Chapter 212 - Guan Gao Huans secret (1/2)

Xiong Zhi spent a lot of time with her friends.

Various entertainments came as well. Xiong Zhi changed gowns three times, matching with the activities prepared for the night. She danced once with her grandfather, once with Little Ryu, twice with her Uncle Nuen Zai, and several times with her two male friends, Lu Yin Ze and Gu Zhen.

Xiong Zhi was now dancing for the third time with Lu Yin Ze. She now wore a purple gown and her hair was braided in an updo style. She was truly beautiful.

”My gift will surely suit you along with this gown,” Lu Yin Ze suddenly said.

Xiong Zhi looked at him.

”Do you want to know what it is?” Lu Yin Ze asked teasingly.

Xiong Zhi thought about it.

”No, I think with the element of surprise, I will find the gift more pleasant,” Xiong Zhi replied.

”Yeah, I thought so too,” Lu Yin Ze smiled as he bantered with Xiong Zhi.

They danced for two more songs. Xiong Zhi would rather dance with Lu Yin Ze than to do so with strangers. Not only that, Lu Yin Ze was also a good dancing partner, which was why she did notice that they had already danced many songs. If possible, until this segment was finished, she would only dance with him.

However, Xiong Zhi's mind was not really on their dancing but somewhere else. She kept observing her surroundings discreetly, wishing to find that person.

Lu Yin Ze noticed her lack of attention.

”Are you looking for someone?”

Xiong Zhi glanced at him.

”Am I that obvious?”

”…” Lu Yin Ze was speechless. He did not expect that return from her. He hoped she would say 'it was nothing' like usual.

'So she is expecting someone...'

”Come to think of it, your butler is not here. I haven't seen him all day.” Right after saying these words, he immediately regretted them. It was too late to swallow back those words now that he had said them.

”He is busy. But who knows if he is here or not. How I wish he is here,” Xiong Zhi spoke gently with hopeful eyes.

Lu Yin Ze dazedly stared at those eyes. He could not fathom what he was feeling at the moment, but his mouth moved on its own. ”Why do you wish for him to be here?”

Xiong Zhi's thoughtful gaze fell behind him, perhaps she was looking at something else, or perhaps she was remembering something.

Lu Yin Ze's heart skipped a beat. Maybe he should not ask. He should have stopped his own mouth.

”Have you ever liked someone?” Xiong Zhi asked him as she returned her gaze back at him.

Lu Yin Ze flinched. The sudden question was unexpected.

”If you have, you will then understand how I feel,” Xiong Zhi told with utmost seriousness.

Squeeze.

”I see.” He only managed to spit out these words, as another guest had already respectfully stretched out his hand for their turn to dance with Xiong Zhi.

Lu Yin Ze could no longer pay attention on who the owner of the hand was. Lost in his thoughts, he numbly passed her hand to that person and excused himself.

His heart was pounding loudly. But it was not the same as what he had felt on his birthday, when it had felt so warm and exhilarating. This heartbeat was too loud, painful with every beat.

He just learned something today.

His friend, Xiong Zhi, liked another person.

And it was not him.

*****

Gaun Xixin stared at Lu Yin Ze's retreating back.