At this point, running away from the battle is definitely out of the question. If those wealthy people look down on her just because she's a poor, ordinary office worker, then even if she worries herself to death here, she won't be able to change anything.
In fact, even if she becomes the most elegant woman at the ball, others will only mock her poverty. Since nothing can be changed, why bother being distressed about it?
Shi Xinxin looked at the steaming hot toast, already smeared with honey, in front of her, and her heart immediately lightened. Nothing is more important than eating.
The butler was right; it was time for her to enjoy breakfast. Everything else could wait. Ultimately, under the temptation of delicious food, she forgot all her anxieties.
People like Sheng Chenjin loved to arrange things. Since he couldn't be present, he would surely assign his subordinates to handle these matters. She didn't need to rush; she just needed to follow instructions.
After breakfast, Shi Xinxin went to the ballroom alone to practice her dance steps. Although she couldn't change the opinions of others, she couldn't give them a reason to criticize her. She had to do what she could do well.
Shi Xinxin diligently recalled the dance steps. As she twirled, memories of Sheng Chenjin practicing dancing with her involuntarily flooded her mind.
She had stepped on Sheng Chenjin’s feet quite a few times during this period, but he had never complained. Each time, he carefully told her what to pay attention to and patiently guided her through every movement.
He wasn't afraid of her clumsiness and practiced the tedious dance steps again and again. Occasionally, when Shi Xinxin found it too difficult and wanted to give up, Sheng Chenjin would actively cheer her up.
He never mocked her, yet they laughed and talked. He not only protected Shi Xinxin's self-esteem but also constantly told her she was doing great, boosting her confidence.
Although Shi Xinxin was still practicing here, she had now reached a point where she could dance as soon as she heard music. She didn't feel the panic or trembling hands she experienced when facing exams in any of her previous lessons.
Dancing, though a new skill, was far more enjoyable than anything else. She had even begun to savor the pleasure that dance brought her, or rather, the pleasure it brought when Sheng Chenjin danced with her.
There wasn't much to dancing itself; twirling around could be fun on its own. However, without Sheng Chenjin, something felt missing, and it wasn't just because of the dance partner.
It was because without Sheng Chenjin, that warm feeling was gone.
When dancing, they stood very close. As they spun, the world slowly faded away, and their eyes were only on each other. She saw her own presence confirmed in Sheng Chenjin's eyes.
At that moment, her heart soared into the azure sky. Villas, money, status, identity—all disappeared. It was just the two of them dancing gracefully. In that second, she could confirm that Sheng Chenjin only cared about her, that she was the only one in his heart.
This was no different from the feeling of being in love, where hearts only held each other, with no room for anyone else. Shi Xinxin was deeply captivated by this feeling. Even though her high heels fit perfectly, every night upon returning to her room, she would find her heels red and swollen.
Sometimes, when the dancing was too vigorous, her skin would break, and she would feel the pain. Yet, she hadn't noticed any of this during the dance. Was it because she was too happy? Or because Sheng Chenjin was the only one she cared about, and she simply didn't feel the pain in her feet?
Since realizing this, she no longer intentionally concealed her feelings. What was wrong with liking Sheng Chenjin? It was her most genuine thought, and she wasn't deliberately hiding it.
Anyway, after the ball, they would return to their parallel lives. She could slowly regain clarity then. For now, she would let herself be immersed in this sweet daydream.
"Knock, knock, knock." A clear knocking sound echoed in the room. Shi Xinxin stopped dancing and turned to see the butler at the door.
"Miss, the dress Mr. has chosen for you has arrived. Would you like to go to your room to see it now?"
Shi Xinxin nodded, but couldn't help but feel curious. From learning to dance to now attending the ball, all the dresses had been prepared by Sheng Chenjin. How did he know what she liked?
As soon as the question arose, another voice in her mind immediately provided the answer: He doesn't need to know what you like; he only needs to know what he likes.
Yes, arrogance was his nature, something he could never change. While Shi Xinxin mockingly chided Sheng Chenjin for his unchanging arrogance and blamed him for not being considerate of women, preparing things only according to his own preferences, she quickened her pace, eager to see what beautiful dress he had prepared.
She didn't realize that she was becoming increasingly accustomed to Sheng Chenjin's arrogance, or rather, the care that came from him, thoughtfully preparing everything for her so she didn't have to agonize over choices.
Moreover, every time he prepared something for her, it felt like a gift. She was very curious about what Sheng Chenjin had prepared for her this time.
Inside the room were four square gift boxes, varying in size. Shi Xinxin started with the nearest and largest one. As soon as she opened the gift box, she found a light pink dress.
Shi Xinxin carefully lifted it and held it against the full-length mirror to check the size. It should be a good fit; there didn't seem to be much discrepancy.
After all, the last dress Sheng Chenjin had chosen for her fit perfectly without any measurements, so this one should be no different.
The dress could be considered a strapless gown because the upper part, including the sleeves, was made of a sheer fabric. The sheer fabric was embroidered with floral patterns, and the embroidery thread was unique, shimmering like a rainbow when hit by sunlight from the side.
The hemline was cut into an irregular shape, falling below the knees. The hem was adorned with diamonds. Under the sunlight, at different angles, the different facets of the diamonds reflected a kaleidoscope of colors. This way, when Shi Xinxin danced, she would radiate a dazzling aura from any angle.
The dress had no unnecessary embellishments, which was excellent for a beginner like Shi Xinxin, making it convenient for movement. If she had chosen a dress that was too tight, for someone unfamiliar with formal balls, she might have tripped herself within a few steps.
Shi Xinxin's gaze returned to the color of the dress. The previous red had made her skin look fair and delicate, while this time, the light pink made her appear somewhat rosy and tender, making her overall appearance even more charming.