Chapter Seventy-One: A Preliminary Test of Skill

“Xiao Lin, are you serious? Are you really going to perform magic at the New Year’s Eve party?” After Gao Zheng left, Wang Yuqing asked Xiao Lin. She had never known Xiao Lin to have any magic skills, so she was a little concerned.

“That’s right, magic is really difficult. Back when we were at Chuangxin High School, whenever there were any events, I never saw anyone perform magic!”

“Xiao Lin, are you sure you can do it? Don’t embarrass yourself up there.”

Lin Xudong and the others came over as well, hearing that Xiao Lin was going to perform magic at the New Year’s Eve party, and all asked in half disbelief.

Seeing their expressions, Xiao Lin couldn’t help but find it amusing. If he didn’t have the skills, how could he take on such a task? “Alright, I’ll give you all a little preview, so you won’t worry. Come on, make some space for me.”

“Hey, everyone, come over here! Xiao Lin’s going to show us some magic!” Tan Linlin shouted excitedly when she saw Xiao Lin preparing to perform. Everyone was curious about magic, so her call brought over many students who had been studying at their desks. They formed a semicircle around Xiao Lin, all wide-eyed and watching him intently.

“When I’m done, those with money can tip me, those without can cheer me on.” Xiao Lin’s remark made everyone laugh.

“Go ahead, if your performance convinces us, you’ll get plenty of applause. Right, everyone?” Class monitor Liu Xiaoming began to stir up the atmosphere.

“That’s right! The monitor’s right!” Everyone clapped and urged Xiao Lin to begin.

“Alright, I promise it’ll be entertaining. Let’s start with a little appetizer: producing a coin from thin air.” Xiao Lin raised his right hand, palm facing the crowd, showing that it was empty. Then, he used his thumb to flick his index, ring, and middle fingers, the speed increasing each time. Just as everyone began to grow impatient, they suddenly saw a coin appear in his hand as he flicked his middle finger!

“See? The coin’s appeared.” Xiao Lin held up a one-yuan coin for everyone to see.

“Wow, did anyone catch how he did that?”

“No, I just saw him flicking his fingers, and then the coin was there. So strange!” The students buzzed with curiosity, all eager to figure out Xiao Lin’s secret. They were sure he didn’t have any superpowers—he must have hidden it somewhere, but they hadn’t spotted how.

“Xiao Lin, do another one!” Tan Linlin called out.

“Yes, show us more!” Everyone applauded enthusiastically, wanting Xiao Lin to perform again. Wang Yuqing watched with wide eyes, finding it all quite fascinating.

“Alright, I’ll do another. This time, I’ll swallow this coin and pull it out from behind my neck. To prove it’s the same coin, I’ll have someone mark it first.” Xiao Lin placed the coin on the desk and picked up a pen.

“Yuqing, you make the mark.”

Hearing Xiao Lin ask her to mark the coin, Wang Yuqing felt a little thrill. She walked over, picked up the pen, and wrote her name on the coin. She whispered to Xiao Lin, “Can you really do this?”

Xiao Lin gave her a reassuring look.

“Okay, I’m starting now!” Xiao Lin placed the coin with Wang Yuqing’s name in his right hand, gripping it tightly with all five fingers for everyone to see. Then, he said mysteriously, “Keep your eyes open.” He clenched his right hand, raised it, tapped his mouth, then reached behind to touch his neck, indicating the coin would be retrieved from there.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Lin brought his fist to his mouth with a determined expression. The crowd stared at his lips as he dramatically shoved his fingers—holding the coin—into his mouth, then slowly withdrew them, spreading his fingers to show the coin was inside. He frowned, pretended to swallow hard, making a terrifying face that prompted several girls to scream.

With a natural expression, Xiao Lin reached behind his neck with his right hand, pinched, and pulled out a coin. Everyone looked up and saw it was the very coin Wang Yuqing had just marked.

“Incredible! I can hardly believe my eyes.”

“He didn’t really swallow the coin, did he?”

Everyone was astonished. Wang Yuqing went up to check the coin herself.

“Xiao Lin, I never expected you to have this skill. Amazing.” Wang Yuqing’s eyes shone with excitement. Knowing that the person she liked had such a talent made her all the happier.

“Xiao Lin, do another one!” Tan Linlin wasn’t satisfied and wanted to see more.

“Heh, you still want more?” Xiao Lin chuckled.

Everyone nodded eagerly.

“Ha, then you’ll have to wait for the New Year’s Eve party.” Xiao Lin teased them, then returned to his seat and picked up a test paper.

Seeing Xiao Lin wasn’t going to perform anymore, everyone looked disappointed but had no choice but to return to their seats.

“Hey, Xiao Lin, tell me—did you really swallow that coin?” Wang Yuqing’s curiosity got the better of her, and as soon as she sat down, she questioned Xiao Lin.

“A magician never reveals his secrets.” Xiao Lin winked, speaking mysteriously.

“Come on, tell me. If you don’t, I’ll bite you!” Wang Yuqing threatened with her small mouth.

Xiao Lin looked at her adorable pout, feeling the urge to nibble her. “Heh, go ahead, I’d love that.”

Seeing Xiao Lin’s mischievous look, Wang Yuqing punched him. “You rascal. Please, tell me—I’m so curious!” Changing tactics, she tugged at Xiao Lin’s sleeve, acting pitiful and pleading with him.

Watching Wang Yuqing’s cute act, Xiao Lin felt overwhelmed. Her curiosity was really something else—even she couldn’t resist.

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you, but don’t spread it.”

“Okay!” Wang Yuqing immediately cheered and danced with glee.

Xiao Lin leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear.

“That’s it? So simple?” Wang Yuqing asked in disbelief after hearing the secret.

“Yes, just that simple.” Xiao Lin shrugged.

Over the next week, Wang Yuqing began memorizing her speech, and Gao Zheng frequently came to rehearse lines with her. Each time, Wang Yuqing insisted Xiao Lin join them, saying his experience could help. This made Gao Zheng grind his teeth in frustration toward Xiao Lin, but he had no way to object. Meanwhile, Xiao Lin busied himself preparing props for his magic act.

(Producing a coin from thin air is actually done by hiding the coin in the thumb or the space between thumb and index finger beforehand. As for the coin-swallowing trick, the coin isn’t really swallowed at all. When Xiao Lin tapped his mouth and neck, he had already hidden the coin behind his neck. Magicians rely on simple principles, skillful sleight of hand, and their performance to create what people call magic. Smile had learned a few simple tricks, but not these two—they were too hard to master.)