She didn’t have to say it; everyone understood.
So everyone was waiting for Bao Ziqi to invite Su Ruanruan...
Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating, Bao Ziqi slowly walked towards Su Ruanruan.
His gaze was fixed on her, with a hint of malice in his eyes.
He had been rejected by Su Ruanruan, more than once.
His pride would never allow him to invite her to dance, so when he nearly reached Su Ruanruan, he turned his steps and unexpectedly approached Hao Keke at the piano.
"May I have the pleasure of this dance?"
Everyone in the hall was stunned.
Under the crystal chandelier, Bao Ziqi in a black suit, invited the unfamiliar female pianist like a prince on a white horse.
For a moment, everyone looked at Su Ruanruan with sympathy.
Without the favor of the Second Young Master Bao, any charm was in vain.
Hao Keke’s fingertips trembled.
She was near tears of joy—
Did Teacher Ziqi’s ignoring of Su Ruanruan to invite her to dance indicate that Teacher Ziqi liked her?
She restrained herself mightily, smoothing her skirt with the most dignified posture as she stepped forward.
"I would be honored."
Bao Ziqi smiled faintly and took her hand.
Everyone sighed: Su Ruanruan was countless times more beautiful than this girl, Bao Ziqi indeed had eyes yet failed to recognize a pearl.
They all looked at Su Ruanruan with sympathy.
It seemed after this banquet, Miss Su would have a hard time staying at the Bao Family’s.
Su Ruanruan accepted the sympathetic gazes, her heart very clear.
Ever since the day she rejected Bao Ziqi and told him she had someone she liked, she knew Bao Ziqi wouldn’t give her any face.
She accepted it calmly.
Amidst this sudden turn, others were still not over the shock.
Yet Bao Jingyuan was playfully smiling.
Her slender fingers lightly grazed the piano, and lifting her red lips in a slight smile, she said, "My second brother only knows to invite Miss Keke to dance, but has forgotten that no one is playing the piano now."
These words gave Mrs. Bao an excuse, as she most certainly did not want a little harlot to entice her son.
Having such a person at the Bao Family’s dance would tarnish her reputation.
Rather than her, Su Ruanruan would be preferable.
Mrs. Bao immediately said: "Indeed, Ziqi, if Miss Hao dances, who will play the piano?"
Before Bao Ziqi could speak, Bao Jingyuan added, "I’ve heard that the Su Family’s daughter is well-versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Surely, Su Ruanruan can also play the piano!"
"Ruanruan, my second brother especially loves listening to Miss Keke play ’Starry Sky.’ Why don’t you give it a try? Maybe he’ll have a change of heart after listening."
Her words were filled with malicious mockery.
Because Professor Su couldn’t come, she vented all her frustration on Su Ruanruan.
Su Ruanruan remained unfazed.
But Hao Keke was dying inside.
How could they let Su Ruanruan play?
What if Teacher Ziqi realized how good her playing was?
Yet she didn’t want to give up this chance to have a solo dance, to make a splash, and to be held in Teacher Ziqi’s arms...
While Hao Keke was feeling uneasy, Su Ruanruan calmly declined: "I’m not very good at playing the piano."
Bao Jingyuan curled her lips, "I get it, you’re jealous! Ruanruan, I didn’t expect you to be such a person. Can’t handle losing?"
Su Ruanruan smiled, "If I can’t, then I can’t."
She was young but composed.
She didn’t want to attract Bao Ziqi’s attention again with a momentary impulse.
But Bao Mingyuan spoke up.
Earlier, he had heard Elder Su boasting that his Ruanruan was skilled at everything.
Having witnessed Su Ruanruan’s subtle exhibition of her painting skills before, he thought she must be capable at playing the piano, so he said, "Ruanruan, don’t be modest, Uncle believes you play well."