Chapter 40 Familiar and Unfamiliar

The music in the reception hall was soft and gentle.

Two figures, hand in hand, entered the dance floor and began to dance gracefully to the music.

Many people looked on in surprise… Basically, everyone present today knew that the star of this open dance party was Madam Lu Nanzhi, who was about to become the third councilor of the capital. So when they saw the aloof woman whose features closely resembled the Madam’s, they couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Everyone knew something about the old events of many years ago.

Mr. Lu Cheng’s youngest daughter had been away from the capital for many years… As far as they were concerned, it didn’t matter how long Lu Nanjin had been gone. Except for Crow Song Ci, no one had been counting the days.

What mattered was that she had actually returned.

Considering the recent disturbances… Did Lu Nanjin’s return to the capital mean that the occurrence of something was already foreshadowed?

Song Ci and Lu Nanjin danced on the dance floor.

The two "big figures" standing on the second floor withdrew their gazes and slowly left.

Many “onlookers” gathered around the dance floor, admiring the two’s not-so-skilled dancing, and wearing expressions of unaffected delight on their faces.

“You stepped on my foot.”

Lu Nanjin said softly, "That's the third time."

"Sorry, sorry, but when it comes to stepping on feet, we're kind of even…”

Song Ci coughed softly and smiled awkwardly.

He felt tense, like a lead-filled stone, uncoordinated, his palms sweating a lot. Just dancing was more nerve-wracking than fighting Chen Mo.

“Since I left the capital, I haven’t practiced this useless social art.” Lu Nanjin glanced at the dance floor below and said casually, "But they'll still applaud… No matter how badly we dance."

Song Ci was stunned.

He followed Nanjin’s gaze… The audience below, familiar and unfamiliar, all wore friendly smiles.

After the Madam finished her speech for the election, Song Ci suddenly realized that he was surrounded by good people.

“I originally thought the Old City was the most real world.” Song Ci sighed, "But reality tells me that the upper levels of the capital's pyramid are far more real than the Old City… Now I'm a little envious of the guy hiding in the emergency exit. That's the most comfortable place at this dance."

Gu Shen, hiding in the emergency exit, sneezed.

"You'll get used to it… The top of the capital’s pyramid is full of bright spotlights. The rules of the Chengxin Society don’t really apply here."

“However, as far as I remember, you’re not a man who likes to show off in this kind of setting." Lu Nanjin asked with a smile, "Why did you take the initiative to ask me to dance?"

That question stumped Song Ci.

Looking at the close, cool face in front of him, he felt like it was all a dream. At the moment of the invitation, he hadn't thought about anything. A voice in his subconscious made him reach out his hand.

So he reached out his hand.

The voice then told him to invite her.

And so… they had this comical dance, where both were serious but still stepping all over each other's feet.

"I…"

Song Ci thought for a moment, his voice uncertain, "I guess it was the atmosphere. I just wanted to ask you for a dance?"

"Too bad I wasn't prepared." Lu Nanjin said with some regret, "If I had practiced beforehand, it wouldn't have been so embarrassing."

She had always been this kind of person, striving for perfection in everything she did and doing her best in everything.

Song Ci also regretted it a little.

He had never thought that he would dance with Lu Nanjin… If… if he could do it again, he would definitely practice secretly for a long time.

But if he really practiced for a long time, would he still have the courage to ask?

Some words were clearly just a few syllables.

Clearly already on the tip of his tongue.

But he just couldn't say them.

That was the near that was far away, and the far that was close at hand.

Song Ci's distraction was pulled back by a compliment—

“But that flick to the forehead just now, you did a great job. It would have been even better if you’d used a little more force.”

Song Ci couldn't help but laugh.

“Actually, what that Pi-whatever-his-name-is said to me doesn’t matter…”

“I just couldn’t stand his attitude towards you, or rather, I couldn’t stand those self-important, frivolous young masters from noble families…”

Saying this, Song Ci glanced upstairs. He saw Zhao Qi’s figure and said seriously, “There doesn’t seem to be any difference between Zhongzhou and Dongzhou on this point. When I see people like that, I can’t help but want to let them taste my size forty-five flip-flops.”

Lu Nanjin’s gaze also turned to Zhao Qi.

“This dance probably won’t be finished… I have to take care of the Madam’s safety at all times." Song Ci said with some regret.

"Go."

Lu Nanjin let go of his hand. The music was almost over. She didn't care if the dance could be finished, just as they hadn’t entered the dance floor before the music started.

The expected applause sounded around them.

“Although I don’t know what the Tribunal’s actions are today… I imagine you’re also here to protect the guests in the hall." Song Ci stared at Zhao Qi upstairs and said in a low voice, "I’m only responsible for one thing today: taking care of the Madam… If you need my help with anything, just let me know."

Lu Nanjin reached out and gently put her arm around Song Ci’s shoulder, whispering in his ear, “Take care of my sister.”

Crow was stunned.

He looked at Lu Nanjin… He had thought it would be a long time before he heard the word “sister” from Nanjin’s mouth.

It was truly a familiar yet unfamiliar title.

“Don’t worry.” Song Ci said in a deep voice, “I’m here.”

He strode away.

Lu Nanjin walked in the opposite direction… Applause surged on the dance floor.

Her expression was calm as she looked at the people applauding beside the dance floor, finding it a little ironic. These were the people she was supposed to protect tonight… They flocked to her and praised her, not because of the dance, but because they knew that her sister was about to be elected as the third councilor of the capital district and that she was a student of the Tribunal’s Grand Arbiter.

They didn’t know how many streets there were in the Old City, and they didn’t know what had happened in Lion Alley…

Justice was lost in the alley ten years ago.

These people didn’t remember.

…

…

A forgotten corner of the reception hall.

Pierre covered his forehead and sat in the darkness. As the music played, everyone ignored him. The visual focus of the entire hall was on Lu Nanjin and Song Ci.

Everyone felt that the two were really a match made in heaven.

Only Pierre silently screamed in his heart.

“No… I object!”

A figure came to his side and said with a light laugh, “They’re a talented couple, a match made in heaven. Who are you to object?”

Pierre was stunned.

He felt like his inner voice had been exposed.

“However… I also object.”

The person slowly said, “I don’t like anyone here. They wear magnificent crowns, claiming to be justice, light, the future, and hope, but in reality, they’re already rotten to the core. It’s a truly disgusting bunch of people… Don’t you think?”