The curtain fell on the New Year's Gala.
The teacher in charge congratulated the students backstage, declaring the performance a complete success. Particular praise was given to Shang Qing for her quick thinking and adaptability. If not for her, what could have been a minor disappointment might have escalated into a real disaster.
The reason was simple: a worker had been careless, leaving a section of the massive backdrop improperly secured. Fortunately, while the students were performing, Shang Qing noticed the flaw. She quickly directed a few people to hold it steady, and as soon as the curtain closed, they rushed to repair it. Meanwhile, she had kept the audience engaged by chatting and improvising a recitation of "To the Oak," which bridged the gap perfectly into the next segment.
Chapter 101