How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Guo Zixing placed his large hand on Qingru's hand, feeling the slight coolness of her palm as his own hot hand covered it, like a collision of ice and fire, which made him feel slightly awkward.

Qingru said generously, "You need to loosen up a bit, like me, raise your hands."

Qingru placed his other hand lightly under her left shoulder blade, while she placed her hand on his shoulder, and the two looked at each other.

"If you've just met, looking directly at her might make her feel awkward, so you can turn your heads to the side, one on each side. Ready?"

After adjusting it several times, Guo Zixing said, "Okay, it's ready."

Without music, Qingru kept the beat herself and led Guo Zixing in dancing, “I step back first, then you step forward, then I step forward and you step back, I use my right foot and you use your left foot, and our bodies move with our feet.”

As Qingru spoke, he demonstrated it himself, then walked behind Guo Zixing and said, "It's your turn. You do it once. Learn the first step first, then learn the next step."

Guo Zixing sensed something was amiss. "How many steps are there in total?"

Qingru said with a mischievous smile, "I taught you the three-step method. There's also a four-step method, but for beginners, the waltz is enough."

Only three steps? That's good. Guo Zixing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Qingru tapped out a rhythm with her mouth, leading Guo Zixing in clumsy dancing. Fortunately, he wasn't stupid. After stepping on Qingru countless times, he finally grasped a little of the trick.

"Hiss," Qingru couldn't help but push Guo Zixing away when he stepped on her foot again, rubbing her foot and saying, "I really don't know if you're learning 'dance' or 'martial arts'."

Guo Zixing touched the tip of his nose, looking slightly embarrassed. "This dance is so difficult to learn, why are you dancing like a foreigner?"

"That's because you don't study hard. I never thought that you, the eldest son of a great general's mansion, would not study."

Guo Zixing was speechless. He grew up in his hometown in the countryside, and although some people liked to learn foreign things, he had always looked down on them.

His brothers do know how to socialize, but he's only just starting out.

Seeing that his expression was a little off, Qingru wisely kept quiet. There's always been a lot of gossip in wealthy families, and there might be some secrets involved.

She poked his wrist. "Are you still going to learn? You have to go to the dance tomorrow."

Hearing this, Guo Zixing snapped out of his reverie and nodded, while Qingru, looking pale and limping, continued teaching him...

The Zheng family's ball was scheduled for the evening, so the daytime was left for Qingru to prepare, allowing her and Hongyu to choose a few suitable outfits.

Qingru was allowed to show her true face at the banquet. Although she had never hidden her appearance before, she had always been low-key.

Aside from classmates and neighbors, not many people are familiar with her face, so attending such a high-class ball doesn't require worrying about running into acquaintances.

As evening fell, Zhang Xun arrived in his car. Upon seeing Qingru, whose face was sallow but who was dressed neatly, he paused for a moment, "Miss Cui'er?"

Qingru nodded and replied, "It's me."

A knowing look flashed in Zhang Xun's eyes. "Come with me first, let's go to another place to do your makeup."

Qingru thought to herself, "Guo Zixing is really cautious." She then took the clothes she had bought that morning and got into the car.

After many twists and turns, Zhang Xun finally parked the car in a villa in the suburbs. Qing got out of the car and looked around.

This Western-style villa is not large, but it is exquisite in every detail. There is a garden as soon as you enter, a fountain at the entrance, and a small statue of Cupid in the middle.

The villa had about three floors. Zhang Xun, familiar with the place, led her to a room on the first floor and then left.

"Miss Cui'er, please change your clothes and get ready here. The young master will come to pick you up in a little while."

Qingru filled a basin with water, poured in white vinegar, and gently washed away the yellow stains on her face. The cosmetics had already been prepared.

She changed into a dark green high-necked cheongsam, which accentuated her curvaceous figure. Then, she looked in the mirror and painted herself like the girls in the magazine "Good Friends," trying to hide her somewhat heroic spirit and appear more charming.

Guo Zixing was cautious, and Qingru was even more reluctant to expose herself, fearing that she would be recognized by acquaintances, so she dressed very carefully.

About an hour later, footsteps were heard outside the room. Guo Zixing knocked on the door and asked, "Miss Cui'er, are you ready?"

Qingru looked at herself in the mirror from left to right, and after confirming that there was nothing wrong, she said, "It's done."

Guo Zixing pushed open the door and handed Qingru a jewelry box. The moment he saw Qingru, his eyes widened involuntarily.

This was the first time he had ever seen a young person wear dark green so elegantly and gracefully, with a calm and gentle temperament.

With a light touch of makeup, arched willow-leaf eyebrows, slightly upturned eyeliner, and bright red lipstick, she was stunning yet perfectly balanced, without overpowering her natural beauty. Beautiful people are always pleasing to the eye, whether lightly or heavily made up.

Her hair was neatly combed and coiled into a bun at the back of her head, secured with a black wooden hairpin. Without any jewelry, she stood gracefully like a green plum blossom, her snow-white skin complementing her perfectly.

Qingru hadn't dressed like this in a long time, and asked somewhat awkwardly, "How is it? Is it alright?"

Guo Zixing cleared his throat and said, "Ahem~ Hmm, it's fine. This box contains jewelry. I forgot to prepare it before. Take a look and see if it's suitable."

Upon opening the box, a set of pearl jewelry lay beneath a red velvet cloth: a necklace, earrings, a brooch…

Qingru frowned. She hadn't considered this point when she saw that she didn't have any jewelry. Her outfit was already good enough. If she had jade, it could have been a good match, but the color of the pearls didn't quite match.

After comparing herself in the mirror several times, Qingru decided to wear the pearl necklace and earrings. The pearls were all round and full, about the size of a longan seed, with a soft, lustrous sheen, which suited her well.

After she finished getting ready, Guo Zixing said, "Let's go. The Zheng family isn't far from here; it'll only take a quarter of an hour. Today, your identity is that of a fellow villager of mine from my hometown. If anyone else asks you anything, just smile and ignore them. Of course, it's best not to say a word."

Qingru covered her mouth, indicating that she was definitely keeping her mouth shut.

Before long, they arrived at a manor in the suburbs, much larger than the small villa they had just arrived at. Qingru estimated that this was probably a manor, indicating that the Zheng comprador family was quite wealthy.

Even before the grand ball began, numerous cars and carriages had already stopped outside the mansion.

Those who alighted were all dressed in fine clothes, and none of them were people of high status. After giving a slight nod to the nobles in the other carriages, they walked straight into the mansion.

Guo Zixing stretched out his arm to make room, "Just like everyone else, you can link arms with me."

Qingru withdrew her gaze from the others, obediently hooked her arm around Guo Zixing's, and asked in confusion, "Why are you here today, and not Commander Guo?"

"The elders usually arrive late, so I'll go first, and he'll arrive later."

Qingru glanced at him, still feeling that something was amiss. Looking at the other guests who brought their families, they all came together, so it could only be attributed to Commander Guo's high position, great power, and influence, making him the final guest.

The two supported each other and walked together into the arena.

The ball was a grand affair, and it's estimated that it invited all the city's elite families.

The weather is fine today, with a full moon hanging high in the sky, so we're having two separate events, one inside and one outside.

A large open space was left in the middle of the outdoor area, with exquisite long tables on both sides filled with all kinds of delicacies. Servants, dressed in shirts, trousers and shiny leather shoes, carried trays and moved back and forth among the guests.

It's clear that the staff had received training in etiquette, and the servants were carefully selected, each with regular features, neat appearance, and a polite smile, making them a pleasant sight to behold.

This was Qingru's first time attending such a large ball, and she could barely keep up with all the sights.

Guo Zixing reminded him, "Stop looking, someone's already noticed this side."

"Really?" Qingru looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry, I thought I wasn't obvious. I was just looking with my eyes, I didn't even turn my head."

This was Guo Zixing's first time attending such a dance party, but he showed no panic or curiosity like Qingru; he was simply searching for his target.

Zheng, the comprador, stood at the entrance of the hall to greet the guests. Guo Zixing, with Qingru by his side, strode towards him.

Even in middle age, Zheng, the comprador, remained lean and capable, unlike other pot-bellied wealthy businessmen.

Her hair was cut very short, she wore gold-rimmed glasses, and a dark red embroidered silk robe with a short jacket over it—the most popular outfit at the time.

Seeing Guo Zixing in his military uniform, looking dashing and bearing a resemblance to Marshal Guo, he narrowed his already small eyes and chuckled, saying, "Oh dear, this young man exudes an air of nobility and is full of vigor. He must come from an extraordinary background. Judging from his features, he might be a son of Marshal Guo."

Guo Zixing smiled politely, "You have a good eye, sir. Can you tell which young master I am?"

Comprador Zheng rubbed his hands together, thinking carefully. "I've heard that Commander Guo has a son who is extremely filial to his parents back home. He is well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge and participates in political affairs. Since arriving in Sifang City, he has been dedicated to the city's security. Are you that young master Guo?"

These words flattered him, and even if they weren't true, they still made people feel good about him.

Therefore, he humbly replied, "I was just joking with you, but you flatter me. I am not as successful or far-sighted as you are. The batch of goods you brought in last time was very good."

"We were so grateful for these weapons during the bandit suppression operation—genuine German-made. Who else but you could have gotten your hands on them? You truly are the backbone of the city, the pillar of strength."

"Haha, young people really know how to talk. I'm too old to keep up. Come on, come on, let's go and have some fun with you young people."

After exchanging compliments, Zheng, the comprador, ushered Guo Zixing inside, then asked Guo Zixing as if he had just noticed him, "And this gentleman is...?"

Qingru had been smiling and keeping quiet the whole time, but when Zheng, the comprador, mentioned her, she stepped forward and extended her hand generously, "Hello, I am... Wu Cuier, a fellow townsman of Young Master Guo."