Chapter 8

The afternoon dragged on painfully slowly.Lian Feng swore time was deliberately slowing down just to test his patience.

His so-called brothers weren't helping either. They had spent the entire day teasing him non-stop.

"But sister-in-law is really beautiful!"Ye Zichen sighed dramatically, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe Lian's luck."I won't say anything—I have a girlfriend!" Chen Dong quickly added, making an exaggerated X sign with his arms as if to ward off any incoming trouble.

Lian, however, had already drifted off into his own world.

As soon as their second drill practice ended, he practically sprinted back to his room, wasting no time.

He peeled off his uniform, quickly changing into a sleek all-black outfit—baggy pants and an oversized shirt. Fresh from a shower, his damp hair clung slightly to his forehead as he stepped out, ready to leave.

That's when he saw him.Zheng Tianyi.The moment their eyes met in the dim corridor, Tianyi shot him a look full of disdain before turning his attention to someone else."Hyein!" he called out, his voice loud, confident.But Lian's focus was elsewhere.

His heart stopped when he saw her.Jiu.

She was already there, standing under the golden glow of the evening light, waiting for him.

She looked breathtaking.

Dressed in sleek black shorts and a sleeveless cropped tank top, paired with brown Timberland boots, she was effortlessly stylish. But what really took him by surprise—

Her hair.It was blonde.

Had she dyed it?!

The golden hue made her look even more striking, like a doll—ethereal, otherworldly, absolutely mesmerizing.Already known across academies for her beauty ,Jiu had always stood out, but today?

Today, she stunned.

Lian Feng felt something in his chest tighten.His heart—he couldn't take it.His heart trembled at the sight of her, a foreign but exhilarating surge of happiness spreading through him.

Jiu, who had completely ignored Tianyi's existence, turned toward Lian Feng with a bright smile.

And then—she did something that completely wrecked him.

From behind her, she pulled out an ice cream.

"Blackcurrant. Here!" she said cheerfully, offering it to him like it was the most normal thing in the world.Lian Feng, still in a daze, stared at her.

Was this woman real?!Did she just casually buy him ice cream?!

His already trembling heart started racing.

The moment she saw his expression, Lisa's smile widened.

"Thanks," he finally managed to say, lips curling into a rare bunny smile.And just like that—

News spread.

A handful of NDA students nearby had seen it all.God Lian and Beauty Jiu?Together?!Excited whispers erupted across campus.

And just like that, Jiu and Lian had unknowingly become the hottest topic of the night in the school forum

Tianyi, who had been watching the sweet interaction between Jiu and Lian, couldn't take it anymore.His expression darkened as he turned toward Lian Feng, his voice laced with mock confidence."You deliberately chose to be with her just to compete with me, right?"Jiu, who had already ignored him once, snapped.Her blood boiled at his audacity.

She turned sharply, anger flaring in her eyes, and without hesitation, raised her middle finger at him.

"First, you betray me by stealing my choreography—" her voice was sharp, unwavering. "And now, you have the nerve to point fingers at someone who's just helping me?"The air around them tensed.

Tianyi visibly stiffened, caught off guard by her bold response.

And Lian Feng?

He had been watching her the entire time.His wife was fighting for him.For him.He couldn't help it—his lips curled into a bunny smile, his heart swelling with admiration.But he wasn't about to let Jiu handle it alone.

Calmly, effortlessly, he added, "I'm not interested in competing with you."

Simple. Direct. Final.And with that, he turned, walking alongside Jiu as they left for the dance studio.

Jiu, who was still fuming, glanced at Lian Feng.

And then she saw it again.That damn bunny smile.

Her steps faltered for half a second.

Gosh.

Why does he keep smiling like that?Why is it so tempting?!She let out a frustrated breath, shaking her head slightly as she picked up her pace.This senior was dangerous.As they stepped into the dance studio, the air buzzed with energy. Music pulsed through the room, filling every corner with rhythm and anticipation.

Jiu led Lian Feng to a quieter section, where she set up her phone and pressed play.

The beat dropped.And then—she moved.Swaying, twirling, gliding across the floor with effortless precision.

Lian Feng stood frozen, his full attention on her.

It wasn't just him—other dancers in the studio had also paused, drawn in by her presence.She commanded the room without even trying.Her movements were fluid, each step a perfect blend of power and grace.She looked like a proclaimed doll, breathtakingly delicate yet undeniably strong.Lian's eyes shone as he watched, his heart swelling with something he couldn't quite name.A bunny smile broke onto his face before he even realized it.

And then, with one breath, he murmured, "Gosh… really good."Jiu came to a stop, catching her breath slightly.

She was used to compliments about her dance—had received them all her life.

But this time…

For some reason, it frustrated her because it felt good ,as some blood rushed to her face.

She quickly waved her hand, brushing off his words."Enough of that—let's make you learn this."Her tone was sharp, filled with urgency.Lian Feng tilted his head slightly, amused.Was she flustered?Adorable.But he said nothing, only nodding as he stepped forward.He'd follow whatever she said.After all, how could he refuse his wife?Jiu had come in prepared, mentally setting her expectations—she had thought it would take at least two or three days for Lian Feng to learn the whole choreography.But who would have expected this?

In just five to seven tries—within one day—he had already mastered it.

He wasn't just good; he was natural, absorbing every movement with precision.

Each step, each transition, he flowed through the routine effortlessly.The choreography started sharp and robotic, with rigid, controlled movements—his strength shone through in these moments.

Then, as the tempo shifted, they eased into the fluidity of contemporary, each motion melting into the next.

The middle section was softer, peacetime, where the dance wasn't just about movements but emotions.They moved together, complementing each other in perfect harmony.

And when it came to the final act—a contemporary lift—Lian's hand found her waist.

For a moment, his grip trembled.She was so small, her waist fitting perfectly into his hands.

And yet, she was strong, carrying the grace of someone who had done this a thousand times.

His breath hitched as he twirled her.

And then it was over.Jiu stepped back, taking it all in.

He had learned everything.

So that meant they had six whole days to refine and perfect every detail.Excitement burst in her chest.

Without thinking—without hesitation—she bounced on her feet and threw her arms around him.

It was a quick, fleeting embrace, but it sent a jolt through Lian's spine.

She pulled back just as fast.

But for him—

For him, it was as if time had slowed.

If grabbing her waist had made his heart race, then this moment—this small, unexpected hug—made the gears in his heart move faster than ever.

His chest felt warm.And before he could stop it—

The bunny smile appeared.Not just any smile—brighter, bigger, softer.It was more charming, more chandelier-like than the last one.

Jiu, who had already struggled earlier, clenched her fists as her heart pounded.

"Gosh, why? Why that smile?!"She quickly shook off the thought and cleared her throat."I didn't expect you to learn so quickly,Senior!" she admitted, crossing her arms, trying to act casual.

Lian Feng, still feeling the remnants of warmth from their earlier interaction, glanced at her and exhaled lightly.

"I like dancing," he admitted, his voice softer than usual."I just… I just wanted to get into NDA. Because of that, I hadn't danced for a long time."He glanced at his hands, flexing his fingers as if remembering something distant

.

"It feels good," he said, "to see all the energy coming back."Jiu blinked.

For the first time, she saw something in him beyond just the stoic cadet she had met before.