Chapter 322: I’ll Decide for Myself
"I did have something to discuss with you. Our group is having a holiday gala soon, and by tradition, the Recreation Department and the employees’ families prepare the performances together. I came today to ask you about arranging a performance for the gala. It’s a great opportunity. I imagine you won’t refuse, right?"
Fearing Shen Nian would refuse, Meng Sijia had deliberately tacked on that last sentence.
She had to admit, Shen Nian was indeed quite attractive; she didn’t even look like she came from the countryside. But no matter what, her appearance couldn’t change her background. When the time came, her true colors were bound to show.
Performing on stage at the gala wasn’t something you could pull off just by being pretty. She was the star of the Recreation Department, not only exceptionally talented but also rich with stage experience.
As long as she could get Shen Nian to agree to perform, she was absolutely confident she could outshine her so completely that Shen Nian would be utterly humiliated.
"A gala performance?"
Although Shen Nian wasn’t familiar with the way things worked here, she was certain Meng Sijia hadn’t sought her out just for this. The whole business about a gala performance had to be just an excuse.
As for why Meng Sijia would need such an excuse, Shen Nian didn’t find it hard to guess. ’After all, she’s the star of the Recreation Department. Who could possibly outshine her on the stage of the group’s holiday gala?’
"That’s right. You don’t have to worry, Mrs. Lu. It’s just our group’s own gala, nothing too formal. It’s held to show appreciation for our employees, and we’ve always invited family members to perform."
Meng Sijia wasn’t lying. They did indeed invite family members to perform at these events. However, the families rarely accepted the invitation. Even when they did, their acts were ultimately and completely outshone by the performances from the Recreation Department.
Over time, the families in the dependents’ courtyard stopped participating, and galas like this became the exclusive domain of the Recreation Department.
But at that moment, there was no one there to explain any of this to Shen Nian. Still, even without knowing the history, she knew Meng Sijia was up to no good.
’She says it’s just the group’s own gala and not that formal, but if I really make a fool of myself during my performance, I’ll be humiliated in front of the entire group.’
’Most importantly, it wouldn’t just be her own face she’d lose, but Lu Cheng’s as well.’
’But it’s just a performance, isn’t it?’ Shen Nian wasn’t about to let herself be intimidated.
"I’m just a family member. The Recreation Department is full of exceptional talent; I could never compare."
"Oh, that’s alright. It’s the thought that counts with these performances. You can perform whatever you’d like, Mrs. Lu."
Shen Nian scoffed internally. ’Perform whatever I’d like? She’s probably counting on the fact that I can’t perform anything well!’
’Well, if that’s the case, shouldn’t I put on a spectacular performance just for her?’
"Anything at all, really?"
"Of course."
"Alright then."
"Huh?"
Meng Sijia was still trying to figure out how to persuade Shen Nian to agree, never expecting her to give in so easily with just two words.
"Mrs. Lu... you mean you’ve agreed?"
"That’s right. I’ve agreed. But I get to decide what I’m going to perform."
"Good."
Meng Sijia stared at Shen Nian. She had worked so hard to get Shen Nian to agree, so now that she had, why did she suddenly feel a flicker of unease?
"What’s going on?"
After finishing his work report, Lu Cheng remembered his promise to come home and have lunch with Shen Nian, so he hurried back. But as soon as he reached the base of their apartment building, he saw Shen Nian surrounded by a crowd again. He rushed over, moving to stand protectively by her side, and fixed a wary gaze on the person opposite her as he asked the question.