The Dancing Dance

A false alarm.

Though everyone felt a bit disappointed, at least they had put on the necessary show.

Now it was time for everyone to head home.

But Dai Wu wasn’t ready to let it go. She took a few quick steps forward and grabbed Su Mingzhao’s arm.

Su Mingzhao paused mid-step, the soft warmth on his arm making him uneasy.

"Next time I go to that court to play, you’re not allowed to ignore me," Dai Wu said, tilting her head up with a tone that brooked no argument.

Su Mingzhao gave her a puzzled look, then glanced at his captured arm. "That court isn’t mine. What right do I have to stop you?"

Perfect. Talking to a brick wall.

Dai Wu stomped her foot in frustration, her cheeks puffing slightly.

"I know your name is Su Mingzhao. Mine’s Dai Wu—Wu as in dance. You better remember it!"

Su Mingzhao’s expression instantly turned wary. He subtly retreated half a step, his gaze flickering between her and Dai Wen in the distance.

San’er? Is that you?!

Finally, his eyes landed on Lin Mo, who was watching the scene with amusement, and he relaxed slightly.

"What, another fight?" Su Mingzhao asked warily, glancing between Dai Wu and Dai Wen.

Dai Wen, meanwhile, was eyeing him with clear hostility—not someone to mess with.

"Who wants to fight you?" Dai Wu snapped back. "I’m asking you to play ball! You’re the only one who doesn’t go easy on me. I like playing with you!"

The reason was so straightforward that Su Mingzhao froze. After a moment, he nodded. "Oh. Sure, let’s play."

Dai Wu’s eyes lit up. She immediately pulled out her phone, unlocked it, and opened the dial screen in one smooth motion.

The screen’s glow reflected in her sparkling eyes as she thrust the phone toward him.

"Then give me your number," she said, holding the phone out expectantly.

Fang Jun, standing beside Dai Wen, sucked in a sharp breath and elbowed Dai Wen hard in the ribs. "That guy’s got a death wish!"

Dai Wen’s fists clenched, veins bulging on the back of his hands as he gritted his teeth. "Yeah. He really does."

"Relax. Su Mingzhao’s got the emotional range of a brick. He won’t even realize what’s happening."

Ma Li’s dry remark cut through the tension like a knife.

Dai Wen whipped his head around to stare at Ma Li, his rigid posture loosening as a flicker of hope returned to his eyes.

"Really?!"

He couldn’t bear the thought of his precious little sister being snatched up by some clueless idiot. Ma Li nodded solemnly.

"Really. But..."

He paused, then added lazily,

"Your sister’s pretty, though. And Su Mingzhao isn’t that dumb."

The hope on Dai Wen’s face shattered instantly.

His world darkened. A dull roar filled his ears.

No way.

He had to tell their parents. Their precious cabbage was about to get trampled by a wild boar.

Su Mingzhao, oblivious, finished entering his number and waved dismissively.

"We done here? I’m heading home."

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Dai Wu didn’t protest, just called after him, "We’re playing again this weekend!"

Su Mingzhao raised a hand in acknowledgment without looking back.

So cringe.

"That was anticlimactic," Lin Mo remarked offhandedly.

Fang Jun jogged back over.

"Way too short. Let’s go—I’ll walk with you guys today."

And so, the four from the urban village began their journey home.

Dai Wen’s group had already dispersed, leaving only him and Dai Wu at the school gate.

Watching his sister skip back cheerfully, Dai Wen’s expression soured. He grumbled,

"I’m telling Mom and Dad."

"Don’t! If you do, I’ll tell them you bullied me!"

"They won’t believe that. It’s always you bullying me, never the other way around."

Dai Wu pouted and turned her head away.

"You’re planning to bully me."

Only then did Dai Wen ask, "Do you like that guy?"

Her reaction caught him off guard.

Dai Wu scoffed.

"Bro, do you really think I’m that stupid? What’s Su Mingzhao to me? He just doesn’t go easy on me when we play—that’s all."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, like a cunning little fox staring in the direction Su Mingzhao had left.

"I’m going to make him like me, then have him willingly go easy on me."

Dai Wen shuddered. "What if this backfires?"

"How? I won’t ask outright. He’ll do it willingly."

Dai Wen sighed but still tried to dissuade her.

"Xiao Wu, you boss me around at home all you want, but outsiders aren’t as predictable."

"Ugh, you’re so annoying. Keep talking, and I’ll tell Dad about your terrible grades."

At that, Dai Wen fell silent.

Though Dai Wu was nowhere near his size, he knew his place in the family hierarchy.

On the road, Lin Mo withdrew his spiritual sense.

He glanced at Fang Jun and asked casually, "What do you think of that girl who asked Su Mingzhao to play?"

Fang Jun cursed under his breath. "Should’ve let Dai Wen beat Su Mingzhao to death. That guy’s insufferable."

"I asked about the girl."

Lin Mo repeated the question.

"She’s alright, I guess. Seems lively and cheerful."

Lin Mo then turned to Chu Miaomiao and Xie Yuling.

"What about you two?"

"That girl probably likes Su Mingzhao," Xie Yuling mused, recalling the scene.

But Chu Miaomiao shook her head.

"No. There’s no affection in her eyes."

Lin Mo simply smiled without comment.

Fang Jun, however, argued, "Even if it’s not love, she’s definitely interested. Su Mingzhao’s indifference probably intrigues her. Rich girls love that kind of challenge, don’t they?"

He shot a meaningful look at Lin Mo.

Lin Mo sighed. "Not all rich girls are the same. Some know their limits. Others deliberately cross them."

"Too wordy. So you think Dai Wu’s up to no good?"

Xie Yuling caught on immediately.

Lin Mo nodded. "Remember, she was the one who brought two guys to challenge Su Mingzhao earlier—both of them boys."

Fang Jun finally connected the dots.

"You’re saying she’s trying to play our Su Mingzhao?"

"Possibly. As long as our dear ‘Su Ming-cat’ resists the bait."

Xie Yuling suddenly spoke up. "Aren’t you going to warn him?"

Classic Xie Yuling—cold exterior, warm heart.

Fang Jun shrugged. "Drop a hint or two, sure. But if he falls for it and ends up hating you later? Not worth it."