The notes danced like fairies beneath Yulia’s fingertips. The entire hall seemed enchanted by the beautiful melody, with everyone immersed in the flowing sounds of the piano. After the piece ended, applause slowly followed.

Many in the audience nodded in approval toward Zinnia.

Sitting in the front row, Zinnia smiled, but Yulia didn’t look at her. Instead, her gaze shifted to the farthest right, toward a woman in a dark blue qipao, adorned in jade—the ...