CITM - 55

She quickly shifted her attention, for instance, to his attire. Ye Yun noticed his suit was made of cashmere, a high-cost fabric with soft fibers that are extremely sensitive to wrinkles. Currently, not many people use cashmere for suits. Out of professional habit, her thumb, resting by his side, gently stroked, feeling the fabric’s craftsmanship.

Bai Wenfu lowered his gaze, a hint of undetectable blurriness flitting through his dark, powerful pupils. “Do you also dance with other men so improperly?”

Ye Yun lifted her chin. “Is there a problem?”

He stared down at her, his gaze falling on the snow-white skin of her neck. He could even see her clear blood vessels and feel her throbbing pulse—vibrant, real, and utterly stimulating.

His smooth lip line slightly pressed together. “Anyone would think you’re hinting at something.”

“Hinting at what?” Her dark, bright eyes held captivating charm as they moved.

A sweet, gentle fragrance enveloped them, as if she truly was hinting at something.

However, in just a flash, her expression faded. “I have principles. I won’t make any improper hints towards a married man.”

Bai Wenfu suddenly laughed, an inexplicable laugh. His smile was too infectious; a slight upward tilt of his sharp lips easily drew one into its depth.

Ye Yun’s heart lurched. “What are you laughing at?”

“Your principles haven’t gone unbroken before.” His eyes swirled with intoxicating light, piercing her heart.

Ye Yun’s face immediately darkened, like a diligent, ambitious student who was once led astray by a bad one. Just when she finally reformed, he poked at her sore spot, repeatedly reminding her that she once rebelled with him.

However, Ye Yun’s expression quickly returned to normal. “I was young and naive then. It’s impossible for me to do anything absurd now. Mr. Bai, if you care about your wife’s reputation, please show some self-respect.”

She once again tried to steer the conversation towards that topic, but Bai Wenfu seemed to discern her intentions, deliberately remaining silent and smiling, without mentioning a single word.

The music reached its final climax. Ye Yun’s fluid movements during the dance were rhythmic, a perfectly graceful turn. She no longer needed his support to stand steadily. Facing him again, she subtly created distance, her agile figure like an uncontrollable bird that could slip from his grasp at any moment.

He lowered his eyelids, looking at her. “Your dancing skills have greatly improved. Do you often dance with people?”

Ye Yun controlled her surging emotions and replied, “Yes, practicing with different people helps you find the feel.”

She shouldn’t have said those angry words to him. She had no right to blame him for starting a new life. But when he asked that, she couldn’t help but say those things.

When the song ended, she ignored the sharpness in his eyes, lowered her gaze, and politely said to him, “Thank you for your care, Mr. Bai. Until next time.”

Turning to leave, her waist was suddenly tightened. A strong arm wrapped around her entire waist, pulling her snugly against him.

“Did I say it was over?” His voice came from above, suppressing a torrential power in his eyes, like a turbulent flood, with dark clouds gathering.

Ye Yun’s body almost pressed against his chest, her heartbeat plummeting out of control. She whispered, “Bai Wenfu!”

It was the first time he’d heard her call his full name in annoyance, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

The commotion started on the sidelines. One song had ended, and not only had these two not left, but they seemed to be reluctantly parting?

Zhou Zeyang and Xiao Fu frowned and stood up. However, as they rose, several men standing by the screen door next door looked over. The two groups were wary of each other, an imminent clash hanging in the air.

A lively tune began to play. Bai Wenfu restrained Ye Yun by the waist and guided her movements. Ye Yun passively followed him, her face filled with displeasure.

Suddenly, he gripped the ring on her finger, his oppressive gaze falling to lock with hers.

Ye Yun glanced at her hand, which he was holding. A hint of awkwardness flashed in her heart, and then she bluntly reminded him, “Since we both have our own lives, this kind of influence isn’t good.”

A sharp pain shot through her ring finger. His gaze, with an unstoppable invasiveness, enveloped her. “Does it affect you? Perfect.”

Ye Yun sensed a dangerous signal. “What are you going to do?”

Bai Wenfu’s lips curled slightly. Beneath his suit and tie was a wild, untamed soul.

“What do you think I want to do? Rekindle with a woman who dumped me?”

His gaze was contemptuous and sarcastic, like a knife cutting through Ye Yun’s disguise, forcing her to want to escape. He noticed her intention, and the arm around her waist became even firmer.

“Didn’t you tell me to find other women and forget you? You know, I always indulge you.”

He spoke the most heart-wrenching words in the most indulgent tone. Ye Yun’s eyelashes couldn’t help but tremble. She didn’t want to hear any of this, not a single word. She didn’t need to know what he was like with other women, nor did she want to know about his later life. She wished she had never met him today.

Ye Yun withdrew her hand, her face pale and cold as she said, “Then best wishes, Mr. Bai.”

Bai Wenfu not only didn’t let go of her, but the sparks in his eyes ignited, burning towards her. “Who leaves a dance halfway? Do you always like to leave things unfinished?”

Ye Yun’s thoughts were like being immersed in a dual test of ice and fire: one side was the pull of reason, the other was endless impulse. Two waves constantly crashed against the dam of her heart.

She was silent for a few seconds, then raised her gaze to meet his. “Dancing, right? I hope you can keep up.”

With that, she quickened her steps, following the rhythm in her heart, directly switching to a quick waltz. Bai Wenfu immediately adjusted his pace to match.

This dance requires moving counter-clockwise in quick rotations, incorporating techniques like turns, swings, and tilts, characterized by its fast speed and large rotations.

As the rhythm sped up and their steps lengthened, their figures began to fly across the floor. Many people gradually stopped and stared at them in surprise. Skirts flared, intertwining. Her eyes were serene, his gaze dark. A silent competition escalated with their every step.

Boss Yu stood up and patted Zhou Zeyang. “What are they doing?”

Zhou Zeyang replied, bewildered, “Dancing, I guess.”

“I know it’s dancing, but why so fast?”

“This... who knows.”

The reactions of the others were similar; though confused, it didn’t stop everyone from enjoying the show.

Ye Yun had initially thought Bai Wenfu wouldn’t be able to keep up. It wasn’t that she doubted his stamina, but the rapid pace of the steps would certainly be a significant challenge for him. To her surprise, he mastered all the techniques, though his expression remained stern.

She fully believed that if his body were perfectly fine, she might not be able to match him at all. However, at this moment, she had every advantage, yet she could feel his right leg straining to keep up.

It was as if, in an instant, the floodgates of memory were violently thrown open.

That stack of books flew towards her; his right leg shielded her from disaster, enduring immense pain, his steps faltering.

She was disheartened and dejected; he rode his bicycle, carrying her across half the city, then endured the discomfort in his right leg to bring her home.

She despaired and fled; he journeyed over mountains and through rivers to retrieve her, even if his leg hurt too much to move.

Memories poured down like a sudden rain, waking Ye Yun up. She stopped, breathing slightly, her eyes wide. Countless tangled emotions converged in her chest, transforming into a reproachful accusation: “Are you crazy, dancing like this?”

Bai Wenfu slowly lowered his head, his thick eyelashes concealing the unbridled laughter in his eyes.

The lights were dim, the neon shimmered, silently piercing the night sky. His voice drifted down amidst the wandering musical notes.

“Xiaoyun.”

That call made her heart skip a beat. She seemed to have an illusion that they had never been separated, and he still called her like a lover.

He created some distance between them, his voice deep and restrained: “Drink less.”

With the crowd buzzing and the lights glittering, Ye Yun slowly turned around, as if falling into a vortex of time.

Zhou Zeyang came up to her, asking in a low voice, “Are you alright?”

Ye Yun unconsciously shook her head, walking back behind the screen. Her heart was still swaying, because of that one phrase, “Xiaoyun,” she felt like she had been dragged back into those dark yet addictive days, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

It wasn’t until she sat down that she felt something was off. Touching her ring finger, the ring that had been there was gone.

She had no recollection of when it was taken, only that it could have happened when he confusingly called her “Xiaoyun” and discreetly removed it.

Ye Yun’s face suddenly changed. She abruptly stood up, startling Xiao Fu, who quickly asked her, “Boss Ye, what’s wrong?”

Ye Yun didn’t reply to him. She walked straight out. Zhou Zeyang sensed the formidable presence of that important figure. Since his intentions were unclear, he felt it necessary to warn Ye Yun, “Don’t go over there.”

Ye Yun couldn’t tell Zhou Zeyang what had happened. She could only silently walk to the next partition. Before she even got close to the screen, she was stopped by the burly man.

“Mr. Bai is discussing something; he shouldn’t be disturbed.”

“I just want to say a few words to him.”

“If you have something to say, I can relay it after Mr. Bai finishes his discussion.”

The other party was expressionless and unyielding, blocking the entrance, preventing her from getting even half a step closer.

Ye Yun’s lips were tightly pressed as she stared at his figure. He was stingy, not even giving her a glance.

After a moment, Ye Yun raised her voice, calling towards the screen, “Xiao Fu.”

Bai Wenfu’s expression paused slightly. Those around him looked at Ye Yun with surprise, only to see a tall young man from the opposite side stand up and walk over.

Ye Yun turned her neck, the sound of her high heels gradually fading away. Xiao Fu followed her with long strides.