Reborn with Consumption System-Chapter 561 - 252 This is no way to live_2

Despite this, Han Lie still politely said goodbye to Liu Beibei, Yan Qing, and the others, "Good luck! Tonight is yours, shine brightly!"

"Don’t worry, we will!"

It wasn’t until Han Lie’s figure had disappeared around the corner that Liu Beibei stood there reluctantly, waving like a lovelorn woman waiting for her husband to return from sea. Yan Qing watched coldly, neither pleased nor annoyed, while the others revealed traces of disdain and jealousy.

Once Liu Beibei turned around, she caught their expressions. Her smile abruptly vanished as she lifted her chin proudly. Oh, look down on me? Wait till you’ve been battered by society, then you’ll know what kind of pain it is not to be able to ask anyone for help... Rookies!

「...」

Han Lie was led by Yin Qin through the corridors into the waiting area. As the space opened up before his eyes, he was hit with the scent of cosmetics.

A variety show naturally wouldn’t consist solely of female performances. But given that the inherent balance in humanities favored women over men, boys with sufficient talent to take the stage were still in the minority. Therefore, the backstage area was essentially a large garden.

Girls who were originally just okay in appearance became incredibly attractive once they put on makeup and donned either skimpy or form-fitting fancy dresses, displaying the vibrant energy and slender grace unique to young women. The impact of that sight nearly made Han Lie hesitant to move forward.

However, the atmosphere backstage was one of tension and busyness. All romantic thoughts were diluted by the pressure of performing, leaving few in the mood for idle chatter with Han Lie.

"Director Han!" someone greeted, followed immediately by a shout, "Where are the safety pins? Hurry up! My dress is damn well about to fall off!"

Brother Lie quickly turned his head. Look away, nothing to see here, amen. But as he turned, he unexpectedly saw fresh safety shorts...

Glancing around, Han Lie spotted many familiar faces—but they were only familiar, as he couldn’t recognize them fully. For most women, heavy makeup and a bare face make them seem like two different creatures, just as Liu Yue looks better trying on clothes compared to not trying at all. Despite the many beauties backstage, Brother Lie quickly grew numb to them.

Then, as he was making his way inside, Zhao Shengnan suddenly rushed over and called Yin Qin to stop.

"Yin Qin, why are you still dawdling here? The girl group needs you over there!"

"Ah?" Yin Qin was taken aback, then frowned and mumbled, "When will this ever end? Wasn’t everything taken care of before..."

"Come on, go!" Zhao Shengnan urged again, then gestured. "Director Han, don’t just stand there, come and help!"

Han Lie was puzzled. Me? You all seem so efficient; what help could I possibly offer?

Yin Qin quickly disappeared into the women’s changing room with a sense of unwillingness, while Han Lie was dragged by Zhao Shengnan through three turns to the storage room at the very back.

When she slammed the door shut and darkness filled the room, Brother Lie finally understood. "Wait! So this was a private request for help, huh?"

"HEH HEH HEH..." Zhao Shengnan, with a mischievous laugh, turned on a flashlight and led Han Lie around the obstructions at the front of the room to reach the back.

Compared with the chaos upfront, this back part was a neat and spacious little area. Old desks and chairs were against the wall, and a few old-fashioned sports mats were laid on the floor, covered with picnic tablecloths. The room’s curtains were tightly drawn; two sets of clothes were neatly arranged on the windowsill, next to two large backpacks.

Hm? Why are there two sets?

Just as Brother Lie wondered this, someone suddenly flung themselves onto his back. He reached back; the feel was very familiar. Well, case closed.

"You two are really bold, this is too much!" Righteous Lie scolded them loudly and fiercely, but Zhao Shengnan kept quiet and rushed to spread out a down jacket on the desk.

And the innocent-looking Lou Xiaoxiao said solemnly, "Director Han, my sister and I have a performance that we’d like to show you for your expert opinion..."

「...」

This was a successful evening, a victorious one, a crazy one.

At the end, when Director Zhang from the Student Affairs Office saw Han Lie sweating profusely, he immediately shook hands with him, all smiles. "Han Lie, the performances today were of high quality, you’ve worked hard!"

And Director Che from the administration office asked with concern, "Are you exhausted? It’s tough, isn’t it... Quick, put on your coat, don’t catch a cold!"

Yin Qin, who had been looking for Han Lie all night, eyed her Director suspiciously, constantly wondering, What kind of heavy props did he have to move? Try as I might, I can’t recall seeing the Director’s figure at any of the heavy labor sites. What had made him so tired?

As Yin Qin thought, a sudden realization shocked her and she turned to look for Zhao Shengnan. There she was backstage, gesturing among the crowd. There was a bit of sweat on her head, but her hairstyle was hardly disturbed. Her down jacket was a bit dusty, but her shirt underneath was clean and neat. Her jeans were in good shape, though her legs were trembling quite a bit...

Alright, backstage work was indeed plentiful and chaotic, undoubtedly very taxing, Yin Qin thought. Without noticing anything amiss, she shook her head in self-mockery. She then turned to supervise the cleanup, as many of the costumes were rented and needed to be returned.

As she was helping, she suddenly saw the dazed and slightly dizzy Lou Xiaoxiao, holding her head.

"Xiao Xiao, what’s wrong with you? Are you worn out?"

"It’s nothing." Lou Xiaoxiao yawned, replying in a nasal voice, "It’s hot in some spots and cold in others backstage. I think I’ve caught a cold."

"You’ve worked hard, you better go rest! There’s not much work left, it’s okay!"