Chapter 226: Absent

Chapter 226

"Hasn't gotten in touch yet?"

At the event site, the director and many artists had just gone over the process for the last time and were preparing for the final rehearsal before the gala. During a break, Qiao Sixiao jokingly asked her assistant.

The assistant shook his head. As per Qiao Sixiao’s request, he had called Li Yao many times but was unable to get through.

"Xu General Manager of Anhang is away on a business trip overseas. I got in touch with his assistant, Qian Lang. Since Teacher Qin's schedule is personally handled by Li Yao, he went out early in the morning. In the afternoon, he did call the company to say he was on the way to the airport to switch to a later flight."

The assistant said softly,

"There shouldn't be any issues en route..."

Qiao Sixiao frowned. She then realized what she said was inappropriate.

"I mean...the delay...Big Sister Qiao, what should we do now..."

Qiao Sixiao flipped through her phone but did not see any traffic accidents reported in the news. The staff called for her and she had to hand her phone to her assistant:

"You don't need to do anything else, just keep trying to contact her for me."

"Okay..."

The assistant silently took the phone. Qiao Sixiao returned to the stage.

In addition to performing and receiving awards at the gala, which they were officially invited to by the Southwest authorities, the two were also supposed to co-host parts of the gala as part of the hosting team.

Although they did not need to host the entire gala, the two of them were supposed to partner up for several key moments of the event.

Firstly, it was in recognition of the popularity they had garnered over the past few months. Secondly, it was in recognition of their contributions to the development of the Southwest region. Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com

However, not reviewing the rundown when she’s absent and not being able to reach her despite trying to, essentially standing up the officially organized gala was not a good look. She could not afford the negative impact.

"Qin Wei still hasn't arrived?"

With a lot on her mind, Qiao Sixiao walked onto the stage and heard a low and pleasant male voice next to her.

Without even looking, she knew it was Shen Kai.

"Mr. Shen Kai, long time no see."

Despite not being in the best mood, Qiao Sixiao still greeted him politely.

Shen Kai nodded lightly, then walked over to stand beside her and adjusted his mic stand to suit his height, quietly waiting for her reply.

Qiao Sixiao hesitated for a moment before recalling Shen Kai’s unanswered question:

"She hasn't arrived yet. I haven't been able to reach her for now but her manager didn't say she wasn't coming either so she should..."

"Then we'll go ahead with the contingency plan."

Shen Kai interrupted her and signaled to the staff below the stage. The staff member said:

"No worries you two, I'll go and check the lighting. The earpieces and mics won't work for now. I'll turn on the audio and mics once that's sorted."

After the staff member left, only the two of them remained on the empty stage.

Qiao Sixiao looked up at him:

The spotlight shone on Qiao Sixiao.

The abrupt glare meant her eyes had not yet adjusted, causing her to miss the fleeting expression on Shen Kai's face.

Next, the other stage lights lit up one by one, illuminating the entire stage.

There was a faint electric current sound in her earpiece followed by the staff member's voice:

"Excuse me, I've turned on your earpieces. Please try your mics if you can hear me."

Shen Kai's expression reverted to normal. He made a polite "please" gesture with his hands.

...

The clock turns back to the morning when the military boxing assessment took place in the army camp.

Hearing Song Huan's outrageous request, Qin Wei was delighted. She stood up to stretch and limber up.

"Just to be clear, if I injure you by accident, I won't get charged with assault right?"

Song Huan cheerfully replied:

"Of course not. Which of us in this line doesn't have a few assaults under our belt?"

Qin Wei's smile froze.

"I'm kidding. You attack and I'll just defend. I absolutely won't retaliate OK?"

Qin Wei nodded:

"You’re a dog if you fight back."

"Fine, you're also a dog if you cry."

...

"Get ready to spar!"

Upon Song Huan’s commands, the face off officially began.

Qin Wei blocked with one hand and jabbed with the other straight at Song Huan's cheek.

She punched fast and with sufficient force but Song Huan still dodged by shifting to the side. Song Huan grasped her punching wrist and explained to everyone:

"Her punch would have hit my face. Her other hand blocked in case I punched back..."

Before she could finish, Qin Wei capitalized on her hold to raise her leg and kick. However, Song Huan reacted extremely quickly, instinctively letting go of her wrist and crossing both hands in front of her face, easily blocking Qin Wei’s attack.

Clearly, she could have dodged but had merely blocked to demonstrate for everyone.

"If I hadn't blocked, her technique of kicking up would have kicked my head..."

As soon as she finished, Qin Wei stepped half a step forward, circling one arm around her elbow while lowering her center of gravity to sweep Song Huan's leg. But Song Huan reacted rapidly by reversing the situation and nearly pressed Qin Wei onto the ground.

However, Song Huan did not use much strength as they were just demonstrating. She ended just as things were getting interesting.

Qin Wei signaled defeat. Seeing that Song Huan's explanations had caused her to be distracted, she suddenly had the idea to grab hold of Song Huan's arm for a full shoulder throw!