Every time, it takes me a long while to make up my mind.

The book says there is no such thing as love without reason. Zhang Pa pondered why Liu Xiaomei wanted to teach him to dance. He thought and thought—he must be useful either as a bodyguard or as a shield.

But before he could even ask when they met, Liu Xiaomei was already displeased. “Is this how you show up?”

Did she expect a gift? A formal token for a new teacher? Zhang Pa considered this and whispered, “If there’s something you’d like, I’ll go buy it right now.”

“What do you mean, what I’d like? You clearly have no real intention to learn dance. You can leave.” Liu Xiaomei headed for the main entrance.

Sincerity? Sincerity about learning dance? If she didn’t want a gift, did she just want money? But hadn’t Teacher Liu sold him an eight-thousand-yuan instrument for three thousand five? She couldn’t be short on money…

Try as he might, he couldn’t figure it out. He hurried after Liu Xiaomei. “Teacher, could you give me a hint?”

The word “teacher” made Liu Xiaomei smile, and she agreed with a cheerful, “Good student.”

Zhang Pa hesitated and asked, “Is this what you meant by sincerity about learning dance?”

“You!” Liu Xiaomei ignored him again, chin raised, striding forward.

Zhang Pa followed closely and cautiously by her side.

Inside the building was fine, no one saw them. But as soon as they left the teaching building, within five seconds, Zhang Pa became the center of attention.

A man walking beside Teacher Liu? With messy long hair and an unremarkable appearance—who was he?

The stares were like a woven net, and Zhang Pa felt awkward. Fortunately, Teacher Liu walked quickly, taking all sorts of shortcuts, and soon they left the conservatory and entered a residential area. Passing through the neighborhood and crossing a street, they arrived at the elementary school affiliated with the conservatory.

The elementary school focused mainly on arts, with some general education as well.

They walked into the dance studio, which was much brighter and more spacious than the ones at the conservatory. More than fifty children in dance attire were scattered around the room. Outside, many parents greeted Teacher Liu as she arrived. Liu Xiaomei replied with smiles and led Zhang Pa inside, shutting the door.

Here, Zhang Pa finally understood why Liu Xiaomei had said he lacked sincerity.

The corridor outside the classroom was divided in two; the section near the entrance was floored and empty—parents stood outside. On either side were rows of shoe cubbies, and every child had to change into clean dance shoes before class.

Liu Xiaomei changed into her dance shoes here, glancing at Zhang Pa as she did.

Zhang Pa froze for a second—of course! He should have brought dance shoes. Showing up to dance without proper shoes, no wonder she thought he wasn’t sincere. He looked through the shoe cabinets but found nothing. Seeing Liu Xiaomei already changing and entering the classroom, Zhang Pa quickly kicked off his canvas sneakers—he gave them a discreet sniff, not too bad—then tiptoed into the classroom.

Liu Xiaomei gave a small snort. “Don’t let it happen again,” she said softly.

“I won’t, I promise,” Zhang Pa replied.

At the front of the classroom, Liu Xiaomei clapped her hands twice. Immediately, the children gathered in front, forming four rows, all facing the teacher. Liu Xiaomei introduced Zhang Pa to the children, telling them not to bully the new student.

A chorus of seven- and eight-year-olds replied loudly, “Don’t worry, teacher, we won’t bully him!”

Zhang Pa broke out in a sweat and noticed Liu Xiaomei looking at him. He quickly responded, “Thank you, everyone.”

“You’re welcome!” the children shouted back in cheerful chaos.

“Now let’s begin class. We’ll review what we learned last time. You—stand at the back,” Liu Xiaomei said, her tone gaining a touch of authority, though only a touch.

Zhang Pa hurried to the back and followed the children, imitating their big, exaggerated warm-up movements.

He didn’t know whether Liu Xiaomei was an especially good teacher or simply too beautiful, but it seemed like no time at all before the lesson ended.

The children lined up again, bowed to Liu Xiaomei, and chorused, “Thank you, teacher. Goodbye, teacher,” before rushing out to change their shoes.

Liu Xiaomei smiled, standing by the window as she watched them go. Zhang Pa sidled over and asked, “Teacher, did I do well today?”

“You’re all stiff bones—you have a long way to go,” Liu Xiaomei replied.

Zhang Pa immediately declared, “I’ll take it seriously, I’ll work hard. I’ll buy dance shoes and practice wear tomorrow.”

Liu Xiaomei said, “Just buying clothes isn’t enough. I’m giving you some homework—watch carefully, and practice at home.”

Zhang Pa asked, “Do I need to pay for extra lessons?”

Liu Xiaomei glared. “You haven’t even paid regular tuition, and you’re talking about extra lessons? I’m warning you—if you don’t do well, hmph.”

Zhang Pa pledged his loyalty at once. “I’ll work hard.” Then added, “When you glare, you don’t look fierce at all—just beautiful.”

“Are you flirting with your teacher?” Liu Xiaomei feigned a stern face.

“It’s the truth—straight from the heart,” Zhang Pa replied.

“Watch and learn, I’ll only demonstrate once.” Liu Xiaomei began to stretch.

When she finished a few moves and turned around, Zhang Pa was staring at her like a fool. Liu Xiaomei asked, “What are you looking at?”

Zhang Pa sighed, “You really only know how to teach children and women.” The implication was that her dance was so graceful and beautiful that it captivated men.

Liu Xiaomei said, “Never mind, I’ll help you stretch.”

Zhang Pa agreed in a daze. Half a minute later, he was gritting his teeth, squeezing out the words, “Are you taking revenge on me?”

Liu Xiaomei snorted, “Lucky you, you silly man. I’ve hardly ever been this close to a man in my life.” With that, she pressed down harder, and Zhang Pa’s eyes widened to the brink of shouting.

Some of the children hadn’t left yet. A few stood at the door, laughing at the sight of Zhang Pa’s distress.

Liu Xiaomei said, “Even the kids are laughing at you. Don’t let them look down on you.”

Zhang Pa endured, and soon sweat was pouring down his face.

Liu Xiaomei finally let go and stood up, speaking coolly, “Practice well at home. I’ll check next class. If you don’t pass, I’ll ignore you forever.”

Zhang Pa said, “Don’t—what if I really try but still can’t reach your standard?”

“You’ll never reach my standard—not in a lifetime of practice,” Liu Xiaomei said, proud of her own dancing.

Zhang Pa tried to get up but found it too hard; he simply lay down on the spot. “Let me rest a bit.”

“Three minutes,” Liu Xiaomei allowed, then added, “And about vocal training—when do you plan to start?”

Zhang Pa made a bitter face. “Teacher, I don’t want to be an all-rounder in virtue, intellect, physique, art, and labor, nor do I want to get into an arts college… I’ll do it, I’ll start right away.” Mid-sentence, he remembered Liu Xiaomei saying she wanted to sing a song with someone she liked…

Liu Xiaomei said, “Go home and read the book—read through that music theory book several more times.”

“Yes, teacher,” Zhang Pa replied from the floor.

Liu Xiaomei stepped a few paces away, struck a pose, and began to dance.

Zhang Pa immediately sat up to watch. When she finished, he sighed, “To tell you the truth, I never watch dance performances, but when you dance, why is it so beautiful?”

Liu Xiaomei said, “Flattery won’t help you. How much do you think I should charge you for lessons?”

Zhang Pa wanted to say, If you’ll be my girlfriend, I’ll give you everything. But he had nothing to give, so he changed his answer: “Whatever you say.”

Liu Xiaomei chuckled, “Three minutes are up.” She turned and walked out.

The reason she lingered was partly because the children took time to change, and partly because parents always wanted a word with her, so she had to stay in the classroom.

But even now as she left, several people were waiting outside—some parents, and someone holding a bouquet of bright red roses.

Liu Xiaomei ignored them, went to change her shoes, and the bouquet moved with her, stopping right in front of her. The one holding the roses was a young man, decent-looking and well-dressed, with the air of a pop idol.

Zhang Pa came out and sat beside Liu Xiaomei to change his shoes.

Once Liu Xiaomei was done, she glanced at Zhang Pa. He moved quickly, standing up at once. Liu Xiaomei handed him her bag, which he hurried to take. Without a word, she turned to leave, and Zhang Pa followed. The whole process was smooth and silent.

The young man’s expression darkened, his gaze toward Zhang Pa turning hostile. Zhang Pa pretended not to see, tagging after Liu Xiaomei like a shadow.

The young man with the roses sped up, cutting in front of them, and held out the bouquet. “For you.”

Liu Xiaomei didn’t respond, didn’t pause, simply walked around him.

He stepped sideways, blocking her path. She tried to go the other way, and he blocked her again.

Suddenly, Zhang Pa shouted, “Pig!” staring fixedly at something behind the young man.

The young man froze and turned to look. Zhang Pa took the chance to slip between him and Liu Xiaomei, shielding her as they passed by.

The young man realized he’d been tricked and tried to catch up, but no matter what he did, Zhang Pa stayed in his way. Anger flared, and he tried to kick Zhang Pa, but with Liu Xiaomei present, Zhang Pa didn’t want to fight and dodged easily.

The young man glared at Zhang Pa with hatred, but with his goddess watching, he dared not make a scene. He could only watch as they walked away, more and more furious, finally hurling the bouquet at Zhang Pa, who dodged it again.

Throughout it all, Liu Xiaomei acted as if nothing happened, quickly striding ahead and soon leaving the school gates.

Thus, the young man’s attempt at courtship failed.

Inside the residential area, Liu Xiaomei said, “You are a little useful after all.”

Zhang Pa asked, “Was this a test?”

“You have no idea how annoying that guy is. He shows up punctually every time I have class. From now on, you’re my student bodyguard. In return, I’ll teach you to dance.”

“Can we negotiate a different reward?” Zhang Pa asked.

“What, you don’t like it?” Liu Xiaomei replied.

Zhang Pa coughed, “I like it. Anyone who doesn’t, I’ll deal with them.”

Liu Xiaomei said, “As a reward, I’ll buy you dinner.”

Zhang Pa perked up at once. “Now that’s a good reward!”

Liu Xiaomei said, “You’re not very gentlemanly. Right now, you should say you’ll choose the restaurant, order the food, and I’ll pay.”

“Alright, I’ll pay,” Zhang Pa said.

Liu Xiaomei laughed. “Why are you so dense?” Then, after a moment’s thought, she asked, “Do you like watching movies?”

“If you like it, I like it,” Zhang Pa replied immediately.

“Let’s go see a movie tonight when it gets dark,” Liu Xiaomei said. “Does this count as a date?”

Zhang Pa answered, “You can’t do this—happiness is coming too fast, I might have a heart attack.”