Sheng Ning nodded, acknowledging that she had indeed seen her in the grove last night. It was hard to believe that Bai Oulan, known for her cold demeanor and aloof personality, was so bold with a man. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never have imagined it.
"She is indeed Qianjin’s leading lady, twenty-two years old this year, promoted at the age of eighteen." Zheng Meilin glanced meaningfully at Sheng Ning.
Everyone knew that following Teacher Qiu Bai’s announcement yesterday, Sheng Ning’s position as the lead dancer was confirmed, and her promotion was undoubtedly coming this year.
It was expected that, upon their return, the General Union’s approval documents would arrive.
Qianjin’s position was at the very front, and originally, people from the General Union were quietly discussing each other. Unexpectedly, Bai Oulan suddenly turned around and smiled at the spot where Sheng Ning stood, then walked over to her before everyone’s eyes.
As she passed by, a path cleared automatically.
Bai Oulan, graceful like a beautiful white swan and yet akin to a noble princess, slowly approached Sheng Ning.
She was three centimeters taller than Sheng Ning, and the specialized dance shoes she wore made her appear even taller.
Both had a complexion that was fair to the point of being translucent, with similarly delicate features. Sheng Ning’s were softer and more delicate, her eyes and brows conveying a soul-stirring charm.
Her beauty was the kind that could drive men mad.
But Bai Oulan was different, her aura pure and haughty, like a solitary, exotic orchid left behind in the human world, standing alone and unattached.
As the two stood face to face, people couldn’t help but compare them side by side: their figures, their faces, their temperaments, their skin. After the comparisons, someone in the crowd scoffed disdainfully, "I thought the new Union Flower would be breathtakingly beautiful, but it turns out she’s nothing special!"
"Exactly, her vixen-like appearance doesn’t hold a candle to our Sister Oulan."
"It’s true, she should really look at herself in the mirror."
Their sarcastic voices were loud and unmasked.
Inside, Sheng Ning sneered, doubtful that they had seen what Bai Oulan looked like beneath a man, moaning in a way that would embarrass her.
Chen Huaying and the others, equally sharp-tongued, crossed their arms and huffed, "She’s just a delicate little flower, how can she compare to a vibrant rose?"
If Bai Oulan was a delicate orchid, then Sheng Ning was a passionately blooming rose.
Each had their own unique merits; truly, they were difficult to compare.
No matter how cutting the surrounding comments were, Sheng Ning’s expression remained calm. She met Bai Oulan’s cold, slightly provocative eyes without faltering.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you!" Bai Oulan’s smile was graceful, "I’ve always been curious about what the new Union Flower looks like. Seeing you now, I must say I’m a bit disappointed."
"I feel the same, it’s a pleasure to meet you," Sheng Ning returned the smile meaningfully, "The private side of the former dancer of the Song and Dance Troupe seems a bit different from what you present now."
Bai Oulan’s expression changed dramatically, her delicately arched eyebrows furrowed slightly, making her appear so pitiful that men couldn’t help but want to comfort her.
"To be the Union Flower, relying just on looks isn’t enough; I look forward to your future shining bright."
"I do too, thank you for your encouragement."
After finishing their greetings, the two passed by each other, and only after Bai Oulan and the others from Qianjin had left did Chen Huaying and the rest gather around.
"What did she mean by her words just now?"
"Sheng Ning, you should be careful; Bai Tian’e is quite powerful, not something Hai Lan can compare with." A single Bai Tian’e could defeat several Hai Lans.