Lin Mo breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that Xie Guanyan had arrived.
The next second, a WeChat message popped up from Shen Sizhan:
[Sis, I’m flying out tonight to film a variety show and won’t be back for a week. Where are you? I want to grab a meal with you.]
Shen Sizhan was always as busy as a spinning top.
After leaving the villa that day, the two hadn’t seen each other since.
Lin Mo had assumed he’d fly off immediately, but he still found time to squeeze in a meal with her.
She shouldn’t refuse.
But she had to.
[What a shame, I’ve already eaten.]
Shen Sizhan: [I know you can still eat more!]
Lin Mo: […I’m trying to lose weight lately. Let’s eat when you’re back.]
Shen Sizhan: [You? Losing weight?]
Lin Mo: [I really need to. Today, someone was selling pigs on the street, and I went to take a look out of curiosity—next thing I knew, they loaded me onto the truck!]
Shen Sizhan: [Which pig seller has the nerve? I’ll beat him to death!]
Lin Mo typed awkwardly, [You have a flight tonight—get some rest.]
Shen Sizhan: [Sis, I miss you. I want to see you. Even if we don’t eat.]
At this, Lin Mo was truly at a loss. She quickly messaged Shen Yihan:
[Buddha of the Capital Circle, code red! Shen Sizhan insists on seeing me!]
Shen Yihan was still outside checking tickets, as some attendees were late.
Seeing the message, he immediately replied: [I’ll handle it.]
After briefing Shen Ji’an, Shen Yihan left.
Shen Ji’an stood alone at the ticket checkpoint.
Zhao Zixin, delayed by traffic, arrived a bit late and spotted a handsome guy with a buzzcut at the entrance.
Her eyes lit up as she handed over her ticket. “Hey, handsome, wanna add—”
The buzzcut guy looked up.
Her eyes widened, and she quickly changed her words, “—do you know where the gas station is?”
Shen Ji’an: “…”
After checking her ticket, Zhao Zixin facepalmed. “Ugh, what am I doing?”
“What are you doing here?”
Before she could walk away, Shen Ji’an’s voice came from behind.
She turned and saw Huo Tingshen.
Immediately spinning back, she snapped, “Don’t cause trouble!”
Huo Tingshen had been late because he’d visited several beauty clinics.
Under their hostile gazes, he scoffed, “What do you take me for?”
“A villain!” they said in unison.
Huo Tingshen had still managed to get a ticket—his assistant pulled strings to buy one at a high price.
Not wanting to waste time with these two, he strode inside.
Zhao Zixin followed closely. “I’ll be watching you. Every. Single. Move.”
Shen Ji’an quickly texted his sister:
[Huo Tingshen is here!]
Lin Mo, already dressed and waiting, saw the message and glanced at Zhao Ziling hesitantly.
She wasn’t sure if knowing Huo Tingshen had arrived would affect Zhao Ziling’s performance.
Anxiety could easily lead to mistakes.
Zhao Ziling noticed Lin Mo’s gaze. “What’s wrong? Is my makeup smudged?”
Lin Mo shook her head. “No, it’s perfect! Break a leg!”
Zhao Ziling smirked, radiating charm. “Don’t worry—I’ll make sure the crowd goes wild!”
Lin Mo decided not to mention Huo Tingshen’s arrival and replied to Shen Ji’an:
[Keep an eye on him. Don’t let him ruin the show.]
This was Zhao Ziling’s first stage performance in years. Lin Mo wanted her to finish it smoothly.
The show progressed quickly.
The host announced, “Next is the grand finale—the group dance Only This Turquoise.”
A group of dancers in turquoise-green dresses took the stage.
With just one glance, Huo Tingshen recognized Zhao Ziling.
She wasn’t in the center but at the edge.
His brows furrowed.
This? And she insisted on dancing?
The music began, and the dancers moved as one.
Their flowing skirts resembled rolling mountains, elegant and mesmerizing.
Zhao Ziling’s waist arched backward with boneless grace, her curves on full display.
Huo Tingshen’s expression darkened as he scanned the audience.
So many eyes on her.
Some men were practically drooling!
Unacceptable.
Rage surged through him, and he shot to his feet—
Only for a hand to clamp over his mouth.
He turned and saw a guy with bleached hair.
Before he could react, someone yanked his belt loose.
His pants dropped.
Huo Tingshen: “…”
He didn’t dare make a sound.
If he did, everyone would see his lucky red underwear.
Gritting his teeth, he suddenly felt hands grab his shoulders and legs.
The next moment, he was hoisted into the air!
He writhed like a maggot, and the three men lost their grip, dropping him.
Scrambling up, he whirled to see who dared—
Then a sharp pain struck his neck, and everything went black.
Group dances always electrified the crowd.
After Only This Turquoise, the theater buzzed with excitement.
“The last performance is Mulan’s Ballad!”
“They didn’t say who’s performing. The best was always Teacher Xu’s former student—what a shame!”
The host announced the final act.
A tall, slender girl in red robes and black armor strode to center stage.
Her high ponytail swayed, and her striking stage makeup accentuated her radiant beauty.
“Holy—she looks familiar!”
“Damn! Gorgeous! Sorry, Mom, but—wow!”
Standing onstage again, facing the sea of faces, Lin Mo was calm.
She’d performed this dance countless times. No mistakes.
The music began softly, then swelled into grandeur.
Onstage, Lin Mo moved with effortless grace—reining an imaginary horse, cracking a whip, beating a drum, raising a flag, saluting the sky, flicking her sleeves…
Every motion was textbook perfection.
Powerful when needed, fluid when required.
Her ponytail arced through the air like it was dancing in the audience’s hearts.
Every spectator was captivated, eyes glued to her.
As the final note faded, Lin Mo bowed deeply.
Thunderous applause erupted, unending.
Zhao Ziling seized the moment to hand her a mic.
Lin Mo took it. “Hello, everyone. I’m Lin Mo. Thank you for coming tonight. This dance was dedicated to someone special—I want to confess my feelings.”
The crowd erupted.
“WHAT?! Which guy? Did he save the galaxy or something?!”
“Hell no! I’ll fight him!”
“Bro, you deserve better. Not this perfect.”
Chaos rippled through the audience.
Xie Guanyan wasn’t surprised.
A dazzling girl would make a dazzling confession.
Even with his heart aching, he admired her fearless boldness.
He wouldn’t leave. He’d stay to witness this moment.
But his neck cords still tensed, his breath tight.
Then—
The girl’s voice rang clear across the stage.
“I like you, Sophia.”
