Chapter 12:We’re All in This Together

As the conversation about Meng Xian's past faded into a quiet understanding between her and Zhou Mingrui, they continued their walk. The weight of the previous discussion still lingered, but neither of them spoke of it further.

Suddenly, a group of children emerged from a nearby alley, their laughter ringing out like a chorus of bells.

One of the little girls, her eyes wide with curiosity, ran up to them. Her short hair bounced with each step as she called out,

"Big Sister, who are you?"

Meng Xian knelt down to the girl's level, her smile warm and inviting. "I'm just a caring citizen passing by," she said gently. "As for the man next to me, his last name is Zhou, so you can call him

Uncle Zhou."

Zhou Mingrui, who had been busy handing out candies to the other children, paused and turned to Meng Xian with a look of mock indignation.

"Hey, wait a minute! You're obviously older than me! Why do you get to be the older sister, and I'm the uncle?"

Meng Xian's smile deepened, but she remained silent, letting Zhou's playful outrage hang in the air.

The children giggled, finding the interaction between the two adults amusing.

The two girls who had asked the question stood hand in hand in front of them. The one with short hair that barely touched her ears looked up at Meng Xian and Zhou Mingrui with a mix of innocence and mischief.

"Hello, Big Sister!" she chirped

then turned to Zhou Mingrui and added sweetly.

"Uncle Zhou!"

Zhou Mingrui's heart sank as the reality of being called "uncle" set in. Am I really becoming an uncle at such a young age? he thought, horrified by the possibility.

But the short-haired girl's smile, though sweet, had a glint of devilish cunning that hinted she knew exactly what she was doing. It was a small victory for her, one that made her smile even wider.

Trying to brush off his embarrassment, Zhou Mingrui finally relaxed, relieved that his seniority hadn't been completely undermined—at least not by everyone.

But then, another voice called out from behind him.

"Uncle Zhou..."

Zhou Mingrui wanted to cry but had no tears left. Why again? He turned to face the speaker and saw a chubby little boy standing among the crowd of children. The boy's round face was split by a mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling with a mix of innocence and mischief.

When Zhou Mingrui looked directly at him, the boy tried to adopt a more serious expression, but it only lasted a second before his playful nature took over again. "Hehe, just kidding..." the boy giggled.

"Brother Zhou, this is for you."

Zhou Mingrui blinked in surprise as the boy extended his hand, placing something small and delicate into Zhou Mingrui's palm. It was a crystal-clear marble, light blue in color with dark blue ripples like tiny waves encased within it. The marble gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting a rainbow of colors that danced across Zhou Mingrui's hand.

"Brother Zhou, happy birthday!" the little boy said with a wide smile, his voice full of sincerity.

Zhou Mingrui's heart softened at the gesture. He hadn't expected this kind of kindness from a child, and it took him a moment to find his voice. "Thank you," he said gently, his eyes softening as he looked at the boy.

After handing the boy a piece of candy, Zhou Mingrui patted his head affectionately.

"Happy birthday to you too."

Nearby, Meng Xian was carefully folding up the two glass candy wrappers she had received, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched the scene unfold.

She glanced down at the colorful wrappers in her hand, their shiny surfaces catching the light. The two jars that had once held candy were now filled with tiny treasures: marbles of various colors, intricately folded stars, and a few delicate paper cranes with their wings spread wide.

"How does it feel?" she asked, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of reflection. She raised the jar slightly, tilting her head back to peer at the sun through the translucent glass, her eyes half-closed as she did so.

Zhou Mingrui stood up, watching her with a soft smile playing on his lips. He tried to maintain his usual reserved expression, but the joy bubbling up inside him was hard to contain.

The simple beauty of the moment, the innocence of the children, and the unspoken understanding between him and Meng Xian all combined to create a feeling of quiet contentment. He couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth lift a little more.

Meng Xian lowered the jar, her gaze shifting to the small collection of treasures within it.

For a moment, her expression grew distant, her thoughts drifting somewhere far away.

She murmured almost to herself, "Crows should like shiny things more…"

Zhou Mingrui caught the words, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "What did you just say?" he asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

Meng Xian's moment of reverie ended abruptly. She shook her head, her usual composed demeanor returning. "Nothing important," she replied with a slight smile.

"Let's go eat. The children must be getting hungry too."

As they walked into the cafeteria, the sun was already beginning its descent, casting a warm, golden hue over the world.

It was late afternoon, and the chatter of children could be heard in the distance, their laughter carrying through the halls like the melody of a carefree day.

Meng Xian and Zhou Mingrui strolled side by side down the corridor, their steps synchronized in the quiet camaraderie they shared.

"The morning schedule for the birthday party was filled with games and anime screenings," Meng Xian began, her voice soft yet clear as it echoed slightly in the corridor.

Meng Xian remarked casually as they walked side by side through the corridor, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet space.

Zhou Mingrui glanced at her, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "And the afternoon?" he prompted, though he already knew the answer.

Meng Xian looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. "Cultural performance, of course."

Zhou Mingrui nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting into a grin. "Can't have a celebration without a performance," he chuckled, his voice filled with the familiar mix of anticipation and dread that came with such events.

"We're going to help move some props now," Meng Xian continued, her tone casual but with a hint of responsibility. "The stage for the performance still needs some final arrangements."

Zhou Mingrui nodded, a genuine smile playing on his lips. "Um."

"The director is also waiting for us in the small auditorium," Meng Xian added, her voice carrying a note of anticipation.

"Okay," Zhou Mingrui replied, his smile still in place, though something in his expression seemed to shift as he mulled over her words.

"It's a good opportunity to report my program to her…"

"No question," Meng Xian said quickly, her tone firm and decisive.

Zhou Mingrui's smile faltered for a brief moment, replaced by a fleeting look of confusion. He hesitated, the question hanging on his lips, before finally giving in to his curiosity. "What type of show is it?"

Meng Xian's answer was direct, her voice carrying a quiet confidence. "Sing."

The word hung in the air between them, and Zhou Mingrui felt a chill run down his spine. Memories of the occasional howls he'd heard in the dead of night flashed through his mind, the eerie echoes of what he now realized had been Meng Xian's practice sessions.

------

In the small auditorium, the stage was a hive of activity, with children and volunteers alike bustling about, preparing for the evening's performance. The director was at the center of it all, coordinating the efforts with the precision of someone who had done this many times before.

Meng Xian approached the director with an easy smile, slipping into conversation as naturally as if they were old friends.

"...Okay, I'll go adjust the speakers first," Meng Xian said, her voice cutting through his reverie. She turned and headed towards the stage, leaving Zhou Mingrui and the director alone.

Zhou Mingrui's eyes followed her, a spark of hope igniting in his chest. This was his chance! He took a step closer to the director, lowering his voice as he leaned in.

"Director," he began cautiously, "about Meng Xian's singing program… are you sure that's a good idea?"

The director looked at him, her expression puzzled. "Why wouldn't it be?" she asked, genuinely confused. "I've heard Meng Xian sing, and she has a lovely voice."

Zhou Mingrui blinked, taken aback by the director's sincere praise. His mind struggled to reconcile this with the memory of the occasional ghostly howls he had heard emanating from Meng Xian's room during their late-night study sessions.

"Uh, lovely?" Zhou Mingrui echoed, his tone uncertain.

The director's genuine smile only deepened his sense of impending doom."Yes, lovely," the director confirmed, her voice full of warmth.

She patted Zhou Mingrui's arm reassuringly, completely unaware of the turmoil brewing within him. "You'll see."

Zhou Mingrui forced a smile, though inside, his heart was sinking. How could he protect the children from the auditory assault that was sure to come? His mind raced, but before he could formulate a plan, the director changed the subject.

"Oh, Zhou Mingrui," she said, her tone shifting to one of gentle concern. "There's something else I wanted to discuss with you..."

And just like that, Zhou Mingrui found himself roped into another conversation.

—--

As the discussion wrapped up, Zhou Mingrui resigned himself to his fate. There was no stopping it now. The performance was going ahead as planned, and all he could do was hope that the children's spirits were strong enough to withstand it.

The afternoon passed in a blur of preparations. Zhou Mingrui found himself helping to arrange props, adjust lighting, and double-check sound equipment. All the while, he kept a wary eye on Meng Xian, who was blissfully unaware of the inner turmoil she was causing him.

Finally, the time came for the performances to begin. The small auditorium was filled with the excited chatter of children, their eyes wide with anticipation as they waited for the show to start. Zhou Mingrui stood to one side, trying to blend into the background as the first act took the stage.

The performances were a mix of dance routines, skits, and musical numbers, each one met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. Zhou Mingrui watched them all with a growing sense of dread, knowing that Meng Xian's turn was approaching.

The host's voice boomed through the auditorium, announcing each act with enthusiasm.

The children clapped and cheered, their faces lit up with excitement as they watched the dancers, magicians, and storytellers take the stage.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the host's voice rang out again, this time with a special announcement.

"Next, please welcome Sister Meng Xian, who gave out candy to everyone at noon, to bring us a singing program! Let's give her a big round of applause!"

Zhou Mingrui's heart sank as he heard Meng Xian's excited voice beside him. "I'm going to do it!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with determination.

He could feel his carefully maintained composure slipping, his expression betraying the internal struggle he was facing. He wanted to tell her to stop, to reconsider, but the words wouldn't come.

Instead, he could only lower his head and silently brace himself for what was to come.

Meng Xian stepped onto the stage with a confidence that seemed to defy any sense of caution. Her movements were graceful and deliberate as she positioned herself at the center, the spotlight illuminating her face and casting her in a halo of warm light. Her dark, clear eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and focus, and for a moment, Zhou Mingrui couldn't help but admire her poise.

The curtain behind her slowly rose, revealing the backdrop of a vibrant, colorful scene that had been carefully crafted for the occasion. The audience fell into a hush as they waited in anticipation for the performance to begin.

As the music swelled, Meng Xian closed her eyes, counting the beats in her head. She took a deep breath, the kind that seemed to fill her entire being.

In the center of the stage, Meng Xian stood poised, her figure illuminated by the soft spotlight that bathed her in a gentle glow.

She took a moment to silently count the beats in the accompaniment, her fingers lightly tapping the rhythm against her thigh.

The small auditorium was hushed, anticipation hanging thick in the air.

Meng Xian closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if drawing strength from the very essence of the music itself. Her resolve was clear, and she allowed herself to be fully immersed in the moment.

As the first notes of the song floated through the speakers, Meng Xian began to sing:

"Together, all together, all together, everyone

一起,所有人,一起,大家

Together, all together, come on, let's have some fun

一起,所有人,来吧,让我们玩得开心

Together, all together, each other, every one

一起,所有人,彼此,每个人

Together, all together, come on, let's do this right

一起,所有人,来吧,让我们做好这件事"

Zhou Mingrui's heart skipped a beat. "We're All in This Together"—it was a song he had heard countless times before, often in feel-good videos shared on social media or at graduation ceremonies.

But hearing it now, in this context, with Meng Xian at the helm, made it feel like something entirely different.

Her voice, clear and vibrant, filled the space with an infectious energy. The lyrics, simple yet profound, spoke of unity and collective strength. Meng Xian's sincerity was palpable, her expression one of earnest joy as she shared this moment with her audience.

"We're all here and speaking out one voice

我们都在这里,用一个声音发言

We're going to rise and shout

我们将崛起并呐喊

Everyone's together

每个人都在一起

And we're one in this together

我们在这其中是一个整体"

Zhou Mingrui, standing among the audience, was taken aback. The song, reminiscent of a joyful anthem, seemed to come alive through Meng Xian's performance.

His initial shock at the thought of her singing—especially in comparison to the "Katyusha" he had previously heard—was quickly replaced by a profound appreciation for her dedication and skill. It was clear Meng Xian had poured countless hours into perfecting this performance.

The audience's reactions were a testament to her impact. A few young children, overwhelmed by the heartfelt rendition, began to quietly sob. It was a sign of the song's deep emotional resonance.

Yet, the presence of attentive adults from the welfare home, or the more composed older siblings, helped soothe the young ones with gentle pats and comforting words. This quiet support ensured that the performance remained a celebration rather than a moment of distress.

As Meng Xian continued, her voice wove a tapestry of hope and encouragement. The auditorium's atmosphere was charged with a collective sense of unity, drawing everyone into the embrace of the song.

"When we're all in this together

当我们都在一起时

One heart, one voice

一个心,一个声音

We can do anything

我们可以做到任何事

We're all in this together

我们都在一起

Once we know that we are, we're all stars

一旦我们知道我们都是明星

And we see that we're all in this together

我们看到我们都在一起

And it shows when we stand hand in hand

当我们手牵手时,这会显现出来

Make our dreams come true

让我们的梦想成真"

Meng Xian sang with deep conviction, her eyes still closed as if trying to reach out to something beyond the physical realm of the stage. The final notes approached, and her voice quivered slightly, breaking with an emotional edge that only added to the song's sincerity.

The rawness of the final line—her voice cracking—only served to emphasize the depth of her emotion and commitment.

Zhou Mingrui, watching from his spot, couldn't help but be moved. His initial worries about Meng Xian's performance seemed to dissipate as he witnessed her dedication and the genuine connection she forged with her audience.

The joy radiating from her performance was undeniable, and it was clear that the children and adults alike were deeply touched by her heartfelt rendition.

He glanced down at a little girl at his feet, her tear-streaked face a mirror of the song's emotional impact. She had been one of the performers in the previous act, and her eyes were now glistening with tears of awe and admiration.

Zhou Mingrui, feeling a mix of empathy and pride, knelt beside her and gently covered her ears with his hands to shield her from the overwhelming emotions.

As he looked up at Meng Xian, his heart swelled with a complex blend of relief and admiration.

Zhou Mingrui's gaze lingered on Meng Xian as he recalled the director's earlier words.

"Zhou, you are the first friend that Meng Xian brought back to the orphanage. You two must be very good friends. I hope you can take care of him more in your daily life."

The notion of taking care of Meng Xian felt both odd and amusing to Zhou Mingrui. After all, in their friendship, he had often been the recipient of Meng Xian's support and concern. It was strange to think of himself in the role of caretaker.

The director had added, "Meng Xian's character is resolute, if you put it nicely, and extreme, if you put it bluntly. She is a child who easily falls into extremes…"

Zhou Mingrui's eyebrows furrowed as he processed this description. Was this the same Meng Xian he knew? The one who had always been a steady presence in his life, offering support and kindness? The contrast between this portrayal and his own experiences with her was jarring.

Then the director had shared something else that left Zhou Mingrui stunned.

"On June 1st last year, Meng Xian also returned to the welfare home. She didn't attend the birthday party that time; she simply donated some money to the welfare home.

The total was about 240,000 yuan, which was all the savings she had accumulated over the years of working…"

The gravity of the director's words settled heavily on Zhou Mingrui. He was already aware of Meng Xian's modest lifestyle and the sacrifices she made, but hearing the exact figure—her entire savings—shocked him deeply. It was a stark reminder of the depth of her generosity and the struggles she must have faced.

The director's voice lowered as she continued, "When Meng Xian saw me then, she appeared very shocked. Yes, shocked, guilty, helpless… She left soon after handing me the savings, like a child who wants to run away after doing something wrong."

The revelation added a new layer to Zhou Mingrui's understanding of Meng Xian.

It was clear that her decision to donate her savings had come from a place of profound personal conflict. The image of her, overwhelmed and wanting to escape after her act of generosity, painted a vivid picture of her inner turmoil.

As Meng Xian concluded her performance of "We All in This Together," she opened her eyes with a hopeful smile, searching for the audience's reaction. The auditorium was filled with applause, but Meng Xian's gaze was drawn to the director in the front row, who clapped with an approving smile and cheered, "Good! You sang very well!"

The director's praise, however, seemed to have an unintended effect. Some of the children, who had been trying hard to hold back their tears, looked up in shock and began to cry openly. The contrast between the director's enthusiastic approval and the audience's emotional response was stark and jarring.

Meng Xian's face fell as she took in the scene. Her earlier confidence and joy were replaced by a look of profound disappointment and self-doubt.

Her smile faded, and a cloud of sadness settled over her features. She walked off the stage with a downcast expression, the weight of the performance's reception pressing heavily on her.

Zhou Mingrui wanted to comfort her but was held back by the responsibilities of managing the curtain calls for the final show.

He stayed behind, his heart heavy with concern for Meng Xian. When he finally emerged from backstage, he found her standing a short distance away, waiting for him.

Her demeanor was not as dark as before, but there was an undeniable air of desolation about her.

As Zhou Mingrui approached, Meng Xian lifted her head and looked at him with a mix of vulnerability and earnestness. "Zhou,"

she asked, her voice trembling slightly, "is my singing really that bad? I know it's not perfect, but is it really that bad?"

Zhou Mingrui was taken aback by the raw vulnerability in her voice. He grappled with how to respond, knowing that honesty and kindness needed to balance delicately.

After a moment of hesitation, he chose his words with care. "Meng, you sing... okay."

He didn't know if it was his illusion, but after hearing this comment. Meng Xian face seemed to become even darker...