People are in the magic card, instigating rebellion against the world.

Chapter 199 Go, awaken your beloved princess with your kiss! (Bonus chapter of 1 words)

"In this way, his cursing of the princess may not have been out of simple malice, but rather for a deeper reason, such as wanting to attract the king's attention through the curse, or wanting to use it to reveal some hidden secrets."

Tomoyo listened attentively, her eyes gradually brightening. Following Ye Hui's train of thought, she added, "If the wizard and the queen were once lovers, but were forced to separate in their youth due to their different social statuses or family opposition, and later the queen married the king, and the wizard, out of love turned to hatred, cursed their daughter, this setting seems to have a lot of dramatic conflict! It can explain the wizard's motivation, increase the complexity of the plot, and make the story more interesting."

Upon hearing this addition, Ye Hui couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Tomoyo-chan's train of thought seems to have gone a bit off track.

This is almost turning into a melodramatic love story, isn't it?
He coughed twice, steer the conversation back to a direction more in line with the fairy tale's tone: "Ahem, this direction is indeed very compelling, but we may need to be careful to maintain a good balance and avoid deviating too much from the core of the fairy tale, 'Sleeping Beauty'."

“We can also start with the prince and princess, which is what Sakura was most concerned about before.”

He turned to Sakura and said, "Sakura, didn't you think the prince and princess's relationship was progressing too fast and abruptly? Then let's add some tests to their relationship to make their love more convincing."

Sakura's interest was piqued, her eyes widening: "What kind of test will we add? Will we put the prince in even more danger, or will we make the princess have any concerns after she wakes up?"

“We can start with the process of the prince rescuing the princess,” Ye Hui patiently explained. “Think about it, in the original story, the princess is locked in a castle full of thorns. The prince only needs to break through the thorns and rush in, kiss the princess awake, and that’s it. Isn’t that a bit too monotonous? Moreover, in this way, other characters, such as the fairy godmother, have almost no room to play their roles and seem very marginalized.”

"Mmm!" Sakura nodded vigorously, completely agreeing with Ye Hui's statement. "I always thought that the Fairy Godmother was useless except for giving blessings, which was such a pity! Now that you've said it, it's true!"

"So we can design several levels so that the prince not only has to show courage, but also other qualities in the process of rescuing the princess."

Ye Hui stretched out his finger, organizing his thoughts as he spoke, officially embarking on his screenwriting career.

"For example, in the first challenge, when the prince arrives at the thorn forest outside the castle, the fairy godmother will appear and set a riddle for him to test his wisdom—only by solving the riddle will the thorns automatically make way for him."

"This would prove that the prince is not just a brute with brute force, and it would also make the fairy godmother's character more present."

Sakura's eyes lit up even more, and she exclaimed excitedly, "That's great! That's a fantastic idea! A prince not only needs to be good at fighting, but he also needs to be smart. That's the kind of prince a princess would love even more!"

Tomoyo took out a notebook and pen from her bag, scribbling rapidly on the paper to avoid missing any details, while also adding a suggestion: "It would be even more romantic if the riddle was related to the princess's preferences."

"For example, the Fairy Godmother's riddles are what color the princess's favorite flower is and what the princess's favorite toy was when she was a child. The prince needs to know about the princess's past beforehand and can only advance to the next level if he answers the questions correctly."

"In this way, the prince's feelings for the princess are not just love at first sight, but are based on a foundation of understanding, and their feelings will be more delicate."

"Tomoyo's idea is great!" Sakura nodded upon hearing Tomoyo's addition. "This way, it will prove that the prince really put in the effort to understand the princess, and that he didn't just happen to be passing by the castle and came to rescue her on a whim! This will make their relationship seem more real!"

Ye Hui smiled and nodded, continuing to organize his thoughts: "We'll use the second challenge to test the prince's courage. This is also a good opportunity for the evil wizard to make his official appearance, increasing the tension in the plot."

"Wizards can summon a powerful monster, such as a fire lion or a rock giant, at the castle gate to guard it."

"The prince must defeat the monster with his own strength before he can continue toward the princess's room."

"This design not only visually showcases the prince's bravery, but also makes the villainous wizard more imposing, rather than just someone who disappears after casting a curse and then has no further presence."

When Tomoyo heard about the battle setting, her eyes lit up. She clasped her hands together, placed them next to her cheeks, and said with starry eyes, "I must choose the best angle in advance and record the whole scene of Sakura's heroic battle against the monsters with my camera!"

"By the way, the prince's formal attire also needs to be redesigned. It can't be as cumbersome as before; it needs to be easy to move in, otherwise it will be very inconvenient during fights. But it can't lose the prince's glamorous appearance either. We need to find a balance between practicality and aesthetics..."

As she spoke, she took out her notebook and began quickly jotting down her thoughts on clothing and shooting angles.

He was completely immersed in his creative world.

Ye Hui looked at her focused expression and shook his head helplessly.

"What's the third challenge?" Sakura tugged at Ye Hui's sleeve, interrupting his thoughts, and asked curiously.

"The third challenge..." Ye Hui stroked his chin, paused for a moment, and then slowly said, "is to test the prince's sincerity, and it is also the most crucial challenge in the entire rescue process."

"Really?" Sakura tilted her head and repeated it with some doubt.

How do you test someone's sincerity?

Ye Hui nodded and explained seriously: "Imagine, when the prince finally passes the first two trials and arrives at the princess's sleeping room, walks to her bedside, and is about to kiss her awake, the wizard will suddenly appear."

"He would tell the prince that the kiss that would awaken the princess was actually a deal. Once the prince kissed her, the princess would wake up, but he himself would fall into an eternal sleep in her place, never to wake up again."

"Huh?" Sakura exclaimed in surprise, her smile vanishing and her brows furrowing slightly. "If that's the case, the princess wakes up, but the prince is asleep. How can they live happily ever after like in fairy tales?"

"Don't worry, this is just a test." Ye Hui reached out and gently patted her head to comfort her. "The wizard doesn't really want the prince to fall into a deep sleep. He just wants to see if the prince is truly willing to give everything for the princess, even if the price is his own eternal sleep."

"If the prince chooses to kiss her without hesitation and is willing to sacrifice himself for the princess, the wizard will be moved by his sincerity and will take the initiative to break the curse of the deal, so that both of them can be safe."

"Oh, I see..." Sakura breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the explanation, patted her chest, and smiled again. "I was so scared. I thought the prince was really going to fall asleep forever and never see the princess again."

Tomoyo snapped out of her reverie, put down her pen, thought about it carefully, and then added, "I think the character of Ye Huijun is excellent."

"In this way, the wizard character has completely shed the stereotypical villain label and become more three-dimensional."

"His curse is no longer just a simple act of malicious revenge, but more like a screening of true love. Only those who are willing to give to their partner and pass the triple test of wisdom, courage, and sincerity are worthy of the princess's love and deserve happiness."

"Moreover, the prince no longer wins love easily with just a 'wake-up kiss' like before."

"He won the princess's heart step by step by solving puzzles with his wisdom, defeating monsters with his courage, and being willing to sacrifice with his sincerity."

"This kind of love is more solid and more touching to the audience, much more moving than the original storyline."

Tomoyo's summary is both precise and gentle, highlighting the core meaning of the entire level design.

Sakura nodded repeatedly, looking at Tomoyo with admiration: "Tomoyo is absolutely right! I feel like our adaptation of 'Sleeping Beauty' has suddenly become so much more profound, it's no longer just a simple prince rescuing a princess!"

Ms. Mizuki, who had been listening quietly to their discussion, spoke up at this moment, with a pleased smile on her face: "I also think your ideas are excellent."

"The story has a very complete logic, progressing step by step from puzzle challenges to monster battles, and then to a heartfelt choice, with a well-controlled pace."

"Moreover, the motivations of each character are more reasonable. The fairy godmother has a guiding role, the wizard has a complex inner world, and the prince has a growth arc."

"In particular, the adaptation of the wizard character has made him more than just a villain, which is rare in fairy tale adaptations."

Ye Hui secretly chuckled to himself upon hearing the praise.

These tricks were simply summaries he had made from watching so many movies, TV series, and reading so many novels.

Surprisingly, it works quite well in fairy tale adaptations.

"Then, Ms. Mizuki, can we really act according to this approach?" Sakura asked again to confirm.

“Of course.” Mizuki nodded with a smile. “I will rewrite the script based on the framework you just discussed, combined with the core of the original script, and send it to everyone tomorrow.”

"However, this will increase everyone's workload. The lines for the new script need to be memorized again, the blocking needs to be rearranged, and new props and costumes need to be prepared."

"Especially Ye Hui and Kinomoto, your roles will become very heavy. You'll need to memorize lines and practice fighting moves, so be prepared for a tough time."

"No problem! We will definitely work hard! We will not let the teacher down!"

Sakura immediately straightened her back, patted her chest firmly with both hands to make a promise, her eyes were firm, and she was full of energy.

"I'm fine with it too," Ye Hui nodded.

For him, the wizard's role was never that significant.

Their main responsibility is to appear at crucial moments.

Arrange the villain's pose to create a sense of oppression.

Memorizing lines and practicing blocking are not difficult tasks.

"As for the costumes, we'll have to trouble Daidoji to put in a lot of effort. The costumes for the characters in the new script need to be redesigned, especially the prince's battle suit and the wizard's robe. They need to fit the characters' roles and be easy for them to perform." Mizuki-sensei looked at Tomoyo.

"Please leave it to me, teacher. I will definitely not let everyone down!" Tomoyo's eyes lit up instantly. "When I was listening to everyone discussing the plot just now, I already had a lot of new ideas! The prince's battle suit should incorporate silver armor elements, which will make him look heroic and allow for easy movement."

"The wizard's robe can be made of dark purple fabric, with dark gold patterns embroidered on the edges to increase its mystique."

"And the monster designs can also be made three-dimensional using fabric and foam... I guarantee I will design the most perfect costumes, props, and accessories!"

The matter was settled.

the following few days.

The entire class was immersed in the intense yet exciting rehearsals and preparations.

Teacher Guanyue was very efficient. She quickly produced a brand new script based on the framework discussed by Ye Hui and the others, combined with the core plot of the original script.

The new script not only adds a triple test plot, but also enriches the roles of supporting characters, giving each character a more distinct personality, making the plot more intricate, and the characters more well-rounded.

The students were thrilled when they received the new script.

As Li Xiaolang looked at the newly added scene in his script—the prince from the neighboring country helping the protagonist prince fight against the wizard—the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Although he didn't say anything, he was secretly a little excited.

This role is more meaningful than the original simple marriage proposer.

Sakura put in even more enthusiasm.

Every day after school, he would drag Ye Hui and Zhi Shi to the classroom to go over their lines and practice their blocking over and over again.

This allowed her to progress rapidly.

At first, when he was playing the prince, his movements were stiff and his lines were awkward. But later, he gradually found the feeling of the role, and his every move had a bit of the prince's heroic spirit, and he was no longer clumsy.

Ye Hui was happy to cooperate with her.

For him, participating in theatrical performances is like playing a large-scale role-playing game.

Moreover, seeing Sakura's face beaming with joy because her idea to adapt the script came true, and seeing Tomoyo so focused and dedicated to designing costumes and recording details, was truly heartwarming.

He himself felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Friday arrived quickly.

The day of the Yuzhi Elementary School Talent Show begins!
The entire campus was immersed in a joyful and lively atmosphere.

The playground was decorated with colorful balloons and ribbons, and the corridors of the teaching building were covered with talent posters from each class.

Students, dressed in various performance costumes, strolled around the campus in twos and threes.

Ye Hui specially brought Qingque along today.

He shrunk the bluebird to the size of an ordinary sparrow, and it sat quietly on his shoulder, with a small patch of dark feathers covering it so that it was almost invisible unless you looked closely.

"Master, it's so lively here!" Qingque chirped in his mind, her little head turning from time to time as she curiously observed everything around her. "Those people's clothes are so strange! Some are wearing pointy hats, some have wings on their backs, and that one, is he playing a cat? His tail can even move! How interesting!"

Ye Hui smiled and responded to it in his heart: "Don't move or make a sound, just stay still. There's something even more interesting coming up."

When he entered the dressing room backstage of the auditorium, it was already in complete chaos.

Some students sat in front of the mirror, with classmates who knew how to do makeup helping them apply foundation and blush.

Some stood in front of the clothes rack, hurriedly changing their performance costumes.

As soon as he entered the door, he heard a group of voices running towards him.

Has anyone seen my belt?

"Oh no! I can't find my fairy wings!"

"Hurry up, hurry up, hand me that thing!"

In addition, some people gathered around the prop box, checking the props they would be using that day, afraid that something might go wrong.

Sakura was circling around Rika, who was playing one of the fairy godmothers, holding a silver headband in her hand. She was carefully adjusting Rika's slightly crooked white fairy hat and also tidying up her slightly loose white feather wings.

"Lijia, don't move. Lower your head a little more, let me straighten your hat for you, otherwise it will fall off when you go on stage... Okay! That's perfect! See, doesn't it look great?"

Rika looked at herself in the mirror and said gratefully, "Thank you, Sakura~"

"Ye Hui! You're finally here!" When Qian Chun saw Ye Hui walk in, she put down the props she was holding and quickly went to greet him, her face full of excitement.

"Come and see the props our props team has been working on these past few days! Aren't they amazing! Especially this spinning wheel, it took us several days to make!" Qianchun pulled Ye Hui to the prop shelf, pointed to the neatly arranged props, and proudly introduced them.

Ye Hui looked in the direction she pointed.

The props are indeed well made.

The spinning wheel, in particular, has a rather rustic feel to it.

Is this what they call "antique fading"?
Ye Hui nodded and sincerely praised, "You did a great job."

"Right!" Chiharu chuckled upon hearing the praise. "To achieve this vintage feel, we did some research, sanded the frame, and mixed several different paints to test the colors before we got this effect!"

"By the way, Ye Hui." Qianchun looked around, her gaze sweeping over the busy crowd, a hint of doubt on her face. She couldn't help but ask, "Where's Zhishi? I haven't seen her. She's the costume designer for our play today, and she's also the lead actress. Why isn't such a crucial person backstage?"

As soon as she said that, the students around her realized what she meant.

The backstage area was packed with people.

Everyone is making final preparations for the performance.

It's a bit strange that one of the most important characters in this play is missing.

"She should be on her way now, but maybe something minor has delayed her," Ye Hui said calmly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the dressing room was gently pushed open from the outside.

Tomoyo appeared at the door carrying a silver suitcase.

Behind her were two female bodyguards dressed in black, each dragging an identical silver suitcase.

"Sorry I'm late." Tomoyo walked in and nodded slightly to the students present. "I was a little delayed on the way to pick up some custom-made costumes and props from the studio. I hope it didn't affect everyone's preparations?"

"It's alright, it's alright, it's good that you're here," someone said.

"Tomoyo! You're finally here!" Sakura cheered when she saw Tomoyo and ran over to her quickly.

"Tomoyo, what's in these three suitcases? They look so heavy." Chiharu curiously leaned over and gently touched the surface of the suitcase. It felt cool and smooth, and looked quite expensive.

Tomoyo smiled and opened the front suitcase.

The box was lined with soft white silk.

Neatly stacked on top were rows and rows of gorgeous performance costumes.

From the princess's tutu to the fairy godmother's tulle dress, every garment is exquisitely crafted, made of high-quality fabrics, and even the stitching is meticulously done.

"Wow..." Upon seeing the costumes in the box, the students backstage couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, crowding around with expressions of astonishment.

"Did you make all of this by yourself, Tomoyo?" Rika stared wide-eyed at a princess dress adorned with pearls.

Such exquisite clothes look like they were bought from a high-end clothing store; they don't look handmade at all.

"Yes, I designed and sewed most of them myself. Because I was in a bit of a rush, and there were complicated embroidery and accessories, I found a professional craftsman to help me."

Tomoyo nodded and said modestly, "There are also some clothes and accessories in the other two boxes. You can choose according to your own character."

As she spoke, she turned and gestured to the bodyguard behind her.

The bodyguard immediately stepped forward and opened the other two boxes as well.

A box contained the remaining costumes, along with the prince's armor and the wizard's cloak.

The other box was filled with matching accessories.

"Everyone, stop standing there! There's less than an hour until the show starts, so hurry up and choose your outfits and change quickly!" Tomoyo clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention back.

Then, her gaze fell on Ye Hui and Xiao Ying. She grabbed Xiao Ying's arm with one hand and Ye Hui's wrist with the other, and dragged them to the door of the temporary dressing room backstage without saying a word.

“Sakura, you’ll play the prince, and Ye Huijun, you’ll play the wizard. You two are the main characters, so your costumes are the most complicated and you’ll have to change first!” Tomoyo’s tone left no room for argument as she stuffed two neatly folded costumes into their hands.

"I'm waiting for you outside, hehe~ I can't wait to see you all wearing the clothes I designed! Make sure you wear them properly and don't put the straps on the wrong ones!"

She was half-pushed and half-forced into the changing room by Tomoyo.

Ye Hui looked at the layered, intricately structured wizard robe in his hand and smiled.

Tomoyo's designs are as gorgeous as ever.

The fabric is a high-quality black velvet that feels soft and smooth to the touch, but the collar, cuffs and hem are adorned with intricate gold patterns.
As always, it's hard to wear.

After all, extravagance always comes at a price.

From the dressing room next door, Sakura's equally troubled voice soon came through: "Tomoyo! How am I supposed to wear this prince outfit? Why are there so many straps and buttons? I can't tell which one is which!"

"Sakura, don't rush, take your time. First, put on the white shirt underneath, and remember to button up the collar. Then put on the vest on top, and tie the vest's straps from the front to the back... Oh, and then there's the one with the silver pattern, don't grab the wrong one..." Tomoyo patiently instructed from outside the door.

As Ye Hui listened to their conversation, he quickened his pace.

He first put on the black bodysuit underneath, and then carefully slipped on the black velvet robe, which was just the right length to his ankles and would flutter gently as he walked. The sleeves were wide and had a subtle pattern.

Three round black gemstones were set at the neckline, gleaming faintly under the light, and a wide gold belt was worn around the waist to cinch the shape of the robe.

Finally, he put on a black pointed hat with a small gold decoration on the top, and picked up the staff that Tomoyo had specially prepared, which was inlaid with purple crystals.

The crystal was polished to a smooth, translucent finish, while the staff itself was made of dark brown wood and engraved with simple magical patterns.

Ye Hui walked to the mirror in the dressing room and looked at himself in the mirror.

His original school uniform was replaced with a gorgeous wizard outfit. The black velvet robe made him look even taller, and the gold patterns and black gemstones added a touch of mystery and nobility.

With that staff, he looks exactly like a noble yet wicked wizard straight out of a fairy tale!

He really does have that dark yet handsome villain vibe.

Ye Hui straightened his collar with satisfaction, adjusted his crooked pointed hat, and then pushed open the door to the changing room.

Almost at the same time, the door to the next changing room clicked open, and Sakura, dressed in a white prince's dress, walked out.

Sakura's white dress was perfectly tailored, fitting her figure without being too tight, and a gold sash was slung across her chest, the end of which hung down to her waist, swaying gently with her movements.

She was wearing a pair of white knee-high boots, the boot shafts reaching just below her knees, with delicate silver embroidery at the top.

She held the prop sword in her hand, the gold ribbon on the scabbard echoing the sash.

Her originally messy brown short hair has been carefully styled, with the ends slightly curled up, losing some of her girlish softness and gaining more of her boyish dashingness.

However, the prince's cheeks were now flushed with a light pink, like a ripe peach.

She tugged at the neckline of her dress somewhat uncomfortably, not quite used to such formal attire. A hint of shyness lingered in her dark green eyes as she avoided eye contact with those around her.

"Um... do you guys think... it looks good?" Sakura asked softly, gripping the sword hilt uncertainly.

"Wow! So beautiful! Sakura, you're like a prince straight out of a fairy tale!" Tomoyo was the first to react, immediately grabbing her camera and rushing over, focusing the lens on Sakura, exclaiming incessantly, "Look at that shoulder line! And look at that waistline! The dress is perfectly tailored! You're exactly the perfect prince in my mind!"

"Ah! This side profile angle is absolutely stunning! Sakura, don't move, turn your head a little more so I can take another picture!"

As Tomoyo spoke, she circled around Sakura, searching for the best angle to take a picture.

"And this! The way you're holding the sword, raise your arm just a little bit, yes, like that! It's so imposing! It feels like you're about to rescue the princess any second now! Hehehehehe~~~"

[Goddess Daidoji Tomoyo has been completely captivated by the celestial aura of Kinomoto Sakura, a disciple of the Heavenly Spirit Root! She has decided to follow you to the death... no, to follow Kinomoto Sakura!]

Ye Hui's lips twitched as he looked at the system log.

System, you made that turn quite timely.

Sakura blushed even more after being praised by Tomoyo, and her ears turned pink as well.

She stood there, somewhat flustered, unable to avoid the camera, and could only plead softly, "Tomoyo, please stop filming... So many people are watching, I'm so sorry..."

Ye Hui, standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh as well.

It must be admitted that Tomoyo's insight is indeed sharp.

Wearing this prince-style dress, Sakura completely shed her usual playfulness and gained a unique kind of coolness.

The soft lines unique to young girls are paired with the heroic design of the dress.

Add to that her expression, which was both shy and feignedly resolute.

He portrayed the image of a "young prince" perfectly.

"Ahem." Ye Hui cleared his throat, stepped forward, and, imitating the manner of a nobleman in a play, bowed slightly to Xiao Ying and performed a standard hand gesture. "My dear prince, you are truly radiant today, even the sunlight pales in comparison to you."

"Ye Huijun! You're making fun of me too!" Xiaoying's face turned completely red, almost as if it were about to bleed.

She raised the prop sword in her hand, pretending to slash at Ye Hui, but didn't actually take a step forward.

[Kinomoto Sakura's emotional value +10]

"I wasn't making fun of you." Ye Hui spread his hands innocently, took a step back, and easily dodged her attack. "I was just stating a fact. You really do look great today. Anyone who sees you would think so."

"Ye Hui-kun is right." Zhi Shi finally put down the camera with satisfaction, walked to Ye Hui's side, and agreed with him. "Xiao Ying, you are really cool today. It's not the kind of heroic spirit that is deliberately put on, but that comes from your bones. It's very natural and attractive."

She turned her head again, her gaze falling on Ye Hui, her eyes filled with admiration: "Ye Hui, this wizard's robe really suits you. The whole outfit gives off a 'dangerous yet irresistible charm,' it's very captivating."

【Daodaiji Chiyo’s Emotion Value +10】

Being praised by Tomoyo is much more useful than the messy logs from the system.

Just then, the bluebird on his shoulder gently pecked at his collar and complained softly, "Master, why doesn't anyone notice me! I'm cute today too!"

The voice just fell.

Xiao Ke's defiant voice came from inside the schoolbag.

"What's so cute about you? I'm clearly cuter! If I could come out right now, everyone would be praising me!"

"You're not cute at all! You're just a gluttonous little fatso!"

"Who are you calling a little fatty? You little sparrow!"

Qingque darted into the backpack.

"Hey, Fatty Huang, what brings you here?"

"I'm not Fatty Yellow! Besides, your master is dressed like a crow going to a funeral, what's so cool about that?" Xiao Ke punched Qing Que with a set of cat punches.

"Tch! Your magical girl is cute, and her outfit is cool, but she's still not as handsome as my master!" Qingque flapped her wings and slapped Xiao Ke hard.

"What?! You dare hit me?!"

"I hit you!"

The two little ones started another round of bickering and physical fighting.

Ye Hui: “…”

Sakura: "..."

These two guys are arguing, why do they have to resort to personal attacks?
"Kero! If you keep talking nonsense, I won't let you have any snacks today!" Sakura threatened through her schoolbag.

"I was wrong, okay...?" As soon as she heard there would be no snacks, Xiao Ke immediately backed down.

Ye Hui also warned Qing Que: "If you say another word, you won't get the elixir tonight either."

The bluebird twitched its wings and then settled down.

Finally, those two troublemakers were dealt with.

"Ye Hui! Kinomoto! Have you changed yet? Come out and let everyone see!" Li Meiling's loud voice came from outside.

"Coming!" Sakura responded, pushed open the locker room door, and followed Ye Hui out.

The moment the two appeared, the noisy backstage environment fell silent for a fraction of a second.

All eyes were on them, followed by a chorus of gasps of amazement.

"Ye Hui, you look so handsome in this wizard outfit! The velvet fabric looks so luxurious, and the patterns on it are so exquisite!"

"Tomoyo is such a great designer! Whether it's the wizard's outfit or the prince's attire, they all perfectly match their personalities!"

"Wow, Ye Hui looks so good in this style! I feel like he's about to cast a spell! So handsome!!"

The students discussed it animatedly, their eyes filled with amazement.

Ye Hui remained calm about this, simply nodding slightly to everyone.

After all, Tomoyo's cooking skills are impeccable.

Given his physique and appearance, it's not surprising that he achieves this effect.

On the other side, Sakura was surrounded by several girls, with Li Meiling being the closest, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Sakura's prince outfit.

"Kinomoto, you look so good in this outfit! Even better than I imagined! It suits you so well, and that sash is absolutely stunning!" Li Meiling said as she circled around Sakura, almost reaching out to touch the fabric of the dress, her voice full of praise.

"Is...is that so?" Sakura blushed even more as she was surrounded and stared at by so many people, and even her ears turned hot.

She awkwardly tugged at the neckline of her dress, her hands hanging stiffly at her sides, unsure of what to do with them.

"Of course!" Li Meiling patted her chest vigorously, saying with absolute certainty, "You are now the most handsome prince in my heart! Cough... but, you're still a little bit less handsome than Little Wolf..."

Li Xiaolang, who was not far away, happened to hear this. He paused in the script in his hand, silently lowered his head, and pretended to be studying the lines attentively, but his ears turned red. He obviously did not want to participate in this topic.

Seeing this, Ye Hui stepped forward and gently pushed aside the classmates surrounding Xiao Ying, helping her out of the predicament: "Alright, alright, everyone stop surrounding our 'Prince'. If you keep staring like this, she'll be so shy she'll want to crawl into the ground."

"There's not much time left before the show starts, so everyone should hurry up and check their props and costumes."

"Ye Huijun!" Xiaoying glared at him, both embarrassed and angry, her dark green eyes filled with reproach, when she heard his teasing tone.

[Kinomoto Sakura's emotional value +6]

While they were chatting, Tomoyo changed into her princess costume in the dressing room.

Ye Hui's gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Tomoyo as she walked out of the dressing room. He said, "Look, Her Highness the Princess has changed her clothes too."

Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing.

Tomoyo wore a pale pink princess dress, its tiered skirt resembling blooming petals, each adorned with tiny white pearls that shimmered softly under the light. Her long, flowing black hair was meticulously styled into an elegant updo, adorned with a delicate pink rose hair accessory, and several strands of fine pearl chains dangled from her hair, swaying gently with her movements.

“Tomoyo…” Sakura stared at Tomoyo, her eyes wide with amazement, and exclaimed, “Tomoyo, you look so beautiful today! This dress is gorgeous!”

"She's practically a princess! I think she's even more beautiful than Sleeping Beauty in fairy tales!" Li Jia exclaimed beside her.

Tomoyo smiled gently at everyone, lifted her skirt, and gracefully performed a perfect princess curtsy.

"Thank you for your compliments. I'm very happy that everyone likes these outfits."

"Alright, students, our performance is about to begin!" Ms. Guanyue's voice came from the backstage door. She was holding a program in her hand. "Everyone, get into position quickly. Double-check your order of appearance and lines one last time, so there are no mistakes."

The students, who had been gathered together, reluctantly dispersed to make their final preparations.

Some were checking if the props were complete, some were reciting their lines, and others were adjusting their costumes.

Tomoyo walked over to Ye Hui and Sakura and gently reminded them, "Ye Hui, Sakura, you two have scenes in the first act. Go to the side of the stage and get ready. I'll go check the backdrop and lighting."

Meanwhile, the auditorium for the talent show was already packed.

The audience was filled with students and teachers from all grades, and many parents were sitting in the front row. Everyone was holding a program and discussing the upcoming performances in hushed tones.

Touya and Yukito were also sitting in the front row of the audience, with an empty seat next to them.

That was prepared for Sakura's father, but he had something come up and couldn't come.

Yukito looked at the empty seat next to him and said softly, "It's such a pity that Sakura's father can't come. He must really want to see Sakura's performance."

Touya took out a camera from his bag, skillfully checked the lens, and replied in a calm tone, "He said there was important work at the excavation site today and he really couldn't leave. He even called me just now to ask me to take as many photos and videos as possible and send them to him."

"Are you taking pictures?" Snow Rabbit glanced at the camera in his hand and asked with a smile.

"Yes, Dad specifically told me not to miss Sakura's first time performing a play in front of the whole school." Touya nodded, his gaze falling on the program in front of the stage.

Yukito also took out his program, glanced at it, chuckled, and said, "Sakura's class is performing first. They're doing 'Sleeping Beauty,' which sounds interesting."

"By the way, Touya, your drama performance at the talent show last year was also very good. You played Cinderella back then, and I still remember how cute you looked in your dress."

Touya's lips twitched: "—I don't really want to talk about this..."

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Yukito couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes filled with amusement: "(^.^) Why? I think you looked really good in Cinderella's dress back then, especially cute."

"And I remember the president of the photography club said that during the school anniversary celebration, the photos of you wearing a skirt sold the best, and many people were scrambling to get them."

Upon hearing this, Touya's face instantly tightened, and he gritted his teeth: "(◣_◢) The photography club dares to sell that kind of thing! Did they even ask for my opinion?"

Yukito suppressed a laugh and nodded gently: "(^～^) Yeah! I saw it at the time. The photo was placed in the most conspicuous position on the club's booth, and it said 'Limited Edition Cinderella' below. It sold out really fast. I walked over there and then it was all gone."

Touya's eyelids twitched, and he wanted to say something more, but just then, the lights in the auditorium suddenly went out.

The previously noisy discussions instantly disappeared, and everyone's attention was focused on the stage in front, where the talent show had officially begun.

From the speakers above the stage, Ms. Mizuki's gentle yet magnetic voice narrated, drawing the audience's attention into the story.

"Long, long ago, there was a rich and peaceful country."

"The castle was inhabited by a kind king and a beautiful queen, who were deeply loved by the people."

"The king and queen lacked nothing and lived a rich and happy life. Their only regret was that they never had a child of their own."

"Day after day, year after year, the king and queen longed to have a child."

"They pray to God every day, hoping to have a healthy baby."

"Finally, one day, the heavens heard their prayers, and the princess they had long awaited was born... The whole country rejoiced over this good news."

As the narration ended, the stage curtain slowly opened.

The king, played by a student, wore a bright yellow robe, and the queen wore a light blue dress.

The two carefully carried a swaddled baby covered with pink silk and slowly walked to the center of the stage, their faces beaming with happiness.

"To celebrate the birth of the princess, the king decided to hold a grand banquet, inviting all the nobles and ministers of the country, as well as three fairy godmothers with powerful magic, to attend and offer their blessings to the princess."

The narration continued.

Cheerful music then flowed out.

Ministers and guests dressed in various formal attire walked onto the stage one by one.

Some held prop plates, while others held wine glasses, smiling and nodding to each other, perfectly showcasing the lively atmosphere of the banquet.

Backstage, Sakura was standing by the side of the curtain, nervously gripping the prop sword in her hand.

She looked at her classmates performing on stage, then looked down at her prince costume, and her nervousness grew stronger.

"Ye Huijun, I'm a little nervous."

Xiaoying quietly approached Ye Hui and whispered, "I'm afraid I'll forget my lines or make a mistake in my positioning when I go on stage, that would be too embarrassing."

Ye Hui sensed her nervousness and reached out to gently pat her shoulder: "Relax, Sakura. You usually perform very well in rehearsals. You know your lines very well and your blocking is fine."

"When you go on stage, just like when we practice, focus on the role, believe in yourself, you can do it."

[Kinomoto Sakura's emotional value +6]

"Hmm..." Sakura nodded and took a deep breath, but her tense shoulders still didn't completely relax, and she still looked a little reserved.

"Sakura, don't be nervous." Tomoyo came over at this moment and gently held Sakura's hand. "You've practiced very well. As long as you perform normally like in rehearsals, you'll definitely do great."

"Even if you accidentally forget your lines, it's okay. Ye Huijun and I are right here and will quietly remind you. Don't feel pressured."

Feeling Ye Hui's encouragement and Tomoyo's warm hand, Sakura's nervousness gradually dissipated.

She looked up and gave Ye Hui and Zhi Shi a bright and determined smile: "Yes! I understand! I will definitely try my best!"

[With encouragement from the guardian deity Daidouji Tomoyo, Kinomoto Sakura, a disciple of the Heavenly Spiritual Root, regains her confidence! She has decided to show her strongest side in the upcoming sect competition!]

Ye Hui was relieved to see Xiaoying cheer up again, her eyes filled with energy.

Just then, a rustling sound suddenly came from Sakura's schoolbag not far away.

Immediately afterward, Xiao Ke's hushed complaint came out: "Hey, you stinky bird, move over a little! You're crowding me, I don't even have room to turn over!"

"I didn't crowd you! You're the one taking up too much space!" Qingque retorted defiantly, even gently nudging Xiao Ke with her wing.

"You dare to lay a hand on me! I'll teach you a lesson!" Xiao Ke instantly bristled, raising her voice a few decibels, but thankfully she didn't forget to keep it down.

"Shh! You two, keep your voices down!" Sakura heard the noise and quickly reached out to hold down her backpack.

The noise inside the schoolbag immediately disappeared.

Xiao Ke and Qing Que finally settled down.

Only occasionally could one hear a faint humming sound, clearly indicating that it was still throwing a tantrum.

In the corner of Sakura's schoolbag, Kero and Aozaki were huddled together, peering longingly at the performance on stage through the gap in the schoolbag zipper.

Little Ke pressed its round body against the gap.

The bluebird folded its wings and nodded its little head.

Ye Hui stood in the shadows at the back of the stage, ready to go on stage.

The bluebird on his shoulder couldn't contain its excitement, chirping incessantly in his mind: "Master, Master! Is it finally your turn to go on stage? I can't wait! Will you use real magic later? Like last time in the yard, 'biu' and conjure up a whole bunch of stones or plants? That would be so amazing!"

Ye Hui thought to himself, "You're overthinking it. This is just a stage play, not a real fight or spellcasting. Just follow the script and don't use real magic."

"Oh... okay." Qingque's voice immediately dropped, carrying a clear hint of disappointment, and her little head drooped, but she still kept her eyes fixed on the stage, not daring to be distracted.

On the stage, three fairy godmothers stepped forward one by one to offer their blessings to the "princess" in the arms of the king and queen.

The first fairy godmother spoke: "I bless you, beautiful princess, you will have the most beautiful voice in the world, so that the birds in the forest will sing for you."

The second fairy godmother added, "I bless you, lovely princess, that you will possess the most enchanting dance moves, making even the most beautiful flowers sway for you."

"I bless you..." The third fairy godmother had just opened her mouth, before she could finish her blessing.

Suddenly, the lights in the auditorium went out, leaving only a cold spotlight shining on the stage entrance.

The cheerful music suddenly stopped.

"It's my turn."

Ye Hui straightened his wizard robes and pulled his pointed hat down slightly, covering part of his eyebrows and eyes, leaving only his hard jawline exposed.

He tightened his grip on the staff and strode toward the center of the stage.

His long black velvet robe trailed on the ground, sliding gently with his steps. The gold embroidery at the hem shimmered in the dim light, like starlight in the night.

It was both mysterious and oppressive.

In the audience, Touya's relaxed posture instantly tensed up, his brows furrowed involuntarily, and his eyes held a scrutinizing look.

Looking at the figure in the wizard's robe on the stage, he felt that Ye Hui's aura was too real, not like acting, but as if some kind of power was really flowing through him.

【Kinomoto Touya’s Emotion Value +7】

Yukito, sitting next to him, watched with great interest, her eyes sparkling. She couldn't help but whisper to Touya, "Ye Hui's look is so perfect for the role! Even the way he walks has a wizard's feel to it. So cool!"

[Moon City Snow Rabbit Mood Value +3]

【Kinomoto Touya’s Emotion Value +13】

Ye Hui, who was preparing to recite his lines on stage, suddenly received an emotional value notification from Touya and Yukito, and couldn't help but wonder.

He was busy getting into character, but who knows what those two were imagining backstage that actually generated emotional responses.

However, he was not distracted. He quickly composed himself, walked up to the king and queen, looked down at the "princess" in their arms, his eyes were cold, and his tone was devoid of warmth. He recited the curse word by word: "I curse you, princess, on your sixteenth birthday, you will prick your finger on the spindle of the spinning wheel, and then fall into an eternal sleep, never to wake up again!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Meiling, who played the crow, rushed out from the side of the stage.

She wore a black cloak, spread her arms wide to mimic the flight of a raven, and ran while shouting exaggeratedly, "Wow! The evil wizard is too powerful! Hehehe! The cursed princess is doomed! No one can save her!"

Ye Hui glanced at her cooperatively, then turned around and walked off the stage with steady steps to the gloomy background music.

As soon as the two stepped off the stage, the stage lights came back on, the warm light replacing the previous cold light.

The king and queen held the "princess" with sorrowful expressions on their faces. The queen even secretly wiped her eyes, acting very convincingly.

The third fairy godmother then stepped forward and said soothingly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please do not grieve. Although I cannot completely lift this evil curse, I can modify it so that the princess's 'eternal sleep' becomes a hundred-year slumber."

"A hundred years from now, a prince who truly loves her will appear and awaken her with a kiss of true love, breaking the curse."

As she finished speaking, the stage curtain slowly closed.

The first act of the performance has officially ended.

The backstage area instantly became lively again.

The students who had just finished their performance gathered together to discuss what had just happened.

Chiharu, who played the Fairy Godmother, clutched her chest and patted the back of her hand with the other, saying with lingering fear, "Phew... Just now on stage, when I saw Ye Hui walking over, I almost forgot my lines! He looked so scary!"

"He's so handsome!" another classmate interjected. "Especially the way Ye Hui turned around and walked off the stage at the end, that was absolutely amazing! And his wizard robes looked even more exquisite under the lights. Zhi Shi's design is incredible!"

The students around him nodded in agreement, and the discussion grew increasingly lively.

Ye Hui listened to their discussion, smiled faintly, found a quiet corner to sit down, and straightened his slightly disheveled robe.

Actually, Ye Hui was more looking forward to the upcoming scenes between Sakura and Tomoyo.

After all, the emotional storyline between the two characters was a key focus when adapting the script, and he was eager to see how they would perform in the actual show.

Just as his thoughts drifted away, Li Meiling ran over excitedly and patted him on the shoulder: "Ye Hui! You acted so well just now! That look, that tone, I almost thought you really were a big bad guy who could cast curses! You played the villain so well that you drew me in, and I couldn't help but want to chuckle!"

[Li Meiling's mood score +6]

Although her role as the crow was small, she made a strong presence on stage by spreading her cloak and "flying" around, even shouting along with Ye Hui's curse lines, making the most of the black cloak prop.

"You're not bad either." Ye Hui looked up at her and casually praised her, "You acted that crow so vividly, you even captured the 'noisy' feeling, it fit the role perfectly."

"Of course!" Li Meiling proudly raised her chin. "To play the crow well, I went to the park for several days to observe the crows' calls and flying postures, and I even practiced exaggerated expressions in front of the mirror many times!"

[Li Meiling's mood score +7]

Ye Hui:
[Li Meiling, the body-training girl, is very pleased with your praise! She feels that her hard work has been recognized and has decided that in the future, if there are similar performances, she will work even harder to play the role of "your henchman," serving you faithfully without hesitation!]

Ye Hui looked at the message that popped up in the system and shook his head helplessly.

Soon, it was time to prepare for the second act.

The stage curtain slowly opened again, and the scene had changed from the princess's birth banquet to her sixteenth birthday palace.

The backdrop depicts a magnificent palace dome, while decorative Roman columns adorn both sides of the stage. Students playing the roles of guests, dressed in various formal attire and holding prop wine glasses, stand in small groups chatting, simulating a lively atmosphere of clinking glasses.

Wearing a light pink princess dress, Tomoyo sat elegantly in the main seat in the center of the stage, her hands folded on her knees, a polite and gentle smile on her face, and she would nod to the guests from time to time. Every move she made exuded the dignity of a princess.

Li Xiaolang took a deep breath, straightened his prince's suit, walked to the center of the stage, and stood in front of Zhi Shi.

He knelt on one knee, still a little nervous, but much more natural than during rehearsals, and earnestly recited his lines: "Beautiful princess, you are as dazzling as the stars in the sky. I truly love you. Please marry me."

Tomoyo bowed slightly: "I'm sorry, Your Highness, thank you for your affection, but I already have someone I love in my heart and cannot accept your proposal."

According to the script, Li Xiaolang should have turned and left immediately, but after taking only two steps, he suddenly remembered that he still had a few lines of struggle to say, so he quickly turned back, his face showing a bit of panic, and stammered, "Then...then could you reconsider? I...I will try my best to become someone worthy of you..."

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the audience, and even the students on the sidelines couldn't help but laugh.

After Li Xiaolang finished his lines, and Zhi Shi refused again, he blushed and quickly walked off the stage.

The following plot unfolds according to the adapted design.

Ye Hui, playing the wizard, reappears, using the pretext of demonstrating a magical spinning wheel to lure the curious princess closer.

Tomoyo perfectly captured the princess's curious yet wary emotions, from her initial hesitation to being drawn to the spinning wheel, and then to her shock after accidentally pricking her finger with the spindle; every expression was just right.

As she slowly collapsed onto the prepared bed, the entire kingdom fell into a hundred-year slumber.

The students playing the roles of guests all assumed a sleeping posture, lying on the prop tables and chairs on both sides of the stage.

Soon, the stage crew pushed up the backdrop covered in thorns.

The once magnificent palace was instantly covered by dense thorns, creating a sense of desolation that had lasted for a century.

"Now it's our prince's turn to appear!" Tomoyo had already gotten up from her "sleeping" state, walked to the side of the curtain, and gave Sakura a thumbs-up.

"Yes!" Sakura nodded vigorously, her nervousness replaced by anticipation.

She gripped the prop sword in her hand, took a deep breath, and strode confidently onto the stage.

A spotlight suddenly shone on her, making her white prince-style dress gleam under the light. The gold sash reflected a shimmering light, highlighting her tall and dashing figure.

Sakura stood before the thorns, looking at the castle covered in thorns: "The princess has been trapped here for a hundred years. I possess this sword that symbolizes courage, and I also possess the determination to save her!"

"I promised the Fairy Godmother that I would definitely rescue the princess from the curse and take her away from here!"

"The first test is a test of wisdom."

Chiharu, Naoko, and Rika, who played the three fairy godmothers, came out from the side of the stage and blocked Sakura's way.

Chiharu stepped forward as the representative: "Brave prince, if you want to pass through these thorns and enter the castle, you must first pass our test of wisdom. Only those who truly understand the princess are qualified to save her."

"May I ask, what color is the princess's favorite flower?" Naoko continued.

Following the script, Sakura tilted her head slightly and pretended to think for a moment.

She deliberately slowed down her movements to make the thought process seem more authentic.

A few seconds later, her eyes lit up, and she answered confidently, "It's pink, like cherry blossoms! The princess once said that pink flowers are like the spring sunshine, and they can make people feel good!"

"correct answer."

The three fairy godmothers exchanged a smile, gently stepped aside, and made way for her to reach the castle.

"You really do understand the princess. Go on, there are even more difficult tests waiting for you."

"The second test is a test of courage."

Just as Sakura was about to continue walking forward, Ye Hui's signature eerie background music started playing again.

He emerged from behind the thorns, staff in hand, staring coldly at Sakura, his aura instantly overwhelming him.

“Brave prince, your wisdom is indeed commendable.”

Ye Hui said arrogantly, following the script, "But wisdom alone cannot save the beautiful princess. If you want to see her, you will also need to prove your courage."

"Now let me see if your courage is as outstanding as your wisdom!" Ye Hui raised his staff, pointed to the back of the stage, and raised his voice a few decibels, "Come out! My servant! Stop this presumptuous prince!"

With the combined efforts of the props team members.

A monster prop made of cardboard, black cloth, and foam was pushed out.

This monster is two meters tall, with a black body decorated with silver scales, and two curved horns on its head.

Although this monster is a prop, its scales gleam coldly under the dim stage lights and the white smoke effect created by dry ice, and its horns appear and disappear in the shadows.

Furthermore, the smoke rising slowly from beneath the monster's feet blurred the edges of the props, making them look quite intimidating.

"Wow! It's a monster!" Several children in the audience screamed in fright, followed by their parents gently comforting them.

"Sakura's heroic battle against the monsters! I must record it all from the best angle!" Backstage, Tomoyo excitedly adjusted the camera position, the lens locked tightly on the center of the stage, her fingers constantly adjusting the focus.

On stage, Sakura felt the gazes of the audience. She gripped the prop sword in her hand, bent her arms slightly, and struck a cool and standard fighting stance. Her white dress swayed gently with her movements, but it did not affect her aura at all.

"Bring it on, you evil monster! I will never let you stand in my way to save the princess!" Sakura's voice was clear and powerful, carrying throughout the auditorium through the microphone. Her eyes were firm, and she showed no sign of backing down.

"Roar--"

The student playing the monster rushed up from the side of the stage, running while letting out the deep roar he had practiced countless times, and deliberately swaying his body, making his claws and tail swing along, trying his best to recreate a ferocious posture.

"Come on! I'm not afraid of you!" Sakura shouted, and without waiting for the monster to get close, she charged towards it.

Following the movements rehearsed, she deftly dodged the monster's claws, then brandished her sword and slashed at the monster's body.

Touya, sitting in the audience, looked at the dashing figure on the stage, his expression becoming complicated.

He knew that Sakura was sometimes a bit reckless.

But at this moment, dressed in a white dress and wielding a sword in battle, she exuded a tenacity that was impossible to ignore, completely unlike the younger sister who would usually act coquettishly towards him.

Ye Hui stood on the side of the stage, watching the performance and nodding to himself.

Tomoyo's costume design is truly impressive. Sakura's battle-themed prince dress retains the prince's elegance while the skirt is shortened and the cuffs are tightened. This design does not restrict movement but allows her to showcase clean lines during battle, enabling her to move freely on stage.

To make the battle scene look more realistic, Ye Hui secretly used a trace of spiritual power.

He didn't intervene much, but when Sakura rolled over, he gently supported her with his spiritual power to make her movements lighter.

As the sword pierced the demon's heart, the demon used spiritual power to make the silver sequins on its body flash, simulating the effect of hitting a vital point.

Sakura executed a beautiful side somersault, her body tracing a smooth arc in the air as she deftly avoided the monster's claws. Then, she bent her knees and thrust her sword toward the red mark on the monster's chest.

"Roar—" The monster let out a shrill roar, and then, as planned, slowly fell backward, its body deliberately twitching twice before finally losing all life.

The large cardboard sign was pushed by the students backstage and collapsed with a crash.

"I...I won!" Sakura, panting, leaned on her sword and laughed heartily.

"That's awesome, Sakura!" Tomoyo exclaimed excitedly, clenching her fist backstage.

Just then, Ye Hui, playing the wizard, emerged from the shadows of the stage, his black velvet robe appearing and disappearing in the smoke, somewhat unexpectedly.

He slowly walked to the monster lying on the ground, feigning surprise as he looked at it: "I never expected you could defeat my servant. It seems I underestimated you, brave prince. Your courage has indeed exceeded my expectations."

"Evil wizard! Stop pretending! Give me back the princess!" Sakura immediately gripped her sword and pointed it at Ye Hui.

"Hehe..." Ye Hui chuckled, "Want to save the princess? Of course you can, but before that, you must pass my final test. Only after passing this test will you be qualified to take her away."

"What kind of test?" Sakura frowned slightly.

"Sincerity." Ye Hui uttered two words. "I want to test your sincerity towards the princess, to see if it's worth her waking up for you."

As this scene ended, the stage curtain was temporarily closed, and staff quickly changed the background props.

When the curtain was pulled open again, the scene had changed to the princess's sleeping room.

In the center is a prop bed covered with white gauze curtains, and around it are several vintage vases filled with fake pink roses, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

Tomoyo, dressed in a light pink princess dress, lay quietly on the prop bed with her eyes closed. Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows under her eyelids, and her hands were folded over her abdomen. She perfectly played the role of a princess who had been sleeping for a hundred years, and even her breathing was extremely light, almost imperceptible.

Sakura stood by the bed, looking at the sleeping Tomoyo, slowly put down her sword, clenched her fists slightly, and began to gather her emotions.

"Your Highness, I've come to save you. It's been a hundred years. I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

She spoke very softly, as if afraid of disturbing the sleeping princess Rou.

Just as she was about to bend down and perform the wake-up action according to the script.

Ye Hui, playing the wizard, once again emerged from the side of the stage.

"Wait a moment, Your Highness."

Sakura immediately straightened up, turned around and looked at him warily, her brows furrowed: "What else do you want to do?"

"I just wanted to tell you something."

Ye Hui slowly walked up to her and stopped. "Once you kiss the princess, she will wake up immediately, and the century-old curse will be lifted. However, you will fall into an eternal slumber in her place, never to wake up again, and never to see her again."

Sakura's body stiffened visibly upon hearing this, her eyes filled with shock.

Following the script, she began to engage in a fierce "inner struggle".

First, he looked down at Tomoyo, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, his eyes filled with reluctance and heartache.

She looked up at Ye Hui in front of her, her brows furrowed, as if confirming the truth of his words.

Finally, she took a deep breath, her eyes regained their firmness, and she hesitated without the slightest hesitation.

"I am willing!"

Sakura's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally firm: "As long as the princess can wake up and regain her happiness, I would be willing to sleep forever in her place!"

Sakura's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples throughout the auditorium.

Ye Hui looked at her, and a look of emotion gradually appeared in his eyes.

"Are you really sure? Once you make a choice, there's no going back."

“Yes!” Sakura nodded vigorously. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m willing to pay any price as long as the princess can wake up.”

The wizard played by Ye Hui fell silent. He stood quietly in place, his black robes swaying gently in the dim light, as if he were weighing something.

A few seconds later, he let out a long sigh: "Well, you win, Your Highness."

He slowly raised his staff and waved it gently, the golden embroidery shimmering in the light: "I admit, your sincerity has moved me."

"This century-old curse should come to an end."

"Go, awaken your beloved princess with your kiss."

Sakura walked back to the bedside, slowly leaning down. The hem of her white dress draped over the edge of the bed, swaying gently with her movements, as she slowly approached Tomoyo's lips...

The spotlight followed the two closely, clearly presenting their figures to the audience. The prince, dressed in a white suit, leaned down to approach the sleeping princess, and romantic violin music played in the background. The melody was gentle and moving, bringing the atmosphere of the scene to its peak.

In the audience, Yukito smiled and rested his chin on his hand, saying to Touya beside him, "The most touching part is about to begin, Sakura's performance is really good."

Touya's hand gripping the camera tightened unconsciously, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Just as the two were about to touch, a thick darkness suddenly spread from the center of the stage!
It spread rapidly like a tide, swallowing up the spotlight, the melodious music, and even the whispers in the audience in the blink of an eye.

The entire auditorium fell into a deathly silence in an instant, without a single sound or a glimmer of light.

"Clow Cards".

The thought instantly popped into Ye Hui's mind.

He subconsciously wanted to mobilize his spiritual power to find the exact location of the hidden card, and even wanted to seal it directly.

But as soon as he moved his finger, he dismissed the idea.

He suddenly remembered the original storyline's concept of light and dark cards.

The Dark Card's ability is to create an absolutely dark space that can devour all light and sound. In this space, any external magic will be greatly weakened or even completely rendered ineffective.

It can also distort the spatial structure, pause the time perception of non-magical creatures, and bring the entire space to a standstill.

The only thing that can rival the hidden cards is the light cards that exist in pairs with them.

The Light Card never had a physical form; instead, it was hidden within Sakura's heart, existing as part of her inner strength.

Only when Sakura realizes that the light has never disappeared but has always been hidden in her heart, and finds the Light Card through her own will, can she balance the power of light and darkness and seal the Dark Card together.

This is Sakura's trial, the most crucial step in her growth as a Cardcaptor Sakura, from relying on external forces to believing in herself.

(End of this chapter)