Chapter 1007: She’s My Wife
Huo Xiao did not speak.
When Ling Sheng reached the door, she turned around again and asked, “Grandpa, are you really not coming?”
Huo Xiao twisted his face away and said firmly, “No!”
Ling Sheng let out a low cough and closed the door after she reached the entrance. Then, she opened the door again and stuck her head in. She watched as her grandpa shot to his feet, only to sit back down nervously when he saw her open the door. She sighed. “Grandpa, there are so many old men in the district who no longer have wives. Grandma is so pretty, elegant, intellectual, and charming. Even men with wives can’t take their eyes off Grandma, let alone those who have already lost their spouses.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Huo Xiao rapidly stood up and walked out aggressively while leaning on his walking stick.
“Grandpa, slow down. Wait for me.” Ling Sheng finally could not help but laugh out loud. Upon seeing Grandpa look like he was about to go fight with someone, she chased after him hurriedly. She was also being very annoying. “Didn’t you say you aren’t coming?”
Huo Xiao tried to retain his dignity. “Am I going to see her? I’m going to see Xiaoqi. The child is still so young that he shouldn’t be led astray by her.”
Ling Sheng thought, You’re just being stubborn. When she accompanied Grandpa over, she saw from afar that Grandma was performing a demonstration on the large square. She was dancing with a very energetic old man. She stole a look at her grandpa beside her and realized that his face had darkened even more. His gaze was like a knife, shooting daggers at that old man who was dancing together with Grandma.
Xiaoqi was playing with electric toy cars with the other children. He caught sight of them immediately and rushed over with the remote control. “Mommy, Great-grandpa!”
Ling Sheng bent down to pick her son up and gave him a big kiss. “Did you miss Mommy?”
Xiaoqi nodded hurriedly. “Yes.”
Su Xiyin had also seen them arrive by now. She even gave Huo Xiao a strange look. Why is he here? Isn’t he reluctant to watch her dance?
Ling Sheng ran over with Xiaoqi in her arms. “Grandma, who’s in charge? I want to sign up too.”
An auntie from the side came over and smiled at her. “It’s a dance compet.i.tion for the retired elderly. Why are you young people joining in the fun? You don’t qualify so you can’t register.”
“Auntie Chen, I’m not the one registering. I’m signing up for someone else.” Ling Sheng grinned as she turned around to drag her grandpa over. “I’m signing up for my grandpa. Does he qualify?”
Auntie Chen took a look at Huo Xiao’s walking stick and asked in a low voice, “Can your grandpa dance?”
She recognized the man in front of her. He was Teacher Su’s husband, but she wasn’t familiar with him. She hadn’t seen him often. Perhaps it was because his legs were weak, but she only occasionally b.u.mped into him when she was taking a walk after dinner. She would also meet him coincidentally when she went to the kindergarten to fetch her grandson.
Huo Xiao let out a low cough with a cold face. He did not look at Su Xiyin nor speak. He was using his body and expression to express his anger.
Su Xiyin sighed helplessly and glared at him. Could he have gotten jealous again and started spouting nonsense in front of Sheng Sheng? He was already so old, so why was he getting more childish as he got older?
Ling Sheng patted her chest and promised. “Yes, my grandpa’s dancing skills are amazing. He can dance anything. He’s even better than my grandma. He can even be your teacher. He taught my grandma how to dance. If you don’t believe me, ask my grandma.”
Su Xiyin acknowledged, “Yes.”
There were many old people partic.i.p.ating in square dancing. All the elderly in the district who could move, enjoyed a lively atmosphere, and didn’t have to worry about how well they danced had basically all signed up and were partic.i.p.ating actively. They would train for a period of time before selecting the best ten pairs of dancers to compete with others.
As soon as they arrived, they started dancing. There were no requirements. Those who had fixed dance partners had already started practicing. The remaining three aunties, who did not have fixed dance partners, were still waiting for other partners to arrive.
Su Xiyin was the teacher, so she had already started flitting through the crowd to correct the people’s movements.
Although Huo Xiao was leaning on a walking stick, he looked energetic, especially since he was wearing a Tang suit[1]. His back was straight, and this group of dancing old geezers couldn’t compare to his elegant aura. A few aunties who had yet to get a dance partner started gossiping about him in whispers.
They hadn’t b.u.mped into this old man in the district before, but he was really energetic and exuded a good aura around him too. One look and anyone could tell that he was different from these old geezers in the district. But they didn’t know which family’s grandfather he was. He might have just entered their community.
In the end, encouraged by another two aunties, an auntie ran to Huo Xiao’s side and asked with a smile, “May I ask if this male comrade has a dance partner?”
Huo Xiao took a look at Su Xiyin and nodded. “Yes.”
The auntie followed his gaze and tried to advise him. “Are you waiting for Teacher Su? Teacher Su has many dance partners. You can ask any of these men in our district; everyone wants to be Teacher Su’s dance partner. You just started, right? I’m afraid you won’t get a chance today.”
Teacher Su was pretty and elegant. She knew how to dance any kind of dance and danced well too. She was Best Actor Huo Ci’s mother.
It had not been easy for Little Chen to invite her to be a teacher. These old farts in the district just kept staring at her every day.
Especially those few ones who had lost their wives. They would fight over who would dance with Teacher Su every day. They could even come to blows.
Upon hearing this, Huo Xiao’s chest burned with fury. How many dance partners could there be even if there were many of them? He just knew that these old farts in the district were all bad news.
When she saw him remain silent, the auntie added, “Why don’t you dance with me first? There are still a few men who haven’t come. They’ve already discussed it. They’ll take turns being Teacher Su’s dance partner.”
Huo Xiao looked toward Su Xiyin, feeling very disgruntled. His tone was also very stiff as he spoke to the other person, “She’s my dance partner. I don’t dance with others.”
The auntie had run into a wall. What nasty att.i.tude was this old man displaying? She had already said that he wouldn’t get a turn. Even if he waited until the end of time, he wouldn’t get the chance to dance with Teacher Su. She left resentfully and even gave him a surly look. “Since you won’t listen to others’ advice, just wait then!”
How could Huo Xiao tolerate her remark with this temper of his? He let out a haughty snort. “She’s my wife. Who else would she dance with if not me?!”
The auntie frowned and sized him up. Teacher Su’s husband? The dance had already started a week ago, but why didn’t she see him come before? Who could bear to let those old fogeys touch her if he had such a pretty wife at home? He must be lying!
When she returned, the remaining two aunties surrounded her and asked her what she had said. Why was he reluctant? Had he not taken a liking to her? After all, she was still far inferior compared to Teacher Su.
The auntie had suffered a rebuff and was unwilling to admit that she wasn’t good enough. “No, he said that he’s Teacher Su’s husband. His dance partner is Teacher Su.”
When the remaining two aunties heard this, they fell into deep thought and stole a look at him too. He’s Teacher Su’s husband. No wonder he exudes such a fine aura.
[1] A traditional Chinese attire that is a kind of Manchu jacket with a straight collar.