Wen Yifan’s dance performance wasn’t long, only about three to four minutes. As the music stopped, her final pose also ended.
After holding the pose for a few seconds, Wen Yifan relaxed her posture and bowed to the audience. She could only spare the energy to look towards her table, instantly finding Sang Yan’s figure among the crowd.
Wen Yifan, breathing lightly, blinked.
After leaving the stage, Wen Yifan quickly returned to her seat.
Sang Yan turned his head to stare at her.
Wen Yifan’s face was made up, with small rhinestones adorning the corners of her eyes, making her look sparkling. After other colleagues said a few words of praise, she looked at Sang Yan and smiled, saying, “When did you arrive?”
“Just before your performance started.” Sang Yan pulled her jacket from the back of the chair and put it on her. “What’s with this outfit? Could the fabric be any less?”
“…” Wen Yifan couldn’t help but laugh, “It looks better this way.”
Sang Yan didn’t speak, helping her adjust the jacket, his movements neither too light nor too heavy.
Wen Yifan sat obediently, waiting for his next words, but after a long time, she didn’t hear him say anything more. Not knowing if he was choosing his words carefully, she waited a bit longer and then prompted, “Aren’t you going to comment on my performance?”
“Didn’t you tell me earlier that you couldn’t dance anymore?” Sang Yan poured her a new glass of water and placed it in her hand, his expression calm, his praise seeming somewhat perfunctory, “You danced quite well.”
“I practiced for a long time,” Wen Yifan said honestly, “but it’s still very amateur.”
“How is this amateur?” Sang Yan didn’t know what her standards were. He rested his elbow on the table edge, supporting his face, his gaze constantly on her. “Also, isn’t it cold to dance wearing so little in the middle of winter?”
Wen Yifan shook her head: “There’s heating.”
After that, Sang Yan didn’t mention her dancing again.
Wen Yifan suddenly felt this man was extremely cold-hearted.
She consoled herself, thinking that “danced quite well” should be considered a very good evaluation.
For the next period.
Wen Yifan could notice from the corner of her eye that Sang Yan’s gaze never left her. After many times, she turned to look at him, somewhat puzzled: “Aren’t you watching the performances?”
Sang Yan’s eyebrow slightly raised, and he gave a crisp “Mm.”
“…”
Feeling that he indeed wasn’t very interested in these things, Wen Yifan didn’t force him. But fearing he might be bored, she would watch the performances for a while, then take time to chat with him.
Sang Yan responded, absent-mindedly playing with her fingers.
Before the end of the party was the awards ceremony.
Wen Yifan’s performance won second place in the popularity award, with a prize of 3,000 yuan. Her main purpose had been to surprise Sang Yan, and she hadn’t expected to win an award with her skill level.
After going on stage to receive the red envelope, Wen Yifan directly handed it to Sang Yan when she returned.
Sang Yan looked at her: “Why are you giving it to me?”
“I originally wanted to dance for you to see,” Wen Yifan’s eyes curved downwards, seeming to contain dazzling light, very honest, “So the prize money should go to you too.”
“…” Sang Yan hadn’t expected that one day he would be pampered by this girl. After a long pause, he suddenly smiled, “Alright. I’ll keep it then.”
–
Before leaving the building, Wen Yifan had wanted to change out of her ballet dress before going home.
Unexpectedly, Sang Yan acted contrary to his usual behavior and didn’t let her change. He wrapped his long coat around her, covering every inch of her body thoroughly, then pulled her to the car.
Wen Yifan didn’t think much of it, assuming he was just bored from staying too long and wanted to go home early.
In the car.
Wen Yifan’s nose was slightly red from the cold. She smoothed her skirt and glanced in Sang Yan’s direction. Once they were alone, she again felt his reactions were too perfunctory.
I like an unfaithful scumbag.
Wen Yifan mentioned again: “This is the New Year’s gift I prepared for you in advance.”
Sang Yan spared her a glance, casually replying: “I know.”
Wen Yifan: “…”
But indeed, it probably didn’t require too big of a reaction.
After all, Sang Yan wasn’t someone who typically said nice things.
Having understood this again, Wen Yifan felt she shouldn’t be so petty, and her mood was no longer affected by this matter. Soon after, she remembered another thing and, calculating the time, asked, “By the way, when do you think would be a good time for us to move?”
Sang Yan had previously mentioned to her that after their current housing contract expired, they would move to his apartment which had been burned before.
At that time, Wen Yifan had only belatedly realized.
This apartment of his had been under renovation for two years, and Sang Yan had never mentioned moving.
Sang Yan casually replied: “When do you want to move?”
“If we move before March, then how about that period after the New Year?” Wen Yifan glanced at him, saying softly, “My schedule should be a bit freer then.”
“Okay.”
Thinking about having to contact moving companies and pack things, Wen Yifan felt it was a big project. At this moment, Sang Yan added: “Just pack your luggage, don’t worry about the rest.”
Hearing this, Wen Yifan paused, then smiled: “Alright.”
With this decision made, Wen Yifan remembered something from long ago. Back then, because of her sleepwalking behavior, Sang Yan had said he would stay until she repaid her debt to him.
But he had never specifically said how to repay it.
“By the way, about the debt you mentioned before–” But Wen Yifan wasn’t sure if he remembered, so she continued, “We haven’t resolved that yet, have we?”
After a moment of silence.
Sang Yan calmly made an “Ah” sound.
This reaction didn’t reveal much, and Wen Yifan felt he had long forgotten about it, so she didn’t pay much attention. Soon, the car arrived at the parking lot, and they got out and returned home.
Wen Yifan took off her coat, hung it on the nearby coat rack, and had just taken off her shoes, intending to take a shower.
Suddenly.
Sang Yan abruptly hugged her waist from behind, pressing his body against hers, pinning her entire person against the door. As if he had been holding back for a long time, his movements were forceful, his body tightly pressed against hers.
She was caught off guard and instinctively turned her head.
Sang Yan’s burning lips had already fallen on the back of her neck, moving downwards, wandering over her bare skin. His voice was low as if speaking in a whisper: “Didn’t you ask me to evaluate?”
“…”
As he spoke, Sang Yan’s other hand moved upwards, gently caressing with his fingertips. He bit her shoulder blade as if venting his desire, his force seeming rough.
The ballet dress was form-fitting, and with this movement, Wen Yifan’s neck tilted back slightly, clearly outlining her curves. She felt ticklish and slightly painful: “Why are you biting?”
Sang Yan ignored her, continuing these ambiguous and heavily passionate movements. After a long while, he straightened up, his nose lightly brushing against her hair, nibbling on her ear, and speaking close to her ear.
“…I want to hide you away.”
From the moment he saw her on stage.
He wanted to pull her back into his world, to hide all her radiance in his embrace, not letting anyone else see. Yet he also felt that this was how she should appear in everyone’s eyes.
Radiating brilliance.
Before Wen Yifan could react, her body melted at his actions. She felt Sang Yan’s hands kneading her body, pulling down her tights, and she gasped, “Don’t tear them…”
She looked at him again, meeting his dark eyes filled with hidden fire.
Sang Yan’s features were rugged, his eyes sharp and unrestrained, appearing indifferent and disdainful when not speaking. His lips were thin with a straight curve, now filled with emotion, a strange mix of coldness and desire.
“Why not?”
His movements became more unrestrained, touching every sensitive spot on her body.
“It’s all one piece,” Wen Yifan felt her body floating in mid-air, her eyes gradually misting over. She tried to keep her voice steady, holding back a whimper, “…it’ll break.”
Staring at her expression, Sang Yan uncontrollably kissed her lips, his tongue entering, intertwining with hers.
Accompanied by muffled words: “Then teach me.”
Amid passion, as if suddenly understanding why Sang Yan hadn’t let her change out of the dress, a fleeting thought crossed Wen Yifan’s mind, but she immediately pulled him back into their intimate moment.
Wen Yifan felt herself guiding him, willingly, gradually unveiling herself.
And then offering herself up.
Sang Yan’s body thrust in, filled with possessiveness, along with a very clear sentence.
“Time to repay the debt.”
……
This time, possibly considering her body, Sang Yan wasn’t as unrestrained as the previous night, but his force was stronger than all previous times. Afterward, he carried Wen Yifan to the bathroom to clean up.
Before falling asleep, Wen Yifan vaguely felt Sang Yan place a kiss on her forehead.
Whether she misheard or for some other reason, he seemed to have uttered:
“–Dance for me at our wedding too.”
–
This year, Wen Yifan’s New Year holiday was still from the first to the third day of the lunar new year. On New Year’s Eve, after work, she was picked up by Sang Yan and brought home, where he urged her to pack some clothes and luggage.
Sang Yan watched her pack and mentioned: “We’ll stay for three nights.”
Wen Yifan nodded.
“I haven’t told my parents you’re staying over yet,” Sang Yan rubbed her head forcefully, casually saying, “If you’re uncomfortable, just tell me. We can come back to sleep after the New Year’s Eve dinner.”
Wen Yifan pulled his hand away: “You’ve messed up my hair.”
“Listen to me properly,” Sang Yan was particularly mischievous, putting his hand back to continue messing up her hair, “Why are you only paying attention to your hairstyle, have you no conscience?”
Wen Yifan looked up, also standing on tiptoe to forcefully mess up his hair.
Sang Yan raised an eyebrow.
Wen Yifan muttered: “You’re so childish.”
Doing exactly what she told him not to do.
As soon as she acted, Sang Yan stopped. He helped fix her hair instead, finding it amusing: “Who’s childish?”
Wen Yifan also slowly stopped. Thinking about her previous words, she pondered for a moment and asked: “So if I stay at your house, where will I sleep?”
Sang Yan glanced at her: “In the same room as my sister.”
Wen Yifan immediately nodded: “That’s fine.”
“…” This time she agreed so quickly, that Sang Yan inexplicably began to feel displeased again, “No, do you have something to say to that brat? You’re not happy sharing a room with me?”
“I do,” Wen Yifan’s voice was gentle, directly ignoring the question of whether she was “happy” or not, and began to worry, “But–“
“What?”
“I’m a bit afraid I might sleepwalk,” Wen Yifan said, “What if I scare Zhizhi?”
“…” Sang Yan stared at her, feeling like this girl was acting like a scumbag, and abruptly said, “We’ve lived together for so long, how come I never saw you worry about scaring me?”
Wen Yifan looked at him too.
They stared at each other for three seconds.
Wen Yifan looked away, continuing to pack clothes into the bag: “Well, I can’t help that.”
“…”
Afraid of keeping Sang Yan’s parents waiting too long, Wen Yifan didn’t spend much time packing and quickly got ready. After leaving, sitting in Sang Yan’s car, she belatedly felt nervous, fidgeting the entire way.
Probably sensing her emotions, Sang Yan said casually: “Relax.”
Wen Yifan: “Huh?”
“My parents will only thank you,” Sang Yan said, “for letting me find a partner.”
“…”
Because Sang Yan had mentioned similar things many times, this time Wen Yifan couldn’t help but ask: “Why are Uncle and Auntie so eager to find you a partner? You’re only 26, not that old, I feel it’s quite early.”
She felt that getting married before 35 wasn’t considered late.
“The better the conditions, the harder to find,” Sang Yan’s appearance was arrogant, his tone overbearing and wild, “Understand?”
“…”
Wen Yifan was used to his demeanor and didn’t say more, thinking about what to say when they arrived. She was very afraid of leaving a bad impression and started taking out her notepad, and typing various phrases as if writing a script.
At a red light, Sang Yan looked in her direction.
Noticing the content on her screen, he curved his lips slightly, not interrupting her actions.
Soon they arrived at the building where Sang Yan’s family lived.
Wen Yifan took the gifts she had bought from the trunk, silently reciting the script she had just written in the car. Her expression was normal, trying to appear as composed and calm as usual.
Leave a good impression on Sang Yan’s parents.
Sang Yan watched her with interest.
The two took the elevator up.
Sang Yan took out his keys from his pocket. Noticing her tightly pressed lips, he squeezed her fingertips, comforting her: “Alright, don’t be nervous. I’m here to make you look good by comparison.”
“…” Wen Yifan didn’t understand what he meant.
Opening the door, Wen Yifan followed Sang Yan inside.
The interior was spacious and bright. As soon as they entered the foyer, Wen Yifan could see Sang Zhi sitting on the sofa watching TV. Hearing the movement, she turned her head, immediately smiling, revealing the two dimples at the corners of her lips.
Sang Zhi obediently called out: “Sister Yifan.”
Wen Yifan also smiled and greeted her.
Sang Yan looked at her, coolly saying: “Didn’t see me?”
Sang Zhi pretended not to hear, patting the space beside her, enthusiastically saying to Wen Yifan: “Sister Yifan, sit here.”
“…”
The next moment, Sang Yan’s parents also came out from the kitchen.
Wen Yifan had met Sang Yan’s mother, Li Ping, not only on the night of the fireworks show but also the two times they were called in for suspected early dating. Sang Yan’s side was always represented by Li Ping.
But Wen Yifan didn’t know if she still remembered her.
Perhaps Sang Yan had mentioned it to them beforehand, Li Ping smiled and called out: “It’s Yifan, right?”
Wen Yifan hurriedly nodded: “Yes, Uncle and Auntie, Happy New Year.” As she spoke, she handed over the gifts she had brought: “These are New Year gifts I prepared for you.”
Li Ping wiped her hands on her apron and accepted them, her expression extremely gentle: “Next time just come over, no need to bring gifts. Sit for a while, your uncle and I will be done soon, then we can eat.”
Wen Yifan offered: “Let me help you.”
Sang Yan’s father, Sang Rong, said: “No need, we’re almost done. You watch some TV with Zhizhi first.”
The biological son Sang Yan, who had been ignored throughout the process, seemed unconcerned and lazily spoke up to assert his presence, breaking their warm atmosphere: “Then can I watch TV too?”
As soon as Sang Yan spoke, the atmosphere cooled.
The two elders stopped talking.
Sang Zhi watched like a spectator, enjoying the show.
Not knowing why the atmosphere had changed like this.
Wen Yifan inexplicably thought of how Sang Yan was always scolded harshly every time he called home. Especially during the time he was injured, she even heard Li Ping say extremely angrily on the phone: “If you don’t come back, your father and I will have another child.”
Sang Yan had cheekily replied: “Fine, I’d quite like to have a little brother.”
“…”
Wen Yifan instinctively glanced toward Sang Yan, then looked back at Mr. and Mrs. Sang.
Just as she was thinking about whether to say something.
Li Ping’s smile faded a bit as she looked Sang Yan up and down: “You can.”
As if having long-suppressed opinions about him, Sang Rong seemed to have coordinated with Li Ping beforehand. He walked over, put his hand on Sang Yan’s shoulder, and opened the front door: “Go back to your place to watch.”
“…”