TL: Hua
Qi Xiaoyu’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing that. He knew this wasn’t going to end well. He didn’t dare look at Qi Fengjian and instead kept his eyes straight ahead, trying to keep calm. “Hello, Minister Jiang.”
Jiang Feibai put on an apologetic expression. He knew his own son’s character—always hanging around Paramount Ballroom, living a life of debauchery. Everyone in the bureaucracy knew he had a useless playboy son. When he saw Jiang Sicheng clinging to Qi Xiaoyu, he was scared out of his wits—especially since Qi Xiaoyu belonged to Xun Qian. If his son even thought about making a move, he’d break his legs.
Because of Qi Xiaoyu’s status as an opera singer, Jiang Feibai’s words were polite but carefully measured to maintain distance:
“Tonight’s incident is due to my son’s lack of discipline. I apologize for the offense, Mr. Qi.”
Qi Xiaoyu responded politely, neither humble nor overbearing, “You’re too kind, Minister Jiang. It’s just a small matter, not worth worrying about.”
Jiang Feibai let out a couple of hearty laughs and then kicked his son hard in the butt.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Until next time, Mr. Qi.”
After watching Jiang Feibai violently drag Jiang Sicheng into the car and leave, Qi Xiaoyu finally stiffly turned around, ready to face Qi Fengjian’s wrath.
This time, Qi Fengjian combined cold violence with strict measures to punish his apprentice, who tried to “deceive their master and cover up the truth.”
First, he ignored Qi Xiaoyu completely, not saying a single word to him.
No amount of sweet talk worked. He strictly upheld the silent treatment.
Next, Qi Xiaoyu was grounded at home. Along with him, Gu Zizhen and Qi Wanrou, his accomplices, were also forbidden from going out or visiting the Laurel Stage.
So the three of them—no, four of them, including Gu He, the little boy Gu Zizhen had picked up earlier—all sat on the long practice bench in the living room, staring at each other.
Gu Zizhen cupped his cheeks and sighed.
“Looks like our master is really mad this time.”
The boy Gu He mimicked him, sighing softly.
“Master, how can we make Great-Master happy again?”
Gu Zizhen turned to Qi Xiaoyu, “Ask your uncle.”
Qi Xiaoyu frowned and shook his head helplessly. “Uncle doesn’t have a solution either.”
Uncle had no solution, and Uncle’s boyfriend kept trying to sneak him out.
On the first day of house arrest, just after lunch, the newly installed phone in the dining room suddenly rang.
Qi Wanrou immediately said,
“You answer it. It’s definitely Commander Xun calling you.”
After all, this phone had just been installed under Xun Qian’s “abuse of power,” and hardly anyone had the number.
On the other end, Xun Qian’s low, gentle voice came through the static. “I heard what happened last night. How did your master punish you?”
“Grounded at home. Not allowed to go out.”
“What? For how long?”
“I don’t know. It depends on when my master’s anger calms down.” Qi Xiaoyu said, glancing around. Seeing his senior sister and Gu Zizhen were gone, he covered the receiver and whispered, “What do I do? I might not be able to make it. A certain someone might have to go by himself on Friday.”
Xun Qian chuckled, “How about sneaking out? I’ll help you.”
Qi Xiaoyu seriously protested, “You’re leading me astray. If my master finds out, he’ll be even angrier.”
“Then what should I do? If you don’t come, where am I supposed to find a date on short notice? Are you not jealous if I go with someone else?”
Xun Qian added, “Besides, my sister wants you to come too.”
“But…” Qi Xiaoyu hesitated.
“Last time I didn’t come home all night. My senior sister and brother also took the blame. They’re being punished with me now.
If I sneak out again, it might get them in trouble too.”
“Then bring them with you,” Xun Qian suggested persuasively.
“I heard it’s a student gathering this time. Your senior brother and sister are about the same age—they’ll probably have a great time.”
Qi Xiaoyu didn’t respond as if considering this.
Xun Qian lowered his voice and asked with a laugh, “Don’t you want to see me?”
Though they had just seen each other days ago, people in love feel like a day apart is a lifetime. Besides, they had just reached a major turning point in their relationship.
Qi Xiaoyu admitted openly but shyly, “I do.”
Xun Qian thought for a moment.
“Let me talk to your senior sister. I want to hear her thoughts.”
Qi Xiaoyu called his sister over, handed her the receiver, and waited nearby.
No one knew what Xun Qian said, but Qi Wanrou soon wore a big smile and nodded repeatedly.
After a good laugh, she returned the receiver and said, “Go ahead, talk a bit more.”
Qi Xiaoyu took the phone back immediately.
“What did you say to her to make her agree to ‘join your rebellion’ against our Master?”
Xun Qian replied, “Secret. Anyway, she’s coming to the party.”
“Alright.”
Qi Xiaoyu was still suspicious, but Xun Qian continued, “My sister will prepare the outfit for the party. You don’t have to worry about anything. On Friday night, I’ll send a car to pick you up at the back door.”
After hanging up, Qi Xiaoyu ran to find Qi Wanrou, demanding to know what was said to convince her to break the rules.
Qi Wanrou sighed dramatically, “I thought about it. Making Commander Xun give up is near impossible. Rather than push him into stealing you away, I might as well help him win Master over.”
On Friday night, right on time, the commander’s car appeared on the little path behind the opera troupe’s building.
Gu Zizhen didn’t go. He stayed home with Gu He, saying he wanted to use the time to teach him the basics of opera singing.
Qi Xiaoyu and Qi Wanrou sneaked out through the back door and got into the car. First, they headed to the commander’s mansion, then on to the venue of the banquet.
Earlier that day, Xun Ran had gone shopping with Qi Wanrou, memorized her measurements, and prepared a light plum-colored qipao with a pipa-shaped collar. Two butterflies were embroidered on the left shoulder, poised to take flight—elegant yet lively.
It was more luxurious than the plain qipaos Qi Wanrou usually wore, giving her a soft and romantic air.
Xun Qian, on the other hand, changed into a white suit that matched the one he had tailored for Qi Xiaoyu, though the details differed slightly.
His jacket was asymmetrically buttoned, with a pocket watch hanging from his vest—the gold chain peeking out. It was more youthful and relaxed than his usual formal attire.
Qi Xiaoyu and Xun Ran each wore one western-style suit and one long western dress, and then the four of them set off together.
The party was held at the Garden Hotel, where a wide lawn was strung with little twinkling lights like stars all around.
When the car arrived at the hotel entrance and Xun Ran stepped out, someone immediately recognized her and greeted her warmly.
Xun Qian then got out, followed by Qi Xiaoyu and Qi Wanrou.
The evening breeze carried laughter and the aroma of food.
Just as Xun Qian had said, this banquet was indeed different from the usual ones full of political and business elites—it was filled with young people, vibrant and lively.
The food was plentiful and diverse—not just Western snacks and pastries, but regional delicacies from all over China: Yunnan’s crossing-the-bridge noodles, steam pot chicken, Sichuan-style hotpot, Huai’an perch, even scallion pancakes and preserved pork stew.
Xun Qian confidently held Qi Xiaoyu’s hand as they walked in.
Naturally, everyone’s eyes landed on them.
Qi Xiaoyu has become quite famous recently. His posters were hung outside the Laurel Stage, and his photos often appeared in the newspapers. People all over were discussing his performances.
Some recognized Qi Xiaoyu and were puzzled—why would Xun Qian bring an opera singer to such an event?
Still, people couldn’t help but look at Qi Xiaoyu. The newspaper praised his stunning appearance on stage, but even when dressed in a Western suit, Qi Xiaoyu’s looks were striking and exceptional.
Standing next to Xun Qian, he was not overshadowed in the slightest.
The curious gazes lingered on Qi Xiaoyu, but with Xun Qian present, no one dared say anything inappropriate.
What’s more, Xun Qian introduced him boldly:
“This is my beloved.”
Then he introduced Qi Wanrou:
“This is my senior sister.”
Qi Xiaoyu glanced at him in surprise. He had thought Xun Qian only invited him because he needed a date. He hadn’t expected such a public and serious declaration, which made him a little nervous.
He tugged Xun Qian’s sleeve, “Commander Xun, isn’t this a bit too high-profile?”
Xun Qian tilted his head and whispered near his ear, “This is nothing. One day, the whole city will know you’re my lover.”
Qi Xiaoyu looked up at him, then gently wriggled the hand Xun Qian was holding. “I’m going to get some food with my senior sister. You keep your sister company.”
Xun Qian let go, “I’ll find you later when the dancing starts.”
Qi Xiaoyu thought for a moment, “We’ll see. I might end up dancing with my senior sister.”
Xun Qian smiled, “Sure. If you think she won’t get invited by someone else first.”
Qi Xiaoyu and Qi Wanrou went to the snack tables to wait for the dancing to begin.
Nearby, a group of young students were discussing the current political situation and how foreign powers had control over customs, ports, and the economy. Their words were full of both concern for the country’s future and admiration for Xun Qian.
They even debated whether they should organize a student movement to resist foreign invasion and influence.
Qi Xiaoyu glanced over and quietly listened, keeping everything they said in mind.
That’s when they ran into Jiang Sicheng again.
Jiang Sicheng arrived late, wearing loose overalls and a white shirt, looking like he had just woken up. He was dragged over and now stood at the snack table across from them, picking food off the tray and muttering to his companion, “I was supposed to go to Paramount tonight to watch Qingqing perform. Why’d you drag me here?”
His classmate responded with a mocking tone, “You dare go to Paramount again? Aren’t you afraid Minister Jiang will break your legs? Besides, Commander Xun is here tonight, and a lot of people want to meet him. Don’t you?”
Jiang Sicheng looked aggrieved. “Nope. I just want to see Qingqing.”
The other student shook his head in exasperation. “Your dad asked you to come so you could meet Xun Qian and build connections for the family, and all you care about is flirting?”
Jiang Sicheng replied, “Well, that’s just wishful thinking on his part. Doesn’t he know what kind of person his son is?”
“You… sigh. The country’s falling apart, and all you care about is romance.”
“Even in troubled times, people still fall in love. Just like the saying goes, Food and desire are human nature.”
At first, Qi Xiaoyu and his senior sister didn’t recognize him. But Jiang Sicheng’s distinctive curly hair gave him away. A few extra glances and they remembered.
Jiang Sicheng, however, didn’t notice them. His mind was completely occupied with thoughts of Qingqing at Paramount.
Qi Wanrou picked up a small plate of pastries and pulled Qi Xiaoyu away.
After that little incident, the dance session began.
Qi Xiaoyu and his senior sister stood by the lawn, still snacking.
Just like Xun Qian had predicted, as soon as the music started, someone invited Qi Wanrou to dance.
With Qi Xiaoyu’s guidance, she picked the most handsome young man among them.
Qi Xiaoyu watched his senior sister get invited to the center of the lawn.
After a while, Xun Qian appeared.
He stood beside Qi Xiaoyu, a little smug.
“See? I told you that you wouldn’t get to dance with your senior sister.”
Qi Xiaoyu laughed, “Where’s your sister?”
Xun Qian pointed across the lawn, “Over there. One of her seniors invited her.”
Qi Xiaoyu looked where he pointed and saw Xun Ran, graceful in her flowing dress. She had such a strong presence that she even made the guy with her seem nervous. Then Qi Xiaoyu asked thoughtfully, “So, Commander Xun, are you currently by yourself?”
Qi Xiaoyu raised his face with a teasing smile and asked, “Then may I invite the Commander for a dance?”
Xun Qian smiled, “If you’re being a bit more sincere, then yes.”
Qi Xiaoyu laughed and reached out his hand.
They stepped onto the dance floor together.
The night breeze stirred their hair and clothing.
Joyful songs floated under the night sky. Surrounded by the shimmer of lights and the scent of flowers, young men and women dressed in fragrant clothes danced gracefully.
Even in chaotic times, they hold hands and gently embrace each other, enjoying this light and dreamlike time together.
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