Xie Yuli had actually come here?
That really didn’t seem possible.
Was he here for her?
But he shouldn’t even know she was performing today.
In fact, very few people knew she would be appearing.
The ballet company’s promotions had only announced that Wen Shengyue would perform.
Shen Bingci was the surprise guest.
Because the event was a charity performance, most of the attendees were ordinary wealthy businesspeople.
All proceeds would be donated to charitable organizations supporting impoverished mountain regions and patients with rare diseases.
Using Wen Shengyue as the promotional focus was the best choice.
As for Shen Bingci, she was the company’s principal dancer.
After a year without public performances, this event would officially announce her return.
It would also serve as a preview for her upcoming six-month world tour and lay the groundwork for her personal global performances.
Every step had been carefully planned by the Shen family.
Quietly, Shen Bingci looked toward Xie Yuli seated in the front-center row.
He wore a velvet-textured classical suit.
She immediately recognized it as the newest private couture design from Clibe.
Only three sets were produced worldwide each year.
Her second brother had ordered one before.
Normally, it required a year’s reservation.
People with exceptional status could shorten the wait to three months.
A crimson velvet tie rested against his chest.
A white shirt pin crossed the front of his shirt.
A gold chain draped diagonally from his left chest to his waist.
Elegant and dazzling.
With one leg crossed over the other, Xie Yuli casually swung a pair of red-soled dress shoes.
The theater was dim.
She couldn’t clearly see his expression.
He was looking down at his phone, seemingly uninterested in the performance.
Whenever Xie Yuli appeared somewhere, security reached the highest level.
Shen Bingci had already noticed numerous bodyguards moving nearby.
Subconsciously, she expected a message from him.
She immediately checked her phone.
Nothing.
“Well?”
“Did he message you?”
A strange disappointment settled inside her.
Pursing her lips, Shen Bingci shook her head.
“No.”
Zhuang Zhenying clicked her tongue and patted her shoulder.
“I told you, it’s supposed to be a surprise.”
“If he messaged you, wouldn’t that ruin it?”
“Stop standing around and hurry to makeup!”
“You need to look absolutely gorgeous tonight.”
“Dazzle your husband!”
Shen Bingci’s ears immediately turned red.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“He’s not… my husband yet.”
Still, after thinking about it, she felt Zhuang Zhenying might be right.
She quickly returned to the dressing room and let the makeup artist continue working.
Normally she never got nervous.
She had danced for so many years.
Why would she develop stage fright now?
But her heart kept pounding.
Thump.
Thump.
She couldn’t focus on her choreography.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she tilted her head slightly.
“Doesn’t this section of my hair look a little off?”
The makeup artist examined it.
Honestly, it looked no different from before.
But Shen Bingci wasn’t usually picky.
The artist immediately nodded.
“It does seem a little off.”
“I’ll fix it right away.”
Shen Bingci nodded.
“Thank you.”
Wen Shengyue had stepped out halfway through her makeup session.
When she returned, she wore a faint smile.
Her assistant eagerly followed behind.
“Miss Wen, you’re truly popular.”
“So many distinguished guests came specifically for you today.”
“These flowers were all sent by them.”
Several assistants carried bouquets into the room.
Wen Shengyue glanced over them.
She seemed to be searching for something.
Her assistant, Li Shui, quickly reminded her:
“President Xie’s flowers haven’t arrived yet.”
“He’ll probably bring them personally.”
“Is that so?”
Wen Shengyue smiled softly before sitting back down.
“Let’s continue.”
Only Shen Bingci and Wen Shengyue occupied the dressing room.
Publicly, they were rivals.
Privately, they were practically enemies.
The only difference was that neither had completely torn away the mask of civility.
They occasionally exchanged greetings.
Nothing more.
“Miss Shen.”
“Today is your comeback performance.”
“Congratulations in advance.”
“I’m sure you’ll receive many gifts.”
Wen Shengyue smiled at her.
Shen Bingci was reviewing videos on her phone.
She hadn’t expected Wen Shengyue to speak.
Nor was she interested in the subtle boasting hidden beneath those words.
She simply lifted her head, smiled politely, and replied:
“Thank you.”
The staff dared not breathe too loudly.
Everyone knew the relationship between the two women was tense.
Nobody wanted to get involved.
They focused solely on their work.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Zhenying sat nearby browsing dresses on a tablet.
As always, she completely ignored Wen Shengyue.
“Cici, look.”
“What do you think of this dress?”
The two chatted casually.
Eventually, Zhuang Zhenying selected several options.
“Their new collection this year is gorgeous.”
“It’s a shame some celebrities already wore a few pieces.”
“Otherwise I’d pick those for you too.”
Shen Bingci was used to situations like this.
She would never wear something that had already been worn by a celebrity.
Among people of her social standing, that was considered lowering one’s status.
More importantly—
She liked things that were unique.
Things that belonged only to her.
No one else could touch them.
That was also why she could ignore all the online attacks from Wen Shengyue’s supporters.
But the position she had won through her own talent—
The principal dancer title—
She would never surrender it.
What belonged to her was hers.
She would never give it away.
Li Shui continued reporting work matters.
“Miss Wen, the gown for next month’s charity banquet has arrived.”
“It’s the princess dress that became famous after a major actress wore it on Y Network—”
Before she could finish, she saw Wen Shengyue’s reflection in the mirror.
Cold.
Warning.
Telling her to shut up.
Beside them, Zhuang Zhenying burst out laughing.
Shen Bingci shot her a look.
Immediately, she covered her mouth.
“Let’s not discuss these trivial matters during work.”
Zhuang Zhenying nearly laughed herself to death.
Shen Bingci never wore secondhand fashion.
Meanwhile, someone else was scrambling even for leftovers.
The difference between them couldn’t have been clearer.
And she still wanted to compete with Shen Bingci?
Zhuang Zhenying lifted her chin proudly.
Tonight’s performance consisted of two acts.
The first was Wen Shengyue’s Giselle.
The finale would be Shen Bingci’s Swan Lake.
Dressed in a pure white ballet costume, Shen Bingci’s hair was pulled into a sleek bun.
This hairstyle exposed every facial feature and tested beauty mercilessly.
Her oval face carried it perfectly.
White feather ornaments decorated both sides of her head.
Her strapless ballet dress was embroidered with countless sparkling diamonds.
Pure.
Elegant.
Noble.
She lifted her chin and walked backstage.
Before going onstage, she lightly bounced on her toes, warming up.
Like a proud swan.
As the first act began, she glanced toward the audience.
Xie Yuli was still there.
Once the performance started, he raised his head and watched the stage.
Now she was sure.
He had come to see her.
Then she absolutely had to dance better than ever before.
She wondered what he would think afterward.
Time passed.
The first performance ended.
She went backstage to prepare with her fellow dancers.
Encouraging one another.
Reviewing positions.
Running through final details.
Just as she was about to go onstage, several assistants rushed past excitedly.
“Oh my god! Did you hear?!”
“A very important man came specifically to see Wen Shengyue today!”
“Important people always come to see her. What’s the big deal?”
“No, no, listen first!”
“The man who came this time is Hong Kong’s most famous young elite!”
One girl covered her mouth and gasped.
“Don’t tell me…”
“Xie Yuli?!”
The other girl practically jumped up and down.
“Yes! It’s him!”
“I saw it with my own eyes!”
“He and his assistant carried flowers and gifts into Wen Shengyue’s dressing room!”
“He’s unbelievably handsome!”
“I almost fainted!”
The moment Shen Bingci heard that name—
A loud buzzing exploded inside her head.
Everything else disappeared.
She couldn’t hear another word.
Xie Yuli…
Wasn’t here to see her?