You're mine alone now.

Hexi Jue sneered and waved his hand dismissively. "I thought you were going to get mad. Turns out you're not. Boring."

"It's my birthday today, why would I be angry?" Long Yejue smiled faintly, his dark eyes still brimming with amusement.

Tang Mianmian let out a sigh of relief, sensing he wasn't upset at all.

Qi Yunmo chuckled knowingly, raised his glass, clinked it lightly against Long Yejue's, and said with a wry smile, "Looks like I've found a fellow soul stranded at the edge of the world."

Tang Mianmian felt embarrassed by the phrase, wishing she could disappear.

But Long Yejue merely curled his lips into a smirk. "It's actually quite fitting, but I'm better off than you. I'm walking on a wide, sunny path. You're stuck on a narrow rope bridge."

And so...

Qi Yunmo went sulk in a corner, drawing imaginary circles on the ground...

What the hell kind of "fellow soul" was that?!

Among everyone there, Su Xi was the only one who hadn't managed to smile again. She stared blankly at the way Long Yejue was shielding Tang Mianmian, her heart feeling like it was being slashed with knives.

Tang Mianmian even saw a glimmer of tears in her eyes...

Long Ruoshui exchanged a puzzled glance with Su Wanru.

Why wasn't Long Yejue angry?

Wasn't a red dress always his taboo?

Why was it that Tang Mianmian could wear it and not only did he not react negatively—he even smiled so brightly?

Though confused, they couldn't show it on their faces and could only fume silently.

They had orchestrated an entire plan!

The heavy makeup wasn't just to irritate Zhu Wenyi—they had hoped to humiliate Tang Mianmian in front of Long Yejue.

But he had easily dismantled it with one sentence: "If I don't mind, why should you?"

The red dress was an even more unexpected twist.

Repeated setbacks left them both in foul moods.

Su Wanru walked over to the visibly downcast Su Xi. "Sister Su Xi, why are you standing here alone? Come join us."

Su Xi, still overcome by sadness, shook her head. "No, I want to be alone for a bit."

Su Wanru, knowing exactly what she was upset about, said gently, "I know it must hurt. After all—"

"Don't say it!" Su Xi's emotions flared as she cut her off.

Su Wanru stopped at that, only apologizing softly, "Sorry, I brought up something I shouldn't have. But think about it—if that hadn't happened, would Tang Mianmian even be here?"

Su Xi shot her a cold glance.

She wasn't Long Ruoshui—she wouldn't be provoked so easily.

But what Su Wanru said wasn't wrong.

She was deeply wounded.

She used to think Long Yejue would hold onto that moment, that person, for a lifetime.

But now… it was clear: things change. People change.

Nothing can truly withstand the test of time.

Not even the love she once thought was perfect.

Worried about Su Xi, Hexi Jue came over and took off his jacket to drape it over her. "Come on, don't overthink it."

Su Xi nodded slightly and followed him back to the group.

At the long dining table, Tang Mianmian fidgeted nervously and asked Long Yejue awkwardly, "Did I embarrass myself?"

Long Yejue nodded honestly. "Yeah, it was embarrassing."

Ughhh...

She wanted to dig a hole and hide.

"But I'm curious—where did you even get this stuff?" He reached to tug at her fake eyelashes.

Her lashes were naturally long and curled—she didn't need artificial ones at all.

His pull made her eyes sting.

"Ow! That hurts! What are you doing?!"

"Taking off your makeup," he replied matter-of-factly.

"Didn't you say you didn't mind it?"

Long Yejue's eyes gleamed with mischief. "That was just polite talk. You believed me?"

"Ughhh…" She angrily pinched him. "I knew you minded!"

"Yeah, I minded. I wish everyone minded, so you'd be mine alone." He chuckled softly, his voice full of fondness.

Tang Mianmian's gloom instantly lifted. "Okay, you're good with words."

"But you really do look awful like this… I might have nightmares tonight."

"… Long Yejue! Go to hell!"

Their playful bickering was painfully sweet to everyone watching.

Annoyed, Hexi Jue played a second dance track and walked over to break them up. "Sister-in-law, may I have this dance?"

Dancing...

Her worst fear was coming true.

She looked at Long Yejue, silently begging for rescue.

But before he could speak, Hexi Jue added, "You're not going to turn me down, are you?"

"It's not that…" Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't dare admit she couldn't dance.

Qi Yunmo chimed in, fanning the flames. "Jue, don't tell me you won't let your wife dance with Hexi?"

Long Yejue didn't mind at first, but seeing her flustered expression, he caught on. He smoothly intervened, "My woman only dances with me. If you want a dance, go find your own wife."

Hexi Jue, "…."

"Long Yejue, you damn wife-showoff! I'll never forgive you!" Hexi Jue fumed.

But Long Yejue stayed relaxed and fired back, "I am showing off. So what? Single dog."

"Aaaargh—Long Yejue!"

The cold atmosphere suddenly warmed up.

As the music played, Mo Ran raised a large glass of orange juice and suggested, "Since it's your birthday, shouldn't you dance with the lady of the hour?"

"Yeah, you should," Qi Yunmo agreed. "You've already shown your love—go all the way."

Fu Ranran tugged his arm. "Why are you stirring things up? Sit down!"

Qi Yunmo quieted down immediately at his girl's words.

Long Yejue liked the idea. He looked at Tang Mianmian. "Wife, may I have this dance?"

She shook her head like a drum.

"Wow! Long Yejue got rejected! Haha, serves you right!" Hexi Jue laughed the loudest, thrilled.

Long Yejue looked genuinely surprised. "I invited you so formally and you turned me down? That really hurts."

Tang Mianmian stammered, "I... I don't know how."

"What?" He acted like he didn't hear.

"I don't know how!" she shouted.

Silence.

Now she really felt humiliated.

Hexi Jue burst out laughing. "Sister-in-law, you can't be serious! Are you messing with us?"

"I think they just plan to have a private 'dance' at home," Mo Chengyu added with a sly look.

Mo Ran blinked. "What's a private dance?"

"Nothing, sweetie. Drink your juice." He ruffled her bangs and coaxed her gently.

Mo Ran, obedient as always, dropped the question.

Tang Mianmian couldn't even look at Long Yejue anymore.

He must think she was so lame.

But he just smiled warmly and said, "I'll teach you."

"No, that's so embarrassing," she whispered.

"What's embarrassing? Were they all born knowing how to dance?"

True.

She gave in silently.

Long Yejue led her to the dance floor. With his guidance, she placed her hands and assumed the posture.

"When I say step, you step. Got it?" he whispered, holding her waist.

Tang Mianmian nodded.

"Left foot back. Right foot—ouch."

Two steps in, and she stomped on him.

Laughter broke out all around.

Her cheeks turned the color of wine. "Sorry, sorry! I'm so clumsy!"

"It's fine. Again." Long Yejue showed endless patience.

The others were shocked.

Hexi Jue stroked his chin. "Is this really Long Yejue? Am I seeing things?"

"My eyes are blinded," Qi Yunmo nodded.

Mo Chengyu, more reserved, smiled faintly. "He's gone soft."

They enjoyed the show, but poor Tang Mianmian was dying on the dance floor.

She couldn't make it past three steps without stepping on him.

His custom-made leather shoes were now completely deformed.

Feeling terrible, she finally gave up. "I quit."

"So easily discouraged? There'll be lots of family balls in the Long household."

"I'm really that bad, huh?" she muttered.

"Not too bad," he replied, neither praising nor denying her.

Her heart sank again, thinking of past humiliations. That old inferiority complex crept back.

But Long Yejue added gently, "Even if you're terrible, you're still my woman."

She looked up in surprise.

Was that a confession?

Why was her heart racing so fast?

Then again, what woman wouldn't get flustered around a man like Long Yejue?

With renewed determination, she said, "I'll master the waltz!"

"Good spirit." He kissed her cheek in encouragement.

She shyly shrank away. "People are watching…"

"So you mean, if no one's watching, I can do whatever I want?" he asked with a devilish grin.

"…."

She played dead.

Su Wanru and Long Ruoshui had been waiting for her to embarrass herself.

The more awkward Tang Mianmian was, the happier they felt.

But who would've thought—Long Yejue not only taught her, but made it romantic too!

Su Wanru nearly burst with anger.

Long Ruoshui gritted her teeth. "Tang Mianmian really is different to Big Brother."

Su Wanru gripped her wine glass tightly, eyes dark with jealousy.

Meanwhile, Tang Mianmian was finally getting the hang of it. But when she dipped back again, she heard a ripping sound—and her already cool back turned cold.

Had… had her dress torn?

She let go of Long Yejue instinctively and stumbled to the floor.

It wasn't a graceful fall.

Long Yejue froze for a second, then rushed to help her. "Why'd you let go?"

Tang Mianmian sat there, utterly mortified, trying to feel the back of her dress—hoping it was just the zipper.

But no. It had torn at the seams.

It was… ripped open.

Oh god.

Was she cursed today?!

Embarrassment after embarrassment!

She sat frozen, face burning, unable to move.

Long Yejue frowned, thinking she was hurt, and moved to pick her up.

Then he understood.

Tang Mianmian lowered her head, completely crushed.

"I ripped the dress…" Her face was pale as paper, lips drained of color.