190: If you lose, you have to call me grandpa!

Ye Chen and Bai Wanqing were led by a waiter to a secluded viewing area.

They had barely sat down.

The lights of the harbor outside the window began to silently recede; the 'cloud top' had set sail.

The faint sound of a graceful band playing drifted over, but Ye Chen had little interest.

Bai Wanqing gently swirled the champagne glass in her hand, her gaze resting on Ye Chen's profile.

"Ye Chen."

"Hmm?" Ye Chen opened the eyes he had closed to rest.

Bai Wanqing asked, "Do you know how to dance?"

Ye Chen paused, then shook his head.

"I don't."

He only remembered... he had only ever performed a talent once in his life.

That was back in junior high, when he decided to participate in the Campus New Year's Day Gala to chase after a beauty in his class.

And what was the result?

He didn't even pass the audition. He sang an out-of-tune rendition of "Nocturne" and was looked at strangely for two whole years... The past is too painful to recall!

Since then.

He absolutely refused to have anything to do with performing arts again.

Bai Wanqing put down her wine glass and extended her hand to Ye Chen.

"I'll teach you."

Ye Chen looked at the fair, small hand extended toward him and smiled helplessly.

"I'm very clumsy. Don't blame me if I step on your foot."

Bai Wanqing, however, had already stood up.

"You're so capable; you learn everything quickly."

"Besides, since we're dance partners, we can't just keep sitting here, can we?"

Ye Chen thought for a moment, then finally gave a helpless smile and placed his hand on hers.

"Alright, Teacher Bai, please guide me."

Bai Wanqing's lips curved slightly. Leading him toward the dance floor, she whispered, "It's very simple. Follow my rhythm: I advance, you retreat; I retreat, you advance. Pay attention to the downbeats of the music..."

Just then.

The stage lights at the front of the hall lit up, and a graceful male host in a suit walked onto the stage, microphone in hand.

"Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening!"

"Welcome aboard the 'cloud top' and welcome to tonight's Charity Gala..."

After an enthusiastic opening speech and words of gratitude from the host, the topic shifted.

"So, as is tradition, let us officially kick off tonight's Charity Dinner with an elegant opening dance!"

"Music!"

"Please, everyone, enjoy this wonderful evening to the fullest!"

A graceful waltz tune sounded at the appropriate moment, flowing throughout the entire ballroom.

The guests, who had been waiting for a long time, entered the central dance floor with their partners; dresses fluttered and light shimmered.

Bai Wanqing gently pulled Ye Chen's hand: "Let's go."

Ye Chen took a deep breath and followed her into the center of the dance floor.

However, when Bai Wanqing, this Goddess of the Business World with excellent looks and demeanor, appeared in the center of the dance floor arm-in-arm with an unfamiliar young man, she still attracted many surprised glances.

"Is that... Bai Wanqing? She actually brought a dance partner?"

"Who is that man? I've never seen him... Which family's Young Master is he?"

"He doesn't look like a Young Master; his demeanor is different..."

"Why would Bai Wanqing choose him? Didn't that Eldest Young Master of the Chen Family always pursue her?"

...Faint, scattered whispers drifted over in the pauses between the music.

Bai Wanqing acted as if she hadn't heard anything. She simply placed one hand lightly on Ye Chen's shoulder, held his other hand, and whispered.

"Relax, look at me, ignore them."

"Listen to the rhythm: one, two, three..."

Ye Chen steadied himself and focused his attention on Bai Wanqing's lead and the music's beat.

His learning ability was extremely strong, and his physical coordination far surpassed ordinary people. After the initial few awkward steps, he quickly caught the rhythm, and his movements gradually became steady.

But.

Just then!

The crowd parted slightly, and a pair of dancers spun near them.

It was Chen Wenxuan.

He had changed into a pure white tuxedo. The swelling on his face was covered by thick foundation, but his eyes were sinister.

He was holding the arm of a tall, fiery Western woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

When Chen Wenxuan saw Ye Chen's obviously beginner movements, he immediately started mocking him.

"I wondered who could merit such favor from Madam Bai, granting them the exceptional privilege of entering the dance floor..."

"So it's just a driver who stumbles over even the basic steps?"

"Tsk tsk, Madam Bai, is your 'Special Attendant' male partner perhaps only skilled in driving and hitting people normally?"

"In a setting that requires cultivation and style like this, he probably feels completely awkward just standing here, doesn't he?"

As his voice fell.

The Western woman in his arms cooperatively let out a charming laugh, sweeping a contemptuous gaze over Ye Chen.

The gazes of the few nearby guests who happened to hear this instantly became even stranger.

They sensed Young Master Chen's jealousy. It looked like there would be a good show tonight... Bai Wanqing stopped dancing, a cold light flashing in her eyes, just about to speak... Suddenly!

"Young Master Chen."

Ye Chen, however, gently pressed the back of her hand, preempting her, and smiled.

"That foundation on your face is quite thick; it's reflecting light up close."

"What's wrong? Did you think the marks from those two slaps this afternoon were too obvious, afraid they might ruin your 'graceful and refined' image tonight, Young Master Chen?"

His tone was calm, but the barbs in his words were harsher than direct insults!

The people around were stunned!

Chen Wenxuan's expression turned frigid, the flames of rage igniting in his eyes. He opened his mouth, ready to curse... "Don't be in such a hurry."

Ye Chen acted as if he hadn't seen Chen Wenxuan's ashen face, continuing slowly.

"You just said I couldn't dance and felt awkward standing here?"

"Then how about this..."

"If I can learn to dance decently, or even not worse than you, after only a few minutes of instruction."

"Young Master Chen, tell me... what should be done?"

Chen Wenxuan was startled by the question, then burst into scornful laughter as if he had heard the biggest joke.

"Ye Chen, did you practice martial arts so hard you damaged your brain?"

"Dancing is an art! It's cultivation! It requires years of immersion and practice!"

"What do you think it is? Is it like your martial arts stance, where you can imitate the form after a few glances?"

"You are insulting dance, and you are insulting all the guests present who appreciate beauty!"

His voice drew more guests to look over, and many frowned slightly, their gazes toward Ye Chen tinged with displeasure.

"Never mind whether I'm insulting art or not," Ye Chen ignored his accusations and incitement, simply repeating his question calmly: "just tell me, if I succeed, what happens?"

Chen Wenxuan looked at Ye Chen's confident demeanor, and the sneer in his heart intensified.

This bumpkin truly doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth!

Fine!

Since the other party had delivered such an excellent opportunity, why should he let it slip by?

Right then, he puffed out his chest and said loudly.

"Good! Since you insist on humiliating yourself, I, This Young Master, will grant your wish!"

"If you can dance better than me after only watching for a few minutes..."

"I, This Young Master, will publicly kneel and call you 'Dad'!"

He paused, his eyes turning sharp and sinister, staring intently at Ye Chen.

"And if you fail..."

"Then you must kneel down, kowtow three times, and then loudly call me 'Dad' three times in public!"

"Furthermore, you must immediately scram from Madam Bai's side!"

After speaking, a sneer of absolute confidence appeared on his face.

A low murmur of astonishment rose from the surroundings.

This bet was too vicious!

Kneeling down and calling someone 'Dad' in public is a tremendous humiliation for anyone!

Many people felt that Chen Wenxuan had gone too far.

Because who didn't know that Young Master Chen had once participated in a World Dance Competition!

Comparing him to Ye Chen now was tantamount to an adult bullying a child!

But more people adopted a mentality of watching the show, their eyes scanning back and forth between Ye Chen and Chen Wenxuan.

Bai Wanqing's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She whispered, "Ye Chen, there's no need to bet on this with him, let's..."

She wasn't worried that Ye Chen couldn't learn it; with his ability, he might actually succeed.

But she knew even better.

Chen Wenxuan was the type of rich wastrel who failed at everything else but excelled at dancing.

If Ye Chen agreed, it would be equivalent to putting himself on the hot seat!

But Ye Chen smiled at her and gave her a reassuring look.

Then.

He looked at Chen Wenxuan and nodded.

"Fine, it's a deal."

"With so many guests witnessing this, I hope Young Master Chen won't go back on his word later."

Chen Wenxuan gave a disdainful smile and lifted his chin.

"Go back on my word? Those two words aren't in This Young Master's dictionary!"

"You, on the other hand, are being stubborn now. When you kneel and call me 'Dad' later, don't complain about losing face!"

"The one who reneges on the bet later will likely be you."

"However, if you dare to renege..."

He sneered, "On this ferry, people who renege on debts have already gone down to feed the fish!"

Ye Chen stopped looking at him, turned toward Bai Wanqing, extended his hand, and made a standard gesture of invitation to dance.

"Teacher Bai, please trouble you to teach me for a few more minutes."

"This time, I'll study seriously."

Bai Wanqing hesitated for a moment, then finally agreed: "Alright."

The two then began practicing under the scrutiny of the entire crowd.

Initially, Ye Chen was still very awkward, which drew quiet mockery from many people around them.

But with Bai Wanqing's encouragement, gradually... Ye Chen began to master the techniques one by one, thanks to the amazing comprehension provided by the Houtu Inheritance.

When he was almost done, exactly two minutes had passed.

Ye Chen stopped and beckoned Chen Wenxuan with a finger: "I'm ready. Shall we begin?"