The fifth-year student in the dormitory was organizing a dance party and invited Fei Ni, a well-known figure at the school, hoping to attract more attendees.
Fei Ni declined, saying she didn’t know how to dance.
Fifth Year didn’t give up. “It’s very simple, and you’re so clever. You’ll learn quickly. There will be plenty of guys at the party eager to teach you.”
Fei Ni replied that dance parties should be left for unmarried people, and she, as a married woman, shouldn’t take up a spot.
“Are married people not free to attend dance parties?” Fifth Year countered. “If Painter Fang from your family keeps being this jealous, I’ll have to reason with him. The officials can’t be the only ones allowed to light fires while forbidding common people from lighting lamps.” Fifth Year had previously visited an art exhibition and spent a long time in front of one painting, only later learning that the artist was Fei Ni’s husband. Since then, she’d playfully referred to Fang Muyang as “Painter Fang.” Now, she showed Fei Ni a newspaper—after much discussion, the Art Academy had decided to reinstate figure drawing classes. “If social customs are open enough for Fang Muyang to draw unclothed female models, how can you not be allowed to attend a dance party?”
Fei Ni looked at the newspaper and smiled. “Freedom means having both the freedom to participate and the freedom not to.” She had always believed that dance parties were social venues for unmarried men and women. As a married woman, she saw no need to attend—there were plenty of other ways to meet people.
Fifth Year called her conservative, but Fei Ni didn’t mind.
She defended Fang Muyang: “He’s not the jealous type. We’ve been married for so long now; there’s this level of trust between us.” Fei Ni felt that calling Fang Muyang jealous underestimated their relationship—he wasn’t that petty.
Fifth Year was determined to have Fei Ni attend. “The party allows people from other schools. Have your Painter Fang come too—that’ll put an end to others’ thoughts.” New students had arrived at the school who weren’t familiar with Fei Ni and Fang Muyang’s situation, and some were overly attentive to Senior Sister Fei.
Fei Ni was good at avoiding misunderstandings—she might as well have had “I’m married” carved on her forehead.
While Fei Ni was proud to have Fang Muyang as her husband, she couldn’t explain her marital status to everyone she met—that would seem narcissistic as if assuming everyone was interested in her. Still, it was troublesome when people who didn’t know she was married pursued her.
With the Fifth Year’s persistence, Fei Ni finally agreed.
She called Fang Muyang’s school and asked him to pick her up. Making phone calls at school wasn’t convenient, and Fei Ni rarely called him. Fang Muyang thought there might be an emergency, only to find out she was inviting him to a dance party. The Art Academy had its dance parties, which Fang Muyang never attended—dancing held no appeal for him, and he’d rather spend that time playing ball. However, when Fei Ni invited him, he agreed without hesitation.
Fang Muyang came as soon as his class ended. Fei Ni waited at the school gate. When people greeted her, she smiled with closed lips, but when Fang Muyang arrived, she couldn’t help but show her teeth in a broad smile. He brought her a small piece of fruit cake. Fang Muyang pushed his bicycle while Fei Ni walked beside him, eating the cake with light steps. Unconsciously, she scooped up a spoonful and moved to feed him, but just before reaching his mouth, she suddenly became aware of the people around them. She quickly withdrew her hand and offered to push the bicycle instead, letting Fang Muyang finish the remaining cake.
Though they were both usually fast walkers, they moved slowly toward the dance venue. When they entered, many people had already arrived. All eyes were on them as they walked in. Someone came to invite Fei Ni to dance—even with a partner present, others could still ask. Fei Ni refused without hesitation, saying she didn’t know how to dance at all.
The young man responded just as Fifth Year had predicted: “I’ll teach you.”
Fei Ni smiled and said, “I’ve already found someone to teach me.” She looked at Fang Muyang and gave him her hand.
Face to face, Fang Muyang taught her how to dance. While he wasn’t typically a good teacher, he showed great patience when teaching Fei Ni.
Fei Ni was a quick learner and soon got the hang of it. She smiled and asked Fang Muyang, “You must attend dance parties at your school often.”