One more round and they win.
Actually, that was really not the case. It was said in the rules that music will be stopped randomly. The DJ who was playing the music couldn't see the hall at all. This was arranged like that on purpose so that he wouldn't conveniently stop the music when they got back again. So, it wasn't necessary for the game to end in the eighth round. Otherwise, it would have been like a fixed match, and there would be no fun at all. Everybody would have realized that they were always meant to win.
The game planners really wanted to test the couple's luck.
Over at the party hall, Nana was way more nervous than any other partner she danced till now.
She couldn't face him. She felt too shy. She had felt awkward with Jianyu but was not shy.
Which was not the case here.
Liu Jinhai had his left hand on her waist and his right hand was interlocked with her left.
She remembered how his hand had brushed past hers. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it will come out of her chest. Her ears turned red.
In her nervousness, she couldn't help but keep her distance. Plus she was fully aware of all the gazes.
But the distance was causing them to falter in their steps.
"Miss Nana?", Liu Jinhai asked.
"Y-yes?", she stammered.
"If you don't mind, can we come a little closer? I'm not able to keep our balance. Plus you are kind of stepping on my foot."
"Ah?", she looked down.
Again?
"I'm so sorry Mr. Liu." She wanted to cry.
"It's okay. So, can we?"
"Y-yes." Don't panic Nana. It's only for one minute.
Liu Jinhai pulled her closer to his chest. And they started dancing slowly. Just soft movements from side to side. He could smell something sweet from her.
Didn't she make me that drink with berries? She must have got that smell from them.
"I really liked your drink you gave me some time back."
"Oh that. Thank you."
"Can you give me it's recipe? I will ask Huian to make it for me some time."
She stiffened. Somehow she didn't wish to give the recipe now. She felt something tugging her heart when he said that Huian will make for him.
"S-sure.", she tried to keep her smile.
Huian was getting restless. When will this minute be over?
Nana said to Liu Jinhai, "I guess the game will be over any minute. Mrs. Liu is beside us and one twirl will take you back with her." She felt a dull pain when she said that.
He stared at her. "Hm."
Huian was counting every second. It was ten seconds left for the minute to be over and she was getting happy over each passing second.
But thenthe music stopped.
Silence.
Nobody said anything for a good ten seconds.
Nana was stunned.
They stopped the music. T-that means the game is over? But I'm still here with Mr. Liu! Isn't this very bad?
Liu Jinhai also felt perplexed.
The last dance was not what everyone was looking forward to.
The emcee came on stage and said, "Aaand the game is finally over. Our DJ has decided to stop in the seventh round."
He looked at the crowd and found Liu Jinhai. But the person with him was not his wife.
AaaSadly luck wasn't their side.
Huian just couldn't believe it. They lost such a simple game. And to that girl with whom she had a threatening feeling at the beginning; but which slowly faded over time. But now that nagging feeling was back.
She felt she couldn't breathe. All the stares were at her now. Everybody wanted to see her reaction.
For a few seconds, she couldn't control her emotions but she quickly understood what everyone wanted to see. A show. A spectacle. But she wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
Huian's parents were also dumbfounded. They were the Xiang's. A family at the same level as Tang's. But who were also closely connected. The Liu's, Chen's, Tang's and Xiang's were the four families that had very close connections. That's why Liu Jinhai and Chen Jianyu were childhood friends with Tang Suyin and Xiang Huian.
The whole time they were busy with the Liu family and other guests. Then the game started and they thought that it was set for them to win.
But the resulteven if it was just a game, no doubt people won't forget about this. There will be whispers. There will be a talk.
The girl Liu Jinhai had his last dance with on his own wedding anniversarywas not his wife.
So everyone would speculate. Is this a kind of premonition? Did this really prove that the couple is not lucky? Or they are not destined to be together?
It wouldn't have mattered if it was any other girl. But that particular girl...when everyone saw Jinhai and Nana together, they couldn't help but feel that they looked even more perfect together.
Liu Jinhai and Nana kept staring at each other. Nana couldn't believe it. She quickly broke from his embrace and stood rooted.
Huian managed to put on a smile. She wanted to vent her dissatisfaction. But she knew it was only a game. And she really couldn't blame Nana. But nevertheless, she felt unreasonable anger towards her.
Sadly, it was all luck.
She came to Jinhai's side and said with a big smile, "Oh c'mon Jinhai. What is there to get so worked up about? It's just a game."