Great!
Shen Xi, that b*tch!
Su Muxuan was going to suck it up for now and deal with Shen Xi later when she came back into the arms of the Su family.
Li Jingran and Su Ruowan waited at the hotel lounge area for a long time before Su Muxuan finally arrived. However, Su Yi was not in sight.
“Xuan dear, what’s up with your face?” Li Jingran went up to Su Muxuan worriedly and pulled him aside to ask.
Su Ruowan rushed over, looking rather heartbroken and anxious, and it showed in her voice. “Muxuan, did Shen Xi do this?”
Putting a long face, Su Muxuan kept to himself.
Li Jingran chomped on her food in rage and hissed, “Shen Xi, that brat is a curse. What is she trying to prove?”
There was never a peaceful moment at home since they started showering Shen Xi with attention. Yet, her husband was dead set on bringing Shen Xi home and would look for her any chance he got. If Li Jingran had a say in it, she would bet that Shen Xi would come home by herself if they gave her the cold shoulder.
Su Ruowan’s eyes welled up in heartache as she led Su Muxuan into the hotel. “Muxuan, let me tend to your wound. How can Shen Xi be so mean and hit you?”
Still looking sullen, Su Muxuan did not speak nor refute. It was best if Mom and Wanwan took his silence as an acknowledgment that Shen Xi did it. They would only remember Shen Xi’s wickedness in the event she returned to the Su family.
Su Ruowan felt bad as she tended to Su Ruowan’s injuries, hushing in a soft voice while asking if it hurt.
Li Jingran asked, “Where’s your father? Why did you return alone?”
Su Muxuan answered, “Dad said he wanted to wait for Shen Xi.”
For a moment, Li Jingran was caught up in a turmoil of rage. With her eyes sparkling in fury, she hissed, “I think he’s turned mad.”
That brat was all Su Yi could think of even though his son was the one being bullied!
Su Muxuan looked at her. “Mom, don’t bring it up to Dad. He doesn’t allow anyone to speak ill of Shen Xi. I’ll be a bad son if I were to cause a rift between you.”
Li Jingran was fuming. Nodding her head, she pulled herself together and said, “Don’t talk bad about Shen Xi in front of him. He’s lost it and only sees the good in her even if Shen Xi is a piece of sh*t.”
Su Ruowan compliantly nodded, “Understood.”
Su Muxuan gave a nod before adding, “That reminds me, Mom. My contact has bought us tickets to the theatre.”
His priority right now was to pull everyone else in his family to his side, except for Dad who had clearly lost his mind over bringing Shen Xi home.
“Only my son knows the way to my heart.” Li Jingran was angry by just looking at the injury on her son’s face. The only thing on her mind was to find Shen Xi and slap her to kingdom come.
Her presence here today was not for Shen Xi, but for Shu Baiyu.
Li Jingran picked up on rumors yesterday that Shu Baiyu’s leg injury was acting up and might not be able to perform. Her student, Guan Yue, was a disappointment and had not even mastered the new choreography. She was presently in talks with the organizer to change the program.
However, this was a huge deal and the program had been released in advance. It was unlikely to be changed at the last minute. Li Jingran was waiting to watch Shu Baiyu, the senseless hag, to make a fool of herself!
The Huo estate.
It was after lunch.
Old Master Huo went for an afternoon nap.
Shen Xi was focused on her embroidery.
Sitting next to her, Guan Yue enquired in a soft tone, “Xixi, can we have a chat?”
While stitching, Shen Xi carefully listened to what she had to say.
Shu Baiyu and her student came to Vienna for a performance in the Golden Hall. The new performance, Flower Fairy, was to be showcased in the Golden Hall.
However, Shu Baiyu was not to engage in strenuous activity under strict doctor’s orders due to the recurrence of her old injury. Otherwise, the damage to her legs would be irreversible. Walking would be a problem, let alone dancing.
“My teacher is stubborn and very much devoted to her art. She’s not going to give up on the scheduled performance, even if it means to perform with an injury.” Guan Yue sighed. Mustering the courage, she looked at Shen Xi with a serious look on her face. “Xixi, I know this is asking a lot from you but I’m begging you; can you take Ms. Shu’s place in the performance?”
It never occurred to Shen Xi that Guan Yue would talk about this. It came too suddenly for Shen Xi to decline both politely and respectfully.
“I know you have your concerns, but don’t say no just yet.” Without giving her a chance to reply, Guan Yue blurted out her thoughts in one go. “You love dancing, but you don’t wish to put all your energy into it like Ms. Shu and I.”
“You respect and admire Ms. Shu. You turned her down as a teacher because the weight on your shoulder might be too heavy a burden to bear as you can’t give your all to dance. Hence, you’re afraid you’d let Ms. Shu down.”
Having been read like an open book, Shen Xi nodded and admitted to it. “I can’t assume such a huge responsibility.”
“You don’t have to undertake any responsibility. I will undertake my duty as a student and do my utmost to step into my teacher’s shoes. You just have to do you.” Guan Yue solemnly gave Shen Xi her word.
“Are you saying that I can do as I please with no strings attached? And that you and Ms. Shu will carry the load?” Shen Xi smiled. “Won’t I be taking advantage of you two?”
Shen Xi would try to stay away from things in which her best could not be promised as it would only hurt others and herself.
“Not entirely so.” Now that Shen Xi wavered, Guan Yue let out a sigh of relief and smiled brightly. “You have to be Ms. Shu’s student and lend us a hand and support whenever we need you.”
Shen Xi retorted, “Is this coming from Ms. Shu?”
Guan Yue answered, “Having been with her for two decades, I know what she’s thinking but she has had a hard time expressing it. I’m speaking for her since she’s not saying anything. She really likes you and wants you to be her student. It’s not so that you can do something for her, but she genuinely fancies and admires you.”
Shen Xi paused before asking, “The dance will be showcased on the main stage. Do you trust me that much to perform Ms. Shu’s new work of art to its pinnacle?”
Guan Yue nodded. Her eyes were firm. “Only you can.”
She would have substituted her teacher if it were possible.
Nevertheless, Guan Yue knew where she stood. She was far from bringing the dance to its best nor could she fulfill her teacher’s search for perfection to perform on an international stage. She could not embarrass her teacher and China.
“I trust myself as well.” Shen Xi curled her lips into a smile before changing the topic. “But let me make this clear. I will perform the dance but won’t accept the apprenticeship.”
She admired the well-respected dancer too much to let her dance with a severe leg injury. Ms. Shu was putting her career at risk because of one show.
Shen Xi wished to continue enjoying Ms. Shu’s graceful, unrivaled, and delightfully beautiful dance!