The young man knew he had made a fool of himself; after delivering a stern retort, he slinked away.

Like a small episode at the wine party, the classical melody of the Nocturne once again echoed in the air, and no one paid attention to the previous incident. The people in the dance floor continued to dance hand in hand, immersed in this joyful moment.

"Can you dance the waltz?" Xu Xiaoyou asked.

The surrounding people whirled in their dance steps, and the soft lighting from the banquet lights gently bathed them. Though the girl's voice wasn't loud, Tang Xin heard it clearly.

Tang Xin didn't understand why the girl suddenly asked this: "No, but ballet and modern dance are okay."

"Having some basics is enough."

"Me?"

Before Tang Xin could react, Xu Xiaoyou gently wrapped her soft waist, whispering only within their world.

"Hold me tight."

Tang Xin awkwardly followed Xu Xiaoyou's steps, arms pressed together, fingers interlocked. The world revolved around her like a kaleidoscope, with the golden light swirling above them.

"Wait, I'm afraid I'll step on you."

Xu Xiaoyou lightly raised her wrist, stretching her hand into the air along with the girl's, feet gracefully spinning, making the girl's body turn as well, steps interweaving near the girl's high-heeled shoes, stepping backward to the right.

"Then stay closer to me, and keep your balance."

Tang Xin lightly bit her lip, her gaze shifting nervously. This was her first time getting so close to someone. It's strange; why is she so nervous now? Is it the perfume on her, or the citrus scent inherent in her clothes?

Tang Xin looked up, their eyes met, the world seemed to have forgotten everything except each other's presence, slowing down with the soothing music, sometimes tightly embracing, sometimes swiftly separating.

Her mind was entirely elsewhere, not on the dance steps. She had known before that this person had long eyelashes, yet looking at them now, those amber eyes seemed magical, beautifully mesmerizing, radiating a gentle glow while inexplicably drawing one to trust and be close.

"Don't daze off; the rhythm will speed up next." Xu Xiaoyou reminded.

Tang Xin snapped back to reality, her left hand fitting into the girl's palm, her right arm wrapping around Xu Xiaoyou's shoulder, tiptoeing forward with the shoes, tightly pressed against the girl's flat chest. The blue skirt with gold score lines fluttered at that moment, white flowers blooming briefly yet stunning.

Every sidestep, every turn, was filled with grace and power. Surrounding dancers noticed the two girls dancing in the center, the latter's clumsy steps slowly becoming familiar under the former's patient guidance, gradually integrated into the solemn and profound melody of the Nocturne.

Everything blurred further in the dance, turning into dazzling golden spots, yet the girl in front was clear, Tang Xin gazing intently at her. The complex tango steps posed quite a challenge for most beginners, but she felt her body growing lighter, eventually feeling relaxed and comfortable.

"Not bad, you can keep up so quickly." Xu Xiaoyou praised.

Tang Xin kept staring at Xu Xiaoyou: "Why are you so skilled? How many people have you danced with?"

"Why ask me this question?" Xu Xiaoyou slightly raised her eyebrow, letting slip a playful smile fleetingly.

Tang Xin was momentarily speechless, and the girl continued gently:

"I've danced with quite a few older women from different families for social reasons, and they all praised my dancing skills."

Tang Xin opened her mouth: "You're mooching off them..."

"I'm not mooching, are you going to earn money and support me?" Xu Xiaoyou blinked.

Tang Xin's thoughts wandered; what kind of nonsense is this person saying? But it's true she's been bouncing around concerts like a cash cow, inspired by her every day.

Almost every day's schedule is filled by this person, leaving no time for herself; often just finishing a concert and immediately rushing to the next signing meet.

"Don't worry, it's not for social needs, it's the first time between friends."

"You must be responsible to me." Xu Xiaoyou said seriously.

Seeing the other's demeanor, Tang Xin got irritated, wishing to bite her hard. Suddenly, Xu Xiaoyou quietly spoke:

"It's nearly over, prepare yourself."

Next moment, Tang Xin's world began to spin; she saw the girl lifting her waist, a grand and prolonged descending note echoing, her body slightly leaning backward, forming a graceful curve with her neck in the air, her necklace shining in the golden light.

Xu Xiaoyou then lowered her head, golden hair draping down her face, her right hand in white gloves raised in salute, directing this gesture to those on the field.

As the music ended, sparse applause echoed at the wine party, turning lively afterwards.

At this moment, the spotlight of the entire party was on them. Tang Xin quietly observed Xu Xiaoyou beside her, whose expression remained calm, facing the crowd's applause together.

Tang Xin grew increasingly curious about Xu Xiaoyou, feeling a strong desire to uncover all her secrets completely and keep them hidden from everyone else.

This curiosity was strange, like breaking the inner sealed doors, something seems about to fly out from behind them.

Tang Xin's hand pressed tightly on her chest; her heart was beating really fast, so fast.

This night, to her, was truly an unforgettable one.

...

In the night, the cabin was silent, everyone sleeping soundly. If anyone woke up and ventured to the deck area at this time, they would be deeply shocked by the power of nature. A gale once whipped up waves tens of meters high, the sky weighed down like heavy iron, sea mist ran across the sea, distant connected ice floes broke apart, emitting thunderous roars.

The steel bow continuously cut through the waves, the iron-black hull with its steel mountain seemed on the brink of toppling, tens of thousands of tons of steel groaned mournfully as the gloomy sky suddenly descended a sharp lightning bolt, casting the surrounding shapes in stark relief.

The deck had thirteen floors, each encircled by enormous glass curtain walls, frost formed on the glass beneath the steel, with moonlight shrouded by gray clouds now streaming in, illuminating the red curtain-covered shadowy area.

In the empty piano hall, the sound of a piano echoed; if listened carefully, one could hear it was "The Crave."

Amid the hull's large tilt, a girl sat on a large grand piano, delicate fingers dancing over the black and white keys, golden hair draped over her fingers, the piano wheels sliding quickly to the right along the sloped floor, yet the girl maintained her balance, allowing the piano to slide around the large hall without disrupting the music.

Suddenly, a moment arose; the bow faced crashing waves, almost tilting the cruise ship to a forty-five-degree angle, and the piano beneath the girl seemed to hurtle toward the wall with nearly falling speed, a short-haired figure appeared timely, moved across the sloped floor as if on flat ground, raised her leg to brace the out-of-control maple piano, shielding it and the girl.

At this time, Xu Xiaoyou on the piano bench raised her head, peeked out from the piano frame, and said to the appearing figure:

"Good evening, Miss Chichu Hong."

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