The additional two performances ended swiftly, and Yang Ming went out to help maintain order, guiding everyone to leave.
After a day of performing, the actors could finally relax—all returned backstage to remove their makeup.
Xiaoxiao was in the backstage comforting Yanzhi, who had just been frightened, "You don’t need to be scared in times like these; everyone will stand by you and won’t let you be taken away."
"Boss, I’m afraid that Young Master Zhu might take revenge on us. He left saying ’just wait and see.’ If he retaliates against us, what should we do?" Yanzhi said tearfully, with fear in her voice.
"It’s nothing. We have so many people here; why should we be afraid of her? Stop crying," Xiaoxiao continued to reassure her.
At that moment, someone entered from outside, "Boss, there’s a girl outside who wants to see you."
"..." A girl? Xiaoxiao was somewhat surprised. Who could it be looking for her? She didn’t know anyone here. Anyway, since it was a girl, there likely wouldn’t be any danger, so Xiaoxiao said, "Let her in."
A moment later, a girl was brought in. As soon as she entered the room, she called out, "Xiaoxiao."
Looking up, Xiaoxiao showed a flash of surprise. Why would she come here? She then called out, "Wen Nuan."
Xiao Xiao had not expected it to be her who came looking for her.
Wen Nuan walked over to Xiaoxiao and smiled faintly, "I hope you don’t mind me calling you Xiaoxiao."
"Not at all, that’s what everyone calls me." Xiaoxiao thought to herself that this Wen Nuan seemed a bit too familiar. In this conservative place, people generally wouldn’t address each other like that unless they were very close.
Although Wen Nuan appeared gentle and elegant, her eyes flashed with curiosity, "Xiaoxiao, the actresses were truly wonderful, I couldn’t resist coming over to have a look."
"Ladies, Miss Wen is giving you compliments," Xiaoxiao announced to everyone.
"Thank you, Miss Wen!" Everyone was very pleased and thanked her in unison.
"It’s nothing; you truly deserve the praise," Wen Nuan said smiling to everyone, and then turned to Xiaoxiao, "Those exotic costumes of yours, which Cloth Shop made them?"
"I really don’t know; Manager Tian handled all of that."
"I see." Wen Nuan showed a hint of disappointment.
"What’s the matter?" Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.
"Hehe, it’s nothing, just that since my family runs a Cloth Shop too, I get interested when I see new and novel clothing," Wen Nuan explained.
"Your family owns a Cloth Shop?" Xiaoxiao was a little surprised. The business of Xiangxiang Cloth Shop had yet to expand to other counties, and because of the previous suicide incident, it had been delayed.
"I forgot to introduce myself; I am the young lady from Xianghe Cloth Store in Lin County," Wen Nuan stated plainly.
"Ah, then maybe you could collaborate with my sister," Xiaoxiao thought that since Wen Nuan was interested in those clothes, she might also have some authority over the business at the Cloth Store. Revealing a bit wouldn’t hurt.
"My sister—she’s the one who competed with you on stage at the Marriage Fate Temple that day. She’s from our County’s Xiangxiang Cloth Shop."
With Xiaoxiao’s reminder, Wen Nuan caught on, "How are she and Young Master Han getting along now?"
"Oh, them? No chance. We had no idea what the Blood Jade meant at the time. My sister only went on stage to grab it for me because I thought the Blood Jade was pretty."
Realizing what she had just said, Xiaoxiao remembered Wen Nuan wanted to marry into the Han Family that day, so she said apologetically, "Sorry, I messed up your marriage opportunity."