"Damn it!"
Lily Yu's internal scream nearly echoed off the carved mahogany walls.
Outwardly, she maintained a pitiful expression and sighed dramatically. "Grandpa, you don't understand the pressure we're under. A few days ago you called and scolded us for not giving you a grandchild yet."
Grandpa Henry froze mid-tea-sip.
Lily's expression turned mournful. "So, well… Jason and I can only work hard, you know… night after night—"
"Enough!"
Grandpa Henry choked and slammed his teacup down before Lily could describe anything permanently scarring. "We are still in public! Keep such matters behind closed doors."
Across the room, Molly Yu's face turned ghostly pale. She pinched her fingers beneath the tablecloth, eyes darting to Jason with hurt shimmering in them.
Jason Cross, meanwhile, looked like someone had punched him in the brain.
This woman—his wife—dared to say anything.ANYTHING.
And because he was too busy being horrified, he completely failed to notice Molly's devastated expression.
Before the tension could ease, George Yu cleared his throat loudly. "Since everyone is finally present, I have an announcement."
He placed a steadying hand around Julia Fang's shoulders and beamed. "Dad, congratulations—you're about to have another grandchild!"
Silence.
A couple of blinking stares.
Then—
"What did you say?" Grandpa Henry leaned forward sharply.
Julia's cheeks flushed with a shy smile as she lowered her gaze.
Even Molly's polite expression stiffened before she managed to squeeze out, "C-Congratulations, Aunt Julia."
Grandpa Henry's eyes warmed immediately. If Julia delivered a son, it would be ideal. Though he never openly favored boys, having a male heir still carried weight in his traditional heart.
"You are not young anymore," he said gravely. "Make sure you rest well and stay home."
Julia nodded eagerly. "I'll be careful, Dad."
Dinner ended on that note, though the atmosphere remained thick with unspoken thoughts.
Molly's agent called her away soon after. Jason watched her leave, baffled. He had noticed her mood shift, but he couldn't figure out why. He'd been monitoring Lily this entire time to prevent her from bullying Molly.
Had something happened to Molly?
Did he do something wrong?
The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.
Jason finally stood up abruptly. "I have work to handle. I'll head back to the company."
Julia wanted to follow him to chat more, but Lily grabbed her sleeve lightly. "Mom, Jason's really busy today."
Internally:
'Old lady, he's going out to chase his precious white moonlight. Let him go.'
Jason: "…"
He left so quickly the wind almost carried his dignity away with him.
Grandpa Henry retired upstairs soon after. George was called away by the company. Lily accompanied Julia home, returning to the private villa the three of them lived in.
They settled on the living room couch. Julia still clung to Lily's wrist nervously. "A-Li, you and Jason… are you two really alright?"
Lily smiled gently and patted her hand. "Mom, matters of the heart can't be forced. Just relax. For now, focus on keeping yourself and your baby healthy."
Julia blinked. "How do you know it's a baby boy? When I was pregnant with you, it felt exactly like this…"
Though she adored her daughter, she still dreamed of having a son. A boy and a girl completed the ideal family portrait. And a son would hold George's heart more tightly at home.
"At four months, the gender scan should be accurate. We can check early," Lily said calmly. She already knew the plot—Julia would indeed give birth to a boy.
Julia nodded thoughtfully. "I like both boys and girls…" Though her tone betrayed her internal conflict.
They chatted for a long time—more than Julia had in weeks, likely because she was lonely when George worked overtime. She only returned to her room when her eyelids drooped with exhaustion.
That evening, Chloe Lin called.
"Lily, recording for New Generation 2025 continues tomorrow. Be ready early," she said.
Lily tossed in bed afterward, restless. She argued with her system for an hour until it finally—
blocked her.
The nerve of that thing.
When dawn arrived, she was dragged half-asleep into the nanny van by Chloe and shoved in front of the makeup artist.
"Miss Lily, did you not sleep last night? Your dark circles are… alarming." The makeup artist poked her cheek. "We can't cover these properly!"
Chloe looked horrified. "Today we're filming the mentor-student interaction! You can't look dead on camera."
Lily yawned, her eyes barely open. "I had insomnia. Let me sleep a bit."
"Fine. We have an hour's drive. Rest."
One hour later—
The nanny car stopped at the studio entrance.
Lily squinted at the three parked luxury cars beside her.
"…Am I the last one again?"
Tragically, yes.
When she entered the dressing room, the three other mentors—Jaden Zhao, William Yang, and Sierra Ru—were already reviewing the day's outline.
Jaden waved warmly. "Morning, Lily."
William nodded politely.
Sierra Ru gave her a cold, slicing glance… then turned away dramatically.
Lily stared at her.
"…This ice queen really holds grudges, huh?"
The cameras rolled shortly after.
Jaden and William went first, demonstrating techniques and correcting student posture. Lily was half asleep through most of it.
Then it was her and Sierra's turn.
Sierra stood off to the side, not speaking, not helping—just glaring faintly.
Lily clapped her hands awkwardly. "Uh… I don't know what to say. How about you all ask me questions instead?"
A student raised his hand timidly. "Teacher Lily, if someone's limbs are stiff, can they still learn to dance well?"
"Yes," Lily answered instantly. "With flexibility training, almost anyone can improve. It might be harder at your age, but if you work hard enough to show people your effort, you'll succeed."
The trainee beamed.
Then—
"Teacher Sierra," another student asked, "could you improvise a dance for us?"
Sierra lifted her chin. "I don't believe my dancing is anything special. Why don't we let Teacher Lily show us instead?"
She glanced sideways, eyes unfriendly.
Ah.
So she wanted Lily to embarrass herself.
Lily blinked… then laughed brightly. "Sure. Why not?"
Sierra stiffened.
The staff looked to Lily. "What music should we put on?"
"Anything works," Lily shrugged. "I'm good with ethnic dance or something soft."
She peeled off her jacket, revealing a sleek black turtleneck hugging her curves.
The male trainees gasped.
Someone whistled.
Lily ignored them as the music began—lilting and cheerful. Completely different from the sorrowful red-dress performance she'd delivered last time.
Her movements flowed effortlessly, crisp yet fluid, mixing traditional elements with a modern edge. Every flick of her wrist seemed to sparkle under the stage lights.
When she hit the final pose, the trainees erupted:
"SO BEAUTIFUL!"
"I didn't blink!"
"Teacher Lily is insane—how is she this good?!"
Lily brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, smiling lightly.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sierra Ru staring at the floor, shoulders drooping.