Chapter 40: Chapter 40: There is a Group of Beggars Behind
Tao Ti had been patiently waiting until someone called out, “Number 77.”
She looked around but her big brother was nowhere to be seen.
In the end, she had to go in alone.
The audition room had seven judges, none of whom Tao Ti recognized. She walked onto the stage and introduced herself to them.
“My name is Tao Ti, I am six years old, and I can sing and dance. I can perform for you.”
“Great! Give us a performance!” a particularly lively judge applauded as he spoke.
The other judges offered no objection, so the lively judge said, “Please start your performance!”
Tao Ti was holding a black bag prepared in advance by Cheng Guodong.
Cheng Guodong had told her to perform the Xiao Nezha ribbon dance originally planned for the gala.
Tao Ti threw two red ribbons, first dancing proficiently, then doing front and back flips, as if she were rolling with the waves crashing towards her.
Suddenly, in a hurried motion, she threw the red ribbons, conjured an iron hoop with her bare hands, and wheels that glittered with light appeared on her heels as the ribbons returned to her hands.
One ribbon hung around her neck, fluttering in the wind, while the other in her hands transformed into a long spear.
She began to spin the spear effortlessly on roller skates…
Her moves were ferocious!
The judges watching below were dumbstruck, the lively judge vigorously clapping, “Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! I give perfect marks, ten out of ten!”
The other six judges revealed their scores one by one: ten! Ten! Ten! Nine! Ten! Ten!
The only one who gave a nine was an elderly artist, who kindly said with a smile, “I’m taking off one point to give you room for improvement, hoping your next performance will be even more spectacular!”
The lively judge brought out a glittering card, “Congratulations, you’ve passed the preliminary round!”
As Tao Ti exited with the glittering card, she saw Cheng Guodong supporting a tall brother at the door waiting for her. Seeing her come out with the card, Cheng Guodong laughed proudly, “I knew my sister was the best!”
Tao Ti stared intently at Qin Xin and asked, “Big brother, who is he?”
“A passerby. You don’t need to mind him.”
Cheng Guodong took the glittering card and asked with a laugh, “What do you want to eat? We have to celebrate big today, with a feast!”
In the past, Tao Ti had coveted a big feast, but after being around Cheng Guodong for a while, and having big meals every day, she had become somewhat indifferent to them.
Qin Xin spoke up, “Let me treat this meal as thanks for lending me a hand and telling me I no longer need to go to this address, saving me a pointless trip.”
Cheng Guodong said irritably, “My sister passed the round, and I’m celebrating for her. Why should you treat us? It’s not like I don’t have money!”
Qin Xin said leisurely, “You said earlier that you were a farmer and you had no money.”
“Uh!” Cheng Guodong gave an embarrassed smile, “That was just to prevent you from conning me…”
Seeing the two of them seeming to get along, Tao Ti hesitated and then asked, “Big brother, him…”
Realizing something as she hesitated, Cheng Guodong leaned closer to listen.
Tao Ti whispered, “There are a lot of people following him with Broken Bowls, looking like beggars.”
Cheng Guodong glanced at Qin Xin’s back; he saw nothing but he believed his sister.
“Old Mr. Xu is no longer here, but I know someone who can help you, though you might not believe her.”
“Tell me, as long as she can help, I will definitely believe!”
“My little sister can help you.” Cheng Guodong pointed at six-year-old Tao Ti.