Chapter 227 - Chapter 227: Mouth Says No, But the Body Says Yes (2)
Chapter 227: Mouth Says No, But the Body Says Yes (2)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Everyone eagerly craned their necks in anticipation.
Ye Xiaoxi spun around several times but couldn’t muster the courage to strike up a conversation with anyone. Her face turned red with shyness and nervousness.
In the end, she got tired of walking and stopped in front of Yuan Xudong.
“Uncle, can you dance with me?” Ye Xiaoxi asked.
Yuan Xudong responded coolly, “You should find someone your own age to dance with.”
“I don’t know how to approach them. I’m a bit scared…” Ye Xiaoxi’s voice grew softer as she continued, “Uncle, please, dance with me. Everyone is waiting.”
Tonight, she was the center of attention, and even standing there without saying a word attracted countless eyes.
Ye Xiaoxi felt overwhelmed, and the thought of dancing with a stranger was daunting.
Yuan Xudong remained silent for a moment but eventually stood up.
As a gentleman, he extended his hand, making an inviting gesture.
Ye Xiaoxi let out a long breath and placed her hand in his palm.
The two of them walked toward the center of the banquet hall.
Observing that Yuan Xudong’s granddaughter had not chosen anyone and instead was dancing with her uncle, the onlookers sighed in relief and, at the same time, couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
They wondered who would capture her attention in the future.
Ye Xiaoxi took dance lessons for only an afternoon, so her steps were stiff and her body was rigid. With all eyes on her, she made numerous mistakes and even stepped on Yuan Xudong’s foot several times, which only heightened her nervousness.
Yuan Xudong advised, “Relax a bit, take a few deep breaths, and exhale.”
“Okay,” Ye Xiaoxi nodded.
Just then, Elizabeth Qianqian entered the dance floor with another man. She had learned dancing since childhood and effortlessly displayed high-level dance moves, easily overshadowing the clumsy Ye Xiaoxi.
The guests’ attention quickly shifted to Elizabeth Qianqian.
Ye Xiaoxi couldn’t help but glance in her direction, and she blushed with embarrassment.
A sparrow would always be a sparrow, even when dressed in colorful feathers, it couldn’t compare to a phoenix perched on a branch.
Ye Xiaoxi began to feel inferior.
Yuan Xudong lowered his head and gently placed his hand on her waist, applying slight pressure, “Don’t get distracted. Focus on my eyes. Think about how you practiced the steps.”
Ye Xiaoxi raised her gaze and met his amber eyes. As her thoughts settled, she gradually forgot everything around her.
Once she was completely focused, she followed Yuan Xudong’s lead, synchronizing with his rhythm.
In the center of the dance floor, two pairs engaged in a spirited dance that captured everyone’s interest.
Elizabeth Qianqian kept her eyes on Ye Xiaoxi and, noticing that she hadn’t left the floor in embarrassment, she gave her dance partner a signal.
With the next beat of music, her partner led her to Yuan Xudong.
Yuan Xudong paused, understanding that they were swapping dance partners.
Swapping partners during a dance was normal.
However, Ye Xiaoxi struggled to keep up with the rhythm when dancing with Yuan Xudong, let alone with someone else.
Seeing that Yuan Xudong didn’t extend his hand, Elizabeth Qianqian proactively matched his rhythm and danced around him.
Ye Xiaoxi hesitated for a few seconds, then bit her lip and continued dancing stubbornly with Yuan Xudong.
Yuan Xudong remained calm, managing Elizabeth gracefully while still focusing on leading Ye Xiaoxi.
When the music changed, with an extended arm, he took Elizabeth’s hand and returned her to her partner.
Simultaneously, he executed a handsome and elegant spin, drawing Ye Xiaoxi back into his embrace, giving Elizabeth no opportunity to intervene.
No matter how unwilling Elizabeth was, she couldn’t forcibly take him away.
Hence, she could only give up.
After an entire dance had concluded, Yuan Xudong held Ye Xiaoxi’s hand and nodded slightly to the crowd.
The banquet hall erupted in enthusiastic applause, resembling the roar of a tidal wave.
Ye Xiaoxi, panting slightly, looked at Yuan Xudong with bright eyes and said, “Uncle, thank you.”
Yuan Xudong responded, “If you really want to thank me, then trouble me less in the future.”
He genuinely couldn’t understand. What was so special about him that she came to him every time she encountered a problem?
If others saw this, they might think he was deliberately trying to win her over to seize the position of the next head of the Yuan family.
Ye Xiaoxi wasn’t bothered, though. She was well aware that Yuan Xudong had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t always lend a helping hand in her times of need.
With a cheerful smile, Ye Xiaoxi said, “Uncle, I can promise you anything else, but not this. However, don’t worry, you can trouble me too. As long as I can help, I’ll definitely do it.”
Yuan Xudong was at a loss for words.
He had never encountered such a shameless girl in his life.
Staring at Ye Xiaoxi for a few seconds, Yuan Xudong walked away with a cold expression.
Feeling good, Ye Xiaoxi ran over to Jiang Yining and said, “Yining, did you see? Thanks to your lessons, I didn’t embarrass myself.”
Jiang Yining nodded appreciatively. “Yes, you did really well. You have talent.”
Ye Xiaoxi glanced at Lu Zhi, who was standing nearby, and kindly suggested, “Yining, since you’re here, why don’t you go and dance? Lu Zhi, hurry and invite Yining to dance.”
Lu Zhi extended his hand.
Jiang Yining looked at his stern face in surprise. He actually wanted to dance?
After a few seconds, she placed her hand in his palm.
The two of them headed for the dance floor.
Ye Xiaoxi sat next to Xiao Yeyu, looking satisfied. “Look how well they match each other.”
Xiao Yeyu replied coldly, “Mm.”
“I wonder what my future boyfriend will be like…”
Ye Xiaoxi began to speak but was interrupted by Xiao Yeyu, who said, “1 need to use the restroom. Xiaoxi, please wait here.”
She had just been rejected so mercilessly by Lu Zhi and now had to watch him be affectionate with Jiang Yining.
The jealousy and discomfort in Xiao Yeyu’s heart were like venomous snakes coiled tightly around her heart, almost making it hard to breathe.
“Sure,” Ye Xiaoxi said without even looking at her.
Xiao Yeyu got up and left, her face bearing a gloomy expression.