"Cough cough! That suggestion of yours came out of nowhere—I’m not ready to hit on her yet!"
Ye Xuan cleared his throat twice, speaking earnestly, "Besides, Miss Yao is a big star—she might not even take a second glance at me! Of course, if you want to compete for favor in a harem, that’s all down to your own strength! In other words, whether you can please me or not."
"Please you? As it stands, you’re hardly qualified! Little Ye, you’ll need to work much harder to earn your sister’s approval in the future."
Liu Ying pouted, throwing Ye Xuan a reproachful sideways glance before she twisted her voluptuous waist and headed to the center of the stage.
MMP, this woman is too presumptuous, daring to keep calling me smaller and smaller!
Ye Xuan touched his nose, resentfully thinking, we’ll see how I’ll bring you into my harem later and let the little chick taste the prowess of this man here! Humph.
In the blink of an eye, it was 8:30 in the evening, and Liu Ying’s birthday party had officially begun.
And as the star of the party, Liu Ying took to the stage to give her speech, "Today is my birthday, I’m very grateful to all the guests and friends who took time out of their busy schedules to join my birthday banquet..."
After finishing her opening remarks, Liu Ying stepped down from the stage.
As the hosts of the event, the Du Family, with Du Yunfeng as the Family Head, naturally took to the stage to say a few words and wish his niece a happy birthday.
When Du Yunfeng finished and stepped down, the third person to take the stage was surprisingly Yao Xingtong, the little diva!
However, Yao Xingtong wasn’t up there to speak; she was there to sing.
As Liu Ying’s close friend and a special guest of the party, she naturally had to show support. Just like Ye Xuan’s piano performance, she offered her singing voice to celebrate Liu Ying’s birthday banquet!
"Let youth blow through your long hair, guiding your dreams..."
The song Yao Xingtong sang was one of her signature hits, "Dream Chaser."
The lyrics weren’t lavish, more of a simple variety, avoiding the complications of romance to tell a story about chasing dreams, youth, and wandering.
Though the song was simple and straightforward, like a nursery rhyme in its narration, it had a unique charm. The music was light and fluid, emanating a warm and heartening vibe.
Yao Xingtong’s voice was ethereal and pure, like a spotless orchid in a secluded valley, imbued with a misty celestial aura—as if a fairy from heaven was softly telling a tale in one’s ear, always intoxicating and immersive, making one forget all worries.
Furthermore, her voice had powerful penetration, as if it were a sublime sound from the ninth heaven, each note piercing the heart.
The audience couldn’t help but cast away their distractions, listening intently to the beautiful singing!
When Yao Xingtong finished her song, the crowd was still immersed in the lingering melody, not yet having returned to their senses.
It wasn’t until the music from the speakers ceased completely that they awoke, faces showing infinite aftertaste, including Ye Xuan.
After her first song, Yao Xingtong proceeded to sing two more, both well-known hits and favorites from her album.
After staying on stage for several minutes and completing the third song, she sang a special "Happy Birthday" song for Liu Ying before putting down the microphone, stepping down from the stage under the audience’s reluctant gazes.
Checking the time, it was now 9:00 pm.
The pianist in the blue dress returned to the stage at this moment, sitting before the piano and slowly began playing "Lovers’ Concerto."
This world-famous waltz announced it was time for the dance segment of the evening.
Hearing the familiar tune, people naturally began inviting their partners, pairing up and stepping forward to the stage to dance to the rhythm of the music!
"Ye Xuan, can you waltz?"
Liu Ying asked with a charming smile, her eyes locking onto Ye Xuan.
Ye Xuan nodded affirmatively. Not only could he waltz, but he could also dance the cha-cha, Latin, Spanish bullfighting dance, and rumba, among numerous other styles!
His proficiency in dance was in no way inferior to his piano skills. In fact, he had once won the American Cha-Cha Championship, becoming a dance instructor to many high-profile stars.
Of course, Ye Xuan always considered himself to be a low-key person, so naturally, he would never brag about it.
"So, my big man, could you ask me for a dance?"
Liu Ying smiled charmingly, presenting a delicate, jade-like arm.
Ye Xuan smiled slightly, extending his hand in a very gentlemanly manner to grasp her smooth, tender hand.
It felt soft and delicate, as if it was boneless! That was Ye Xuan’s first impression when he took Liu Ying’s hand!
Liu Ying pursed her lips with a smile and didn’t say much, directly pulling Ye Xuan toward the stage ahead.
At this moment, many people were dancing below the stage, but Liu Ying was pulling Ye Xuan up to the stage; it was clear she intended to dance with him there.
Today, the two of them were the male and female leads; the dazzling stage naturally belonged to them!
The pair arrived at the center of the stage, Liu Ying moved close to Ye Xuan’s body, her jade-like arm lightly resting on his shoulder as she said with a smile, "Do you know? I’ve never danced with a man before because no man has ever been worthy to ask me for a dance! And now, I’ve finally found one. You should feel very honored. This is my first time!"
Ye Xuan raised an eyebrow; the girl’s words were loaded with double meaning! Was she hinting at something?
"Heh heh, so that makes me your first man?"
A mischievous smile playing at the corner of his mouth, Ye Xuan teased.
Liu Ying gave him a look, correcting, "The first man to dance with me! Don’t get any funny ideas. Until you’ve earned my approval, you can forget about any bad intentions."
Ye Xuan touched his nose, embarrassed that the girl had seen right through him.
"Shh! Don’t talk, just dance with me quietly."
Liu Ying made a silencing gesture and nestled her head on Ye Xuan’s shoulder.
Without another word, Ye Xuan embraced Liu Ying’s fragrant shoulders, and the pair began to dance slowly to the music.
Liu Ying claimed she had never danced with a man, yet her waltz wasn’t bad, which puzzled Ye Xuan. Had she only danced with women before?
However, he didn’t dwell on the question and instead followed her dance steps, coordinating with his own, the two fitting together seamlessly!
Their dance was incredibly smooth and natural, their cooperation was perfect, without any mistakes from beginning to end—it was like two butterflies fluttering in the dance, a sight full of beauty.
In a dimly lit booth, Hua Tian sat alone, nursing his drink, his face shrouded in gloom.
Especially when he glanced at the stage and saw the two dancing, a vicious light flickered in his eyes!
Why had she chosen to dance with that bastard, why not with me? How could I, the premier young master of Huayun, lose to a no-good bumpkin!?
Hua Tian roared inwardly, clenching his fists tightly.
Meanwhile, in the ballroom, the music still flowed gently, people danced serenely, and all activities seemed so harmonious.
If nothing unexpected happened, this harmony would continue until the end of the soirée!
Yet, the unexpected finally happened.
A sound of footsteps announced the arrival of unwelcome guests, and with them, the breaking of the harmonious atmosphere...