Chapter 19: The Final Rehearsals
The old props and costumes from the school were damaged, but Xia Yangyang had provided new, meticulously crafted replacements. The costumes, in particular, seemed tailor-made for the characters, a significant improvement over their previous ones.
Xia Yangyang smiled. "I borrowed these from a friend, so please be careful. I need to return them."
Wen Xiaochu said, "I'll stay overnight to guard everything. I'm afraid of more sabotage."
"Okay, I'll keep watch with you," Xia Yangyang replied.
Li Jiashu suggested, "Let's take turns watching and rehearse. We perform tomorrow; regardless of the outcome, we'll give it our all." Everyone agreed, and Xia Yangyang felt relieved.
Initially, the play was a bet with Kim Fei'er, a way to release frustration. But after a month and a half of rehearsals, Xia Yangyang had grown to enjoy the teamwork, camaraderie, and shared goal. However, they knew they were still less popular than Kim Fei'er, who was leveraging Gu Zhaohan's reputation for extensive campus promotion. Their rehearsals drew large crowds to the western hall, and tomorrow's performance was anticipated to be even larger. Win or lose, Xia Yangyang felt she had done her best.
Meanwhile, at the western hall, Kim Fei'er's team was also rehearsing. Xiaolin, from the drama department, whispered to Kim Fei'er, causing her face to change instantly. She muttered, "Xia Yangyang slipped through our net."
Xiaolin asked, "Should we continue tonight?"
Kim Fei'er scoffed. "Are you stupid? They won't fall for the same trick twice. Leave it be. Even with better props, they can't beat me tomorrow." She then asked, "Did you distribute all the flyers?"
"Yes," Xiaolin replied. "The bulletin boards are full. Everyone knows those attending the performance at the western hall will receive a souvenir. They'll all be there."
A satisfied smirk spread across Kim Fei'er's face. Xiaolin was puzzled. "Feifei, we're practically guaranteed victory. With Prince and you, why spend so much on souvenirs?"
Kim Fei'er sneered. "I don't just want to win; I want a complete victory. I want the eastern hall empty, rendering Xia Yangyang's efforts meaningless. I want her humiliated. Tomorrow, we'll station people near the eastern hall. If anyone tries to go in, we'll lure them away with souvenirs."
A chilling grin appeared on Kim Fei'er's face. "Xia Yangyang, this time, you'll be miserably defeated. I want Prince to see your disgrace and incompetence and to completely give up on you. The thought of publicly humiliating her, of her losing all dignityit thrills me! I'll show no mercy!"