Chapter 130 - 101: Xiao Wanqing’s Condition
I already feel so awkward acting like this. You want me to keep it up? It’s suffocating! I’m a tomboy, through and through.
Xiao Wanqing took a sip of water. A thought seemed to strike her, and she asked, "Oh, right, Su Ran, how did you end up having dinner with Lin Che and Sister Reba?"
Su Ran briefly explained what had happened. Understanding dawned on Xiao Wanqing. "Oh, no wonder Brother Che looked a little familiar. He’s an idol."
Lin Che said, "You’re the first one to call me an idol. For that alone, I’ll drink to you. I’ll down mine, you can do as you please!"
Xiao Wanqing looked at Su Ran expectantly. "So, does this mean you’re going to perform on stage?"
"Uh... it’s kind of a funny story," Su Ran said, scratching his head with an awkward laugh.
"I’ve never seen you sing before," Xiao Wanqing said. "I’m really looking forward to it."
"Your Su Ran has great stage presence," Reba commented. "He’s got a real star quality."
"Sigh! Don’t jinx it," Su Ran said honestly. "I’m just an amateur. I just hope I don’t hold Brother Che back this time. To be honest, I’m starting to feel the pressure. I’m terrified I’ll mess up when I get on stage."
"It’s fine. Just treat it like any other day and don’t get nervous," Reba advised. "That goes for all of you, understand?"
Xiao Wanqing piped up, "I have a question. Is there anything I can do for you guys?"
Everyone: ???
Xiao Wanqing continued, "I remember Brother Che doesn’t have a fan club, right? Why don’t I take charge of contacting some fans to come and cheer you on at the venue the day after tomorrow?"
Su Ran: "Hired fans?"
Xiao Wanqing: "Yup. It’s not like Brother Che has any real fans, does he?"
PFFT—
Lin Che: "Sister-in-law, could you be a little more tactful?"
Reba laughed. "That’s not a bad idea. Having a loud crowd is important, anyway. The other performers will have fans there to cheer for them—though most of them are probably paid to be there. You can’t lose out in terms of presence. Little sister Wanqing’s suggestion is a good one. Let’s do that."
Xiao Wanqing: "OK! I’ll make sure it’s all taken care of."
Partway through the meal, Su Ran used the "bathroom excuse" to slip away and pay the bill. It was over ten thousand yuan, but it was worth it. After all, Reba had spent the entire afternoon training them and was even treating them to dinner. There was no way they could let her pay. If they did, where would the four guys hide their faces? It wasn’t about her being a rich, famous actress who earned money quickly; it was a matter of principle. Since Su Ran had the money, he just paid.
After the meal, Reba went to pay, only to find out Su Ran had already settled the bill. She laughed and pointed at Su Ran. "Fighting to pay the bill, are we?"
Su Ran replied, "Next time it’s your treat. I promise I won’t fight you for it."
Reba: "OK! I’ll get going then. See you tomorrow." She then got into her van and left.
Lin Che and the others also waved goodbye. Not wanting to be third wheels, they headed off. They were all staying at the training camp.
「At that moment.」
Only Su Ran and Xiao Wanqing were left.
"Let’s walk back," Xiao Wanqing suggested, "and feel the evening breeze from the Huangpu River."
With that, she started walking ahead of him along the Bund.
Su Ran caught up and walked beside her. Xiao Wanqing said, "Uh... hey, Su Ran... I’m sorry I bit you. I was drunk, I really don’t remember doing it."
"It’s okay," he said. "I don’t mind."
"You’re so nice."
Xiao Wanqing stopped and leaned against the railing. She pulled Su Ran toward her, stood on her tiptoes, and, as a show of her guilt, went in for a kiss.
"What are you doing?"
Su Ran took a step back in tactical panic, covering his mouth. It was a conditioned reflex; he was traumatized from being bitten by Xiao Wanqing.
"...Didn’t you just say you didn’t mind?"
"Nope, nope, nope!" Su Ran waved his hands frantically in refusal. You have to understand the scene back then: Xiao Wanqing had latched onto his lip and refused to let go for dear life. The psychological scar it left was immense.
Seeing Su Ran’s "frightened" expression, Xiao Wanqing was both exasperated and amused. "Come here!" She grabbed Su Ran, held his face in her hands to keep him from turning away, and stood on her tiptoes. Getting close, she parted her red lips and gently blew a soft breath onto his lip.
"Does it still hurt?"
"It doesn’t hurt anymore. It’s like you gave me an anesthetic. It’s all tingly and numb. Seems to be pretty effective."
Su Ran wasn’t lying. The gentle stream of air Xiao Wanqing blew on the wound really was like an anesthetic; half his face felt tingly and numb.
"Sigh..."
Xiao Wanqing sighed. Just like she had at the club entrance last night, she wrapped her arms around Su Ran’s waist and leaned into his embrace. Looking at the brilliant Dongfeng Pearl, she said, "I’m sorry, Su Ran. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have bitten you."
Su Ran looked down at the guilt-ridden Xiao Wanqing in his arms and said, "What’s a little pain like this compared to the pain a girl goes through?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wanqing looked up, her eyes fixing on Su Ran with a peculiar expression. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Let’s go. Back to the hotel."
"I can’t walk anymore. These high heels are too high. You have to carry me on your back."
"...Fine, fine, fine. Seeing as you risked being beaten to death by your parents to take me in for a night, and even let me use you as a pillow, I’ll carry you. C’mon." Su Ran squatted down slightly and patted his back. With a running leap, Xiao Wanqing launched herself onto Su Ran’s back. "HOLY SH—" Su Ran staggered, nearly sent crashing to the ground by her momentum, an inch away from using his face as a brake.
He steadied himself and hitched her up higher on his back. The evening wind swept across this city of Shanghai Beach, a place never lacking in romance, and blew over the "little couple."
Xiao Wanqing wrapped her arms around Su Ran’s neck, rested her head against the back of his, and savored this rare, precious moment.
She recalled her first meeting with Su Ran. It was at the Maoyue Hotel. She couldn’t find a place to park, and Su Ran had his private butler come out to help her.
She recalled accompanying Su Ran as they searched for Stephen Chow in Shanghai’s major food markets.
She recalled Su Ran taking her car shopping in his Aston Martin, and how he’d pranked her by suddenly accelerating, scaring her so much she felt like the buttons on her shirt were about to pop.
To her, this man was incredibly sweet, but also mischievous at times, always enjoying teasing girls.
’For the first eighteen years of her life, Xiao Wanqing’s world had revolved around one thing: ’how to become a true dancer.’ But starting in her nineteenth year, Su Ran’s appearance changed her. ’Whether or not I become a true dancer’ was no longer that important. She just wanted to keep walking this sweet path with him, forever...’