When Spring Burns - Chapter 36

After taking a shower, Sheng Tingmian sat quietly, letting the maid blow-dry her hair.

After hanging up the phone, He Jianxue recalled the scene when she rushed to the studio, her younger sister, eyes tightly shut, clutching Du Jingya’s arm, her fear unmistakably exposed. A normal person would have noticed the glaring lights or sensed someone’s arrival. Yet she remained with her eyes closed, instinctively terrified, until someone reminded her.

As the maid left the bedroom, He Jianxue stepped closer and saw Sheng Tingmian’s bare face, her oval-shaped face pale and devoid of color.

He Jianxue went over and embraced her, gently ruffling her soft hair. “Are you hungry?”

Sheng Tingmian caught the pleasant scent of her sister’s perfume. Her eyes lifted first, meeting her sister’s jawline, then she nodded softly, her gaze tender.

“Let’s eat.” He Jianxue took her slender hand and led her to the dining table.

On the table were some homely dishes and a steaming pot of soup.

He Jianxue encouraged her to eat a bit of everything, hoping she would feel the warmth of home and a tangible sense of security.

Sheng Tingmian quietly sipped the soup, warmth spreading through her stomach, and a faint flush finally returned to her cheeks.

“Sister, weren’t you on a business trip?” Her voice lacked its usual liveliness, carrying instead a calm and gentle tone.

He Jianxue sat across from her. “With something so serious happening to you, how could I not come back?”

Sheng Tingmian gazed at her quietly, sensing the concern radiating from the woman opposite her.

Her sister had rushed back from another city to save her… For a moment, Sheng Tingmian’s eyes stung with tears. She lowered her gaze, not wanting He Jianxue to see, but her nose tingled inexplicably.

“But I missed the competition… I was knocked down before I even got on stage. Do you think I’ve become a joke in your eyes?”

“How could you think that of me?” He Jianxue frowned. Seeing the self-reproach in the young girl’s expression, she swallowed the rest of her words.

“This wasn’t your fault. It was others using dirty tricks. Mianmian, you just need to remember, I, He Jianxue, will never laugh at my sister. To me, she is the best.”

Touched, Sheng Tingmian’s myriad emotions condensed into a single sentence: “Sister… I’m really happy to be your sister.”

He Jianxue’s red lips curved into a smile as she gestured. “Hurry up and eat.”

“Mm.” Sheng Tingmian continued with her meal.

…

That night, He Jianxue noticed the person beside her sleeping restlessly. She opened her eyes and leaned closer, only to find Sheng Tingmian with her eyes tightly shut, her forehead drenched in sweat, hands gripping the blanket tightly.

“Mianmian…” He Jianxue touched her face and found it cold and clammy, clearly, she was trapped in a nightmare.

He Jianxue pulled her into her arms, holding her tightly while stroking her head. Murmuring, “Sister is here,” she patted her back gently. Before long, the person in her arms truly stopped struggling in the nightmare, her breathing gradually steadying.

“Sister…” The young girl in her arms murmured unconsciously, like a child.

He Jianxue smiled knowingly and had just closed her eyes when they snapped open sharply the next moment.

Could Mianmian’s habit of singing opera after drinking be linked to what happened when she was 15?

Because she was powerless to resist back then, did she instinctively rely on powerful figures, even if they were just fictional characters from operas?

The Pink General of Liangzhou, Mu Guiying wielding her floral spear, Hu Sanniang skilled with the Sun-Moon Blades, she had portrayed each of these roles vividly, astonishing the entire audience.

Whether it was true or not, He Jianxue had no way of knowing. All she knew was that her sister had suffered greatly.

The next day, the rain had stopped, and the sky was clear with scattered clouds.

Sheng Tingmian woke up in bed to find the large space beside her empty. A faint sense of loss tugged at her heart.

She reached for her phone, intending to call her aunt, as she hadn’t seen much of her the previous night.

“Auntie…”

As soon as she spoke, Sheng Xiaoyun asked, “Are you feeling better now?”

Sheng Tingmian replied softly, “Much better.”

Sheng Xiaoyun: “No nightmares?”

Sheng Tingmian knew what she was worried about. “No.”

But as soon as she said it, fragmented memories surfaced, her sister had held her last night, hadn’t she? She could still recall the tightness of the embrace and the soothing pats on her back.

Sheng Xiaoyun: “That’s good. Rest well at home today.”

“Okay, I understand, Auntie.”

Sheng Tingmian then remembered the competition. “Auntie, I’m sorry I didn’t win the competition.”

Sheng Xiaoyun sighed. “It’s not your fault. I didn’t protect you all well enough. What’s done is done, we’ll have another chance. Don’t lose heart.”

After her aunt’s comforting words, Sheng Tingmian felt a little better and went out for breakfast.

Unexpectedly, while she and her sister were eating, representatives from Jinyuan Troupe arrived to apologize.

After the butler reported this, Sheng Tingmian looked at He Jianxue in surprise.

But since her sister remained silent, she didn’t dare to ask.

After breakfast, Sheng Tingmian saw He Jianxue return to her study to handle work matters. She seemed very busy, reminding Sheng Tingmian that her sister had originally been on a business trip and must have a lot of work to catch up on.

Sheng Tingmian stayed alone in the living room watching TV when Du Jingya sent her a message.

Du Jingya: Have you heard the news?

Sheng Tingmian: What news?

Du Jingya: That opera program is reopening the selection process. Yan City TV just announced it.

Sheng Tingmian was surprised: Really?

Du Jingya sent her a screenshot with all the details.

Connecting this to the morning’s visit from Jinyuan Troupe, Sheng Tingmian had a feeling her sister must have intervened. The image of her sister returning to the study earlier flashed in her mind, that elegant, noble figure suddenly seemed to glow with a halo.

Sheng Tingmian: Do we still have a chance?

Du Jingya: Definitely! The troupe leader has already re-registered us. Was it your sister’s doing?

Sheng Tingmian: Probably. This morning, Butler Liu mentioned that Jinyuan Troupe wanted to apologize, but my sister didn’t see them.

Du Jingya fell silent for a long moment before suddenly exclaiming: Sheng Tingmian, you better hold onto that connection tight!! A sponsor this good, wealthy, and well-connected, these days, you’d need your ancestors’ graves smoking to find one like that!!

And on top of that, she even acknowledged you as her sister!

Sheng Tingmian was startled by her tone and chuckled softly.

Curious, Sheng Tingmian asked: Did Jinyuan Troupe originally get the spot?

Du Jingya: Yes, they snatched it, so shameless! But the best part is, the TV station revoked their qualification today, citing improper conduct and concerns about potential issues during the program.

She added: Before you mentioned Jinyuan Troupe’s apology, I thought the TV station was just being righteous, enforcing fairness and transparency. But after what you said, I’m certain it was definitely Miss He’s doing.

If the television station only pursued fairness, justice, and transparency in a re-selection process, the members of Jinyuan Troupe wouldn’t have swallowed their pride to come and apologize. At most, they would have lost their performance qualification. Apologizing in person meant they had to humble themselves, lower their dignity, and risk being humiliated or having their actions scrutinized.

Unless someone had leverage over them.

After hearing this analysis, Sheng Tingmian found it quite reasonable. It was very likely that her sister had intervened.

“Mianmian, come with me for a moment.”

Suddenly, He Jianxue’s voice came from behind. Sheng Tingmian looked up, let out a soft “ah,” and agreed.

The car sped along the broad avenue. Sheng Tingmian had no idea where her sister was taking her until she followed her into a high-end jewelry store.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, someone approached to guide them to view some raw stone slices.

After navigating several twists and turns, they arrived at a room that resembled an exhibition hall. In the center stood scattered slices of raw stone, resembling jade, arranged at varying heights.

There were purple, green, bluish-green, yellow, and many other colors.

A woman spoke up, “Chairman He, these are the slices cut from stones that were just opened today. We contacted you as soon as possible.”

She then began explaining technical terms that Sheng Tingmian didn’t quite understand, words like “slice material,” “water clarity,” and “glass type.” However, she did recognize the term “jadeite.” So, were these raw stone slices all jadeite?

She followed her sister to a massive purple raw stone slice with a distinct purple area.

“Lavender jadeite would look beautiful on someone her age.”

“This material is of the highest grade, glass-type clarity with a lavender hue. It complements your sister’s temperament perfectly, refined, elegant, and intelligent.”

Sheng Tingmian saw her sister part her red lips and tap the purple area with her fingertip. “This one. Use the gold bracelet section to make a round bangle, and carve the core into a plain pendant.”

“Of course, Chairman He. We’ll arrange it right away.” The woman invited Sheng Tingmian to have her wrist measured to determine the bracelet size. She then drew two circles on the raw stone slice, and it was immediately taken away for cutting and carving.

Sheng Tingmian didn’t understand why her sister had suddenly decided to buy her a jadeite bracelet.

It wasn’t even her birthday.

About an hour later, the woman approached them carrying a velvet box.

“Chairman He, the glass-type lavender jadeite bracelet and plain pendant you requested are ready.”

He Jianxue took them out. The lavender bracelet was delicate and exquisite, while the plain pendant, carved from the core, was of exceptional clarity and transparency. It was further enhanced by an emerald jadeite cabochon set at the top, adding to its grandeur and elegance.

It’s often said that jade nurtures the wearer, and naturally, it can also offer protection.

“Mianmian, give me your hand.”

Sheng Tingmian hesitated slightly but raised her hand, allowing her sister to slip the bracelet onto her wrist.

The cool, smooth glass-type lavender jadeite bracelet rested against her fair skin, complementing it perfectly. It was indescribably beautiful, making her appear even more delicate and precious.

Next, He Jianxue took the plain pendant and fastened it around her swan-like neck.

As she leaned in, Sheng Tingmian caught the familiar scent of camellias from her sister, soothing and pleasant.

“Sister, isn’t this too extravagant?”

Sheng Tingmian felt both honored and overwhelmed, especially since her sister had personally taken her to select the material from its raw form.

“How much did this cost?”

“Just around ten million or so.”

At these words, Sheng Tingmian’s eyes widened in shock. She tightly gripped He Jianxue’s sleeve, staring disbelievingly at the woman standing so close to her.

He Jianxue noticed her reaction and curved her crimson lips into a smile. “Didn’t I say it before? My sister deserves the best.”

“Sister…” Sheng Tingmian had never imagined in her life that such an expensive bracelet would ever grace her wrist. After a moment’s hesitation, she tried to take it off immediately.

But He Jianxue held her hand, stopping her. “Don’t take it off. Once a jade bracelet is worn, it recognizes its owner. It will protect you.”

Sheng Tingmian felt as if something had gently brushed against her heart, her eyelashes fluttering slightly. “Protect me?”

Does sister know something?

“Mm.” He Jianxue finished fastening the wushi pai, a jade pendant symbolizing peace and smoothness, and ran her fingers along the smooth, translucent jade. “The wushi pai represents safety and a smooth life. I hope you’ll always be safe and everything goes well for you from now on.”

Instead of relying on opera characters to get through long, fearful nights.

“But…” Sheng Tingmian couldn’t help worrying. “What if I bump into it during training or performances? And we’re not allowed to wear jewelry while performing opera.”

Especially during spear routines, who knew when a collision might happen? Wouldn’t this ten-million-yuan jade bracelet shatter?

“Isn’t there the wushi pai?” He Jianxue had already considered this. “You can take off the bracelet during training and performances. The wushi pai can stay on, hidden beneath your costume. No one will see it, right?”

Sheng Tingmian thought it over and decided it could work. She touched the wushi pai on her chest and saw its violet jade surface in the mirror, translucent and clear, wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, with a curved thickness. At the top, where the cord was attached, a green jade cabochon was inlaid as an accent.

So beautiful.

She seemed to feel the protection emanating from the jade, dispelling the shadows that had clouded her heart for years.

On the way back, Sheng Tingmian’s demeanor grew noticeably livelier, no longer quiet and reserved. Curious, she asked, “Sister, did you arrange for the Jinyuan Opera Troupe to apologize and for the TV station to reopen the auditions?”

He Jianxue watched her return to her usual self and smiled softly. Taking Sheng Tingmian’s slender, delicate hand in hers, she interlaced their fingers without directly answering the question. Instead, she replied meaningfully, “Do your best to get selected this time. If you do, I’ll place an ad during your show and give you the grandest support.”