The banquet guests exchanged glances, simultaneously giving Lin Mo a mental thumbs-up.
Another mouthpiece.
She had asked the question they all wanted to but didn’t dare.
Shen Feng frowned deeply. "Lin Mo, what kind of question is that? Does love need a reason?"
Xu Yali didn’t even glance at Shen Feng. "I don’t love him."
Shen Feng: "..."
Shen Jing wasn’t surprised by this answer.
She had long noticed that her stepmother didn’t care for her father.
The two had never shown intimacy and slept in separate beds at night.
Lin Mo hadn’t expected this response. "Then why did you marry him?"
A shadow flickered in Xu Yali’s beautiful eyes. "Because of Shen Jing."
Lin Mo was stunned. "Huh?"
Facing Lin Mo’s confusion, Xu Yali answered frankly, "Shen Jing has exceptional dance talent."
A friend who oversaw arts examinations had mentioned it to her, and after seeing Shen Jing herself, she confirmed it was true.
Lin Mo’s brows furrowed slightly.
Everyone present was shocked.
No one had anticipated this reason!
Zhao Ziling stood to the side, watching her once-glorious teacher, her heart aching inexplicably.
Back then, the teacher had poured all her passion into the two of them, placing high hopes on their shoulders!
Yet neither had stayed.
At the time, the media had been filled with all sorts of speculation.
How much pressure had she endured?
It was impossible to imagine how many sleepless nights she had spent tossing and turning!
When she encountered another girl with dance talent, she had to do everything possible to keep her.
So she married Shen Feng.
With her status and background, Shen Jing wouldn’t have to give up dancing like Lin Mo had, burdened by reality.
Nor would Shen Jing have to abandon dance like she herself had, forced into a marriage of convenience with a wealthy family.
The teacher simply wanted someone who could, without fail, inherit her legacy!
What a madwoman!
Yet how heartbreakingly admirable!
Shen Feng was too stunned to speak.
He had thought he was the one bringing his daughter into a wealthy family—only to realize he had ridden his daughter’s coattails into high society!
No wonder Xu Yali had insisted on a platonic marriage. He had assumed it was just an artist’s eccentricity.
Shen Jing, as a dance prodigy, often received personal instruction from Xu Yali.
She knew Xu Yali wanted her to keep dancing, and she intended to.
But she never imagined Xu Yali had married her father for this reason.
Lin Mo also understood in that moment what her teacher truly desired.
She reached out and hugged Xu Yali. "Teacher, you’re adorable."
A woman purely devoted to the continuation of art—how endearing!
Even if some had been hurt along the way, they had also gained tangible benefits.
Xu Yali had never been called "adorable" before.
Her brother, upon learning why she married, had called her insane!
She returned Lin Mo’s embrace, speaking gently, "I didn’t know about your history with Shen Feng. If I had, I wouldn’t have married him. I’m sorry for putting you through this today."
Lin Mo shook her head. "It’s alright, Teacher."
Watching the two embrace so tenderly, Shen Jing was furious.
"Mom!" she shouted. "I’ll listen to you forever! I’ll never marry or have children—I’ll focus only on dance!"
"But you can’t take Lin Mo back as your student!"
Between her and Lin Mo, Xu Yali had to choose one!
Could Lin Mo promise to never marry or have children?
Xu Yali would surely pick her!
Yet Xu Yali ignored Shen Jing, turning to Lin Mo instead. "I can divorce Shen Feng immediately."
Hearing this, Shen Feng nearly fainted on the spot. "Darling—you can’t abandon me—"
Shen Jing dug her nails into her palms. "Mom!!"
Only then did Xu Yali look at Shen Jing, her voice calm. "Shen Jing, I’m sorry. You are talented, and you’re worth nurturing. But compared to Lin Mo, you pale in comparison."
Some people were simply geniuses—Lin Mo was one.
Shen Jing could spend her whole life and never reach Lin Mo’s heights.
She had been a compromise.
"If I divorce your father, I’ll ensure you’re both well compensated. You have my word," Xu Yali continued.
At this, Shen Feng’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed stiffly.
Huo Tingshen and Xie Guanyan, standing behind him, swiftly stepped aside.
Shen Jing gasped and rushed to support her father. "Dad! What’s wrong? Wake up!"
She glared venomously at Lin Mo. "Are you happy now? If anything happens to my father, I’ll never forgive you!"
Lin Mo didn’t respond. Instead, she dashed over.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
Four sharp, resounding strikes landed on Shen Feng’s face.
The pain jolted him awake.
Seeing Lin Mo—and the crowd gawking at him—he nearly passed out again.
But as Lin Mo’s hand lifted once more, Shen Feng scrambled upright. "I’m fine, I’m fine, dear niece!"
Shen Jing: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
Lin Mo walked back to the center, meeting Shen Jing’s gaze calmly. "You’re mistaken. I never wanted to put Teacher in a difficult position."
Turning to Xu Yali, she said, "Teacher, my only request is that you give Zhao Ziling another chance. She truly loves dance."
That was all she asked!
Shen Feng and Shen Jing froze, unable to move.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ziling’s heart trembled, overwhelmed.
Really, she could cry!
What had she done to deserve a friend like Lin Mo?
Xu Yali gently ruffled Lin Mo’s hair, then looked at Zhao Ziling. "Are you certain you’ll dance for the rest of your life?"
Huo Tingshen’s stern eyes flickered with emotion.
Just as he’d suspected!
Zhao Ziling answered with unwavering resolve. "Teacher, don’t worry. From now on, nothing will stop me from dancing!"
Huo Tingshen’s temple twitched.
Dance, dance—always dance!
He truly didn’t understand the appeal.
Xu Yali studied Zhao Ziling deeply. "Then start practicing again."
Overjoyed, Zhao Ziling rushed forward, embracing both Xu Yali and Lin Mo. "Thank you, Mo! Thank you, Teacher!"
Xu Zunlong led the applause, happy for his sister.
Soon, the garden erupted in cheers.
Xu Yali had held back tears when Lin Mo returned earlier.
Now, wrapped in her students’ arms, she could no longer contain them.
How wonderful—they had both come back to her!
Wiping her eyes, Xu Yali released them with a smile. "Let the banquet officially begin. Everyone, feel free to dance or enjoy drinks."
Even Jiang Wan, watching from below, was moved.
Hearing the invitation to dance, she scurried to Zhao Ziling’s side and whispered, "Do you think Xie Guanyan would say yes if I asked him to dance?"
Zhao Ziling instinctively glanced at Lin Mo before replying, "Well… good luck!"
Jiang Wan was utterly smitten—Xie Guanyan was just too handsome!
Spotting him standing alone, she clenched her fists, psyching herself up before gliding toward him.
But before she could speak—
Lin Mo, Zhao Ziling’s best friend and Xu Yali’s star pupil, stepped forward first.
"Mr. Xie, may I have this dance?"
