With her beauty, wealth, and sharp instincts, Li Li stood as the preeminent figure in Wucheng’s elite social circles. It is no exaggeration to say that with a mere flick of her finger, the young heiress could have countless people lining up to do her bidding. Yet, this high-maintenance lady was notoriously fickle and picky; for years, no one had managed to catch her eye.
The only person who could ever stand by her side and warrant a second glance was, perhaps, Shang Yang. Everyone knew that they would eventually end up together. At least, that was the consensus until Madam Li secretly meddled. Before that, no one had ever considered Li Xiang to be a contender between Li Li and Shang Yang. Despite being the youngest principal dancer at the National Ballet of China, Li Xiang’s identity as an adopted daughter always kept her at a distance.
The circle was predictably snobbish and power-obsessed. When Li Li first returned to Wucheng, some had looked down on her because of the Li family’s habit of favoring their adopted daughter over their own. But as Li Li rose rapidly, everyone realized that a fake would always be a fake. No one was a fool; anyone with even a passing understanding of ballet could see through how Li Xiang had secured her position as principal. In terms of raw talent, Li Xiang might have been decent, but she was absolutely unworthy of the heights she had reached.
Chapter 51