After Mistaking My Stepsister’s First Love - Chapter 85

On the day of the assessment, Ye Wenjin had already calmed her nerves.

That morning, when the teacher announced the group assignments, Ye Wenjin found herself placed in the second group, while Luo Xi was in the first.

The grouping seemed to have been arranged based on the order of registration, as Luo Xi had signed up just before her.

Though Luo Xi appeared disappointed that they weren’t in the same group, her regret lasted only a second before her smile returned.

“Even though we’re not in the same group this time, there’ll definitely be chances in the future. Ye Wenjin, I’m really looking forward to competing alongside you.”

With those words, Luo Xi waved and headed to the first group’s assessment area to prepare.

Watching her leave, Ye Wenjin suddenly felt a headache coming on.

From the way Luo Xi acted, it was clear she saw Ye Wenjin as her biggest rival. But then again, Luo Xi had never really hidden that mindset. In fact, whenever the two of them were in the same place, the teachers often singled them out for comparison.

The reason Ye Wenjin felt a headache was precisely because, as she had mentioned before, Luo Xi was not only highly skilled but also incredibly composed, a truly formidable opponent.

One could say her mental fortitude surpassed everyone else present, exuding the aura of someone who had weathered countless battles.

Ye Wenjin felt she fell short of Luo Xi precisely because of her own mindset.

She was easily affected, a fact she was well aware of. Being sensitive and prone to overthinking, she often struggled to control her thoughts. So, during major competitions or selections, she would inevitably tense up.

And she was the type whose hands and feet would turn ice-cold the moment she felt nervous.

But she did have one advantage: once she stepped onto the stage, her focus would sharpen almost instantly.

This created a misleading impression people might assume that since she was so nervous offstage, her performance would likely suffer. Yet in reality, once onstage, Ye Wenjin never faltered.

However, for everyone present, after half a month of training together, none of them had actually performed onstage yet. The only way to gauge each other’s abilities was through daily practice.

Though observing training sessions could give some insight into a person’s skill level, it was still different from a formal stage performance. Without actually performing, it was impossible to determine everyone’s true capabilities.

That made this first assessment especially crucial.

Ye Wenjin had drawn the sixth slot in the random order, so she had to wait for the others to finish first.

The assessment began at 9:30 a.m., with each participant given a maximum of four minutes. Three groups performed simultaneously, and the results would be announced immediately afterward, likely concluding around noon.

Teacher Mei Yan disliked drawn-out assessments, so she had shortened the time to allow everyone a bit more rest.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Wenjin fixed her gaze on each performer, quickly analyzing their strengths and weaknesses in her mind.

It had to be said Teacher Mei Yan had an excellent eye. Every dancer she had selected was outstanding.

Even when performing the same piece, each interpretation was unique. Sitting in the audience, it was easy to see where each dancer excelled and what they specialized in.

Ye Wenjin was extremely interested, so her attention was highly focused. Even after the five performers before her had finished, she still felt a lingering sense of fascination.

Watching excellent dancers perform was a truly enjoyable experience, especially when each had their own distinct style.

However, the assessment soon came around to her, and Ye Wenjin quickly snapped out of her reverie. Though her nervousness was still visible just before stepping on stage, everyone noticed that the moment she took the stage, her entire demeanor suddenly transformed.

She slipped into the performance state almost instantly and began her routine.

The four minutes passed quickly, and Ye Wenjin completed her performance flawlessly without a single mistake.

As she stepped off the stage, she could feel numerous gazes fixed on her, a few of them particularly intense. Following the stares, she saw that it was indeed Luo Xi and her group, which immediately made her feel a bit embarrassed.

Their eyes were burning with enthusiasm, clearly conveying one unmistakable message:

They wanted to compete with her on the same stage.

The intensity of their gazes was so overwhelming that Ye Wenjin almost couldn’t bear it.

Fortunately, the assessment continued, and they soon averted their eyes, allowing Ye Wenjin to quietly exhale in relief.

The assessment period ended swiftly. During the break while waiting for the results to be announced, Luo Xi and her group approached Ye Wenjin.

Ye Wenjin had been clearing her mind and adjusting her state, but she still noticed when they came over. When she looked up and saw them surrounding her, her expression flickered with surprise.

Unable to hold back a laugh, Luo Xi was the first to sit down. The others followed suit, quickly filling all the seats around Ye Wenjin.

Though they meant no harm, Ye Wenjin was still puzzled. “Luo Xi?”

Luo Xi smiled brightly and said, “Ye Wenjin, would you like to hang out with us?”

Ye Wenjin: “…?”

Bewildered, she asked, “What?”

Luo Xi, still in good spirits, repeated, “I said, would you like to hang out with us?”

Ye Wenjin froze, hesitating for a long moment before replying, “Hang out… how?”

Luo Xi blinked and grinned. “Just, you know, hang out together.”

Ye Wenjin slowly: “…?”

Was it the meaning she thought it was?

Oh no, it seemed she had suddenly lost the ability to understand human speech.

Ye Wenjin stared blankly at Luo Xi, unable to process the situation.

But then Luo Xi suddenly leaned in close, her breath brushing against Ye Wenjin’s neck in a somewhat ambiguous manner. “Ye Wenjin, you—”

Ye Wenjin’s pupils dilated in shock, and she nearly jumped out of her seat. If Luo Xi hadn’t grabbed her arm in time, she would have already retreated to the door.

Amused by her exaggerated reaction, Luo Xi chuckled. “Really? You’re this innocent?”

Her gaze swept over Ye Wenjin, her interest undiminished.

Ye Wenjin immediately straightened up and firmly declined, “Thanks, but no. I have a partner.”

Luo Xi nodded in understanding. “Ah, so you’re taken. I thought you were single. Never mind, then.”

She took it in stride, showing no further persistence now that she knew Ye Wenjin was in a relationship though she did seem a little regretful.

“What a shame…”

In truth, the biggest reason Luo Xi had been so surprised when she first saw Ye Wenjin was how strikingly captivating she had become.

The old Ye Wenjin had been like a pearl covered in dust, dull and unremarkable. Even if her appearance was passable, it never sparked any real interest in getting to know her.

But now it was different. The more time she spent with her, the more she felt drawn in, her attention completely captured. Especially after witnessing her full performance that charm was magnified infinitely.

Luo Xi had always admired strength, and she knew Ye Wenjin was exceptional. But to be so captivating while being so skilled inevitably stirred unusual thoughts in her.

What a shame, though the one she admired already had a partner.

Luo Xi had principles. She wouldn’t touch someone who was taken; she still had moral boundaries.

Yet Ye Wenjin was thoroughly startled.

She never expected Luo Xi to suddenly say something like that. And worse, Luo Xi had brought several others along with her was this really, okay?!

Was this something others were supposed to know about? Didn’t Luo Xi feel any embarrassment?

Perhaps her shocked gaze was too obvious, because Luo Xi suddenly smiled at her and said, “Oh, you must be wondering why I brought them along to tell you this, right?”

Ye Wenjin, still dazed, nodded blankly.

Luo Xi’s smile brightened even more. “Because, we’re all together.”

Ye Wenjin: “?”

Her brain short-circuited, unable to process the words.

Watching Ye Wenjin’s stunned reaction, Luo Xi suppressed a laugh, though a mischievous glint flickered in her eyes.

This was too entertaining. Ye Wenjin was just too amusing. What a shame not pursuing someone already in a relationship was her principle. Otherwise…

Luo Xi sighed inwardly again.

But the impact on Ye Wenjin was immense. So immense that she barely registered the teacher announcing the results, so immense that even when Jian Mo called, she was still in a daze, not even catching what Jian Mo said on the other end.

It wasn’t until she mechanically packed her things and reached the entrance that Ye Wenjin suddenly snapped back to reality.

The entrance was bustling, mostly with people from the training team.

Ye Wenjin scanned the incoming traffic but couldn’t spot Jian Mo’s car. She dialed her number, but the call kept ringing, no one picked up.

Frowning, she tried again.

At first, she thought Jian Mo might be driving and couldn’t answer, but after two unanswered calls, unease settled in.

She stopped calling Jian Mo and instead dialed Aunt Wu.

The housekeeper answered immediately, and Ye Wenjin exhaled in relief, quickly explaining the situation.

Realizing the severity, Aunt Wu immediately arranged for someone to check surveillance footage along the route. They soon spotted Jian Mo’s car on an overpass.

But the bad news followed there had been an accident on that overpass.

Aunt Wu’s face paled. She relayed the news to Ye Wenjin and quickly organized a rescue team to head to the scene.

When Ye Wenjin heard the news, her mind went blank. Then, in a frenzy, she bolted outside, shoved into the first available taxi she saw even cutting in line without a second thought.

Her state was so alarming that the person she cut off, initially cursing and ready to argue, swallowed their words upon seeing her expression.

Ye Wenjin’s eyes were red-rimmed as she urged the driver, “Hurry, to the overpass ahead!”

But the driver shook his head. “The overpass? There’s been an accident, you can’t get through.”

Ye Wenjin felt another chill in her heart. She forced herself to stay calm, unaware that her voice was trembling. “It’s fine, I won’t cross the bridge. I… I need to find someone.”

The driver seemed to understand something then and didn’t press further, instead starting the car and heading toward the overpass.

The overpass wasn’t far, but the closer they got, the worse the traffic became, until eventually, they couldn’t move at all. The faint sound of sirens could be heard, mingling with the surrounding noise that buzzed indistinctly in Ye Wenjin’s ears.

The ringing in her ears lasted for a while before she snapped back to reality at the driver’s call.

She paid the fare and hurriedly got out, running toward the overpass entrance. But before she could rush in, a sharp-eyed police officer stopped her.

Ye Wenjin looked around blankly, staring at the rising smoke in the distance, muttering over and over that she needed to find Jian Mo.

Seeing her like this, the officer guessed that a loved one of hers might be involved in the accident. Though reluctant, they held her back firmly, refusing to let her through.

Blocked by the police, Ye Wenjin lifted her head in confusion, her vision blurry only then realizing she had been crying without noticing.

Her mind was blank. She didn’t know what she was thinking or how to react. She didn’t even notice when Housekeeper Wu arrived.

“Miss Wenjin? Miss Wenjin!”

The voice grew closer until it finally registered. She turned mechanically, taking a long moment to recognize who it was.

“Aunt Wu…? Aunt Wu! You’re here then what about my sister…?”

Housekeeper Wu hesitated but finally said, “Miss… the car she was in was severely burned. The fire is still raging Miss Wenjin? Miss Wenjin, are you alright? Don’t panic yet! I haven’t finished.”

She quickly added.

Hearing this, Ye Wenjin’s legs, which had nearly given out, regained some strength. She steadied herself and shook her head. “I’m fine, Aunt Wu. Please continue.”

Housekeeper Wu looked at her worriedly before going on. “Though the fire is intense, the rescuers didn’t find anyone inside the car. The young miss must have jumped out.”

Ye Wenjin’s dull eyes suddenly brightened as she gripped Housekeeper Wu’s hand tightly. “Then where is she? Have they found her?”

Housekeeper Wu shook her head. “No, the police are still searching.”

Ye Wenjin froze.

“Not found, how could that be?”

She murmured, her gaze drifting toward the direction of the fire before suddenly focusing.

“Aunt Wu, do you think it’s possible someone took my sister away?”

Housekeeper Wu paused, her expression turning grave.

If no one was found at the accident scene, there was only one explanation Jian Mo had been taken. And the one who took her, without a doubt…

Was Jian Li.

There was no one else it could be.

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