Chapter 738: Plagiarism

Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

“Bully?!”

Internet users loved this kind of plot twist. As soon as slightly different voices appeared, they immediately flocked to them, and for a moment, this comment shot up to the top of the popularity rankings.

A self-proclaimed insider from the same school revealed that Meng Yan had once joined senior students in her freshman year to bully a fellow female student in their class, who later dropped out of school. The school hushed up the matter.

Because very few people knew about this incident at the time, Meng Yan’s bullying of her classmate gradually faded from memory.

But this time, someone obviously couldn’t overlook Meng Yan’s participation in this competition and her high scores. They wanted to seize the opportunity to expose Meng Yan and let public opinion eliminate her.

“This is so infuriating!”

Ruan Ning was browsing the internet with relish, but she immediately heard a voice from the door. She quickly turned off her phone screen as if she were electrocuted. “Meng Yan, you’re back so soon? I thought you’d go meet Master Si in person.”

“Humph! It’s all because of that Mei Shu!” Meng Yan slumped back in front of the dressing table, touching up her makeup while saying, “I just found Master Si’s location, but that woman kept pestering him! I didn’t even have a chance to talk to him!”

Ruan Ning rolled her eyes secretly. Come on, Mei Shu was Lu Si’s girlfriend, and who are you?

But she didn’t say anything, instead walking up behind Meng Yan and comforting her by patting her shoulder. “It’s okay, the competition isn’t over yet, you still have a chance! Maybe Master Si has already noticed your dance moves. When you find a chance to meet him privately, he might even ask for your contact information!”

“Of course! I won’t give up so easily!”

Meng Yan clenched her fists, encouraging herself. “After the awards ceremony, I’ll find Master Si alone. I don’t believe he won’t remember me at all!”

“That’s the spirit! So, hurry up and make yourself look beautiful, get ready to go on stage for the next award presentation!” Ruan Ning smiled sweetly, as if she and Meng Yan were really good friends.

Meng Yan’s hope was rekindled by her words. She kept touching up her makeup with foundation and carefully checked every detail of her makeup, afraid that she wouldn’t be perfect enough when she met Lu Si later.

Ruan Ning smirked as she left the room, intending to go back to her own dressing room to prepare for the upcoming competition.

In terms of professionalism, she was actually not inferior to Meng Yan at all.

“Now, please welcome Miss Ruan Ning the fourth contestant tonight, to the stage! Miss Ruan Ning is a sophomore at Lin City University and has previously won a gold medal in the city-level dance competition!”

The host excitedly introduced the contestants and then exited the stage according to the procedure.

Mei Shu’s ears perked up, catching a word. “Her surname is Ruan?”

“Yes,” Lu Si replied calmly. “She’s the biological daughter of the chairman of the Ruan Group in Lin City, and the younger sister of the current CEO, Ruan Dong.”

“Ruan Dong.” Mei Shu heard a familiar name from his mouth, a hint of knowing smile appeared in his eyes.

Lu Si continued, “I’ve seen this Ruan Ning before. She has a good reputation in the circle. When you attend Lin City University, you’ll be classmates with her.” “Do you want me to befriend her?” Mei Shu raised an eyebrow, noticing that Lu Si’s words about this person were slightly more than usual.

Lu Si shrugged innocently. “The Ruan family ranks in the top three in Lin City’s power. If you really want the Mei family to develop to the point where it can compete with the Lu family, dealing with them is essential. Instead of bumping heads with them in the business arena later, it’s better for you to become good friends with Ruan Dong’s sister at school. It might mean one less formidable opponent in the future.”

Mei Shu nodded in agreement, taking his words to heart.

Onstage.

Ruan Ning performed a swan dance, but it was different from the usual Swan Lake. Her dance was more graceful and melancholic, exuding a sorrowful beauty.

Swans mate for life, recognizing only one partner after falling in love.

The white swan portrayed by Ruan Ning perfectly demonstrated this. After her partner died, she displayed a poignant and emotional dance, deeply touching the emotions of every audience member present.

When the dance ended, there was a long silence in the audience. It wasn’t until Ruan Ning bowed on stage to thank the audience that people snapped out of the melancholy brought by the dancer’s performance. The applause sounded like thunder, lasting for several minutes.

Mei Shu clenched the armrest in surprise, trembling as he spoke amidst the applause, “How could this be? She’s clearly dancing the choreography that Lin He Sister is going to dance in this competition!”

“What did you say?” Lu Si also looked at the stage incredulously.

At this moment, Ruan Ning was confident and radiant, as if she had already merged with the proud white swan. She stood on the dazzling stage in the posture of a victor, accepting the adoration of all the audience.

But-

Mei Shu stood up from his chair with a “swoosh”, ignoring his leg injury, struggling to walk towards the backstage.