From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

Yan Ruyu's heart sank suddenly as she keenly sensed the gazes peering from the shadows.

The dancing movements they had just made instantly ceased, replaced by vigilance and caution.

She subtly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her phoenix eyes secretly scanning the window, trying to pinpoint the source of the prying gaze.

Outside the window, the mysterious messenger held his breath, merging himself even deeper into the night.

His sharp gaze was fixed on Yan Ruyu like a hawk's, trying to find a flaw in her subtle changes in expression.

This woman, though seemingly delicate, always gave him an unfathomable feeling, forcing him to be even more cautious.

Inside the geisha house, there appears to be singing and dancing, but undercurrents are surging.

The soft, melodious music couldn't mask the tense atmosphere in the air; everyone wore masks, concealing their own thoughts.

Just then, a slick-haired man with a powdered face strolled over, fanning himself with a folding fan. He was none other than Mr. Zhang, a regular at the geisha house.

He spotted Yan Ruyu, who had a unique aura, in the crowd at a glance, and was immediately captivated by her.

"This young lady is truly a beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall from the sky, a beauty that could shame the moon and put flowers to shame! Would you do me the honor of having a drink with me?" Young Master Zhang's frivolous voice rang in Yan Ruyu's ears, his lecherous eyes scanning her up and down, making no attempt to hide the greed in his eyes.

Upon seeing this, Hongmei's face immediately turned ashen.

She glared fiercely at Yan Ruyu, this newcomer, how dare she steal her thunder!

The surrounding geishas also cast curious glances, and whispers filled the air.

"This Miss Yuyan is probably in for some bad luck..."

"Hongmei is not someone to be trifled with..."

Yan Ruyu merely smiled faintly, her eyes flashing with a hint of cunning.

“Young Master Zhang is too kind,” she said softly, her voice as clear and melodious as a nightingale’s, “but…” She paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping over the red plum blossoms, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, “I am new here and do not know the rules, please give me your guidance, Young Master Zhang.”

Yan Ruyu smiled charmingly, her every move exuding elegance, and subtly steered the conversation toward Young Master Zhang's usual hobbies.

After a few drinks, Young Master Zhang was completely infatuated and spoke freely, revealing even his "glorious deeds" of currying favor with the mysterious organization and running errands for them.

Yan Ruyu subtly extracted information, secretly pleased, but maintaining her charming smile on her face.

She caught a glimpse of Hongmei's face, which was turning purple with anger, out of the corner of her eye, and secretly rejoiced: With such a low level of skill, she thought she could fight me?

Little Green, standing next to her, looked on with admiration, her eyes sparkling like little stars. As expected of Sister Yuyan, amazing!

At this moment, in the back alley of the geisha house, Xu Mochen's face was terribly gloomy.

He had only wanted to catch a glimpse of his beloved from afar, but he never expected to witness that greasy young master Zhang making unwanted advances towards Yan Ruyu.

An unnamed anger surged from the bottom of his heart, and he clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

When has he, the dignified young master of the Xu family, ever suffered such humiliation?

Suddenly, a familiar figure darted into the alley.

When Yan Ruyu saw Xu Mochen, she was first startled, then a delighted smile bloomed on her face.

She walked quickly to him and asked in a low voice, "Why are you here?" Xu Mochen pulled her into his arms, his tone carrying a hint of jealousy: "What, you don't welcome me?" Yan Ruyu looked up, and their eyes met in the dim alley, their breaths mingling.

"Mother Hua, that Miss Yu Yan seems to be more than just a simple person..." A dark figure quietly appeared in Mother Hua's room, his deep voice breaking the silence of the night.

Mother Flower's face was plastered with a fawning smile, just like a blooming chrysanthemum, with all the wrinkles squeezed together.

"Oh my, Your Excellency, you don't know this, but our Miss Yuyan is a woman of many talents! Today, she will perform a 'Rainbow Feather Dance' for you, and I guarantee you'll be completely captivated!" With that, she swayed her slender waist and gave Yan Ruyu a flirtatious wink. "Yuyan, why aren't you getting ready?"

Yan Ruyu sneered inwardly. This old hag, her face changes faster than turning the pages of a book.

He remained expressionless, nodded slightly, and gracefully walked backstage.

She knew that this was a test from a mysterious organization.

The Rainbow Feather Dance is not something an ordinary geisha can perform; without years of training, it is impossible to master it.

The other geishas, ​​seeing this, cast gloating glances their way.

Hongmei covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes full of mockery: "Oh, this newcomer, he's got quite the big mouth, isn't he afraid of biting off more than he can chew!"

Backstage, Yan Ruyu took a deep breath. "System, exchange for advanced dance skills!"

A flash of white light, and she felt countless dance techniques flood her mind, as if she had practiced them hundreds of times.

She changed into her flowing robes, smiled slightly at herself in the mirror, and the show was about to begin!

On stage, Yan Ruyu moved with the grace and elegance of a startled swan and the fluidity of a swimming dragon.

Her dancing figure was like a dream, and every glance and every movement was full of captivating power.

Even the mysterious envoy, who had been observing coldly, couldn't help but be captivated by the sight.

After the dance ended, the entire audience was silent, followed by thunderous applause.

Xiao Lü jumped up excitedly and shouted, "Sister Yu Yan, you're amazing!"

Yan Ruyu smiled slightly, but dared not relax in the slightest.

She knew this was just the calm before the storm.

Sure enough, at that moment, Hongmei's lips curled into a sinister smile. She quietly walked to the mysterious messenger's side and whispered something to him.

The mysterious messenger's relaxed expression instantly turned serious.

He looked at Yan Ruyu again.

Yan Ruyu felt a chill run down her spine, and an ominous premonition welled up in her heart.

She instinctively looked into the back alley, only to find an empty corner.

Where is Xu Mochen?

“Miss Yuyan,” Mama Hua’s voice was shrill and piercing, “Hongmei says you stole Young Master Zhang’s jade pendant. Do you plead guilty?”