The Last Dance

Today, the academy held its annual year-end dance. Everything was splendidly decorated, and everyone happily sought out their dance partners.

Linh was no different. She invited Ling to be her partner, but he refused. Surely this year he would dance the lovers' khúc with Wei again.

She stood before a large mirror, gazing at the girl reflected within, dressed in a form-fitting black evening gown that accentuated her exquisite curves. Her beautiful face was lightly made up, but wore a cold, emotionless expression. Her deep eyes seemed to hold a thick layer of fog, separating her from the outside world.

"Mai Hui Ling, Mai Hui Ling, Mai Hui Ling, I am Mai Hui Ling..."

She murmured to herself, then involuntarily broke into a radiant smile, dispelling the gloomy clouds. Yes, she was Mai Hui Ling, the eldest young lady of the Mai family.

Afterward, Linh quickly left the house, got into her red BMW convertible, and sped towards the academy.

As soon as she got out of the car, she spotted two familiar figures also emerging from another car. He looked exceptionally handsome today in a black suit, highlighting his perfect physique and cold face. As for Wei, she wore a light blue mermaid-style dress, looking gentle, pretty, and exuding a pure beauty. Standing side by side, they truly were a match made in heaven.

They seemed to have noticed Linh too. But only Wei glanced at her timidly, while he, from beginning to end, paid no attention to where she stood, not even for a second.

He quickly pulled Wei inside, out of Linh's sight. She also leisurely walked in, each step slow and precise, in the manner of an arrogant young lady.

Upon entering, the familiar thumping music filled the air. Everyone had already paired up for the dance. Ling and Wei were no different; their hands clasped, they swayed gracefully to the rhythm, unable to hide their happy smiles.

Only Linh stood there, alone amidst the lively atmosphere, watching the two of them immersed in their own world. She wished that the person beside him right now was her, even if just once.

"At this moment, where is he?"

Humming a line of a song, Linh smiled again and turned to leave. No one needed her here anyway. They despised her, calling Mai Hui Ling a bastard child who only knew how to snatch things from others. Snatch? What did she snatch from whom? From Wei? Snatch him? No, he should have been hers, but in reality, he wasn't.

Linh walked alone down the winding corridor of the music wing. The place was deserted. She quickly entered the familiar room, her slender hands in the dark reaching for the piano, then silently sat down. Her hands glided over the keys with tenderness. This had once been her dream, to become a pianist.

"Ting..."

"Tang..."

"Teng..."

Harsh, discordant sounds echoed from the keys, irritating and repeating endlessly. The lonely sound in the night seemed to want to devour one's soul.

Then, clear melodies rang out, replacing the lost notes from before. The piano music was very clear, very high, very beautiful, but also very lonely, drawing listeners into a vast expanse filled only with poignant sorrow.

Ending the sad piece, another love song about a scorching summer urged people to move forward. But the further one walked, the more lost one's steps became, not knowing where to go.

The piano music lingered in the air, mournful and lonely, just like her soul at this moment.

Then a gentle voice harmonized with the piano, a high, distant voice contrasting with the deep piano, yet blending together strangely perfectly.

"The most beautiful time in my life
Was meeting you
In that vast sea of people, I only looked towards you
Both strange and incredibly familiar
Although we breathed the same air
I couldn't embrace you
If we changed space, time, identity, and name
I only hope to still recognize your eyes
Where will you be a thousand years from now?
What will the scenery around you be like then?
...
Our love story cannot be called beautiful
But why is it so unforgettable?
The ending of our love story cannot be perfect
Why do I keep lingering?
If I had been brave enough to step forward then, to be together
Would our story have had a different ending?
Perhaps you too would have a thousand words you wished to say, buried in silent dreams?
If time could turn back to the day I first saw you
I would still want to be moved by you one more time."

As the song ended and the piano music faded, Linh suddenly realized someone was standing in the doorway, watching her.

"Why are you here?"

"I didn't know you sang and played so well until I came here."

Without answering Linh's question, he merely curled his lips into a smile. Indeed, at first, he only intended to take a stroll, but he was drawn here by the sweet piano music and realized the player was her. He was truly surprised; he never expected Mai Hui Ling to possess such talent. Singing beautifully, playing skillfully, why had she hidden it all this time?

"Not as good as you."

She smiled faintly, her slender hands lightly caressing the piano keys.

Ling looked at her. In the dim light of night, only a beautiful but sorrowful face was visible. Very quickly, he turned and left, but before he had taken a few steps, Linh grabbed his hand tightly.

"Ling, will you dance with me? Just once, please don't refuse."

She whispered softly, her hands still clutching his, as if fearing he would leave again.

Ling looked at her. In the darkness, he felt something strange about Linh that he couldn't explain. But then, his mouth involuntarily found itself unable to utter a refusal.

Gentle music began to play, and the two quickly intertwined their hands. They swayed together to the slow rhythm, but there was no spark of emotion between them. From the beginning, only Linh was immersed in this moment.

"Huang Hai Ling, do you hate me very much?" Linh asked.

"Answer me."

"Huang Hai Ling..."

"Huang Hai Ling."

"Yes, from the very beginning, I didn't like you."

Ling replied, his voice cold and indifferent, chilling Linh's heart. Perhaps, she should end it now.

"Why?"

"No reason. I hate the way you look at me, I hate you nagging after me, I hate your fake face, I hate everything about YOU."

He whispered into her ear, the sound very soft, just enough for the two of them to hear, but it was like a haunting curse, lingering in her heart, making Linh unable to breathe. She looked at him, and he looked at her, their gazes like two strangers.

"That's right, from the beginning, I wasn't me. Mai Hui Ling liked you, and I also liked you. I came here only to pay off debts for you all. Once the debt is paid, I will disappear on my own."

She said coldly, her voice chilling in a way he had never heard from her. Her terrifying tone and incomprehensible words stunned him. What did she mean? Mai Hui Ling liked him, and she also liked him? And then she would disappear? He didn't understand, truly didn't understand.

"Thank you, for dancing with me tonight."

Linh smiled faintly, then released his hand, quickly leaving, leaving Ling standing alone, watching her back disappear into the darkness.