The Strongest Talent Tree

Onstage, Yao Ying and the other two were also startled by the audience’s enthusiasm. After all, they were all newcomers; it was impossible for them to have any fans.

After a moment of stunned surprise, the three of them quickly realized this was all Feng Hao’s doing.

Even though it was all an act, it gave them a major confidence boost. And so, amidst the fervent cheers, the three young women began their performance.

The infectious energy of their performance needed no introduction. In just a few short minutes, they had captured the entire audience’s attention.

Coupled with the trio’s distinct and individual beauty, they were a true feast for the eyes.

Yao Ying also fully demonstrated her command of the stage. Following her lead, Xu Zhenzhen and Li Ting quickly adapted to such a large venue.

"Huh? Not bad! Their dancing is much better than before," Xi Yueyao remarked in surprise, munching on a snack.

"Of course. I spent a long time preparing this," Feng Hao couldn’t help but say smugly.

But the young woman just huffed and sneered, "Xu Zhenzhen and that Ting Girl are fine, but that Yao Ying is just too brazen. Why don’t you just fire her? I really can’t stand the sight of her."

"Uh..." Feng Hao quickly realized what was happening and gave an awkward laugh. "Don’t get the wrong idea. I only let her join because I recognized her skill as a dancer."

"I’m not getting the wrong idea!" the young woman huffed, fiercely biting into her snack. It was obvious she was jealous.

"Ahem." Feng Hao cleared his throat. "Well, after the show, I’ll introduce you two. That woman may not be the brightest, but she really is a great dancer."

"Hmph!" Xi Yueyao turned her head away with a haughty pout. "I have no desire to meet her."

"..." Feng Hao was instantly left speechless.

The performance continued, the entire audience completely engrossed in the high-energy dance number, unable to tear themselves away.

Gradually, the cheers of the hired crowd were joined by those of genuine fans. Everyone couldn’t help but clap and shout along.

By the time the performance ended, no one questioned the Wind Love Dance Troupe’s talent. The air was thick with a feeling of wanting more.

"Little Demon, be my girlfriend! My family is loaded!"

"Screw off! Little Demon is mine! You think your family’s stinking money makes you worthy of her?"

"Heh, I’ll just sit back and watch you two fight over her. Ting’Er is more my type."

"Exactly. Little Demon is too flashy. Zhenzhen and Ting’Er are the real heart-stoppers."

"I’m done for, I’m done for! I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight!"

"Why not? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a wet dream?"

"Oh, you’re right! Why didn’t I think of that?"

...

Hearing the genuine cheers from the audience, the three women smiled in satisfaction. It was the feeling of being truly acknowledged.

"Thank you all for your support. We’ll work even harder to bring you better performances in the future," Yao Ying said with a grateful bow.

"What the hell, it’s over already? I haven’t had my fill yet!" A restless stir went through the audience.

"It was way too short! That’s not nearly enough to watch!"

The three women exchanged a look and shook their heads helplessly. "We’re very sorry, but our rental time for the venue is almost up. If you like us, you can buy tickets for our show at the Five Provinces Theater in one week. We’ll be performing there."

"Really? I’ll definitely be there to support you!"

"That’s right. From now on, anywhere Little Demon is, I’ll be there."

At that moment, the shills Feng Hao had hired swung back into action. An excited cry suddenly erupted from the crowd: "I’ll definitely go support you, just based on this free performance today!"

"That guy’s right! We all owe the Wind Love Dance Troupe a ticket!"

"Damn right! You’re not a real man if you don’t go!"

...

And just like that, amid the enthusiastic cheers of countless audience members, the performance came to a perfect end.

Feng Hao was very pleased with his subordinates’ performance, directly pulling out a large pile of medicinal pills as a reward.

After sending his men away, Feng Hao led the young woman backstage, arriving just in time to see Xu Zhenzhen and the other two cheering joyfully.

"Ladies, how are you feeling?" Feng Hao asked with a light chuckle, stepping forward.

The three women froze, their eyes instinctively turning to Feng Hao. It wasn’t a big deal for Xu Zhenzhen and Li Ting, as they already knew Xi Yueyao, but it was different for Yao Ying. "And who is this little lady?"

"Who are you calling ’little lady’?" Xi Yueyao huffed with a pout. "My name is Xi Yueyao!"

Feng Hao shook his head helplessly and said with some embarrassment, "She’s just like that. Don’t mind her."

"You two...?" Seeing their fingers intertwined, the color instantly drained from Yao Ying’s face.

"Didn’t I tell you I had a girlfriend?" Feng Hao said with a wry smile. "Well, this is her."

"Is that right." Yao Ying nodded, crestfallen. She managed to force a smile and extended her hand. "Hello, I’m Yao Ying."

"I know, I know. The number one flirt of the Five States, right?" Xi Yueyao didn’t hold back, casually taking her hand for a shake as she spoke, her eyes full of ridicule.

Yao Ying’s body trembled. The title "number one flirt of the Five States" had clearly struck a nerve.

Feng Hao shot the young woman an exasperated glare and awkwardly tried to smooth things over. "Anyway, I’m going to take her home now. You all should head back and prepare for the show in a week. Oh, and try to keep a low profile for now. It’s important to maintain an air of mystery."

With that, he hastily dragged the young woman away.

Watching the two of them leave, Yao Ying stood rooted to the spot as if her soul had been torn away, a dull, stabbing pain pulsing in her chest.

"Yao Ying, are you okay?" Xu Zhenzhen and Li Ting stepped forward to comfort her.

Yao Ying snapped out of her daze, biting her lip as she asked, "You all knew about this, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Uh, pretty much everyone at school knows, right? We just assumed you knew too," Xu Zhenzhen said awkwardly.

Feng Hao had gotten into two big fights in the Strength Department over Yao Girl, so most students were aware of their relationship.

As for why Yao Ying didn’t know, it was simply because she had been in such a daze back then that she hadn’t paid any attention to the school gossip.

"Heh... so I was the biggest fool all along," Yao Ying said with a self-deprecating laugh, her eyes hollow and lifeless.

...

「Meanwhile」

Feng Hao was already piloting the Mansa, flying toward the general store.

Looking at Xi Yueyao in the passenger seat, Feng Hao said irritably, "Hey, can’t you be a little more tactful? How could you just hit her right where it hurts like that?"

"Hmph!" The young woman tugged on Xiaohai’s ears and said fiercely, "She tried to steal my man! I was already being generous by not getting physical!"

Feng Hao was exasperated. "Was all that really necessary?"

"Hmph. My aunt told me before she left, with this kind of thing, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Better to eliminate an innocent person than let a guilty one get away," the young woman huffed, turning her head away with puffed-out cheeks.

"What the hell? Is your aunt crazy? That’s some fucked-up advice to be giving someone!" Feng Hao said, looking thoroughly displeased.

"Don’t you dare talk bad about my aunt! She dotes on me more than anyone!" the young woman shot back, flailing her arms defensively.

"Alright, alright." Feng Hao shook his head, resigned. He changed the subject, "By the way, where did Three-second Fire run off to?"

Xi Yueyao smacked her lips and replied, "I lost a bet with him yesterday and had to feed him over a dozen magic souls in one go. He’s at home trying to break through right now."

"Fuck! I knew that guy was a leopard who couldn’t change his spots. He actually managed to scam the lady of the house!" Feng Hao seethed. "Dammit, when I get back, I’m going to skin him alive!"