"But if at the Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony, the two of you were to dance the opening number, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder... can you still say you’re not boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Under the gaze of so many eyes, the spread of so many mouths, and countless photos and videos, both Xiu Xue and Phoenix would inevitably be pushed once again into the storm’s center.
To wear a crown is to bear its weight.
But if the crown is so heavy, so crushing that it could topple you and shatter into pieces on the ground, would you still insist on wearing it?
This action is a curse, not a blessing.
Sheng Xinhua’s provocation had an ill-intentioned flavor to it, clearly assuming Tang Fei wouldn’t dare make such a choice.
"I won’t make it difficult for her then," Tang Fei sighed softly.
Sheng Xinhua giggled coquettishly and taunted, "Coward."
"Brother, let me go." Little Fatty spoke up. "I’ll go ask Sister Phoenix to dance."
Tang Fei looked at Little Fatty in surprise and asked, "You know how to dance?"
"I don’t," Little Fatty replied with an honest smile. "That’s exactly why I should go."
After a moment’s hesitation, Tang Fei patted Little Fatty on the shoulder and said, "Go ahead."
"Okay!" Little Fatty, having received Tang Fei’s approval, shook his plump figure and made his way toward Phoenix, who was surrounded by a crowd of people.
Sheng Xinhua, deep in thought, observed Little Fatty’s chubby back and remarked, "Your brother... is not stupid at all."
It had to be said, this was the best way to handle the situation.
Tang Fei himself definitely couldn’t go; doing so would likely land him on trending searches—far too risky and unnecessary to throw oneself into the fire.
Although she was quite fond of intense love stories akin to a moth to a flame, if it involved a close friend, she’d advise against it if at all possible...
Isn’t it better just to live well?
Dead people can’t enjoy the sweetness of love or the saltiness of a woman.
If Tang Fei didn’t extend the invitation, knowing that girl, she’d probably reject everyone else’s invitation.
Wouldn’t that make things even more obvious?
What, she didn’t invite you so you won’t dance?
Little Fatty going was most suitable; first, he was Tang Fei’s brother and also very close to Phoenix, who clearly treated him like a true younger brother with great care.
This way, both Tang Fei and Phoenix could accept it.
Second, Little Fatty was also Phoenix’s life-saver. What was wrong with Phoenix dancing the first dance with her life-saver?
Even faced with such a competitor, you couldn’t possibly be jealous...
Really? Are you that petty?
Jealous of Little Fatty? Are you even a man?
Third, Little Fatty was very fat...
With Little Fatty going up there, no one would suspect he and Phoenix had an affair, not even the gossip-hungry media could spin a scandalous story about them.
No one would believe it if they wrote it.
Sheng Xinhua could think of all these excellent reasons, but had Little Fatty thought of them himself?
"He’s definitely not stupid; he’s just fat," Tang Fei said irritably. "Don’t assume fat people are stupid... there are plenty of clever fat people out there."
"Alright, alright, I know you two brothers are close... a cunning older brother and a seemingly simple but shrewd younger one, I’m really curious, how did you live back in the Old Land? What kind of person could have raised you two brothers? Was it that old man you mentioned?"
"We’re self-taught," Tang Fei replied.
"Now you’re starting to talk like Little Fatty..."
"Princess, may I have this dance?" Gong Shuyan from the Gongshu Family was the first to step forward with the invitation.
"I’m sorry, I’m not ready yet."
"Princess Xiu Xue, could you honor me with this dance?" Shi An from the Shi Family bowed slightly, making an inviting gesture.
"I’m sorry, I feel a bit ill."
"Princess, today is your seventeenth birthday celebration; may I have the honor of dancing this first dance with you?" Gong Shujin politely made an inviting gesture.
"I’m sorry, I’m too tired, I’d like to rest for a bit..."
Phoenix then shouted to the surrounding young men and women, "Everyone, start dancing, please enjoy yourselves..."
"How can that be? Today is the Princess’s coming of age celebration..."
"Yes, traditionally, the Princess should lead the first dance..."
"If the Princess doesn’t dance, how can we dare to dance?"
"Yes, Princess, why don’t you start the first dance?"
Clearly, everyone understood that tonight’s sole star was none other than Princess Zhong Yu Xiu Xue of the Phoenix Empire.
Regardless of her reasons for refusal, if she didn’t dance the first dance and you rushed to dance first, it would be both insensitive and disrespectful...
Most of the young people present were descendants of officials or celebrities; they might not excel at other things, but the etiquette of behavior in such situations was extremely familiar to them.
They knew what to say and what to do in such circumstances.
"Princess, please dance one."
"Princess, please dance one."
"Princess, please dance one."
"Princess, please dance one."
With everyone calling out, Phoenix was once again cornered.
Just then, a tall, fat boy wearing a suit that scarcely fit his figure made his way through the crowd toward Phoenix.
"Sister Phoenix...I I..." Little Fatty, standing in front of Phoenix, suddenly became nervous.
He had never done anything before, he couldn’t dance, and he had never asked a girl to dance.
Under the bright chandelier lights, with countless eyes scrutinizing and sizing him up, Little Fatty struggled to speak clearly.
"Can I... may I... ask you... for a dance?"
Phoenix looked at Little Fatty standing before her, saw the sweat on his forehead, his blushing cheeks, and his right hand that trembled uncontrollably...
She narrowed her eyes in a smile, placed her small hand in Little Fatty’s larger one, and crisply said, "Of course. It would be my honor."