Chapter Fifteen: The Highly Anticipated Premiere

Page 1/3

The arduous day of early gossip finally came to an end.

Xiaoli Liu, accompanied by the swans of the dance troupe, began the final rehearsals before the public performance.

Siyuan Chen did not leave immediately but went to Mark’s office.

“Jack, right now all our peers across America are waiting for the premiere of ‘The Death of the New Swan,’ eager to see us fail,” Mark said with a smile as he poured Chen a cup of freshly ground coffee.

Thanks to Xiaoli Liu’s presence, the relationship between these two had grown much closer than before.

“Mark, isn’t this exactly what you wanted? As long as the ‘Death of the New Swan’ performance succeeds, the New York Dance Company will be the number one troupe in America, and you will become the undisputed leader in this circle!”

Mark was a sly old fox, and so was Chen Siyuan.

Everything Mark did was for his own benefit.

Chen, however, was driven by Xiaoli Liu’s dream.

Yet their goal was the same: to make ‘The Death of the New Swan’ a sensation throughout America.

“Jack, you’re like an iceberg in the vast ocean. People only see the tip, but no one knows the immense power beneath the surface,” Mark suddenly remarked with awe.

Just like with this event, Mark had only just begun preparing the publicity, but Chen had already built the momentum.

Now, the New York Dance Company and ‘The Death of the New Swan’ were the focus of the entire nation.

As Chen said, if the performance succeeded, the troupe would smoothly reach the pinnacle, and Mark would naturally become the leader of the dance world.

And all this was driven by Jack Chen, the lawyer on the surface.

It would not be an exaggeration to say he could turn the tide with a flick of his hand.

“Mark, be careful these days. Watch out for anyone trying to sabotage us,” Chen reminded him.

The fight for interests was ruthless; some might resort to desperate measures.

Mark nodded. “Don’t worry. You’ve paved the way right to the doorstep. If I mess this up now, I might as well quit this business.”

As the leader of the New York Dance Company, Mark was no soft-hearted man.

If anyone dared to meddle, he wouldn’t hesitate to bare his fangs.

“Let’s go see their rehearsal.”

Chen said no more. Each of these old foxes had their own survival strategies.

Mark was even willing to use him to achieve his goals; there was no need to worry he would suddenly backstab.

Not far from Mark’s office was the rehearsal hall.

Amid familiar melodies, the “swans” were spinning and leaping across the stage.

Among them, Xiaoli Liu shone like a crane among chickens.

Every movement was perfectly measured, full and powerful.

Chen did not understand ballet.

In the past, he had only watched ballet once or twice for appearances’ sake.

But then, he watched the dancers—not the ballet itself.

Page 2/3

Now, however, Chen truly felt the power within.

With every change in rhythm, Xiaoli Liu’s movements rose to a new height.

“Unbelievable! Isn’t it? Your wife doesn’t look like a woman in her thirties at all! Jack, I’m almost jealous of you!”

If Mark ever went into politics, he’d surely be a sycophant!

Chen couldn’t help but smile.

“Mark, my wife may only want to be an excellent dancer, but as her husband, my goal is for her to become a great artist recognized by the whole world!”

Mark’s pupils contracted slightly, then he laughed happily.

“Jack, I promise your wife will become an artist like Anna Pavlova!”

Chen glanced at Mark meaningfully.

“Mark, on the road to the pinnacle, I will always be by her side. I don’t want any unnecessary interference.”

“Of course! I will do everything I can to clear the obstacles for you!”

Mark gave a slight bow.

Chen’s gaze was deep.

He admitted that when he first learned Xiaoli Liu was the “Fairy Mother,” his motives for the sham marriage were somewhat impure.

Liyi Liu’s assistance was a pleasant surprise.

Even if Liyi hadn’t mentioned it, Chen would have found the most suitable person for the sham marriage step by step.

But after truly marrying Xiaoli Liu, his thoughts changed.

He admitted he had misunderstood her in a past life.

She was a treasure woman who willingly sacrificed for her daughter.

From body to soul, she was devoted.

Such a woman deserved Chen’s utmost care.

Helping her realize her dream was only the beginning.

Of course, becoming a globally recognized dance artist was no easy path.

But no rush—take it slow.

‘The Death of the New Swan’ was only the first step.

Lawyer Chen had enough patience to make this happen.

Besides, Liyi Liu was still young; his focus could be entirely on Xiaoli Liu.

When Liyi grew up and prepared to enter the entertainment industry,

then Xiaoli Liu would probably have to sacrifice herself once more.

Time flew by.

Soon, it was Christmas Eve in 1997.

The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, New York.

One of the world’s most prestigious opera houses.

The much-discussed premiere of ‘The Death of the New Swan’ was to be held here.

Page 3/3

Besides professionals from the dance world, many nobles, celebrities, and wealthy magnates had gathered at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Some came to see a joke, some for the spectacle, some to learn, some to flaunt culture, and some to please their dates...

A panorama of humanity.

No matter what, ‘The Death of the New Swan’ had become the hottest topic this Christmas.

The Metropolitan Opera House was packed on Christmas Eve!

Chen Siyuan sat in the front row with Liyi Liu, quietly waiting.

Liyi tightly held Chen’s hand, looking somewhat nervous.

Small but sharp-witted, she understood how important this performance was to her mother.

Chen gently patted Liyi’s hand.

Liyi looked up at Chen and inexplicably relaxed.

The melody they had heard countless times recently began to play.

The curtain rose on ‘The Death of the New Swan’!

Right from the start, a small climax.

Under Xiaoli Liu’s lead, the New York Dance Company dancers gracefully fluttered, showcasing a vibrant Swan Lake.

But amid the tranquility, many subtle details laid the groundwork for what was to come.

The swan flock was about to migrate.

But one white swan was unexpectedly gravely injured...

To avoid disrupting the migration, the injured white swan separated from the flock.

Xiaoli Liu remained alone on stage.

She stretched out her arms, struggling to rise onto tiptoe...

Longing to fly once more...

Longing to catch up with the distant flock...

Attempt after attempt...

Failure after failure...

But life was calling!

Finally, a miracle happened...

Spreading wings, spinning, soaring...

The radiance of life shone again...

In the distance, the sky was filled with the shadows of other swans...

Exhausted...

Slowly bending, she collapsed to the ground...