"Oh no, but she’s supposed to play the prince and lead the male steps..."
That meant they might have to postpone the rehearsal. And if they did, Rong Xingyu would have to go through this whole thing again next time.
Zeng Youzhen sighed.
Just as she was about to say something, the handsome guy who had brought them milk tea spoke up.
"I know how to do the male steps of a waltz. Do you need my help?"
"Oh, how embarrassing! But thank you so much for helping us!!"
Zeng Youzhen spoke so fast that Rong Xingyu could barely keep up.
As she talked, she even gave him a small push forward, as if afraid that Ding Yixin might change his mind at the last second.
Rong Xingyu blinked his eyes in confusion. "Eh???"
He stumbled half a step forward, suddenly closing the distance between himself and Ding Yixin.
He tilted his head up and staring blankly at the man before him.
Dance... with Dr. Rong?
Wait, could he refuse? Was that even allowed?!
But before Rong Xingyu could say anything, the music had already started playing.
Everyone else had moved aside to the corners of the room, leaving the wide rehearsal space completely empty for just the two of them.
Ding Yixin placed one hand behind his back and gave a graceful and gentlemanly bow toward Rong Xingyu. It’s a perfect invitation to dance.
Then he extended his other hand and waiting patiently.
When Rong Xingyu didn’t react, Ding Yixin tilted his head slightly amusement glinting in his eyes.
"Yuyu?" he said softly.
Rong Xingyu bit his lip and reluctantly placed his hand into the other man’s palm.
The moment he did, his hand was firmly but gently taken.
Ding Yixin’s left hand held his right hand and their palms pressed together with their fingers aligned.
His right hand came up, the five fingers resting lightly at the edge of Rong Xingyu’s shoulder blade.
Rong Xingyu felt the warmth and weight of that touch on his shoulder and his entire body stiffened instinctively.
Their joined hands were raised slightly between them, while his other hand rested awkwardly on Ding Yixin’s shoulder.
Unable to help himself, he gripped a handful of the man’s coat sleeve.
He straightened his posture, his arm forming a tense, nearly rigid line.
Just as he managed that, the melody shifted into its main rhythm.
Their steps intertwined and the two of them began to turn and glide across the polished floor in unison.
The long skirt still felt strange and heavy and being new to dancing only made it worse.
Every part of Rong Xingyu’s body was tight with nervousness.
Sensing the tension, Ding Yixin leaned close during a spin and his low voice brushing against the young man’s flushed ear.
"Don’t worry, Yuyu," he murmured. "Let me guide your rhythm."
Rong Xingyu froze for a heartbeat.
Then he slowly closed his eyes, stopping the anxious counting of steps in his mind.
He stopped thinking about which foot should move first or what came next.
He took a deep breath and tried to match his breathing to the music, forcing himself to relax.
A turn, a twist and the layered fabric of the skirt fanned out beautifully as they spun together.
Ding Yixin moved with the calm ease of an experienced dancer, leading the nervous beginner with gentle precision.
But just as the music reached its climax, Zeng Youzhen’s loud voice rang out from the corner of the room.
"Xingyu! Watch your eyes! At this moment, the Little Mermaid is deeply in love with the prince!"
She was as serious and passionate as ever, directing the scene like a professional.
"Every step you take should feel like walking on the edge of a blade! You’re in pain, but you must smile because you’re dancing with the one you love! Like drinking poison and finding it sweet! That’s the feeling, you need to act that, understand?!"
Rong Xingyu: "???"
What feeling? He had no idea what she was talking about! How was he supposed to act that?!
His mind went blank, his rhythm faltered and in the next instant.
He stepped down hard, right on Ding Yixin’s foot.
Rong Xingyu froze for a moment, his mind going completely blank.
Ahhh, what had he just done?!
The mistake threw him off completely and panic rushed through his chest.
By the time the music finally came to an end, Ding Yixin had already lifted his left hand high and guiding Rong Xingyu into two smooth spins before wrapping an arm around his waist.
With a gentle motion, he dipped him backward while holding that final pose as the last notes faded away.
Rong Xingyu couldn’t even remember how many times he had stepped on the doctor’s feet. Probably too many to count.
Feeling ashamed, he lowered his head and muttered softly, "I’m sorry. I’m still not very good at this yet."
Ding Yixin gave his hand a light squeeze, a quiet gesture of reassurance.
"For someone new to dancing, a waltz can be quite difficult," he said calmly. "And you probably don’t have much time left for focused practice, do you?"
Before Rong Xingyu could answer, Ding Yixin continued thoughtfully, "Maybe you could simplify the choreography a bit? A spinning dance that doesn’t require close contact might actually work better and you won’t have to worry about tripping on the skirt on stage."
Zeng Youzhen and the event committee members exchanged glances, clearly considering his suggestion.
After a bit of discussion, they finally agreed to replace the complicated waltz with something simpler, anything that didn’t end with people or skirts tangled together.
Later, Rong Xingyu walked out of the hall beside Ding Yixin while holding a cup of mango sago dessert in his hands.
He hadn’t felt that tired during the dance, but the panic afterward had left him slightly sweaty.
The last time they’d gone to Longfor Manor, Rong Xingyu had loved the mango sago there and had drunk several cups.