[Thanks: Life"sAStruggle", Memory Sister for the reward! The third brother thanks you; I saw many old friends in the book review area, and the third brother feels that everyone is here!]

Everyone had not expected that Lin Qingqing would be so happy after accepting Ding Fan's crude gift, and Li Ming's face looked even worse.

The gift he had given to Lin Qingqing was many times more valuable than that crude pendant, but Lin Qingqing did not even glance at it. In contrast, she directly wore Ding Fan's broken pendant around her neck in front of everyone, making it clear who was favored more.

However, no matter how dissatisfied Li Ming was, he dared not show it. The Lin Family was a massive entity, even if they could not become friends, they absolutely could not become enemies.

"Miss Lin, it's almost time for the first dance. Please prepare with your dance partner," a servant said respectfully, approaching Lin Qingqing.

Today was Lin Qingqing's birthday party, and indeed, she was supposed to lead the first dance. After all, she was the star of the day.

At this moment, everyone started speculating who would be fortunate enough to become Lin Qingqing's dance partner. Was it a rich young master from a prominent family, or a young noble from an official family?

Even Qin Manshu was curious about who Lin Qingqing would invite to be her dance partner.

Lin Qingqing had chosen to hold her birthday party in Dancheng, and while others might not know the reason, Qin Manshu did. The Lin Family was increasingly stepping into mainland business. With Dancheng's advantageous coastal location, the Lin Family surely wanted to make their first investment there.

With the investment imminent, the Lin Family wanted to use this occasion to interact with some of Dancheng's wealthy merchants and gauge their details. Thus, Lin Qingqing's birthday party had a deeper significance. In today's occasion, whichever young master became Lin Qingqing's dance partner, it could very likely be a signal.

Simply put, whoever was Lin Qingqing's dance partner, the person and their backing family could potentially be the Lin Family's partners in Dancheng.

Therefore, everyone placed great importance on who Lin Qingqing's dance partner was. Once this was settled, the other families would try their best to engage in public relations to get closer to the two families.

"Brother Fan, it's our time now," Lin Qingqing said gracefully as she gently extended her right hand toward Ding Fan.

What?!

The people at the scene couldn't believe their eyes. Lin Qingqing's dance partner was this guy wearing cloth shoes and looking utterly unsophisticated?!

Li Ming's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He had always believed he was superior to Ding Fan in every way, that Ding Fan couldn't hold a candle to him.

But now, Lin Qingqing's dance partner was Ding Fan?

Many wealthy young masters and reckless heirs had vied for this opportunity, but it had fallen into his lap. This kid really played his cards differently...

Tang Bi, witnessing this, also inwardly felt lucky that Ding Fan was competent. Had he crushed the bones in the hand of Lin Qingqing's dance partner today, he would have been in trouble. At that moment, even if Ding Fan had crushed his own hand, he would have felt extremely fortunate.

...

At this moment, Ding Fan was truly speechless. Initially agreeing to be Lin Qingqing's dance partner, he thought it would just be a formality. He had not expected that he would be dancing the first dance with Lin Qingqing under everyone's scrutiny.

Moreover, to make matters worse, he, Ding Fan, didn't know the first thing about dancing. How was he supposed to dance? He was indeed regretting now how he got himself into this predicament.

However, it wasn't the time for regrets. Lin Qingqing's right hand was held out invitingly in mid-air; if he said he couldn't do it now, it would make Lin Qingqing lose face.

Ding Fan rose to his feet and walked over, taking Lin Qingqing's hand with effortless composure.

Qin Manshu stood beside the two. As Ding Fan stood up, she could sense an indescribable aura about him, a transcendence and nonchalance, an easy grace in his every move.

At that moment, in Qin Manshu's eyes, despite Ding Fan's plain attire and even his cloth shoes, he didn't seem at all diminished in front of Lin Qingqing. On the contrary, she thought that perhaps only Ding Fan was truly worthy of standing beside Lin Qingqing that night.

Ding Fan took Lin Qingqing's hand and led her slowly toward the center of the dance floor.

"Qingqing, I don't know how to dance. Just tell me the steps," Ding Fan said in a voice only he and Lin Qingqing could hear.

Not know how to dance? Lin Qingqing had never considered whether Ding Fan could dance. Throughout, she hadn't even thought about it. Moreover, even if she explained it now, could Ding Fan learn it just like that?

"...Just follow the rhythm, and I'll try to coordinate with you..." Lin Qingqing explained the steps simply.

Lin Qingqing had received specialized dance training, so even if Ding Fan truly couldn't dance, she was confident she could take the lead using a strategy likened to 'using the bright flowers to complement the green leaves;' even if Ding Fan just stood still, she was confident in her dance skills to gracefully handle the scene.

Upon hearing Lin Qingqing say this, Ding Fan nodded. At this point, he also felt prepared. Had he known about the grandeur of the event, he would have prepared accordingly.

Ding Fan took Lin Qingqing by the hand and walked to the center of the dance floor, as the lights around them dimmed and a spotlight shone directly on them.

At that moment, a melodious violin tune began to play. Underneath the sound of the violin, Lin Qingqing moved slowly with Ding Fan, their steps leisurely yet exuding an elegant tranquility.

Lin Qingqing was somewhat surprised at the time; Ding Fan's movements were incredibly in sync. If it were said that it was Ding Fan's first time dancing, she would definitely not believe it.

Knowing that Ding Fan's movements were smooth and graceful, how could someone who didn't know how to dance move so perfectly and catch the rhythm so precisely?

Could it really be that he learned it all after she mentioned it once? Lin Qingqing found it impossible, she didn't believe there could be such a person in the world. In her view, Ding Fan was just being overly modest.

As the sound of the piano joined the quiet violin notes, Ding Fan and Lin Qingqing's steps grew even more harmonized. At that moment, Lin Qingqing didn't feel like she was merely complementing Ding Fan; it was as if he had taken her into an illusionary realm.

Sunshine, ocean, forests, rivers... Beautiful scenes continuously appeared before Lin Qingqing's eyes. A relaxation she hadn't felt in a long time caused her to smile, and her steps, led by Ding Fan, became lively and spirited...

The audience watched the two gracefully dancing in the pool of light and, for a moment, were truly mesmerized.

The beautiful dance of the two, like busy butterflies fluttering in a flower field, echoing each other, chasing, playing, laughing. In that instant, the people present seemed to forget about fame and glory. The dancers in the ballroom appeared to cleanse the souls of the audience with their dancing...

By the time anyone noticed, the music had stopped, and the entire room fell so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Ten seconds later, as the audience came to their senses, Ding Fan was already escorting Lin Qingqing slowly out of the dance floor.

Applause... slowly began.

One clap, two claps, three claps... Eventually, the entire venue was enveloped with applause, so loud it was almost deafening.

This applause carried no flattery; it sincerely expressed their admiration, having witnessed such a breathtaking dance.

"Thank you... you danced wonderfully," Lin Qingqing said, looking at Ding Fan with a smile on her face.

"As long as I didn't embarrass you," Ding Fan said with a light smile.

To Ding Fan, dancing truly posed no challenge; even if dancing were difficult, how could dance moves be harder than the arcane and complex cultivation techniques and martial skills. Moreover, Lin Qingqing had explained clearly, so learning the dance after hearing it just once really wasn't that difficult.

"How could I be embarrassed when you danced so well?"

Ding Fan smiled and said no more. Had he known he had to make such a public display, he for sure wouldn't have agreed to be Lin Qingqing's dance partner, but fortunately, he managed to handle it.

Not long after the two left the dance floor, melodious music started up again, and soon after, everyone was bringing their partners to the dance floor.

"Brother Lin didn't come to your birthday party?"

Having returned to his spot in the corner, Ding Fan noticed Lin Qingqing showed no intention of leaving; she had even accompanied him to his seat. Feeling a bit awkward sitting there, he started asking about Lin Zhanting.

"My brother is currently handling some matters, and he probably won't be able to appear for a while," Lin Qingqing's face showed a touch of concern as she mentioned Lin Zhanting.

Although Lin Qingqing didn't elaborate, Ding Fan could guess a bit. Last time, Lin Zhanting had been chased in Dancheng—this matter surely wasn't simple. Not wanting to involve himself too deeply, Ding Fan had not asked until now. It seemed Lin Zhanting had gone to deal with this matter.

"Brother Fan, thank you." Just when Ding Fan was lost in thought, Lin Qingqing suddenly said beside him.

Ding Fan was taken aback. "I don't think I've done much to help you?"

Lin Qingqing smiled. "Brother Fan, at home, my brother usually calls me Second Sister. If it's okay with you, you can also call me Second Sister in private."

Although Ding Fan didn't quite understand why Lin Qingqing suggested this, he nodded. He had a good impression of Lin Qingqing and was happy to accept her as a 'sister.' "Sure, Second Sister."

...