Dream Dance Gracefully

The most beautiful is but a dream of the mortal world,

The most beloved is but a flutter of the heart!

A blend of reality and illusion,

A portrayal of love and betrayal!

An elevation of affection, the true essence of love… portraying a youth without regrets!

One dream, one dance, one graceful turn, love cultivated in a past life meets in this life.

In a world full of hurdles, the vast mortal world finds serendipity.

Prologue:

In Jiangning City, Moon Bay Community, inside Villa No. 21.

Chen Tianqi sat on the couch with a helpless expression. Opposite him sat a middle-aged man exuding a hint of workplace authority-his father, Chen Hui. Next to Chen Hui was a young man named Chen Tianyou, Chen Tianqi’s elder brother.

“Tianqi, transfer schools, from Elite Academy to a regular high school,” Chen Hui broke the silence in the living room. Chen Tianqi was puzzled; after school, his father and brother had called him to the living room, and the atmosphere was tense. Usually, Chen Hui’s word was law at home; both Chen Tianyou and Chen Tianqi listened and didn’t protest because Chen Hui’s decisions always had reasoning. But today, this request left Chen Tianqi at a loss. He didn’t understand why his father would say such a thing.

“Why, Dad, why do I have to transfer from Elite Academy to a regular high school? I’ve gotten used to the environment and people at Elite Academy. Transferring suddenly to an unfamiliar school feels uncomfortable, and with the college entrance examination just six months away, adjusting to these external factors is bothersome!” Chen Tianqi was frustrated. Why? Why do I have to transfer? It’s just the start of winter vacation, and the New Year is in a few days; where’s the time to transfer?

“I understand all of that…”

“But, why still…”

“The school’s already arranged, Jiangning No. 1 High School. I won’t waste words; you’re going, whether you want to or not!” Chen Hui’s tone was firm, his eyes fixed sharply on Chen Tianqi.

Seeing this, Chen Tianqi felt helpless. He really didn’t want to transfer… So he looked towards his brother, Chen Tianyou, casting a pleading glance, “Brother…”

But Chen Tianyou was also helpless. This was arranged by their father, and he couldn’t intervene. After all… sigh… he wanted to help his brother, but there was nothing he could do. Showing a resigned expression, he comforted, “Tianqi, listen to Dad. He must have his reasons for arranging this; he wouldn’t make you transfer for no reason.”

Chen Tianqi understood at this point that the transfer was inevitable. Normally, his brother would side with him, but was Chen Tianqi the type to just give in?

“Dad, Brother, why? Can you tell me the reason for the transfer?”

Chen Hui didn’t say much-in fact, he didn’t answer the question at all. It was Chen Tianyou who spoke, since what needed to be said was better coming from him.

“You’ll find out after you grow a bit more, after you graduate from college. The reason? We can’t tell you now! Tianqi, try to understand me and Dad, we really can’t say. We’ve never kept anything from you since you were little, just this one time!” Chen Tianyou spoke with resignation, knowing the reason but unable to reveal it for Tianqi’s sake.

Chen Tianqi had already guessed the outcome; he just wanted to console himself. Then suddenly, he seemed to think of something and, with a resolute gaze, looked at Chen Hui. “Dad, Brother, agree to a few conditions, and I’ll transfer. Otherwise, I might just run away…”

Chen Hui was pleased to see Tianqi speaking that way, as he didn’t want the family tension any more than his son did. “Speak!” Chen Hui responded crisply.

Tianqi lowered his head in thought before saying, “First, I need enough freedom. Can you agree to that?”

Chen Hui thought it would be a harsh condition, but it was just this? “Agreed!”

“And secondly? I need enough money! Of course, I won’t be too extravagant!” Chen Tianqi explained. He needed to achieve something himself and couldn’t let his father and brother, or his buddies, look down on him!

“Agreed, if you need money, ask your brother for it!” Chen Hui looked at Chen Tianyou, giving him a nod to indicate his agreement.

Chen Tianyou laughed, easing the prior awkward tension. “If you need money, just say it. Of course, you can have it!”

He then put his arm around Chen Tianqi’s neck. “Sigh, I’m getting married in a few days. You must come!” With the atmosphere lightened, so did the conversation.

Chen Tianqi looked at his brother, who was much more accomplished than he was. Their father had fought hard for years to establish the company, Chen Group, and now his brother was the general manager, at just 24. Chen Tianqi was only 18, evident of how his brother was not just a little ahead of him. Tianqi agreed with a smile, “Of course, I’ll be the groomsman. How’s that, Brother?”

Chen Tianyou initially thought his younger brother would take a few days to consider this matter. However, he realized he was wrong; his brother was stronger than he had imagined. He had thought Chen Tianqi wouldn’t want to go and might hold a grudge against him, but clearly, he had overthought it. How could his brother be that kind of person? He found himself lost in thought.

Chen Tianqi looked at his brother, speechless. “Hey, Brother…” Chen Tianyou was snapped out of his thoughts and realized his lapse in composure. He laughed, “Haha, alright then, I was just worried you wouldn’t come!” Chen Hui watched his two sons, smiling as he shook his head, and stood up.

“Dad, I have one last condition!”

“Speak!” Chen Hui replied with a single word.

“My mom…” Chen Tianqi started, testing the waters with this question. He didn’t actually expect Chen Hui to address it, but he was interrupted before he could finish.

“Don’t bring it up. Never mention it again. When it’s time for you to know, you’ll be told. Don’t ask what you shouldn’t!” Chen Hui’s face was troubled, and his voice was so loud it echoed through the living room: “Don’t ask, don’t ask, don’t ask,” before turning away and heading to the second-floor bedroom.

Chen Tianyou quickly released Chen Tianqi, afraid he might be asked the same question. He stood up and headed to the second floor, leaving only a parting statement: “I don’t know!”

Chen Tianqi was left alone in the vast living room. He let out a couple of bitter laughs, “Haha, haha.”

“Dad, Brother, if you won’t tell me, I’ll find out the truth myself!”

Chen Tianqi pushed open the door and stepped out, feeling several gazes following him as he walked away. “How stubborn,” voices murmured from the second floor, followed by a few soft sighs.

Chen Tianqi seemed accustomed to the loneliness, bearing many thoughts in his heart that he chose not to share with others. Was he protecting them from sharing his burdens, or did he just not want anyone else to endure this solitude?

“Used to it, used to it, so I don’t want to change anymore…”