NABC 74 Dancing Together
74 Dancing Together
Since the short-haired woman had said that, Su Tong wouldn't disappoint her. Her butterfly-like eyelashes fluttered slightly, her rosy lips curved into a beautiful arc, and her eyes, which seemed to always be filled with shimmering light, swept over the onlookers. Almost every man whose gaze swept over her was mesmerized by the slight smile on her exquisite and beautiful face. Even other women were stunned by her gaze. She looked around and then looked at the short-haired woman with a smile as beautiful as a flower blooming in the depths of the clouds. She said with her eyes crinkling, "Yes, I am indeed filming a movie. Miss, you seem to be paying attention to this kind of news. After the movie is released, you can go to the cinema to watch it and pass the time."
Unexpectedly, Su Tong gave such a natural and frank answer. The short-haired woman showed a slight look of surprise, but quickly recovered to the shy expression that best suited her face, and replied, "Okay, sure. But it seems like filming is very hard for girls, so you should take care of yourself. I'll definitely support your hard work in making this film!"
Although she said it beautifully, she emphasized the phrase "very hard," making it sound somewhat meaningful. She seemed about to say something more, but a look from Jiang Wenjun silenced her with a grin. Her face showed no embarrassment at being stopped by Jiang Wenjun; it remained full of gentle, shy smiles, which, in a way, was quite impressive.
When she provokes you like this again and again, the best thing to do is not to put yourself on the same level as her. If a stray dog barks at you, you can't yell back. In this situation, ignoring her is the best option.
Su Tong could tell that Jiang Wenjun and the short-haired woman were probably acquainted, and she also received an apologetic look from Xie Mingyuan. Xie Mingyuan was a perfectionist and romantic by nature, and since they couldn't be together, he probably wanted to have a perfect farewell with her at the engagement ball, rather than being ruined by his fiancée's friend and falling into an awkward and unpleasant atmosphere.
Thinking this, Su Tong and Xie Chengjing exchanged a glance, completely ignoring the short-haired woman's words, and smiled at Xie Mingyuan and Jiang Wenjun, saying, "It's probably almost time for you two to start dancing, right? You should still be changing clothes, so let's not chat here anymore and go get ready."
Xie Chengjing, who hadn't said anything about the topic, glanced at the short-haired woman casually before leaving with Su Tong, Xie Mingyuan, and Jiang Wenjun.
Only the short-haired woman, who was standing there shyly smiling, suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck.
The engagement ball of Xie Mingyuan, the eldest grandson of the Xie family, and Jiang Wenjun, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, would undoubtedly be opened by them. In the dimmed lights, a romantic and beautiful hazy spotlight shone on the center of the dance floor. The engaged couple, already posed, stood in the light, and as the music began, they danced gracefully and in perfect coordination under the spotlight, becoming the sole focus of the entire event—a truly pleasing sight to behold.
Su Tong stood by the dance floor watching them and couldn't help but think that even if the young couple had to be together because of their families, they might fall in love with each other after spending time together. So a faint smile appeared on her face.
Xie Chengjing seemed to see through her thoughts. He glanced at Hu Jingfang's profile, which appeared less assertive in the dim light, and thought of his seemingly approachable but strong-willed older brother. He then said in a low voice, "Do you think that if Xie Mingyuan and Hu Jingfang get to know each other better, they might be able to get along very well?"
Watching them dance hand in hand, Su Tong thought for a moment before tentatively saying softly, "Yes, aren't relationships between people built through interaction?" She looked up at Xie Chengjing; his facial features, no matter how you looked at them, were always sharply defined and cold, but his eyes no longer held that chilling coldness, instead displaying a strange gentleness. She continued, "Like when I first met you, I didn't know your name then, and I thought you were cold and scary. But now I realize you're not so cold at all; you're actually very..." very considerate, very reassuring, and surprisingly honest.
She only realized halfway through her sentence that Xie Chengjing's eyes were fixed on her, his cheek very close to hers. His dark eyes were deep and captivating, and she instantly felt like she was confessing her feelings. She couldn't say anything more, and felt a heat rising on her cheeks.
Fortunately, Xie Chengjing also looked away, and said calmly, "The engagement between Mingyuan and Jiang Wenjun is known as the highest-status marriage between the two families in the capital. However, before that, the marriage between my elder brother, Xie Chengsheng, the first in line to inherit the Xie family, and Hu Jingfang, the only legitimate daughter of the Hu family, was the most powerful couple in terms of background that has not been surpassed to this day. They didn't get along very well back then, but they quickly had Mingyuan. I once thought that their relationship would gradually improve, but as it turns out, they were ultimately just polite to each other."
His voice was not harsh at all, but it was surprisingly persuasive. His dark eyes reflected Su Tong's face. "It is true that feelings can develop when you spend time together, but the key is to have the right person."
In the romantic, hazy spotlights of the dance floor, Jiang Wenjun, holding Xie Mingyuan's hand, first twirled gracefully, then turned and was lifted by Xie Mingyuan into a beautiful leap. Jiang Wenjun's smile remained elegant and poised, and the two seemed quite in sync, their dance steps intertwining and responding as they slowly moved towards the direction where Su Tong and Xie Chengjing stood. Su Tong understood what Xie Chengjing was saying; truly incompatible people, even if bound together for a lifetime, would only grow to loathe each other. However, looking at Xie Mingyuan's perfectly smiling face, devoid of any emotion, Su Tong whispered, "But since it can't be changed, I still hope they can get along well."
Just moments ago, Su Tong was offering advice in a senior's style, but as she looked at Xie Mingyuan's perfect dance moves, she suddenly thought, "Xie Chengjing, can you dance?"
"What? Don't you think I look like a dancer?" Xie Chengjing retorted.
“No,” Su Tong said, organizing her thoughts. “Of course I know you should be able to, but I feel that dancing isn’t really your thing.”
Then Su Tong noticed that although Xie Chengjing's expression hadn't changed much, a cross seemed to have appeared on his forehead, and there was a hint of "I really can't do anything with you" in the depths of his eyes. She explained, "No matter what kind of personality or hobby you have, in a family like ours, these social dances are a required course."
"Yes," Su Tong laughed, "So, according to what Brother Wang said, you have to do your best in whatever you do. So you must be a pretty good dancer."
As they spoke, Xie Mingyuan and Jiang Wenjun finished their lead dance. After Su Tong and the others applauded, the lights came on, and the other men and women joined in when Xie Mingyuan and Jiang Wenjun started dancing again. Xie Chengjing looked at Su Tong, his kneeling motion crisp and decisive. His expression was cold as he extended his hand to her, though his eyes, dark and calm, were not indifferent. He invited, "Give me your hand."
Su Tong smiled and placed her hand, clad in long white gloves with a subtle ink-wash pattern that matched her dress, in his hand. "This is my first time dancing with someone at such a high-class ball. I'll trouble you to take care of me, Second Young Master."
Dancing with Xie Chengjing... well, although Su Tong specializes in classical dance, she was confident she could handle even a simple duet. However, dancing with Xie Chengjing was a completely different experience compared to her previous male dance partners. She felt like she was constantly in Xie Chengjing's arms, so nervous that she was only moving through the steps instinctively from years of dancing. Towards the end, she barely did any other movements; the two of them were simply moving to the beat, nestled together.
Sometimes dance has this kind of charm, covering up the usual shyness and concerns, making intimate actions that are not usually possible become natural, regardless of other people's opinions, and the two of them can stay close and dance several songs together.
After Su Tong and Xie Chengjing left the dance floor, no other man dared to approach Xie Chengjing, even if they coveted Su Tong's beauty. Xie Chengjing, on the other hand, had a unique skill at creating awkward silences that could scare away any women who wanted to flirt with him. So the two sat and rested for a while, drinking and having a drink. Xie Mingyuan, the gentle male lead of the ball who had already danced with others several times, then came over to invite Su Tong to dance.
When she danced with him, Su Tong displayed all her dance skills, perfecting every spin and jump, and controlling every closeness and distance from Xie Mingyuan just right. Xie Mingyuan's burning gaze remained fixed on her, and in the end, he only asked one question, "How do you and your second uncle get along?"
"Okay." Su Tong spun around on her toes, then spun back and grasped Xie Mingyuan's hand.
Xie Mingyuan smiled, his grip on Su Tong's waist tightening slightly, and sighed, "That's good. But I really didn't expect you to be with Second Uncle. Will you stay with him forever?"
Su Tong thought for a moment, "Probably."
"Yeah, I think so too." Xie Mingyuan's smile revealed his unique nonchalance, yet also carried a hint of bitterness. "My second uncle has always been an admirable figure since childhood. It seems that whatever he sets his mind to, he never lets go of. Unlike me. Well, that's fine too. Even if the beautiful things I can't have aren't with me, I hope you can have them."
His sorrowful yet magnanimous demeanor was unexpectedly captivating. Su Tong thought for a moment, then said, "You've always been like this, so easy to like, even now that you know we can't be together." She looked up at Xie Mingyuan, her gaze sweeping over Xie Chengjing sitting by the dance floor, and for the first time, she flashed a radiant smile at Xie Mingyuan. "So you don't need to feel inferior to him in any way. You're actually more charming than him in many ways. Although you're engaged to someone you have no feelings for, it doesn't mean you won't be happy in the future. The Xie Mingyuan I know will live a carefree life no matter what."
Author's Note: Thank you Ranran for the landmine~~╭(╯3╰)╮, again╭(╯3╰)╮, and again╭(╯3╰)╮ 166 Reading Network