Chapter 296
Night had fallen, and brilliant lights illuminated the scene on the deck. Men and women dressed in lavish gowns and suits moved gracefully across the dance floor.
After carefully observing the elegant dance steps of those around her, Xie Mi declared with confidence:
“I’ve learned it, let’s go!”
As a so-called “ordinary little dance prodigy,” whether it was breakdancing, square dancing, or head-shaking arm-flailing routines, none of them were a problem for her.
Naturally, ballroom dancing was no exception.
“As expected of Teacher Xie.”
The man in the black mask, noble and languid, spoke slowly, his voice carrying a captivating allure.
“Then I can rest assured and entrust myself to you.”
[Such shameless words!]
[Mr. Shen’s secret love confession for today (1/1) complete]
[This guy…]
[This guy…]
The livestream comments began rolling out in neat rows.
“Rest assured, if you hand yourself over to me, you can have ten thousand hearts at ease.”
Xie Mi solemnly grabbed Shen Moqing’s right hand and placed it on her lower back, then took hold of his left hand, placing her own left hand on his right arm.
That was how the people around them were doing it—once the pose was set, all that remained was to move back and forth with the rhythm of the music.
“Are you ready?” Xie Mi looked seriously at Shen Moqing.
“Ready.” Shen Moqing echoed her tone, equally serious.
“Alright, follow my call—go!”
Xie Mi’s command carried great momentum.
“Left side, three steps!”
Dun dun dun!
“Right side, three steps!”
Dun dun dun!
[Looks like two elderly folks with weak legs supporting each other]
[Did you really have to describe it so accurately? Where’s my Sister Xie’s dignity?]
“How is it? Isn’t it really simple?” Xie Mi asked with great confidence.
Shen Moqing gave her full face.
“It’s all thanks to Teacher Xie’s guidance.”
“Since you’ve got the hang of it, let’s level up! Now, six steps—three, two, one, turn your head!”
Following her command, the two turned their heads toward their joined hands, raising them forward in unison, stepping briskly in that direction.
“Left side, six steps!”
Dun dun dun dun dun dun!
“Right side, six steps!”
Dun dun dun dun dun dun!
“Good, very good! Next, twelve steps! Come on—left side, twelve steps!”
They quickly shuffled forward in small steps, hands raised high.
Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun—
[This is way too abstract!!]
[They just charged out like firecrackers??]
[With their arms raised like cannons, are they about to blast everyone on the ship?]
[Even the NPCs jumped away in fright!]
[At first glance it looks fine, but on closer inspection it’s a disaster]
[How did they turn ballroom dancing into military drills?!]
“You two in black! Yes, you two in black!”
Director Niu finally couldn’t take it anymore, divine punishment descending:
“If you keep scaring the NPCs, I’ll issue a warning! Be careful, no midnight snacks for you tonight!”
The words “midnight snack” struck Xie Mi’s reverse scale. She immediately stopped, looking up at the third-floor terrace with grief and indignation.
“Come at me if you want, but taking away midnight snacks? That’s no hero’s act!”
Director Niu choked, his mouth twitching as he replied, “Then I’ll lock you in your room so you can’t even get to the restaurant!”
Xie Mi clasped her hands together in surrender.
Behaving now. Please spare me.
“Is there something wrong with my steps? I swear I saw them dancing like this.” Xie Mi fell into deep thought.
“Why don’t you let me try?”
Under the moonlight, Shen Moqing’s eyes were veiled with a misty sheen, like glazed glass, yet still soul-stealing.
His voice carried a mesmerizing pull. Xie Mi blinked in surprise, then nodded.
The melody in the dance floor was romantic and intertwined.
Shen Moqing clasped her hand, fingers interlocked, his other hand lightly resting on her lower back, the warmth of his palm unmistakable.
The moves were the same as before, yet somehow they felt entirely different.
He led her through spins, tiptoes, movements light as butterflies, their breaths entwining in the space between them.
Unconsciously, Xie Mi lifted her gaze to the eyes beneath his black mask.
And there he was, looking right back at her, a water-like smile blooming at the instant their eyes met.
“You look very beautiful tonight.”
His voice was soft—so soft it felt like only the two of them could hear it.
So soft it nearly scattered into the sea breeze, yet still lingered temptingly in her ears.
Xie Mi frowned slightly, staring at this Shen Moqing who seemed a little different tonight.
“Old Shen, why do I feel like you’re seducing me tonight?”
His gaze flickered, fingers unconsciously tightening at her waist.
Then he lowered his eyes with a faint laugh, lips pressed to restrain the uncontrollable curve.
“Tonight, I’m no different from usual.”
Shen Moqing lifted her hand, spinning her under his fingers, then wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
“It’s Teacher Xie.”
He lowered his head, whispering at her ear:
“Who has me moved tonight.”
Xie Mi’s head snapped up, her eyes colliding with his in shock. In that instant, it was as if a current sparked straight through her heart.
And yet—even so—it was Shen Moqing who surrendered first.
Unable to withstand her unflinching stare, though he had been flirting a moment ago, the next second he broke eye contact, coughing awkwardly.
The tips of his ears had turned red.
“Teacher Xie, you really are…”
Impossible to resist.
[Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!]
[This delicious push-and-pull of flirting!]
[Too sweet, my god, Mr. Shen is so good at teasing]
[Though Mr. Shen seems like the better flirt, he’s also the one who gets shy more easily!!]
[I mean, who wouldn’t get shy if Sister Xie stared at them like that?]
[Sister Xie is too straightforward—suddenly locking eyes like that. Shen looks calm, but inside he’s fidgeting like crazy]
[So did Sister Xie actually feel something for Mr. Shen tonight?]
[Guaranteed she did]
Xie Mi was still staring unblinkingly at Shen Moqing. He turned his head away awkwardly—she leaned in closer. He lowered his head with a cough—she tilted her head to peek up at him from below.
It looked exactly like a classmate peeking under the desk to see if their seatmate was crying back in elementary school.
“Old Shen, don’t dodge. Let me confirm again.”
“Teacher Xie, are you really that indifferent to my survival…”
