NOVPUBPeang Yayun questioned, "You're doing this for the sake of opening a dance studio, but we aren't. You're forcing us to bleed and sweat just to fulfill your dream!"
Shi Zhixuan frowned slightly, "If you don't want to train, you can leave. I won't stop you from quitting the dance troupe."
"Drop that idea. I won't quit."
Peang Yayun stood up, took a sip of water, and said, "The three of us have worked so hard to perfect one dance. Now it's harvest time—we can't let you take all the credit."
Aisha had long gotten used to the two of them arguing—a small spat every day, a big one every three days—but they always continued training afterward.
"Alright, take five minutes to rest and then we'll continue."
Shi Zhixuan could see that Peang Yayun was just venting as usual, so she didn't take it to heart.
While the three were resting, the owner of the dance studio walked in with three bottles of water in her hand. As she handed them out, she smiled and said, "You've worked hard."
"You're too kind," Shi Zhixuan accepted the water awkwardly.
"It's nothing, just a few bottles of water."
The owner laughed, "I watched you for a few minutes at the door earlier and I have to say—you dance really well. If I remember correctly, you're university students from the International campus, right?"
"Yes."
"Are you preparing for a school event or something?"
"Not really. We're just practicing casually, the three of us."
Shi Zhixuan hesitated to admit that they were doing it for a man.
"Oh, I see."
The owner's smile gradually faded as she said, "There's something I forgot to tell you. Before you booked this dance studio, a dance troupe had actually reserved it for a month. Their booking is also from 7 to 9 PM. I got so busy the past few days that I completely forgot about it."
Shi Zhixuan slightly furrowed her brows, "So, what are you trying to say?"
"Since they booked first, there's nothing to be done about it. The other two dance rooms are also reserved, so I'm afraid you'll have to reschedule your timing." The owner thought for a moment and said, "How about 3 to 6 PM in the afternoon? No one uses the studio during that time."
Shi Zhixuan's expression darkened slightly. She now understood why the owner had asked those questions; it was clear she thought university students were easy to bully.
Peang Yayun stood up with a displeased expression, "What kind of nonsense is this? We agreed on 7 to 9 PM, and we've already paid for a week. Now you want to go back on your word?"
The owner continued smiling, "I'm really sorry, little miss. I mainly forgot about the previous client. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have booked it for you. It's not easy being out here; I hope you can be understanding. As university students, you have more free time anyways."
Aisha blinked her innocent eyes and said, "But we usually have classes in the afternoon."
Peang Yayun refused, "No way. We've already booked it—you should coordinate with the other group instead. We're not agreeing to this."
The owner's face turned cold, "Listen, little miss, don't be so stubborn. There's no contract, no proof, and everything was based on verbal agreements. Final interpretation rights are with me."
Peang Yayun was fuming, "What kind of shady business is this? You can't just go back on your promises!"
"You can either accept this change or leave my dance studio. There's no third option."
With that, the owner left the studio without waiting for the trio to respond.
Aisha had never experienced such unfair treatment before. She looked at the other two, clearly flustered.
Peang Yayun gritted her teeth in anger, "I bet someone paid more to rent this studio! That heartless maggot clearly sees us as easy targets because we're college students."
.....
Silver Lake Bay Villa.
On the first floor, the nanny had finished her chores and gone to bed. Middle-aged people had different routines from the young, and after doing so much physical work during the day, they tended to sleep early.
Ji Ya and Tan Xin were sitting across from each other on the sofa. While Tan Xin was reading a book, her mind was clearly elsewhere as her gaze kept drifting toward the second floor.
Ji Ya was scrolling on her phone, equally restless, frequently glancing upstairs to catch any movement.
"Tan Xin, I think I heard footsteps in the middle of the night last night. Do you often get up at night to drink water?"
Finally, Ji Ya broke the silence.
Tan Xin remained expressionless but felt a slight stir inside. She casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and replied, "Yes."
Ji Ya distinctly recalled seeing Tan Xin carry a water cup back to her room last night. Why would she need to come out to the living room to drink water again? Ji Ya's sixth sense made her vaguely suspicious, but she couldn't be sure.
Tan Xin seemed so composed—hardly the type of person for sneaky behavior. Besides, she'd previously expressed distaste for the manager doing shady things.
No, no—it must be me overthinking this. Tan Xin couldn't possibly be like that.
Spying, eavesdropping—those are things only I would stoop to do.
"Aren't you going to bed?"
Ji Ya asked, still waiting for Tan Xin to head to her room so she could go upstairs herself and potentially join in the action.
The Silver Lake Bay crew's capabilities weren't great, but there was a chance Ji Ya could help. Even if she couldn't, watching from outside and listening would still be an enjoyable experience.
She'd done such things plenty of times before, and the manager always turned a blind eye.
I work so hard running around for the manager—what's wrong with him throwing me a little reward?
Tan Xin shook her head, "I'm not sleepy yet. You go ahead."
If anyone should sleep first, it should be you. Tonight, it's three unfamiliar women in the manager's room, and I'm a little curious to see what's happening.
Besides, the manager always leaves the door cracked open, likely because he wants others to peek inside. There's no other reason—I'm just curious about the manager's physical strength and stamina... Tan Xin thought silently to herself.
