Chapter 140 Waltz
The afternoon training session allowed Gu Baobao to breathe a slight sigh of relief:
The main focus is on studying the materials and explaining the policies.
She can quietly read documents and listen to lectures without needing much interaction.
However, at the end of the training, Comrade Liang clapped his hands:
"Okay, that's about it for the theory part. Finally, let's simulate some possible social scenarios, like a buffet or a networking cocktail party."
In these informal settings, there might be a simple ballroom dance segment. Everyone doesn't need to be an expert, but it's good to know the basic steps to avoid being caught off guard.
As she spoke, she gestured for the staff to bring over an old-fashioned phonograph and put on a record.
A soothing waltz melody flowed out.
"Let's watch a demonstration first."
Comrade Liang and a male colleague went down to the stage and danced a simple slow waltz.
Their steps were measured and their posture elegant.
"Everyone, get a feel for it. Feel free to practice in groups. Don't be nervous, it's just about getting familiar with the routine."
After Comrade Liang finished jumping a lap, he encouraged everyone.
The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became lively yet slightly awkward.
The number of men and women present was roughly equal, but being suddenly asked to pair up and dance was still quite embarrassing in this day and age.
Several of the bolder comrades blushed and made the invitation.
Almost the instant Comrade Liang finished speaking, Lu Zhanming strode toward Gu Baobao.
His steps were quick yet steady, his goal clear, giving no one else a chance to get ahead.
He stood in front of Gu Baobao, his posture upright, looking down at her with his eyes slightly lowered.
His eyes, hidden beneath his military cap, were as deep as a cold pool, yet now they reflected the setting sun streaming in through the window, shimmering with a faint, soft light.
He stretched out his hand, palm up, fingers long and slender with distinct knuckles, bearing the thin calluses left from training.
The voice wasn't loud, but it reached her ears clearly, carrying a tone that was both undeniably assertive and subtly gentle:
"Comrade Gu Baobao, would you... like to dance with me?"
He didn't call her "baby," but used a more formal term, yet his tone and gaze were clearly different from usual.
Several pairs of eyes seemed to be looking over, filled with curiosity and friendly smiles.
Gu Baobao's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
She looked at the hand in front of her, then looked up to meet his eyes.
There was an emotion in it that she didn't quite understand, yet it made her cheeks feel slightly warm.
She pursed her lips and gently placed her much smaller hand in his palm.
"willing."
She heard her own voice, a little soft, but clear enough.
The moment our palms touched, his warm, dry body heat was transmitted to me.
His hand was steady as he gently grasped her fingers with just the right amount of pressure, neither making her feel offended nor hindering her with a firm guidance.
Lu Zhanming's other hand gently rested on the upper center of her military uniform back, maintaining an appropriate distance.
The music started again.
He led her into the temporarily vacated dance floor.
Gu Baobao dances the waltz exceptionally well.
Born into a prestigious family in her previous life, ballroom dancing was a basic social skill that was ingrained in her very being.
Even in military uniform, her steps were light and elegant, her turns and spins were natural and smooth, and she coordinated perfectly with Lu Zhanming's guidance.
Lu Zhanming was clearly well-trained, his steps were steady and powerful, leading the rhythm.
He jumped with great focus, his gaze mostly fixed on the top of her head or her shoulder line. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, but he would quickly look away, his ears seemingly blushing slightly.
Men and women in crisp military uniforms danced gracefully on a rather unprofessional dance floor.
The man was aloof and upright, the woman elegant and graceful; their simple waltz took on a unique solemnity and harmonious romance.
The other comrades who were struggling to get started gradually stopped, their eyes involuntarily drawn to the other side.
Even the trainers, Comrades Liang and Yan, nodded slightly, their eyes full of admiration.
In the corner, Minister Sui Jianguo, who had been observing silently, smiled more deeply and whispered something to the stern-faced general beside him.
The general's gaze lingered on the two figures in the dance floor for a moment, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
No one noticed that behind the side door leading to the inner corridor, diagonally behind the conference room, was Old Master Lu Liancheng, leaning on his cane.
He was squinting, watching with great interest, his mouth practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.
Standing next to him was his son-in-law, Song Tianxiang, the political commissar of the military region.
"Dad, please keep your laughter down, or someone might hear you."
Song Tianxiang reminded him in a low voice with a sense of helplessness.
"So what if I heard that? I'm happy!"
Old Master Lu lowered his voice, but his eyes were unwilling to leave the dance floor.
"See that? Tianxiang! What a perfect match! This kid has finally done something decent! He jumped alright, didn't embarrass his father!"
That girl is even better! Look at her figure, her bearing! She's so beautiful even in a military uniform, and when she dances, she's like...like a swan!
Song Tianxiang nodded with a smile: "Comrade Gu Baobao is indeed very outstanding. Zhan Ming has excellent taste."
"That's right!"
Old Master Lu was pleased, but then he sighed, his eyes dimming.
"If only his parents could see this..."
Song Tianxiang gently patted his father-in-law on the shoulder.
Old Master Lu quickly rallied, his eyes regaining their sharpness and satisfaction:
"Alright, that's enough. Let's go, don't bother the young people. I came here to let some people know what's going on."
My Lu family's grandson has very high standards; anyone he sets his sights on is a precious gem, and no one should even think of looking down on them!
The two slipped silently through the crack in the door, as if they had never been there.
The song ended.
Gu Baobao breathed slightly and let go of her hand.
Lu Zhanming immediately released his hand from her back, took half a step back, and resumed his usual calm demeanor, though his breathing was slightly rapid and his gaze was lowered, falling on her cheeks, which were flushed pink from the exercise.
"You jumped very well."
He said in a low voice.
"The same to you."
Gu Baobao looked up at him and found that his ears were indeed a little red, and her own face felt even hotter.
Applause and good-natured laughter rang out from around them.
The training concluded in a relaxed, pleasant, and subtly ambiguous atmosphere.
Tomorrow, they will conduct final pre-departure preparations and mobilization, and the day after tomorrow morning, they will officially depart for country F.
At night, Gu Baobao lay on the bed in the guesthouse, the melody of the waltz still seemed to echo in her ears, and the warm, dry touch seemed to linger in her palms.
She pulled the blanket over her head.
My heart is beating a little erratically.
For the upcoming journey, and also for... that dance, and that warm hand.
On the high seas, the dilapidated fishing boat finally made contact with a medium-sized cargo ship that had no markings.
Chen Yongkang and Gu Ningbao boarded the cargo ship.
They were greeted by an Asian man wearing a captain's uniform with a sinister look in his eyes.
"Did you bring the things?"
The captain asked Chen Yongkang directly, speaking in English.
Chen Yongkang handed over a small notebook containing his observations of Gu Baobao's work habits, way of speaking, and some scattered notes on process adjustments he made while infiltrating the pharmaceutical factory in the provincial capital.
"These are some of Lingzhi's behavioral patterns and some non-core operational records from the pharmaceutical factory in the provincial capital. More detailed information will only be available after she arrives in F country and observes her up close."
The captain glanced at it, nodded, and looked at Gu Ningbao:
Who is this?
"My wife."
Chen Yongkang remained unfazed.
"She knows some medicine, so perhaps... she can be of help."
Gu Ningbao gave a timid, slightly ingratiating smile at the right moment, but her eyes secretly sized up the ship and the people in front of her.
The captain scrutinized her for a few moments, then asked no further questions, simply saying, "Welcome aboard the Starfish. We'll take care of the rest of the journey."
In Country F, a grand welcoming ceremony has been prepared for Lingzhi. We hope your assistance will make our boss's acquisition plan proceed more smoothly.
The cargo ship changed course and headed into the depths of the ocean.
The night was as dark as ink, swallowing the flight path.
The night sky over the capital is dotted with stars.
After tossing and turning, Gu Baobao finally drifted off to sleep.
In my dream, there was melodious dance music, warm hands, and... a distant, unfathomable ocean shrouded in mist.
Dawn is approaching, and a new voyage is about to set sail in the light of day.
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