CHAPTER 307: CHAPTER 307 SI MINGJING: THIS IS THE TRUE CHALLENGE! 2

Emotions are the most infectious.

If music is said to be the highest form of emotional expression, the kind that resonates most deeply, then dance is undoubtedly the best and most perfect way to convey those emotions.

Bai Jiusi stood to the side, completely dumbfounded as she watched Si Mingjing’s utterly immersive dance performance.

There was no need for the High Priest to judge who danced better; at that moment, Bai Jiusi knew she had lost—lost utterly!

She had been deceived!

She had thought herself clever for stealing Liangliang’s cell phone, but little did she know it was a trap within a trap. She had become a laughingstock in the eyes of Ye Siyuan and Si Mingjing!

She was filled with hatred and anger, but more than anything, she wanted to cry. The emotions of the dance had infected her, and a sudden sorrow washed over her—the kind of deep sorrow that comes with profound love, an ache in her heart that made her want to weep.

Bai Jiusi was surprised by her own emotions. She secretly observed the others and was shocked to discover their eyes were also moist; some were even stealthily wiping away tears.

The High Priest, Sheng Liuyun, Yun Yin, and Ye Siyuan were all moved to tears as they watched. What powerful emotional resonance! It was terrifying! This was truly a performance beyond compare!

"Excellent, excellent! That’s precisely the feeling!"

The High Priest exclaimed with delight, "Many people feel like crying when they see the ’Heavenly Auspices’ in the Dragon Temple Murals. Everyone thinks it represents pity for the subsequent disaster, a great sorrow and compassion. But they’re mistaken; they’ve all been wrong. It’s the heart-wrenching sorrow of being parted from a loved one by death..."

After Si Mingjing finished her dance, the High Priest, unable to hide the excited gleam in his eyes, said solemnly, "Miss Si, the success of the Mu Continent’s finale rests on you!"

Si Mingjing had not yet fully regained her composure. She gave a light nod and sent a message to Mo Yinhe.

"Suddenly, I really miss you."

Mo Yinhe was seated in the VIP section. He was somewhat surprised to receive Si Mingjing’s message. This was the first time she had ever taken the initiative to say she missed him. Mo Yinhe stared at those words for a long moment before abruptly standing up.

"Dad, where are you going?"

Ye Nianbai was sitting beside him. In their row were also Ye Junqing, Ye Xinguang, Ye Shen, and Song Tangtang—all there to support Si Mingjing and Ye Siyuan.

"I’m going backstage to check on things. You sit here and don’t run around," Mo Yinhe instructed Ye Nianbai, then headed backstage to find Si Mingjing.

「In the backstage makeup room,」

Bai Jiusi’s lips were pale, her face a mask of humiliation. Furious, she confronted Si Mingjing, "You did this on purpose, didn’t you?"

"Miss Bai, I’m not sure what you mean," Si Mingjing replied, calm and composed.

Bai Jiusi had lost all face, but she couldn’t explicitly state what had happened. She had been outmaneuvered and had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill in silence. All she could do was vent her frustration verbally, "You’re despicable!"

Si Mingjing let out a cold laugh that didn’t reach her eyes.

Who, exactly, was the despicable one?

Out of consideration for their two children, Si Mingjing didn’t intend to press the matter, but Bai Jiusi glared at her fiercely.

"Si Mingjing, don’t get complacent too soon! Petty people may triumph for a while, but our paths are long!" Bai Jiusi threatened.

Ye Siyuan rushed over, stepping protectively in front of Si Mingjing.

"Hah! As if we don’t know who the real petty opportunist is around here! Scram, or I’ll make sure your moment in the spotlight ends today. Don’t think that just because you wear that face, you’re some kind of celestial phoenix!" Ye Siyuan scoffed.

"You!" Bai Jiusi’s expression turned even uglier.

With an arrogant toss of her head, she retorted, "We’ll see about that!"

As she walked away, she desperately clung to her pride, telling herself that as long as she had this face, she would always be more noble than Si Mingjing!

Sheng Liangliang trotted after her, her voice still sweet but laced with sarcasm, "Mommy, you took Liangliang’s phone. Aren’t you going to give it back? Uncle bought it for Liangliang, and Liangliang would hate to lose it. Please give it back to Liangliang."

Sheng Liuyun’s cold gaze landed on Bai Jiusi’s retreating back. "You dare steal Liangliang’s phone?"

Bai Jiusi stumbled. "I... I didn’t."

"It seems you’re courting death!"

She threatened his younger sister and stole his niece’s phone. How could Sheng Liuyun possibly let her off?

Sheng Liuyun quickened his pace, grabbed Bai Jiusi’s wrist, and dragged her away.

Mo Yinhe, searching backstage, encountered Sheng Liuyun in the corridor escorting Bai Jiusi away. His dark eyes narrowed slightly as he brushed past them.

Taking long strides, he entered the makeup room and saw Si Mingjing. Dressed in an ancient-style gown, she was as breathtakingly graceful as a startled swan. Mo Yinhe was momentarily mesmerized by the sight of her.

With her meticulous makeup, Si Mingjing was alluring and graceful, exuding an exquisite elegance from head to toe.

Surely, no man could resist such charm.

Suddenly, Mo Yinhe didn’t want her to go on stage anymore! He wanted, even more, to hide her away in the palace, for his eyes only.

"Mingjing, you’ve stunned me. What am I to do? I want to lock you away in a room," Mo Yinhe’s clear, deep gaze couldn’t leave her.

Even though she was dressed very conservatively, revealing neither shoulders nor back, Mo Yinhe’s possessiveness flared. He didn’t want any other man to appreciate her beauty at this moment.

"Then take me away," Si Mingjing joked.

Mo Yinhe, however, took her seriously. He lifted her into his strong, powerful arms and bent down to kiss her inviting lips.

Si Mingjing quickly covered her mouth with her hand, stopping his kiss. "Don’t smudge my lipstick! It took me two hours to do my makeup."

Mo Yinhe, not giving up, pointed to himself. "Then you kiss me. Anywhere you like. I won’t wash or wipe it off."

Si Mingjing worried he was serious. If he paraded around with a woman’s lipstick mark on his face, he’d become a laughingstock.

After a moment’s thought, she reached out, unbuttoned his white shirt, and planted a lipstick kiss on his sexy collarbone. She smiled slyly. "A promise is a promise. You’re not allowed to wipe it off."

Yun Yin, still in the makeup room, couldn’t bear to watch this scene any longer. Clenching his fists, he turned and walked out.

Mo Yinhe asked, "Nervous?"

Si Mingjing shook her head. "Last time, I danced too casually. Today, I want to perform it earnestly for you, Mo Yinhe. I love dancing this piece for you. Today, I dance for no one but you."

Her sincerity enveloped Mo Yinhe like warm honey. A dark, intense emotion flickered in his eyes. He squeezed her hand a little too tightly, his voice clear and magnetic. "Alright."

Then, he pulled her into a tight embrace, gently tilting her chin up with two fingers, his gaze tender and affectionate as he studied her.

"Mingjing, why have you been so good to me lately? So skilled with your words? How do you always know how to make me happy?"

"Isn’t that good?" Si Mingjing countered, her eyes shimmering.

Mo Yinhe let her nestle in his arms. One of his hands rested on the back of her head, the other gently stroking her back. He smiled, his eyes glinting with a roguish charm.

"It’s wonderful. Like an unexpected gift from heaven. Mingjing, I like you this way. You can definitely keep it up."

Si Mingjing didn’t pull away or accuse him of pushing his luck. Instead, she gently closed her eyes and leaned against his shoulder.

Thinking back to when they first met, she realized she had never been this pliant or dependent with him... Of course, she wasn’t naturally a clinging, demure woman. But at this moment, she truly wanted to fulfill all his desires.

Perhaps it was the influence of the memories surfacing in her mind, but at this moment, she wanted to indulge this man. Previously, when he kissed her, she often recoiled awkwardly or frowned in displeasure. But now, a wave of tenderness washed through her heart, a softness that made her want to change for him.

[Author’s Note: Whew~ That’s a full forty thousand words updated! Seeking rewards, seeking rewards, seeking rewards! Please encourage me~~]