Chapter 162: The Fairy is in Love...

At 11:30 a.m., Ding Heng was idly scrolling through his phone by the flower bed downstairs from the dance studio.

The faint sound of music drifted from upstairs, intermittent and classical music he couldn't name, which inevitably made him drowsy after listening for a while.

According to the original plan, the first rehearsal should have ended at 11 o'clock, and Ding Heng, who was supposed to pick him up on time, had been waiting for a full half hour.

He put away his phone and looked at the gray-white building entrance. Occasionally, students would walk out of the building in twos and threes, their steps hurried.

About ten minutes later, Hua Qing finally came out.

The dance student's hair was styled in a neat, high ponytail, with meticulous attention to detail.

Wearing a light gray loose sweatshirt with black casual pants, and with little makeup on her face, she looked a bit listless, as if she couldn't muster any energy from the inside out.

Ding Heng waved, and Hua Qing immediately quickened her pace.

Instead of standing still as usual, she crashed headfirst into the man's chest.

Ding Heng was knocked back slightly by her bump and instinctively reached out to put his arm around her shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"Well……"

Hua Qing didn't say anything.

Ding Heng didn't urge her. He gently stroked the back of her head with his palm, like soothing a sulking little pet.

A few seconds later, Hua Qing took a deep breath, stepped out of Ding Heng's arms, and stood up straight again.

She raised her hand and brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, the slight wilting on her face disappearing, replaced by her usual aloof and proud demeanor.

"I'm fine, let's go get something to eat first."

"Um……"

Ding Heng smiled and didn't press the matter.

He could probably guess.

At Hunan Normal University, Hua Qing is the only principal dancer in the entire School of Music and Dance to win the Lotus Award for Best Dancer.

Her name is her trademark; her award-winning photos are displayed prominently in the corridors of the teaching building; and her resume is something teachers can boast about to new students.

But this is the capital, where heroes from all over the world flock like fish crossing a river…

The Lotus Award is the pinnacle at Hunan Normal University, but today it's just the threshold! Hua Qing's qualifications are even the least among the seven candidates.

Others are either geniuses selected from among the top universities in the capital, or working dancers in major theater troupes, with rich stage experience and connections.

Only she, Hua Qing—a senior student who hasn't yet received her undergraduate degree.

Such a disparity would be painful for anyone.

Ding Heng didn't say anything to comfort her, but patted Hua Qing on the shoulder: "Let's go, I'll take my senior to have some fun."

Hua Qing looked at him suspiciously: "Why are you so happy?"

Ding Heng grinned mischievously: "Of course, it's about doing things that make both boys and girls happy."

"Scumbag..."

Hua Qing mumbled something, clearly thinking the wrong thing.

Ding Heng didn't take a taxi; instead, he accompanied Hua Qing as they walked slowly along the street.

After turning two corners, the two stopped in front of a small restaurant.

"Just something to grab?"

"Um."

Ding Heng led Hua Qing through the door and sat down. The proprietress, a woman in her fifties, spoke with a thick Beijing accent: "Please have a seat, what would you like to eat?"

Ding Heng took two pairs of chopsticks from the chopstick holder and wiped them with a tissue: "Senior, you can order."

Hua Qing glanced at the menu: "One stir-fried vegetable dish, with less oil and salt; one blanched kale dish, with less soy sauce; one tomato and egg drop soup..."

"Eh eh eh."

Ding Heng couldn't stand it anymore: "Senior, what are you doing?!"

Hua Qing pouted: "Didn't you tell me to order...?"

"Then at least consider that I'm a grown man weighing 170 pounds. Do you expect me to become a monk and eat vegetarian food with you?"

"Oh... I'll change the seaweed and egg drop soup to braised pork ribs."

Hua Qing closed the menu, picked up her teacup, and took a small sip.

Ding Heng chuckled, "Senior, it can't be that bad, can it?"

"I've gained three pounds over the Chinese New Year!"

Hua Qing said resentfully, "And ever since I've been with you, it's been all about high-carb, high-sugar foods. I measured my waist today, and it's a whole centimeter bigger than last year!"

Ding Heng chuckled: "How come I didn't notice?"

Hua Qing's soft and slender waist was second only to the White Rabbit in Ding Heng's affection. He held it in his arms every day, but he didn't feel that it had gotten thicker.

Hua Qing, unusually, ignored Ding Heng's teasing and said seriously, "I'm a dancer, my body is my capital. One centimeter on stage can mean a difference of a fraction of a point, and that fraction of a point can be the difference between a gold medal and a silver medal."

Ding Heng didn't say anything more.

Hua Qing has always had an almost obsessive pursuit of dance, but in the past it was more about passion, love, and absolute confidence.

Today, she began to feel a sense of urgency.

A strong sense of urgency that "I must work harder than others to get this opportunity."

However, when the braised pork ribs were served, Ding Heng still picked up a piece and put it into Hua Qing's bowl.

"Eat more, senior, so you don't run out of energy for rehearsals."

"Hmm, this is still too oily. I'll just eat some chicken breast when I get back..."

"obedient."

Ding Heng could see the longing in Hua Qing's eyes and didn't want her to torture herself too much.

Hua Qing picked up a rib and stuffed it into her mouth, her taste buds were very satisfied, and she subconsciously reached out to pick up a second piece.

"Hua Qing?"

The shout made Hua Qing abruptly stop eating.

Ding Heng turned around to look.

A girl had just picked up her food and was holding a tray in her hand.

She was about 1.68 meters tall, wearing a light gray tracksuit and a hairstyle almost identical to Hua Qing's, perfect for a dance performance.

Her overall features are less striking than Hua Qing's, but she is still considered a fair-skinned and pretty woman. Her temperament is somewhat similar to Zhao Yanxi's, and she is the kind of sunny and cheerful person who seems easy to get along with at first glance.

Hua Qing looked up, recalling for a moment: "Fan Chenxi?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Fan Chenxi walked over quickly, smiling, and asked, "Can we come together?"

Hua Qing nodded politely, "Please sit down."

Fan Chenxi sat down next to Hua Qing. On her plate was a plate of stir-fried broccoli, a plate of boiled chicken breast that she had brought herself, and a small piece of corn.

Ding Heng glanced at it and sighed inwardly.

Do dancers these days treat themselves like rabbits?

Fan Chenxi noticed Ding Heng and asked frankly, "And this gentleman is...?"

Before Hua Qing could speak, Ding Heng introduced himself first: "Ding Heng, Hua Qing's boyfriend."

Fan Chenxi smiled brightly: "Hello, hello! My name is Fan Chenxi. I'm a second-year graduate student in Shanghai Opera. I'm two years older than Hua Qing. If you don't mind, you can just call me Sister Chenxi."

"Hello, hello..."

Fan Chenxi was too lively, and Ding Heng simply couldn't bring himself to call her "sister".

He then asked, "You're a graduate student in Shanghai Opera, so why are you performing in the capital?"

Fan Chenxi picked up a piece of broccoli and stuffed it into her mouth: "I'll give it a try if I have the chance. I didn't expect to actually be chosen by Teacher Qi."

"Teacher Qi, Qi Yanran?"

"yes!"

Fan Chenxi nodded, a little smugly saying, "You know Teacher Qi too?"

Hua Qing chimed in, "Teacher Qi was my former teacher."

"Oh? So you're Professor Qi's student?"

Fan Chenxi said in surprise, "No wonder Professor Qi spoke so highly of you. I was wondering which undergraduate was so amazing. It turns out you have a mentor."

Hua Qing felt a little uncomfortable after being praised. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and didn't reply.

Ding Heng then asked, "What's your relationship with Teacher Qi?"

Fan Chenxi shook her head: "It's okay, I didn't even know her a week ago."

"So how did you get selected?"

"After I came to the capital, I followed Teacher Qi to his doorstep every day."

Fan Chenxi said frankly, "She originally didn't want to talk to me, saying that the candidates had already been decided. I wasn't willing to give up, so I went to wait downstairs at her house every day."

Ding Heng was taken aback.

"and then?"

"Then one day, I stopped her in her apartment building's parking garage, and before she got in her car, I danced a little dance for her."

Fan Chenxi put down her chopsticks and began to mimic the movements she had demonstrated to Qi Yanran. To Ding Heng, an outsider, it looked like she was performing a shamanistic ritual.

"this one?"

"That's it!"

Fan Chenxi picked up her chopsticks again and said with a smile, "After I finished dancing, she finally looked me over seriously for a few seconds, and then asked me to report to the theater troupe."

Ding Heng couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, they can even recommend themselves?"

"Of course!"

Fan Chenxi raised an eyebrow smugly, but then lowered her guard: "However, Teacher Qi said that I am just a candidate substitute, and whether I can play depends on my performance."

Ding Heng carefully examined Fan Chenxi.

I guess this girl, like Hua Qing, is probably a "dance fanatic," but her personality is completely opposite to Hua Qing's.

Hua Qing is aloof and proud, yet she is cheerful and outgoing.

The fact that Qi Yanran took a liking to him shows that he is quite capable.

Fan Chenxi turned to Hua Qing: "Hua Qing, I watched your rehearsal today. Your control over that spin was amazing. I've been dancing for so many years, and spin has always been my weakness, especially the stability at the moment of landing. I always feel like I'm missing that last bit."

Hua Qing was a little embarrassed by the praise, but her expression remained aloof: "You flatter me."

"You flatter me, you flatter me!"

Fan Chenxi waved her hands repeatedly, her tone exaggerated: "I'm a straightforward person. Good is good, and bad is bad. I'm totally impressed by your performance today!"

"You're not bad either..."

No way.

Fan Chenxi sighed and said, "You should take a look at the other five. Their resumes are more impressive than the last. They have all sorts of titles as if they were free. Some of them have already played leading roles at the National Centre for the Performing Arts and held their own solo performances... Competing with them for roles makes me question my life."

Hua Qing didn't speak, but her grip on the chopsticks tightened slightly.

She felt similarly today, but she couldn't be as open about it as Fan Chenxi...

Ding Heng noticed Hua Qing's subtle reaction and picked up another piece of pork rib and put it in her bowl.

Hua Qing lowered her head and took a bite, the tension on her face relaxing slightly.

Fan Chenxi continued, "Before I came here, I thought I had a good chance, but I didn't expect to make such a big fuss... Now I feel that the chances are slim, and I don't know whether I should continue to invest sunk costs."

Hua Qing comforted him, "Since you're here, don't think about these things. The opportunity is right in front of you; how will you know the outcome if you don't give it a try?"

Fan Chenxi chuckled again: "Hua Qing, you're right! I wish I were as confident as you... These ribs smell so good, can I try some?"

"casual."

"Thanks!"

Under Fan Chenxi's naturally outgoing guidance, the two girls ate and chatted, but most of the conversation revolved around dance-related topics.

The control over rotations, the sense of suspension during high jumps, the rhythmic flow of the choreography...

Ding Heng only half understood what was being said, so he simply kept quiet and ate his meal in peace.

After the meal, the three left the restaurant.

Hua Qing glanced back at Fan Chenxi and murmured, "She's a really nice person."

Ding Heng sighed and chuckled, "It's rare for my senior to praise someone."

"It's not like I don't know how to compliment people."

"Then give me a compliment?"

"You? What's so great about you...?"

Hua Qing walked quickly forward, and Ding Heng followed, pulling her into his arms and threatening and forcing her.

"No, I have to praise him today."

"Hmm...you're the older one, aren't you?"

"Where is it big?"

"He has a strong grip."

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated, and decided to stop there.

"The package from Xingcheng arrived today, and I've checked out of the hotel. Let's pack up and move in together."

"good……"

A few days after signing the contract, Zhou Li took the initiative to arrange for a cleaning service to thoroughly clean the house, ensuring that the entire house was spotless.

Meow~

Black Bean poked its head out of the carrier and curiously looked around its new home.

Hua Qing squatted down and opened the box door. Hei Dou tentatively stepped out with its paw, sniffed the floor, and then slowly strolled around.

Ding Heng carried in the remaining luggage and packages one by one, and then closed the door.

Hua Qing picked up her suitcase and went into the dressing room, starting to take out clothes. Ding Heng took the opportunity to help her organize them.

Then I started cleaning the kitchen. The pots and pans were bought at the supermarket yesterday, and the labels were still on.

Ding Heng unpacked the items, while Hua Qing put them back in their places.

The cupboard was a bit high, so Hua Qing stood on tiptoe to reach it, her waist forming a slender curve.

Ding Heng reached out from behind, gently pressed her shoulder, and took the bowl from her and put it down.

"I'll do it."

"Oh……"

Hua Qing stepped back and quietly watched Ding Heng place the bowls and plates into the cabinet one by one, his movements swift and methodical.

Suddenly, I realized that this feeling... is pretty good.

It's not the cold, impersonal "staying in a hotel room," but rather truly "living life."

The two of them tidied up the room together, put things away together, and filled the empty house together.

Like... a newlywed couple.

Hua Qing was startled by the thought that popped into her head, and quickly turned her face away, pretending to tidy up the cushions on the sofa.

Ding Heng didn't notice her odd behavior and continued to unpack the next package.

Hua Qing asked Hua Yue to send not much: besides necessary clothes and black beans, there were a few small ornaments and a family photo.

After a short rest, Ding Heng suddenly asked curiously, "Senior, what did you rehearse today?"

Hua Qing placed the photo frame on the TV cabinet in the living room: "Nothing special. It tests basic skills, improvisation ability, and the smooth transitions between movements, etc., and gives each person a general overall score."

"Did the senior student get a high score?"

"Second to last."

"Is it really that bad?"

"There's nothing I can do; I'm far less experienced than them."

Hua Qing sighed and honestly admitted her shortcomings.

"Who came in last place?"

"Fan Chenxi".

"Huh? You two were discussing so much at noon, were you two terrible chess players playing chess?"

"Ding Heng!"

Hua Qing turned around, her eyes wide with anger, as if she were truly furious.

(?｀∧′)?

"In what ways is Fan Chenxi inferior to you, senior?"

"Her basic skills aren't great, her transitions aren't smooth, and her movements lack precision..."

Having gotten used to educating Qianqian and Xiaozhu these past few days, Hua Qing subconsciously adopted the role of a teacher and earnestly critiqued a whole host of Fan Chenxi's faults.

Ding Heng joked, "Hey... at least they're a second-year graduate student in Shanghai Opera, and you're a senior at Hunan Normal University, and you're actually giving critiques?"

Hua Qing retorted defiantly, "What's wrong with that? I've won more awards than her!"

"Okay, okay, okay."

Ding Heng asked, puzzled, "But if she really has as many problems as you say, why did Teacher Qi include her? Was it so you wouldn't be at the bottom?"

"Ding Heng!!!"

Hua Qing was both ashamed and angry.

(」?◣﹏◢?)」

Just when everyone thought the conversation had ended there, Hua Qing suddenly said quietly, "Ding Heng, you've only met her once, why are you always taking her side?"

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated. He stepped forward, put his arm around Hua Qing's slender waist, and comforted her, "Alright, alright, my senior is invincible, no one can compare to her."

Hua Qing felt a little uncomfortable. She struggled but couldn't break free, so she simply leaned against him and muttered softly.

"Scumbag..."

"Swearing again?"

"Just curse."

"Fine, go ahead and curse me. I'll deal with you tonight!"

Ding Heng gently pinched her waist, causing Hua Qing to let out a short, soft moan.

Whether it was Ding Heng's admonition that day that had an effect, after the emotional connection broke through 90%, Hua Qing finally lowered her posture slightly in front of him.

Although she still appears aloof and arrogant overall, at least she's no longer stiff and unintentionally reveals the affectionate side of a "little girlfriend" from time to time...

In the evening, the two had a simple takeout meal.

The setting sun slanted in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire living room in a warm orange hue.

Black Bean nestled on its newly bought cat tree, dozing with its eyes half-closed, its tail occasionally wagging.

After taking a shower, Hua Qing changed into a light-colored cotton nightgown. Her hair was not completely dry and was draped over her shoulders.

Ding Heng also came out of the bathroom, wearing the same dark gray pajamas, holding a dry towel in his hand, casually wiping his hair, and tossing it aside.

"Senior, come here."

Hua Qing walked over, but Ding Heng pulled her to the dressing mirror.

The two stood side by side, their figures, one tall and one short, reflected in the mirror.

Light white and light gray, the same style in different colors.

"Do you think we look like a newlywed couple who just moved into a new house?"

Ding Heng seemed to be joking, yet also serious.

Hua Qing subconsciously wanted to retort, "Who said we're husband and wife?" but she swallowed the words back.

"It's so ugly."

"Are the clothes ugly or the person ugly?"

"You're ugly."

Ding Heng chuckled, took out his phone, and pointed the camera at the mirror.

"Come on, let's take a picture."

Hua Qing was pulled close to Ding Heng's shoulder, leaning into his arms.

"Click."

The image freezes.

In the mirror, the man smiled, his demeanor composed.

The woman nestled against his chest, seemingly unwilling, but her face was slightly flushed.

Ding Heng looked down at the photo and teased, "Senior, do you think it would be a huge stir if I posted this on my WeChat Moments?"

Hua Qing leaned over to glance at the photo, then quickly looked away.

"No, please."

She was still guilty and dared not confess her relationship with Ding Heng.

Ding Heng seized the opportunity to threaten, "Then you have to promise me something, senior."

"What...?"

"Put on those gradient gray stockings later."

"abnormal."

Despite her verbal swearing, Hua Qing's actions betrayed her true intentions, and she obediently went to the dressing room to retrieve the bag of grey silk.

After changing into her stockings, Hua Qing returned to the bedroom, lifted the covers, and lay down. Ding Heng immediately reached out and pulled her into his arms, his hands beginning to wander.

Hua Qing was used to men taking advantage of her, and she no longer felt that Ding Heng was taking advantage of her.

What puzzles her now is why Ding Heng has stopped taking things further.

Especially these past few days, Ding Heng hasn't even bothered her...

"Ding Heng".

"Um?"

"Are you going back tomorrow?"

"Yes, my flight is in the morning."

Hua Qing didn't speak, but pressed her forehead against Ding Heng's collarbone, and Ding Heng also rested his chin on the top of her head.

"Is your senior reluctant to let me go?"

"No, I didn't."

"Then why are you grabbing my clothes?"

Hua Qing looked down and realized that her hand had somehow grabbed the hem of Ding Heng's pajamas.

She quickly let go and pulled her hand back.

Ding Heng took her hand and placed it back on his waist.

"If you want to stay, then stay. Stop being so stubborn."

"I wasn't just being stubborn..."

Hua Qing's voice grew softer and softer, the last few words almost muffled in her mouth.

Ding Heng stopped teasing her and obediently took out his hand to pat her back gently.

"Isn't your senior going back to Changsha in April?"

"Okay, after Qianqian and the others finish their re-examinations, I'll go back and take care of graduation matters."

"I'll give my senior a big gift then."

Hua Qing raised her head and met Ding Heng's gaze.

"What gift?"

"Would it still be a surprise if I told you?"

Black Bean rolled over at the foot of the bed and began to snore softly.

Hua Qing pouted and buried her face in Ding Heng's chest again.

The man's embrace was so warm that she didn't want to move.

"Ding Heng".

"Um?"

"Are you going to punish me again later?"

"You have to train tomorrow, I'll let you off this time."

"Oh……"

Hua Qing seemed slightly disappointed, and murmured softly.

"Good night."

"Good night."

The system interface quietly appeared in my mind.

【Azure Cold Sword Immortal: Hua Qing】

[Current Status: A Fairy Who Has Lost All Her Cultivation Power]

[Progress of romantic entanglement: 92%]

[Progress of severing emotional ties: 1%]

Chapter 161: The Fairy is in Love... There's a surprise inside, click to unlock now.