Chapter 15
The days after their relationship was confirmed seemed to cast a soft filter over the entire world. Like all lovers in the sweetest of sweeps, Feng Ling and Qi Qi explored and reaffirmed each other. Their relationship, witnessed by sweat and music, grew steadily and sweetly.
The dance club's late-night classroom became their own secret garden. Feng Ling would occasionally stay after class to help Qiqi come up with new choreography. At that moment, the empty classroom was lit only by a few dim spotlights, casting warm circles of light on the floor like stage spotlights. A languid, smooth R&B track lingered in the air, replacing the daytime's throbbing beats.
Feng Ling was facing a large mirror, repeatedly pondering the connection between an extended arm and the wave of her body, her expression focused. Qiqi had unknowingly put down his notebook and quietly walked up behind her. He didn't interrupt her, simply extending his arms and slowly and firmly wrapping them around her waist from behind, resting his chin lightly on her slender shoulder.
His body temperature filtered through the thin clothing, carrying the exuberant warmth of a man who had just stopped exercising. Feng Ling's body stiffened for a moment, then softened in that familiar embrace. He seemed a little tired, yet also infinitely attached. He buried his face deep in the crook of her slender neck, his nose nuzzling her delicate skin. He took a deep, intoxicated breath, his voice raspy and tinged with lust, escaping vaguely:
"Feng Ling...you smell so good..."
It's not perfume, but the girl's fresh body fragrance mixed with a slightly sweaty scent. To him, it is the most fatal temptation.
The gentle touch of his warm breath and soft lips on her neck stirred a subtle shudder. Feng Ling's heart instantly melted. She raised her hand and placed it on his large hand wrapped around her waist. Her fingertips gently caressed his well-defined fingers, feeling the strong pulse beneath his skin.
He rubbed her neck again and again, then raised his head slightly and cast his gaze towards the mirror in front of him. In the mirror, his tall body completely enveloped her, his profile pressed against her temples, his eyes intoxicated and deep, locked on her blushing cheeks in the mirror.
"Come home with me." He whispered, his voice seductive.
Feng Ling was stunned. Her eyes in the mirror widened slightly, and her cheeks instantly turned red, as if they were dyed with the most gorgeous sunset.
Seeing her shy and helpless look, Qiqi smiled softly, and buried her hot cheeks back into her cool neck, rubbing against it like a large dog, her voice muffled, but increasingly low and seductive:
"Tell me, in this past year or so, how much time have we been alone together?" His tone was filled with deep grievance. "I'm like a left-behind child, eagerly waiting for you to come see me."
This exaggerated metaphor made Feng Ling burst out laughing, and the awkwardness she had just felt faded a little. She broke free from his embrace, turned around, and glared at him in dissatisfaction. "You're the one who's so busy running around, and you still have the nerve to criticize me! Few of my classmates have even met you, and they thought I was just talking nonsense about being in a relationship!"
Seeing her cute angry look, Qiqi's smile deepened. He stretched out his long arms and hugged her tightly in his arms again. He could never hold her enough, as if he wanted to rub her into his body, afraid that if he let go, she would float away like a feather.
"It's my fault." He admitted his mistake swiftly, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice so gentle that it could drip water. "Then give me a chance to make amends, okay?"
Feng Ling completely drowned in the gentle web he wove, her rationality surrendering. She buried her burning cheek in his solid chest, listening to his equally disordered heartbeat. Uncontrollably, she softly replied in a barely audible voice:
"good."
This "OK" was like an amnesty.
Qiqi immediately let go of her hand, and before Feng Ling could react, she hugged her by the waist! The sudden feeling of weightlessness made her scream, and she subconsciously hugged his neck tightly.
"Hey! Why are you in such a hurry? We haven't got the things yet!" Feng Ling hugged him, feeling both amused and embarrassed, and kicked her legs lightly as if trying to get down.
Qiqi didn't care, and walked out the door with big strides, a triumphant and eager smile on her face, no longer looking like the steady teacher she usually was.
***
In front of everyone in the dance club, they still strictly abided by the boundaries between teacher and student. Only a few familiar members such as Xiao Di and Fei Fei knew about their relationship. Because Feng Ling didn't want to be the focus of the attention of the girls who admired Qi Qi, although Qi Qi felt wronged, she respected her wishes and had no choice but to compromise.
And so, those suppressed longings transformed into a secret sweetness. Sometimes, they would lean against the wall side by side, listening to Xiaodi and the others chattering about their movements. They seemed to have no connection, but their hands, hanging by their sides, were quietly intertwined in a blind spot hidden from everyone's sight. His fingertips gently brushed against her palm, bringing waves of faint electricity to relieve the pain of longing that came from being so close yet unable to be close.
That day, this secret interaction was once again caught by the sharp-eyed Lian Jiajia. On the way back to school after class, she immediately put her arm around Feng Ling's shoulders, smiled mischievously, and pinched her fair little face:
"Tsk tsk, this little girl has some tricks up her sleeve! She's already charmed Teacher Qiqi, who's so far beyond the reach of all of us. I think his eyes are practically glued to you!"
"Go away, go away and be envious and jealous!" Feng Ling felt sweet in his heart, but he pretended to be disgusted and pushed her hand away.
Lian Jiajia wasn't willing to let her go. She moved even closer, her lips almost touching her ear. She lowered her voice and asked with a lewd look, "Hurry up, tell me the truth! How far have you progressed? With Qiqi's skills and physical strength... isn't she amazing? Hmm?"
Feng Ling didn't know if it was because of the hot breath exhaled by Lian Jiajia, or because some blushing and heartbeating images emerged uncontrollably in his mind, but he felt a burst of heat rushing to his head, and his ears were terribly hot.
"Ouch! You...you are talking nonsense! It's all...all the same!" She spoke incoherently, so embarrassed that she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
Lian Jiajia looked at her embarrassed face and laughed with satisfaction, and finally let her go.
Feng Ling stroked her still hot cheeks, but muttered to herself in her heart: "He is more than just in good health..." Thinking of his low and hoarse breathing in her ears when he was aroused, those straightforward and passionate love words, which always made her feel weak all over, confused and irrational.
***
However, beyond this rich sweetness, there is a gaze that always follows like a shadow, carrying with it icy warmth and silent weight.
Every casual glance between Feng Ling and Qi Qi, every knowing smile, every subtle, subtle gesture, was like the sharpest ice pick, chipping away at the silent lake of An Hesu's heart. He stared at the intimate enchantment he couldn't fit into, at Feng Ling blossoming beside Qi Qi in a way he had never seen before, a glow of shyness and dependence. He could only clench his fists tighter, his nails digging deep into his palms, using the pain to maintain a surface of calm, sealing all his turbulent emotions beneath that increasingly cold mask.
The training camp ended that day, and everyone packed up to leave. Feng Ling was bending over to tie her shoe when a shadow descended. She looked up and met An Hesu's deep, unfathomable eyes.
He paused beside her, not looking at her, his gaze fixed on the air ahead. His voice was low, but clearly reached her ears:
"I'll wait for you downstairs."
After saying that, without waiting for her response, he brushed past her and walked towards the elevator, leaving behind a resolute and lonely back.
Feng Ling froze in her shoelace tying motion, her heart suddenly sank, and the familiar complex emotions caused by him quietly spread again.
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