Chapter 22: A New Beginning (Part Two)

Amidst the brilliant lights of the ball, a handsome young man extended his right hand toward Ye Ling, as if inviting her to dance like a prince in a fairy tale inviting Cinderella, filling the air with a dreamlike sensation. Wait a minute—wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around? She was the princess, and the man before her was nothing but a pauper. Why did the scene feel like Cinderella and her prince? Ye Ling shook her head, casting off these odd thoughts, her gaze lingering on Lin Yang with a hint of fascination that made her heart tremble.

“Yes,” Ye Ling answered, imprinting Lin Yang’s image in her heart. With elegant grace, she lifted her hand and placed her delicate fingers in his outstretched palm. Lin Yang smiled gently, his hand exerting just enough force to draw Ye Ling toward him, spinning her into his embrace.

“Tonight, you are destined to be the most beautiful,” Lin Yang said with a smile, guiding their refined steps from the edge of the ballroom toward its center. Ye Ling felt the tips of her ears flush for the first time. “What nonsense are you speaking?” she replied, her shy expression appearing on her face for the very first time. As the pair danced across the hall under countless watchful eyes, Ye Ling suddenly noticed Li Shizhu seated at the side, playing the piano, while Xu Xiong adjusted the lighting and sound behind them.

“Why haven’t I seen Gong Hou?” Ye Ling asked in surprise. Lin Yang laughed, somewhat embarrassed, “He’s in the kitchen, uh… monitoring the situation.”

“As if I’d believe that,” Ye Ling rolled her eyes, annoyed. Lin Yang gave her a gentle push, causing Ye Ling to spin gracefully to the edge, then with a soft pull, she returned elegantly to his arms. “What identity are you using tonight?” Perhaps Lin Yang’s extraordinary performance drew more attention, and Ye Ling saw her father conversing with the manager, glancing frequently at Lin Yang.

“Don’t worry, your father won’t learn anything substantial. Right now, I’m the younger brother of a business tycoon named Vladimir from K City. You could check for yourself, and the national information network will confirm my existence.” Lin Yang’s confidence shone as he spoke. Ye Ling rolled her eyes again, but their dance continued, and applause began to rise from the crowd.

Ye Tianzhao had asked the manager about Lin Yang’s “identity.” After learning it, he said nothing but nodded. The information he received confirmed that Vladimir was indeed a giant in K City, and his younger brother would be qualified to be with his daughter. What intrigued him even more was that Vladimir, much older and more powerful than the young man before him, had never married nor had children. If nothing unexpected happened, after a century, the succession would fall to this young man.

“My father seems to have been fooled,” Ye Ling’s eyes revealed her astonishment as their dance, along with the current melody, reached its climax. Lin Yang gazed at Ye Ling’s face and said, “I don’t know why, but there’s a sadness in your eyes. Now, please smile happily. Let this ballroom become the brightest place, with you at its heart.”

Ye Ling was briefly dazed, but Lin Yang’s warm gaze pierced through her heart, reaching its deepest corners. “Yes!” Amidst the colorful lights, Ye Ling smiled, and in that moment, she made her decision—if she was to dance, it would be to her own melody. Her face bloomed with a smile for the first time, and as she moved with Lin Yang’s steps, the two seemed to become the center of the world.

The heavy dress was no longer a burden, but her most beautiful adornment. Her movements were fluid and matched perfectly to the rhythm, progressing layer upon layer. Sweat and smiles mingled in the music. At that moment, Ye Ling smiled without reservation or worry. Their eyes met, and though no words were exchanged, the feeling of a budding romance was already present.

When the music stopped, Lin Yang held Ye Ling’s slender waist, gazing at her fair face and sighing in admiration, “You truly are beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Ye Ling replied, her cheeks flushed. Suddenly, she remembered that Xie Liu had once told her she was beautiful. How had she responded then? “But why do I feel no joy in my heart?” Ye Ling smiled, echoing her reply to Xie Liu, showing impartiality. Tiny beads of sweat trickled down her forehead. “Well, that’s rather awkward,” Lin Yang released her, rubbing his nose helplessly.

“By the way, thank you for your performance. We’ve locked onto our target,” Lin Yang let go of Ye Ling’s hand and bowed slightly. “Miss, would you care to join me for a glass of champagne?”

“Of course.” Seeing the crowd of men retreat after Lin Yang’s dazzling display, Ye Ling felt relieved. Lin Yang led her to the wall, and Xie Liu timely presented two glasses of champagne.

“The target is confirmed,” Xie Liu said, his expression grim as he balanced the silver tray behind his back, from which Lin Yang and Ye Ling each took a glass. “Thanks to your performance, his attention was drawn away, and he didn’t notice our actions.” Xie Liu’s gaze slyly shifted as Ye Ling and Lin Yang followed it, spotting another waiter standing behind the crowd, his eyes fixed on the mayor atop the stage.

“I wasn’t mistaken—he should be an adaptive cyborg. If he gets the mayor’s DNA, he can mimic the mayor’s appearance, kill him, and easily take his place. Who comes up with such foolish plans?” Xie Liu whispered. Ye Ling was curious, “What does the Special Alliance want with S City?”

“Perhaps it’s the city’s status as a global port,” Xie Liu speculated. “We estimate he’ll act when the mayor leaves the hall, since the crowd here makes it risky.”

“Oh, right. Our division of Fantasy City is nearby to the east, so we can’t set up a temporal seal.” Xie Liu grinned mischievously. Ye Ling rolled her eyes, “Go on, what strange plan have you devised now?”

...

“Since we can’t set up a temporal seal, acting rashly would cause casualties and chaos, and the target would escape in the confusion,” Xie Liu feigned professionalism. “So, I need a way to act that won’t incite panic. Your dance just gave me an idea.”

“You need to draw everyone’s attention so we can act unnoticed,” Xie Liu said, turning his gaze to Ye Ling. “So, do you have any ideas?”

“An idea?” Ye Ling pondered, then looked at Li Shizhu, who was playing the piano—who would have thought he could play? “I do have one.”

...

“Ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down. Tonight, we’ve all had a wonderful time, and now, I have some more good news!” The mayor stood atop the highest platform, drawing the gaze of the crowd. “It is my honor to announce that tonight, the most beautiful young lady here—daughter of Director Ye—will perform a piano piece for us. Please welcome the lovely Miss Ye to the stage!”

The applause surged like waves. Ye Ling, her delicate hands gathering her gown, slowly ascended the stage and bowed gently to the audience. Li Shizhu stepped aside, while the piano, previously in the corner, was moved to the center.

“Begin,” Xie Liu whispered in her mind. Ye Ling nodded, seeing Lin Yang had already approached the waiter. She smiled softly and flexed her fingers beneath her silk gloves.

“A Beethoven piece, ‘Für Elise.’ I hope you enjoy it.” Ye Ling sat gracefully at the piano, paused a moment, then her fingers touched the keys, and the familiar music filled the hall.

“Action…” Xie Liu lowered his head and moved toward the waiter in front, as did Lin Yang, both closing in on their target.

Ye Ling’s playing started slow, then gradually accelerated, reaching its peak. Her slender fingers danced across the keys like sprites, producing exquisite music. The lighting in the hall dimmed, as if to enhance the atmosphere surrounding Ye Ling.

“Now!” Xie Liu whispered, just as Ye Ling’s music reached a dramatic shift. He and Lin Yang made their move. Ye Ling gently shook her head, opening her eyes to watch Xie Liu.

The target seemed to sense something. At the moment Xie Liu struck, the man ducked, dodging Xie Liu’s grasp, then twisted several times to escape capture.

The music calmed again; Xie Liu cursed silently—this one was slippery. Lin Yang acted, appearing behind the target in a flash, pressing a palm gently to his back. The man vanished, reappearing beside Xie Liu, teleported by Lin Yang’s ability.

Xie Liu raised his hand to grab the wary target once more. This time, he had no chance to dodge, and Xie Liu seized him. But the man twisted, shedding his clothes and slipping free of Xie Liu’s grasp.

Ye Ling’s body trembled, her playing fluctuating in tempo, but she knew she must not lose focus. Her performance continued uninterrupted, as the target darted through the crowd. Some people glanced impatiently, but paid little attention, and Xie Liu and Lin Yang pursued him.

The music soared, Ye Ling’s expression growing anxious, her fingers moving ever faster, her gaze following Xie Liu and the others.

“Electric Fox, act!” Xie Liu shouted in his thoughts. In the next second, Xu Xiong intercepted the target, grabbing him as blue sparks flashed. The target’s body shuddered and his mouth opened to cry out, but Lin Yang appeared and stuffed a giant hot dog into his mouth.

“Take him away!” No one noticed what happened in the back; Xie Liu and the others dragged the target away and soon vanished from the hall.

Ye Ling’s music gradually faded. She pressed the last key, and as the sound died away, she sighed softly, her eyes sweeping toward the entrance where Xie Liu stood. He winked playfully and gave her a thumbs-up.

A faint smile appeared on Ye Ling’s face—why did this feel so joyful? Applause thundered below, but Ye Ling seemed not to hear it. She saw only Xie Liu’s departing figure, his voice echoing in her mind, “Well done, little girl.”

For some reason, Ye Ling felt an urge to cry—a mix of being recognized and the joy of self-redemption. Despite knowing she would return tonight to the home she disliked and tomorrow face another battle of wits with her stepmother, she no longer felt so afraid.

Everything had changed. Yes, this was a new beginning—everything had started anew.

(End of Volume One)