Previously, when Dirk introduced Jake to others, they may have appeared polite on the surface, but they didn't think much of him. Their enthusiasm toward Jake was likely due to Dirk's influence. However, the situation had now changed. Xenia had invited Jake to dance the second dance at her birthday celebration, and if anyone still claimed that Jake had an ordinary background, it would be laughable. Someone with an ordinary background couldn't possibly earn the attention of both the Dirk family and the Xenia family's younger generation.
"Why did you choose me?" Jake asked Xenia with a wry smile. He could clearly sense the shock, confusion, and disappointment on the faces of the two men standing next to him.
Most people might assume that Jake would be ecstatic to receive such an honor, but in reality, he didn't want it. He would have preferred to quietly observe the event and leave when it was over.
"I'm willing," Xenia replied with a continued smile. She didn't seem to mind Jake's reluctance.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jake reluctantly agreed to dance with Xenia. In such a setting, refusing the birthday celebrant's invitation would have been inappropriate.
However, Jake couldn't help but express his concern to Xenia. "I'm not very good at dancing, so don't blame me if I mess up."
"No worries, I'll teach you," Xenia said without a care.
As the two danced on the stage, their movements appeared intimate to onlookers. Jake held Xenia's waist while gripping her delicate hand, while Xenia leaned lightly on Jake's shoulder. Their interaction resembled that of a couple. Feeling the gaze of those around them, Jake couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. "I just learned," he said.
It was the truth, but Xenia didn't believe it. Who could learn so quickly and dance so well right after learning? Xenia just assumed Jake was being modest.
"This kid is quite good at hiding," Dirk muttered to himself as he watched Jake and Xenia dance in the center of the stage.
Previously, he had asked Jake about his relationship with Xenia, and Jake had denied that it was anything special. Now, it seemed Jake had lied. If their relationship was ordinary, why would both Dirk and Xenia be so close to him? While Dirk wasn't angry at Jake for his "deception," he believed it was more a matter of Jake being too embarrassed to admit the truth.
Not far from Dirk, Jude stared inexplicably at Jake and Xenia. Ever since Jake had publicly exposed the forgery, Jude had held a grudge against him and sought an opportunity for revenge. However, he hadn't found the right chance so far. Today, seeing that Jake had a unique relationship with Xenia had given him pause. Could Jake's background be more significant than he had thought? Otherwise, why would both Dirk and Xenia be so close to him? With these thoughts in mind, Jude, though not giving up on his plans for revenge, began to speculate about Jake's true identity.
"Dan, who is that young man? Is he your daughter's boyfriend?" Not far from the stage, Xenia's father and several similarly-aged individuals stood together, their gazes fixed on Jake and Xenia.
"I brought my son here today, hoping to introduce him to your daughter, but it seems someone else has beaten us to it," a middle-aged man nearby commented.
"That's not my daughter's boyfriend. I haven't heard anything about her dating," Xenia's father Dan shook his head, then turned to the man who had just spoken. "Darcy, stop kidding around. It's impossible for my daughter to be dating your son. Those two youngsters have known each other for years. If they were meant to be together, it would have happened long ago. Why would they wait until today?"
The man who had just spoken was Dirk's father.
"Well, you never know," Dirk's father said. "Love is a tricky thing. My son and your daughter might develop feelings for each other someday."
Dan chuckled and shook his head again. "Let the youngsters handle their own affairs. We, as parents, should stay out of it. By the way, that young man on the stage seems to have a good relationship with your son. I heard earlier that your son was introducing him around in the hall."
"Really?" Dirk's father also turned his attention to Jake. He had been away for a while, so he wasn't aware of this. However, after taking a closer look, he confirmed that he didn't recognize Jake and hadn't heard of any young person like him in J City's prominent families.
Jake had completed a dance with Xenia, feeling embarrassed by the watchful eyes of others. He thought his awkward moment had ended when they came off the stage. But to his surprise, Xenia declined dance invitations from others and stuck by his side. Wherever Jake went, she followed like an eager sidekick.
"Why don't you go dance with someone else?" Jake couldn't help but ask Xenia when he noticed that people were still staring at them. "You're the star of the night, and I'm sure many people want to dance with you."
Indeed, as soon as Xenia had come off the stage, at least seven or eight people had approached her to ask for a dance. Besides those who had already approached her, many others were eyeing her, ready to step forward with their invitations.
"Do you want me to dance with other men?" Xenia looked at Jake with a hint of charm in her eyes as she leaned closer to him and asked softly.