Chapter 13

After finishing his dance, Yu An was drenched in sweat, but he didn’t bother wiping it off. Instead, he crouched down to watch the playback, noting a few imperfect moves, then resumed practicing them repeatedly.

The entire morning passed in this cycle.

There was no air conditioning in the room, and Yu An’s sweat never stopped flowing.

After taking a shower in the bathroom, he received a call from the tailor who had been adjusting his custom suit yesterday, informing him that the alterations were complete.

Yu An gave his address, and an hour later, the suit was delivered to his door.

Just as he received the suit, Gu Yuzhou called.

“I’ll come pick you up shortly.”

Yu An paused, then replied with a simple “Okay.”

He suddenly realized that Mr. Gu’s voice sounded surprisingly pleasant over the phone—deep, with a gentle, slightly drawn-out tone.

After hanging up, Yu An changed into the suit, then crouched down to look at the cat that was licking its fur.

He carefully instructed, “Pingping, I’m going to a ball tonight. I’ll bring you some treats later.”

Then he glanced at the call screen he hadn’t closed earlier, noticing another call from Yu You last night.

Yu An hesitated, then turned off his phone.

—

Half an hour later, Gu Yuzhou’s car arrived downstairs.

Yu An, already watching from the window, immediately went out and headed downstairs when he saw it.

Gu Yuzhou sat in the driver’s seat, and before opening the door, his eyes caught a flash of brightness.

The young man wore a slightly pinkish-purple suit, slender waist and long legs, carrying a pale yellow small backpack, and walked downstairs with light steps.

In the sunlight, his skin seemed to glow with a radiant whiteness.

Yu An’s eyes curved into a smile as he walked toward him. “Mr. Gu.”

Gu Yuzhou suppressed the urge to smoke, opened the rear door, and said, “Get in.”

Inside the car.

Yu An’s voice was clear. “Mr. Gu, are you going to the ball too?”

Gu Yuzhou responded with a soft “Mm,” without mentioning that Yu Ling wouldn’t be able to make it.

Yu An nodded but recalled when Teacher Yu asked Mr. Gu earlier, and he had said he was busy.

Perhaps he suddenly had time now.

Not wanting to disturb the man who was concentrating on driving, Yu An fell silent and looked out the window.

After an unknown length of time, the car stopped at a red light.

Gu Yuzhou suddenly asked, “Unhappy?”

Yu An was taken aback, instinctively about to say no, but when he met Gu Yuzhou’s gaze, the words caught in his throat.

The car fell silent.

Yu An nervously scratched his backpack, then heard the man sigh resignedly, “Forgot? Don’t wrong yourself.”

He widened his eyes slightly and subconsciously repeated, “Don’t... wrong... yourself.”

Gu Yuzhou’s voice was gentle, encouraging: “Mm.”

Yu An’s eyes brightened gradually, and he gave a sincere smile. “I understand. Thank you, Mr. Gu.”

After saying this, he took out his phone and blacklisted Yu You’s number, as if something inside him had been freed and would no longer be dragged into the abyss.

At the theater, the two got out of the car together.

The ball was organized by the theater itself—less grand than a formal hotel event but possessing its own theatrical charm.

The venue was large, with food and drinks arranged around the edges and a big stage in the center.

Many people had come this time, largely because Yu Ling was expected to appear. Attendees included not only theater staff but numerous figures from China’s dance and opera circles.

Upon entering, Yu An and Gu Yuzhou attracted the majority of the crowd’s attention.

Both had exceptional appearances and bearing. One was slender and graceful, with classical beauty.

His expression was slightly aloof when not smiling, but whenever he met the man beside him, his eyes curved, instantly bringing life to his features.

The older man was tall and long-legged, dressed in a powerful black suit that made people instinctively avoid his gaze.

Yet, upon closer look, one could see the care he showed the young man beside him—for example—

Yu An scanned the room for Teacher Yu’s figure just as a waiter carrying drinks passed by.

Almost colliding, he was subtly pulled back by Gu Yuzhou without a word.

Yu An turned to him with a puzzled look. “What’s wrong, Mr. Gu?”

Gu Yuzhou politely lowered his hand, knowing what Yu An sought. “Aunt Yu will arrive soon.”

Yu An nodded and followed him to sit on a nearby sofa.

Ten minutes later, the ball was about to begin.

The crowd gathered around the stage, eagerly awaiting Yu Ling’s arrival.

Yu Ling still hadn’t appeared, but for some reason, Yu An inexplicably trusted Gu Yuzhou’s words and felt no worry over her absence.

One by one, the lights in the ball dimmed, leaving only the spotlight at the center of the stage.

Gu Yuzhou stood, about to take Yu An’s hand when Yu An gleefully exclaimed, “Teacher Yu!”

He paused and looked toward the newcomer.

Yu Ling wore a light green cheongsam, breathing deeply before saying, “Yuzhou, thank you.”

Gu Yuzhou said nothing, his expression a little somber.

Yu Ling casually remarked, “Why are you unhappy now that I’ve come?”

Gu Yuzhou’s expression faltered.

Music began to play, and Yu An couldn’t catch what they said.

Then, Yu Ling led Yu An onto the stage.

“Xiao An, focus. Remember what I taught you.”

Yu An nodded earnestly, knowing this time his teacher intended to fully introduce him to everyone.

From now on, he would gain another title—the apprentice of a famous dancer and opera artist.

He couldn’t and wouldn’t let his teacher down.

The moment Yu Ling and Yu An appeared on stage, the crowd gasped briefly, then held their breath, silently appreciating their dance.

Gu Yuzhou stood in the shadows, watching the young man radiate brilliance, his expression calm.

When the dance ended, the lights brightened.

Everyone then saw the young man beside Yu Ling.

Those standing at a distance in the troupe were incredulous.

Yu Ling took Yu An’s hand and said, “Hello everyone, welcome to this ball. I’d also like to formally introduce my apprentice, Yu An, whom I’ve trained since childhood. Please take good care of him.”

Yu An showed no fear, behaving gracefully and smiling warmly at the crowd.

Later, Yu Ling took Yu An to meet several industry celebrities, showing him off before finally letting him leave.

Yu An bid farewell to his teacher and went to the troupe, receiving envious gazes from many.

Su Su stroked his beard. “I knew it—how could such a promising talent still be available for me to pick up now!”

But he still told Yu An, “Even if I’m no match for your teacher, I dare say no one at the troupe knows more than I do. Remember, if you need anything, come find me.”

Warmth welled up inside Yu An as he nodded.

Someone complained, “Hey Yu An, why didn’t you tell us your teacher is Yu Ling?! You’ve kept that so secret!”

Yu An looked innocent. “You never asked me.”

Song Zhao patted his shoulder. “Looks like we’ll be counting on you from now on!”

The troupe members all chimed in, “Yeah, yeah, Xiao An, if there’s a good competition in the future, remember me—”

Yu An kindly responded to each.

Qi Lin stood aside, having seen the man who came in with Yu An early on—it was President Gu! He almost bowed and kowtowed!

It seemed the people behind Teacher Xiao An were not only Yu Ling!

Yu An caught Qi Lin’s meaningful glance, puzzled.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gu Yuzhou holding a wine glass, standing alone in a corner.

He recalled what Yu Ling had said during dance practice: “Actually, Yuzhou dances quite well too.”

So, he bid farewell to the troupe and walked toward Gu Yuzhou.

At that moment, the ball’s music resumed. Yu An bent slightly, smiling up at Gu Yuzhou. “Mr. Gu, may I invite you for a dance?”

Gu Yuzhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He chuckled softly, “I don’t know how to lead in a dance.”

Yu An stood and gently placed his hand on Gu Yuzhou’s shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “I do.”

Gu Yuzhou looked at the young man with the curved eyes, a joy he had never experienced blossoming from his heart.

After the dance, there was a raffle, but Yu An did not participate and was led away by Yu Ling.

Outside the theater, Yu An suddenly remembered and asked, “Teacher, where is Mr. Gu? Is he not coming with us?”

Yu Ling recalled Gu Yuzhou’s expression when he left. “He probably had company matters and left early.”

Yu An nodded.

Originally, Yu Ling had driven herself, but Gu Yuzhou had arranged for an assistant to take them back, so Yu Ling pulled Yu An into the back seat, and they left the theater.

On the other side of the theater.

Gu Yuzhou got into the car, loosened his tie, and told the driver, “Go buy a bottle of ice water.”

The driver responded with a “Yes.”

Three minutes later, the driver returned and handed over the ice water.

Unlike his usual leisurely manner, Gu Yuzhou drank it all in one go.

The driver glanced at the air conditioning that had been running the entire time. Was it really so hot?

Why hadn’t he noticed?

—

The next day.

Yu An accidentally overslept and hurried downstairs, only to see Gu Yuzhou’s car.

He stood dazed as the driver invited him into the car, where he saw Gu Yuzhou in a suit sitting in the back seat with a laptop on his lap. His mind was still catching up.

“Good morning, Mr. Gu.”

“Mm,” Gu Yuzhou looked at him. “I had business at the theater and came to pick you up on the way.”

He reminded him, “There’s breakfast beside you.”

Yu An looked over. Next to the seat was a paper bag. Opening it revealed a box of steaming hot soup dumplings.

His eyes curved. “Can I eat in the car?”

Gu Yuzhou: “Yes.”

Yu An asked again, “Have you eaten?”

Gu Yuzhou: “Mm.”

The driver kept his eyes on the road, noticing nothing unusual about his boss’s fastidiousness or sensitivity to odors.

Yu An was receiving breakfast from someone else for the first time and for the first time, felt warmth in his stomach in the morning.

Used to eating hard bread from the fridge, he suddenly felt comforted.

—

At the Yu family home.

Yu Qing had been bedridden for two days but could finally get downstairs to eat breakfast.

Downstairs, Yu Fu and Yu You were discussing company matters, apparently some cooperation had fallen through. Yu Fu sat at the dining table as the butler served him a bowl of porridge.

He reached for a fried dough stick, but the butler reminded him, “Madam asked you to eat lightly.”

Yu Fu looked at him with a warning in his eyes. “Don’t let your mother overwork herself.”

Yu Qing obediently said, “I’ll stay home today and take good care of Mom.”

After speaking, he withdrew his hand and drank a sip of porridge.

Yu You suddenly asked, “Has Yu An come back?”

The butler shook his head. “No.”