County Party Committee Hostel.
In the dimly lit ballroom, lights were flashing, and the music was playing.
As Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan walked to the center of the dance floor, the couples dancing moved aside, leaving a space of about 3 meters for them. Everyone in the ballroom was looking at Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan. Xiang Daofa, Chen Tongbing, Ding Li, Liang Chengpeng, Zhao Xinglong, and other leaders, who were not dancing, were staring at them. Some want to see Mayor Xie dance, and some want to see Dong Xuebing embarrass himself. Regardless of the reason, Dong Xuebing had become the center of attention.
Ding Li doesn’t believe Dong Xuebing knows how to dance and was sneering in his heart.
Luo Haiting also knows this might be Chief Dong’s first-time dancing. If not, he will not ask her to represent the Investment Promotion Agency in the afternoon. She is worried for Chief Dong, and if he stepped on Mayor Xie’s foot, it would be an embarrassment.
At this moment, the music ended, and slow dance music started.
Everyone who was dancing walked out of the dance floor and stood by the side looking at Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebing. They are the only ones left on the dancefloor.
Damn. Dong Xuebing almost cursed out loud. He thought he could still hide behind other people to avoid embarrassing himself.
Xie Huilan could tell what Dong Xuebing was thinking, and she smiled. “You don’t know how to dance? Why did you invite me then?”
“You are stating the obvious.” Dong Xuebing whispered. “How can I let Ding Li hold your hand? He is a lecher and had his hands all over the dancer from the Art Troupe. How can you accept his invitation? You can just ignore him. If you had rejected him, I will also not step forward.”
Xie Huilan laughed and shook her head. “You… always like to put on a brave front. What are you going to do now?”
“Do you know how to dance?” Dong Xuebing held Xie Huilan’s hand and got into a dancing posture. “Can you teach me while we dance?”
“Ok. I will try it.” Xie Huilan smiled. “Take note of your footsteps. It’s fine if you cannot catch the rhythm, moved the wrong foot, or step on my toes. Just don’t trip me and made us fall. It will be too embarrassing… Haha…”
Dong Xuebing had no other choices now. “Don’t worry. I know what to do!”
“Alright. Let’s start. Try to catch up to my rhythm.”
“… ok.”
Xie Huilan tightened her grip on Dong Xuebing’s hand and moved gracefully with Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing didn’t know a thing about dancing and tried to move along with Xie Huilan, but he stepped on Xie Huilan’s toes on his second step and caused her to trip. Dong Xuebing quickly helps her up and doesn’t even dare to look around. His face turned red. A dance will last a few minutes. If this carries on, I will be embarrassing Xie Huilan.
BACK 4 seconds!
……
……
Time returned!
Time had returned to the start of the dance when they were about to take their first step.
Dong Xuebing focused on his feet. After taking his first step, he moved his foot and slide his other foot forward without stepping on Xie Huilan. To prevent embarrassment, he was forced to use BACK. Dong Xuebing had heard many people say that ‘face value’ worth nothing. But Dong Xuebing doesn’t think so. He felt that ‘face’ is very important, especially for someone working in the government.
The dance continued.
Xie Huilan’s dance moves surprises everyone. No one had expected this young and beautiful Mayor can dance so well.
Her every single movement showed grace and elegance.
Xie Huilan gave everyone the feeling like she is the graceful Empress of the ancient days.
It is enjoyable to see Mayor Xie dance.
One second… five seconds… Suddenly, Xie Huilan narrowed her eyes in surprise. “Is this your first time dancing?”
Dong Xuebing replied nervously. “Of course.”
“Haha… My Xiao Bing is terrific, and nothing can stop him.”
“Alright. Since you can catch up with me, shall I increase the tempo?”
“Wait… please don’t… Hey, did you hear what I say?!”
Very soon, everyone’s impression of Dong Xuebing changed. Xie Huilan can dance well is normal, as everyone’s impression of her is a charming and graceful woman. No one will think she does not know how to dance. But Dong Xuebing is different. He is just a rash and impulsive young man and only knows how to use his fist and offend others. No one expects him to know how to dance. But what they see now is beyond their imagination and changed their views of Dong Xuebing. Dong Xuebing can… also dance.
Dong Xuebing’s postures might not be as graceful as Xie Huilan, but he can follow her movements and steps. He did not even step on Mayor Xie’s feet. Not stepping on the dance partner’s feet might be normal for good dancers, but only a handful of the leaders in the ballroom can dance as well as Dong Xuebing.
Ding Li’s face changed, and he returned to the sofa. He does not want to look at them dancing anymore.
One minute… two minutes… three minutes…
The music ended. Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan stopped moving and let go of each other’s hand with a smile.
Clap… clap… clap… someone started clapping, and the rest followed.
Dong Xuebing wiped the sweat on his forehead and was relieved. Luckily he can use BACK to correct his mistakes, or else it will be an embarrassment for him and Xie Huilan.
Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan walked off the dancefloor, and Xie Huilan returned to her seat. She crossed her legs and continued to sip on her wine.
Dong Xuebing saw another man walking up to Xie Huilan. It is a young government leader. Of course, by calling him young, Dong Xuebing means someone in the early thirties. He a former Provincial athlete and is currently a leader with the County’s General Administration of Sport of China. He extended his hand to invite Xie Huilan to dance. Dong Xuebing saw this and is furious again. He is prepared to rush forward and invite Xie Huilan to dance again.
But Xie Huilan smiled and waved her hand. “I had just danced and will not be dancing again tonight. Let’s dance some other time, ok?”
The young leader from the County’s General Administration of Sport of China smiled. “Sure.” He quickly left, and no one else dares to approach Xie Huilan. Xie Huilan had said she is not dancing again tonight, and they will be rejected if they tried. All of them turned and looked at Dong Xuebing, thinking to themselves. We are all humans. Why is Mayor Xie treating him differently?
Back at the sofa, Dong Xuebing sat down and lit a cigarette.
Suddenly, a pretty woman walks up to him. It’s Xie Huilan’s secretary, Hu Silian.
Hu Silian smiled and extended her hand. “Chief Dong, do I have the honor to dance with you?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Sister Hu, are you trying to embarrass me? Everyone knows you are a good dancer, and it should be my honor to dance with you.” Dong Xuebing does not know how well Hu Silian can dance. Still, he heard Hu Silian and her husband dance often when working in the Public Security Bureau.
Dong Xuebing must give Hu Silian ‘face’ and can only accept her invitation.
When Dong Xuebing and Hu Silian started dancing, many people become jealous. They had tried to dance with Hu Silian earlier but were rejected. Now, Hu Silian is dancing with Dong Xuebing, and she is the one who invited him.
This time, Dong Xuebing did not use too many BACK. Although he had accumulated lots of time, he wants to save it for emergencies. He only used a few seconds to rectify his mistakes during the dance. He accidentally stepped on Hu Silian a few times. But it is still acceptable, and he did not embarrass both of them.
The music ended, and Dong Xuebing walked out of the dancefloor with Hu Silian.
Dong Xuebing said. “Sister Hu, I should compensate you with a new pair of shoes.”
Hu Silian giggled. “I had also stepped on your feet once.”
Dong Xuebing knew Hu Silian had purposely stepped on his shoes to show she is about the same standard as him. Someone who dances often should not make this mistake. Dong Xuebing nodded in his heart and knew he must learn from her. He had joined the Government Service for a year and a half, but other than offending others, he had not learned how to be tactful.
After Dong Xuebing returned to his seat, Luo Haiting walks up to him before he took out his cigarette.
“Chief.” Luo Haiting extended her hand. “Do you want to dance with me?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Sister Luo, if you are not afraid I will destroy your shoes, I have no problem.”
“You are too modest.” Luo Haiting moved closer with anticipation.
Dong Xuebing can only accept her invitation and held her hand. “Be careful.”
As the Office Director, Luo Haiting is meticulous. She is afraid Dong Xuebing will embarrass himself during the dance, and she placed Dong Xuebing’s hand on her waist and held his other hand. They swayed to the rhythm with simple dance steps. This dance is not difficult, and they don’t need to worry about stepping on each other feet.
Dong Xuebing also likes this dance move.
It is simple, and the footsteps are easy. This dance suits him.
Luo Haiting smiled as she tried to accommodate Dong Xuebing’s clumsiness.
Dong Xuebing had not touched any women these few days. Xie Huilan does not allow him to touch her, Qu Yunxuan is in Beijing, and he doesn’t have time to visit Yu Meixia. That’s why when Dong Xuebing held this beautiful and mature woman’s waist, his heart starts beating faster.
