CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123 ASSUMING COMMAND AT A CRITICAL MOMENT

Sheng Tang understood this type of phobia better than others, so she could also understand Jiang Baocu.

"...Am I being unreasonable?" She cried, asking Sheng Tang, "They asked me why I didn’t want to participate, how do I explain?"

"You’re not unreasonable," Sheng Tang said, "This is your psychological shadow, you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry, I haven’t been a good friend, I always thought you were just nervous."

Jiang Baocu hugged her tightly.

"What should I do, Sheng Tang, I still have a performance coming up, I’m afraid I can’t hold on!" Jiang Baocu cried.

Sheng Tang patted her on the back.

If it were the previous arrangement, slipping away would be fine, but now there were leaders present, and all the students and teachers were there. If Jiang Baocu slipped away, it would be a major incident.

Moreover, she was afraid to speak her reasons aloud.

She would face criticism and be labeled as "discriminatory," ensuring future gossip.

"It’s okay, you have me!" Sheng Tang said, "I’ll do it for you!"

Jiang Baocu’s eyes brightened slightly.

"Will that work?" she worried a bit.

"We have to try," Sheng Tang said, "We can’t leave your performance spot empty."

Jiang Baocu dried her tears, smudging all her eye makeup: "You know how to sing that song, right? You heard me sing it many times during rehearsal."

Sheng Tang thought for a moment: "I don’t plan to sing that song."

Jiang Baocu: "..."

"The performance before yours is a piano solo, so the piano will stay on stage. I’ll play and sing myself, without their arrangement," Sheng Tang said.

Jiang Baocu was taken aback, a bit skeptical; then she remembered that not long ago, Sheng Tang had saved Qi Lin by playing guitar and singing with elegance and composure.

Unfortunately, no one but her had seen it.

Sheng Tang always had a special charm on stage, as if a light was cast on her.

Jiang Baocu didn’t understand why.

"Alright then, I’ll go tell them," she held Sheng Tang’s hand, "Come, I’ll do your makeup first."

"I’ll do my own makeup, you go communicate," Sheng Tang said.

The two of them went into the backstage dressing room.

Sheng Tang sat down and started to apply makeup to her face; then, she found a large gown and a pair of comfortable shoes.

By this time, Jiang Baocu had started to argue with the "assistant director" of the performance, Qin Lin.

Qin Lin, a member of the student council, was one of the main planners of this performance. With last-minute changes, the school had let the head teacher take over, making Qin Lin the assistant.

However, he was still handling the specifics.

"Are you kidding me?" His anger was almost explosive, "From the start, you’ve been causing trouble, and now you want to change performers last minute?"

"She can do it, she’s Sheng Tang," Jiang Baocu pleaded, "I ate something bad, just threw up; my throat is completely ruined. Wouldn’t it look worse if I had an accident on stage?"

This reason was excellent.

Qin Lin’s expression changed several times, reluctantly holding back his anger towards Jiang Baocu.

He was almost losing his mind.

"Which one is Sheng Tang?" He suppressed his fury.

Jiang Baocu pulled Sheng Tang over.

The school’s gowns were all rented, and Sheng Tang had chosen a black one. The gown had very long fringes, decorated with sequins. As Sheng Tang walked over, despite her plump figure, her steps seemed to dance to music, making the fringe sway elegantly.

Qin Lin’s expression showed a bit of astonishment.

He was just a senior high student, with limited worldly experiences. He hadn’t seen many girls with such manners, and was puzzled: "How could a plump girl emit such indescribable allure?"

Sheng Tang’s stage presence was always outstanding, even Jiang Baocu noticed.