Shui Bing'er went from covering her mouth to softly chuckle to outright laughter, her face blooming like a flower.
This was the epitome of the phrase, "a smile as radiant as a flower."
A ripple stirred in the lake of her heart, but Qin Jian didn't notice.
He merely shook his head with a wry smile. "See? That's why I can only guide you step by step with this dance. Me demonstrating it? Not a chance!"
Seeing Shui Bing'er still laughing uncontrollably, Qin Jian placed his hands on his hips, feigning irritation. "What are you laughing at? I've explained everything clearly, so let's start practicing. Don't forget, tomorrow you have to teach the six of them yourself…"
"Huh? I have to teach them?"
Shui Bing'er's laughter abruptly stopped, her beautiful face now showing unease. "But… I don't know how to teach…"
"Even if you don't, you have to! Or do you expect me to go teach them all one by one again?" Qin Jian retorted.
Shui Bing'er's eyes suddenly lit up. "That's fine too. You could teach them as well!"
"Like how I'm teaching you now? Hand in hand?" Qin Jian tilted his head.
"No way!" Shui Bing'er blurted out.
Her voice was so firm, it was completely unlike her usual demeanor.
"Oh? Why not?"
A knowing smile spread across Qin Jian's face.
Only then did Shui Bing'er realize what she had just said, and her face instantly flushed crimson.
Her words clearly implied that she alone could receive Qin Jian's hand-on-hand guidance—no one else could. The ambiguous undertone was so obvious that Shui Bing'er didn't even understand why she reacted that way.
"So, my method works, doesn't it?"
Qin Jian didn't tease her further and instead changed the subject. "I'll teach you, and then you'll teach them. How's that?"
"…Fine." Shui Bing'er lowered her head, her voice soft and compliant.
"What kind of dance are we practicing?" she asked.
A distant memory surfaced in Qin Jian's mind, his expression softening with nostalgia. "It's a sweet, enchanting, and mesmerizing group dance. The accompanying song is called… Ti Amo."
"Ti… what?" Shui Bing'er asked blankly.
"It's a phrase from another language. In ours, it translates to…"
Qin Jian's gaze softened further as he murmured, "…I love you."
A faint, electrifying shock coursed through Shui Bing'er, making her tremble.
But when she peeked at Qin Jian, she noticed that while he was looking at her, his gaze seemed unfocused.
"So, he wasn't saying it to me…"
Shui Bing'er's eyes grew curious and probing. "Who is he thinking about? Is it Ning Rongrong?"
Her delicate hands instinctively clenched tightly together.
She realized she had always had a soft spot for Qin Jian. That was why she tolerated his casual gestures, even allowing him to hold her hand or embrace her.
"But if his heart already belongs to someone else, then I…"
Her first instinct was to withdraw, but a voice deep inside her heart resisted.
"Why should you back down, Shui Bing'er? You're never inferior to anyone! Don't let your father's pressure overshadow your entire life! Fight for what you want!"
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Qin Jian with determination and said seriously, "Captain, please teach me this dance."
"Hmm?"
Shui Bing'er's sudden confidence and intensity felt foreign to Qin Jian. Yet, it showcased her natural elegance and unparalleled charm.
A mesmerizing allure emanated from her, leaving Qin Jian momentarily dazed.
"So, he likes me like this…"
Shui Bing'er blinked her radiant eyes, a hint of joy spreading within her heart.
She knew this time, Qin Jian's gaze was truly on her—and her alone.
"Shall we begin?"
She stepped forward, tilting her head slightly to meet his eyes. Her fragrance filled the air—graceful, poised, beautiful.
"Hah…"
Qin Jian let out a soft sigh and gazed into her eyes. "This… is the perfect you."
Shui Bing'er beamed happily.
But her composure didn't last long, as Qin Jian began teaching her the dance steps.
"Alright, stand here first…"
Qin Jian positioned himself behind her.
"The first move is crucial—it captures everyone's attention…"
He gently took hold of Shui Bing'er's delicate hands.
"You need to place your hands behind you and sway your body gently…"
With one hand guiding hers and the other lightly pressing on her waist, he corrected her movements.
"No, too stiff. The key to this move is to make it enticing. Try again…"
Shui Bing'er's face grew redder by the second. The fleeting confidence and composure she had shown earlier seemed to vanish completely.
Since Qin Jian refused to demonstrate himself, he had to guide her every move hand-on-hand.
By the time they finished, not only had she been touched all over, but he had also hugged her from behind repeatedly to perfect the poses.
After just fifteen minutes, Qin Jian let out a laugh and helped Shui Bing'er to the bed. "Your body's so soft you can't even stand properly. Your stamina's lacking! Rest for a bit, and we'll continue."
"Thud!"
Shui Bing'er darted into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.
Of course, she wasn't actually out of strength. She was just so flustered and sensitive that she couldn't bear it anymore.
Turning on the faucet, she splashed cold water on her face several times before looking at herself in the mirror.
"Is this… really me?"
The reflection showed a pair of misty eyes, a face flushed with color, and an irresistible, dewy allure.
"Ugh… how can I let him see me like this…"
Shui Bing'er hung her head low and splashed water on her face again, murmuring to herself. "Calm down, calm down… I can't let him underestimate me!"
"Bing'er, are you ready yet?"
Qin Jian's voice called out from outside the door. "Come on, we need to practice more. You've got to master this so you can teach it tomorrow!"
It took him three tries before Shui Bing'er hesitantly emerged.
Seeing her, Qin Jian froze momentarily.
Was this enchanting, radiant young woman the same timid Shui Bing'er from before?
Shaking his head, he brought her back to the center of the room. "Alright, let's go over the moves again…"
This time, Shui Bing'er's movements exuded an effortless allure, leaving Qin Jian parched and speechless.
"Bing'er, the overall style of this dance is meant to be healing, fresh, and beautiful…"
He struggled to find the words and eventually said, "So while this move is seductive, you need to tone it down. Keep the movements subtle."
"Ugh…"
Hearing this, Shui Bing'er covered her face and tried to run back into the bathroom.
But Qin Jian caught her by the waist, pulling her back. "Where are you going? You've only practiced once! No running! Keep going!"
Half-reluctantly, Shui Bing'er let him guide her back, her shy and awkward demeanor contrasting with the graceful movements she was slowly mastering.
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