Chapter Eight: Liu Xiaoli’s Solo Dance

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

After Liu Xiaoli got into the car, Chen Siyuan didn’t start driving right away. Instead, he turned his body slightly and fixed his gaze on her.

Liu Xiaoli felt a fluttering in her heart under his intense stare.

Just then, Chen Siyuan suddenly unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned toward her, gently resting his chin on her shoulder.

“Do you have your dance outfit at home?” His breath brushed softly against her ear.

Goosebumps prickled along Liu Xiaoli’s skin, as if a current had passed through her.

“I... I do. Why?” she asked, unable to move an inch.

Although they had grown closer emotionally, Chen Siyuan’s intimate gesture still made her feel shy—much like a young girl newly in love.

“I want you to dance for me alone tonight,” Chen Siyuan said, his voice thick with possessiveness.

Liu Xiaoli couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, hurry up and drive. It’s time to pick up Qianqian.”

She shyly pushed him away, and Chen Siyuan took the chance to plant a kiss on her cheek before settling back into his seat and buckling up.

“You’re so unserious!” Liu Xiaoli teased, though her face was glowing with happiness.

She hadn’t expected such sudden joy to come her way—perhaps it was fate. From Wuhan to New York, across the ocean, destiny had truly brought them together.

Chen Siyuan let her bask in her own bliss and focused on driving. Without any traffic, they smoothly arrived at Liu Yifei’s school just as classes were ending.

Liu Yifei came laughing and chatting with her classmates, guarded nervously by little Will who kept other boys at bay.

She spotted Chen Siyuan’s car immediately. “Daddy!” she waved excitedly, quickly saying goodbye to her friends, and ran over to the car.

Bouncing with energy, she hopped in. “Daddy, I got praised again today!”

Leaning forward with eager eyes, she looked at Chen Siyuan expectantly.

“That’s wonderful! You’re doing great, Qianqian.” Chen Siyuan stroked her head. In just two days, she was already chatting fluently in English with her classmates—a combination of talent and hard work.

“Daddy, do you remember our promise from last night?” Liu Yifei asked anxiously.

“Don’t worry. After dinner tonight, we’ll watch it together.”

Chen Siyuan smiled at her earnestness. She was still a little girl after all.

“Daddy, you’re the best!” Liu Yifei beamed, stamping a mock seal of approval on him.

“Si Yuan, you can’t spoil her like this...” Liu Xiaoli, who cared deeply for Liu Yifei, couldn’t help but play the stern mother when she saw how doting Chen Siyuan was.

“Watching English-language originals really helps Qianqian improve her English,” Chen Siyuan said effortlessly, leaving Liu Xiaoli speechless. It was like using a learning machine to study—an undeniable truth that hit parents right where it mattered.

Liu Yifei winked at Liu Xiaoli triumphantly. “I’ve got backup!”

Liu Xiaoli was at a loss. Her little darling was turning rebellious far too quickly, emboldened by Chen Siyuan’s support and growing ever more daring.

“I’ll deal with you later!” Liu Xiaoli mouthed, hoping her daughter understood.

Liu Yifei shrank back and quickly took her seat, the looming ‘terror’ of her mother’s discipline washing over her again.

Chen Siyuan noticed but only smiled and drove home.

They had bought plenty of groceries yesterday, so no need to shop again today. Liu Xiaoli remained the head chef, and once again, it was an immensely satisfying meal for Chen Siyuan.

“Daddy, hurry up!” After eating, Liu Yifei tugged excitedly at Chen Siyuan’s hand, racing toward the home theater.

She couldn’t wait to see Audrey Hepburn again.

“What would you like to watch today?” Chen Siyuan opened his film library.

“Anything with Audrey Hepburn is fine.”

Liu Yifei was currently fascinated by the actress.

“Then let’s watch ‘My Fair Lady’.” A classic Hepburn film about a flower girl’s transformation into a refined lady.

Though the picture quality and style were dated, being over thirty years old, Liu Yifei was captivated.

Unlike yesterday’s passive immersion, today she asked questions—why Hepburn acted a certain way, the meaning behind specific gestures.

Anyone else might have broken into a sweat, but Chen Siyuan answered each query with ease and insight.

Liu Yifei’s eyes shone with new admiration for him, while Liu Xiaoli’s brow furrowed deeper.

“Daddy, can we keep watching tomorrow?” she asked eagerly before heading upstairs, leaning against the doorframe expectantly.

“Of course! Now go to sleep!” Chen Siyuan replied warmly.

“Goodnight, Daddy! Goodnight, Mommy!” Liu Yifei happily ran upstairs.

“I’m coming too...” Liu Xiaoli was about to follow when Chen Siyuan stopped her.

She blinked in surprise.

“Don’t forget to change into your dance outfit,” he whispered, biting her ear gently.

Liu Xiaoli bit her lip, pushed him away, and hurried upstairs.

Chen Siyuan tidied the home theater, turned off the lights, and went upstairs.

Opening the master bedroom door, he saw Liu Xiaoli standing by the curtains, already dressed in her dance practice attire.

She knew exactly what he wanted to see.

Though shy, she had changed into a fitted, triangular leotard—a garment many older women wouldn’t dare wear, but it suited her perfectly.

Chen Siyuan stepped forward and embraced her, his hands resting on her flat abdomen.

“Wife, you are so beautiful.”

“Aren’t you here to watch me dance? Sit down!” Liu Xiaoli turned and gently pushed him onto the bed.

There was no music, yet she began to dance as if accompanied by her own melody.

She performed ballet.

Chen Siyuan didn’t know the piece, but it didn’t matter.

He was utterly enchanted by her dance.

It was hard to believe such a performance could come from a body in its thirties.

When the dance ended, Liu Xiaoli stood there, slightly breathless.

Chen Siyuan rose and wrapped his arms around her.

“I’ll help you fulfill your dream of dancing until the day you no longer want to.”

His words brought tears to Liu Xiaoli’s eyes.

After giving birth to Liu Yifei, many didn’t understand why she continued to dance.

But now, at last, someone supported her dream.

“Siyuan... love me...” she whispered.

...