The Time-Limited Love and Marriage
Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Chapter 83

The next day, the auditorium of the First Academy, which also served as the venue for the New Year’s celebration evening party between the two schools, was crowded early in the morning.

Jiang Moxi was informed to arrive three hours early for backstage preparations, so she came to First University ahead of time, and couldn’t help but frown at the sight.

"Why are there so many people?"

"Moxi, didn’t you know that the leaders of Yan City and the top tycoons will all come to the joint celebration evening party? At that time, they will also award certificates and bonuses to those of you participating in the performance."

Mu Wanting had proactively sent a message last night, saying that she would come to support Jiang Moxi today.

Sure enough, early on, she was right by Jiang Moxi’s side.

"I didn’t know." Jiang Moxi was solely focused on the bonus after the performance.

"I knew you were out of the loop, so I had to come today to help you get sorted out well. If today you can meet people from the leadership ranks, or if you can earn the appreciation of the top tycoons, you won’t have to work so hard for the rest of your life."

Mu Wanting also told Jiang Moxi some insider gossip.

"I heard that this year’s celebration evening party has received a lot of sponsorship money from the Fu Family, the top family in Yan City, and the Fus might show up tonight."

On hearing the name "Fu," Jiang Moxi felt slightly dazed.

It had been almost half a month since the last time she saw Fu Youhan.

During that time, her daily schedule was packed and she was too busy to have spare time to think of him.

She thought she had completely forgotten and let go of him.

But why, now that just hearing someone mention his surname, does her heart still ache?

While Jiang Moxi was slightly dazed, Mu Wanting suddenly exclaimed.

"Look quickly, Moxi, Jiang Weiwei! The term ’winner in life’ must be describing her, with her fair skin and good looks, even her family background is outstanding. Even attending the school’s evening performance, her parents are with her. No matter how you look at it, she’s the favorite at home."

Without noticing Jiang Moxi’s preoccupation, Mu Wanting looked where she was pointing.

She saw Yu Man and Jiang Guosheng, both dressed lavishly, by Jiang Weiwei’s side, with proud smiles on their faces.

Yu Man was even holding a bouquet of flowers, probably planning to give them to Jiang Weiwei after the performance.

"Not just the favorite? She feels almost like a princess..." Jiang Moxi mumbled distractedly as she watched the family of three.

Perhaps their gaze was too evident, Yu Man suddenly glanced their way.

Upon recognizing Jiang Moxi, only hatred and contempt could be seen in Yu Man’s eyes.

Quickly, she withdrew her gaze and whispered something into Jiang Guosheng’s ear.

Jiang Guosheng too glanced at Jiang Moxi’s corner, but his face lacked that permanently fixed smile.

He also quickly shifted his gaze away and, along with Yu Man, quickened his pace past Jiang Moxi and Mu Wanting.

With an air as if fearing that a slower pace would allow Jiang Moxi to catch up with them, exposing them as her real parents.

Jiang Moxi watched their retreating figures and blinked lightly.

When she opened her eyes again, all the despair and desolation hiding within them was tidied up, nowhere to be seen.

"Indeed, it’s like being pampered by parents as their princess, truly enviable..."

Unaware of the peculiar mood, Mu Wanting continued to sigh gazing at the back of the three figures when Ling Ye came gliding on his skateboard up to them.

"I knew you probably wouldn’t have any relatives cheering you on today, so I’m here to act as your support group. See how loyal your brother is..."

Jiang Moxi curled her lips, "Oh please, it’s all thanks to you that I ended up taking part, isn’t it?"

Ling Ye scratched his head awkwardly, while Mu Wanting reminded her, "Moxi, think about it, the chance to make big money today was provided by him. What’s there for you to be angry about?"

After giving it some thought, Jiang Moxi felt there was some truth in that.

But Ling Ye wasn’t happy about it: "Hey, do you guys really think I’m not even as good as money?"

Suddenly, Jiang Moxi patted his shoulder, "Idiot, why would you even ask such a stupid question? What are you, to compare with money?"

Ling Ye immediately felt as if he’d taken ten thousand points of damage.

Later on, Ren Huo called to hurry Jiang Moxi to the backstage to get her makeup done, and she went off to the backstage, laughing and joking with Ling Ye and Mu Wanting.

She thought, lacking the company of parents but accompanied by friends, it didn’t seem to be such a big regret after all.

*

Backstage, Mu Wanting offered to help Jiang Moxi remove her makeup and apply it again, but Jiang Moxi declined.

So, Jiang Moxi was fiddling with her powder compact, while Mu Wanting muttered beside her.

"Moxi, I think you and Jiang Weiwei, although you both share the surname Jiang, are worlds apart. Look at her, she’s got top makeup artists for her makeup today. And here you are, clumsily applying makeup with your split eyeliner pencil..."

That’s right, today Yu Man had arranged a makeup artist for Jiang Weiwei, and even her performance dress was custom-made.

In a short while, Jiang Weiwei reached new heights of beauty, drawing gasps of amazement from the onlooking students.

Even Lai Xueer, who usually set her sights very high, couldn’t stop praising her.

Consequently, Jiang Weiwei generously offered to have the makeup artist do Lai Xueer’s makeup too, and she would foot the bill.

Lai Xueer, surprised and delighted, naturally couldn’t refuse such a generous gift.

Just like that, under the skilful hands of the makeup artist, Lai Xueer also blossomed into a new level of beauty.

Compared to Jiang Moxi who had just hastily applied blush and nearly turned herself into the butt of a monkey...

Mu Wanting felt as if her eyes had been assaulted.

But Jiang Moxi was nonchalant: "No matter how pretty they dress up, they’re still just a backdrop. Why bother?"

"That’s true, but if you glammed up a bit more yourself, there wouldn’t be such a stark contrast."

Mu Wanting could almost imagine, once Jiang Moxi got on stage, she would be completely overshadowed by Jiang Weiwei and Lai Xueer, which would likely provoke a barrage of criticism.

"A few harsh words won’t kill me; you worry too much."

Just as Jiang Moxi was speaking, Jiang Weiwei, perhaps overhearing her voice, suddenly turned around and looked at her, apologizing with an innocent face:

"Moxi, I’m sorry. After the makeup artist finishes with Xuexue, we’ll almost be up for our performance, so I’m afraid she won’t have time to do your makeup."

Jiang Moxi responded with a forced smile, "It’s fine, I’m good like this. Besides, wasn’t that your plan from the beginning?"

She had already seen through Jiang Weiwei’s act of bringing a makeup artist to doll up herself and Lai Xueer, just to belittle her even further.

Jiang Weiwei quickly put on an innocent face: "Moxi, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s really just that the makeup artist is too strapped for time to help you out."

She even made sure to lift her skirts and came over to Jiang Moxi, reminding her in a volume just the two of them could hear.

"Tonight, Yiming and his little uncle have been invited by the school. Remember to perform well..."

At the mention of "his little uncle," Jiang Moxi’s eyes momentarily froze.

Just then, Ren Huo’s voice came through: "It’s our turn. Jiang Moxi, get on stage quickly..."