Chapter 78: Reunion

A month later, at the graduation ceremony of Lanwan City Dance Academy.

The auditorium dome was dotted with starry lights, and light and shadow flowed between the champagne-colored curtains. In the center of the stage, the rotating crystal chandelier cast light like crushed diamonds, and the big screen scrolled through images of youth, with the sweet scent of cream cake and the fragrance of flowers floating in the air.

The graduation party was 10 minutes away from starting, and the graduates, accompanied by their families, began to walk into the auditorium.

"Look, that man is Shi Heng, the head of the Shi Group!"

"Shi Heng? Are you talking about that Jade-Faced Yama, the big shot in the AI world? Shi Heng, who became the richest man in Lanwan before the age of 30?"

"That's him! How many other Shi Hengs could there be? Wow, he's so handsome! He's even more handsome in person than in photos! I really want to go up and chat!"

"He is very handsome, and he has a great temperament, but... why would he come to a place like this?"

"Your news is too outdated... don't you know that Shi Xi from the ballet department is his biological sister?!"

"Sob, sob, sob, I'm so envious of Shi Xi, I also want to have such a brother..."

Amidst a gaze full of excitement and envy, Shi Xi held Shi Heng's arm and walked slowly into the auditorium.

Shi Xi was wearing a champagne-colored satin long dress today, the skirt hem covered with pearls and silver thread embroidery sewn by hand, and outside was a bachelor's gown with black gold-thread rolled edges, the hanging tassels swaying lightly on her chest, flowing with light and color as she walked.

Shi Heng was wearing a low-key navy blue suit, the tailoring sharp and fitting his body. The cuffs and collar of his white shirt were embroidered with dark silver thread patterns, appearing and disappearing in the light.

"Where are the seats?"

Shi Heng was a bit unaccustomed to Shi Xi holding his arm so tightly and silently quickened his pace.

Shi Xi held Shi Heng's arm even tighter, following Shi Heng step by step.

"Right in the middle of the first row, Brother, don't forget you have to speak as a representative of the graduates' families later!"

"Got it."

After the brother and sister took their seats, the graduation ceremony began quickly.

The first item was a cultural performance.

This performance had diverse styles and was brilliant. Sometimes the folk music was winding, and the water-sleeve dancers walked like lotus flowers. Sometimes the lights were colorful, and mechanical dance and modern ballet were perfectly intertwined.

However, the most stunning one was Teacher "Tong Yu," who had graduated from the Dance Academy and had retired from the dance world for many years, returning to the stage today.

She performed a dance titled "Blue Sky Contract: Prisoner Spirit Guide."

This dance told the story of the fairy Blue Sky, who, in order to rescue nineteen demon children, made a contract with the God of Death and sacrificed her soul. The story was full of tragic colors, and Tong Yu's performance was full of emotion, with every stretch and curl of her body being extremely infectious.

Watching the emotional performance on the stage, Shi Heng's heart was once again filled with familiar feelings...

The sorrow and heartache buried deep in his heart surged like a tide, washing over his heart.

Shi Xi hugged her arms, her brows locked, biting her lip tightly in unwillingness—she didn't like this dog-blood story. However, Teacher Tong Yu's performance was indeed wonderful; she was worthy of being the top teacher recognized by the dance world. Later... if only she could become her student.

Soon it was the second item, the link for outstanding graduates to speak on stage.

Shi Xi stood up slowly from her seat, walked with slow steps, and walked elegantly to the center of the stage, picking up the microphone like a proud peacock.

"Respected teachers, classmates, and parents, hello, I am Shi Xi from Class XX of the Ballet Department.

I was born into a happy family, and my father, mother, and brother all love me very much. However, at the age of 4, my right eye went blind because of an accident, which changed my whole life from then on...

However, I did not feel discouraged because of this, let alone give up on myself... I relied on my own efforts to get into the Dance Academy, and I want to use my life to complete the most beautiful dance!"

Shi Xi was performing emotionally on stage, but Shi Heng just hugged his arms, looking coldly at his sister...

He had long been tired of Shi Xi's seemingly sincere but actually hypocritical and boring speech.

From childhood to adulthood, it was because of this story that she won countless sympathy and tears.

Shi Heng just stared quietly at the dazzling figure on the stage. His mind began to imagine another picture...

If... back then, the family hadn't forced Xiao Yi to go to prison, would she have had a completely different life?

Would she have been able to complete her studies? One day, would she also have been like Shi Xi, wearing a glorious bachelor's gown, and stepped onto the stage of the graduation ceremony?

During the college entrance examination, she clearly got into the Medical Department of Qinglan University, which was the number one university in the country! If she could have successfully gone to college back then, she would definitely have become an excellent doctor with a bright future. She would also have had a healthy body, a bright and infinitely possible life.

It's just a pity... there are no "ifs" in this world.

Shi Heng's thoughts were wandering, when Shi Xi had already finished her speech and walked down from the center of the stage.

"Brother, how... how was my speech?"

Shi Heng suppressed the growing impatience toward Shi Xi in his heart and said faintly, "It was quite good."

Shi Xi was still immersed in excitement at this moment. She leaned tightly against Shi Heng, proudly and boastfully, rubbing against Shi Heng like a little deer, "How about it, Brother, feel proud of your sister!"

Shi Heng said "Hmm" expressionlessly and didn't speak again.

Just then, the host's somewhat excited voice came from the broadcast:

"Next, let us invite our graduation ceremony family representative, Shi Xi's brother, President Shi Heng of the Shi Group, to speak on stage!"

Clatter, clatter, clatter—

Thunderous applause immediately erupted from the audience.

Some female voices even let out a surprised "Wow."

Shi Heng silently straightened his collar and cuffs, walked to the center of the stage with his long legs, found the prepared speech draft from his pocket, and began to read it.

The speech draft was naturally not written by himself; it was prepared in advance by Secretary Sun.

"Respected teachers, parents, and dear graduates: Hello! Standing here, my mood is both excited and emotional. As a family member of an outstanding graduate, at this moment, like all parents, my heart is full of pride and relief. Watching my sister in her bachelor's gown, standing at the new starting point of life, I seem to see her thirst for knowledge on campus again, see the sweat she shed for her dreams, and also see the figures of teachers working silently like gardeners..."

As Shi Heng read, he slandered inwardly, this draft by Sun is really long and smelly, full of nonsense!

No, I must deduct his salary when I go back tonight!

Just then, Shi Heng raised his head and looked toward the audience.

However, the next second, a pair of deep, transparent, amber eyes with faint sadness unexpectedly broke into his line of sight!

Shi Heng's heart shook violently.

That is...

Xiao Yi?! ===== CHAPTER 79 =====