Chapter 142: Ice Dance for Two

Shixiang Skating Rink, located in the southwestern corner of Kyoto, covers a total area of 2,000 square meters and is currently the finest indoor professional ice rink in the city. The management once claimed that Shixiang was constructed entirely according to Olympic standards, featuring nearly 1,000 square meters of premium ice, which has earned it an excellent reputation among skating enthusiasts in the capital. Coupled with the rink's additional facilities, such as a club and a disco, it has become a favorite destination for many. Tan Linlin and her friends chose this very place for their outing today.

Four young girls arrived outside the rink, chatting animatedly as they walked. Among them, one girl stood out—she wore a thin white sweater, a red scarf, and a cream-colored pom-pom beanie. Unlike her companions, her smile was as fragrant and fresh as a jasmine flower, exuding an ethereal, refined temperament. The dimples that played on her face only added to her breathtaking, country-toppling beauty. This striking girl was Wang Yuqing.

Tan Linlin was dressed in a thick sports outfit today, topped with a cute bear-ear hat that looked charming against her slightly chubby cheeks. Seeing the rink, she was filled with excitement; having finally persuaded her parents to let her out for the weekend, she was determined to have the time of her life.

Kang Yan wore a red down vest over a pair of skinny jeans, looking quite poised, while Liu Na wore a light-colored coat with slim-fit trousers. These were the four who had come to skate.

Upon reaching the ticket booth, however, they discovered something strange: it was completely deserted.

"Huh? What’s going on? Whenever I’ve come here before, there’s always been a long line," Tan Linlin muttered, looking at the booth in confusion.

"What is that?" Wang Yuqing noticed a small sign hanging by the railing. It bore a few lines of text.

Kang Yan stepped forward and read aloud: "The skating rink is temporarily closed for one day due to unforeseen circumstances and will resume normal operations tomorrow. We apologize for any inconvenience caused."

"Oh no! How could this happen? I went through so much trouble to get out today!" Once Kang Yan finished reading, Tan Linlin was frantic.

"This is so infuriating! The rink could have closed at any other time, but it just had to be today," Liu Na added, looking equally annoyed. They were in their final year of high school and rarely had time to play; to have this rare day of relaxation ruined by a closure was incredibly frustrating.

"Why don't we go watch Wang Tao and the others go fishing?" Kang Yan suggested.

"Absolutely not," Tan Linlin refused instantly. If they went, who knew what would happen if Wang Yuqing ran into Xiao Lin? Tan Linlin had no intention of taking that risk.

Just as the four were feeling dejected, a clear voice called out, "Why are you standing here? Aren't you going in to skate?" The girls turned to see a handsome young man in a white tracksuit and exclaimed in unison, "Gao Zheng!"

"White Sweet Potato, that outfit you're wearing today actually suits your nickname quite well," Tan Linlin quipped, still in a bad mood because of the closure.

Gao Zheng chuckled, unfazed by her sarcasm. He walked over to Wang Yuqing and asked softly with a smile, "Yuqing, did you come here to skate today?"

"Duh. Why else would we be here?" Before Wang Yuqing could answer, Tan Linlin rolled her eyes at him.

"Linlin..." Wang Yuqing shot her a warning look, then nodded at Gao Zheng. "We did want to skate, but it seems our timing is poor. The rink is temporarily closed." Even she felt a tinge of disappointment, as skating was one of her hobbies.

Hearing this, Gao Zheng smiled smugly. This expression annoyed Tan Linlin, and just as she was about to snap at him, his next words left her stunned with joy.

"I have a way for us to get in."

This not only thrilled Tan Linlin but made Wang Yuqing’s eyes light up as well.

"Gao Zheng, are you serious?" Wang Yuqing asked, hardly daring to believe it.

"Rest assured, Miss Yuqing. My young master speaks the truth. He has rented out the entire Shixiang Skating Rink for the day. That is why the management put up that notice," Uncle Xiang, who was standing nearby, said with a smile.

Hearing this, the four girls gasped. *Rented out the entire rink?*

"Is... is it actually possible to rent out a skating rink?" Kang Yan exclaimed.

Uncle Xiang was about to explain, but Gao Zheng waved him off. "It’s like this: my father happens to be friends with the owner, so he did me a favor. Let’s go in." Gao Zheng gestured toward Wang Yuqing with a bow.

Wang Yuqing nodded. Although she was surprised that Gao Zheng had rented the place, she didn't think much of it, assuming it was simply the lifestyle of a wealthy young man. In truth, Gao Zheng had rented the rink specifically for her. Upon learning they were coming, he had instructed Uncle Xiang to handle the arrangements. The story about his father being friends with the owner was a lie; in reality, the owner of the rink had to cater to Gao Zheng’s every whim.

As they walked in, Tan Linlin pulled Gao Zheng aside.

"Tell me the truth—do you have special designs on my friend? Renting out the whole place—tsk tsk, what a grand gesture," Tan Linlin said, her eyes darting around.

"Heh, Tan Linlin, look... Yuqing has broken up with Xiao Lin, and she needs someone to look after her, right? I just thought..." Gao Zheng didn't dare lie to this fierce girl.

"Needs someone to look after her..." Tan Linlin repeated. He had a point; didn't people always say the best way to move on from heartbreak was to start a new relationship? With that in mind, she told him, "You can pursue her, but if you dare to treat her the way Xiao Lin did, I’ll cut off your manhood." She finished with a menacing glint in her eyes, baring her little canine teeth as she glanced at his crotch.

"I know... anyway, let’s go in. I even hired a band to play inside so we can skate to music," Gao Zheng said, instinctively crossing his legs and giving a sheepish smile.

"Ice disco" and a live band—Tan Linlin’s interest was piqued, and she hurried into the rink.

Wang Yuqing gasped in surprise upon entering. It was her first time in such a luxurious and beautiful rink. The smooth ice shimmered, and looking up, she saw a vast glass ceiling. It was midday, and sunlight poured through, making her feel as though she were outdoors. Then, a gentle waltz began to play, pulling them into the enchanting atmosphere of a *Blue Danube* dream.

"Yuqing, isn't it beautiful? It’s even better at night," Gao Zheng said with a smile.

"Yes, it is. Let’s start," Wang Yuqing said, eager to skate.

"Certainly." Gao Zheng snapped his fingers, and attendants brought over skates for everyone. Wang Yuqing chose a pair of pure white ones.

She put them on, stepped onto the ice, and with a gentle push, glided two meters forward. "Wow, the ice is so smooth," she said in surprise. She then began to glide and spin like a swallow in flight, leaving behind the melodic chime of her laughter. Her refined temperament, stunning face, and graceful movements left Gao Zheng momentarily mesmerized.

Someone once praised skating as, "The waltz of an angel, the swirling of an elf; it is the soul of a dancer and the art of the beholder—a movement where beauty and artistry converge."

"Let’s join in!" Seeing how well Wang Yuqing was skating, Tan Linlin and the others couldn't hold back any longer. They quickly changed into their skates, and soon the rink was filled with laughter.

Gao Zheng glided elegantly across the ice and stopped perfectly at Wang Yuqing’s left side.

"Yuqing, shall we try a ballroom dance on ice?"

"Oh, I’d rather not. I don't know how," Wang Yuqing said, biting her lip as she declined.

"It’s alright, I’ll teach you. It’s much like a waltz, and we have the music for it," Gao Zheng said, extending his right hand like a gentleman.

Seeing his earnest expression, Wang Yuqing felt she couldn't refuse. After a moment of hesitation, she placed her left hand into his. Feeling the warmth of his palm, she blushed—it was the first time she had held the hand of a boy other than Xiao Lin.

Gao Zheng was delighted by her consent. He gently held her hand, the soft, smooth sensation making his heart race, yet he dared not overstep.

"Come, follow my lead," Gao Zheng said, stepping lightly and guiding her.

Before long, two graceful arcs appeared on the ice. One as pure as an angel, the other as noble as a prince, the two of them moved like beautiful flowers blooming in the air. The music shifted between rapid and flowing, their movements matching the tempo—sometimes bold, sometimes fluid. A blend of strength and grace, they poured their vibrant youth into this magnificent dance on ice.

Watching their seamless performance, Tan Linlin and the others watched with mouths agape.

"You have to admit, Gao Zheng and Wang Yuqing make a pretty good match, don't they?" Liu Na whispered.

Observing the tacit understanding between the two, Kang Yan nodded subconsciously.

"Him? Pfft, I still think Xiao Lin is better," Tan Linlin muttered, though she felt a surge of irritation at the thought of Xiao Lin. *That jerk—did he really just let Yuqing go to Gao Zheng like that?*