Chapter 11
Back at his apartment, lying on the sofa, Lu Xuefeng still hadn’t fully processed what had happened.
He had agreed to Song Muqing’s proposal.
Which meant they were getting married.
Based on his understanding, Song Muqing was good-looking and had a good personality.
That was his most immediate impression.
His parents had good jobs, so his family background was also quite good. Lu Xuefeng could imagine that he had a harmonious relationship with his family.
With his looks, profession, and demeanor, Song Muqing should be a highly sought-after partner in the marriage market, popular with both peers and elders.
Compared to him, Lu Xuefeng felt he had no particular advantages.
He had nothing remarkable to offer and wasn’t skilled at navigating romantic relationships.
Yet, Song Muqing had asked him to marry him.
Lu Xuefeng felt this marriage was worth pursuing, even feeling like he was taking advantage of the situation.
He thought his grandmother would be very pleased.
So, he hadn’t hesitated for long before agreeing.
Lu Xuefeng had said “yes.”
Then it occurred to him that Song Muqing was also likely getting married to fulfill his family’s wish.
In a way, they had the same goal.
“I hope we get along well.”
He remembered saying this, and Song Muqing had chuckled softly.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t know what he was laughing about.
But he didn’t ask.
Lu Xuefeng lay quietly, lost in thought, tossing and turning.
He hesitated whether to tell his grandmother immediately, wondering if it was too soon.
It would be better to wait until his next visit.
Such news was best delivered in person.
While drying his hair after a shower, Lu Xuefeng received a message from Song Muqing, sent ten minutes ago.
“Are you free tomorrow afternoon?”
The theater didn’t have any of his dance dramas scheduled soon, so he wasn’t too busy and could make time.
Lu: Yes.
Song: I’ll pick you up then.
The reply was quick, as if he had been waiting. Lu Xuefeng sent a “thumbs up” emoji.
Song: Are you going to bed soon?
Lu: Not yet.
Lu Xuefeng said he had just finished showering.
Song: Remember to dry your hair before going to bed.
Lu Xuefeng paused mid-type.
In high school, he often practiced late and had gotten used to falling asleep with wet hair after showering.
His grandmother had reminded him countless times that sleeping with wet hair would give him a headache.
After starting work, he did develop migraines, so he remembered to dry his hair properly before going to bed.
Now, hearing Song Muqing say the same thing, he felt a strange warmth.
Lu: Yes, I know.
Song: Then rest early. Good night.
Song: See you tomorrow.
Lu: Okay.
Looking at the brief exchange, he suddenly realized his replies seemed somewhat cold, not befitting someone who had just agreed to marriage.
He added a “Good night” before putting his phone away.
The next performance of Lu Xuefeng’s dance drama wasn’t for another two months, in winter. So, he wasn’t too busy during this period, simply needing to attend to his daily tasks.
The dancers had other productions to perform in, and the theater had various performances every week.
Sometimes, Lu Xuefeng would fill in or be invited as a rehearsal instructor.
The rest of the time, he worked on his new project.
The creative studio didn’t have strict requirements. Everyone there had established reputations with representative works. Lu Xuefeng wasn’t the most prominent among them.
There were many more accomplished seniors.
But he was young and promising; that was the general consensus.
He arrived at the theater early the next morning and went straight to the rehearsal studio.
There was a major performance coming up, and the director, an acquaintance, had naturally asked him to observe and offer suggestions.
With a tight schedule, they started dress rehearsals at the theater right after lunch, skipping their usual break.
Lu Xuefeng sat in the third row, his back straight, most of his body in shadow, but his eyes, illuminated by the stage lights, were bright, his gaze fixed on the stage, his expression aloof.
He focused on each performer’s individual performance, as well as the overall coordination and synergy.
Lu Xuefeng held a copy of the script, several key passages circled, marking the parts where dancers often made mistakes.
His phone buzzed briefly. He glanced down to reply to a message before returning his attention to the performance.
The entire act concluded smoothly, with good coordination and no major issues.
The stage lights brightened, while the vast, empty auditorium remained dark and silent.
Lu Xuefeng remained seated, not moving immediately.
He nodded faintly at the performers, a gesture of approval.
These were experienced dancers, no newcomers, and they had performed this piece before. They were in good form, so there wasn’t much to criticize.
This was their best rehearsal yet, and even the rehearsal instructor couldn’t help but applaud, praising their performance.
The dancers were relieved and encouraged.
Tuanzhang Jin, sitting beside him, walked towards the center of the stage, pointing out a few minor errors in a serious tone.
The issues weren’t major, but as Tuanzhang, Jin Hong was always meticulous about professional matters, striving for perfection, not tolerating the slightest mistake. His comments were valid.
Lu Xuefeng listened, making a few notes in his script before closing it and walking towards the dancers, reiterating the details and specifically addressing the coordination issues between a few pairs.
“It’s already very good. Keep practicing these next two days.”
His tone was gentle, unlike Jin Hong’s sternness, and the dancers readily agreed.
The detailed refinement of movements was the rehearsal instructor’s responsibility, not requiring Lu Xuefeng’s direct involvement.
He didn’t say more, not wanting to delay their break.
Jin Hong handed Lu Xuefeng a bottle of water, but Lu Xuefeng didn’t take it, only glancing at the time.
“I won’t drink it.”
He gathered his things, preparing to leave.
Jin Hong asked, “Where are you going?”
“Off work.”
Jin Hong: ?
“Leaving early?”
Lu Xuefeng nodded. “Yes, someone is waiting.”
Jin Hong found this unusual, narrowing his eyes and clicking his tongue. “What, are you seeing someone?”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t answer, simply saying, “I’m leaving.”
He gave Lan Xin a few instructions, dropped off some things at his studio, and left the theater.
He saw Song Muqing waiting.
As he approached, a subtle feeling stirred within him.
He realized that in their interactions, Song Muqing always seemed to be the one waiting.
Seeing him approach, Song Muqing walked forward to greet him.
“Have you been waiting long?” Lu Xuefeng asked.
He had received the message before the rehearsal ended, when Song Muqing had just left the university.
He must have been waiting for quite some time.
“Not long,” Song Muqing replied.
His car was parked nearby, and they walked towards it.
Lu Xuefeng noticed that Song Muqing’s hair seemed styled, and his clothes were crisp and sharp. Compared to his usual casual demeanor, he looked more formal and even more handsome.
Getting into the car, Song Muqing casually asked, “Do you have everything?”
Lu Xuefeng paused, his hand on his seatbelt. “Everything for what?”
He looked at Song Muqing, then slowly realized the situation.
They were… going to register their marriage?
Last night, Song Muqing had specifically mentioned that today was Monday, a workday for the Civil Affairs Bureau.
That explained his attire.
Lu Xuefeng suddenly realized they were going to get their marriage license.
He hadn’t expected it to be so soon.
Song Muqing had asked him to set aside some time, but Lu Xuefeng hadn’t thought of this, assuming they would meet each other’s families first, or discuss their future plans.
He had left home in a hurry this morning, not thinking much about it, and had started work as usual.
Seeing his slightly dazed expression, Song Muqing couldn’t help but smile.
“Mr. Lu, we’re going to register our marriage. Aren’t you going to prepare anything?”
Lu Xuefeng’s face felt warm. “…Sorry.”
Song Muqing looked at him, half-joking, “Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind?”
“No,” Lu Xuefeng looked at him, reiterating, “I haven’t changed my mind.”
He simply hadn’t expected it.
“I wasn’t clear,” Song Muqing decided to confirm again. “Is it alright to register our marriage today?”
“Yes,” Lu Xuefeng agreed.
Seeing that the person beside him still hadn’t fully recovered, Song Muqing leaned closer and fastened his seatbelt for him.
But he didn’t pull back immediately.
Lu Xuefeng instinctively leaned away slightly.
He wasn’t used to such close proximity.
Perhaps it was the confined space of the car, but with Song Muqing so close, he felt the air thinning.
Song Muqing was right in front of him.
His gaze was intense, fixed on him.
Song Muqing’s gaze lingered on his beautiful, aloof eyes before he asked softly, “Didn’t sleep well last night?”
“…Not really.”
Lu Xuefeng avoided his gaze, lowering his eyes.
He hadn’t been able to fall asleep for a long time, and when he finally did, he had a series of fragmented dreams, a jumble of past events, leaving him feeling groggy.
So, he had woken up late and left in a hurry.
Now that he thought about it, it was the shock of Song Muqing’s sudden proposal that had kept him awake, triggering a chain reaction.
Song Muqing didn’t ask for the reason.
Or perhaps, he already knew.
“Me neither.”
Song Muqing looked at him, admitting softly, “Like you, I didn’t sleep well either.”
