-008- Your future husband is a lucky man.
-008-
He Chen's birthday banquet opened with a grand and magnificent ball. The backyard of the villa had long been set up with the buffet and party venue. The wealthy young masters and ladies attending the banquet gathered together, dancing gracefully to the smooth and rhythmic music. As Zhou Dang's dance partner, Xuan Yang naturally entered the dance floor with him. The impeccably dressed man extended a gentlemanly invitation, and Xuan Yang elegantly placed her hand on his palm, moving into the steps with practiced ease.
At that moment, no one paid attention to the two of them; everyone was focused on their own partners, handling the formal ball. Xuan Yang felt this was a good opportunity to discuss the marriage alliance with Zhou Dang. As she danced, she pondered how to naturally broach the subject. Zhou Dang's deep, handsome face was right before her; she found herself repeatedly distracted by his high nose bridge and thick, dark lashes, struggling to concentrate on formulating her words.
From his perspective, these little movements were signs of distraction. He narrowed his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping on her back as he said, "Focus when you dance, Miss Xuan."
Xuan Yang instinctively straightened her back and lifted her chin slightly, as if to demonstrate her seriousness. Zhou Dang's lips curled into a smile, and he praised without reservation, "Good, keep it up."
Xuan Yang: "..."
Before she could grumble internally, Zhou Dang's clear voice fell from above, tinged with gentlemanly concern: "Don't take what those people said to heart."
Xuan Yang's expression froze for a moment, then she lowered her eyes and hummed in acknowledgment. Even if Zhou Dang hadn't said it, she wouldn't have cared. Still, she appreciated his comfort.
After a moment of silence, Xuan Yang looked up at him to ease the atmosphere. "Back in high school, I didn't intentionally target anyone. It was just my duty, you know."
Zhou Dang curled his lips, his eyes appearing light brown under the shifting lights, deep and mysterious. "Mm, I understand."
Xuan Yang added, "About that guy dating the class beauty from another school—I wasn't the one who ratted him out. He was too flashy at the other school, and a guy who liked the beauty reported him."
Zhou Dang raised an eyebrow meaningfully. "No need to explain. I believe you."
Xuan Yang hadn't meant to explain, but she couldn't deny that her attempts to make conversation sounded like she was trying to save face in front of Zhou Dang.
...
What to do? The topic seemed to be drifting further and further away.
Xuan Yang averted her gaze. As the dance steps flowed, Zhou Dang spun her out by the hand and then pulled her back into his arms. In the rush of movement, Xuan Yang caught the scent of sea salt and mint from him, clearing her thoughts. When they were face to face again, she finally mustered the right mood and words. "President Zhou..."
Zhou Dang suddenly tightened his grip on her lower back and stopped dancing. "Sorry, I need to take this call."
Xuan Yang swallowed, nodded, and released his long, elegant hands. The impeccably dressed man pulled his buzzing phone from his pocket and stepped to the edge of the dance floor to answer it. Xuan Yang also left the crowd to get a coconut milk from the refreshment area. She stood under the bright lights, her fitted mermaid dress perfectly accentuating her slender curves, the velvet sheen making her look lively and enchanting.
Not far from her, Zhou Dang stood by a flower bed, his tall figure hidden in the shadows, almost unnoticeable. Naturally, no one saw that his gaze was fixed on her.
His father's commanding voice came through the phone: "Tangtang is stranded at the airport. Go pick her up."
Zhou Dang frowned slightly. "Doesn't the Huo family have anyone?"
His father choked, then his temper flared. "Just go when I tell you to. Don't forget your new drug research project still needs Grandpa Huo's help."
Zhou Dang was silent, then rubbed his brow impatiently, his voice cold as ice. "Got it."
Without waiting for his father to say more, he hung up. Glancing irritably at the evergreen plants in the flower bed, he turned back to look at the figure in the distance. Xuan Yang had moved to the dessert area, leaning in to admire the exquisite pastries. Her black hair was casually pinned up, and the silver crown hair ornament on her head made her look like a princess from a fairy tale. Even among the elegant crowd, she stood out, graceful and noble.
Suddenly, her gaze met his.
Zhou Dang's heart stirred.
It was like the moment she turned around at the opening ceremony of their school days.
Xuan Yang approached, handing him a glass of juice. "Done with your call?"
Zhou Dang snapped back to reality. He looked at her hand holding the glass—fair, slender, exquisitely beautiful.
"Thanks." He took the juice.
Xuan Yang withdrew her hand. "I figured you'd be driving later, so I didn't get you alcohol."
Zhou Dang looked at her, his voice deep. "Were you about to say something just now?"
Xuan Yang's face tightened, her smile becoming awkward. She deflected, "You seemed upset after the call. Something urgent?"
The marriage alliance was a major issue; Xuan Yang hoped to bring it up when Zhou Dang was in a better mood, to increase the chances of success.
Zhou Dang said, "There's something I need to handle. I have to leave early." He paused, then added, "Send me a message when you're done here."
Xuan Yang hadn't expected him to leave, but she quickly recovered and smiled. "Go ahead. I'm staying at Lanlan's tonight."
In other words, he didn't need to pick her up. She didn't plan to go back to the Xuan family tonight anyway, as she would inevitably be questioned by her adoptive parents about her relationship with Zhou Dang. Hearing this, Zhou Dang didn't press further. He said goodbye and left.
Xuan Yang watched his tall, straight back disappear into the distance, once again marveling at how much he had changed in nine years. From a cynical playboy, he had transformed into a steady and reliable corporate heir. He even had some of the style of that certain someone from the Tan family.
-
After the ball, there was a party. He Chen had booked a famous foreign rock band. After two DJ songs, the venue heated up, and everyone's spirits were high, full of joy. As the birthday boy, He Chen was busy socializing. Xie Xinglan had said her goodbyes after the ball, dragging Xuan Yang to a corner where they ate, drank, and chatted happily, entertaining themselves.
...
As the night deepened, the party was still lively. Xuan Yang and Xie Xinglan decided to leave. They went together to say goodbye to He Chen, and unexpectedly ran into Zhou Lin and Xuan Yao, who were also leaving.
Xuan Yao was relieved to learn that Zhou Dang had left early. She smiled politely at Xuan Yang. "Sister, will you come with us?"
Still not used to being called 'sister,' Xuan Yang replied, "No, I'm staying at Lanlan's tonight."
Xuan Yao offered, "Then I'll tell Mom and Dad for you, so they won't worry."
Xie Xinglan chimed in, "You're so thoughtful. But it's a small thing—Yangyang can just call them. No need to trouble you."
She had never liked Xuan Yao, finding her fake. Back in their school days, before Xuan Yao returned to the Xuan family, she loved playing the good guy. When she and Xuan Yang were both class cadres, she would undermine Xuan Yang's strict enforcement of rules, pretending to mediate while making others understand Xuan Yang's difficulties. This led everyone to view Xuan Yang as cold and heartless, secretly calling her the teacher's loyal 'dog.' Xie Xinglan hated her two-faced act. Later, when Xuan Yao was brought back to the Xuan family and recognized as a legitimate daughter, she had always tried to overshadow Xuan Yang openly and covertly. Xie Xinglan suspected that Xuan Yao had a hand in Xuan Yang being sent abroad by her adoptive parents. After all, Xuan Yang had once supported her financially. No one was as ungrateful as Xuan Yao.
-
Xie Xinglan had driven herself, so she needed to drive back. But she had drunk a bit while socializing with He Chen, so Xuan Yang took the wheel. Once inside the car, the quiet and enclosed space gave Xie Xinglan the chance to vent about Xuan Yao. "How can she be so fake? She's almost thirty, but you'd think she's a minor." She paused, then added, "And you, did you need her to report for you? Besides, when have your adoptive parents ever cared about you?"