Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Oh?” Gu Nianzhi was a bit shocked. “You want to attend our class Christmas ball? But…”
“But what? Would they not welcome me?” He Zhichu replied slowly, putting one hand into his coat pocket and gradually tightening it into a fist. “Or do you not want me to go?”
“Of course not.” Gu Nianzhi denied it automatically. She gripped her phone, sitting up from the bed to the blanket up to cover her neck before carefully replying, “Professor He, this Christmas ball is actually for the classmates in the class to get closer and get to know each other better.”
If a professor went, then Gu Nianzhi couldn’t dare to imagine what kind of situation it would turn into…
He Zhichu snickered. “You’re scared I’m going to drag you down? Don’t worry. I’ll go by myself so that won’t negatively affect you.” As he said this, he ended the call.
Gu Nianzhi listened to the dial tone from the other end and put on a wry smile.
She didn’t really mind him going on his own, but upon careful consideration, there would certainly be something wrong about He Zhichu going to the Christmas ball with her.
He Zhichu was a professor. She was a student, as well as his teaching assistant.
Because of their work and academic relationships, they were often together.
Although Gu Nianzhi didn’t have a very close relationship with her classmates, she knew about the people talking behind her back.
She was open-minded and didn’t take it to heart at all.
But if they even attended the Christmas ball together, the gossip would probably get even uglier…
Gu Nianzhi didn’t mind that for herself, but she knew that this kind of thing could cause a lot of damage to a teacher’s reputation.
So she didn’t call him back.
If He Zhichu had another way to go to their Christmas ball, then Gu Nianzhi was honestly very happy about it.
After all, she didn’t know many students in her class very well. Plus, her best friend, Ma Qiqi, had already confirmed that she wasn’t going. She had a date with her boyfriend that weekend.
When Gu Nianzhi thought about it, it would be quite awkward to go to a Christmas ball where she didn’t know anyone else at all.
But if He Zhichu also went, then it would be nice to chat with him when they were there.
Otherwise, she probably wouldn’t be able to chat with anyone else attending.
After Gu Nianzhi thought about it carefully, she decided to not hesitate anymore.
Removing the blankets and sitting up, she picked up the robe at the foot of her bed and put it on. Then she opened her closest to pick the outfit she’d wear for the ball that night.
Since it was a ball, she should probably wear a dress.
Fall and winter dresses were too thick and heavy. Plus, they were impossible to dance in.
After scouring her closet for a long time, she finally found a one-shoulder, almond-colored, silk dress with a high slit.
The silk was of very fine quality and looked as smooth as clear, flowing water under the light.
The lower half of the dress was inlaid with flower branches sewn from lotus-colored silk. It was very life-like and appeared like the real thing.
She draped it on her body to look in the mirror. It made her skin appear even more fair and delicate.
She took off the robe she was wearing and put the dress on.
Because she wasn’t wearing a bra, as soon as she adjusted the dress, she immediately saw the two obvious dots protruding from her chest reflected in the mirror.
Huo Shaoheng came out of the bathroom and leaned against the doorframe. He watched her with his arms crossed.
He was dressed extremely nicely. He was not in his uniform today but in casual clothes.
The short, collared white shirt he wore was from an indiscernible brand. However, it was so well fitted that it was probably custom tailored.
Long and slim-cut trousers covered his long legs. Even the belt around his waist carried an aura of abstinence.
It tightly restrained his wildness.
Gu Nianzhi blinked as she made eye contact with Huo Shaoehng in the mirror and said, “What do you think? I’m wearing this dress to the ball tonight.”
Huo Shaoheng walked over and draped one hand on her shoulder. Bending over slightly, he leveled his gaze with her’s and said curtly, yet firmly into her ear, “…No.”
“Why not? This dress will surely look nice when I dance.” Gu Nianzhi bickered with Huo Shaoheng and stubbornly tried to reason with him. “I also know how to do Latin dancing. Look at this slit–when I reveal my leg and kick it out, it’ll be sure to charm everyone there.”
She pointed to the diagonal curve near her thigh at the bottom of the dress to show Huo Shaoheng.
Huo Shaoheng looked down at it and reached out to stroke her thigh. “If you wear this dress, you’ll only make people want to rip it open…” As he spoke, he began pushing it up her leg.
Gu Nianzhi quickly grabbed his hand. “No! I like this dress a lot! If you dare to rip it, then I’ll…”
“Then you’ll what?” Huo Shaoheng pushed his body forward and gripped her slender waist with both hands. His palms were burning hot.
Gu Nianzhi opened her mouth and planned to say something harsh, but Huo Shaoheng didn’t let her speak. He lowered his head and kissed her.
Gu Nianzhi quickly pressed her lips together and turned away to stop him from kissing her. She mumbled vaguely, “Don’t… I haven’t brushed my teeth yet…”
“I don’t mind.” Huo Shaoheng held her head and kissed her anyway.
As he kissed her, he took out his phone to glance at it and slid on the screen to open a smart control app.
Soon afterward, a languid and warm song began playing in the room.
When this apartment was being renovated, he had installed surround-sound Bluetooth speakers in the bedroom and living room.
Gu Nianzhi could tell that it was the famous song by the Carpenters, “Merry Christmas, Darling.”
The Carpenters’ singing voices from 50 years ago had been perfected over time. Like a crystal polished by the years, it was even more pure, affectionate, and free of impurities.
Huo Shaoheng retreated a step and offered his hand as he looked down at her. He asked quietly, “May I?”
He was actually asking her to dance.
His eyes were so intent that other people would have found it impossible to ignore him. His dark, ink-black eyes seemed like they could steal souls.
Gu Nianzhi seemed to be under a trance as she placed her hand into his palm.
Huo Shaoheng took her soft and small hand in his own, then placed his other hand on her waist. He slid forward one step and began to lead her to spin around the small bedroom.
Gu Nianzhi knew that Huo Shaoheng was also a master of ballroom dancing.
He had a very strong sense of rhythm as his powerful arms led her to dance smoothly to the slow, three-beat rhythm.
Spin around, stagger, he moved in, she moved out, he moved forward, she moved backward.
Their interlocking palms began to sweat and were getting a bit damp. Her heart hammered and her footsteps became panicked. She almost stepped on Huo Shaoheng’s feet several times.
But as soon as he exerted a slight force through his arms, he could lift her upwards and spin her around.
He sensed her nervousness so he lowered his head to kiss her forehead.
His gentle, warm lips allowed Gu Nianzhi’s heart to gradually relax. Composing herself, she began to dance along to Huo Shaoheng’s rhythm.
She had also learned this and had secretly practiced with Little Temptress and her roommates back in her undergraduate days. But she had never had the chance to dance with someone else before.
She’d also once had the selfish and tiny wish for her first dance to be with Huo Shaoheng.
If it wouldn’t be with Huo Shaoheng, then she would never dance for her entire life.
In the end, so many things had happened afterward that she’d decided to leave him. All her past wishes had also disappeared without a trace.
She’d never expected Huo Shaoheng to use this kind of method to secretly fulfill her wish.
Gu Nianzhi looked down to conceal the dampness in the corners of her eyes.
The music slowed and only four verses repeated:
“Greeting cards have all been sent,
The Christmas rush is through,
But I still have one wish to make,
A special one for you,
Merry Christmas Darling.”
When the last note finally ended, Huo Shaoheng stopped his movements.
He lifted Gu Nianzhi and had her stand on his feet as he lowered his head to whisper in her ear, “Merry Christmas, my darling.”
His authentic Oxford accent paired with his magnetic and deep voice made Gu Nainzhi’s heart felt as if it had rolled around in powdered sugar a few times. Honey must have been drizzled on top. It was so sweet it was criminal.
Gu Naiznhi embraced Huo Shaoheng’s neck tightly and was so moved that her entire body was trembling.
Huo Shaoheng didn’t move as he allowed her to embrace him tightly. He crossed his arms behind her back, enveloping her in his arms without exerting any pressure. However, it made her feel safer than ever.
This was the sense of security she cherished the most. It seemed to be returning bit by bit…
After a long pause, Gu Nianzhi finally said in a raspy voice, “…You don’t celebrate foreign holidays, so I won’t celebrate them either. You don’t ever need to… Be like this again.”
A rare moment like this was meant to be enjoyed only once. She could reminisce about it for the rest of her life.
It would become meaningless if it happened more often.
Huo Shaoheng patted her back. ” It doesn’t matter when we’re at home.”
They weren’t making a big fanfare at church, so Huo Shaoheng didn’t mind satisfying Gu Nianzhi’s tiny wishes when they were alone together.
Guy Nianzhi nuzzled herself into his arms and quietly agreed.
Huo Shaoheng then said, “You can leave this dress at home and wear it when you dance with me.”
“Okay,” Gu Nianzhi agreed. Even if Huo Shaoheng hadn’t said anything, she had already planned to save this dress as a memory.
It was the dress she’d worn when they’d first danced together, so it was something she could save and remember for the rest of her life.
“I’ll help you pick an outfit.” Huo Shaoheng relaxed his arms. “Our Nianzhi is so pretty, she’ll be sure to charm everyone there today.”
Although he was coaxing her like a child, Gu Nianzhi savored it like the sweetest candy. She followed Huo Shaoheng to watch him pick out her dancing dress to wear that evening.
Huo Shaoheng opened her closet to take a look and chose one from the dresses that still had their store tags attached.
Gu Nianzhi took a look. It was a very unique looking, red cocoon shaped dress suit by Dior. The design was somewhat dramatic, especially at the chest and waist.
It accentuated her high breasts, slim waist, and long, straight legs. Even her knees looked unusually pale and flawless.
“Isn’t this a bit too dramatic?” Gu Nianzhi asked, feeling a bit anxious.
Actually, this outfit was too mature and glamorous. It was obviously a very expensive piece. It would be suitable to wear to a dinner at the White House, but it would be overdressing for a tiny Christmas ball.
Men who were dressed more simply would never dare to stand next to her.
“Is this as dramatic as when your nipples could be seen through the other dress?” Huo Shaoheng replied jokingly. He then went to find jewelry for her.
Fine. Gu Naiznhi rubbed her nose and wisely chose not to rebuke him.
When Huo Shaoheng hung the strand of rubies and diamonds the size of pigeon eggs around her neck, Gu Ninnzhi was already resigned to her fate.
She was glittering gold and probably complementing the season as well as a Christmas tree…
After deciding on the outfit, Gu Nianzhi went to the bathroom to wash up and take a bath. She also did her complete body care routine.
When women are getting ready for an event, they never feel like there is enough time.
Luckily, Huo Shaoheng was also busy himself, so he didn’t think there was anything wrong with Gu Nianzhi spending three hours in the bathroom.
He sat on the couch by the bathroom door and was working on his laptop, keeping watch that Gu Nianzhi didn’t fall asleep in the bathtub.
When Gu Nianzhi finally finished washing up, she discovered that it was already 2 P.M.
She sat in front of her vanity to dry her hair and suddenly remembered something. She asked, “Huo Shao, how do you know how to dance so well? When did you learn? Why didn’t I know about it?”
Huo Shaoheng calmly closed his laptop and rubbed his nose as he dodged the subject. “What time is your ball tonight? What do you want to eat before you leave?”
“We should go to Bar Jinling at 6. I’m not hungry right now.” Gu Nianzhi frowned. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Huo Shaoheng walked over to take the hairdryer from her hand and tousled her hair as he dried it for her. He replied calmly, “This is something we all have to learn at the Special Operations Forces. Everyone knows how to do it. If you don’t believe me, you can go ask Big Xiong and Little Ze.”
The truth was, Huo Shaoehng didn’t want to talk to Gu Nianzhi about what they’d been trained on.
It was better to have one less troubling matter. Huo Shaoheng innately knew how to avoid giving himself unnecessary trouble.
Especially when it came to someone like Gu Nianzhi with her keen mind. Not only did she have a good memory, but she could counter three points with one statement. Huo Shaoheng instinctively knew that if he came clean, the consequences would be endlessly troubling.
As expected, Gu Nianzhi believed his answer. She smiled. “Then everyone in the Special Ops must be flirting experts. If that’s the case, why are Brother Xiong and Brother Ze still single?”
Huo Shaoheng laughed. “We don’t flirt with girls. Those are only missions.”
It was because they knew too much and didn’t want to apply such things in their own lives.
They were better able to discern true love from fake affection than normal people were.
Gu Nianzhi smiled knowingly.
…
Time passed by especially quickly when they were together.
Soon it was 5:30 P.M. Winters in the Imperial Capital had especially short days.
Huo Shaoheng made a call and asked Fan Jian to drive them over.
“I’ll ask Fan Jian to drive you.” Huo Shaoheng squinted his eyes as he adjusted the necklace on Gu Nianzhi’s neck. “Call me when it’s over.”
Gu Nianzhi nodded and put on her coat. She followed Huo Shaoheng downstairs to the parking lot.
Fan Jian was already waiting inside Huo Shaoheng’s Bentley SUV.
They got in the car and sat in the back together.
Fan Jian quickly drove them to the street to Bar Jinling.
When Gu Nianzhi got out of the car, several of her classmates standing out front waved happily at her. They called out to her, “Gu Nianzhi! This way!”
Gu Nianzhi smiled and was about to head over when Huo Shaoheng called after her from the car, “Nianzhi!”
Gu Nianzhi turned around to discover the Bentley’s car window was lowered. Huo Shaoheng wore sunglasses to conceal half his face and looked so handsome he made hearts tremble.
There were no lights on inside the car, so only the light from the streetlamps fell on him. It was half dark and half bright, further accentuating his mysterious and magnificent aura.
“What is it?” Gu Nianzhi walked back and went to the side of the car window. She bent over slightly and looked at Huo Shaoheng with surprise.
Huo Shaoheng suddenly reached out to hold Gu Nanzhi’s neck and gently pulled her down.
Before all of Gu Nianzhi’s classmates, the sparkling Christmas lights and the bar entrance with faint music playing, he kissed her.
