When Spring Burns - Chapter 4

After finishing the seventh act of Liangzhou, He Jianxue still felt unsatisfied. She glanced at the young huadan actress on stage; despite the heavy makeup, it was clear she was a young girl.

She called her assistant over and whispered a few words.

On stage, Sheng Tingmian met the woman’s indifferent yet profound gaze from below, unable to decipher her thoughts.

What did this Miss He think of her performance?

Was it good or bad?

If it was bad, how could she ask for her help?

Sheng Tingmian glanced toward the side of the curtain, hoping to seek advice from Fang Hanyu. But as she looked over, she caught sight of Miss He’s assistant approaching the stage.

The assistant first circled to the side, ascended the steps, and came to stand before her.

Sheng Tingmian looked down at the woman in confusion, only to see her lifting a teacup with a hand adorned with a ruby ring, her eyes lowered as she sipped her tea.

Why was this Miss He so peculiar?

Sheng Tingmian watched her elegant movements, completely unaware that the assistant had already reached her and was trying to tuck a gilded red envelope into her pearl-and-jade headdress.

Perhaps the envelope was too thick to fit, so the assistant simply placed it in her hand.

Holding the weighty red envelope, its surface adorned with understated elegance through gilded craftsmanship, Sheng Tingmian finally understood, it was a reward for her performance.

But why was it the assistant who presented it?

“Thank you,” Sheng Tingmian said softly as she accepted the envelope.

The assistant descended, and Sheng Tingmian prepared to exit the stage, casting one last glance at the woman below.

Although receiving a reward was a joyous occasion, signifying Miss He’s approval, why had she sent her assistant to deliver it?

Miss He seemed somewhat aloof and difficult to approach.

Becoming her sister would probably be as challenging as climbing to the heavens.

Sheng Tingmian couldn’t help but feel disheartened. As she walked backstage, Fang Hanyu approached and gasped softly upon seeing the gilded red envelope in her hand.

Only then did she realize such envelopes existed.

“Incredible, Xiao Mian, your reward is so luxurious.”

Sheng Tingmian was slightly taken aback. “Isn’t it the same as yours, Sister Hanyu?”

Fang Hanyu pulled out the one she had received that day and compared the two. Whether in thickness or intricacy, Sheng Tingmian’s reward was clearly superior.

She had always thought hers was the highest grade, never imagining there could be something even better.

For a prestigious family like the He’s, it was normal to emphasize such rewards.

“Quick, open it and see how much is inside?” Fang Hanyu was burning with curiosity. Despite singing for so long, she had never received a red envelope with such an exquisite cover.

Sheng Tingmian opened it, and the sight of the vibrant red bills lifted her spirits. She counted them, there were twelve in total.

Miss He was indeed generous.

In all her years singing with her aunt, she had never encountered such a substantial reward, it was even more than her New Year’s money.

Fang Hanyu clicked her tongue twice, cupping Sheng Tingmian’s face. “I’m so envious. How do you sing so well, you little thing? Miss He will surely keep an eye on you from now on.”

Sheng Tingmian smiled shyly. The two walked together toward the dressing room, where the other dan actresses, upon hearing about her extraordinary reward, all looked at her with envy.

Just then, Guan Leyou came over and called Sheng Tingmian aside.

Sheng Tingmian asked, “What is it, Uncle Guan?”

Guan Leyou looked at her with pride. “You sang wonderfully. Miss He specifically requested that you perform again tomorrow.”

Sheng Tingmian was overjoyed. “Really?”

“Would Uncle Guan lie to you?”

Sheng Tingmian’s confidence surged once again. Miss He had specifically requested that she continue singing tomorrow. With a few more performances, she was sure to win Miss He’s favor.

Guan Leyou noticed her embroidered opera costume and the kingfisher-feather-adorned headdress with pearls and jade. “The quality of this costume is really good. The craftsmanship of this headdress and the pheasant feathers… it’s your aunt’s, isn’t it?”

As the troupe leader, Guan Leyou had some knowledge of these costumes and their craftsmanship. With just one look, he could tell the workmanship was extraordinary.

Embarrassed at being caught wearing her aunt’s costume without permission, Sheng Tingmian said sheepishly, “Uncle Guan, please don’t tell my aunt.”

“Alright, tidy it up yourself and don’t damage it. Get ready to go back.”

Guan Leyou turned to inform the others, while Sheng Tingmian hurried into the dressing room to remove the costume and headdress, careful not to ruin them.

As soon as she finished, revealing a face as fresh as a lotus emerging from water, Sheng Tingmian felt a pressing need to use the restroom. She asked Sister Hanyu for directions.

Fang Hanyu pointed her in the right direction, saying it was to the right of the stage.

Sheng Tingmian rushed over but ended up getting lost along the way. Walking along the corridor, she remembered passing through here with Sister Hanyu before going on stage.

Where was the stage?

Sheng Tingmian couldn’t find it no matter how hard she looked. Just as she was about to call Sister Hanyu, she suddenly turned around and froze in place.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Not far away, Miss He, who had been listening to her sing earlier, was sitting in a wheelchair, passing by in front of her.

She wore a high-end, custom-made black coat with broad shoulders over a casual inner layer, her collarbones clearly visible. Her entire outfit was in black, white, and gray, understated yet luxurious. The only striking feature was her red lips, exuding a mature aura of someone who had weathered life’s storms and understood the world. A blanket covered her legs, and she leaned back in her chair with an indifferent expression. Even seated in a wheelchair, she radiated an unapproachable sense of detachment.

Her assistant pushed her into a room, seemingly unaware of Sheng Tingmian’s presence.

For a moment, Sheng Tingmian felt a mix of emotions. So, the reason Miss He had sent her assistant to reward her on stage was because she couldn’t walk.

Sister Hanyu’s voice came through the phone, snapping Sheng Tingmian back to reality. She asked for the exact location of the restroom.

…

Before going to bed that night, Sheng Tingmian couldn’t stop thinking about Miss He’s legs and her inability to walk.

Was she paralyzed? Or was it just a temporary injury?

Just then, her aunt pushed the door open. “Mian’er, I need to go back to our hometown in a couple of days. Can you take care of yourself while I’m away?”

Sheng Tingmian sat up in bed, puzzled. “Auntie, why are you going back?”

Sheng Xiaoyun sat on the edge of the bed. “The school needs some teaching certificates and other documents. I left them back home and forgot about them. I have to go retrieve them. Will you be okay on your own?”

Sheng Tingmian nodded. “I’ll be fine, Auntie. Don’t worry.”

Sheng Xiaoyun noticed her wearing a thin floral spaghetti strap dress, which seemed to have been in her wardrobe for two years already. She made a mental note to buy her a couple of new outfits once she got her paycheck.

“Alright.” Sheng Xiaoyun took out her wallet, intending to give her three hundred yuan, but then hesitated. Money was tight, she had just paid the rent and utilities and still had travel expenses to cover. She put one bill back.

“Here’s two hundred for your living expenses. Take good care of yourself these next few days. Don’t open the door for strangers, and call me if anything happens.”

Sheng Tingmian had noticed her aunt’s hesitation. Her aunt wasn’t well-off and had to manage expenses for both of them. Instead of taking the money, she pushed it back. “Auntie, it’s okay. I still have some New Year’s money left.”

Yesterday, she hadn’t dared to tell her aunt about the lottery jackpot she’d won, afraid her aunt would find out she was now performing at Uncle Guan’s Tianxing Opera Troupe.

“Do you think I don’t know how much New Year’s money you have?”

The 200 yuan she’d received at the beginning of the year was probably long gone. Sheng Xiaoyun firmly pressed another 200 yuan into her hand. “Alright, alright, take it. Your aunt isn’t as poor as you think.”

Sheng Tingmian hesitated, wanting to say more but ultimately accepting the money.

Sheng Xiaoyun lifted the blanket and slipped into bed. “Tonight, I’ll sleep with you.”

Sheng Tingmian shifted inward. “Fine.”

After the lights went out, Sheng Tingmian listened to the sound of her aunt’s breathing beside her. “Auntie, if you ever get the chance to perform opera again, will you come back?”

The warmth of the bed was truly comforting. Sheng Xiaoyun yawned. “We’ll see.”

“Auntie, if someone is sitting in a wheelchair, are they paralyzed or just injured?”

“If it’s an injury, they’d probably have a cast, right? Mian’er, why are you asking this?”

“No reason, just… curious.”

In the darkness, Sheng Tingmian tugged the blanket up to her shoulders, trying to recall whether Miss He had been wearing a cast.

It seemed she hadn’t. So, was she truly paralyzed?

If she was really paralyzed, could she still save the Liqing Opera Troupe?

If she were to invite the Liqing Opera Troupe to perform at the He family, wouldn’t that be taking business away from Uncle Guan?

That wouldn’t do either.

Maybe she could invite Miss He to the theater instead. If she enjoyed the performance, perhaps she could subtly hint at her investing or helping out. Surely, she’d agree, right?

But if she were paralyzed, it might be difficult to get her to the theater.

Sheng Tingmian sighed deeply in the middle of the night, feeling troubled. This was far too complicated.

…

The next morning, the warm glow of dawn spilled across the courtyard of the He residence.

Camellias bloomed in full splendor, their delicate fragrance mingling with the morning mist.

The faint sound of a wheelchair rolling across the floor broke the silence.

Duan Peiwen, carrying a bag, turned around and saw the woman seated in the wheelchair, her face immediately softening with pity.

“A’Xue, is there still no improvement in your legs?”

He Jianxue glanced at her indifferently. “Aunt, if you have something to say, just say it.”

Duan Peiwen weighed her words carefully. “I came today because your father asked me to tell you, he’s been extremely busy, and you need rest…”

She paused, observing He Jianxue’s expression. “So, your father has decided to hand over the businesses in Nanzhang District to Ziheng to manage, to help share the burden.”

He Jianxue closed her eyes deeply, as if suppressing a surge of anger. Her red lips curled into a mocking smile. “If everything’s already arranged, why bother informing me?”

Duan Peiwen’s face flushed with embarrassment at the sarcasm. “A’Xue, we’re still family. When one of us is in trouble, how could I stand by and do nothing? Your father oversees everything, who could possibly take what’s rightfully yours? Ziheng is your cousin, and he’s only stepping in because your father asked him to.”

He Jianxue stared at her coldly, saying nothing.

Seeing that her words had no effect, Duan Peiwen made an excuse and left.

No sooner had she stepped out than He Jianxue violently knocked over a vase in the hallway. It crashed to the floor with a deafening sound.

Yet even this did little to quell the fury burning inside her. Her assistant watched as she sat in the wheelchair, eyes closed, struggling to contain her emotions, and dared not disturb her.

When one is down and out, they see many people and things clearly. The industries in Nanzhang District were once the focus of Miss He’s attention, but after she became paralyzed, they were transferred to her father, Duan Yunzhi. Unexpectedly, they have now fallen into the hands of a cousin.

The rain began to fall, a gentle spring drizzle. The vibrant camellias outside the window were soaked by the rain.

The assistant called a servant to clean up the shattered vase fragments and pushed Miss He to the courtyard to rest.

Just then, the butler came over. “Miss He, it’s raining outside. The Tianxing Troupe has just arrived. Should we send them back?”

He Jianxue glanced at the increasingly heavy rain outside. “Let them wait until the rain stops before leaving. We won’t watch the performance today.”

The butler acknowledged and turned to head to the dressing room and lounge to inform Guan Leyou.

After the butler left, everyone realized that the performance was likely canceled for the day. Fortunately, the He family was still hosting them. The Qingyi and Huadan actresses took it in stride, treating it as a day off, chatting and laughing in the lounge.

Sheng Tingmian, however, had other thoughts. She wanted to see Miss He, even if just to exchange a few words, how else could she build goodwill?

So, she slipped out of the lounge and wandered through the vast mansion.

Sheng Tingmian soon found herself lost and, by chance, stumbled into the courtyard. Turning a corner, she spotted Miss He sitting under an extended eave at the far end.

The assistant stood behind her, and Miss He seemed to be resting with her eyes closed.

Behind her, the curtain of rain resembled strings of pearls, faintly revealing a blooming camellia tree.

The misty rain drifted with the wind, blurring the outlines of the petals, leaving only vague impressions of red, white, and pink. The sky gradually darkened, and all sounds faded away. The rain seemed to recede from her ears as she etched Miss He’s elegant and noble features vividly into her mind.

She could even sense the breath beneath that tall, straight nose.

Suddenly, the wooden floor beneath her creaked. Sheng Tingmian instinctively looked down to see what had happened, then immediately raised her head again, only to find Miss He’s eyes open, gazing coldly in her direction.

Their eyes met.

In that instant, Sheng Tingmian felt as if her heart had been seized.