One Week Later...
It was Grandmother Long's 70th birthday.
Xue Guangli had to attend the celebration with her sisters. She dressed up in a wine-red evening gown. Her sisters wore something formal as well, complimenting their hair and complexions.
They left together in the same car, driving to a venue.
When they arrived, they greeted the Long family immediately. They all stood on a platform as people came and greeted them. Xue Guangli greeted Long Huojin's parents enthusiastically, as well as young Long Bolin, his younger brother. When it came to Long Huojin's turn, she glanced at him quickly, acknowledging before taking Grandmother Long's hand.
Grandmother Long was 70, but she looked as if she could still be in her late forties. Her hair was tied up in a bun, raven-black; her brown eyes sparkled. She smiled at Xue Guangli. "Ah! My dear Guangli. Thank you for coming," she said.
Grandmother Long quickly greeted her sisters before stepping down from the platform, locking arms with Xue Guangli. "Walk with me," she began. "This old woman needs a break."
Xue Guangli chuckled.
"How are you and your sisters doing?" she asked.
Xue Guangli smiled. "We are doing as well as we can manage," she said.
Grandmother Long grinned, revealing her laugh lines around her eyes, "If you ever need help, you can always ask Huojin."
Xue Guangli flashed her teeth kindly. "Thank you, Grandmother, for looking out for us, genuinely," she said.
Grandmother Long smiled again; she then leaned over to her. "My dear, I will always look after you, girls. But I need you to do me a favour," she said.
Xue Guangli looked at her puzzled. "Don't be scared, my dear. I only ask for something small."
Xue Guangli nodded. "Of course, I'll do anything."
Grandmother Long's hands tightened around hers. "I need you to ask Long Huojin to dance," she said.
Xue Guangli froze. "What?"
"Long Huojin never dances with anyone," she pouted. "I'm getting old," she continued. "And all I wish it to watch my grandson dance before I die."
Xue Guangli knitted her brows. She knew Grandmother Long wasn't dying! She still had her life ahead of her. Xue Guangli felt like she couldn't deny it. But why her?
As if she could read her thoughts, Grandmother Long said, "He won't refuse you," which astonished Xue Guangli.
"How do you know?" Xue Guangli asked.
Grandmother Long smiled. "Because he knows you won't like it," she winked.
"All right," Xue Guangli responded knowing full well how Long Huojin was. Even if he didn't want to dance with her, he would, if it meant she didn't want to dance either. So she agreed, regretfully. Grandmother Long smiled at her, parting ways.
Xue Guangli found her sisters at a table and sat next to them; they watched the entertainment for most of the night. A western orchestra performed. At one point, Long Huojin played, and she watched him diligently.
But afterwards, the orchestra continued to play without him. He sat at a table alone, watching people dance and sway. Xue Guangli curled her fingers into fists on top of the table; she felt nervous.
She took a deep breath before she rose, startling her sisters. She then stalked towards Long Huojin, who kept his hands in his pockets. He was drinking, but she could not tell how much.
"Dance with me," she said boldly.
Long Huojin's half-lidded arctic eyes looked at her, deep and sirene, slightly opening in surprise and astonishment. He sat up straight against his chair, leaning forward with a hand over his ear as if he did not quite hear her. "What did you say?" he said.
"I said, dance with me," she gritted out.
Long Huojin stared at her puzzled. "What?" he asked.
"I said—" She didn't finish because she realized he was pretending not to hear her. Xue Guangli said, "Why you little—" she said, stalking away embarrassed. But Long Huojin grasped one of her wrists gently. "I'm sorry," he said with a slight chuckle.
Xue Guangli gritted her teeth. He was teasing her!
"Since you asked," he began low, crisp, and smooth, "I will dance with you."
She hated how she had to pretend it was her idea. But Long Huojin rose suddenly, stepping next to her. They both approached the square between the tables that surrounded. She realized that many people were watching them, staring, despite other people dancing on the floor as well.
They both stood apart.
Xue Guangli could pick up the sounds of the violin, piano, flutes, and clarinets. Long Huojin's exquisite face glanced towards her. People began to dance in between them, swaying as they stared at each other from across the dance hall. Her heart sped up, beating out of range, thunderously like cascading water down the boulders of a river.
Xue Guangli felt more nervous at the fact that she had to dance with someone she repulsed, and yet, like magnets or some bewitchment, they drew in together. Xue Guangli wasn't sure by whose order that let them meet half-way; it was as if they'd unconsciously done it.
Long Huojin took one of her hands and wrapped his other half-around her waist; he nearly pressed their bodies against each other, but he kept a short distance between them. She could feel his eyes watching her, dangerously. But she focused on their steps, at how tightly he had grasped her waist.
She looked down at their feet. Long Huojin danced well, surprisingly. He moved her around, twirling and swaying. Slowly, she raised her eyes to face him. His pale-blue eyes struck her; he smelt good, too.
She had to admit that she loved dancing, and Long Huojin was good at it. So she followed his lead, suddenly putting in more effort and enthusiasm. Xue Guangli suddenly felt herself getting lost in it, breathlessly. She was having fun; it was exhilarating and thrilling. He looked at her as if he was not quite sure about how this happened.
Just hours ago, she refused even to meet his eye.
Soon after, the orchestra came to a full stop. Xue Guangli's chest fell and rose, trying to regain breath. Her face was flushed. She looked at Long Huojin, who seemed equally flushed. His cheeks red, his breath hot. Xue Guangli stepped away from him.
Xue Guangli glanced over at the tables. Grandmother Long smiled in satisfaction. She then looked over at Long Huojin again. Xue Guangli bowed to him before she left without a word. He felt him watching her as she walked towards her sisters.
"I want to go home," she said to them.
Xue Liena nodded. She rose with Xue Teegan, and the three of them parted ways with the Long family and some of the other guests before going home.
When they arrived, Xue Guangli changed and went to bed. She turned onto her side feeling helpless all of a sudden.