Darkroom stalemate
Having achieved her goal, Xu Yimeng happily pulled Ding Xuefei to the middle of the grass.
"Brother Xuefei, have you seen our group's performance before?"
Ding Xuefei had certainly seen it. Xu Yimeng's group, CherryLight, had just debuted last year, and their debut song, "Star Jumping Candy," became a hit on short videos, especially the chorus. The song was very catchy, and the dance was covered by many people.
"I've seen a little bit."
Xu Yimeng was relieved when she heard this. She put on music on her phone and turned to Ding Xuefei, saying, "It's okay. If you don't know how, just learn from me. Boy group dances and girl group dances are pretty much the same."
That's a huge difference! Ding Xuefei's previous group's stage style was cool and stylish, but as soon as the music for "Star Jumping Candy" came on, you knew it was an energetic and cute style, suitable for dancing with pigtails and lantern pants.
The music started, with a brisk rhythm, a catchy melody, and lyrics that were somewhat embarrassing.
"I already told you, I can't dance any girl group dances at all!"
Ding Xuefei frantically tried to follow along, but he wasn't familiar with the verses and could only mechanically mimic Xu Yimeng's movements. He couldn't execute the movements correctly or keep up with the rhythm, making him a complete failure as a control group.
Xu Yimeng danced with energy and cuteness, but when it came to Ding Xuefei, she became stiff and awkward, losing both her cuteness and sexiness, which was quite funny.
The guests at the scene were dazzled and didn't want to miss either side. They cheered for Xu Yimeng one moment and were amused by Ding Xuefei the next.
Ding Xuefei was anxious and frustrated, and as she jumped around, her competitive spirit actually overshadowed her sense of shame.
He didn't come to do this for laughs!
He finally made it through the verses, and when the chorus came, he remembered the choreography and was able to keep up with the movements.
"Wow, look at Xuefei! She's actually dancing quite well!"
Hearing the cheers, Ding Xuefei danced even more earnestly and energetically. When the chorus repeated, he not only followed Xu Yimeng's movements but also added his own. Because of the praise and the movements, he couldn't help but laugh. He felt that he was being too unserious, so he bit his lower lip and looked at the audience with a vague gaze, which drew waves of cheers.
Yu Songlin's gaze fell on Ding Xuefei. He smiled, his eyes crinkling. He danced the cute choreography with ease and naturalness, incorporating his own style. It was neat and graceful. Even the overly sexy or cute parts were completed well amidst everyone's screams.
He is a great idol. Even on such a temporary stage, dancing to a song that is not suitable for him, he still shines brightly.
But wasn't he getting a little too carried away when he wiggled his hips? When he raised his hand, his clothes rode up, revealing half of his slender waist. His smile was innocent, and he bit his lower lip with a hint of shyness. The contrast was captivating.
Yu Songlin's eyes darkened slightly. He knew rationally that he shouldn't look at her for too long, but he just couldn't take his eyes off her, so he simply gave up resisting.
The dance was exhilarating, and the ending pose was Ding Xuefei pulling Xu Yimeng around in a circle, both of them smiling.
Xu Yimeng patted Ding Xuefei and laughed, "You can really dance! You dance so well! I'm amazed!"
Ding Xuefei laughed upon hearing this: "I wouldn't dare to say anything in front of the person in question, lest I make a fool of myself."
"How about a collaborative performance next time?" Xu Yimeng winked at Ding Xuefei.
"no problem."
*
The others didn't have many talents to showcase, so they mostly just chatted. Ke Ran demonstrated his personal skills, Stella taught everyone how to walk like a model and talked about her experience of being discovered, while Yu Songlin and Shang Rou, as actors, didn't have much to show, and since it was getting late, they were let off the hook.
After the show wrapped, the crew clapped the clapperboard to wrap up, marking the end of the day's filming. The guests said goodbye to the staff and returned to their cabin to rest.
Ding Xuefei helped clean up the mess, and only went back to the room last after all the chairs were put away and put away.
Pushing open the villa's door, I could hear the sound of water coming from upstairs, but the first floor was completely deserted and very quiet.
All the machines in the room were turned off, and Ding Xuefei no longer needed to maintain a professional demeanor. He was a little tired, so he lowered his head and walked upstairs.
Suddenly, he was grabbed by a hand and pulled into a darker room.
"Who is it?" Ding Xuefei was startled and instinctively tried to shake off the hand, but it was very strong. By the time he realized what was happening, he was already pinned behind the door.
The storage room was dark, with only a tall window through which moonlight streamed in, vaguely outlining Yu Songlin's handsome profile.
At that moment, Ding Xuefei felt a pang of panic. Without even thinking, he instinctively knew what Yu Songlin was going to say, and that he didn't want to say it.
"What are you doing? Is there something you can't say in public?" Ding Xuefei turned her head away, avoiding Yu Songlin's gaze, but in the overly quiet environment, the other party's presence could be clearly heard.
Yu Songlin released Ding Xuefei.
He said, "The girl group dance is very good."
Ding Xuefei didn't expect Yu Songlin to say this, and instinctively bristled: "Why are you saying this? I'm good at dancing, what's it to you?"
Yu Songlin smiled and said, "She sings very well too."
"Mmm," Ding Xuefei replied quickly, trying to end the conversation as soon as possible. "Are you done? If you're done, I'm leaving."
"Don't rush."
A hand suddenly braced itself in front of Ding Xuefei, who was halfway turned around, making a dull thud, almost trapping him in the narrow corner behind the door.
Ding Xuefei tried to remain calm, but her heart was racing uncontrollably.
If he gets any closer, she'll push him away and run away. Ding Xuefei blinked and made up her mind.
But Yu Songlin stopped at just the right spot and withdrew his hand, and the familiar sense of security returned.
Yu Songlin's gentle voice rang out in the darkness: "The Blank Space of My Heart? Can Brother Xuefei tell me about his heart's secrets?"
"I already said it's left blank, figure it out yourself." Ding Xuefei snorted. If he obediently told her, he wouldn't be Ding Xuefei.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized they weren't right; it sounded like they were talking about something that had to do with him...
He deliberately said, "No? What does it have to do with you? Stop overthinking and being presumptuous... Can you let me go now?"
Yu Songlin smiled but did not answer. After a moment of silence, he said, "This song was written by Xuefei himself. Bai Ge said before that most creators would combine their own experiences. I wonder if Xuefei's work is like that as well?"
Ding Xuefei glared fiercely at Yu Songlin in the darkness. This guy, he's pretending again.
However, he would never admit it: "You know it's a creative work, which means that in addition to reality, there are definitely a lot of fictional parts. Well, literary works will definitely have appropriate exaggerations."
"I'm so smart," Ding Xuefei thought to herself, giving herself a mental thumbs up. Her words were impeccable and would surely leave Yu Songlin speechless.
Yu Songlin couldn't help but laugh again after hearing this. He kept his laughter low and shook his head, as if he was helpless.
Ding Xuefei felt inexplicably mocked, and like a hedgehog, she raised her quills.
"It seems that if I don't speak directly, Brother Xuefei won't answer my question directly."
Ding Xuefei tried to stop him, but it was too late. Yu Songlin had already pinpointed the crucial question: "Was that song written with me in mind? Or rather, was it written for me?"
The answer was undoubtedly yes, but Ding Xuefei didn't want Yu Songlin to know, as it would seem like he was still hung up on the past. Even if, in a sense, that was true.
Ding Xuefei stubbornly turned her head away, wondering if there was any other way to get away with it.
Even if we were to admit it, we shouldn't do it so easily and let this scumbag get away with it.
There was absolutely no need for Yu Songlin to ask. Wasn't this something anyone with ears could tell? He should have just kept it to himself. Why force him to admit it to his face? Wasn't that just to embarrass him? That was too much!
[Urgent mission: Please answer Yu Songlin's questions truthfully.]
Failure penalty: Forced mute for three hours
"Damn it, can you please stop messing with me at crucial moments?! What is this 'mute card' anyway?!"
【I'm so sorry, Master QAQ Little Sweetie didn't mean it. Little Sweetie is only thinking of Master~ Please speak properly, Master. If you say it right, you won't be banned.】
"How dare you say that? I'll give you a piece of my mind..."
Wait, a mute card?
Ding Xuefei's idea came to her: "Let them mute me from now on. That would be the perfect excuse not to answer questions. How perfect!"
“Listen carefully, I’ll only say it once,” Ding Xuefei said solemnly, “No.
Yu Songlin remained silent, his disappointment barely perceptible. He said, "Really? I don't believe it."
"you!"
Ding Xuefei wanted to say "Are you sick?", but after saying the word "you", she could no longer speak.
He pressed his hand to his throat and tried to utter a few more single syllables, but he couldn't get a complete sentence out.
What's going on? Is this the power of the mute card? Ding Xuefei was once again shocked by this system.
【Master, Master, the mute card effect has been triggered! The effect is: you can only say one word at a time! Please be sparing with your words, Master~】
Ding Xuefei: ...
After understanding the rules, Ding Xuefei began to speak.
"Walk."
He tried to push Yu Songlin away, but as soon as his hand touched the other, his wrist was grabbed. Ding Xuefei struggled but couldn't break free, and could only watch helplessly as the distance between them grew closer and closer.
Yu Songlin leaned closer and whispered in Ding Xuefei's ear, "So, who did Xuefei write this song for? I'm so curious."
"You know perfectly well what I'm asking!" Ding Xuefei's cheeks flushed red as she forcefully pushed Yu Songlin away, her voice clear and distinct: "Get lost."
Taking advantage of Yu Songlin's distraction, Ding Xuefei seized the opportunity to open the door and slip out, leaving behind a "humph" as she went.
Yu Songlin stood in the shadows, raised his hand, and it seemed as if there was still warmth left on his hand.
In that moment of stunned silence, Yu Songlin was unsure whether Ding Xuefei was being coquettish or genuinely angry.
It seems they really have been separated for a long time, so long that Yu Songlin can no longer skillfully distinguish Ding Xuefei's emotions.
He hesitated for so long that he dared not gamble, fearing that if he pressed Ding Xuefei for more information, her impression of him would plummet.
Yu Songlin sighed; he had messed up again today.
He didn't intend to press Ding Xuefei for anything, or force her to admit anything—he simply couldn't ignore it.
Yu Songlin had heard this song before, and he had also had doubts and wishful thinking. He didn't necessarily need Ding Xuefei's answers.
But regardless of whether this song was written for him or someone else, all he wants now is for Ding Xuefei to know that he cares a lot.
He also cared about the answer Ding Xuefei didn't say aloud.
If it was really written for someone else, Yu Songlin would have nothing to say, after all, he was the one who took the initiative to let go back then, but he would still feel jealous and regretful.
"If you don't explain it clearly, then I'll take it as if it's written for me."
Upon careful consideration, Yu Songlin felt that he was more likely to be right.
Yu Songlin knew Ding Xuefei's personality: she was stubborn but soft-hearted, and sometimes she would get angry and embarrassed when her secrets were exposed, just like she did just now. It was quite cute.
You shouldn't force him at this time, as that will provoke his rebellious nature. The right thing to do is to stroke him gently, let him be, and give him a safe environment. He might then take the initiative to reveal his true feelings.
It's okay, he'll wait.
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