Chapter 47
Mu Ting video called, asking when they would be returning. She and Song Hongfan had returned to Wu City after their trip and missed them.
Lu Xuefeng was packing their suitcases, preparing to go home. They didn’t have many belongings, and after finishing the remaining food, they were ready to leave.
Before leaving, they exchanged contact information with Shao Fang, offering their help if she needed anything. She had been very kind to them during their stay.
They promised to bring her some local specialties from Wu City next time and a small gift for Yuanyuan.
Sitting in the car on their way back, Lu Xuefeng felt a sense of melancholy.
Time had seemed to slow down while they were at the villa, but now, it felt like their vacation had ended in the blink of an eye.
Like a vivid, beautiful dream, filled with vibrant scenery.
Sunlight, the lake, the mountains.
Short, sultry moonlit nights followed by brief, rainy nights.
Heavy rain, the grass, the window seat.
It all felt like a distant memory now.
They had been so open and intimate during their stay, sharing their bodies and their hearts, as if they had nothing, yet everything.
Lu Xuefeng knew he would cherish the memory of this summer.
Song Muqing also said it had been a special summer vacation.
They returned to their familiar apartment, exchanging smiles.
“Vacation’s over.”
“Yes,” Lu Xuefeng agreed. It was time to get back to work.
Lu Xuefeng went to get his hair cut, asking the stylist to cut it shorter than usual. The stylist’s interpretation of “short,” however, was slightly different from his. His hair was shorter, making him look slightly different, but the style was refreshing in the summer heat, the short bangs making him look younger. Lan Xin commented that he was already young and handsome, no need to look younger. With his good looks, any hairstyle suited him. Song Muqing liked his exposed forehead and his delicate features.
Lu Xuefeng’s creative block seemed to have disappeared, his thoughts and movements clear and focused, everything progressing smoothly. He went on a short business trip with his assistant and team, scouting locations and meeting two talented local dancers whom he wanted to cast in his new production. After finalizing the choreography, they started auditions, Jin Hong and other instructors joining him in the selection process. It was a new production, and many dancers wanted to be a part of it. Lu Xuefeng had to interview many solo dancers individually. It was a time-consuming process. There were also countless meetings at the theater. Everything was on schedule, including the music, set design, and costumes. Although he didn’t handle these tasks personally, he oversaw every step of the process, offering suggestions and approval.
Lu Xuefeng was incredibly busy, barely having any time to rest, except for sleeping at night, even his meals rushed or skipped altogether. Song Muqing, concerned, asked Lan Xin to make sure he ate properly. She was happy to oblige. Every time she brought him food, she would say with a smile, “Professor Song wants you to eat well, Director Lu.” As his assistant and his husband, they were the most familiar with his dietary preferences. So, he always ate something, not wanting to work on an empty stomach.
He had been working late recently.
One evening, Song Muqing, learning from Lan Xin that he hadn’t eaten dinner, brought him a home-cooked meal.
They ate together in the break room.
Their break was short, and they ate quickly.
Lu Xuefeng was surprised he had come, just to have dinner with him.
Song Muqing said frankly, “I missed you. I wanted to see you.”
He looked into Lu Xuefeng’s eyes, his tone light and casual, not wanting to pressure him, simply expressing his feelings. Since returning from Pingcheng, they hadn’t had much time together. He missed him and didn’t hide it, a clear sign of affection, but he also didn’t want to disturb his work, so he only came during his meal breaks.
Lu Xuefeng understood.
After dinner, Song Muqing didn’t linger, telling him to get back to work. “I’ll wait for you at the cafe across the street. We’ll go home together.” He had no other engagements and had time to wait.
Lu Xuefeng agreed.
Before leaving, they stood face to face, Lu Xuefeng tugging on his shirt slightly, wanting to say something, but Lan Xin called him.
Song Muqing smiled, patting his hand. “Go ahead. I won’t keep you.”
Lu Xuefeng reluctantly left.
After work, Lu Xuefeng gathered his things and hurried to meet Song Muqing, who was waiting for him in the parking lot.
“Let’s go home,” Song Muqing said.
“Wait,” Lu Xuefeng said, opening the back door of the car and pushing Song Muqing inside. His action was sudden and unexpected, and Song Muqing was caught off guard. He closed the door, the sound echoing in the quiet parking lot.
In the dim, enclosed space of the car, Lu Xuefeng removed Song Muqing’s glasses, then pulled him into a kiss, the kiss forceful and demanding. He had been wanting to kiss him since they parted earlier but hadn’t had the time. Now, seeing him, he couldn’t resist.
Song Muqing, startled by the sudden kiss, chuckled softly after a moment. “So eager?” But he liked this assertive side of Lu Xuefeng. He deepened the kiss, taking control. They kissed passionately, their bodies pressed close together. Lu Xuefeng didn’t resist. The friction between them ignited a fire, fueled by Lu Xuefeng’s unexpected dominance.
After a long while, Lu Xuefeng finally pulled away, his breathing ragged.
Song Muqing nuzzled his ear, his voice husky. “Director Lu, being so proactive, do you want to try it in the car?”
Lu Xuefeng’s ears burned, and he tried to pull away. Song Muqing’s words were incredibly seductive. His heart pounded. Even if he wanted to, they couldn’t do it here, in the parking lot, where there were people, even acquaintances.
He hesitated, then retorted, “I think you want to.”
Song Muqing chuckled, his chest vibrating against Lu Xuefeng’s.
“You know what’s in the glove compartment,” he said.
Lu Xuefeng knew. Song Muqing kept wet wipes, a spare charging cable, band-aids, business cards, car air freshener, candies, and other small items in there, including… condoms. Lu Xuefeng had been surprised to find them there, Song Muqing claiming they were “just in case.”
But Song Muqing didn’t actually intend to do it in the car.
Lu Xuefeng had just finished working late and was tired.
Song Muqing was always considerate. He touched Lu Xuefeng’s face. “I’m just teasing. Let’s go home and rest.”
“I don’t have to work late anymore,” Lu Xuefeng said, his mood lifting. He looked down at Song Muqing, his eyes slightly narrowed, his finger tracing his lips. “I’ll let you have your way with me when we get home.”
Song Muqing gently bit his finger.
Teasing him again.
Rehearsals were intense, demanding, and exhausting.
But for a dance drama to be successful, it required meticulous preparation.
After the dancers were cast, they started training, then rehearsals began, bringing the characters to life. Summer ended before they knew it, autumn arriving, and they spent the entire season rehearsing tirelessly.
The dancers dedicated over ten hours a day to practice.
The autumn air was dry and crisp, but the rehearsal studio was hot and humid, their bodies covered in sweat. Although Lu Xuefeng wasn’t dancing, he spent just as much time there, coaching the principal dancers, overseeing rehearsals, attending meetings. No one on the team had it easy. They were all under pressure, wanting to perform well. This was a great opportunity to showcase their talent, a stepping stone to greater recognition.
Lu Xuefeng only had free time on weekends, which he spent with Song Muqing. Being with him was relaxing and comforting, both physically and emotionally. But Song Muqing was also busy with his work. They didn’t spend as much time together as before, their relationship maturing, their focus shifting to their respective careers.
On the eve of the premiere, Song Muqing attended the final dress rehearsal, personally invited by Lu Xuefeng. He watched as Lu Xuefeng calmly and confidently directed the rehearsal, everyone following his instructions, his leadership evident. This was the Lu Xuefeng he knew, the man he shared his bed with. Lu Xuefeng commanded attention simply by standing there. Song Muqing was captivated.
After the rehearsal, everyone felt energized and ready for the premiere.
They exchanged goodbyes, promising to see each other tomorrow.
Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing left the theater together. It was early winter, the air crisp and cool.
“Are you nervous?” Song Muqing asked.
Lu Xuefeng said he wasn’t; he was confident.
Song Muqing had been impressed by the rehearsal; it was a powerful and moving performance.
The dance drama, which they had started working on in the summer, was finally ready, poised to captivate audiences. The months of hard work and dedication had paid off. Song Muqing was proud of him. His husband was incredibly talented.
He took Lu Xuefeng’s hand, the familiar warmth reassuring. Their fingers intertwined. Song Muqing looked straight ahead, his heart full.
“Xuefeng, did I ever tell you that the first time I saw your dance drama was also in winter?”
His voice was gentle, the words almost casual.
Lu Xuefeng stopped walking.
Song Muqing’s gaze was warm and affectionate, a stark contrast to the cool winter air.
Lu Xuefeng looked into his eyes, lost in their depths.
“Really?” he asked softly.
If Song Muqing hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have known. There were many performances during the winter, and perhaps Song Muqing had been in the audience, just another viewer, entering and leaving the theater, their paths never crossing.
Which winter performance had it been?
He had no way of knowing.
Only Song Muqing knew.
They looked at each other.
Song Muqing tightened his hold on Lu Xuefeng’s hand, his gaze never wavering.
“You were wearing a grayish-blue shirt that day, when you came on stage.”
“The entire winter became grayish-blue.”
“Xuefeng, you might not know this, but I was captivated from the moment I saw you.”
