Lu Zhengzhi let out an “oh” and looked at Ye Shishi not far away with a hint of schadenfreude. “See Ye Shishi over there? She was all smiles earlier, and now she’s got a long face.”
“Even though Sister-in-law is strong in her own right, Ye Shishi’s advantage built up over so many years isn’t something that can be defeated overnight.”
“Old Fu, when do you think Brother Yu will show his true strength? I’m honestly getting a bit impatient.”
Fu Quan frowned. “Brother Yu’s background is probably not simple.”
“How so?”
“I looked into Brother Yu. His records are as ordinary as they come, and there’s not a single flaw to be found.”
Lu Zhengzhi’s mouth formed an “O.” “You’re saying Brother Yu is an ordinary person? Did we guess wrong?”
“Wrong. The way Brother Yu carries himself doesn’t suggest that at all. So these records must have been deliberately altered—even his parents’ records too. To be able to change records like that, Brother Yu’s origins are likely far from ordinary.”
“Even bigger than Ye Shishi’s?”
“Bigger, not smaller. But you’re overlooking something. If my guess is right, Brother Yu has already lost his former glory.”
Lu Zhengzhi thought about it carefully. That was true—if his whole life had been altered, he must have offended someone powerful.
“Don’t overthink it. When Brother Yu feels like talking, we’ll find out.” Fu Quan smiled, took off his glasses, and wiped them with a handkerchief.
As the lights dimmed, the red curtain on the stage slowly closed, lending a touch of mystery.
Gu Wan’er watched the stage seriously, while Yu Xiaoduo yawned, looking like he was about to fall asleep.
As the red curtain gradually parted, more than a dozen dancers appeared on stage, but the center position was still quite obvious. Yu Xiaoduo immediately opened his eyes and looked over.
“Heh.” Gu Wan’er immediately gave him a look of disdain.
The other dancers on stage wore cyan dance outfits with very long sleeves, while the woman standing in the middle wore a deep blue dance dress. Exquisite makeup adorned her stunningly beautiful face—slender willow eyebrows, a pair of fox-like eyes that were uniquely captivating, and a seductive figure that stirred the imagination.
“Good eye.” Yu Xiaoduo tugged at Gu Wan’er and praised her. Sister Yun’er, your competition is truly too strong. Brother Yu is having a hard time holding himself back.
Seeing Yu Xiaoduo looking like he was about to drool, Gu Wan’er teased, “Obviously. Would I introduce you to someone inferior?”
“Classy!” Yu Xiaoduo gave a thumbs-up.
The music gradually began—a very classical piece, like something from an ancient imperial court.
Suddenly the long sleeves flung open, the fabric dancing, her delicate body spinning along with it. Dozens of cyan silk ribbons streamed out, as if stirring up cyan ocean waves. In the center, Xiao Luan’s garments fluttered, like a fairy.
Her delicate body was as soft as cloud wisps, her jade-like arms supple and boneless. Her dance steps bloomed like lotus flowers with each move, like butterflies dancing among flowers, like the bright moon over the mountains, like dawn light in an alley—everyone watched, utterly enchanted.
Yu Xiaoduo had never understood before why ancient people liked to keep singing girls dancing in their mansions. If there were dancing like this, it would be the pinnacle of enjoyment. Look at that waist twisting—he wondered if it could be bent into a U shape.
“How about it? She dances well, doesn’t she?”
Yu Xiaoduo nodded and said seriously, “I wonder if she can pole dance.”
Gu Wan’er: “…”
“Would she dance for you?” Yu Xiaoduo asked curiously.
Gu Wan’er let out a soft sigh. “She used to dance for me often, but after that incident, never again.”
Yu Xiaoduo’s mind immediately conjured up images of her performing a solo dance for him—that would be an emperor’s level of enjoyment.
“Stop fantasizing. It’s impossible.” Gu Wan’er knew exactly what Yu Xiaoduo was thinking. The moment he stuck out his butt, she knew what he was about to do.
“Whether it’s possible or not is up to my ability.” Yu Xiaoduo curled his lip. There’s nothing that I, Yu Xiaoduo, can’t accomplish.
“Let me make this clear first—don’t lower your head.”
“Relax. I have some dignity, after all.”
With that, both of them turned their attention back to the stage. Setting everything else aside, this dance was truly well performed. There was a reason emperors skipped morning court.
Originally Yu Xiaoduo had been quite sleepy, but now he was full of energy, eyes fixed on the stage, wondering whether Sister Yun’er was stronger or this Xiao Luan was stronger. After comparing back and forth, he figured they each had their own strengths.
Sister Yun’er still had a slight edge. After all, they’d chatted for so many days and had some contact, so he knew her a bit. As for this one, he’d only taken a glance. Her looks and figure were beyond reproach, but he didn’t know about her personality. She probably wasn’t as easygoing as Sister Yun’er.
The visual feast continued on stage. This was physically demanding work—it was already the sixth piece.
Suddenly, a beautiful flute melody floated through the air, making Yu Xiaoduo raise an eyebrow. It immediately gave off a wuxia vibe. In his mind appeared a bamboo forest, with martial arts masters leaping through the trees.
Gu Wan’er, sitting beside him, also looked surprised, because she was all too familiar with this piece—she had written it for her.
As the red curtain opened, there was no accompanying dance—just Xiao Luan in a red outfit, holding a long sword.
“Not bad.” Yu Xiaoduo murmured. She can even do a sword dance.
Noticing that Gu Wan’er beside him had gone quiet, Yu Xiaoduo turned to look. “What’s with that expression? You look kind of surprised and kind of happy.”
“Shh…”
On stage, sword light flashed like a sunset over the earth. The sword intent shifted with the rise and fall of the flute melody—sometimes tender as water, sometimes thunderous with rage. The sword in her hand danced faster and faster, like a silver dragon soaring up and down, coiling left and right.
As the flute melody gradually faded and the lights slowly dimmed, the sword in her hand also grew dim, seeming to disperse with a trace of sorrow.
This sword dance left the audience savoring it for over ten seconds before thunderous applause erupted.
“Holy crap, you’re actually crying. Wipe your face quick—if someone sees me like this, they’ll laugh themselves to death.” Yu Xiaoduo had been clapping, but when he turned his head, he was dumbfounded. Crying over a sword dance? Was there really such deep meaning in it?
Gu Wan’er also knew she had lost her composure. “Sorry.” She reached out her hand.
“What?”
“Tissue.”
Yu Xiaoduo clicked his tongue and took out a tissue from the bag for Gu Wan’er. Ever since becoming a woman, you always had to keep tissues ready in your bag.
Being a man, you didn’t have such worries—just stand and shake it off. But girls have to wipe. What a hassle.
Half an hour later, the two arrived at the parking lot.
“Brother Yu, Sister-in-law, let’s go grab something to eat.” Lu Zhengzhi smiled.
Gu Wan’er shook her head. “We won’t go. You guys go ahead. We still have something to do.”
“Alright then.” Lu Zhengzhi didn’t say anything more. He and Fu Quan went to get a late-night snack, even though it was only just past nine.
The two got in the car. Yu Xiaoduo was still very curious. “Come on, tell me why you were crying just now. Did something strike a chord?”
“Why are you so into gossip?”
“Is this gossip? We’re about to meet her soon. If I don’t know anything and give the wrong reaction, what then? I’ve told you this a hundred times.”
