Xu Qingqing hadn't practiced dancing for a while, but fortunately, her foundation was still solid, and she ultimately passed the school selection quite smoothly.
When the Xu family found out about this, they immediately posted on their social media to announce it to the world, bragging about how their granddaughter, after getting into A University, had once again brought honor to the family. Their exaggerated fanfare was even more intense than when the Xu Group went public.
Social media once again saw a surge in people blocking the Xu family members.
Xu Qingqing was on the phone with her boyfriend, making demands: "You must dress really handsomely, okay?"
Xie Lianqing was amused by her bluntness and deliberately asked, "Hmm? What exactly do you mean?"
Xu Qingqing thought for a moment and said, "At least to your current standard."
She rolled around on her bed and said, "Don't say I didn't warn you. I look really good when I dance. What if other people think you're not good enough for me? You'd be the one embarrassed, you know."
Miss Xu was always full of confidence in herself, believing that anyone who could date her was incredibly lucky.
Xie Lianqing couldn't help but laugh, then said, "Okay."
Seizing the opportunity, Xu Qingqing made many more demands, such as Xie Lianqing having to send her flowers. It was said the performance would be live-streamed to the whole school. How awkward would it be if no one gave her flowers?
Xie Lianqing agreed to everything gently.
Satisfied, Xu Qingqing hung up and then notified her other friends to remember to come cheer her on, forcefully demanding that each of them must also send her flowers.
When Zhou Chenyu received the call and heard her demand, he was speechless. "Come on, Miss Xu, 'everyone must send you flowers'? Just tell me, besides me and Xie Lianqing, who else is there?"
Over all these years, did this high-maintenance Xu Qingqing really have no idea how many friends she actually had?
Zhou Chenyu bet she probably only had himself and Xie Lianqing to torment.
He wondered if he had slaughtered pigs in a past life to be so unlucky as to be friends with Xu Qingqing in this one.
Exposed so mercilessly, Xu Qingqing was immediately displeased. "Are you sending them or not? If you don't, I'll cut ties with you!"
Zhou Chenyu chuckled, "Hey, sounds good."
Was there really such a good thing in this world?
Xu Qingqing was left speechless by him. Under other circumstances, she would have undoubtedly blocked this annoying friend without a second thought.
But now she needed a favor. Otherwise, when other performers finished and walked backstage to piles of flowers, and she only had one lonely bouquet, wouldn't that look too embarrassing?
It might be fine normally, but there would be a live stream that day!
As everyone knew, Miss Xu could lose anything but her pride.
So, after pondering alone for a long time, she finally said meekly, "No. Wait until after my performance and you've given me the flowers, then we can cut ties."
Zhou Chenyu was almost dying of laughter. "Sure thing, I'll definitely arrange it for you, Miss Xu."
If the occasion were different, he'd really like to order a dozen flower baskets for Miss Xu and even hire a square dance band to promote the event.
Finally, the day of the school anniversary arrived. The entire Xu family came to support her. Originally, A University hadn't invited them. This group, using their status as a local enterprise in A City, proactively offered to donate funds just to apply for family seats.
Chairman Xu and his wife had just entered the venue and hadn't even found their seats yet. These two elders, who commanded tens of thousands of employees, were now dressed in simple clothes, wearing badges printed with Xu Qingqing's name, one hand holding cheering glow sticks.
Even Aunt Xu, looking dashing in her suit, had brought several and even shared some with Shen Shushui, who had come to pick her up. It seemed if there had been enough seats, Aunt Xu would have handed them out to all her bodyguards and assistants too.
Shen Shushui, holding the glow stick stuffed into his arms, was utterly bewildered. Did dating someone these days also require cheering for their niece?
And wasn't the Xu family being a bit too exaggerated? This was A University's anniversary performance, not Xu Qingqing's personal concert.
And Xie Lianqing had finally arrived. He truly followed Xu Qingqing's request: a high-end tailored suit, a well-built and tall figure, with an elegant and graceful demeanor.
When he appeared alongside the school leadership, almost everyone present was watching him.
Some people at the school couldn't help but sigh, saying with a profound tone, "I guess Xu Qingqing must have saved the galaxy in her past life," to have such a doting boyfriend in this one.
The people around nodded in deep agreement.
When the time came, the school performance finally began.
Xu Qingqing's performance was a ballet solo, placed in the middle, neither at the beginning nor as the grand finale.
The performance before hers was a piano solo by the music department. After it ended, the atmosphere was still relatively quiet. Hearing her name called, Xu Qingqing backstage took a slight breath and walked out in her purple dance costume.
Xie Lianqing, as an outstanding alumnus and a major donor, was sitting in the very front row.
He only needed to look up to see Xu Qingqing on stage.
She looked very beautiful today, wearing a tiara with her hair styled up, a form-fitting ballet tutu revealing her long, fair neck and delicate collarbones.
This hairstyle was the ultimate test of one's facial structure and looks. Under the stage lights and magnified camera lenses, Xu Qingqing had almost no flaws.
Under the spotlight, Xu Qingqing closed her eyes and extended her arms.
As the music began, she started with a leg lift, a small jump with a glance back, and a series of pirouettes on pointe, all done seamlessly. Her entire being was light and agile.
This ballet piece was cheerful, and Xu Qingqing danced with ease. Midway, she even opened her eyes wide, looked at her family cheering for her in the audience, and smiled at them.
While immersed in the dance, she was serene and elegant, like a noble swan. But when her gaze fell upon the crowd and the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile, she suddenly became incredibly sweet and radiant.
Xie Lianqing leaned back in his chair, his eyes gentle and affectionate as he watched the girl on stage.
That was his girl.
The dance concluded. The young girl, with a smile on her face, bowed for the curtain call.
As she slowly straightened up, Xu Qingqing winked at Xie Lianqing not far away.
Her eyes were sparkling, her entire expression revealing a sense of pride and willfulness, as if showing off to Xie Lianqing: "See, isn't it amazing to have a girlfriend like me?"
Xie Lianqing suddenly smiled. Led by him, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Viewers watching the live stream of A University's anniversary were also exclaiming in surprise, not expecting Xu Qingqing to be such a good ballet dancer.
The buzz around A University's centennial anniversary wasn't originally that high. The intention was to allow alumni at home and abroad to watch via live stream. However, some trouble-makers leaked online that Xu Qingqing would be performing at the anniversary show.
Combined with the inside information Bai Youlan had shared on a dating reality show recently, crowds immediately flocked to the live stream.
Xu Qingqing's fans were there to support her; Bai Youlan's fans wanted to find evidence to prove their idol was right, that Xu Qingqing was just a good-for-nothing socialite; and more netizens were purely there for the gossip and drama.
"See, Bai Youlan is just a liar, deliberately leading everyone on the show to think Xu Qingqing is an airhead. Her face must be stinging from all these slaps now."
"Oh, you think you know everything? Youlan said she couldn't play the piano, not that she couldn't dance. Don't shift blame if you don't understand."
Hey, fans upstairs, shut up. Haven't heard much news about your Bai Youlan lately. Isn't she busy lying and trying to whitewash her image again?
Wow, Xu Qingqing is so beautiful. Even though I don't understand the dance, it feels like she performed wonderfully.
She looked like Sleeping Beauty while dancing. I wasn't impressed by her before, but now I declare myself a fan of her looks.
Xu Qingqing had no idea that the internet was now in an uproar. Someone even posted the clip of her dancing online, drawing even more viewers into the live stream.
After bowing, Xu Qingqing prepared to stand up and exit the stage. Just then, Xie Lianqing suddenly stood up, picked up the flowers he had prepared beforehand, and walked two steps forward to the front of the stage.
His figure was outside the spotlight, but since the camera was currently fixed on Xu Qingqing, everyone could vaguely see the handsome young man in a suit.
"For today's best dancer, Miss Xu Qingqing."
Xu Qingqing took the flowers from Xie Lianqing's hands. After a moment of surprise, her smile grew even brighter.
She covered her lips with the back of one hand while holding the vibrant, dewy tulips with the other, saying sweetly, "Thank you, Senior Xie Lianqing."
Meanwhile, the live stream comments had gone crazy.
Holy crap, what did I just see?
So romantic! Is it allowed to present flowers on such an occasion?
It should be fine. There's a short break after the curtain call before the next performance.
The guy giving the flowers is so handsome, and he's sitting in the VIP section.
Haven't you seen the financial channel? He's the president of the Xie Group!
I don't care, guys, can we ship them?
Someone in the know here to spill: no need to ship, it's real. The one giving flowers is Xie Lianqing, the current president of the Xie Group mentioned upstairs, and a famous outstanding alumnus of our school. The one receiving them is Xu Qingqing, you all know who she is. They've been dating for a long time.
Wasn't he the one who helped Xu Qingqing send cease-and-desist letters to Bai Youlan's fans last time?
In the instant the comments went wild, the interaction between Xu Qingqing and Xie Lianqing was brief. After receiving the flowers, Xu Qingqing quickly exited the stage, the whole process lasting less than ten seconds.
However, it was clear Xu Qingqing was in high spirits. Under the stage lights, she maintained her composure, leaving step by step. But once she reached the unlit area and descended the steps, she hugged the flowers and happily tiptoed in a little skip.
Xu Qingqing didn't know that, because of what just happened, the lighting technicians and cameramen were now closely following her and Xie Lianqing. The camera even followed her as she exited.
The large screen projected the image of the girl excitedly skipping. The spotlight quickly shifted over, and Xu Qingqing still had no idea her little action had been exposed to everyone.
OMG she's so adorable!
She even did a little hop! No one ever said Xu Qingqing was this cute before!
Xu Qingqing's fans, you guys call your idol a kid? She's clearly a princess!
To the person upstairs, she really is a kid. Look, she still hasn't noticed the camera and is hopping around like a goofball.
Just then, one of the cameras suddenly cut to Xie Lianqing in the front row of the VIP section. Seated properly in his chair, he was watching his happily bouncing girlfriend with a smile in his eyes, the corners of his mouth slowly curling up.
Help! Someone's out here murdering single dogs!
What is this? What is happening?
Damn it, I'm just watching my alma mater's performance at night and I get fed dog food too?!
The little interaction between Xie Lianqing and Xu Qingqing eventually trended on social media. Viewers of the live stream, unable to bear eating this "dog food" alone in the middle of the night, declared that everyone must be forced to ship them.
After the school anniversary performance ended, Xu Qingqing walked out from backstage, where her family and friends gathered around her.
Grandpa Xu held a bouquet of flowers and handed it to her. "Magnificent! As expected of a child from our Xu family, doing things excellently just like your grandpa!" After saying this, he excitedly hugged his granddaughter.
Grandma Xu pushed him aside and also handed Xu Qingqing a bouquet, hugging her as well. "Congratulations, my granddaughter. I always said you take after me the most in our family, inheriting your grandma's beauty and talent."
Aunt Xu was behind the elderly couple, originally also excited and wanting to say something to her niece. However, hearing her parents' words left her speechless. So she just handed the flowers in her hand to Xu Qingqing without a hug.
Next was Zhou Chenyu. He walked up and said with a grin, "Superstar Xu, may I ask what your current thoughts are?"
Holding many bouquets, Xu Qingqing deliberately frowned and said, "Who are you? I'm very busy. I can only do handshakes and autographs, no photos."
Zhou Chenyu burst out laughing and said, "Alrighty then, come on, come on, let me take a photo with our future dance superstar."
Le Jiaojiao immediately whipped out her phone, eager to stir up fun. After the two took a grinning photo together, Zhou Chenyu promptly presented his flowers and shook one of Xu Qingqing's hands with both of his.
Xu Qingqing immediately shouted, "Hey, don't pull me! My flowers are going to fall! Zhou Chenyu! Security! Where's my assistant? Drag this fan out!"
Amidst Xu Qingqing's cries, Zhou Chenyu shook her hand with a grin and said, "Hello, hello. From now on, I'm someone who has taken a photo with a big star too."
Everyone present burst into laughter.
Le Jiaojiao walked over, also holding a bouquet. Xu Qingqing looked down at her with a haughty, deliberately disdainful tone and said, "Are you also a fan here to give me flowers? Hand them over. Same old rules, I'm in a hurry! Photos only, no handshakes, no autographs!"
Before she could finish, Le Jiaojiao, who had been planning this, ran up, snatched a bouquet from Xu Qingqing's arms, and ran off laughing.
Xu Qingqing: "..."
"Le Jiaojiao, are you crazy?!" Xu Qingqing stomped her foot in anger. If her hands weren't full, she would have definitely chased after her—she's trained in sprinting!
Meanwhile, Xie Lianqing, dressed in his suit, had been talking to someone. Seeing movement at the backstage exit, he immediately stopped speaking with a smile and nodded apologetically to the person he was conversing with.
He turned and walked towards the backstage exit. Xu Qingqing had changed back into her clothes, still had light makeup on, and her hair was still pinned up.
As soon as she saw Xie Lianqing, she pulled him and said, "Help me hold these flowers. I need to chase Le Jiaojiao; she stole my bouquet!"
A good portion of the romance Xie Lianqing had cultivated that night instantly dissipated, leaving him both exasperated and amused. Looking at his childish girlfriend, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Even if you catch up, can you beat her?"
Xu Qingqing paused. "I can't."
Seeing Xu Qingqing about to start making a fuss again, Xie Lianqing immediately pulled her close and changed the subject. "Come with me somewhere. I'll give you lots of flowers."
He promised, "More than you have now." Xie Lianqing glanced back and nodded to the Xu family, then led his girlfriend away.
The car drove to the outskirts. They parked not far from the entrance and proceeded on foot. From then on, at intervals along the path, bouquets of flowers hung from ribbons under each streetlamp.
Xie Lianqing stepped forward, took them down, and smilingly handed them to his bewildered girlfriend beside him.
The first bouquet was for Xu Qingqing.
The second bouquet was also for Xu Qingqing.
Then one bouquet after another, until they reached the outside of an estate. Xie Lianqing personally pushed open the iron gate and said gently, "For the most beautiful Miss Xu."
Under the night sky, an entire estate of roses was in glorious, blazing bloom.
Thousands upon thousands of roses appeared before Xu Qingqing's eyes. She said in a daze, "Why are you giving me so many flowers?"
Xie Lianqing's voice was laced with a smile as he said, "Because you're worth it."
Xu Qingqing nodded and said, "Well, that's true." The corners of her mouth lifted, and she suddenly felt incredibly happy.
Even after passing through the manor and entering the house, Xu Qingqing's excitement hadn't faded. With Xie Lianqing playing the piano beside her, she spun round and round inside the room, dancing.
Outside the window, the starlight twinkled. From ballet to tango and then to jazz, they danced one dance after another that night.
