Chapter 34: A Sudden Stirring of the Heart

"Do you need any help?"

Xianyu Jing gazed at the handsome man before her, dressed in a white tailcoat, a trace of confusion and detachment in her eyes.

"No, thank you."

The man was taken aback. Did she not recognize him?

Forget the influence of the Xi family among the elite in Imperial City; even he himself had amassed a considerable following in the music world over the last two years. Yet the girl before him seemed completely unfamiliar with him.

Xi Junle mocked himself inwardly: It seemed he wasn’t as “universally known” as the media claimed!

Little did he know, at this moment, he was merely a vague silhouette in Xianyu Jing’s eyes.

"There are a few simple evening gowns prepared in the lounge at the venue. If your attire is inconvenient, you can go and change," Xi Junle offered a gentle reminder.

He wasn’t usually meddlesome, but upon seeing Xianyu Jing tear her dress so decisively and neatly just now, something stirred within him.

Xianyu Jing didn’t feel any inconvenience. She had always found the fluffy lace overlay of her dress burdensome; now she felt much better.

Moreover, the man’s sudden attentiveness made her instinctively wary.

"Thank you for your kindness," she replied politely and headed straight toward the viewing seats.

Xi Junle had never met such a calm and self-assured girl!

Most socialites cared deeply about their appearance and attire. This girl had just been bullied, her dress ruined, yet she remained composed and unruffled—so different from the young ladies he was accustomed to.

Xi Junle’s gaze sharpened. He’d assumed tonight’s ball would be as dull as usual, but now he was beginning to change his mind.

"Brother Junle!"

Suddenly, a voice called out, and Nangong Xin hurried up the stairs, joyfully approaching Xi Junle.

Luo Liya and Xiao Zhiying followed, greeting him, "Young Master Xi."

Xi Junle’s features resembled those of Lady Xi—elegant and gentle—except for his thin lips, which, when pressed together, lent him a hint of coldness.

"Hello," he nodded indifferently.

"Brother Junle, are you dancing the opening waltz tonight?" Nangong Xin’s shy and gentle demeanor appeared only before Xi Junle.

The Nangong and Xi families were old friends. Nangong Xin and Xi Junle had often visited each other as children; she harbored deep admiration for this “brother” six years her senior.

Unfortunately, Xi Junle was much like the eldest Ao son—oblivious to romance and not fond of conversation.

He merely replied with a noncommittal "Mm."

"Brother Junle, have you chosen your dance partner?"

Under Nangong Xin’s eager gaze, Xi Junle turned to look toward Xianyu Jing’s seat.

Nangong Xin’s expression changed. Was Brother Junle going to invite that wild girl? What spell had Xianyu Jing cast on him just now?

"Brother Junle, she doesn’t know how to dance!" Nangong Xin said anxiously.

Xi Junle asked, "You know her?"

Nangong Xin hesitated, but Luo Liya answered for her, "That girl is Xin Xin’s distant cousin, from the countryside!"

Luo Liya deliberately emphasized "countryside."

Xi Junle was mildly surprised. He’d noticed their interactions were tense, but hadn’t expected them to be related. Was the girl unwelcome in the Nangong family?

As he pondered this, he saw a gentleman approach Xianyu Jing, "Miss, may I have the honor of inviting you for the second dance?"

Usually, the opening dance was reserved for the hosts’ chosen partners; everyone else joined from the second dance onward.

Xianyu Jing had her answer ready: "Sorry, I came with Second Young Master Nangong."

Meaning her partner was Nangong Lu; anyone wishing to dance with her would have to ask him first.

Few dared compete with Second Young Master Nangong for a partner, but this gentleman was one of those rare exceptions.

He was the grandson of the Xi patriarch, named Zhang Zehao. Like Nangong Lu, he enjoyed indulgence and leisure. Though his family wasn’t particularly prominent, he relied on the Xi family and thus carried an air of arrogance.

"Heh, it’s fine. Second Young Master Lu and I are on good terms; he won’t mind!"

Zhang Zehao smiled, seated himself next to Xianyu Jing, and even tried to place his hand on her shoulder.

Xianyu Jing rose abruptly and firmly pressed her heel onto Zhang Zehao’s foot.

Zhang Zehao nearly cried out in pain, "You—"

"Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention," Xianyu Jing apologized verbally, but her eyes were cold as ice.

Enduring the pain, Zhang Zehao stood up and rebuked, "You little girl, do you know who I am? I—"

Before he could finish, Zhang Zehao fell silent, his gaze shifting awkwardly to Xi Junle who stood behind Xianyu Jing.

"Cousin, this young lady is the Nangong family’s cousin. You’d best apologize properly," Xi Junle said sternly.

Zhang Zehao had assumed Xianyu Jing was merely Nangong Lu’s companion, not expecting she was a member of the Nangong family. Realizing his mistake, he quickly stammered, "Sorry, it was a misunderstanding!" and hurried away.

This time, Xianyu Jing studied Xi Junle carefully, finally seeing his face clearly. She rarely paid attention to entertainment news, so even after seeing him, she didn’t recognize who he was.

Still, her attitude was warmer than before: "Thank you for helping me out!"

"You’re welcome."

Xi Junle heard her mention coming with Nangong Lu, yet she was left alone here, confirming his earlier suspicions.

At that moment, the ball officially began. Lady Xi and the other hosts took turns to speak on stage.

Xi Junle had to dance the opening waltz and couldn’t stay longer. He apologized once more on Zhang Zehao’s behalf, "Later, I’ll have my cousin formally apologize to you and Young Master Lu."

Xianyu Jing replied, "That’s unnecessary."

She hadn’t given much thought to what had just happened, but Xi Junle assumed Nangong Lu didn’t care about her being harassed.

Xi Junle called Shi Yingsheng over to bring Xianyu Jing a drink, then turned and went downstairs.

Not far away, Nangong Xin was fuming.

Her "white moonlight" acted indifferent toward her, but had gone out of his way for that wild girl—how could she accept it?

Luo Liya was equally incredulous, "When did Xianyu Jing get so close to Young Master Xi?"

Xiao Zhiying smiled with a hint of intrigue, "This girl truly shouldn’t be underestimated!"

Because Xi Junle was about to begin the opening dance, Nangong Xin and her friends didn’t bother Xianyu Jing further.

Xianyu Jing could finally sit in peace and enjoy a moment of tranquility!

Everything that happened upstairs was clearly observed by Nangong Lu and his friends from a corner downstairs.

Gu Chao asked curiously, "Lu, can you really bear to leave your sister all alone up there?"

Nangong Lu swirled the champagne in his glass, smirking, "What, are you all heartbroken on my behalf?"