Mud beads

After the charity gala began, Yu Zhu did not return backstage.

She stood at the edge of the stage, clutching the program folder in her hand. The lights didn't reach her there, only illuminating half her face and a section of her white sleeve. As soon as the children came on stage, their eyes couldn't help but look in her direction. Yu Zhu followed them along the edge of the stage, constantly making small hand gestures.

Mili, carrying her dog plush toy, walked to the center of the stage, her skirt catching on a corner. Yu Zhu immediately bent her knees and gently lifted it with her fingers. Mili looked down and saw this, quickly lifted her skirt, and continued walking forward.

The boy playing the Tin Man was a little nervous going on stage. Yu Zhu stood below the stage, silently mimicking the Tin Man's expressions and movements.

At the main table, Toru Echizen, who had been listening to the person next to him, had his gaze drift over there at some point.

On stage, the children wore exaggerated and brightly colored costumes, their rhythm loose but their voices clear and crisp. Offstage, a young teacher stood in the shadows, her expression vivid and focused. She seemed completely at ease, moving in sync with the children on stage, her sleeves rolled up to reveal her slender wrists.

Echizen Toru watched for a while, then chuckled softly.

Cheng Fu stood by the side door, also looking at Yu Zhu.

When they got to the part where they were asking for directions, Mili forgot a line. She paused for two seconds, clutching her dog plushie, and turned to look at the boy playing the tree. The boy immediately lowered his voice and said, "You asked me for directions?"

The guests in the audience laughed.

Mili realized what was happening and, lifting her skirt, asked, "Excuse me, which way should I go to Emerald City?"

The boy, holding the tree sign, slowly raised his hand and pointed in the wrong direction.

This part ironically garnered the best response from the audience. As the applause erupted, several children ran off the stage, their faces flushed red. Mili threw herself into Yu Zhu's arms, her forehead covered in sweat, her lipstick smeared on Yu Zhu's suit jacket shoulder.

Yu Zhu patted her on the back: "You acted wonderfully!"

Mili nodded, then immediately leaned close to her ear and said, "Teacher Xiaoyu, there's an uncle watching you."

Yu Zhu raised her head.

Mr. Jiang stood at a round table not far away, holding a wine glass, talking to two men. He was wearing a dark blue suit today, and there was a faint smell of cologne and cigarette smoke on his collar, which could be smelled from several steps away. When he saw her looking over, he raised his glass and smiled.

Yu Zhu immediately turned around.

After the opening performance, the charity auction began, and the children were taken to the lounge for snacks. Yu Zhu, now free, went backstage to find her bag, intending to message Liang Dong. The corridor was much less crowded, save for waiters pushing food carts back and forth, their silver lids reflecting the lights, creating a dazzling display.

Cheng Fu called out to her from around the corner.

"Yu Zhu".

Yu Zhu stopped: "Teacher Cheng."

Cheng Fu held up two glasses of red wine and handed one of them to her: "Congratulations on your successful performance."

Yu Zhu hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took it, smiling, "Thank you."

Cheng Fu swirled his glass, his smile gentle: "Cheers."

The glasses clinked together, and red wine spilled from the rim, splashing diagonally across Yu Zhu's chest and running down her off-white suit.

Cheng Fu let out a soft "Ah!" and seemed a little flustered: "Sorry, sorry, I used too much force—"

Yu Zhu looked down at her clothes. The red wine had spilled halfway down, and the color quickly spread, leaving a deep red stain.

Cheng Fu reached for his dress, looked up, and smiled apologetically, "Sorry, I don't have any tissues on me. Why don't you put your dress in the dressing room first? There's my coat there; you can wear that for now."

Yu Zhu thought for a moment, initially wanting to say that she would just wear the inner dress, but then she remembered that the inner dress was a backless style, and hesitated for a moment.

Old Xiao's voice came from the end of the corridor, seemingly calling Cheng Fu. Cheng Fu turned around and responded, then looked at Yu Zhu and reached out to pat her arm.

"I'm so sorry." Cheng Fu said as he walked towards Lao Xiao, turning back to tell him, "The pink Chanel jacket on the right-hand rack inside is mine. Just take it if you need it, don't be shy."

Yu Zhu looked down at her clothes and nodded.

The dressing room was located in a private room at the back of the banquet hall, originally a bridal lounge for wedding receptions. It was in a secluded spot; the corridor lights weren't fully on, and the room door was ajar, revealing the cold, white light from the makeup mirrors.

Yu Zhu stood at the door and knocked first. When no one answered, she pushed the door open and went inside.

Cosmetics were scattered on the dressing table, and plastic bags containing performance costumes were placed on the chairs. The space behind was large, separated by screens, and a pink knitted blazer was indeed hanging on a clothes rack nearby.

Yu Zhu closed the door and took off her wet coat, draping it over the back of the chair. The smell of alcohol emanated from the fabric, slightly sour. She took Cheng Fu's coat, but didn't rush to put it on; instead, she looked at herself in the vanity mirror for a while.

Zhou Qiyu has a very discerning eye.

The black dress is devoid of any superfluous embellishments, and the velvet fabric clings tightly to the curves. Although the back is slit up to the waist, the dress avoids appearing gaudy due to the restrained front cut; instead, the exposed back adds a touch of dynamism.

Yu Zhu wanted to check again to see if there were any wine stains seeping into her front, but suddenly there was a slight noise from behind the screen.

She turned around abruptly.

Mr. Jiang emerged from behind the screen, holding a half-full glass of wine in his hand.

"So beautiful." He smiled, walking slowly. "It's the first time I've seen Teacher Yu wear a skirt."

Yu Zhu immediately turned and walked towards the door.

Mr. Jiang stepped forward, blocking the doorway: "Ms. Yu, I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to talk about what happened in the break room last time. Do you have some misunderstanding about me?"

"I have no misunderstanding." Yu Zhu hugged her coat to her chest. "Please leave."

"I think you've misunderstood." Mr. Jiang's smile deepened, and he raised his hands without taking another step forward. "Professor Cheng and I are just good friends, we occasionally make little jokes—you know, I have a family."

When Yu Zhu saw that he didn't take any more steps, she relaxed her shoulders a little, but she remained vigilant.

"I misunderstood, I'm sorry." She hugged her clothes, walked past him, and opened the door. "Goodbye."

"Wait a moment."

Mr. Jiang followed Yu Zhu out the door, reached out and briefly pulled her wrist before quickly letting go: "Making friends isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Yu Zhu felt a chill run down her spine as he grabbed her, as if she were being coiled by a snake.

She stepped back, trying to remain calm: "I am friends with every child. If you have anything to say, you can ask your child to pass it on."

Mr. Jiang was a little surprised by her answer, but quickly smiled and said, "Teacher Yu is really interesting."

Not far away, at the corner at the end of the corridor, stood Cheng Fu and Yue Jian Che.

Their conversation ended the moment Yu Zhu came out. Yue Jianche's eyes remained fixed on Yu Zhu's retreating figure, and he remained silent.

The conversation between Yu Zhu and Mr. Jiang became blurred due to the distance, with only a few words such as "friend," "Teacher Yu," and "interesting" floating by.

Cheng Fu glanced at Mr. Jiang's smiling face, then looked at Echizen Toru.

"Oh," she chuckled, "it seems we chose the wrong seats."

Koshima Tetsuya did not move.

Cheng Fu took a soft breath, his tone still gentle: "Teacher Yu is indeed very popular; she gets along well with every parent—"

Before she could finish speaking, Echizen Toru had already strode forward. He walked quickly, his suit jacket drawing an arc in the air, carrying a faint, cool fragrance.

The next second, Echizen Toru's fist slammed into Mr. Chiang's nose.

There was no warning whatsoever.