To Love You Again

The second slow song started to play. 

Xiong Zhi put one hand on Lu Yin Ze's shoulders and the other on top of his palm. The man put his remaining hand on her waist lightly. Their distance was not too close, just enough to tell others that this was only a formal dance and not an intimate one.

Lu Yin Ze bluish eyes met Xiong Zhi's calm eyes.

It's been a long time since he had the chance to get close to her like this. After his confession to her, Xiong Zhi had strictly kept her distance. They also did not meet much unless it was about business or their alliance.

It's too sad, but this is only how far he could go.

He smiled. The smile was familiar, like the light and happy smile from the past. 

"Thank you for allowing me to have a dance with you."

"You said it yourself, Lu Yin Ze. This could very well be our last dance."

He did not answer.

The woman continued to talk about the important matters as usual.

Xiong Zhi: "After this event, our society will never be at peace until one side dies down. It is us or him. This could be the last event that everyone can attend while still under this peaceful pretense."

She looked directly into his eyes. "And we do not know how things will turn out. I do not want any of us to get hurt. But with him as our enemy, that is hard to say. Especially for you..."

Lu Yin Ze's smile turned sad. "This is originally only my problem, but I dragged you into these deep waters. I know it is too late, but I want you to know how grateful I am for your help. I apologize for dragging you into this."

"No. You don't have to apologize. This is my own fight as well."

"Zhi'er, I..."

I still care for you.

I still like you.

Is there no way you can like me?

These words were the words that Lu Yin Ze wanted to ask, but he knew the answer already.

He smiled and continued. "I… really hope that after this, you can live happily with Linfeng. You deserve that much."

There are no words of begging or pleading to give him a chance. Or a trick to try to win her again.

The second song soon ended.

Xiong Zhi distanced herself. 

Xiong Zhi looked up at Lu Yin Ze, "I will. I hope that you do, too."

"Zhi'er." A deep voice from behind sounded in her ears.

Xiong Zhi looked behind her with surprise.

"Linfeng." Her tone turned up a notch.

Linfeng held Xiong Zhi's waist and looked with warning at Lu Yin Ze. 

"I came a bit late. I am sorry to keep you waiting." 

Xiong Zhi: ...He is jealous again.

Xiong Zhi knew that she was a ruthless person. 

Between caring for another man's hurt feelings and making her boyfriend uncomfortable, she would rather avoid the latter.

Thus, Xiong Zhi held Linfeng's chin and turned his face towards her. 

Linfeng's face was surprised.

Xiong Zhi: "I am here. Don't be jealous, we only just danced."

'....' Seeing the couple's sweet and intimate actions, Lu Yin Ze turned around and left quietly.

His heart was still weak and throbbing when he saw this scene. 

He had not gotten used to it yet.

However… It was no longer as painful as before.

Before, he did not believe that time could heal everything, because his trauma from the past had remained strong until now.

Yet perhaps, there were indeed some things that could. Or perhaps, there were things that he needs to settle first that makes his love problem seems so minor.

Gulp.

"!"

"!"

Tang Yin looked up and saw that the man who also put down his glass was none other than the second person whom she did not want to see the most. 

Ugh.

She rolled her eyes. "Can you please turn around? I don't want to see anyone who reminds me of why one-sided love exists."

Lu Yin Ze: ╬

He shot back. "Isn't your existence also proof that such bitter truth existed?"

Tang Yin: ╬

She bitterly looked at the man and woman at the dance floor who were dancing closely with one another. 

Tang Yin: "I thought that I should celebrate now that I accomplished my mission and helped Brother Linfeng. But no matter what help I give… I will just be a second character to him. How infuriating."

Lu Yin Ze was silent. He took another wine glass from the staff and drank it down. 

He knew that feeling well. Because no matter what effort he put through, he would not be the person that Xiong Zhi would choose.

He asked. "So you are giving up now?"

Tang Yin also took another glass. After she drank it, she put the glass down a bit strongly. 

"Of course not. Not yet! Do you know that ninety five percent of couples break apart before they marry? So I still have a chance!"

Lu Yin Ze chuckled. "Too bad for you, that couple is surely included in that small percentage."

That is why, I am giving up.

However, his comment was not heard by the petite woman since she was busy planning on what to do to win against Xiong Zhi.

On the dance floor, Linfeng hugged Xiong Zhi's waist. The final song was playing, a sweet and slow music filled with romance. A low jazz trumpet gently blew amorous bubbles in the air.

"What did you two talk about? Why did you give him a dance?"

"It was an act of closure."

"Closure?"

"Yes, did you not know? I have read it in a book. You have to give closure to someone so that his feelings will be settled. If it is left unsettled, it will likely sprout from time to time and will simply give us trouble. Besides, we will not have another time to settle his feelings after tomorrow. We will become too busy."

Linfeng had no choice but to accept her answer. "Hmm… Then how about me?"

Xiong Zhi looked up at him with a question mark in her eyes. "What about you?"

"I persuaded Mr. Finch to accept my proposal."

Oh!

"Good job. As expected of you. Your girlfriend is very proud." Xiong Zhi blew out a bunch of praises.

Linfeng laughed, his peach blossom eyes curving up beautifully. 

His Young Miss was really not good at praising someone with that stiff expression of hers. 

But it was so cute.

Too cute.

He suddenly wanted to kiss her.

"Zhi'er, I don't need those words." Linfeng leaned down and whispered huskily. "What about my reward?"

Xiong Zhi's sėnsɨtɨvė ears were hit by his hot breath. She shuddered. Her cheeks reddened and eyes lit up. 

She tightened her arms around his neck, tiptoed, and whispered back. 

"There is still time. We can use one of the unoccupied private rooms. Since we are done with today's goals, how about we have our own fun?"

Her breath tickled his ears.

Linfeng's eyes darkened. The smile on his lips became mischievous. "Alright, my lady."

The dance had not yet ended when the couple disappeared from the dance floor.

******