Chapter 182: A Person's New Year
As Liji-Xiaosi said, for a small actress like her who only receives a fixed monthly salary at the Nightingale Opera Troupe, the extra business income brought by "flower offerings" has nothing to do with her.
Even though most of today's "flower offerings" were directed towards Jia Na, she couldn't help but admire them.
"The number of flower offerings for this show is much higher than usual. According to old rules, the lead actors of this play will receive some rewards at the end of the year."
"Are you serious?"
Hearing Xiuka-Boge's words, Liji-Xiaosi, who had only been feeling a bit envious, suddenly became energetic. However, after a brief moment of happiness, Liji-Xiaosi couldn't help but look at Jia Na beside her and said with a slight hesitation:
"But these flower offerings don't seem to have anything to do with me either—logically, if they are to be divided, they should go to Jia Na, right—"
"You're actually worried about her?"
Hearing Liji-Xiaosi worry about Jia Na, Xiuka-Boge couldn't help but glance at her warningly, and then began to doubt whether Liji-Xiaosi was really an old hand in the opera circle; otherwise, how could she be so lacking in discernment.
"Don't worry, she's different from us. The more the theater earns, the more she naturally gets."
"You mean Jia Na signed a revenue-sharing contract?"
"Just know it in your heart, there's no need to say it out loud."
Hearing this, Liji-Xiaosi suddenly remembered that Jia Na had told her before that her contract was for one year.
However, as far as she knew, the contract period for "revenue-sharing contracts" was at least three years or more, and there was never such a thing as a one-year term. "So that means the one-year contract was actually requested by Jia Na?"
Thinking of this, Liji-Xiaosi couldn't help but look at Jia Na with a complicated gaze. Immediately, she shook her head in self-mockery.
"I knew it, how could her treatment be the same as mine? She's so excellent—frankly speaking, these were just comforting words she said because she didn't want to discourage me."
Liji-Xiaosi, who had been Jia Na's colleague for more than half a year, naturally understood Jia Na's character.
Jia Na would definitely not lie about the one-year contract term; it's just that she concealed some facts that could easily damage Liji-Xiaosi's confidence. Moreover, her ability to play the role of Lilia now was entirely thanks to Jia Na's help.
"Alas, what a witch so perfect that it makes people jealous—"
"Oh, no—it should be a witch so perfect that people can't even feel jealous—"
The grand curtain call ceremony slowly concluded amidst a wave of enthusiastic cheers.
Because the song of the ocean was so popular, the Nightingale Opera Troupe temporarily added another show in the evening.
Therefore, Jia Na, who was originally scheduled to spend the New Year with Vivian at her home today, had to break her promise.
"Hmph, I think you just didn't want to go at all."
She understood in her heart, but hearing that Jia Na couldn't keep her appointment on the first day of the New Year because of overtime, Vivian still felt a little sad.
Besides Vivian's own expectations being dashed, what made her most sad was actually her heartache for Jia Na.
Alone outside, without family.
No matter how glamorous and perfect she seemed on the outside, Vivian knew that Jia Na was always alone—even during the New Year.
"This was indeed an accident, just consider it my debt to you."
"I understand, I'll leave now."
Looking at Vivian's downcast eyes, Jia Na could only sigh silently, and then said goodbye to Vivian with full apologies.
To be honest, besides the factor of "temporary overtime," Jia Na genuinely didn't want to force herself to blend into the atmosphere of Vivian's family reunion for the New Year as an outsider.
Even though Jia Na knew that Vivian had good intentions, on a day when it was easy to miss people by seeing things, Jia Na didn't want to go against her own feelings and force herself to socialize anymore.
No matter how gentle and considerate Jia Na pretended to be in front of outsiders on a regular basis, all of this was just a superficial disguise brought about by the Muscle Control talent.
To put it bluntly, Jia Na herself was well aware that she was someone who found it relatively difficult to open up to others.
More than a year had passed since her rebirth, but she had always been like a lonely soul wandering in another world, with no family, no clan, and no trustworthy friends. Even though she seemed to be surrounded by many people, Jia Na had too many secrets, so many that she had to be wary of everyone at all times, including Vivian, and including those who approached her with some sincerity—
"I'm sorry, Vivian."
Looking at Vivian who was leaving with Richard-Eva and others at the theater entrance, Jia Na apologized again in her heart,
and then returned backstage to prepare for the last performance tonight. "Jia Na, are you really not staying to eat before you leave today?"
"No, really, David, after all, I still have to go back for the New Year."
"Okay, then be careful on your own—and also, Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year."
The evening performance was still very successful, and Jia Na, who had finished all her work for the day, indeed politely refused David-Berg's suggestion to treat everyone to a meal.
"Jia Na, wait a moment."
Just as Jia Na was about to push open the door and leave, the bustling Liji-Xiaosi suddenly ran over with a paper bag and handed it to Jia Na.
"Take this, it's a scarf I knitted myself. Consider it your New Year's gift."
"Thank you, Liji."
Looking at the snow-white wool scarf in the bag, a few more genuine smiles appeared on Jia Na's face.
"You don't have to be polite with me, after all, being able to play the role of Lilia this time was also thanks to your help..."
"That's because your strength is enough; I just gave you a push."
After saying goodbye to Liji-Xiaosi with a smile, while the moonlight was still quite bright, Jia Na, wearing her Wizard hood, cast the Light Feather Spell and went through the alley end. She didn't cast Partial Transfiguration until she left the City of Turin.
Spreading her butterfly wings, she quickly flew towards White Coral Academy.
"It's snowing.—"
Not until she reached the dormitory entrance did the fine snowflakes, accompanied by the cold night wind, gently fall onto Jia Na's palm, but they didn't stay long before Jia Na quickly walked into the elevator and returned to her dormitory.
"Miss Jia Na, here is a gift specially for you—"