Chapter 52: Qi Wen’s Dance

People often say that dreams are connected to reality.

As the saying goes, “What you think about during the day, you dream about at night.”

Dreaming about playing basketball? Jiang Ning could understand that.

But dreaming about playing basketball in a wedding dress? Not even a hundred thousand “whys” could explain that.

The most baffling part was that the final reward in the dream was a pair of red high heels.

No matter how she thought about it, Jiang Ning just couldn’t figure it out.

At that moment, Luo Shanshan noticed Jiang Ning seemed a little absent-minded today and asked curiously,

“What’s wrong, Little Jiang Jiang? Something on your mind?”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning thought for a moment and decided to share part of her dream—except for the part where the reward was a pair of red crystal shoes.

After listening, Luo Shanshan looked surprised and said,

“Little Jiang Jiang, are you thinking about getting married?”

As soon as she said that, Luo Shanshan suddenly seemed to realize something. She adjusted her glasses and frowned slightly.

“No, wait… playing basketball in a wedding dress…

“Everything in your dream seems to be hinting that the wedding dress is restricting your movements, your actions—you want to break free.

“So…”

Luo Shanshan seemed to reach a conclusion, and with a mischievous smile, she teased,

“Little Jiang Jiang, are you that afraid of falling in love?”

Was that really the interpretation?

Jiang Ning stared blankly at the copper sulfate solution in front of her, lost in thought.

Just then—

A strong, pungent smell suddenly wafted her way.

Jiang Ning instinctively frowned and turned around.

She immediately saw Luo Shanshan shaking a glass container filled with a 30% sulfuric acid solution right in front of her.

Seeing the fascinated expression on Luo Shanshan’s face, Jiang Ning asked in shock,

“Hey, be careful!

“That’s sulfuric acid! Sulfuric acid!”

Jiang Ning kindly warned her, but Luo Shanshan just gave a silly grin and said,

“I know, but don’t you think this transparent color is really pretty?”

“You really are a visual creature, Da Shanshan. Even sulfuric acid can make you swoon.”

Behind them, Sun Qian was copying down some data. Hearing their conversation, she couldn’t help but interject with a jab.

And, as expected, the two of them immediately started bickering again.

Luckily, they still remembered they were in a lab, so their battle was limited to words only.

One called the other “Nanny,” the other countered with “Little Bun.”

Jiang Ning listened, black lines forming on her forehead.

—

After class in the afternoon, Jiang Ning and Qi Wen headed to the multimedia building where they usually had music lessons.

Their music teacher, Du Xinrui, was waiting for them in one of the classrooms.

Following the arrangements made by Yang Mei, Qi Wen had to perform a self-choreographed dance in front of Du Xinrui today.

If she didn’t receive the music teacher’s approval, the performance would be disqualified.

Because of that, Jiang Ning was quite invested in the matter and asked several times along the way,

“Wenwen, are you sure there’s nothing wrong with the dance?”

“Wenwen, don’t you need to change outfits?”

“Wenwen…”

Eventually, Qi Wen grew impatient. She turned her head slightly and looked at Jiang Ning with a hint of exasperation.

“How about… you dance for me instead?”

Me? Dance for you?

No, no, no!

Jiang Ning shook her head like a rattling drum.

“Then can you at least let me have some peace?”

“Oh… okay.”

Jiang Ning obediently shut her mouth.

Soon, they arrived at the designated classroom door.

There were other students inside.

Judging by the sounds coming from the room, someone was singing.

However, because of the classroom’s good soundproofing, Jiang Ning couldn’t make out the lyrics.

She only felt that the singing was quite passionate…

A moment later, a tall and well-built male student pushed the door open and walked out.

When he saw the two pretty girls standing outside, his face turned noticeably red.

“Uh… um… Teacher Du asked you two to come in.”

After speaking, he lowered his head and quickly walked away.

Jiang Ning actually recognized this guy.

Zhao Hua, the sports committee member of Class 4. He was bold, outgoing, and carefree—a straightforward person.

In her past life, he was one of the few friends Jiang Ning had from other classes.

But in this life, due to the gender difference, they couldn’t be as close.

Just like her other male friends from her previous life, their relationship had been reduced to mere acquaintances who exchanged nods.

—

Upon entering, they found a spacious classroom.

The desks had been moved to the sides, leaving a wide-open floor in the center.

At the teacher’s podium, a woman in a black dress sat there. She appeared to be in her thirties.

Her facial features were ordinary, but she carried the unique pride of a musician.

“What class are you from? What’s your performance?” Du Xinrui asked in a calm voice.

“Hello, Teacher Du. We’re from Class 3 of Year 1. Today’s performance is a solo dance—Sea Fish.”

After speaking, Qi Wen respectfully bowed to Du Xinrui.

“Sea Fish? A classical dance? You seem to have a solid foundation,” Du Xinrui said approvingly, nodding at Qi Wen.

Then, she stood up and walked over to the piano, playing a few notes as if confirming the melody.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ning sensibly stepped aside to give Qi Wen space to perform.

A moment later, when the piano melody settled into a rhythm, Qi Wen suddenly moved.

She spread her arms, her wrists moving fluidly with the music. Her body swayed in a controlled yet natural manner, like a fish gracefully swimming in the sea, dancing in harmony with the music.

Jiang Ning watched for a while… then became a little dazed.

Not because of the dance.

But because of Qi Wen’s waist.

That slender, soft waist, like a water snake—so delicate it could be held with just one hand.

If only her “brother” hadn’t “left home,” why would she let such a beauty go to someone else?!

Tsk!!

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. Jiang Ning couldn’t help but curse under her breath.

However, her little outburst didn’t escape Du Xinrui’s notice.

Having studied the arts since childhood, Du Xinrui had a special appreciation for beauty.

She admired Jiang Ning’s appearance—beautiful yet unpretentious, with a very unique aura.

A rare talent for dance.

Unfortunately, Jiang Ning seemed dismissive of it, which displeased her.

She set down her hands and stopped playing.

“Pause for a moment.”

Then, she turned her gaze to Jiang Ning.

“You—what do you think?”

Me?

Jiang Ning looked at the black-faced teacher in confusion, then glanced at Qi Wen, who also seemed puzzled.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Shit, is this another test?

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Ning’s mind flashed with a few movements.

“Teacher, what do you think of this?”

She then demonstrated a few moves.

In an instant, Du Xinrui’s eyes lit up.

“Interesting. Where did you learn that?”

In nightclubs, after a few drinks, from the hostesses.

Of course, Jiang Ning wouldn’t say that. She just gave a sheepish grin.

“Uh… I saw it on TV…”

In the end, Qi Wen incorporated Jiang Ning’s moves, and sure enough, the dance’s appeal skyrocketed.

The routine went from a simple “200-dollar drinking show” to a full “2000-dollar VIP package.”

When she finished dancing, Qi Wen’s face was flushed, and her gaze toward Jiang Ning carried an unspoken reproach.

That look…

It made Old Jiang’s heart itch.