Chapter One: The Mirror Remembered Him Before the Applause Did

In the replay, she danced and leapt alone, floating for three impossible seconds before an invisible force pushed her away. The impossible footage drew even louder cheers. Backstage, Shen Yan's locker contained an unfamiliar spare costume. Their rehearsal photos showed Lin Wu practicing with a mirror. Every voice message he had sent had become a recording of her talking to herself. “What are you looking for?” Tang Li asked from the doorway. “My partner.” “It was pairs-elimination night, sure, but you drew the bye.” Tang Li frowned. “You said luck had finally picked your side.” A gray-blue ribbon circled Tang Li's wrist. Shen Yan had lent it to her before the show to secure a microphone wire. “Whose is that?” Lin Wu asked.