Chapter Twenty-Nine: Dancing Together

"Miss Murong, may I have the honor of a dance with you?" In front of everyone’s gaze, Zhang Wei walked over to Murong Xuan, a faint smile gracing his lips as he reached out with an inviting gesture. The crowd responded with a chorus of jeers.

"Who is this young man? I’ve never seen him before! How dare he be the first to invite Miss Murong to dance!"

"Miss Murong is the star of tonight’s event. There are so many people hoping to dance with her—he’s bound to be refused."

"He looks unfamiliar, not one of our circle. He must be drawn by Miss Murong’s beauty, so he’s making the bold move himself."

All around, the guests wore the expressions of eager spectators, waiting for a spectacle. In their eyes, Zhang Wei was an outsider to their world, brazenly inviting Murong Xuan—the evening’s leading lady—to dance. For any gentleman present, sharing a dance with her would be a tremendous honor. A pack of hopeful men eyed the pair, unwilling to let someone so unremarkable in status, looks, or talent steal the moment.

As the crowd awaited Zhang Wei’s inevitable rejection, an unexpected scene unfolded. Murong Xuan smiled softly, her gaze fixed on Zhang Wei as she replied, "Of course, Mr. Zhang."

Murong Xuan placed her left hand in Zhang Wei’s right, and the two stepped onto the dance floor, hand in hand. The music was melodious and rhythmic; neon lights flickered as Zhang Wei held Murong Xuan, the pair gliding gracefully across the floor.

Murong Xuan’s face was adorned with a gentle smile, revealing gleaming white teeth. A faint dimple on her left cheek lent her an air of innocence—she was truly beautiful, utterly captivating.

The guests turned their attention to Zhang Wei. Many whispered among themselves, curious about this unfamiliar young man, but none recognized him. Throughout, Zhang Wei remained calm, unruffled by the intense scrutiny.

Li Mengfei stood with a glass of red wine, staring dazedly toward the dance floor. He could scarcely believe his eyes. He had just been about to invite Murong Xuan to dance, but Zhang Wei beat him to it. He’d expected Murong Xuan to refuse, but instead, he watched the two dance together.

"Who on earth is this guy? That plain outfit, that unfamiliar face—why don’t I remember him at all?" Li Mengfei studied Zhang Wei, finding not a single clue in his mind.

Lin Hongwen, too, wore a dark expression, looking like a rooster bested in a fight. That Murong Xuan would choose Zhang Wei over him was incomprehensible, stirring doubt in his heart. "Could it be I really can’t compare with Zhang Wei? How is that possible?"

Dancing with Zhang Wei, Murong Xuan felt a little awkward—she had never before been so close to a strange man, and the discomfort was palpable. Yet, with so many eyes watching, and with Lin Hongwen to mislead, she forced herself to maintain her smile and poise, though inwardly she was miserable.

"Murong, who is that handsome young man in the white casual suit?" Zhang Wei whispered into her ear.

"Murong? Are you talking to me?" Murong Xuan shivered as she felt his breath, startled.

"Calling you Miss Murong feels too formal, but I can’t quite bring myself to call you Xuanxuan. Murong strikes the right balance—just familiar enough," Zhang Wei replied.

"As you wish," Murong Xuan conceded after a moment’s thought. If Zhang Wei had called her ‘Xuanxuan,’ she would have found it revolting.

"You still haven’t told me who that handsome guy is," Zhang Wei pressed.

"Do you really take me for your girlfriend? Mind your own business and stop prying into mine!" Though Zhang Wei hadn’t named him, Murong Xuan knew from the description he meant Li Mengfei.

"As if I want to know. Ever since we started dancing, that guy’s been glaring at me like a green-eyed wolf, ready to tear me apart," Zhang Wei grumbled, gesturing for Murong Xuan to look in Li Mengfei’s direction.

Murong Xuan glanced over and saw Li Mengfei staring at them with shining eyes, even making a fist and waving it her way. She pursed her lips and said, "Ignore him—he’s just a kid. He wouldn’t dare do anything to you."

"And you mustn’t tell anyone I’m your girlfriend—especially not the guests here," Murong Xuan warned.

"Don’t worry! It wouldn’t do me any good—just earn me a heap of resentment," Zhang Wei replied indifferently.

"I can tell that handsome boy likes you. Why not ask him for help?" Zhang Wei asked.

"Zhang Wei, you’re impossible! There’s nothing between me and that brat," Murong Xuan snapped.

"Why not? Isn’t the older-woman-younger-man relationship all the rage in Hong Kong?" Zhang Wei teased.

"Please. That brat is my cousin—my aunt’s own son. Do you think that’s possible?" Murong Xuan pinched Zhang Wei’s right hand with her left, annoyed.

"Tsk, your luck with romance really is dreadful. No wonder you came all the way from Hong Kong to Beijing—I’d say you’re not here for business, but to escape!" Zhang Wei remarked.

"What I’m here for is none of your concern. Just focus on your own job," Murong Xuan retorted loftily.

The conversation ended on a sour note. Zhang Wei, unwilling to make a nuisance of himself, stopped trying to chat her up. He was a rational man, well aware that the beauty in his arms had nothing to do with a nobody like him. Instead of dreaming impossible dreams, he’d be better off wiping away his drool and seeking out a few potential homebuyers.

As the music ended, Murong Xuan and Zhang Wei nodded to each other and left the dance floor in different directions, disappointing the guests who had been closely watching. They’d expected Murong Xuan to introduce Zhang Wei, to make him known to the crowd—then they’d have been able to uncover his identity. But to their surprise, the two exchanged no further words.

After his dance with Murong Xuan, Zhang Wei made his way to a quiet corner, his eyes scanning the guests as he pondered how to find potential clients.

"Mr. Zhang, would you like some wine?" Lost in thought, he was startled by a woman’s voice. Turning, he saw Liu Li standing beside him, holding a tray of drinks.

"Thank you," he said, taking a glass and nodding politely.

"Don’t mention it. Sorry about this morning—I thought the boss was going to fire me, so I glared at you. I didn’t mean anything by it; I hope you’re not upset," Liu Li said, sticking out her tongue in embarrassment.

Liu Li had speculated about Zhang Wei’s relationship with Murong Xuan. Her experience told her Zhang Wei might be Murong Xuan’s boyfriend, but their manner wasn’t that intimate—something about them was odd. Regardless, she knew Zhang Wei wasn’t someone she could afford to offend.

"Don’t worry, I’ve always been forgiving when it comes to beautiful women," Zhang Wei joked.

While Zhang Wei chatted with the charming waitress, Murong Xuan was kept busy as the belle of the ball. After her dance with Zhang Wei, many men eyed their opportunity—if someone as unremarkable as Zhang Wei could seize the moment, surely they could as well.

First to act was the fuming Li Mengfei. He strode up to Murong Xuan, leaning forward, bowing slightly, left hand across his chest, right hand extended in an elegant invitation—his movements far more polished than Zhang Wei’s, drawing shrieks from the women nearby.

"That handsome guy really is good-looking."

"He’s even more dashing than Hollywood’s Tom Cruise!"

"If only he’d invite me to dance, my evening would be complete."

Hearing the women’s admiring remarks filled Li Mengfei with delight, convincing him all the more that he and Murong Xuan were a perfect match. But after a long pause with no response, he straightened up and looked around—only to see Murong Xuan had already walked past him, smiling and chatting with another female guest.

"What’s going on here?" Li Mengfei raged inwardly, feeling utterly stifled.