Chapter 45

At seven o'clock in the evening, the district cultural center was bustling with people. As the host delivered a sweet and engaging opening speech, the Guanglin Middle School Cultural Festival evening party officially began.

The curtain lifted, and the first to take the stage was a group of beauties from the dance club. This time, they were fully made up and wearing matching water-sleeve costumes, which transformed a previously unremarkable dance into a spectacular performance, drawing thunderous applause from the audience.

Next came a medley of songs performed by the teachers of the first-year high school class. The audience below paid little attention to the teachers' off-key singing; most parents were more concerned about whether their child's teacher was on stage. Each teacher's appearance was met with cheers from their students, making the atmosphere quite lively.

Wang Bai's parents sat in a relatively rear position, with another parent beside them. After a brief conversation, they learned that this was Jin Xiaoli's father. After a few polite exchanges, Wang Bai's parents continued to watch the performance attentively, which was somewhat different from what Jin's father had expected.

Since the other party knew his identity, they should naturally be aware of the role he played in the matter with Cha Si. Even if they didn't express overwhelming gratitude, they should at least be more enthusiastic, right? But from the looks of it, Wang Bai's parents seemed unaware of that matter. Could it be that Wang Bai handled everything himself?

Jin's father suppressed his doubts and patiently watched the performance. As a producer at the city television station, he had participated in countless large-scale events. He came to support his daughter and to take a look at Wang Bai. The quality of this performance was like a children's play to him, not worth his interest.

After a series of songs and dances, a small climax arrived. The female teachers of the second-year high school class formed a model team and performed a runway show, set to the Backstreet Boys' classic "I Want It That Way." The dynamic music and the mature, beautiful teachers instantly drew screams from the audience.

Especially when Wang Bai's homeroom teacher, Xu Wushuang, took the stage in a simple gray low-neck T-shirt and jeans, her chest moving up and down as she walked, the male audience members were wide-eyed. With a turn, she swayed her round, firm buttocks and gracefully exited the stage, exuding a powerful presence.

Wang's father recognized the teacher: "This is Wang Bai's homeroom teacher, Teacher Xu. I've seen her at parent-teacher meetings." "Can you see her from so far away?" Wang's mother's tone seemed a bit dissatisfied.

The evening party then entered its second half, with a series of crosstalk and skits, drawing continuous laughter and making the atmosphere even more lively. Next was a piano solo performed by the school's music club.

Wang's father looked at the program list he had received before the show and said to his wife, "It's our son's turn next." He then nudged the drowsy Jin's father, "Old Jin, it's the kids' turn, quick, watch."

Jin's father immediately became more alert. After the piano solo ended, the audience, informed by the host, became excited about the upcoming martial arts performance.

The lights in the hall dimmed, and two beams of light shone on the left and right sides of the stage. Two girls in plain cheongsams smiled and walked gracefully, bowing slightly before taking their seats behind the instruments.

As the lively instrumental music began, the lights gradually brightened. Finally, at the climax, Wang Bai, dressed in a blue Tang suit, appeared on stage. He performed a side flip followed by a front flip and landed, then executed a White Crane Spreads Its Wings move with perfect fluidity.

Cheers erupted around the hall, accompanied by enthusiastic applause. The intense and dramatic "Ten-Faced Ambush" played by the two beauties on stage, and Wang Bai's martial arts performance began.

Each perfect set of movements was met with thunderous applause. Wang's father, standing in the back, was so excited that his hands turned red from clapping, and Jin's father's eyes sparkled.

Especially during the changes in the melody, Wang Bai's portrayal of a battle scene, enhanced by his improved dance skills, made the movements more natural, giving the audience a sense of being right there, their blood boiling.

When he ended with a dramatic sword-drawing and self-sacrifice move, many in the audience let out long "ahs," clearly moved.

The instrumental music stopped, and the hall erupted in applause. Almost everyone stood up to clap, and countless flashbulbs went off. Earlier, they had refrained from taking photos, both because they were mesmerized and to avoid disrupting the performance.

Wang Bai and the two girls walked to the front of the stage, holding hands and smiling, bowing to the audience, making the applause even more enthusiastic. This performance was undoubtedly the most outstanding and spectacular of the evening, worthy of its closing act.

After watching the performance, Jin's father, moved, said, "Old Wang, I think your son could be an entertainer. He has the charisma to be the center of attention under the spotlight."

"Old Jin, you're joking," Wang's father laughed. "I know my own son. He's not a big star like Andy Lau. An entertainer? Acting? No one would watch him."

Jin's father chuckled and shook his head. He thought it was a bit early for a high school student to consider such a career. He would mention it again if there was an opportunity.

With this performance setting the tone, the teachers, students, and parents watched the final large chorus performance with great enthusiasm. Even after the host announced the end of the evening party, people were still discussing Wang Bai's martial arts performance, praising it highly.

Wang Bai and the two girls, still in their performance costumes, came out from backstage to meet their families. Seeing Jin Xiaoli's father standing with Wang Bai's parents, Liu Yan was taken aback for a moment, then she was called away by Director Liu, her mood suddenly low, all the joy from her performance gone.

The group gathered, and after Jin Xiaoli introduced them, Wang Bai stepped forward, warmly shaking Jin's father's hand. "Uncle, thank you! Thank you!"

Wang Bai's parents thought he was thanking them for coming to the performance and didn't suspect anything else, just feeling he was making a big deal out of it. Wang's father looked at the graceful Jin Xiaoli and smiled, as if he understood.

He gestured to his son, "Hey, where did you learn these moves? I didn't know you had a teacher."

"Just practicing in my free time," Wang Bai said sheepishly. He couldn't tell the truth, so he fibbed, "Just for show, not really that impressive."

Jin's father chuckled and teased, "Looks like you have a natural talent for martial arts. You can create a well-structured set of moves on your own. In the past, anyone who could create their own martial arts style was considered a master."

"Uncle, you flatter me," Wang Bai hurriedly waved his hands. "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it." If he had exchanged the technique and learned the complete set of moves, and then spread it far and wide, he could be called a master.

Jin's father laughed heartily, looking pleased. He called out and then left with his daughter.

Wang's mother then took out a tissue to wipe the sweat from her son's forehead. "Tired? Go home and take a shower. You're all sweaty. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Just as they were about to leave, Wang's mother noticed a familiar middle-aged man riding a motorcycle out of the parking lot. She pointed to the pretty girl on the back and asked, "Son, who is that classmate? Do you know her?"

Wang Bai turned and saw a familiar face. "That's Lu Lu from my class." Then he thought, "Wait, is Mom going to start interrogating me?" He looked at his father, who seemed calm and unaffected by the name. Just as he was admiring his father's acting skills, he heard his mother mutter, "So she's Lu Lu. No wonder the man looked familiar, he resembles my cousin-in-law."

Wang's father asked, "Who are you talking about?" Wang's mother said, "From Jinqiao Majiacun, just drove past. My aunt's cousin-in-law's family. I mentioned it to you at home, didn't I?"

"Oh!" Wang's father nodded. "Wang Bai's sister, the one named Lu Lu, is the one being raised by them, right?"

Wang's mother nodded, and Wang Bai was thoroughly confused. What was going on? Who was Lu Lu's real parent? Who made the mistake here? Why does it sound like they're talking about someone else's business?

"Mom, I haven't even asked you yet. Why do you say Lu Lu is my sister? You've confused me."

Wang's mother countered, "Isn't Cha Si your brother?" After Cha Si became famous, even family members rarely called him by his full name.

"Yes," Wang Bai thought, in terms of seniority, he's my cousin, though a distant one, calling him brother is quite normal.

"Then it's right. He's your brother, so she's your sister!"

What does this have to do with me? Wang Bai was even more confused. It was his father, seeing his son's puzzled expression, who finally explained, "Your classmate is Cha Si's real sister, so you should call her sister. Got it?"

Wang Bai suddenly understood. It turned out she was someone else's child, a distant cousin, not a real sister. Good thing he didn't impulsively recognize her, or he would have been seen as crazy!

"So, she's the child who was taken away when she was little?"

Seeing that he understood, Wang's mother nodded. "Yes, Cha Si asked you to take care of her while he's in prison. Since you're classmates, it's convenient. I agreed on your behalf. She's your sister, and her background is pitiful, so you should take good care of her. If you bully her, I won't forgive you!"

This was a typical adult way of speaking. They had already clarified that she was a distant cousin, but still called her sister, which could easily cause misunderstandings. Wang Bai didn't bother to argue with his mother. "Got it, I'll treat her like a real sister. Are you satisfied?"

Thinking about having to approach her with enthusiasm, he couldn't help but feel a headache. "By the way, does Lu Lu know about Cha Si? He doesn't seem to care much about her."

Wang's mother said, "I'm not sure. Cha Si said he doesn't have much contact with his sister. If she knows, it must be because the Ma family told her."

"She should know," Wang's father added. "The Ma family didn't even change her name, so they must have a clear distinction. They didn't raise her as their own daughter, just as a niece, and might even send her back to the Lu family when she grows up. But with a relative like us, the Ma family probably wouldn't explain it to her."