Chapter 3

Once she was done applying for her visa, Joy walked out of the immigration department and headed to her dance troupe.

One wall of the leader’s office was filled with the dance troupe’s achievements and photos. Joy touched them with great sentiment. She did not want to leave.

She once thought she would spend her entire life in this dance troupe, but who would have expected her to leave so suddenly?

“Joy.”

Helen Quinn, the leader, came in and patted her shoulder.

As she stared at Helen, she was reminded that Helen had guided her for ten years. Her reluctance to part filled her heart again, but she barely managed to suppress it.

She clenched her fists and sucked in a deep breath.

“Helen, I’m resigning. My birth parents found me, and I’d like to live with them abroad.”

Helen’s eyes flew wide open. Her surprise was quickly replaced by happiness. She was delighted for Joy. “That’s great. Are you going to keep dancing after you leave?”

Helen had watched as Joy turned from a timid and shy girl into an elegant woman. She also knew just how much effort Joy put into dancing. Dancing was the one thing that let Joy show herself off and gain confidence, so she did not want Joy to give up dancing.

Joy looked at the photos of the dancers dancing. Determination shone in her eyes. With a faint smile, she nodded. “Dancing has always been my dream. I won’t just give up on it. In the future, I’ll continue dancing.”

Helen nodded. She had always admired Joy’s determination. That was why she was willing to give Joy the troupe’s lead dancer position and wanted to make her take over in the future.

But fate had thrown a wrench into her plans. Joy was going to resign to reunite with her parents. Helen could not say no to that, but she still asked tentatively, “Are you leaving right away? The dance you choreographed for a year is about to debut. You’ve spent so much effort and time on it. You should show it on stage at least once.”

Joy nodded. “I’ve already talked to my parents. Once I’m done tying up loose ends here, I’ll go to them. I still have half a month before I leave. It’s enough time for me to perform the dance.”

Helen felt at ease then. She patted Joy’s shoulder. They then chatted a little more before Joy went to the studio to dance.

Joy grabbed her bag and headed home when the sun had long since set.

When she pushed the door open, Yelena was still around.

After listening in on the conversation, she realized they were talking about her wedding dress and jewelry.

“Martha, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed from all the dresses and jewelry. I want Joy to help me make a decision. No matter what, we’ve been best friends for years. She knows what I like too.”

When Yelena said those things, Joy stepped into the house. Martha quickly beckoned her over. “Joy, Yelena is having some trouble with this. Why don’t you help her pick what she’ll need for her wedding?”

Joy stared at Yelena. She was smiling, but when she met her gaze, her smile revealed provocation.

Joy looked down. After some thought, she still decided to say no. “Sorry, I’m not free. I still have something to do at the dance troupe.”

She only had half a month left and was about to perform. Before she left, she still had plenty of loose ends to tie up. She was not lying when she said she did not have time to help Yelena.

But right after she said those things, the atmosphere turned gloomy.

Samuel glared at Joy, and his gaze was cold. “Your best friend is about to get married. Can’t you set aside your own things? It’s settled. You’re helping Yelena, and I’ll apply for leave on your behalf tomorrow!”

If he was going to force her to take leave on the excuse that he was her guardian, then she had no right to refuse.

Joy gave a wry smile and said nothing else.

Over the next few days, Joy set aside everything else and helped Yelena choose the things she wanted for her wedding.

Originally, she thought Yelena only needed to pick her stuff from the department store.

But Yelena brought her from the south of the city to the north, and she kept asking Joy’s opinions on everything, from her wedding dress to her hair accessories.

Whenever Joy asked her to ask Samuel, she would pout. “Why should I ask Samuel? He’s a man. Aside from giving me money, he knows nothing about such things. You’re the one who understands me.

“When I asked him to help me pick our wedding rings, he delivered the entire shelf of wedding rings to my house and asked me to pick one.”

While Yelena tried the various hair accessories in front of the mirror, she kept complaining. It was evident that she was boasting.

Joy just listened in silence and did not react as she expected.

Yelena bit her lip. Right when she was about to say something, she saw Samuel from her peripheral vision, and she cried out in delight, “Samuel, you’re here!”

Joy looked up and saw Yelena run over to throw herself into Samuel’s arms. She kissed his chin sweetly.

Samuel patted her hair and said dotingly, “Didn’t you say you were going to the church in the suburbs to pray? I applied for half a day’s leave to pick you up.”

They whispered to each other for a little longer before Yelena blushed and buried her face in his arms.

Suddenly, she remembered something and grabbed Joy’s hand. “Joy has been keeping me company over the past few days. Why don’t we go together?”

Samuel did not even look at Joy. He just picked up the stuff Yelena bought and headed out.

“We’ll do whatever you want.”