Old Five organized a dance party and invited Fei Ni, a well-known figure at their school, to attract more attendees.
Fei Ni declined, saying she didn’t know how to dance.
Undeterred, Old Five insisted, "It’s very simple, and you’re so clever—you’ll pick it up in no time. I’m sure plenty of guys at the party would be eager to teach you."
Fei Ni replied, "Dance parties are for single people. As a married woman, I shouldn’t take up a spot."
Old Five retorted, "Do married people not have the freedom to attend dance parties? If your husband, Fang the painter, keeps being this jealous, I’ll have to reason with him. He can’t have it both ways—setting rules for others but not for himself." Old Five had once visited an art exhibition and lingered before a painting for a long time, later learning the artist was Fei Ni’s husband. Since then, he had jokingly referred to Fang Muyang as "Fang the painter." At that moment, Old Five showed Fei Ni a newspaper article stating that the Art Academy, after much discussion, had decided to reintroduce life drawing classes. "If society has become open enough for Fang Muyang to paint nude models," Old Five argued, "surely you can attend a dance party."
Fei Ni glanced at the newspaper and smiled. "Freedom means having the choice to attend or not to attend." She had always believed dance parties were social venues for unmarried men and women. As a married person, she saw no need to participate—there were plenty of other ways to meet people.
Old Five teased her for being conservative, but Fei Ni wasn’t bothered.
She also defended Fang Muyang: "He’s not really the jealous type. We’ve been married long enough to have that trust." Fei Ni felt that implying Fang Muyang was possessive underestimated their relationship—he wasn’t that petty.
Old Five was keen on having Fei Ni attend. "The party allows outsiders, so why not bring Fang the painter along? That would also deter anyone else from getting ideas." New students had enrolled who weren’t familiar with Fei Ni and Fang Muyang’s relationship, and some had been overly attentive to Fei Ni.
Fei Ni was careful to avoid misunderstandings, almost as if she had "I’m married" written on her forehead.
She was happy for others to know she had Fang Muyang as a husband, but she didn’t want to go around announcing her marital status to everyone—it would seem conceited, as if she assumed everyone was interested in her. Yet, when people didn’t know she was married and pursued her, it became a nuisance.
With Old Five pleading, Fei Ni finally agreed.
She called Fang Muyang’s school and asked him to come pick her up. Making phone calls at school was inconvenient, so Fei Ni rarely contacted him this way. Fang Muyang thought it might be an emergency, only to find out she wanted him to attend a dance party. The Art Academy also held dances, but Fang Muyang never went—dancing held little appeal for him; he’d rather play sports in his free time. However, since Fei Ni invited him, he agreed without hesitation.
Fang Muyang arrived as soon as his class ended. Fei Ni waited for him at the school gate, smiling politely at acquaintances who greeted her—her smiles reserved, not showing her teeth. But when Fang Muyang appeared, she couldn’t help but beam, revealing her lovely teeth. He had brought her a small slice of fruit cake. As Fang Muyang pushed his bicycle, Fei Ni walked beside him, eating the cake. Her steps were light and cheerful. Without thinking, she scooped a spoonful and moved it toward Fang Muyang’s mouth. Just before it reached him, she suddenly became aware of the people around them and quickly withdrew her hand. She offered to take the bicycle so Fang Muyang could finish the rest of the cake.Though both of them usually walked briskly, they moved slowly toward the dance venue. By the time they entered the dance hall, quite a few people had already arrived. They stepped in under the gaze of the crowd. Someone came to ask Fei Ni for a dance; even though she had a partner, others could still invite her. Fei Ni refused without hesitation, saying she didn’t know how to dance at all.
Just as Lao Wu had said, the young man insisted, "I can teach you."
Fei Ni smiled and replied, "I’ve already found someone to teach me." She glanced at Fang Muyang and placed her hand in his.
Facing each other, Fang Muyang began teaching her how to dance. He wasn’t much of an instructor, but if the student was Fei Ni, he could be remarkably patient.
Fei Ni proved to be a quick learner, picking up the steps in no time. She smiled and asked Fang Muyang, "Do you often attend your school’s dances?"
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