Sheng Yize refused. “… I’m not going.”
“Please go with me! I’ve never done public square dancing before!”
… Did he look like someone who had?
Sheng Yize could envisage the blue veins popping in the corner of his forehead. He should never have asked that, and now he had brought this predicament onto himself!
An Xiaxia pouted. “I’ll go with Grandpa and Grandma, then!”
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng were public square dancing devotees who went every day without fail.
Unable to say no to his wife, Sheng Yize had no choice but to follow her out.
–
Grandma Sheng took great satisfaction in their participation. “Well, young people should indeed be more active! I see you’ve finally realized that!”
An Xiaxia rubbed her head shyly. “Is it? I think public square dancing is great exercise, too! It’s very good for your health!”
Seeing the two women chatting happily, Sheng Yize exchanged glances with Grandpa Sheng, and both saw despairing determination in each other’s eyes.
Fine, fine. Their wives were happy, so what choice did they have?
In the square.
The place was bustling with people, and the activities included public square dancing, ballroom dancing, martial arts, poetry recital, traditional opera singing, voice training, you name it… Each had their own group and everyone appeared to be in harmony.
The public square dancing formation Grandma Sheng was in was the most sizable and eye-catching one. She was greeted warmly as soon as she arrived. “Hi, Mrs. Sheng! Someone has taken your place as the lead dancer tonight!”
Grandma Sheng snorted. “I’ll take it back in a minute!”
An Xiaxia’s mouth fell open. “Wow! Grandma, I didn’t know you were the lead dancer!”
“Of course I am.” Grandma Sheng patted her chest proudly. “I’m the best dancer in this square!”
“That’s awesome!” An Xiaxia said in admiration.
The old ladies that greeted Grandma Sheng earlier asked curiously, “Mrs. Sheng, these two are…”
“They’re my grandson and granddaughter-in-law! I’m showing them the ground today. The two of them will be the leaders of this square in twenty years!” Grandma Sheng was in such a good mood that she began joking around with the others.
“That’s so nice! My daughter never comes here with me…”
“That’s right. Young people nowadays are too busy to keep us company…”
The old ladies sighed with emotion, which made An Xiaxia feel rather sentimental.
“Sheng Yize, let’s come here and dance with Grandma and Grandpa from now on.” An Xiaxia tugged at Sheng Yize’s sleeve.
Sheng Yize forced a smile. “If that’s what you want.”
A lively song rang out and the elders began to dance. An Xiaxia found it rather interesting and tried to dance with them. However, she realized that she couldn’t keep up with them at all.
“I never knew public square dancing was this difficult,” she said in amazement.
Sheng Yize took a look and instructed her patiently. “Put your left foot out first, then twist your hip. Take your foot back, now turn…”
“I almost forgot that you used to dance!” An Xiaxia chuckled. “Imagine: in twenty years, you’ll be the princely lead dancer of public square dancing! Hahaha! What a picture!”
Sheng Yize pictured that in his head and found such a future hopelessly grim.
Glancing at Grandpa Sheng, who stood out among all the old ladies, Sheng Yize didn’t know how to describe his feelings at that moment.
After two pieces of lively exercise music, it was time to take a break.
Tired of being stared at, Sheng Yize took An Xiaxia to a bench on the side and sat her down.
Two kids passing by were eating ice cream. Despite their teeth chattering from the cold weather, they still licked the ice cream, which dazed An Xiaxia.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… I just suddenly want to eat ice cream…”
A childhood memory came back to her like a seed sprouting.
