Yasushi emerged from the grueling obstacle course, greeted by Heinz's enthusiastic applause. "I never imagined anyone would surpass that record," Heinz exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mix of genuine admiration and playful exaggeration. "It has stood unchallenged for so long. To think that Master Yasushi would be the one to shatter it — I find myself moved," he added, theatrically dabbing at his eye as if wiping away a sentimental tear.
Yasushi, a grin spreading across his face, responded with a hearty laugh. "You don't need to put on an act for my benefit, Heinz, but I do appreciate the gesture. So, what's the next challenge?"
"Etiquette," Heinz replied, his answer leaving Yasushi momentarily puzzled.
"…Etiquette?" Yasushi echoed, seeking clarification as Heinz's nod confirmed the response. "You mean...like, behaving all high and mighty and proper?" Yasushi elaborated, only to receive another confirming nod from Heinz. "Damn it..."
Heinz's laughter was warm and reassuring. "It will be straightforward, Young Master Yasushi. You've already demonstrated your capabilities. As you prepare for future responsibilities, especially when you integrate into the family, mastering these social skills will be essential."
Yasushi exhaled heavily, a deep sigh escaping his lips as he contemplated the situation before him. His mind had been prepared for a series of rigorous trials, ones designed to challenge him both intellectually and physically. He had anticipated a more demanding and difficult series of tests from what was called the "Yang Clan Trials." The revelation that etiquette was an integral part of these trials was simultaneously surprising and unsurprising to him.
Despite the unexpected nature of this component, Yasushi recognized the necessity of embracing it fully. He understood that he must approach this challenge with complete commitment, striving to make a favorable impression. Aware of the expectations that lay ahead, he readied himself for the task at hand. He would need to adopt an air of refinement and sophistication, projecting an image of high social standing and propriety, even though it was far from his usual demeanor.
+-+
In the background, Jingliu, Yasushi's girlfriend, wore an expression of barely contained amusement. Her attempts to stifle a wide, playful grin were noticeable, even though she was part of the trial's activities. Recruited to play her role in the proceedings, she found it hard to suppress her giggles, as the situation played out before her.
She observed Yasushi with a mix of fascination and amusement. He was performing in a manner she had never seen before — adopting an air of sophistication and composure, meticulously presenting himself as if he belonged to a higher social class. To her, this display was both unusual and intriguing, yet she recognized that mastering these manners was a necessary skill he would need in the future.
Despite her lighthearted reaction, she couldn't help but appreciate the effort he was putting in. Yasushi executed his role with surprising skill, adhering to proper dining etiquette with care. He used the appropriate utensils, dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, and conducted himself with an impeccable demeanor. To an outsider observing him at that moment, there would be no indication that he was just an ordinary teenager rather than someone of high social standing.
"And…that's it!" Anfeng declared, her voice ringing out as she struck a bell.
As the sound echoed through the room, Yasushi ceased his performance and let out a weary sigh. "That was more irritating and demanded far more focus than I expected," he confessed, feeling mentally drained from the charade he had just completed.
Yunxue, unable to contain her amusement, chuckled and said, "You did great, Yasushi. I'd rate it a perfect ten!"
Anfeng gave a nod of agreement and added, "The judge for this trial is Heinz, so we'll need to wait for his evaluation."
Everyone then turned their attention to Heinz, who was absorbed in his clipboard, occasionally jotting down notes. After a span of four minutes, Heinz looked up from his work, meeting the collective gaze of the group. He cleared his throat awkwardly and announced, "I have reached a decision."
He paused briefly before continuing, "My assessment criteria are somewhat broad and encompass various aspects I won't detail, but overall, Yasushi performed admirably in this trial. Honestly, I was quite impressed with how convincingly he adopted the demeanor associated with the social standing of Lady Jingliu and her family. For that… I award him a score of eight out of ten."
"Hmm. Not bad," Anfeng remarked, her tone laced with amusement as she assessed Yasushi's performance. "I have to admit, it's one or two points above the typical score we received when we were put through the same training. You know, Yasushi, you might have a future in acting," she teased, clearly entertained by the results. "But! We aren't finished with this just yet!" she declared, leaving everyone puzzled.
Her grin widened as she continued, "To make things a bit more exciting, I've decided to add another element. A simple dinner and acting proper is too straightforward. How about we see how well you can dance — specifically, ballroom dancing, since that's something often associated with high society."
"You mean that waltz thing? I've seen it in movies, but is it actually… well, real?" Yasushi asked, his confusion evident. His annoyance was clear as well; he was never fond of dancing, finding himself quite inept at it.
"Yes, it's quite real," Anfeng affirmed, her voice clear and assured. "Now then, you will be paired with… let's see… how about Yinhaie? She, along with a few others, has always been involved in these sorts of activities with trainees," she pondered aloud, her gaze thoughtful. After a brief pause, she nodded with finality. "Alright, to the hall we go!"
"Wait, hold on a moment," Yasushi interjected, his tone filled with frustration and disbelief. "Does anyone else actually agree with this decision?" His eyes scanned the room, searching for any signs of dissent.
"Well?" Anfeng countered, turning to the others with a questioning look. To Yasushi's dismay, the room filled with nods of agreement and murmurs of approval. The realization that everyone was on board with the plan caused him to exhale heavily. "See? Everyone's excited to see how you handle this more… sophisticated challenge."
Left with little choice and feeling a sense of resignation, Yasushi sighed deeply and reluctantly followed the group out of the room. His mind was already racing with thoughts of the upcoming task. He was eager to get this part of the trials over with so he could continue with the rest of the activities. Yet, he was very aware of his own shortcomings when it came to dancing.
The prospect of ballroom dancing filled him with a mix of dread and apprehension, knowing well that he was far from graceful in this particular skill. He prepared himself, understanding that he would need to dedicate every ounce of his effort and concentration to this challenge to achieve a score that might reflect his true abilities.
+-+
"I'll take the lead for now, Yasushi," Yinhaie said with a reassuring tone as they prepared themselves for the task. "Please observe and learn as we proceed. I will point out what's correct and what's not. Once you get the hang of it, you'll take the lead yourself, alright?" She adjusted her stance and gave him an encouraging smile.
Yasushi looked down at her, his expression a mix of determination and uncertainty. "Got it. I apologize in advance if I accidentally step on your foot at any point," he said, offering a weary smile.
Yinhaie let out a light giggle and gave his shoulder a friendly pat before settling into her own position. "It's alright. Many trainees in the past have stepped on my feet, so don't stress too much about it. Now then, get ready," she instructed, and at her cue, the music began to play.
Yasushi tensed slightly but focused intently. He synchronized his movements with Yinhaie's, carefully observing each of her steps. He kept his motions controlled and deliberate, occasionally glancing up to see her smiling encouragingly at him. To Yasushi, this task felt as critical and nerve-wracking as defusing a bomb, each step needing careful precision and concentration.
As time passed, Yasushi gradually acclimated to the rhythm and movements as they flowed across the dance floor. Despite his growing comfort, his focus remained steady, meticulously tracking every step and technique demonstrated by Yinhaie. Although he inadvertently stepped on her feet twice, Yinhaie remained unfazed and continued guiding him with grace.
Midway through the song, Yinhaie made a subtle yet clear decision to let Yasushi take over. She relaxed her stance and adjusted her posture, signaling her intent without words. Yasushi, perceiving her silent cue, assumed the lead. He made minor adjustments to their positions, seeking a more advantageous angle and better control over their movements.
Taking charge, Yasushi guided them around the room once more. This time, he kept his gaze fixed on Yinhaie, rather than on their feet. His goal was to gauge whether the skills he had absorbed in such a brief period would serve him well. Despite a few missteps, Yasushi could see the fruits of his intense concentration reflected in their improved coordination.
They continued their dance, and Yasushi gradually found himself easing into the rhythm, his movements becoming more fluid as he became accustomed to the steps. Eventually, he no longer had to focus intensely on each movement. Instead, he found himself gazing directly into Yinhaie's eyes, which made her slightly flustered. Their shared moment continued in this manner until the song eventually came to an end.
As the final notes faded, they released each other, and Yasushi let out a contented sigh, relieved that the dance was over. He turned his attention to the group of onlookers and inquired, "So? Did I pass?"
Heinz wiped away a nonexistent tear from his eye with exaggerated drama and then started clapping, prompting the rest of the group to join in. "Well done, Yasushi," Heinz announced with a grin. "While it wasn't flawless by any means, you managed to learn and adapt as you went along, which is a talent in itself. Perhaps you have some sort of remarkable ability to adapt?"
Yasushi let out a chuckle and shook his head. "I doubt it, but it would be pretty cool," he responded, glancing over at Anfeng, who was nodding thoughtfully to herself. "So, how did I do?"
"You passed!" Anfeng declared with enthusiasm, giving Yasushi an approving thumbs-up and a wide grin.
Yasushi rolled his eyes playfully and let out a laugh. "Well, thanks, I guess? So, what comes next after this?" he asked, glancing at his watch and noting that it was approaching midday and time for lunch.
Noticing his look, Anfeng checked her own watch and responded, "For now, let's put a pause on the trials. It's nearly time for lunch, and a few of the servants have already gone off to prepare. So, let's take a two-hour break and then we can pick up where we left off."
"Alright, that works for me," Yasushi agreed. As they began to exit the room, Yasushi noticed Jingliu staring intently at him. He stopped and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Jingliu shook her head and took his hand. "No, it's nothing. I'm fine. But you did really well," she said with a warm smile.
"It was a struggle," Yasushi admitted with a chuckle, and they both laughed together as they made their way toward the dining hall.