Tan You was checking her mountain-climbing gear—a bamboo basket, a sickle, mosquito repellent, a straw hat, and so on. Hearing him, she didn’t even look up. "I have a lot to do today. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can rest."

Shen Yu casually picked up a two-toned steamed bun. "I know, Sis. This bun is so exquisitely made."

As he spoke, he took a big bite. CHOMP. Grandma Shen handed him a bowl of plain congee at just the right moment, and Shen Yu downed it all.

Tan You said, "It just takes a bit of time, that’s all."

Shen Yu asked, "Sis, so we’re going up the mountain in the morning and to the fabric market in the afternoon? I asked my mom about it yesterday. Honestly, you’d be better off just buying clothes. Making them yourself is so much trouble..."

Tan You replied, "I want to make a dance costume. The ones sold in stores aren’t what I’m looking for."

Shen Yu was stumped for a second, then he immediately grew excited. "Sis, you can dance?"

Tan You said, "A little."

’I’ve already assessed Ji Li’s physical condition. Her flexibility is good. Even though she can’t perform some of the more technical moves yet, that’s fine. Who says dancing has to involve highly difficult techniques?’

’Many dances are just as stunning when performed well.’

Shen Yu was so excited his nose nearly ended up in his congee bowl. He wolfed down two bowls like a hungry piglet, then wiped his mouth. "Sis, are you looking for a scenic spot to dance? I know all the best places! It’s seriously beautiful around here!"

Tan You smiled. ’When it comes to familiarity, these kids who grew up running around the mountains would naturally know the best spots. It seems I made the right choice in picking Shen Yu, even if it was by chance.’

Grandma Shen sat silently to the side, her gaze on Tan You and Shen Yu gentle and warm. With her grandson and granddaughter right before her eyes, it still felt a little surreal to her.

After breakfast, Tan You went out for a tour with Shen Yu. The spots he recommended were particularly scenic.

Tan You pinged the Beauty System. "Get some aerial shots of this place and send them to Xu Liang."

The Beauty System immediately agreed. "Okay!"

The Beauty System had now found something it could do. The thought of being able to help its host made its core programming so excited it nearly glitched out.

Xu Liang was the photographer Tan You had her eye on. His work was truly exceptional, and Tan You had a simple philosophy: if you’re going to hire someone, hire the best.

After they came down from the mountain, Shen Yu couldn’t hold it in any longer. "Sis, what kind of dance are you planning to do? Modern?"

"Classical dance," Tan You said with a small smile. "Want to see?"

Shen Yu nodded vigorously. "Of course I do! I’ve never seen anyone perform a classical dance in person before."

Shen Cunming and Aunt Shen came out of the house as well. They both watched Tan You curiously, clearly wondering what she was capable of.

There were no outsiders around, so Tan You wasn’t shy. She agreed, "Alright. Let me wash my face, change into a long skirt, and I’ll perform a piece for you."

The Shen family’s old house had a large courtyard. Once the gate was closed, no one could see inside. Shen Yu held his phone up. "Sis, are you ready?"

Tan You called back, "Coming."

She performed the same classical dance she had on the dating show. She was only wearing a simple long-sleeved skirt, but some people just stand out from the crowd simply by standing there.

After casually picking a backing track, Tan You took her stance in the courtyard. Shen Cunming and Aunt Shen’s eyes widened, and Grandma Shen sat up a little straighter. Everyone was clearly very curious.

The music began. The moment Tan You turned, lifting a hand and kicking a leg, Shen Yu gasped. He raised his phone and started recording her, unwilling to miss a single second.

When Tan You made a circular motion with her hands as if tracing flowers in the air, Aunt Shen’s jaw dropped. She slapped her thigh hard. "Brilliant!"

Tan You was completely immersed in the dance, oblivious to everyone’s reactions. The entire piece was just over five minutes long. When she lifted the hem of her skirt in a final bow, the courtyard was silent.

Tan You looked at Shen Yu. The silly boy was still holding his phone, a dazed look on his face.

Tan You snapped her fingers. "So, what did you think?"

"That was amazing!" Aunt Shen jumped to her feet. "Amazing! Ali, you’re just too beautiful! Truly, so beautiful!"

Tan You narrowed her eyes slightly. ’Why is Aunt Shen being so enthusiastic all of a sudden? What got into her?’

Shen Yu finally snapped out of it. "Sis, you’re my one and only sis! How can you be so amazing?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

He reluctantly pressed the stop button on the video. "I’m going to watch this dance over and over. It’s just too beautiful!"

Shen Cunming came to his senses as well. "How should I put it? I can’t quite explain why, but it just looks different. Ali’s movements seem simple, but they have a sense of power, yet also a gentle grace. I don’t think other people could pull that off."

Shen Yu was in full-on fanboy mode. "My sis is the best!"

Tan You shook her head, exasperated. ’It’s just one dance. Have they all become my fans already?’

Shen Yu asked, "Sis, is this the video you’re planning to film?"

"Mhm, I’ll practice it some more later," Tan You said with a smile. "I haven’t danced in a long time, so I’m a little rusty."

Aunt Shen sidled up to Tan You. "Ali, I’ll go with you to the fabric market this afternoon. What do these men know about picking out fabric? They’ve got that ’straight-guy taste’ you hear about online. Your aunt will go with you."

Tan You was amused. "Okay. Auntie, do you know how to ride a motorcycle? My license hasn’t come through yet."

Aunt Shen was very straightforward. "We’re mountain folk. Who here doesn’t know how to ride a motorcycle? I’ll take you this afternoon."

Shen Yu sidled up to Uncle Shen. "Why is Mom suddenly so fond of Sis?"

Uncle Shen lit a cigarette. "Someone like your sister is likable wherever she goes. I reckon that in your mom’s eyes, no one is good enough for her now."

Shen Yu felt a deep sense of agreement. "I think so too. Someone like my sis is best off being single and fabulous."

Right after lunch, Aunt Shen took Tan You straight to the fabric market on her motorcycle. The moment they stepped inside, Aunt Shen felt her eyes go blurry from the dazzling array of materials and patterns. They truly had everything.

Tan You’s goal was clear. Her dance costumes were mostly red—what could she do, it was the color she favored.

Aunt Shen was also pleased. "Red is good! It gives you a healthy glow. Ali, you look good in any color."

Tan You picked out some other fabrics as well. "I’ll prioritize making the dance costume, then I’ll slowly work on other clothes."

Aunt Shen was surprised. "You know how to make your own clothes too?"

Tan You gave an evasive answer. "I learned a little in the past."

That’s what she said, but when they returned that evening, it took Tan You just a short while to make a T-shirt for Shen Yu. Aunt Shen was dubious. "This is more than ’a little.’ I studied sewing back in the day, but I’ve long since let it go."

Tan You snipped the final thread. "Go on, try it on. I made it based on your build. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll alter it."

"I think it fits perfectly," Shen Yu said with a grin. "Sis, you’re so multi-talented! You don’t even need to take measurements? You can tell the size just by looking?"