Chapter 457: Her Stunning Appearance, His Surprise (3)

Shen Nian went backstage and found a random seat to sit down. She didn’t know anyone from the entertainment department anyway, so there was no need to exchange pleasantries.

Though many people around her occasionally shot all sorts of glances her way, Shen Nian remained unfazed.

"You’re Shen Nian, right? Your performance is scheduled for second-to-last. Make sure you’re ready ahead of time, and don’t forget."

An employee from the entertainment department, holding a stack of papers, walked up to Shen Nian and spoke. After she finished, she looked down at the program in her hand, feeling a bit of sympathy for the family member in front of her.

’This schedule must be intentional! They actually sandwiched this family member’s performance right between the entertainment department’s two strongest acts. And to top it off, the one right after her is Meng Sijia’s grand finale.’

’What kind of talent could an ordinary employee’s family member possibly have? Juxtaposed with Meng Sijia’s performance, the comparison will be so brutal there won’t be anything left of her!’

"Okay, I understand. Thank you."

Shen Nian nodded, taking note. She couldn’t care less about her performance slot. ’But, judging by the look on this person’s face, there’s probably more to this schedule than meets the eye!’

’Trying to outshine me? Heh, they should be more worried about me outshining them!’

Shen Nian wasn’t in any hurry to change and continued to rest backstage. While she was calm, someone else was starting to get anxious.

"Si Jia, why isn’t she getting ready yet? The gala is about to start! Will we still have a chance to do it?"

"What’s the rush? There’s still plenty of time."

Although Meng Sijia said that, she couldn’t help but feel a little anxious herself as she watched Shen Nian.

"Go make the arrangements. Have everyone gather for a sign-in."

"Sign-in?"

The person beside Meng Sijia looked at her in confusion. ’There’s usually no sign-in for performances, is there?’ But when she saw Meng Sijia’s gaze fixed on Shen Nian, she instantly understood.

’This sign-in must have been set up specifically for one person!’

The person moved quickly. Soon enough, someone at the front began organizing everyone to gather and sign in. Shen Nian, who had been under Meng Sijia’s watch the whole time, also got up and went, leaving the bundle she’d kept by her side.

’Sign-in?’ Upon hearing the word, the corners of Shen Nian’s mouth curled up.

’Finally, they’re making a move!’

’It wasn’t that Shen Nian was afraid of Meng Sijia making a move—she was afraid she *wouldn’t*! What’s the best way to crush someone? Let them reach the peak of their confidence, and then send them crashing down.’

’As for the bundle with her costume and props, of course, Shen Nian had left it there on purpose. Otherwise, how would they get a chance to do anything?’

After signing her name, Shen Nian didn’t hurry back to her seat. She even walked around for a bit, taking her time before finally returning.

’If she was going to give them an opportunity to act, she had to give them enough time to do it, right?’

’An opportunity is useless without enough time, after all!’

Back in her seat, Shen Nian reached out and touched the bundle. ’Just as I thought. It’s been tampered with.’

She withdrew her hand, her expression unchanging, as if she hadn’t discovered a thing. ’Of course, I know someone’s definitely watching me right now.’

Meng Sijia had been watching Shen Nian nervously ever since she returned, terrified of missing a single, tiny movement.

When she saw Shen Nian’s hand move toward the bundle, Meng Sijia’s heart skipped a beat. She only breathed a sigh of relief when Shen Nian pulled her hand back.