The social dance began promptly at 8 PM, starting with a speech by Ethan Hou, the president of the social club, followed by a mixer for guests to get to know each other.
Leon Chen and Lily Lin, not being the type to actively engage with strangers, quietly sat at their table. However, despite their reluctance to mingle, many attendees were intrigued by H University's first couple, resulting in a constant stream of people coming to greet them. Overwhelmed by the attention, Leon and Lily retreated to the buffet to blend in with the crowd.
Seeing Leon use such a precious opportunity to eat, Michael Fang sent a protest message: "Leon, with so many beauties around, how can you focus on food? Come, let me introduce you to some of the ladies from wealthy families—they're very interested in you."
Leon had no interest in being paraded around like a showpiece and subtly gestured towards Lily behind him.
Lily, with her big, innocent eyes, had overheard Michael's entire conversation.
Feeling guilty, Michael explained, "Lily, I wasn't trying to lead him astray. It's just that those girls were too shy to approach Leon directly..."
"Say no more, you go ahead," Leon interrupted.
After Michael left, Leon casually remarked, "Don't mind him. Michael is pure at heart." He chuckled at his own comment, thinking it unnecessary since Lily probably didn't care.
"I know, you guys are really close," Lily replied enviously.
After the thirty-minute mixer, the dance officially began, much to Lily's distress. As young men and women entered the dance floor, Leon watched Lily.
"No, I can't..." Lily shook her head anxiously, her white neck flushing with embarrassment. "Leon, please don't..."
Seeing her so scared, Leon felt like a brute.
"Don't worry, I won't force you," Leon reassured her.
Lily looked at the piano by the fountain and softly suggested, "Leon, how about I play the piano for you?"
"You can play?"
Lily explained, "Since I don't go out much, I've learned a lot of things at home."
"Sure," Leon smiled and approached the pianist, who nodded and vacated the seat for Lily.
As soon as Lily sat down at the piano, she transformed. Her white dress made her look elegant and demure, and she closed her eyes, her delicate hands gliding over the keys, producing beautiful notes.
With the first notes of Johann Strauss II's famous "The Blue Danube," Lily immersed herself in the music, her face reflecting her focus and passion. The melody was enchanting, and her performance flawless.
Her playing was so captivating that even the shyest boys couldn't help but ask their crushes for a dance.
Leon watched Lily, mesmerized by her focused expression. In that moment, he felt a deep attraction to her.
"Leon, would you like to dance with me?" A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up in surprise to see Emma Su.
Emma smiled warmly, "Your girlfriend is playing beautifully. Don't you want to experience her music up close?"
This struck a chord with Leon.
Taking her hand, they stepped onto the dance floor.
Emma's waltz was exquisite, her movements fluid and graceful. The slow three-beat rhythm of the waltz flowed effortlessly, their elegant spins and dips making them seem like a breeze gliding through the crowded dance floor.
Others watched in admiration.
Emma's subtle pear blossom scent was soothing. Leon found himself free of any inappropriate thoughts as he held her. He asked, "Emma, aren't you worried about rumors?"
In a social dance, it was customary for men to invite women. A woman inviting a man suggested a deeper interest.
But Leon didn't believe Emma had any such intentions.
"Who dares spread rumors about the student council secretary?" Emma smiled gently. "I didn't expect you to dance the waltz so well, Leon."
"That's thanks to you leading," Leon replied.
"Even the best teacher can't help a student with no talent," Emma said with a soft smile.
Leon nodded thoughtfully, recalling Sienna Tang teaching him ballroom dance earlier. Her unusual behavior kept replaying in his mind. Did she foresee something happening?
"Damn commoner, damn Leon, why can't I ever beat him?" Outside the dance floor, William Jiang seethed with jealousy, glaring at Leon and Emma dancing together. Why did Leon always get what he wanted so easily?
"And how the hell do you get the apple out of the bottle without breaking it?" William fumed, staring at the beer bottle in frustration, nearly smashing it in his rage.
After the dance, Leon handed Lily a glass of orange juice and a napkin. "You played beautifully."
Lily wiped her sweat and sipped the juice, her cheeks rosy like apples.
"You and the secretary danced so well together. I wish I could too!" Lily said wistfully.
"Why are you so afraid?" Leon asked, puzzled.
Lily nodded, looking worriedly cute. "If I have prolonged contact with the opposite sex, I get uncomfortable and break out in rashes."
"No way to fix it?"
Lily shook her head. "The psychologist says it's subconscious avoidance... a lot of technical terms. But he said there might be a solution if I find someone I don't subconsciously avoid..."
"It'll happen one day," Leon comforted her with a smile.
Lily looked at Leon silently.
Leon glanced at his watch and was startled to see the indicator red and fully charged.
How could that be?
Leon remembered searching parts of H University with no response from the watch. This building was one of them.
Suddenly, he touched the box Sienna had given him. Could it be?
"Leon?" Lily called, seeing him lost in thought.
"Sorry, I need to use the restroom," Leon said apologetically.
Lily nodded, watching him leave with a soft sigh.
In the restroom, a student washing his hands saw Leon and said enviously, "You're amazing, dancing with Secretary Emma! So lucky."
Leon shrugged and entered a stall, pulling out the box.
Sienna's last words flashed through his mind, along with the news about the car accident. The box must contain something important. Taking a deep breath, Leon opened it.
Inside, wrapped in gauze, was a pure white stone. Hidden within it was a tiny, glowing chip—the elusive ability chip!
So Sienna had hidden it in a box that blocked the scanner. No wonder he couldn't find it. Leon marveled.
But what did Sienna mean by using it to study the Heavenly Realm? Without overthinking, Leon decided to retrieve the chip. Using the watch's "matter penetration" feature, he extracted the chip from the white crystal and installed it in the watch, which responded with a pleasant chime.
"Ability No. 67 'A Thousand Words' successfully loaded!" The indicator on the watch finally went dark.
Leon didn't immediately test the new ability. After some thought, he decided to make a phone call to understand what the stone was and what Sienna was worried about.