### Chapter 111: The Proud Young Lady
During the break, Cecilia Young unhappily asked Nina Wainwright, "Did you tell her what I told you? Is that why you two have gotten so close?"
"No," Nina Wainwright replied earnestly. "I said you’re a team player who wants everyone to dance well together and do whatever it takes for our performance to be a hit."
Hearing this, Cecilia Young stared, a little embarrassed. "When did I ever say that?"
"Hm? Did I misunderstand?" Nina Wainwright asked, feigning confusion.
Cecilia Young’s face flushed. It took her a mont to reply. "Well, if that’s how you want to interpret it, I guess there’s no problem! But I’m telling you, you two better not be bad-mouthing behind my back!"
"We’re a team. Talking badly about anyone doesn’t help our performance," Nina Wainwright said calmly.
"That’s more like it. But still, after how Gia Jennings was going to treat you, I was the one who warned you. Shouldn’t you be sticking closer to ?" Cecilia Young’s tone was arrogant, yet tinged with a hint of nervousness.
Among girls, friendships could easily spark jealousy.
"Do you consider a friend?" Nina Wainwright asked her.
She only had two real friends, Catherine Grant and Adrian Pemberton. People in Zachary Hawthorne’s circle, on the other hand, thoroughly detested her.
But Nina also wished she were more popular.
’Besides, she’d heard Cecilia Young’s mother was a forr national dancer. If I can use this connection to et soone powerful and influential,’ she thought, ’I might finally be able to investigate what happened to the Wainwright Family.’
"If I didn’t see you as a friend, I never would have told you those things," Cecilia Young said, tilting her chin up like a proud peacock.
The corners of Nina Wainwright’s lips curved into a slight smile. "I really want us to do well," she said softly, "but I feel like not everyone is on the sa page. Tomorrow, when you can dance again, you should tell the instructor that you’ll take the lead. Get everyone to pull together as one. The results might be a lot better."
"Sothing like that? Why would I need to tell the instructor? Just you watch!" When it ca to things like this, Cecilia Young was in her elent.
With National Day approaching, Nina Wainwright was anxious, but Cecilia Young was just as anxious on the inside.
Her mother held a high status in the dance world. If their troupe managed to make a splash with this performance, it would reflect well on her mother.
But if they were outshone, she would inevitably face a harsh lecture when she got ho.
"Okay," Nina Wainwright said with a smile.
Before leaving, Sandra Walsh told them to practice for another three hours before heading ho.
Once Sandra Walsh was gone, Cecilia Young gave a grand wave of her hand. "Since this is our first day really pushing for this dance, and I was on the sidelines not doing much," she announced to the group, "let treat you all to a good al."
The prospect of three more hours of practice had everyone feeling miserable, but at Cecilia’s words, the room imdiately ca to life.
"If Cecilia’s treating, we won’t hold back!"
"Where are we eating?"
With a smile, Cecilia Young announced, "We’re going to The Golden Palace."
Nina Wainwright knew of The Golden Palace. It wasn’t cheap, but not exorbitant either—just a very famous local restaurant.
"Isn’t that a little too expensive?" Gia Jennings couldn’t help but ask.
"Are you worried I can’t afford it? When I say I’m treating, I’m not just trying to look good!" Cecilia Young retorted. She linked arms with Nina Wainwright and started walking. "Hurry and keep up! Otherwise, we’ll have to wait forever when we get there, and you’ll all be stuck here practicing past midnight."
Everyone quickly followed them.
After taking a few steps, Nina Wainwright turned to Gia Jennings. "Co on."
Gia Jennings caught up and took her hand from the other side.
Their dance troupe had fifteen girls, and as they all piled onto the bus in a flurry, their tall, beautiful figures drew the eyes of many other passengers.
Cecilia Young led Nina Wainwright to a seat in the very back and let out a soft sigh. "Back in high school, I always used to take the bus ho with my friends," she said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "It’s a sha. Ever since starting college and joining the troupe, I haven’t ridden the bus in ages."
Nina Wainwright thought that while Cecilia Young was as haughty as a proud peacock, she was also surprisingly considerate.
’She knew I don’t have much money, so she chose the cheapest transportation. It’s considerate not just to , but to the other girls in the troupe who aren’t as well-off.’
’There’s a world of difference between one wealthy person and the next.’
"Which university do your friends go to?" Nina Wainwright asked curiously.
Gia Jennings, sitting beside Nina, also looked over at Cecilia.
"The best university in the city. My grades weren’t good enough, so I had to settle for being an artist," Cecilia Young said with a self-deprecating laugh.
The girls sitting nearby laughed. "You’re your mom’s pride and joy! If you’d focused solely on academics, you definitely would’ve gotten into the best university."
"But of course," Cecilia Young said confidently. "There’s nothing I can’t do."
’That’s the child of a wealthy family for you,’ Nina thought. ’They never, ever think they aren’t capable.’
’That kind of confidence was built from childhood, backed by her family’s standing and funded by her upbringing.’
Upon arriving at The Golden Palace, Cecilia Young pulled Nina Wainwright along into the private room she had booked.
With so many of them, the room was quite large. Everyone sat down, chattering excitedly as they grabbed nus to order.
Nina took one look at the nu and saw the prices weren’t low. A little worried, she gently tugged on Cecilia Young’s sleeve. "The dishes here are quite expensive."
"It’s not that expensive. The bill for this table will only be two or three thousand. Since I brought you here, I’m not afraid of what you’ll order. Get to it!" Cecilia sounded annoyed, as if she felt she was being underestimated.
"Don’t hold back, now! You’d better order things you actually like, or you can forget about ever treating you again," Cecilia reminded them loudly as they were ordering.
Everyone ordered one or two dishes and then put down their nus.
The waiter took the nus and presented them to Cecilia. She glanced them over, then said, "Bring us ten of your signature cold appetizers, and add a fish soup—the largest size you have."
"You got it!" The waiter was grinning from ear to ear.
After the waiter left, Cecilia leaned back in her chair, looking exasperated. "You all look like you’re worried about eating into bankruptcy. My parents never touched my New Year’s money growing up. When I treat, I use my own little slush fund. I’ve saved up plenty. A few thousand is just a drop in the bucket."
Her words left everyone feeling quite envious.
While many of the girls also ca from well-off families, none were on the sa level as Cecilia’s.
"Now that the food’s ordered, I want to talk business," Cecilia said, adopting the air of a team leader.
Everyone imdiately sat up straight, looking at her attentively.
"This dance—Ms. Walsh is taking it very seriously, so we need to as well. The schedule is definitely tight, and I know practicing extra hours every day is frustrating. But we’ve all been working hard for so many years. What has it all been for? Isn’t it for a chance to finally stand out?" she said, looking around at everyone.
Nina Wainwright watched her with a smile on her lips.
Cecilia continued, "So, I don’t want any of you to hold a grudge against Nina. She’s an excellent dancer and more than capable of being our lead. She’s the lead this year. If one of us becos better than her next year, then it’s our turn to step up. It’s as simple as that. But if we’re all scattered and don’t act like a team, this performance is going to fail."
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