CHAPTER 583: CHAPTER 350: LUO LIAN ARRIVES / QIAO XIAOWAN’S REQUEST

Luo Ye followed Bai Yan’s gaze and saw Yu Wenze in a crisp military uniform, meticulously wiping a saxophone with a white handkerchief. A middle-aged couple was talking to him, and beside them stood a slim, tall girl with waist-length hair and a classically beautiful appearance.

"That’s our computer professor, an internationally renowned computer authority, Dr. Yu Wenze from Massachusetts Institute of Technology," Luo Ye explained in detail.

"I know," Bai Yan turned her gaze back. "He and my sister were classmates, and they almost became my brother-in-law. That couple is his parents, but I’ve never seen that girl before."

"Oh..." Luo Ye nodded in realization. "Is your sister in the country?"

"Yes, my sister is at the Chinese Academy of Sciences." Bai Yan smiled helplessly. "After breaking up with Yu Wenze, she has never dated anyone else. I told her yesterday that I saw Yu Wenze, and she didn’t believe me."

Luo Ye exclaimed in surprise, "Oh?" Bai Yan looked at her puzzledly, "What’s wrong, did I say something incorrect?"

Luo Ye pointed towards Yu Wenze’s location, where Xing Nong and the girl were tightly embracing each other, both looking very excited.

"Did I misunderstand something?" Bai Yan touched her head, embarrassed. "My sister has always liked Yu Wenze, I thought..."

As Jian Xingnong dragged the girl over, Bai Yan stopped speaking.

Xing Nong almost jumped over, excitedly pushing the beautiful girl forward, "Luoluo, this is Luo Lian. I didn’t expect to meet her here."

"Luoluo..." Luo Lian reached out her hand to Luo Ye with a smile, "Xing Nong always mentions you in his letters, I feel like you’re an old friend I’ve known for many years."

Luo Lian’s voice was soft and gentle, not sounding forced at all. It felt as soothing as a spring breeze when heard.

"Nice to meet you," Luo Ye shook her delicate hand and leaned forward to hug her, "I also feel like we’ve known each other for a long time."

"Please, don’t leave me out as soon as you meet, okay?" Xing Nong pouted and tightly hugged both of them, "Thinking of leaving me out? No way!"

"You!" Luo Lian shook her head helplessly. "Luoluo, don’t you think Xing Nong acts just like a kid who never grows up?"

"I agree." Luo Ye nodded while Xing Nong huffed jokingly, "I like being a kid; you guys have to take care of me."

Luo Lian’s attention was drawn to Luo Ye’s attire, "Luoluo, this outfit’s design, material, and craftsmanship are perfect, and it suits your temperament so well. Do you know who made it?"

Luo Ye laughed, "Great designer, is this what they call an occupational hazard?"

"I’m used to it," Luo Lian shyly smiled, tidying her hair. Luo Ye noticed her extremely fair skin, beautiful amber eyes, and very prominent nose. These Western-influenced features blended together, creating a classic Eastern beauty, which was truly marvelous!

Embarrassed by Luo Ye’s scrutiny, Luo Lian’s cheeks turned slightly red, "Luoluo, I’ll leave you be for now. We can chat more after the performance ends."

Despite having many questions, Luo Ye looked at the time and noticed there were only ten minutes until the start of the show, leaving no time to inquire further. She nodded and replied, "Alright then."

"Lianlian’s mom and Professor Yu Wen’s mom are friends; Lianlian came with her," Xing Nong whispered to Luo Ye before pulling Luo Lian back.

Bai Yan, who had been all ears, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

After Xing Nong and Luo Lian walked away, Qiao Xiaowan quickly brought a thermos to refill their cups, "Have another drink, both of you. Moisten your throats; it’s almost time to go on stage."

"No more for me," Luo Ye waved her off while Bai Yan briefly touched the cup to her lips, "Can’t drink anymore, or I’ll need the bathroom soon, and that would be troublesome."

A voice in the earpiece called them to the stage, and the three of them took a deep breath and entered in file.

In the first row of the VIP section below the stage, the distinguished guests were already seated, followed by the elderly from Liangyou Elderly Home, and then members of the French academic delegation, around twenty people in total, clearly visible with their white, yellow, and brown skin tones.

To the right rear of the delegation were students from GF University, to the left rear were soldiers from Team A, and behind them, the general public spectators.

The three hosts smiled as they took their positions, with Luo Ye starting, "Respected leaders," Bai Yan continued, "Dear comrades," and Qiao Xiaowan added, "Lovely students," and together, "and all friends who have come to watch the New Year’s Day performance, hello!" (Once in Chinese and once in English)

"Clap! Clap! Clap!..." Led by the military personnel, the applause was enthusiastic and orderly.

After the applause subsided, the hosts spoke their welcoming words, followed by speeches from various leaders attending the event, which took up half an hour, and then the performance officially began.

After the opening song and dance, Team 5’s grand chorus took place. As Luo Ye finished announcing the program and left the stage, Qiao Xiaowan shook her head, "Luo Ye, the programs from your school are so unoriginal."

Luo Ye glanced at her, "We are students, not part of the Cultural Troupe."

Qiao Xiaowan’s eyes darted around: "Luo Ye, which are you skilled at among singing, dancing, and playing an instrument?"

"What for?" Luo Ye glanced at her.

Qiao Xiaowan, clutching her stomach, furrowed her brows: "I have a solo, a violin performance, and a dance. Who would have thought that today, on top of the festivities, I’d feel unwell. I’m afraid I might not make it through.

But if I tell the director now, she’ll be worried. I was thinking, if you’re good at any of these, you could fill in for me."

"It seems like this isn’t something we can decide on our own, right?" Luo Ye smiled lightly. "The commanders are here; you know how much importance Lin Tuanzhang places on this performance. How could we just change things as we please?"

Qiao Xiaowan’s face scrunched up in distress: "Sister Bai has two acts, almost everyone in our troupe goes on stage two to three times. I figured it’s best to think of a solution before discussing it with Lin Tuanzhang.

Luo Ye, I wasn’t very understanding before, please don’t mind me; help me out, even if it’s just going up there for a poetry recital."

Luo Ye looked at her with eyes full of amusement: "Tell me, which act do you want me to cover for you?"

"Dance, preferably the dance," Qiao Xiaowan said hurriedly. "It’s my first day and the workload is particularly heavy. I’m really afraid that vigorous activity might lead to embarrassment. It’s a tango, and the male dance partner is great at leading. As long as you know the basic steps, he’ll surely lead you."

"Okay," agreed Luo Ye cheerfully. "You go and talk to Lin Tuanzhang."

"Thank you, Luo Ye." Qiao Xiaowan’s face lit up with surprise. Just as she stood up, she saw Su Sha and Lin Tuanzhang approach, so she quickly went to meet them. After a few words, Lin Tuanzhang patted her and walked toward Luo Ye, "Xiaowan says you’re willing to take her place in the dance performance. Have you studied dance before?"

Luo Ye nodded: "I’ve learned both folk and modern dance styles."

"Fortunately, the dance is scheduled towards the end. I’ll have the male dance partner come and practice with you a bit in the space. If you forget any moves on stage, don’t stop; the male partner will help you get through it. As for the foreigners..." Lin Tuanzhang shook his head helplessly, "I hope these scholars aren’t too critical."

"If it doesn’t work out, let the troupe’s dancers take the stage..."

"Aunt Shasha." Cutting Su Sha off mid-sentence, Qiao Xiaowan interjected: "I thought about that, but the performers are already under too much strain. They don’t like me as it is." She said, lowering her head sadly: "If I add more to their workload, I’m afraid it’ll be even harder for me later."

"Xiaowan, this isn’t child’s play, nor can we force Luo Ye to do things she isn’t skilled at just because you might have a hard time later," said Su Sha seriously as she looked at Luo Ye, "Luo Ye, tell Auntie the truth, do you feel confident about this program?"

Luo Ye’s gaze first turned to Qiao Buwan who was nervously watching her, then she smiled slyly: "I’ve seen Xiaowan dance before; there shouldn’t be any big problems."

Qiao Xiaowan breathed a sigh of relief: "Luo Ye, you’re really generous, thank you so much."

Lin Tuanzhang examined Qiao Xiaowan’s complexion: "Xiaowan, your violin solo is coming up soon, are you sure you’re okay?"

"No problem. The violin and solo require less movement; it won’t be a problem. I didn’t expect my body to be so weak." Qiao Xiaowan slapped herself angrily: "Thankfully, Luo Ye holds no grudges. Aunt Sha, from now on, I will get along well with Luo Ye."

"That would be best if you think so," Su Sha sighed softly. "I’ll go get the dance partner."

Qiao Xiaowan took a pair of soft shoes out of her bag: "Luo Ye, these are spare shoes, I’ve never worn them. Luckily, we have the same shoe size. Wear them for practice later so you don’t tire yourself out before the performance."

"Okay." Luo Ye accepted the shoes. "You’ve thought everything through pretty well."

"I always carry spare shoes in my bag," Qiao Xiaowan replied with a thankful smile. "Luo Ye, I really can’t thank you enough. Now I understand why Brother Xiao Xuan likes you; compared to you, I’m truly narrow-minded."

Sister Bai swept an incredulous glance at Qiao Xiaowan as she left to prepare for her own program.

"Luo Ye, Li Yan is here; you two go ahead and start practicing. My violin performance is up next and it’ll be quite long, so you’ll have plenty of time to practice."

"Alright," Luo Ye agreed cheerfully and put on the cloth shoes.

Switching dance partners last minute is something dancers really dislike, but given Qiao Xiaowan’s circumstances—which Su Sha had articulated—Li Yan couldn’t object. He coldly extended his hand to Luo Ye: "Let’s give it a try; let me see your foundation first."

"Please guide me well," Luo Ye approached graciously, and the moment she got into position, her whole aura changed.

Li Yan’s expression brightened. As the lively music started, Luo Ye boldly kept pace with him, their graceful and passionate dance winning the reluctant approval of Lin Tuanzhang and Su Sha. Bai Yan and Qiao Xiaowan stared at Luo Ye in astonishment as her moves were sharp and no less than a professional performer’s.

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The second update is here; another 7,000 words today, I’ve been too diligent~

Next update, tomorrow at five o’clock in the afternoon. If unexpected, Nu’an will notify. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your Recommendation ticket and monthly ticket, your support is my greatest motivation.)