Standing Next To You
Chapter 127: Get Used to My Touch

Chapter 127: Get Used to My Touch

A/n: This Chapter is now fixed. Thank you for waiting.

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At the massive studio hall, a single song played continuously in the background. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, the sky had transformed into hues of violet and pink as the city underwent a dazzling transformation with its array of lights.

The room was filled with the rhythmic sound of their dancing steps and the occasional outbursts:

"One, two, three, one, two, three—ah! You stepped on me again!" Bei Sangyun shot a glare at Fei Chuan. "How can you be so bad at this?"

Fei Chuan, his embarrassment evident, shifted his gaze away. "You should slow down your steps so I won’t step on you."

Bei Sangyun narrowed her eyes at him. After going through the dance three times, she knew by now that the current Fei Chuan was not doing it purposely.

He was simply terrible at dancing.

She wondered how this terrible dancer became so good as the professional that he put the men at the party to shame.

Bei Sangyun paused the music and took a deep breath.

"Fine. Let’s take it very slowly."

She suddenly changed her position and held Fei Chuan’s waist. She felt him stiffened.

"Relax. If you stay this stiff, you’re bound to make more mistakes." She guided his other hand to her shoulder. "I’ll play the role of the man and demonstrate it slowly. Watch carefully."

Bei Sangyun started to glide with Fei Chuan across the empty studio floor. Their steps were deliberate and cautious.

"One...two...three..." She patiently guided Fei Chuan.

The studio’s emptiness was filled with the shadows of the two dancers, their movements still uncoordinated. However, there was progress. They no longer step on each other’s feet.

Bei Sangyun’s voice echoed through the space as she continued to count.

"One... two... three..."

Fei Chuan dared not breathe too loudly, trying his best to focus on her steps. However, his mind struggled to cooperate. His attention was fixated on the warmth of her palm against his waist, their close proximity proving too distracting for him to concentrate.

His gaze then traveled from her steps to her cute, slender nose. Her lips were a soft shade of pink, giving them a tender look. Her long eyelashes were gracefully curled at the end.

Fei Chuan had always been aware of Bei Sangyun’s attractiveness. The last time he had drawn on her face, he had discovered that beneath the facade of a cold, cruel tyrant, she was, in fact, an adorable and alluring doll.

There was no doubt that, without the tyrant title, Bei Sangyun would have been highly sought after by men. Suitors would have lined up every day, and he might not have had a chance to be partnered with her.

Suddenly, Bei Sangyun looked up and met his eyes. "Do you understand now?"

Fei Chuan blinked. "...huh?"

Bei Sangyun: "...." This damn bastard, he was not listening at all?

She shot him a glare. "My patience is wearing thin. This will be the last time. So, pay attention and watch carefully!"

Bei Sangyun began the routine again.

Fei Chuan shook his head, trying to dispel a disturbing thought that had crossed his mind. When Bei Sangyun glared at him, he found her expression momentarily cute. He was horrified by that realization.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. He needed to pull himself together and overcome this problem.

"Hey, are you watching?" Bei Sangyun paused and gently lifted Fei Chuan’s chin. "You have to open your eyes to see it."

Fei Chuan complied, and his gaze met her clear eyes. Their faces were so close that he was once again enveloped in that intoxicating lavender scent.

For a brief moment, Fei Chuan was lost in thought. Then, as if a jolt of electricity had surged through him, he swiftly pulled his chin away from Bei Sangyun’s touch.

Taking three steps backward, he stammered, "Let’s take a short break."

In a near panic, Fei Chuan hurriedly retreated to the bathroom.

Watching his hasty exit, Bei Sangyun tilted her head.

It had been just a moment, but she had clearly witnessed Fei Chuan’s face turn as red as a ripe tomato.

He blushed, right?

Did he get flustered because of her?

That Fei Chuan?

A small laugh escaped Bei Sangyun’s lips. It seemed she had discovered the reason why Fei Chuan was such a terrible dancer.

....

When Fei Chuan returned, his long hair was damp in places. It was apparent that he had taken a moment to cool down.

Bei Sangyun waited for him with a playful smile. "Did you feel hot that you have to wash your face?"

Fei Chuan noticed her mischievous grin and coughed in embarrassment. "I was starting to feel drowsy, so I needed to wake up a bit..."

"Yeah, yeah," Bei Sangyun nodded, her teasing expression still intact.

"Let’s begin," Fei Chuan said with determination, resolved to conquer his issue this time.

"Are you sure you’ll be okay?" Bei Sangyun asked playfully.

"I’ll be fine," Fei Chuan replied with unwavering determination.

But as soon as Bei Sangyun drew near, Fei Chuan’s body tensed up once more.

Bei Sangyun was standing too close. She could feel through his hold how stiff he was.

A deep smile escaped from Bei Sangyun’s lips. The present Fei Chuan was so innocent and too cute. Who would have thought that there was a time when Fei Chuan would become flustered because of her?

Fei Chuan’s dominant and arrogant image had left an indelible mark in Bei Sangyun’s mind. So even when she saw this gloomy and arrogant kid, she could still see the traces of the adult Fei Chuan.

That’s why she found it amusing that the same Fei Chuan, who was famous among the ladies in society, would become flustered and stiff due to a simple touch on his chin.

Bei Sangyun struggled to stifle her laughter.

When Fei Chuan made another mistake, Bei Sangyun halted their dance.

"I think I know what your problem is."

Her statement caused Fei Chuan to widen his eyes. "...Y-you do?"

With a smile and amusement in her eyes, Bei Sangyun responded, "It’s quite obvious. You can’t get used to being so close to the opposite gender, right?"

Fei Chuan blinked. "...Huh?"

Bei Sangyun circled around him. "Well, it’s not surprising. You’ve been an introvert since we were kids. Your friends back in the village were all boys, and here at school, I’ve rarely seen you interact with other students, let alone females. Your body tenses up when we hold hands. You’re not accustomed to other people’s touch, especially that of females, right?"

Fei Chuan remained silent and did not offer a response.

"I’m right, aren’t I?" Bei Sangyun inquired with bright eyes.

Fei Chuan continued to stay silent, his thoughts churning.

Seeing the expression on her face as if she had stumbled upon a significant secret of his, Fei Chuan found himself at a loss for words.

Should he be relieved that she had misunderstood? Well, this was certainly better than her discovering the real reason why he couldn’t concentrate.

Fei Chuan gazed at the ceiling and nodded.

Bei Sangyun clapped her hands. "I knew it! You’ve been too isolated. That’s why you can’t handle being close to others. How about this?"

Bei Sangyun stepped closer to him, causing Fei Chuan to lean back involuntarily. "Let’s make you get used to my touch."

Fei Chuan’s eyes widened in horror. "What?"

Bei Sangyun blinked, realizing her words had come out wrong. "I mean, you should become accustomed to my presence. You have to be comfortable with me being close to you first. That way, you’ll be able to dance more freely."

Her suggestion made sense, and it was exactly what he wanted too. He needed to get used to her presence so that he could put an end to those troubling thoughts.

"Alright, but how do we do that?"

"First, you need to get used to me being close," Bei Sangyun explained. "I’ll stay within a meter of you. Then, we’ll work on physical contact so you can become comfortable with it."

Fei Chuan frowned. Just hearing all of this sounded like trouble.

"What kind of physical contact?"

Bei Sangyun pondered for a moment. "For example, holding hands for about a minute?"

"That’s too long."

"Thirty seconds?"

"Still too long."

Bei Sangyun rolled her eyes. "Ten seconds."

Fei Chuan thought for a moment, then shook his head and made a counteroffer. "How about one second?"

Bei Sangyun narrowed her eyes. "Five seconds or ten seconds. Choose between the two."

Fei Chuan hesitated and finally said, "...Three seconds."

Bei Sangyun stared at him, and Fei Chuan didn’t back down.

Finally, Bei Sangyun sighed. "Fine, three seconds. But we’ll also include feeding each other. The second part is non-negotiable."

"Feeding each other? What does that have to do with any of this?"

"Didn’t you know that feeding each other can bring two people closer? It’s like a shortcut," Bei Sangyun said, spontaneously inventing this claim on the spot.

This was a crucial opportunity for her, and she was determined to seize it. Her life was on the line.

"I don’t want you to feed me, and I don’t want to feed you," Fei Chuan protested, making a face. "That’s kind of gross." Just the thought of it sent shivers down his arms.

Bei Sangyun crossed her arms. "This is non-negotiable, and we’re starting today."

Fei Chuan tried to stand his ground, but Bei Sangyun’s determination was unyielding.

Eventually, after a lengthy argument, they reached a compromise. They agreed to feed each other at least one meal a day.

Bei Sangyun smiled triumphantly. Observing her gleeful and victorious expression, Fei Chuan couldn’t help but feel skeptical.

Why did it feel like he had been tricked by her?

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