Chapter 40
The play He Yuan was performing in was titled Sunflower. It told the story of the protagonist’s brief but magnificent life, filled with optimism and passion.
The noble lady played by He Yuan was one of the souls the heroine saved. Originally fragile and cowardly, she was consumed by an inferiority complex due to a failed romance. Just as she was about to end her life, she met the heroine, who seemed to descend from the heavens. Saved by her, she was eventually moved by the heroine’s sunny passion, confidence, and freedom, leading her to find a new lease on life.
They became the best of friends, spending an inseparable and joyful time together. Later, the heroine left to pursue a grander dream.
The heroine traveled everywhere, helping many and doing meaningful deeds. Eventually, she became a soldier, fighting for her nation and people, only to sacrifice herself just before the dawn of victory.
At the grand funeral, the noble lady offered her a sunflower—a symbol of faith and radiance.
The protagonist’s image and the core of the story perfectly aligned with the spirit of the newly established Military Academy. Combined with the excellent choreography, performance, and stage design, the end of the play was met with thunderous, long-lasting applause.
During the curtain call, while the heroine drew screams and whistles from the audience, He Yuan was no exception.
Though his role wasn’t large, who wouldn’t adore a gorgeous and charming little princess?
Moreover, this “princess” wasn’t just a “vase”; she had a character arc!
When with the heroine, she was a sweet “sugar bun” who idolized her older sister. After the heroine left, she could hold a short sword alone, practicing day after day, striving to be more like her!
Some in the audience even whispered that the fleeting romance the heroine had with a rogue during her travels wasn’t nearly as “ship-worthy” as her bond with the princess!
When the crowd realized the actress playing the princess was actually a male Omega, the excitement peaked. The audience began rhythmically chanting He Yuan’s name, making his face flush a deep red.
His original goal was simply to perform normally, avoid mistakes, and not drag the team down. He never expected to exceed his goals so spectacularly!
How wonderful!
At this thought, he grew excited. Since everyone was acknowledging him, he felt he should respond properly.
He waved his hand vigorously, scanning the crowd. Suddenly, he froze.
In the middle of the very first row, closest to the stage, sat Admiral Wen Su. He was clapping while smiling directly at him.
His posture was upright and elegant, his gaze steady and persistent. He watched He Yuan and He Yuan alone, not glancing at anyone else for even a second.
Yes, it was unmistakable.
He Yuan’s heart trembled slightly. He felt a surge of nerves; it wasn’t just him—it felt as if everyone had noticed, giving him a strange sense of exposed vulnerability.
Backstage, he slumped into a chair, his mind still racing. During the performance, he had been fully immersed, forgetting everything outside the play. Looking back now, Admiral Wen Su must have been staring at him from the very moment he stepped onto the stage.
Ugh, the sense of embarrassment was getting stronger. His face felt scorching hot.
Just then, Chu Xi rushed in, happily sharing his thoughts on the show. He praised He Yuan incessantly and even bragged that he was the one who started the rhythmic chanting. He Yuan gave him a helpless tap on the head.
“You’re always so dramatic! I’m going to take off my makeup now. This chapter is closed!”
“Don’t remove your makeup yet,” the director said, walking in to address the group. “We just received notice. After the gala ends, the big shots want to take photos with the cast.”
Someone asked, “Big shots? Which ones? Is Admiral Wen Su included? Are we allowed to smile if we take a photo with him?”
Another added, “Is it a group photo or individual ones? I wouldn’t dare do it one-on-one!”
As everyone joked around, Chu Xi’s expression shifted.
“Wen Su is here?!”
The sheer annoyance he felt whenever Wen Su was mentioned was impossible to hide. His voice was so loud that everyone turned to look.
He Yuan quickly gave Chu Xi’s sleeve a secret tug, covering half his mouth as he whispered, “Admiral Wen Su is the Honorary Dean of the Military Academy.”
“What? How do you know? Even I didn’t know that. How did you find out?” Chu Xi looked at He Yuan suspiciously. “I didn’t hear anything about a photo session earlier. Is Wen Su doing this on purpose?”
He was right.
It was entirely on purpose.
In truth, Wen Su’s most sincere desire was to take photos immediately. Right now! With He Yuan alone! The more, the better!
However, he still possessed a shred of rationality. He had to consider his status as the Honorary Dean. He respected the gala organizers and all the performers, so he patiently watched the remaining acts before heading backstage.
He diligently completed the collective photo process with the leadership, staff, and various performers. Finally, he played his winning card.
He claimed to be a great admirer of Sunflower and requested a separate photo session with its cast and crew.
The lead actress, three supporting actresses, two supporting actors, the extras with even fewer lines, the screenwriter, the director, the assistant director, and the three-person hair and makeup team…
Wen Su worked his way through them, performing a task he was very unfamiliar with.
With the “big shot” taking photos, the area grew crowded and chaotic. He Yuan kept backing away, feeling that as a supporting actor and a newcomer, he shouldn’t push ahead of the leads, veteran actors, or the hardworking directors and writers.
As a result, he backed up and up until he was the only one left.
Naturally, Wen Su was looking at him, Chu Xi was looking at him, and everyone else was looking at him.
…As it turned out, being the last one was the worst!
The atmosphere was exactly like when Wen Su had escorted him back before the show!
It was too awkward.
He could only hang his head, his hands fidgeting awkwardly in front of him. He shuffled forward sideways like a crab, completely losing the pride and elegance of the noble lady he had just portrayed.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, no one said a word. The entire backstage was deathly silent. Suddenly, He Yuan remembered that time he was… by Admiral Wen Su…
Aiyah.
He swore! This was the first time he had thought about those things since he stopped being a life assistant!
The tips of his ears and his neck turned crimson.
Then, the aura beside him intensified as Wen Su stepped toward him.
He didn’t dare look at Wen Su. He tried to make himself as small as possible, staring straight at the camera lens with a surface-level calm that masked his internal panic.
…Mm.
Admiral Wen Su’s fingers lightly brushed across his head. The black lace accessory on his hat dropped, settling into the perfect position.
“You performed beautifully.”
He Yuan froze.
The words in his ear were gentle and carried a hint of a smile, like an enchanting spell. He subconsciously turned his head, his eyes meeting Wen Su’s gaze.
Click.
The photographer immediately captured this perfect moment.
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