowd swayed their props in unison, with Vice Principal Bai and Ruan Zhanxue following along.

As soon as the camera left their sight, Ruan Zhanxue bent over, stood up, and apologetically said, "I need to go to the restroom."

Vice Principal Bai didn't mind. The main stage program was being broadcast now, and he was busy holding up his phone to record a video. "It's just the beginning. Come back quickly!"

Ruan Zhanxue lowered his body into the aisle and swiftly moved towards the back, away from the stage area, quickly walking towards the exit.

A figure in black and red appeared before him. Tan Xiao stepped in front of him. "Senior."

Ruan Zhanxue paused and glanced at him.

The boy was still wearing his shaman robe, having left the backstage at some point. He was holding a slingshot in his hand and abruptly asked, "Uh, you are my senior, right?"

Ruan Zhanxue: "..." What, you're not sure?

"Sorry, I'm a bit face-blind." Seeing Ruan Zhanxue's speechless expression, Tan Xiao knew he hadn't mistaken the person. It's just that there were too many people wearing suits at the event today, and men's suits all had similar styles and colors.

Tan Xiao smiled shyly and stepped forward to hand Ruan Zhanxue a Nuo mask phone case produced by his family. "How about I give you this? If you use it, I'll easily recognize you."

"..." Ruan Zhanxue looked at the sky, amused. "No, what do you really mean?"

Tan Xiao softly said, "I'm just curious and wanted to ask, senior, why are you in such a hurry to leave? The program is about to start."