Jiang Yumiao failed to notice Ning Chunchi's dark expression beside him. He asked the beautiful woman from Lika in a daze, "What do you need me to do?"
"My name is Candice," the woman said. "I'll be performing a fire dance next, and I need a handsome young man like you to help me choose a prop."
With that, Candice seemed about to take Jiang Yumiao by the arm and lead him into the ring of fire. But the alpha beside him had such a piercing stare that she was forced to abandon the idea. Instead, she tipped her chin toward the props, signaling for Jiang Yumiao to follow.
Surrounded by the tourists' gazes, Jiang Yumiao felt a little uneasy. He instinctively turned to look at Ning Chunchi.
Ning Chunchi was looking at him too. If it was only choosing a prop, he could just about accept Little Grape taking part.
At that thought, he reined in his intimidating presence for the moment and gave Jiang Yumiao a gentle smile. He said nothing, leaving Little Grape to decide for himself.
Jiang Yumiao took it as encouragement from Ning Chunchi. Reassured, he followed Candice over to an iron rack inside the ring of fire.
Various rods of different thicknesses and circular objects hung from the rack.
Jiang Yumiao glanced over them and spotted a particularly interesting prop.
It had a circular handle, with several spokes extending from one side. Their tips could be lit, and the whole thing spread out like a fan. Once lit, it would look as though he were holding a fire fan.
Jiang Yumiao pointed to it. "Would this one work?"
Candice's eyes lit up. "Good eye! This prop looks beautiful in a dance."
She bent her knees in an elegant curtsy to thank Jiang Yumiao for