Chapter 54.7
The next performance was the finale of the morning assembly, a one-man show called “Angel’s Shadow,” performed by one Bai Suqing of Liu Silan High School . Translated by The Novelst
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The red curtain slowly drew to the side, the stage revealing a simple, empty house, narration echoing around the empty stage .
“Wow, Xiao Lan got full marks again! So good! Our baby is the best, what does our baby want as a reward? Want to help mom pick the vegetables? Oh our baby is just so kind . Let me cook you a feast tonight, muah!”
The sound came to an abrupt end, before being replaced with the same voice, only duller, “Xiao Qing got full marks? Not bad, keep going . Picking vegetables? There’s no need . Xiao Lan will help me, you can go and play . ” There was an enormous difference in tone .
The narration quieted once more to allow footsteps to echo against the stage .
A young girl outfitted in her school uniform looked very thin as she walked, head down, ankle injured and a limp emphasizing her frailty .
She was holding a perfect score test in one hand, and it was apparent that she was depressed .
The voice sounded again, the accompanying music joyful as she laughed with Xiao Lan in the kitchen .
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Xiao Qing paused, turning back to look in the direction of the sound like she wanted to join them and desired to be spoiled like that .
Another audio clip began, indicating a great many people standing at a roadside, chit-chatting .
“Xiao Lan from X Family is so beautiful and talented . Whenever she smiles she looks like an angel . I wish I had a daughter like her! I would spoil her so much she’d never know unhappiness . ”
“I agree! Xiao Lan is so cute and likeable . ”
“The madam of X Family is so lucky to have such a precious daughter . ”
“Oh yes, they only have that one daughter, right? Why didn’t they have another to accompany her?”
“What are you saying? They do have another daughter, Xiao Qing . I heard they were afraid Xiao Lan might be lonely, so they had another . ”
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“But why don’t I remember her?”
“Me too! I can’t really picture her . All I know is that she’s not nearly as cute as Xiao Lan, nor as smart . She isn’t even as likeable . ”
From her youth to the present, Xiao Lan had always been the shining angel while she was just her shadow . When Xiao Lan felt lonely, she would accompany her . When she was happy, she would remain in her shadow . Everyone had only seem Xiao Lan and loved her, and her mother at times would even forget she had another daughter .
Xiao Qing, barefoot and sitting on the floor, looked especially pitiful as she wound her arms around herself, shrinking herself into a ball .
After a while, she let go, patting her cheeks to reveal a strong, happy expression . “Xiao Qing, fighting! Get a grip! You need to continue to fight!” She tried to comfort herself, but it seemed more like she was trying to convince herself to forget the unhappiness .
Plip, plop…
Mu Rulan turned her head to see a tear streaking down Li Yan’s face .
It wasn’t only her, but most of the audience was touched by the play .
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It was just about two sisters, the elder having taken all the love and attention from the very beginning because of her beautiful appearance and smile . On the other hand, the younger sister wasn’t so pretty, and she was quiet, but had put in a lot of effort that had gone unnoticed . But even her own mother forgot about her existence .
From the beginning to the end, only one actor had player a part . This simple, powerful show was enough to portray the main points with just the narration audio clips and the girl’s wonderful acting .
In the last scene, Xiao Qing was still sad, having accepted her life as shadow . The show ended with a teardrop, as the audience erupted into applause .
Mu Rulan joined in, her mouth quirked into a smile .
Bai Suqing bowed to the audience, not leaving the stage because she seemed to be searching the crowd for someone .
At last, she spotted Mu Rulan in the VIP seats and waved to her happily, calling, “Sister!” through the microphone still clipped to her collar .
Sister? Translated by The Novelst
The enraptured members of the audience were surprised . They unconsciously substituted the sister Bai Suqing called to as the elder sister Xiao Lan .
Seeing that Bai Suqing was addressing Mu Rulan, many expressions became complicated .
Somehow, they felt that there was something complicated between the two, the image of the hardships experienced by the younger sister fresh in their minds .
An angel that was loved, spoiled by all and unique . There wasn’t any room for someone beside Xiao Lan . Didn’t that fit Mu Rulan perfectly? Bai Suqing addressed Mu Rulan as sister, but people had never known that Mu Rulan had a sister . The situation was the same as Xiao Qing had depicted .
Mu Rulan nodded at Bai Suqing with a gentle smile, as though she hadn’t noticed anything wrong . Her attitude was so calm that Mo Qianren took a few more glances at her .
Even Li Yan couldn’t help but ask, “Is that really your younger sister?”
Li Yan had a lot of experience, especially with slandering someone . Although she had been touched by the show, she wasn’t so naive as to superimpose a mere act on reality .
Some of the surrounding people strained to hear the answer, also curious to know whether or not Mu Rulan was really the character in the show, building happiness atop others’ agony .