Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 87 I'm not angry, baby.
Lou Jingshu tapped her phone screen. "It's no exaggeration. Go online and see, a lot of people are here because of you."

Many viewers post videos of their live performances online, with some receiving two to three million likes. The most discussed topic in the comments section is Shen Guining.

If someone dances well and is also beautiful, they will naturally attract attention.

She hasn't announced her social media accounts yet, otherwise she would probably have hundreds of thousands of followers.

Shen Guining smiled slightly, "The audience likes our dance troupe."

The topic shifted, and Lou Jingshu asked, "You're busy practicing dance every day, and your boyfriend is busy with work, so you don't have much time together, do you?"

Shen Guining nodded, "It's rare."

We only met once last month, but we video chat or call each other every now and then.

"Don't you have any conflicts?" Lou Jingshu sighed and complained, "I've been arguing with my boyfriend a lot lately. We don't see each other enough. He's not there when I need him, and he feels that I don't understand him enough. We can't communicate and resolve problems in time, and over time, the conflicts are increasing."

Shen Guining thought about it carefully and realized that apart from the time she mentioned breaking up, she had never argued with Qu Yanci.

It seems there's nothing worth arguing about.

Perhaps this is the advantage of older, mature men: they are considerate, tolerant, and forgiving, and they can give her a sense of security even when they are not around.

Lou Jingshu said to herself, "Okay, you probably don't have this problem. With such a beautiful girlfriend like you, your boyfriend definitely wouldn't want to argue with you."

Shen Guining gave a helpless smile. "No, he's busy with work every day and doesn't have time to argue with me."

In Qu Yanci's view, arguing is a very childish thing and can't solve any problems.

Lou Jingshu asked, "Don't you resent him for not spending enough time with you?"

Shen Guining shook her head, "I knew from the beginning that he was very busy with work, and I'm used to it."

Dating is only a small part of life. If you don't place too much emphasis on it and try to understand each other, there will naturally be fewer conflicts.

Lou Jingshu remarked, "You guys are so rational in your relationship."

Shen Guining pondered.

Is it rational? Probably, at least for now.

She was overjoyed to have passed the preliminary evaluation and sent a message to Qu Yanci after get off work to share the news: "I passed the preliminary selection for the Golden Tripod Award!"

Qu Yanci: [That's great.]

He rarely praises people; this tone sounds more like he's coaxing a child.

Shen Guining: [But I'm not very confident about the final evaluation.]

Qu Yanci: [Just do your best, don't put too much pressure on yourself.]

Shen Guining: [Okay, I understand.]

The final judging for the Golden Tripod Award is at the end of May, leaving only a little over a month for preparation.

Shen Guining hasn't decided what kind of dance to perform yet. She wants to try the underwater dance "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River," but the difficulty level is too high, and she simply can't master it on her own.

"Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" is a famous representative work of a senior teacher, but unfortunately she has faded out of the circle and never accepts students.
-
Qu Yanci returned from a business trip abroad.

During their intimate moments that evening, Shen Guining seemed somewhat absent-minded.

This kind of thing requires cooperation and involvement from both parties for the greatest enjoyment to be achieved.

He raised his hand and pinched the little girl's chin. "What are you thinking about?"

Shen Guining's face was flushed, and her voice was unsteady as she said, "I'm thinking about what dance to perform for the competition."

Qu Yanci stared into her eyes. "Is it appropriate to think about this now?"

Shen Guining's eyes were reddish at the corners, and the light made her pupils appear blurry.

Qu Yanci brushed aside the stray hairs at her temples. "If you really aren't interested, we'll hold off for now."

Just as he was about to pull away, Shen Guining instinctively hugged his waist. "No, don't be angry."

Qu Yanci didn't know what she had misunderstood. "I'm not angry, baby."

He patiently explained, "If you don't want to do it now, I won't force you. Your feelings are also important."

Shen Guining felt as if something had struck her chest, her heart pounding uncontrollably. "I think... I don't not want to..."

Qu Yanci lowered his head and kissed the corner of her mouth, coaxing, "Then let's focus on finishing this first, and we can talk about other things later."

"Mmm." Shen Guining heard him say in her ear, "Hold me tighter, open up a little."

She obediently did as she was told.

Qu Yanci liked her attention on him, especially in bed.
-
afterwards.

Shen Guining collapsed limply into the man's arms.

Her long hair cascaded down her smooth back, concealing the vivid red marks.

His strong, slender arms wrapped around her slender waist, a gesture that exuded possessiveness.

Under the silk quilt, naked bodies pressed together.

Qu Yanci played with the end of her hair with his long fingers, "Tell me, what's bothering you?"

His deep, husky voice was languid and alluring, imbued with sensuality.

Shen Guining pressed her cheek against his chest, feeling the undulating muscle lines. "If I choose to participate in a regular dance competition, the probability of winning is too low."

She frowned, looking troubled. "I'd like to try underwater, but I need a teacher's guidance."

"Underwater?" Qu Yanci guessed. "The Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River?"

Shen Guining looked up in surprise. "Huh? You know about this too?"

Strands of hair brushed against her chest, tickling her.

"I've seen it." Qu Yanci swallowed hard.

Shen Guining asked, "Could you help me find a professional instructor to guide me in underwater movements?"

Qu Yanci gently pinched her cheek, reminding her, "You can't breathe after kissing for more than two minutes, how can you hold your breath underwater?"

Shen Guining retorted, unconvinced, "Where did it take less than two minutes? It's at least three or four minutes, okay?"

Qu Yanci chuckled, "Do you think three or four minutes is enough?"

Shen Guining sighed, "...Not enough."

Holding your breath underwater is much harder than kissing.

Qu Yanci didn't want to discourage her, so he rested his chin on the top of her head and said, "If you want to try, then go ahead."

Shen Guining blinked. "Do you think I can do it?"

"Ask yourself," Qu Yanci told her. "Other people's opinions don't matter; as long as you're satisfied, that's enough."

Shen Guining muttered softly, "You're not just anyone."

Qu Yanci was pleased by her and rubbed the back of her head, "Of course I think you can do it."
-
The next morning.

Shen Guining was still asleep when she vaguely heard her phone buzzing incessantly.

She hadn't slept enough and couldn't open her eyes. She reached her arm out from under the covers, touched the phone on the bedside table, and instinctively pressed the answer button.

"Hey……"

His voice was muffled and unclear, clearly indicating he wasn't fully awake.

The person on the other end froze, wondering if they had dialed the wrong number.

After a moment, Xia Qi asked suspiciously, "Isn't this my brother's phone? Who is it?"

After a dozen seconds of calm, Shen Guining's mind gradually cleared. She opened her eyes with a "whoosh," staring at the black phone in her hand and the caller ID, completely at a loss.

"Sorry, I'll have him call you back later."

After she finished speaking, she ended the call first.

Qu Yanci pushed the door open and came in. "You're awake, why are you sitting here in a daze?"

He opened the curtains.

Light streamed into the bedroom through the glass, and soft sunlight spread across the floor.

Shen Guining said with annoyance, "I accidentally answered your call just now..."

Qu Yanci approached the bedside. "Who hit you?"

Shen Guining pursed her lips, "Your sister."