Jiang Xing couldn't understand what Jiang Youli was trying to do.
"That doesn’t make sense," Jiang Zhao suddenly realized. "Brother, if she wants to provoke me and challenge me to dance, why would she ask you to relay the message?"
Jiang Xing replied coldly, "Why ask so many questions? If you’re not happy about it, just accept her challenge."
"Oh, of course! I’ll see what tricks she’s hiding up her sleeve!" Jiang Zhao stood up with a disdainful look and strode toward Jiang Youli.
At that moment, music filled the air as Jiang Yonghe and Qi Yue stepped onto the dance floor, their graceful movements drawing the attention of many guests.
"You dance beautifully," Qi Yue complimented.
Jiang Yonghe smiled. "So do you."
"Have you noticed how many men are watching you? You’re absolutely dazzling," Qi Yue continued to praise.
Jiang Yonghe was no stranger to such admiring gazes.
After all, she was known as the most talented young lady in Jing City. That was why Grandpa Qi had chosen her over countless other wealthy heiresses to be engaged to Qi Huan, the future heir of the Qi Family.
But alas…
The thought of Qi Huan’s crippled legs filled Jiang Yonghe with deep regret.
In all of Jing City, who could compare to Qi Huan in his prime?
Whether it was looks, temperament, family background, or achievements—no one could hold a candle to him.
At this realization, Qi Yue’s deliberate flattery suddenly felt tiresome. Forcing a modest smile, she said, "Not at all. Tonight’s spotlight belongs to Sister Youli. If they’re looking at me, it’s probably out of pity after I was scolded by Grandpa over the evening gown incident."
He was still far, far inferior to Qi Huan.
Even if Qi Yue did become the Qi Family’s heir one day, he would never reach the same heights.
The more Jiang Yonghe thought about it, the more discontent she felt. She even regretted letting Jiang Youli take her place in the engagement to Qi Huan.
For a fleeting moment, she wondered—perhaps even with his disability, marrying Qi Huan wouldn’t be so bad?
Qi Yue noticed her distracted demeanor, and his smile faded slightly.
"Do you regret it?"
"Regret what?"
Jiang Yonghe was puzzled by his sudden question.
"You were so close to marrying my brother, but then he had that accident," Qi Yue said, his gaze piercing as if trying to devour her.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a gentle expression. "Of course I regret it. Brother Qi Huan is extraordinary. Anyone would feel the same."
"What if it were me?" Qi Yue’s eyes bore into her. "If I became the Qi Family’s heir, would you marry me?"
Jiang Yonghe was taken aback by his bluntness.
In her experience, Qi Yue had always been reserved and subtle.
"I’ve never thought of you that way. You’re Brother Qi Huan’s younger brother," she replied carefully.
"So you really do look down on me?" Though Qi Yue still wore a smile, there was a dangerous edge to it.
She felt his grip on her waist tighten abruptly. Frowning, she met his gaze, her nerves rising. Quickly, she softened her tone.
"Brother Qi Yue, I don’t mean it like that. It’s just—"
"No need to explain. I understand." His smile returned to its previous gentlemanly charm. "But don’t worry. I’ll make sure you accept me one day."
Jiang Yonghe’s heart pounded uneasily—until a commotion broke out around them.
"Oh, this is interesting! Young Master Jiang Zhao is picking a fight with Jiang Youli again!"
"He knows she can’t dance, yet he keeps provoking her!"
"Honestly, he’s got nerve. After being punished by Grandpa Jiang over the gown incident, he’s still going after her."
"Well, he’s always been wild and untamed. Honestly, I kind of like that about him."
"Then why don’t you go ask him to dance after Jiang Youli rejects him?"
"Fine, I will!"
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Yonghe saw Jiang Zhao extend a grand, exaggerated invitation to Jiang Youli.
Just as everyone expected her to refuse, Jiang Youli simply smiled and calmly placed her hand in his.
Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd.
"What? She actually accepted?"
"And with Jiang Zhao, of all people!"
"She’s doomed! Just wait and see how he humiliates her on the dance floor!"
Jiang Xing, however, remained unfazed. He knew this dance had been Jiang Youli’s idea in the first place.
Instantly, all eyes were on Jiang Youli.
No one cared how elegantly Jiang Yonghe danced anymore—they were too busy waiting for Jiang Youli to make a fool of herself.
"See? This is the kind of woman my brother Qi Huan is stuck with now," Qi Yue murmured in Jiang Yonghe’s ear.
She tore her gaze away from Jiang Youli. That’s right—she couldn’t afford to regret her decision.
She was no longer the Jiang Family’s true daughter. Everyone knew she was just an adopted child. If she married Qi Huan now, and he lost his standing in the Qi Family, she’d have no way out.
All her efforts over the past twenty years would be for nothing!
"You’re right. Brother Qi Yue, you’re the more outstanding one now. I’m certain you’ll be the Qi Family’s future heir," she said sweetly, tilting her head up at him.
Qi Yue was pleased by her change in attitude.
"Don’t worry. I’ll give you all the glory Qi Huan once could," he assured her.
Jiang Yonghe kept smiling but didn’t respond.
She needed to wait and see—she couldn’t make any promises to Qi Yue just yet.
"Ha ha ha!"
Suddenly, laughter erupted from the guests.
On the dance floor, Jiang Youli and Jiang Zhao moved like a complete disaster. She stepped on his feet repeatedly, nearly tripping him multiple times.
"This is hilarious! Jiang Youli really can’t dance at all!"
"But you have to admit, even though she’s terrible, she’s not flustered at all. It’s kind of charming!"
"Exactly! I don’t even feel like mocking her—she’s just so entertaining!"
"Honestly, I feel worse for Jiang Zhao. Poor guy, ha ha!"
After having his feet stomped on for the eighty-ninth time—his leather shoes now visibly scuffed—Jiang Zhao finally snapped.
"Jiang Youli, are you doing this on purpose?"
Jiang Youli rolled her eyes. "Isn’t this exactly what you wanted to see?"
"What do you mean? As if you could dance any better if you tried!" He was so furious he could spit blood.
A sly grin curled her lips. "Actually… I could."
"Yeah, right. Like I’d believe that!" Frustrated that his plan to humiliate her had backfired—making him the laughingstock instead—Jiang Zhao gave up. "Forget it! I’m done!"
Just as he was about to let go and walk away, Jiang Youli’s movements suddenly became smooth and precise.
Noticing this subtle shift, Jiang Zhao furrowed his brows slightly but continued to follow her dance steps, deciding to play along for now to see what she was up to.
