Performances usually only begin in the evening.
Now, close to noon, the dancers should either be rehearsing or resting.
As soon as they entered the grand theater, they saw a huge billboard announcing the classical dance performance scheduled for that night.
The two of them walked toward the backstage together, carrying their belongings.
A staff member stopped them and politely said, "This area is restricted to staff only."
The closer they got, the more nervous Zhao Ziling became, her words stumbling. "I... I..."
Back in the Zhao family, she had been the little princess, and after becoming Mrs. Huo, she had accompanied Huo Tingshen to many important events.
Zhao Ziling had long cultivated an unflappable demeanor.
But now, she couldn’t control her nerves.
Lin Mo took her hand and smiled. "We’re here to see Teacher Xu Yali. Could you please let her know?"
The staff member asked, "And you are...? What’s your business with her?"
Lin Mo thought for a moment and said, "We’re her fans."
Teacher Xu had once captivated the nation with a single dance.
Even though she hadn’t performed on stage in years,
her fanbase remained strong.
The staff member replied, "I’ll go ask, but Teacher Xu is busy. She may not have time to see you."
Lin Mo grinned. "Just tell her we’re 'Mallet No. 1' and 'Mallet No. 2.' She’ll definitely see us."
The staff member didn’t understand the meaning behind these nicknames.
She just thought this pretty girl was awfully confident.
Backstage, the staff member found Xu Yali, dressed in a qipao with a watercolor print.
Her elegant hair was pinned up with a wooden hairpin, her poise so refined she seemed like a beauty stepping out of a painting.
If her age weren’t mentioned, no one would guess she was in her fifties.
Only upon closer inspection could one spot the faint wrinkles on her lovely face, her figure still slender and graceful.
She was currently instructing a performer.
"Your movements still aren’t quite in sync. Practice more this afternoon."
Everyone knew Xu Yali was a perfectionist when it came to details, personally overseeing every major performance.
She demanded nothing less than perfection for the audience.
The girl being coached nodded quickly. "Yes, Teacher Xu."
The staff member sighed inwardly, wishing she could be that elegant and beautiful at fifty, then said, "Teacher Xu, there are two female fans outside asking to see you."
Xu Yali didn’t turn around, still reviewing rehearsal footage. "I’m busy. Please send them away."
The staff member had expected this but added, "They said they’re 'Mallet No. 1' and 'Mallet No. 2'..."
"What?" Xu Yali whipped around, her beautiful eyes flashing with shock.
"Mallet" had once been her favorite term for scolding students.
Coming from a refined Jiangnan aristocratic family, this was the only insult she ever used.
Years ago, after retiring from the stage to preserve classical dance, she had opened a dance school.
The school had many instructors, and she didn’t personally teach every student.
Out of hundreds, she had only taken two under her direct guidance.
When frustrated, she would scold them:
"This move is so simple, and you still can’t get it? You’re such a mallet!"
Later, the bright and pretty girl would announce herself with, "Mallet No. 1, reporting for duty!"
The other girl, delicate and coquettish, would chime in, "Mallet No. 2, reporting for duty!"
It was exasperating yet endearing.
Only the three of them knew about this nickname.
Mallet No. 2 was one thing.
But Mallet No. 1...
"Are you sure that’s what they said?" Xu Yali frowned.
The staff member, unsure of her reaction, nodded.
Xu Yali never expected the wife of the Huo family’s eldest son to come looking for her.
Even less did she expect her to invoke "Mallet No. 1" just to get an audience.
Using the name of someone who had been gone for eleven years.
She truly had no heart.
"No. Send them away." Xu Yali’s expression darkened.
The staff member turned to leave.
At the entrance, she relayed Xu Yali’s refusal.
Zhao Ziling lowered her eyes. "She’s angry with me. She won’t even see you now."
Lin Mo shook her head. "I doubt it. I think she believes you’re lying. Here’s the plan—you grab the staff member, and I’ll rush in."
Zhao Ziling: "..."
The staff member: "..."
Seriously? Plotting right in front of her?
Zhao Ziling actually hugged the staff member.
Lin Mo apologized—then dashed inside.
The staff member was stunned. "Hey! Are you stalker fans or something?"
Memories resurfaced, putting Xu Yali in a somber mood, but she suppressed it and returned to reviewing the rehearsal footage.
Until a clear, melodious voice called out behind her.
"Teacher Xu! Mallet No. 1, reporting for duty!"
As if struck by lightning, Xu Yali’s scalp tingled. She turned.
The bright-eyed girl stood at the door, dressed simply in a T-shirt and trousers.
Xu Yali’s pupils dilated, her legs nearly giving way. "Lin... Lin Mo?"
Lin Mo grinned and ran forward, throwing her arms around Xu Yali. "It’s me! Teacher Xu, I’ve missed you so much!"
In the private lounge, Xu Yali stared at Lin Mo in disbelief. "Time travel? You’re still eighteen?"
Lin Mo didn’t hide the truth from her former teacher. Hard to believe, but acceptance came quickly.
"Yep! Don’t believe me? Check my bone structure!" Lin Mo laughed.
Xu Yali studied her—her smile, her skin, her eyes—all exactly as they had been at eighteen.
Xu Yali’s lips curved elegantly. "I never thought I’d see this mallet alive again."
Zhao Ziling stood to the side, head bowed like a quail, fingers twisting nervously. Her heart pounded violently.
Lin Mo glanced at her. "Teacher Xu, Zhao Ziling has something to discuss with you."
"And what does Mrs. Huo want with me?" Xu Yali’s hand rested on Lin Mo’s shoulder, her tone icy as she addressed Zhao Ziling.
Zhao Ziling flinched, lifting her head.
Panic flashed in her eyes—until she caught Lin Mo subtly giving her a thumbs-up.
Encouraged, she blurted, "Teacher Xu, I want to dance again. I’m not Mrs. Huo anymore. I’m divorced."
Xu Yali’s delicate brows furrowed. "Divorced?"
Zhao Ziling sensed a shift in her teacher’s tone and pressed on. "Yes, the paperwork is still processing, but it’ll be finalized soon."
Xu Yali’s face remained cold. "Don’t speak of uncertain things."
Then she turned back to Lin Mo, her expression softening. "Come, let me take you to lunch."
Zhao Ziling stood frozen, humiliation burning through her.
She had her reasons for what happened back then.
But could her excuses ever make up for her teacher’s sacrifices—or the pain she’d caused?
Lin Mo grabbed her hand. "Weren’t you just saying you were starving? Let’s all go. Teacher Xu can afford to feed you too."
Xu Yali shot Lin Mo a look but didn’t object.
They spent the entire afternoon with Xu Yali.
That evening, they watched the performance.
Zhao Ziling’s heart swelled with longing, aching to be on that stage again.
But she hadn’t practiced in years, and her teacher hadn’t yet relented.
Over dinner, she explained everything that had happened back then.
Xu Yali remained distant.
Her greatest regret? Not answering the phone.
Letting her teacher worry she’d come to harm—only to later realize she’d simply abandoned the competition.
By the time Lin Mo was dropped off at the villa, it was almost ten.
Unbuckling her seatbelt, Lin Mo said, "Don't worry, Professor Xu may seem strict, but she’s soft-hearted deep down."
Zhao Ziling got out of the car and hugged Lin Mo tightly.
She didn’t want to say "thank you" again—it felt too formal.
"I love you, Mo."
Lin Mo smiled. "I love you too!"
After letting go of Zhao Ziling, Lin Mo sent a message to Xie Guanyan to come open the door.
As she finished sending it, memories of last night resurfaced.
Clasping her hands together, she silently prayed, "Heaven and earth, Amen—Buddha and God, please let Xie Guanyan have blacked out last night and remember nothing!"
The handsome man soon appeared to let her in.
Lin Mo waved goodbye to Zhao Ziling and forced herself to step inside.
Entering the living room, she resisted the urge to hug the dog, even though it pained her.
She had no idea how to face Xie Guanyan.
Feigning nonchalance, she muttered, "I'm so tired—heading upstairs to sleep."
But the moment her foot touched the first step,
a gentle, melodic voice called from behind her.
"Lin Mo, can we talk?"
