Chapter 27: Changing Clothes. A raised hand revealed a slender, snow-white waist. ...

These past few days, Xichen's students have been completely distracted from class. The main topic of conversation, both before and after class, has always been about the dance.

A particular elite class in the second year of high school is no exception. Xie Bu Ruo summed it up this way: "As long as they're not studying, they're happy to do anything."

The students readily acknowledged this. But they wouldn't tell their teachers that, besides the fact that it wasn't about studying, they were looking forward to the party for another crucial reason:

in Xichen's melon-like community, the annual masquerade ball has always been held in high regard. Teenagers, naive and innocent, often have a crush or admiration for someone. For some who are quick to react and bold, the dance is the perfect opportunity to connect with their crush.

Of course, these words can't be spoken openly; the students can keep it a tacit understanding.

During recess, the sun blazed brightly outside the window. Gu Ci tilted his head, chin in his hand, pen still in hand, his mind swirling with thoughts of last night's events.

It wasn't just last night, the night before, the night before that... He'd been doing the same thing with Huo Wenyuan.

...Dancing.

If he hadn't been dancing with Huo Wenyuan, Gu Ci wouldn't have noticed how uncoordinated his movements were. He'd been counting the beats, but as soon as he touched Huo Wenyuan's palm, his steps became unsteady and his mind went blank. If he'd met his gaze... it would have been even worse.

He really had no talent.

Gu Ci frowned in annoyance, not even noticing when Shang Zui pulled up a bench and sat down next to him.

"Little Gu Ci!" Shang Zui called him energetically. "What are you thinking about?"

Gu Ci was startled, but meeting Shang Zui's inquiring gaze, he came to his senses and smiled, "...Nothing, I was just thinking about dancing."

"Dancing?" Shang Zui perked up at this, glancing sideways at the empty seat next to Gu Ci. "By the way, where's that person?"

Gu Ci: "Teacher Chen called him away a while ago."

Teacher Chen was their math teacher and also the deputy director of the Student Affairs Office, and she was primarily responsible for organizing the masquerade.

"So long?" Shang Zui thought it was a little strange, but quickly put it aside and pulled out his phone to share with Gu Ci. "Little Gu Ci, I'll show you something exciting."

"You might be chosen to open the dance!"

"Huh?!" Gu Ci, never expecting his friend to be the one to make fun of him, asked in disbelief. "Me?"

Shang Zui nodded.

Every year, the masquerade has students who perform the opening act. Except for the third year of junior high and the third year of high school, each grade takes turns sending a pair of representatives.

This year, it's the second year of high school, and the posts are full of speculation about who will be the opening act.

Although Huo Wenyuan was the most popular, everyone knew that due to his physical condition, whether he could find a dance partner was another matter, and it was rare for him to even attend this dance.

Of course, this did not affect the discussion and admiration of him among the people in the Gua Tan forum.

Shang Zui sighed: "Huo Wenyuan, a man who does not actively use the Gua Tan forum, but passively lives in the Gua Tan forum."

He swiped the screen and showed it to Gu Ci: "Look, little Gu Ci, many people below mentioned you."

Gu Ci took a look and was stunned.

There were indeed people who mentioned him below, and more than one person.

Gu Ci's face flushed, and in Shang Zui's words, it was a little "numb."

He said awkwardly, "I'm not a good dancer, the teacher won't choose me..."

Shang Zui said seriously, "That's not what they said, otherwise every time the dance would be the responsibility of us dancers."

"Whether you can dance well or not is secondary. Most of the students who can be chosen to start the dance are well-rounded and can represent the style of the entire grade. Apart from Huo Wenyuan, you seem to be the best choice."

Gu Ci felt embarrassed when he heard it, and covered his face and said, "...I'm not that good."

Shang Zui was anxious: "That's not what I said, look, they all said so!"

Gu Ci quickly turned his head away: "I saw it, what they said... was a bit too much."

Some praised him for his academic performance and intelligence, some praised him for his gentle and polite personality, and some praised him... for being fair, tender, beautiful and wanting to be rubbed?

What is all this?

Gu Ci wanted to bury his face in his hands.

He argued, "There's also Qu Zhi with good grades, and there are many, many more outstanding than me."

Shang Zui: "You mean the one with so many warnings for not wearing uniform that they cover the bulletin board?"

Gu Ci: "..."

Shang Zui smiled and reassured, "Don't worry, little Gu Ci. If it's really you, you can't escape it. I'm just giving you some mental preparation."

"I'm just curious," he said, his face full of anxiety. "There must be a lot of people who don't know that Huo Wenyuan can get involved with you, right? If your dance partner is Huo Wenyuan, will they be shocked?"

Gu Ci: "..." He

didn't know if others would be shocked, but he was so nervous... his heart almost stopped.

Don't choose him!

Dancing is hard enough, but doing the opening dance in front of so many people is a bit too challenging.

Besides... he was afraid of embarrassing Huo Wenyuan.

Just as he was feeling uneasy, a classmate walked over and said, "Gu Ci, Teacher Chen wants you to come to the office as well."

Glancing at Shang Zui, Gu Ci nervously walked to the office door and knocked gently.

Teacher Chen said, "Come in, Gu Ci."

At the same moment, Huo Wenyuan, who was sitting across from him, turned around. Seeing him enter, a hint of concern flashed across Huo Wenyuan's eyes.

Gu Ci bravely walked over to greet him, but seeing Huo Wenyuan was like seeing someone he trusted most, and his nervousness suddenly eased.

Teacher Chen pointed to the empty seat next to Huo Wenyuan and said, "Take a seat, Gu Ci."

Gu Ci obeyed and sat down.

Then, Teacher Chen said, "Look, Gu Ci, we're looking for you today to discuss the opening dance for the masquerade."

Gu Ci's entire body tensed visibly at the words "opening dance."

Huo Wenyuan took in the change in his expression and said calmly, "Teacher Chen, I've suggested that Gu Ci decide on this..."

Teacher Chen glanced at him and interrupted, "Of course I'd ask Gu Ci's opinion. Otherwise, why would I have called him here?"

But why was he, usually so calm, acting so strangely today? When asked about the dance arrangements, he avoided the topic, saying he'd follow Gu Ci's lead. But when he actually invited Gu Ci, he was wary, fearing the school would force the reluctant Gu Ci to open the dance.

"Gu Ci, as Huo Wenyuan said, the teacher is here to ask for your opinion. The school would like you and your partner to open the dance for the second grade. Is that okay with you?"

Gu Ci bit his lip, tugging at the edge of his uniform in confusion.

Sure enough, Shang Zui's words were spot on...

Teacher Chen offered earnest advice, "Gu Ci, we're asking you to open the dance because you're one of the school's best students and represent the school's spirit and style..."

Huo Wenyuan reminded him, "Teacher Chen, aren't we supposed to let Gu Ci make his own decision?"

Teacher Chen: "..."

"Okay." Unable to persuade Huo Wenyuan, she simply said, "Gu Ci, make your own decision."

Gu Ci pondered, then tentatively said, "Brother Wenyuan should know I'm not a very good dancer..."

Huo Wenyuan quickly corrected him, "You're a very good dancer."

Teacher Chen grasped the point: "Wait, how do you know he's a good dancer?"

Huo Wenyuan remained noncommittal, until Gu Ci softly explained, "Teacher Chen, he... is my dance partner." Teacher

Chen was so surprised she almost stood up. "Are you kidding? Wenyuan, you can dance with Gu Ci?!"

I haven't heard he's recovered recently. Would physical contact with Gu Ci be okay?

Or would he just keep his distance by wearing gloves?

Huo Wenyuan: "It's true."

Gu Ci nodded slightly.

Teacher Chen's expression was incredibly complex, as he went through a series of emotional shifts.

"Since you two are dance partners, that's easy," Teacher Chen said cheerfully. "You're both role models in your grade, so you're perfect representatives."

She seemed to understand Gu Ci's concerns and said, "Gu Ci, it doesn't matter if you dance well or not. Xichen's original intention for holding a masquerade is to allow students to relax, feel confident, and be energetic. Here, the results aren't important; your experience during the process is what matters."

"Are you willing?"

Gu Ci glanced at Huo Wenyuan, hesitant to speak.

Huo Wenyuan, assuming he was about to refuse, encouraged him, "It's okay, you decide."

Gu Ci shook his head, nervously loosening the corner of his school uniform and asking, "Brother Wenyuan, are you willing to dance with me?"

Huo Wenyuan was slightly stunned.

Gu Ci wasn't one to deliberately joke; his words spoke volumes about his resolve.

Given that, Huo Wenyuan had no reason to refuse.

Emboldened by the affirmative, Gu Ci bravely told Teacher Chen, "Teacher Chen, we can do this."

Teacher Chen patted him approvingly on the shoulder, "Okay!"

As they left the office, sunlight bathing their shoulders and passing through the long corridor, Huo Wenyuan asked, "Why did you agree again?"

He knew Gu Ci was worried about his dancing skills, so if he didn't want to, he would have helped him refuse, even if the school or the teachers forced him.

But to his surprise, Gu Ci actually agreed.

He hadn't forgotten about his dance partner yet.

Gu Ci paused, staring at his shadow on the ground, and said, "Actually, Teacher Chen is right. It's not that scary."

Rather than worrying about the final result, the preparation and the experience were what mattered most. Huo Wenyuan's patience in teaching him dance was already a rare and precious experience. Wouldn't dancing the opening dance together be something special too?

His previous insecurity and uncertainty simply dissipated.

Besides…

He looked up and curled his lips at Huo Wenyuan. "My dance partner is the ever-popular Huo Wenyuan."

Wednesday

night, the dance arrived as scheduled.

Everyone chatted and laughed in the locker room as they changed and put on makeup. Some dressed up as their favorite anime characters, while others donned outfits they'd usually preferred but hadn't dared to try. Even without their school uniforms, everyone exuded the vibrant energy of youth.

As Teacher Chen said, experience is everything.

The dance was about to begin. Gu Ci finished his makeup and walked into the locker room, nervous yet eager.

He changed out of his school uniform and buttoned his shirt one by one, his mind still racing with the beat and dance steps.

A student leader called from outside the door,

"Gu Ci, we'll be waiting in line when you're ready!"

Gu Ci replied, "Okay!"

He quickened his change, but when it came to adjusting the ribbons at the back of his neck and waist, he was stumped.

The designer had tied them for him during the previous try-ons, but now it seemed a bit difficult to do it alone.

Shang Zui and the others were still putting on makeup, and not wanting to waste time, Gu Ci had to keep holding the ribbon with one hand and open the door with the other hand to ask for help: "Classmate, can you please help me..."

Before the request was fully spoken, a familiar figure appeared in his sight in time.

Gu Ci blinked and opened his lips slightly: "Brother Wenyuan..."

Huo Wenyuan had obviously just changed his clothes. He was wearing a dark black Chinese stand-up collar shirt that suited him very well, with a yellow diamond brooch in the shape of a flying bird on his chest. His hair was neatly combed, and the whole person exuded a calm and cold aura.

He moved calmly to block the doorway, his eyes turned slightly, staring at Gu Ci's snow-white waist that was exposed because of raising his hand.

"Ci Ci, let me do it."