372: Chapter 372: Meandering 372: Chapter 372: Meandering “Thanks, everyone,” Tangyu expressed his gratitude to the crowd.
“It’s nothing,” Xiao Yu said indifferently, “Yuanchi Bro and I just came over to join the fun.
You guys chat, Yuanchi Bro and I are going to have a drink.”
“Sure, I’ll join you guys for a few drinks later,” Tangyu nodded.
“Little brother, looks like you’re quite busy.
I’ll come find you to play later,” Su Yaoji said with a charming smile, sending Huangfu Jing a strange look before turning to leave.
Hu Xing smiled at Tangyu and followed her.
Scratching his head, Yang Xiaoyu said, “Tangyu, big brother, could I ask you for a favor?”
“Why so formal with me?
Just say whatever you need,” Tangyu said with a smile, genuinely regarding Yang Xiaoyu almost like a younger brother.
Grinning, Yang Xiaoyu seemed a bit embarrassed as he said, “Well, Tangyu, big brother, my grandfather wants to invite you to our home.
But there’s also another elder who would like to meet you.
Mainly, he wants you to take a look at an old ailment of his.
I’m not sure if it’s convenient for you.
If not, it’s okay, my grandfather hasn’t committed yet.”
Tangyu really hesitated, as he wasn’t one to readily offer medical assistance, especially to an old man.
It wasn’t a beautiful woman, after all—if it were, he might consider it even without knowing her.
But an old man didn’t appeal to him much.
However, seeing Yang Xiaoyu sincerely asking for help, and since it was his first request, Tangyu found it difficult to refuse.
After some thought, he said, “Alright, let your grandfather arrange the time.
But it will have to be after the National Day holidays, as I have some things then.”
“Hehe, thank you so much, Tangyu, big brother,” Yang Xiaoyu immediately smiled happily.
After speaking, he left, not wanting to be a third wheel there.
Huangfu Jing seemed quite interested in Tangyu, her impression of him having changed after the recent events.
His courage, his bearing, and his fearless demeanor all made him so charismatic.
His social connections were also very profound; just about anyone who jumped out was someone of significance.
Before, Huangfu Jing simply knew that Tangyu had great medical skills as an ordinary person, not understanding why he didn’t work as a doctor and instead was employed by a small company.
But now she felt that Tangyu truly stood out, possessing transcendent abilities, yet content to be an ordinary person living an ordinary life.
This idea sparked a certain curiosity about Tangyu in Huangfu Jing’s heart.
At this moment, Tangyu seemed like an enigma, shrouded in layers and layers of mist.
Huangfu Qingyun was looking at Tangyu with a calm gaze as well.
It was rare for him to scrutinize someone so seriously, and for such a long time—Tangyu was an exception.
His gaze was incredibly sharp, his high perspective allowing him to see much more.
“This is my platinum card here; you’re welcome to come and have fun anytime,” Huangfu Qingyun handed Tangyu a platinum membership card for Haidong Aquatic Pavilion, signaling him in a friendly manner.
The eyes of many around them lit up again, enviously looking at the platinum membership card.
Tangyu was slightly taken aback before taking the card and said with a nod and a smile, “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it,” Huangfu Qingyun replied with an elegant smile and then turned to Huangfu Jing, “It’s about time.
Shall we dance?” He made a very gentlemanly invitation gesture.
Yet Huangfu Jing smiled and looked at Tangyu, “I want to dance this first dance with my partner, and then I’ll dance the second one with you.”
Her refusal to dance with Huangfu Qingyun surprised many people.
In the entirety of Donglin City, those who dared to reject Huangfu Qingyun could be counted on one hand.
At Huangfu Jing’s words, Tangyu smirked.
“Alright, then you two go ahead and dance, I’ll go greet the other guests,” said Huangfu Qingyun, showing no sign of displeasure.
Holding out a hand towards Tangyu, Huangfu Jing saw no reaction from him.
After a long moment, she slightly furrowed her brows and said, “What are you waiting for?
Take my hand, let’s go dance.”
“Ah, but—I don’t know how to dance,” Tangyu said.
“You don’t know how to dance?” Huangfu Jing asked, somewhat surprised.
“That’s right—Not at all,” Tangyu admitted a bit awkwardly.
Being asked to dance by a beautiful woman but not knowing how, wasn’t this just tragic?
Tangyu knew from TV that dancing involved a lot of holding and embracing, with bodies pressed tightly together.
Was he to let such a fine opportunity slip away just because he couldn’t dance?
If that were the case, Tangyu swore he would learn to dance in the future, aiming to become a dance king.
Indeed, not having enough skills could be a major setback—one more skill could potentially be the ace up your sleeve for winning someone over.
Tangyu also felt regret; there had been a chance to learn dancing before that he hadn’t taken.
Only now, thinking about it, did he feel the tears flow.
“Heh, sorry, I didn’t realize you couldn’t dance.
But since I’ve said I’d dance with you, you can’t let me eat my words in front of others.
You don’t know how to dance, so let’s do this—I’ll teach you, and we can dance a bit slower,” Huangfu Jing said with a rare smile, thinking that nowadays, it was quite unusual to find someone who couldn’t dance, especially among young people.
At least for the upper classes, everyone was expected to be able to sing and dance.
These were basic etiquettes, and being unable to dance was considered quite impolite.
“Does that work for you?” Tangyu couldn’t help feeling thrilled inside, though he voiced casual agreement.
Was there anything more delightful than regaining what you’ve lost?
“I guess I have no choice but to treat it as a dead horse being used as a living horse doctor.
I’ll just go out there and get it over with,” said Huangfu Jing.
“…”
What did she mean by ‘get it over with’?
Tangyu was displeased.
Was he someone who did things carelessly?
If he was going to do it, he couldn’t just half-heartedly go through the motions; he would have to put his best effort into it.
As the melodious music started, many people took their partners’ hands and entered the center of the venue to begin dancing to a romantic tune with a slower rhythm.
“Take this hand and grab mine like this, and put your other hand around my waist.
There you go, don’t be nervous, take it slow, and lean a little closer to me.
Not too close, though—keep a bit of distance.
Don’t look down; look straight into my eyes.
Yes, that’s it, just like this pose,” Huangfu Jing patiently instructed Tangyu, who was admittedly quite awkward.
Being taught hand by hand by her, Tangyu had a strange feeling, as if there was some kind of suggestive rhythm to it.
If it was just her voice one heard, it could lead others to very different thoughts.
However, following Huangfu Jing’s lead felt surreptitiously thrilling for Tangyu.
Holding onto her soft waist—it felt as if it had no bones—was too comfortable for words.
Being so close to Huangfu Jing and gazing into her enchanting eyes, seeing her celestial-like face, inhaling the faint fragrance that came from her, all of it made him feel exhilarated and stirred.
Tangyu swore to himself that he had really started to enjoy dancing.
It was then that Tangyu understood why the upper-class society loved dancing so much.
No matter the occasion, dance was involved.
It turned out they were a bunch of rascals; they had popularized this blatant way of taking advantage.
Indeed, they were ruthless.
Certainly, a cultured rascal was the most terrifying.
“It seems Huangfu Qingyun sees you in a new light and has taken the initiative to befriend you,” Huangfu Jing suddenly said.
Tangyu raised his eyebrows a little, “How so?”
“Didn’t he just give you a platinum card?” Huangfu Jing pointed out.
“Yes, it’s a membership card for Haidong Aquatic Pavilion, isn’t it?
But this card isn’t that precious, is it?” Tangyu said, now aware that Haidong Aquatic Pavilion was owned by Huangfu Qingyun.
With a light smile, Huangfu Jing explained, “It seems you really aren’t well-informed.
Don’t you know all membership cards are categorized by levels?
Ordinary cards aren’t valuable, but the one you have is very precious.
The Haidong Aquatic Pavilion’s memberships are divided into four levels: ordinary, VIP, gold, and platinum supreme cards.
Moving up a level is extremely difficult.
If not for Huangfu Qingyun’s generosity, even if you spent a hundred million at Haidong Aquatic Pavilion, you wouldn’t be upgraded to a platinum card.
To put it in perspective, in the whole of Donglin City, fewer than ten people have the Haidong Aquatic Pavilion platinum card.
Now do you understand its value?”
“Ah, I see.
It really is precious then.
Strange, Huangfu Qingyun is so generous to hand me a platinum card.
What does he mean by this?
He shouldn’t like me, should he?” Tangyu was quite surprised.
It seemed he’d been out of the loop.
“How should I know?
I’m puzzled myself.
Maybe he was impressed with your performance just now and wanted to make your acquaintance.
Didn’t you notice how many people were staring at you with wide eyes?
They were envious.
Now that you have Huangfu Qingyun’s platinum card, word will spread quickly throughout Donglin’s high society.
From now on, anyone who thinks about crossing you will have to think twice, as it signifies you’re a friend of Huangfu Qingyun.
If anything happens to you, he won’t just stand by idly,” explained Huangfu Jing.
“It has that kind of effect?
It sounds almost like the Emperor’s Imperial Token; is it really that powerful?” Tangyu exclaimed in surprise.
However, the notion felt odd.
Did he need Huangfu Qingyun’s protection?
“Of course, it’s that powerful.
What the upper class values most is face.
Huangfu Qingyun giving you a platinum card, and in front of everyone no less, sends a message that you are his friend.
Now that others know you’re a friend of Huangfu Qingyun, if they still go after you, wouldn’t that be disrespectful to him?” Huangfu Jing said.
“…”
Tangyu was rendered speechless for a moment.
The intricacies of high society were truly complex, with so much to learn.
“You’ll gradually get the hang of it.
There’s a lot to understand in this world, and life among the upper class isn’t all that easy.
One careless move could bring big trouble.
But now, you are a rising star in Donglin City.
After today’s spectacle, I think you’ll become famous overnight.
From now on, Donglin’s high society will have to take note of Tangyu.
However, you’ve really made an enemy out of Liu Dingyang today, and that’s a big problem.
Although I’m not very familiar with Donglin’s power structure, I’ve heard of the notorious Liu Dingyang.
He’s not easy to deal with; once he goes crazy, he’s even more terrifying than a mad dog,” Huangfu Jing warned.
Tangyu pursed his lips and nodded, “True, one is never too old to learn.
Liu Dingyang is indeed not simple, but since I’ve already provoked him, there’s no point in worrying about it now.”