Chapter 32: Dance and Music
Some time later…
Hua Shuya sat dejectedly in the pavilion, her head bowed, her cheeks flushed.
Of course, the redness was from being pelted by fruit pits.
Lin Tianlu, sitting opposite her, felt a bit awkward, not knowing how to comfort her.
He had hit the “target” with every single fruit pit. The girl hadn’t dodged even one.
His accuracy was so impressive, he almost thought she was intentionally moving towards the fruit pits.
“…”
After a moment of silence, Lin Tianlu coughed lightly. “There’s no need to be discouraged, Miss Hua. This movement technique, like your family’s swordsmanship, takes time and practice to master. It’s not easy to apply it in actual combat right away.”
But Hua Shuya shook her head.
“Senior, I’m not sad. I’m just thinking.”
“Oh?”
She had been trying to understand why she couldn’t even dodge a single fruit pit.
Were her movements too slow? Or were her reflexes too dull?
It seemed like neither was the case.
Thinking back, Senior’s throws had been incredibly precise. Although they seemed casual, each pit had flown towards her weak points.
Her gaze, her footwork, the movements of her waist and back… every aspect of her body seemed to be constrained, her balance disrupted, leading to missteps and miscalculations.
She closed her eyes, visualizing the trajectory of each fruit pit.
The paths they had taken intertwined, forming a perfect net, covering every possible escape route.
But as she pondered, she noticed a glimmer of hope within this seemingly inescapable trap, a sudden surge of inspiration!
After a moment of silence, she opened her eyes, a realization dawning upon her. She stood up and began to move.
“Hmm?”
Lin Tianlu watched her practicing the movement technique again, nodding in approval.
“You’ve improved.”
Her steps were more fluid and natural, no longer just mimicking the forms.
But her movements now resembled a graceful dance, her flowing robes swirling around her, her figure captivating.
“What a difference.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Her execution of the Roaming Dragon Phantom Steps was like a mesmerizing dance, elegant and beautiful, a significant improvement in both skill and presentation.
As for his own…
It had improved slightly.
Perhaps from geriatric disco to ghost steps?
He had finally grasped the essence of the technique, mastered its five levels, but there were no cool special effects. He just moved around like a ghost, startling everyone.
He shuddered. Was there discrimination even in movement techniques?
“Is Miss Hua… dancing?”
A gentle voice came from behind him. Lin Tianlu quickly stopped his random thoughts and turned to see Mao Ruoyu approaching the pavilion, a surprised look on her face.
“Such beautiful movements. I envy Miss Hua’s graceful figure.”
Lin Tianlu picked up the manual and chuckled softly. “If you like it, Madam Mao, why don’t you give it a try?”
Mao Ruoyu blushed, shaking her head with a smile. “I’ll pass. With my delicate bones, all that twisting and turning would probably break me. Besides… my dancing wouldn’t be as graceful and alluring as Miss Hua’s.”
“You’re too modest, Madam.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled.
With her voluptuous figure, if she were to dance, it would be a captivating sight.
Mao Ruoyu just smiled faintly and placed a box of pastries on the stone table. “Please have some pastries I made, Sir. They’re fresh out of the oven, still warm.”
“Thank you, Madam Mao.” Lin Tianlu picked up a pastry and took a bite, his eyes widening in delight. “These are truly delicious.”
This was the taste he remembered!
“I’m glad you like them, Sir.” Mao Ruoyu nodded in satisfaction, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
She had added some of the ingredients from her Bewitching Pastries to these pastries—of course, diluted many times, leaving only a hint of the original flavor, just to please him.
She wouldn’t dare to do anything reckless now. And… she didn’t want to treat him badly anymore.
“Why don’t you join us, Madam?” Lin Tianlu smiled gently, beckoning her over. “I feel bad making you work so hard.”
“As you wish, Sir.”
Mao Ruoyu smoothed her skirt and sat down gracefully, her face radiant, her eyes filled with warmth. “Sir, are you skilled in music?”
“Music?”
Lin Tianlu was taken aback. He quickly took out the jade flute from his pocket. “Are you referring to this, Madam? I’m ashamed to say, I can only play a few simple notes and remember a couple of melodies.”
“You’re too modest, Sir. Your skills are truly impressive.”
Mao Ruoyu waved her hand dismissively, recalling her experience last night, her face filled with longing. “Although the melody was simple, it was hauntingly beautiful, like a gentle dream. And last night…”
She blinked her watery eyes, clutching her chest shyly, her cheeks flushing red. “I actually fell asleep. You even carried me home, Sir. I’m so embarrassed.”
“I apologize for touching you without permission, Madam.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. “But it was cold outside. I was worried you might catch a cold if you slept outside all night…”
“I understand your intentions, Sir.”
Why did the atmosphere feel so strange?
Lin Tianlu coughed lightly, trying to change the subject. “You seem to be quite interested in music, Madam.”
“Yes.” Mao Ruoyu gently brushed her hair back, her voice soft and wistful. “I grew up in poverty. I never had a full meal or received an education. The only music I ever heard was from an old man playing the flute in our village. I yearned for a flute of my own, dreaming of playing it freely in the mountains when I grew up.
When I was a little older, I tried to learn some music. But I had no talent and couldn’t play anything beautiful.”
Her eyes were filled with nostalgia. “But I still play sometimes, to remember my deceased parents. I cherish those childhood memories.”
“I apologize for my insensitivity, Madam. I didn’t realize this flute held such significance for you.” Lin Tianlu said seriously, bowing slightly. “If you like it, you can play a few tunes on it.”
He handed her the flute.
“Sir, this—”
“There’s no need to be so formal, Madam.”
“…Mm.”
Mao Ruoyu carefully took the flute, her fingers gently tracing its surface, her eyes filled with a mixture of longing and sadness.
Lin Tianlu quickly added, “Don’t worry, Madam. I cleaned it thoroughly yesterday. But the repair isn’t perfect. It might be a bit leaky and out of tune.”
“It’s alright. I just want to try… Please excuse my poor skills.” Mao Ruoyu pursed her lips, raised the flute to her lips, and began to play gracefully.
A clear and melodious sound filled the air, surprising Lin Tianlu.
She was actually quite good… Wait!
The flute wasn’t leaking?
As the soft melody ended, Mao Ruoyu lowered the flute, looking up with a smile, as if content.
Although her playing wasn’t exceptionally beautiful or skillful, it was enough for her.
“Sir, this flute is still… Eh?”
She blinked her eyes, a puzzled look on her face. “What’s wrong, Sir?”
“Nothing.”
Lin Tianlu sighed helplessly. “I just realized that I really have no musical talent.”
It wasn’t the flute that was the problem.
It was him.
Mao Ruoyu chuckled softly, handing the flute back to him. “You’re too modest, Sir. My skills are nothing compared to yours…”
But her voice suddenly trailed off.
Lin Tianlu took the flute, his expression puzzled, and saw that the beautiful woman beside him was blushing.
“Madam?”
“Ah… N-nothing!”
Mao Ruoyu quickly withdrew her hand, her face crimson as she shifted uncomfortably.
Lin Tianlu asked with concern, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine, Sir. I just have… too much energy.” Mao Ruoyu chuckled awkwardly.
As soon as she finished speaking, a trickle of blood flowed from her nose, staining her robe with a crimson spot.
“…”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
Hadn’t the doctor diagnosed her with a weak constitution and low energy just a few days ago? How could she suddenly have so much energy that she was having nosebleeds?
Could energy levels fluctuate so wildly?