Who Will Dance with the Emperor?

Chapter 35

The New Year's Eve gala was held in the spacious central square of the Imperial Palace.

Pale blue light screens rose around the square, enclosing the entire plaza and everyone within it.

The bitter wind and snow were kept outside by the light screens. The guests shed their heavy, expensive coats and held glasses of wine as cheerful music played. No one knew what they were talking about, but laughter occasionally rang out.

"Why are you alone? Did Xu Wenyan dump you?"

With a malicious grin on his face, Zhu Shixin lifted his long leg and sat directly across from Ye Zhineng.

Without even looking up, Ye Zhineng wrapped his right arm around the waist of the pretty omega he had just met, his voice gentle. "Go get yourself a drink. I'll come find you in a bit."

The pretty omega shyly glanced at the gentle, handsome alpha, murmured, "Mm," and obediently left.

Only then did Ye Zhineng look at Zhu Shixin. He deliberately looked around. "You're alone?"

Zhu Shixin's mouth twitched. Ever since he had failed to help Xu Wenyan get into the Imperial Palace last time, Xu Wenyan had been ignoring him.

"Where's that cousin of yours? You're so close, so why didn't you bring him?" Zhu Shixin scanned the surroundings again but did not see that green-eyed omega.

Ye Zhineng let out a cold laugh. "You can't handle me, so you're going after my cousin instead? Isn't that childish, Zhu Shixin?"

Zhu Shixin's face instantly turned cold, his eyes fixed on Ye Zhineng with the ferocity of a wolf.

Holding a wineglass, He Yiming strolled over casually. "You're all here?"

The previously tense atmosphere quickly dissipated. Zhu Shixin smiled at He Yiming. "Brother He."

He Yiming nodded at Zhu Shixin, then said to Ye Zhineng, "Let's have some fun together after the New Year's Eve banquet."

For some reason, Ye Zhineng's throat bobbed.

He Yiming had come alone, so Ye Zhineng asked, "Is Professor Jiang coming too?"

He Yiming gave a soft laugh. "Of course. It's the first day of the new year. Naturally, we should spend it together."

The first day of the new year—doing something together.

They all understood without saying it aloud.

Zhu Shixin grinned. "I'm going to find Xu Wenyan."

He Yiming called after Zhu Shixin, "Don't wander off. The banquet is about to begin."

The moment his words fell, every light in the square went out. The plaza, previously filled with noise and laughter, fell silent in an instant. Everyone seemed to breathe more carefully.

Zhu Shixin did not dare move. Like He Yiming and everyone around them, Ye Zhineng lifted his gaze toward the gradually brightening point of light at the center of the square.

Before the New Year's Eve gala began in previous years, the host would always deliver some stirring opening remarks.

Not this year.

No host took the stage. Instead, the massive statue symbolizing the highest authority in the galaxy was illuminated from the bottom up.

When the enormous statue of the Galactic Emperor was fully lit, the entire square erupted in tsunami-like cheers and applause.

He Yiming and the others set down their wineglasses and clapped loudly along with everyone else.

Humans were naturally drawn to worship the strong, and alphas, with their competitive instincts flowing in their blood, were even more so.

They were the cream of the younger generation, top-tier alphas with formidable spiritual power.

In the eyes of ordinary people, they possessed extraordinary wealth and power.

Yet all of it paled into insignificance before the galaxy's most powerful alpha. They were not even qualified to be mentioned in the same breath.

Zhu Shixin's face was full of excitement. "Is His Majesty coming out?"

He Yiming headed toward the center of the square, with Zhu Shixin and Ye Zhineng following behind him.

They could not reach the very front, but they could still find seats near the front rows.

Ye Zhineng and Zhu Shixin could go no farther forward.

He Yiming continued ahead. He passed Xu Wenyan and Zhou Zhixia nearby, but merely gave them an indifferent glance without stopping.

He did not stop until he reached the second row, behind his father.

Father He did not turn around, his voice cold and stern. "Sit properly."

He Yiming lowered his head. "Yes, Father."

Specks of light drifted down from above like scattered stars.

Elegant, soothing music followed.

Beneath the massive statue, a tall, upright alpha stepped out of the darkness.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, the alpha stopped and turned to look behind him, as though waiting for someone.

Yan Beiyou held out his hand. "Don't be nervous. Look at me."

Ye Nanxun did not want to be nervous either. The tiny stars falling from the night sky blurred into hazy spots of light. Though the audience below was shrouded in darkness, the gazes resting on him seemed to have weight, heavy against his chest.

Every breath was difficult.

There was no obvious nervousness on Ye Nanxun's face, but the fingers clasped in the alpha's hand trembled faintly.

Yan Beiyou's voice softened further, like a warm breeze in the night. "Xun, I'll lead you."

Ye Nanxun nodded silently. Standing in the darkness, he looked toward the alpha.

The tall alpha stood in the bright light, the focus of everyone's attention. That handsome face, which had somehow become familiar to him, watched him quietly with warm, tolerant eyes.

He stepped out of the darkness and, guided by Yan Beiyou, walked into the light.

Yan Beiyou gave him an approving smile. Ye Nanxun smiled back, faint and reserved.

Yan Beiyou took his other hand as well, placing it on his broad shoulder.

Then his other hand hovered at Ye Nanxun's lower back before pressing lightly.

Holding his hand and embracing his lower back, they danced gracefully amid the elegant melody and snow-like specks of light.

Once he truly stepped onto the stage and began dancing with Yan Beiyou, the suffocating nervousness he had felt beforehand faded away instead.

The alpha's tall frame completely blocked Ye Nanxun's view.

All he could see was the golden button at Yan Beiyou's collar. Above that was the alpha's Adam's apple, then his sharp chin, healthy-colored thin lips, high nose bridge...

And those deep eyes watching him.

For some reason, Ye Nanxun did not avoid Yan Beiyou's gaze this time.

The entire dance passed in a daze, as though he were stepping on clouds, or having a brief dream.

Ye Nanxun did not remember when he left the stage, nor when he ended up lying in a warm, soft bed.

"Are you all right?" The alpha who had danced with him was sitting by the bed.

Ye Nanxun nodded. "I'm fine."

Ye Nanxun had been nervous even before taking the stage. After coming down, his whole body felt as though he were drunk, and his eyes had lost their focus.

Yan Beiyou did not ask anything. He gave a quiet hum and said, "Rest first. I still need to make an appearance."

Lying quietly in a room somewhere within the palace, Ye Nanxun watched Yan Beiyou's retreating figure leave the room.

Lights flickered outside the window. The banquet was still ongoing.

Ye Nanxun had only intended to lie down for a while, but his eyelids gradually fell shut without him realizing it.