Only after the Male Celebrity left the stage did everyone finally exhale in relief.
When the Orphanage children sang afterward, Ye Chen felt it was simply the voice of heaven.
Ye Chen finally understood why that singer wasn't famous.
With a voice like that, singing the representative new song—no wonder it hadn't gone viral.
At last, a girl in pale–blue gauze appeared, half-hidden backstage.
Ye Chen straightened up; he knew the next act was Xia Yingluo's dance.
Just then, Ye Chen caught the male star and his Agent talking beside him.
"When will this gala end? It's unbearably dull."
The Agent whispered, "Bear with it a bit longer—we're here to polish your image. It's being televised Live, it'll be over soon."
Ye Chen saw Dean Zheng beside them, a flash of anger crossing his face.
At that moment Xia Yingluo stepped onto the stage.
Ye Chen's attention locked onto the stage at once.
She wore an azure gown that fluttered like a goddess descending to earth.
The music began, and Xia Yingluo danced to its rhythm.
This time she performed Classical Dance.
From the instant she started, Ye Chen's gaze was riveted.
Clad in pale–cyan dance robes, she whirled her long skirt
and tossed the gauze skyward, sending it spiralling like a soaring dragon.
A flick of her Water Sleeves—beauty that could topple kingdoms.
One turning glance brimmed with a thousand charms.
Ye Chen knew nothing of dance, yet he sensed Xia Yingluo's deep love for it.
Only, memories of the past had forced her to bury that love inside.
"Ye Chen, thank you—truly—for unlocking Yingluo's heart."
Song Yuyu suddenly spoke beside him.
Her tone was grave, utterly unlike her usual careless self.
"Thank you for lifting the weight that pressed on her heart and unfastening the lock inside it. She used to shut herself away; the Yingluo you see now is the real one."
"The Dean tried countless ways to help her move past that Car Crash, but nothing worked. She couldn't let go—she kept believing her parents' deaths were her fault."
Ye Chen fell silent at Song Yuyu's words.
He couldn't imagine a girl carrying such a burden for over a decade.
"Do you know? She only found courage to dance on stage because of you. In ten-odd years she'd never performed, yet she stepped up for you—this dance is for you alone."
"Ye Chen, for your sake Yingluo has truly changed."
"Yingluo's a simple girl—foolish, kind, caring about everyone around her, especially you!"
Ye Chen stared, transfixed, at Xia Yingluo dancing before him.
In his past life he'd never realized Xia Yingluo had endured such pain.
Ye Chen nodded. "Yuyu, thank you—I understand."
Now, when such a pure-hearted girl entrusted her heart to him, how could he not?... As Xia Yingluo's dance ended, the hall fell utterly silent.
Everyone was stunned by the breathtaking performance.
A moment later thunderous applause erupted.
The Agent even jumped to his feet, clapping excitedly. "Genius, little girl! I'm signing you—turning you into a star! Will you do it?"
Xia Yingluo possessed not only striking beauty but also a dance that astonished all who saw it.
The Agent was already convinced she was the next superstar in the making.
His words left everyone stunned.
Many of the older Orphanage kids looked at Xia Yingluo with envy.
After all, who wouldn't want to be a celebrity?
Now the chance was right in front of her.
The male star, irked, muttered sourly, "So she can dance—so what? Looks average to me. Just a pretty face."
The Agent shot him a fierce glare. "And what do you rely on? Those awful songs—without auto-tune they're unlistenable! And you dare judge others by looks?"
"Oh right, I forgot—that face of yours was surgically pieced together in Korea."
The male star had no retort; he lapsed into sulky silence.
Pfft!
Nearby onlookers couldn't hold back their laughter at the exchange.
The Agent looked up, searching for Xia Yingluo—only to find her gone.
Dean Zheng scanned the hall: Xia Yingluo, Ye Chen, and Song Yuyu had all vanished.
"Dean Zheng, you must help me find that girl who danced—I have to locate her!" the Agent urged excitedly.
"All right, I'll take you to her."
Dean Zheng knew Xia Yingluo well and could already guess where they'd gone.
The group reached the Attic stair and saw a girl pouting on the floor, drawing circles.
"Yingluo doesn't love me anymore."
"Ye Chen is a big meanie."
"Big Sis Yingluo is mean too—she won't play with me."
Dean Zheng walked over. "Yuyu, what's wrong?"
Song Yuyu looked up, aggrieved. "Dean, they're bullies! They said we'd hang out together, but the two of them sneaked off and left me behind. Now I know—Ye Chen's a heart-thief who stole our Yingluo's heart."
Dean Zheng shook his head helplessly.
A private couple's world—why drag along a third-wheel?
Behind them the Agent asked, "Where's the girl who danced just now?"
Song Yuyu pointed toward the Attic roof. "They're up on the Rooftop."
...At that moment Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo sat together on the Rooftop.
Stars dotted the sky above.
Distant city lights glittered below.
Still in her classical cyan dance dress, Xia Yingluo's cheeks were tinged pink.
"Did you like my dance?"
"Like it? How could I not—it's the most beautiful dance I've ever seen," Ye Chen replied with a smile.
"Hmph, you're lying. I'm not even a professional—how could it be that good?"
Though her mouth feigned modesty, joy sparkled in her eyes.
Ye Chen nodded. "All right, I confess—I wasn't entirely honest just now."
"Hmm?" Xia Yingluo looked at him in puzzlement.
"I kept thinking: who could be so lucky to marry such a gorgeous girl!"
Xia Yingluo blinked, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Ye Chen said earnestly, "Yingluo, you looked truly beautiful out there dancing."
Xia Yingluo shyly lowered her head.
Then she noticed the Guitar in Ye Chen's hands.
"Why did you bring Yuyu's Guitar up here?"
Ye Chen chuckled. "Because you just danced for me—so I want to perform something for you."
Xia Yingluo's eyes lit up.
"Really? You're so mean—sweet-talking Yuyu out of her Guitar and then ditching the kid."
Recalling Song Yuyu's resentful look when she was left behind, Xia Yingluo couldn't help giggling.
Ye Chen smiled. "Of course—because this song, I only want to sing for you."