3627-chapter-66-part-2
Chapter 66-Part 2
When the Old Master was young, he studied abroad and developed a fondness for ballroom dancing.
In fact, his relationship with Grandma Shen was solidified through ballroom dancing. However, after Grandma Shen passed away, the Old Master stopped dancing much.
At this moment, Shen Jidong, who had been silent, finally spoke, “Dad, shouldn’t it be Shen Yue who…”
Today’s opening dance wasn’t supposed to be Shen Zhi’s.
Shen Jidong was implying that his son Shen Yue, as the eldest grandson, should rightfully be the one to lead.
The Old Master responded calmly, “Didn’t Ah Yue say that dancing the opening dance was foolish? He doesn’t need to force himself to make this old man happy.”
Hearing this, Shen Jidong’s face turned pale.
Earlier, Shen Yue had indeed argued with him about not wanting to participate in the opening dance, and Shen Jidong hadn’t expected the Old Master to overhear.
Now he felt deeply embarrassed.
Shen Jiming, on the other hand, was secretly delighted.
This was a perfect opportunity to stand out.
However, he glanced at Shen Zhi, worried that his stubborn personality might cause him to refuse this golden opportunity.
But Shen Zhi merely stood there, indifferent, without any signs of rejecting it.
“Dancing?” Ji Ran was a bit surprised.
Had she overacted, leading the Old Master to unexpectedly enlist her to dance?
She looked toward Shen Zhi, hoping he would speak up and refuse on her behalf.
But when their eyes met, Shen Zhi’s gaze held a subtle smile, showing no intention of refusing at all.
The Old Master, with his kind and gentle demeanor, smiled at her and asked, “Ranran, would you be willing to do this old man a favor?”
Shen Zhi had always respected the Old Master because, in this family, the Old Master was the only one who genuinely cared for him.
When Shen Zhi looked at the Old Master, he saw that the old man smiled knowingly at him, as if fully understanding the situation.
Thus, in the end, with the Old Master’s persistent invitation and Shen Zhi’s complete lack of refusal, Ji Ran was left with no choice but to reluctantly accept.
Once backstage, Ji Ran looked at Shen Zhi and lowered her voice to ask, “Do you even know how to dance?”
Her large, dark eyes stared up at him, and after a moment, they filled with a hint of grievance, becoming slightly misty. “Why didn’t you refuse earlier?”
Her voice was soft, wrapped in a touch of complaint, like a tender kitten mewing, stirring a sense of pity deep within.
Shen Zhi’s throat tightened.
“Why would I refuse?”
The opportunity to stand openly beside her—he’d be crazy to turn that down.
Ji Ran hadn’t expected him to say that and tilted her head to look at him.
Her gaze met his dark eyes.
He gazed at her, his eyes tender, deep like the night.
In Ji Ran’s mind, something suddenly tightened, as if an alarm had gone off.
Instinctively, she took a step back, but just as her foot moved, her waist was gently but firmly held in place.
Shen Zhi’s hand rested securely on her waist, preventing her from retreating any further.
“Let’s practice,” Shen Zhi said as he leaned in, stopping just before their foreheads touched.
He then chuckled softly, the corners of his lips curling into a slightly playful smile, and without hesitation, he began to lead her into a dance.
Shen Zhi, with his tall, long frame, wasn’t stiff at all.
In fact, his movements were fluid and graceful as they danced.
The performers backstage, busy preparing for the Old Master’s birthday celebration, paused to watch them.
The tall, handsome young man and the girl in his arms moved together with such grace and elegance, even without music.
Their movements were enchanting, like a painting come to life.
When the emcee came to fetch them, Ji Ran took a deep breath.
Beside her, Shen Zhi firmly took her hand without hesitation.
“Don’t worry, I’m here with you.”
The lights in the hall dimmed, leaving only a single spotlight shining on the center of the stage.
Ji Ran couldn’t see the audience clearly, so she chose not to look.
All she focused on was the boy beside her, who was holding her hand tightly.
As they stepped onto the stage, all eyes turned to them.
The moment the music began, Ji Ran lifted her head slightly, looking at the person in front of her.
Shen Zhi’s gaze was already on her.
His breathing was a little heavy, filled with a restrained yet barely contained impulse.
His voice was husky as he whispered, “Ranran, this is why I didn’t refuse.”
“I want everyone to see how perfect we are together.”