He first laughed loudly, then tightened his hold around her, leaning closer to her ear while spinning: "Fool. I just wanted to openly—embrace you in public."
Shi Nian’s heart skipped a beat unexpectedly, and somehow, her eyes were moist because of it.
Being unable to openly embrace her in public must not be his own hesitation. With his personality, he doesn’t fear others’ eyes... What he truly cares about is her feelings.
He knows she’s afraid, he knows she still can’t let go of being married, hence he painstakingly found such a reason and opportunity, making it too late for her to refuse, while ensuring no one could find fault.
She couldn’t control her heartbeat, forgetting to pay more attention to her steps, just deeply inhaling, whispering in his ear: "Actually, tonight, maybe I should’ve gone home with Xiang Yuan. The marriage counselor said, repairing a marriage requires effort from both... But somehow, I’m suddenly tired, and don’t want to keep trying with him." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
"At that moment, I felt so bad... But when I came back here and saw you, I suddenly felt as if everything was worth it. Even if this makes me really bad, completely against everything I’ve learned over the years, I still want to say—I’m glad to decide to come back here. To come back and see you."
Perhaps tonight’s all too dreamy, or maybe it’s the whiskey he tricked her into drinking that tore at her reason... But no matter what it was, she felt comfortable in saying it.
After hearing her words, he gazed at her in disbelief, even forgetting to finish the last steps, just staying there with her in the melody.
She realized it, hurriedly leaving his embrace, spinning three times to the last beats, then stopping at the song’s end, turning back to look at him.
As if it was a small design between them, not that he had suddenly forgotten the moves.
Then the notes fell, but the room erupted in enthusiastic applause.
He came back to his senses, flashed a charming smile to the crowd, and stepped forward to offer his arm to Shi Nian, leading her out of the dance floor.
Somehow, as she held his arm exiting the dance floor in everyone’s gaze and applause, she suddenly had an illusion.
As if it were a golden wedding party, an elderly gentleman and lady, accompanying each other through life’s most important years to the music. When gazing at each other, they’re not seen as elderly in other’s eyes, but always the image when they first met.
Thinking this way, her heart grew moist.
She sniffed hard, tilting her head to look at him. And he happened to glance sideways too.
Neither spoke, nor did they mention what was on their minds.
Just, sharing a smile, as if they understood everything.
It was about time, Tang Yanqing led everyone back to campus.
Upon returning to school, they sensed something amiss, and upon reaching the dormitory, they saw CSI staff in blue uniforms with toolboxes moving in and out.
Shi Nian was startled, hurriedly looking at Tang Yanqing.
Tang Yanqing nodded, then retreated to make a phone call, speaking in a low voice, unheard by the students.
Everyone was curious, so while Tang Yanqing made the call, they walked into the dormitory.
Inside was a long hallway, with the campus police office at the end, so upon entering, they saw yellow caution tape around it.
Everyone paused, Marina leading the gaze towards Spicy Girl.
Spicy Girl was indeed stunned, pushing away Shi Nian to independently accelerate towards the campus police office.
Some went directly upstairs, others stood outside the tape to see what happened. Tang Yanqing silently approached, standing beside Shi Nian, but didn’t speak.
Shi Nian turned to look at him, and before she could speak, Spicy Girl suddenly burst into tears from the end, already providing an answer.
Shi Nian was startled too, glanced at Tang Yanqing, and with his solemn nod, she pushed through the crowd, hurrying to the campus police office to support the collapsed Spicy Girl outside the tape.
Close to midnight, the school strived to maintain campus order. To ensure normal life tomorrow, they sent people to persuade students to rest upstairs, saying the police would naturally provide answers.