Chapter 295
The ball had already been going for ten minutes, and Xie Mi had spent the entire time circling the long table laden with food, endlessly repeating the same action.
The repeated action went like this:
Pick up a small piece of food, glance back warily, turn around, quickly pop it into her mouth, chew chew chew.
Pick up another piece of food, glance back warily, turn around, pop it into her mouth, chew chew chew.
Then pick up another piece of food…
On the third–floor balcony overlooking the entire deck, Director Niu’s lips twitched as he pressed his walkie–talkie.
“Did you guys not feed Teacher Xie earlier?”
Zzzzz—
Soon, the voice of Xie Mi’s dedicated PD came through.
“No way, we delivered dinner to the guests’ dressing rooms before the show. Teacher Xie’s meal was even personally arranged by the assistant director. I saw with my own eyes six chefs carrying in a whole roasted lamb, plus a whole pig, a big turkey, and a tomahawk steak…”
Big eater!!
Watching the vampire countess in front of the buffet, sneakily grabbing food while glancing back like a thief, Director Niu’s face went black with exasperation.
If the first dance didn’t start soon, Teacher Xie would be full.
Meanwhile, Xie Mi’s livestream chat was already filled with laughter.
[Hahahahahahahahahaha]
[Bro, you’re here for the buffet, aren’t you!!]
[Who else sees it? Every time Old Xie whips her head around, she scares a passing ball NPC. I’m dying of laughter]
[Noble, cold castle countess (big glutton edition)]
[Teacher Xie stop flexing, I’m scared!]
Just as the barrage was filled with jokes, the livestream suddenly went dark.
Not a glitch—the lights at the ball venue had suddenly gone out.
Only faint moonlight spilled across the deck, shadows of people vaguely visible but no faces clear.
With masks already on, it was now impossible to tell who was who.
Soon, a single spotlight lit up, sweeping across the ballroom, pausing one by one on each guest.
The first, a man in a gray suit with a half–mask in the same shade. Leaning against the railing, casually enjoying the sea breeze, when lit up he raised his champagne in salute and flashed a roguish grin.
[Loves to act cool—that’s definitely Qiu Chengye]
[Your hubby]
[YOUR hubby!]
[Stop fighting, he’s my bestie’s hubby]
The second, a man in a blue tailcoat with a matching filigree eye mask. When lit up, he smiled faintly, full of boyish charm.
[One glance, and you know it’s Yu Jinzhe—the unique boyish vibe]
[Wait, who gave Jinzhe that red bow tie? I’m about to riot—cosplaying Conan?!]
[Don’t say it… no actually, DO say it]
The third, a man in a custom white suit, sitting on a soft chair, gently swirling a glass of red wine, eyes behind the mask carrying an unreadable sorrow.
[Who upset him again?]
[Strong bro putting on the act again, huh]
[Hahahahaha netizens really see through everything]
The fourth male guest was unmistakably Shen Moqing.
He wore a white satin shirt with a finely tailored blazer, perfectly outlining his broad shoulders and long legs, exuding an effortless air of nobility.
Unlike the others, he was the most relaxed, strolling the ballroom like an old man on a leisurely walk.
[Xie Mi’s hubby]
[No denying it—that’s Xie Mi’s hubby]
The spotlight swept across the four female guests as well, each highlighted as if making a grand entrance.
Finally, it fell on Xie Mi. She stood gracefully in the beam, but one cheek was puffed out—clearly she hadn’t finished chewing before striking her pose.
With that, the introductions ended.
The spotlights revealed everyone’s locations. Then all went black again, and Director Niu’s voice rang out overhead.
“Now we enter the invitation round for the first dance. The venue will remain dark for 60 seconds. When the lights return, whoever is holding hands will be partners for the first dance.”
“Countdown begins now.”
As soon as he spoke, people at the ball began to move.
The NPCs naturally paired with those nearby. But for the guests, it wasn’t that easy.
They had to rely on the faint moonlight, navigating the crowd to find the location they’d just seen, and ensure they invited the right person.
Because there was a romantic saying aboard this ship, something the eight guests had all heard from the crew when boarding:
The first dance must be with the one you like.
Xie Mi lifted her skirts and shuffled slowly; the layered gown and high heels made movement difficult.
In the darkness, a tall figure pushed quickly through the crowd, backlit by moonlight, face unseen. Xie Mi squinted hard, trying to make it out.
Who was this?
She didn’t take the offered hand, but kept peering, determined to see who it was.
The man seemed to lose patience, suddenly grabbing her wrist, as if to force the pairing.
But then—he was struck from behind, collapsing to his knees in front of Xie Mi with a loud thud, bowing as if paying respects.
Xie Mi, shocked, looked down at the man sprawled before her, then up at another man now standing in front of her.
This one wore a black half–mask, lips curved in a refined, restrained smile.
He bowed elegantly, extending his right hand to her, his voice as melodious as plucked strings.
“My beautiful lady, may I have the honor of the first dance?”
Xie Mi arched a brow and, this time without hesitation, placed her hand in his open palm.
“Of course.”
At that moment, the lights flared back on, illuminating the scene.
The viewers witnessed a bizarre sight.
Xie Mi’s hand rested in that of the man in the black suit, the two smiling at each other, a picture of romance and harmony.
But beneath their joined hands, a man in a white suit knelt on the ground, grimacing and clutching his aching knee, looking up—only to see, right above his head, the clasped hands of the pair.
Xiao Jingxi: “?”
[Xiao Jingxi: Am I just part of your play??]
[Hahahahaha why was Xiao Jingxi in that position omg]
[It was too dark to see, but I think Xiao Jingxi tried to invite Xie, got rejected, refused to leave, tried to force it—then Shen came from behind and kicked him down, then smoothly invited Xie instead]
[Shen’s move is brutal—inviting her right above Jingxi’s head lol]
[Remember when Yu Jinzhe fell in the pit before? Shen always has tricks for rivals in love]
Elsewhere, Yu Jinzhe and Xu Shuangrong had paired up—when the lights went out, Yu Jinzhe had immediately invited her, and she happily accepted, smooth as could be.
Qiu Chengye ended up with Lai Bingxuan. He’d seen the red gown and mistaken her for Liu Woxing, so he’d gone straight to invite when the lights went out. Lai Bingxuan didn’t care who her partner was, so she accepted without thinking.
But when the lights came on, they glared at each other with instant hostility, eyes practically sparking through the masks.
The leftover Xiao Jingxi and Liu Woxing automatically became a pair.
“Partners are matched. Now, the first dance begins!”
