Chapter 2

VIP Ward.

Yu Qing sat on the hospital bed, sipping the soup his mother had prepared for him that morning, his eyes frequently drifting toward his eldest brother, Yu You.

Yu’s mother sat by the bedside, worry etched on her face. “An’an, how are you feeling? Is your throat still itchy?”

Yu Qing obediently shook his head, then, as if forgetting himself, asked, “Where’s Second Brother?”

Yu’s mother seemed not to hear and began peeling an apple for Yu Qing. Yu’s father, standing behind his wife, furrowed his brows and took the knife from her hand. “Be careful not to hurt yourself. I’ll do it.”

He handed the peeled apple to Yu Qing, then turned toward Yu You. “Call Yu An. Our younger brother was pushed into the water by him. Not only did he not apologize, he hasn’t even come to see him. What kind of behavior is that?”

Yu You frowned deeply but nodded and left the room.

After only a few steps, Yu’s mother caught up with him. “Xiao You, I forgot to bring the clothes I prepared for An’an. Please go downstairs and bring them.”

Yu You replied, “Okay.”

Waiting for the elevator, he opened his phone to dial. The call log showed the last connection with Yu An was over a week ago.

It wasn’t unusual for Yu An to be out of touch for a few days, but never this long.

The memory of Yu Qing falling into the water remained haunting.

Yu You was busy with work and unaware of what conflict had erupted between Yu An and Yu Qing that would drive Yu An to push his brother into the water.

After the dial tone sounded for ten seconds, a female voice announced, “Sorry, the user you are trying to reach is currently on another call…”

Yu You paused, then went to the parking lot to fetch the clothes. He called Yu An again, only to hear, “The number you have dialed is not answering, please try later.”

Frowning, Yu You returned to the hospital lobby and waited.

Before, Yu An would never be unavailable for more than five minutes and would return calls promptly.

But this time, after ten minutes of waiting, the phone remained silent.

He stood still for a long moment until a passing nurse, noticing his resemblance to Yu An, asked, “Are you Yu An’s relative? He has already been discharged.”

“Discharged?” Yu You was incredulous and rushed to ask, “He was hospitalized too?”

The nurse, seeing his expression, seemed to take Yu An’s side. “You’re just now finding out he was hospitalized? He was admitted a week ago due to drowning. Your family is so irresponsible! You didn’t even come to sign for the surgery. If it weren’t that Yu An was allowed to sign for himself…”

Before she finished, another nurse pulled her away quietly. “Don’t say more. We can’t interfere in patients’ family matters…”

Yu You’s expression darkened, but he caught the key phrase: “Didn’t come to sign for surgery?”

The nurse wasn’t stopped and turned back, eyes red as if venting for Yu An’s grievances.

“He choked on water and barely climbed ashore, but lost strength and fell back into the water again. A passerby found him and rushed him to the hospital.”

Her anger grew, tears brimming. “How can you treat him like this? Just because he’s adopted, you treat him so carelessly!”

Realizing her outburst was improper, she wiped her eyes and left.

The hospital lobby had gathered a crowd. Hearing the nurse’s words and seeing Yu You's face, their gazes shifted.

Some recognized him from the news and began whispering among themselves.

“Tsk tsk, even the rich treat their children this badly?”

“Didn’t you hear? Because he’s adopted, that’s why they’re biased!”

“But he’s still a human life! Doesn’t this family care at all?”

“Maybe they’re deliberately keeping it quiet.”

“I said, ordinary families fight over small inheritances. How much more the wealthy!”

Yu You’s face turned ashen, filled with doubts. Thinking that Yu An had been discharged, he called home.

After the butler said Yu An hadn’t returned, he called the assistant before stepping into the elevator.

—

Chaoge Theater.

Yu An finished his self-introduction, and music soon filled the room.

He immersed himself deeply, as though the world faded away, leaving only the melody in his mind, his body moving in rhythm.

After his dance, he caught his breath and looked at the three judges before him.

One was an older man with a long beard and hair, visibly surprised. “How long have you studied dance?”

“Seven years,” Yu An replied.

The man stroked his beard in disbelief. “Your technique is so solid. How have I never seen you before?”

“I haven’t competed or attended a dance school. I only have one teacher,” Yu An explained.

The man was even more astonished. “Why? You’re very talented. If you’d competed earlier, you’d be famous by now!”

Yu An pressed his lips together. “Sorry, teacher. It’s my own reasons.”

—

The elder sensed the hesitation on Yu An’s face, guessing it might be family-related.

He checked Yu An’s resume and realized he was still a minor.

Most candidates had been through multiple competitions or were university graduates.

Though many auditioned, only Yu An stood out as promising. With proper guidance, his future would be boundless.

The elder smiled warmly. “Prepare for the next round.”

Yu An bowed. “Thank you, teacher.”

Leaving the audition room, he went to another room to prepare for the second round.

The coordinator handed him a list of pieces. “Congratulations. For the second round, you will randomly draw a piece. Please prepare.”

Yu An nodded. “Thank you.”

Less than ten people remained in the room, all practicing their assigned dances before mirrors.

Yu An chose a quiet corner to sit and mentally rehearse the choreography.

His stamina was waning; conserving energy was crucial.

Half an hour later, the coordinator explained the rules of the second round.

“This is the final audition. If you win the favor of all three judges, you will join the troupe.”

Everyone’s faces grew grim.

As the first candidate was called in, the others practiced even more earnestly.

Time passed, and the number dwindled. Yu An estimated his turn was near and began warming up.

Just after stretching, a figure appeared before him, eyes cold and hostile.

The man lifted his chin arrogantly. “You must be Yu An?”

“That’s me,” Yu An wiped sweat from his brow and looked up. “Can I help you?”

Qin Ran, seeing Yu An’s calm demeanor, couldn’t help but defend his friend.

“You’re just an adopted son, yet you dare compete for your parents’ and brother’s affection, even copying his dancing. You’re such a mimic!”

Yu An paused. “Did Yu Qing say that?”

Qin Ran immediately denied it. “No way! Qingqing is so obedient and always treats you like a good brother. He keeps his pain to himself.”

He looked as if he’d seen through everything. “You’re just jealous, jealous that your parents and brother favor him!”

Yu An refused to hear any more about his family. Even though Yu Qing seemed different from the obedient image he’d imagined, Yu An didn’t want to waste energy pondering it.

He maintained a final courtesy. “Yes, I’m jealous. Is that all?”

Qin Ran was stunned by the admission, eyes wide. “You!”

Qin Ran was momentarily speechless, but the man behind him stepped forward.

“Second Young Master Yu, you wouldn’t want your family to hear this, would you?”

Yu An’s expression darkened.

From the moment these two appeared, he sensed the contempt in the man’s eyes and the relief when he saw no familiar faces behind Yu An.

Did he think Yu An had no family backing him?

Yu An recognized the man. Last Lunar New Year, he came to his home with many gifts. It seemed the man’s company had flourished thanks to the Yu family’s support.

Yu An lifted his phone, which had been recording, and looked the man in the eye.

“Why should your affairs concern my family’s? Do you intend to lecture me, bypassing my father and brother?”

The man’s face changed instantly. He tried to pull Qin Ran away.

Qin Ran broke free, shouting after Yu An’s retreating figure, “Stop!”

Yu An was called in by the coordinator. Without stopping, he ignored him completely.

Qin Ran flushed with embarrassment, glancing at the man behind him. “Brother! You have to help me teach him a lesson!”

Qin Zhao recalled the recording and hesitated but, seeing his brother’s aggrieved expression, ruffled his hair.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already contacted the judges. The theater won’t keep him.”

Qin Ran smiled. “You’re the best, bro!”

As they left the theater, a black Mercedes pulled up at the entrance.

Someone waited by the car. The driver jumped out and opened the door. A black leather shoe stepped out, and a man nearby hurried forward.

The man adjusted his suit and strode into the theater, followed cautiously by others.

Qin Ran stared blankly at the tall, straight figure, overhearing his brother say, “That’s Gu Corporation’s CEO, Gu Yuzhou.”

Qin Ran murmured, “So that’s Gu Yuzhou. No wonder Yu Qing likes him.”

“Let’s go, Ranran. Mr. Gu isn’t someone we can reach.”

—

Gu Yuzhou entered the conference room.

The leader immediately handed over documents. “Mr. Gu, these are the venue equipment needs for the theater’s second half of the year.”

Gu Yuzhou took them and skimmed through quietly.

The others held their breath, lowering their heads until hearing, “Agreed. I’ll have my assistant contact you.”

They finally relaxed.

The leader then detailed recent productions but received no response.

Looking up, he saw Gu Yuzhou staring toward the window.

Following his gaze, he spotted a young dancer rehearsing in the adjacent building’s studio.

Though obscured by two windows, it was clear the boy’s skill was impressive, his movements flowing like a breeze, red sleeves fluttering.

The leader explained, “He’s probably auditioning. A troupe is recruiting recently.”

Seeing no reaction, he cautiously asked, “Would you like to watch?”

Gu Yuzhou withdrew his gaze, voice cool, “No need.”

—

Yu An left the audition hall.

After this round, he would wait for notification—likely within a day or two.

Wearing his small backpack, he walked out and pulled out his phone.

Sure enough, his brother had called again and sent two messages.

They weren’t sent together. The first read: [Dad is very angry. Why did you push our brother into the water?]

Ten minutes later came: [You were hospitalized? Why didn’t you say? Where are you now?]

How did his brother know he was hospitalized?

Yet, despite the apparent concern, the messages couldn’t hide their reproach, and Yu An had no interest in replying.

He shoved the phone into his bag, unaware he was approaching a corner, and suddenly collided into a sturdy embrace, the faint scent of crisp freshness lingering.

Yu An quickly stepped back, silently scolding himself for playing on his phone.

Embarrassed, he looked up. “Sorry, are you hurt?”

Gu Yuzhou slightly bowed his head to meet his gaze. The backlight cast his features in sharp relief, making him seem even more unapproachable.

After about five seconds, he spoke, his voice steady despite the boy’s nervous eyes. “No.”

Yu An breathed a sigh of relief and bid farewell.

An assistant stepped forward. “Mr. Gu, there’s a clean change of clothes in the car. Shall I bring it?”

Gu Yuzhou’s expression was perpetually stern and aloof, keeping strangers at bay. Despite his striking appearance attracting many admirers, he always avoided unwanted embraces. This time, however…

He glanced down and replied calmly, “No need.”

The assistant suppressed his thoughts and nodded, “Understood.”

Gu Yuzhou continued through the theater lobby toward a nearby villa.

Suddenly, loud arguing erupted.

“It’s obvious Yu An is the best dancer here. Why did you blindly choose that Qin Ran?”

“I’m not blind! Old Man Su, don’t slander me!”

“How is that not blindness? You’re blinded by money! The theater wants true talent, not someone like you stained by greed!”

“You—you!”

The assistant watched Gu Yuzhou’s face, expecting indifference. Seeing no change, he prepared to continue leading.

“Miss Yu called earlier. She’s waiting for you.”

Gu Yuzhou tilted his head toward the quarrel and instructed, “Send someone to check.”

As the assistant nodded, the door burst open.

Those still arguing, cheeks flushed, suddenly lost their will upon seeing Gu Yuzhou.

“Mr. Gu…”

“Hello, Mr. Gu.”

“…”

Their faces trembled. How did Mr. Gu come to the theater without telling them? Known for his ruthless business demeanor, he spared no one, not even family.

Though he had withdrawn to a silent investor role, many didn’t realize he owned the theater. To most, he was merely an investor, and such minor disputes were beneath his notice.

Yet Su Su couldn’t stand to see a promising talent slip away.

He braved speaking up. “Mr. Gu, would you like to watch?”