Chapter 185: Sun Family Banquet (The Dance)
After the sumptuous meal, the atmosphere in the banquet hall transformed as the floor opened up for dancing. Energetic music filled the air, setting the stage for a night of celebration. The younger guests wasted no time and eagerly took to the dance floor, moving gracefully in pairs to the rhythm.
Seizing the moment, Sun Weilong guided Sun Lixia, Li Chen, and Li Xinjie through the lively crowd, making their way towards the Jiang family, esteemed associates of the Sun family for many years.
Approaching the Jiang family, Master Jiang greeted Old Master Sun with genuine warmth, "Old Master Sun, such a joyous night for your family."
Old Master Sun reciprocated the sentiment, "Indeed it is. Let me introduce you to my daughter, Sun Lixia, and her sons, Li Chen and Li Xinjie."
Master Jiang, shaking hands, conveyed his delight, "Good to have you back home, Sun Lixia. We used to play together when we were young. I was a bit older than you."
Sun Lixia, expressing her gratitude, replied, "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Master Jiang."
Madame Jiang, with a smile, remarked, "Your sons are very handsome young men."
Acknowledging the compliment, Sun Lixia responded, "Thank you."
As the conversation flowed, Master Jiang, leaning in, broached the topic of a potential marriage alliance, "Old Master Sun, with two more grandsons, we could revisit our discussions about a marriage alliance. What do you think?"
Anticipation hung in the air as Li Chen and Li Xinjie exchanged glances, awaiting Old Master Sun’s response.
Old Master Sun, adopting a thoughtful tone, offered his perspective, "Times have changed. Nowadays, we allow our children to choose their partners."
The disappointment was subtly concealed in the expressions of Master Jiang and Madame Jiang.
Master Jiang, respecting the decision, acknowledged, "Ah, I see. Well, I respect your decision, Old Master Sun."
Old Master Sun expressed gratitude, "Thank you for understanding, Master Jiang."
Jiang Xiaofeng and Jiang Xiaolin stepped forward to join the conversation, and Madame Jiang introduced them to Sun Lixia.
"Sun Lixia, these are my kids, Jiang Xiaofeng and Jiang Xiaolin," Madame Jiang said with a warm smile.
Sun Lixia greeted them kindly, "Nice to meet you."
Jiang Xiaofeng couldn’t meet Li Chen’s gaze, feeling a bit uneasy in the presence of someone he had once targeted. Li Xinjie, leaning towards Li Chen, asked, "An old foe?"
Li Chen nodded, revealing, "He tried to kill me once."
Li Xinjie, somewhat amused, remarked, "What’s up with people trying to kill you every chance they get?"
Li Chen chuckled, replying, "I wish I knew, brother."
The two brothers exchanged smiles as Jiang Xiaolin approached Li Chen, breaking the moment. She asked, "Care for a dance, Li Chen?"
Li Chen gave her a brief once-over, aware of the subtle exchange of glances between Master Jiang and Madame Jiang. They seemed hopeful that something might spark between Li Chen and Jiang Xiaolin, possibly leading to the marriage alliance they had been pursuing.
Li Chen hesitated, admitting, "’I can’t dance."
Jiang Xiaolin, determined, insisted, "I will teach you; it’s very easy."
Li Chen, still reluctant, replied, "No, maybe some other time."
Although disappointed, Jiang Xiaolin managed a smile, saying, "I will hold you to that."
Grandpa Sun, noticing the shift in expressions between Master Jiang and his wife, intervened, "Well, let’s go and greet others. We will talk soon."
"Sure," Master Jiang agreed, and they continued walking around, exchanging pleasantries with the other guests. Meanwhile, the young daughters from affluent families stood in groups, stealing glances at Li Chen and Li Xinjie. Whispers circulated among them, with some hoping for a chance to engage with the two brothers. Zhang Mei, catching wind of the gossip, couldn’t shake off the irritation bubbling inside her; she was, in fact, feeling jealous.
Summoning her courage, Zhang Mei approached Li Chen, who was standing with Sun Fang and Li Xinjie. Concerned, Li Chen asked, "Is everything okay, Zhang Mei?"
Taking a deep breath, she blurted out, "Want to dance?"
Li Chen smiled, responding, "Of course." He took her hand, and as they walked to the dance floor, he added, "I can’t dance, though."
Zhang Mei chuckled, reassuring him, "Just follow my lead. You’ll be okay." Hand in hand, they made their way to the dance floor, ready to share a moment in the midst of the bustling celebration.
As Zhang Mei and Li Chen gracefully danced, their elegant moves caught the attention of all the young women in the banquet hall. Zhang Mei’s stunning gown added to the allure, making them the center of envy. Li Xinjie, standing nearby, suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Funny that this was the only way I found out your real name," said Cen Yuhuan, holding two glasses of wine. Li Xinjie turned around, surprised, and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Cen Yuhuan casually replied, "A friend invited me." She handed him a glass of wine and added, "I can finally change your contact on my phone... Li Xinjie, you have a beautiful name."
Li Xinjie, still taken aback, managed a polite "Thanks." The presence of these two unknown women intensified the envy among the other ladies in attendance.
Meanwhile, Zhang Mei and Li Chen continued their slow dance. Zhang Mei guided Li Chen with care, but an accidental misstep caused Li Chen to step on her toe. Chuckling, she admitted, "You really can’t dance."
Li Chen grinned, replying, "I will never lie to you." Zhang Mei smiled back, and they resumed their dance, enjoying the music and each other’s company.
As the music shifted to a romantic melody, enveloping the hall in its tender notes, Zhang Mei and Li Chen found themselves entwined in a slow, intimate dance. The rhythm of the love song seemed to synchronize with the beating of their hearts, creating an invisible connection that pulsed between them.
Zhang Mei, in her radiant gown, moved with grace, her every step carefully calculated yet filled with a gentle flow. Li Chen, though admittedly not skilled in dancing, followed her lead, his movements becoming more confident with each embrace of the music.
Their bodies swayed together in perfect harmony, creating a visual poetry that captivated the onlookers. Li Chen’s strong arms gently held Zhang Mei close, and her delicate fingers rested on his shoulders. The atmosphere surrounding them seemed to intensify, charged with an undeniable chemistry that transcended the simple act of dancing.
Their eyes met, and in that shared gaze, a silent understanding blossomed. Li Chen’s playful smile and Zhang Mei’s blushing response spoke volumes, revealing a connection that went beyond the steps of the dance. As they twirled and swirled, the world around them faded, leaving only the enchanting dance floor where two souls, seemingly meant for each other, found solace in the magic of the moment.
The love song continued to serenade them, and in the midst of the swirling melodies and delicate steps, Zhang Mei and Li Chen shared a dance that spoke of unspoken emotions and an undeniable connection that went beyond the constraints of words.
As the music reached its gentle conclusion, Li Chen and Zhang Mei found themselves wrapped in a lingering embrace, the final notes echoing the sentiment of their dance. Li Chen, reluctant to release her from his arms, savored the moment, as if time itself had slowed down to accommodate the emotions shared on the dance floor.
Zhang Mei, feeling the warmth of Li Chen’s embrace, looked up at him with a mixture of gratitude and a hint of shyness. The chemistry between them was palpable, leaving an indelible mark on the atmosphere. Li Chen, usually composed and confident, found himself momentarily lost in the captivating presence of Zhang Mei.
Around them, the hall erupted into applause, the onlookers acknowledging the enchanting dance they had just witnessed. Li Chen, breaking free from the trance, slowly released Zhang Mei, a gentle smile playing on his lips. Zhang Mei returned the smile, her eyes reflecting the shared intimacy of the dance.
As they separated, Jiang Xiaolin, still seething with jealousy, noticed Li Chen’s lingering gaze on Zhang Mei. She bit her lip, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment. Li Chen, oblivious to the turmoil his dance had stirred, offered a courteous nod to Zhang Mei, signaling the end of their dance.
The spell of their intimate moment lingered in the air, leaving an imprint on both Li Chen and Zhang Mei, and perhaps even on those who had been fortunate enough to witness the dance of two hearts drawn together in the melody of love.
