After helping Chu Sangqing find a new outfit to change into, Song Qingtang finally brought her to the rehearsal room.
Chu Sangqing trotted along behind Song Qingtang, lowering her voice to say, “Teacher Qingqing! You were so cool just now! I’m going to adore you for life!”
Song Qingtang smiled and tapped her on the head. “No need to adore me—just focus on your dancing.”
“Mm-hmm.” Chu Sangqing nodded like a little pecking bird.
Once she brought Chu Sangqing inside, she went over more details of the dance rehearsal and corrected mistakes.
Then she had everyone run through it once with the music.
This dance required light, airy movements, with every detail flowing gracefully and smoothly in time with the rhythm of the music.
It would take many more rounds of practice.
It couldn’t be achieved overnight.
By the time practice ended, Song Qingtang finally felt herself exhale with relief.
She returned to her office, planning to edit some of the footage she needed.
After all, her account hadn’t posted a new video in a few days.
But a new message popped up on her phone.
Song Qingtang glanced down.
It was from Song Huaiyi.
She unlocked the phone and opened it.
[Father: Qingqing, what time will you and Zhuochuan come over tomorrow?]
The message made Song Qingtang freeze for a couple of seconds.
It took her a moment to register.
Tomorrow would be the third day after her marriage.
The third-day return visit.
[Song Qingtang: Before noon.]
[Father: Good, we’ll be waiting for you two.]
After sending the message, Song Qingtang stared at the phone screen, her brows slightly furrowing.
Her dark lashes trembled faintly as she let out a slow, silent sigh.
Later.
She’d have to figure out how to bring this up with Jin Zhuochuan later.
After finishing up her work, Song Qingtang walked out of the office.
With a small bag in one hand and her phone in the other, she dialed Lin Qiaoshi’s number.
The ringtone sounded for a few seconds before the call connected.
“Qingqing, what’s wrong?”
Lin Qiaoshi’s voice sounded a bit muffled, not quite clear.
Song Qingtang thought for a moment before saying, “Tomorrow is my return visit day. How should I bring it up with Jin Zhuochuan?”
“Hmm…”
Lin Qiaoshi seemed to be thinking, letting out only a faint single note.
“Qingqing, hang on—let me go wash off this face mask.”
With that, a rustling sound of footsteps came through the line.
Then the sound of running water.
Song Qingtang was used to this. She hailed a cab and headed toward Repulse Bay.
When she arrived at the destination, Song Qingtang got out of the car.
The sound of water on Lin Qiaoshi’s end stopped.
“Just tell him straight,” Lin Qiaoshi said. “There’s no reason the husband shouldn’t accompany his wife on the return visit.”
Song Qingtang held her phone, walked up to the villa’s front door, and pressed her fingerprint to unlock it.
Inside was complete darkness—Jin Zhuochuan didn’t seem to be back yet at this hour.
She was just about to switch on the indoor lights.
Lin Qiaoshi’s slightly indignant voice came through the phone.
“Besides, for something like the return visit—if that bastard Jin Zhuochuan doesn’t go with you, what will people in our circle say about you?”
“God, how humiliating would that be! Qingqing, let me tell you—dignity matters more than anything. He has to go whether he wants to or not!”
“If that piece of trash Jin Zhuochuan won’t go, I’ll help you tie him up and drag him over…”
Lin Qiaoshi’s words made Song Qingtang’s eyes curve downward with amusement.
Her hand was already on the light switch.
But before she could press it—
Suddenly, a soft yet crisp click, and the entire room was flooded with light as bright as day.
The lights were on.
Someone was inside.
Jin Zhuochuan was back.
Song Qingtang froze for a full second.
She looked toward the sofa against the wall.
There he was, lounging in it, dressed loosely, his tousled bangs just barely shadowing his brows, slightly disheveled.
His expression carried a hint of laziness, as if he’d just woken up, with a trace of indifference in his eyes.
His sleeves were rolled up, the muscles of his forearms smooth and defined, one arm draped casually over the back of the sofa.
His fingers, which had just left the light switch, landed on the leather sofa, tapping idly.
The air suddenly fell into an unprecedented silence.
Song Qingtang felt utterly mortified.
And of course, Lin Qiaoshi’s voice kept going through the phone.
“Hey, Qingqing, why aren’t you answering me? I’m telling you, don’t be afraid of that bastard Jin Zhuochuan—”
Click—
Song Qingtang hung up the call.
She looked at Jin Zhuochuan.
At this moment, even the world seemed to fall still.
His gaze was casual, and he even raised an eyebrow at her.
Even more awkward.
He must have heard every single word just now.
This was absolutely mortifying.
“I have tomorrow…”
Song Qingtang started to speak.
Meeting his unconcerned gaze, she felt a pang of guilt and looked away.
Even her tone became unsteady at that moment—stumbling over her words.
“The return visit is tomorrow, right?”
Jin Zhuochuan finished her sentence for her.
His voice was a little hoarse.
Perhaps because he’d just woken up, it carried a drowsy quality.
Song Qingtang nodded.
Jin Zhuochuan stretched out his legs, pulled his arm down from the back of the sofa, and laced his hands behind his head.
He looked up at her lazily, as if he hadn’t heard a single word Lin Qiaoshi had said—or as if he simply couldn’t care less.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go back with you.”
He said it lightly.
Song Qingtang let out a breath of relief.
“Thank—”
Before she could finish.
Jin Zhuochuan cut her off.
“After all, my wife’s face is more important than anything.”
“How could a dog like me bring shame to her?”
Song Qingtang: “…”