Chapter 20

Bo Ranying clutched her phone and hurried all the way to an empty dance studio before finally stopping. She smoothed her hair a bit and tapped the answer button.

In the meantime, the first minute of ringing had ended, and Qiao Xiuyu called again.

His suited figure appeared on the screen. He spun his chair over to the edge of the desk, and his handsome face filled the view. She could see faint dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign of exhaustion from pulling an all-nighter.

Bo Ranying could tell from the background that he was in his office. They had originally planned for him to return to Linxi on Sunday, but he had said things wrapped up early and he could make it back by Wednesday. It must have taken tremendous effort on his part.

“How long has it been since you last slept?” she asked softly.

In truth, she felt as though her thoughts and her soul had split into two separate entities.

One was mechanically chatting with Qiao Xiuyu, while the other pondered what Nan Qi could be thinking—why her attitude toward Bo Ranying had suddenly turned so cold.

The two didn’t interfere with each other.

“Something like thirty straight hours,” Qiao Xiuyu calculated. “I’m not tired. I just want to get back to you sooner.”

“We haven’t seen each other in ages.” He pouted, pulling a childish expression for her.

Bo Ranying paused for a moment, her face flickering with uncertainty.

Truth be told, she had no real sense of how long it had been since she and Qiao Xiuyu last met.

She wasn’t the type with intense emotional needs—no constant companionship from her boyfriend, no demands for him to be at her beck and call, no need to be glued together every day. What she wanted was a stable relationship, the comfort of being together. Qiao Xiuyu delivered on that perfectly. He never overstepped, always gentlemanly and considerate.

She was more than satisfied with this sense of stability.

Even when he was away on business trips, she never checked up on him. He reported his schedule voluntarily, just as everyone who observed their relationship assumed: he truly loved her and treated her like his one and only.

Was it a month? Two? Three?

Bo Ranying couldn’t quite remember. She only recalled that Qiao Xiuyu had mentioned the Qiao Family bringing in a major new business project, requiring partnerships to expand their operations. He was handling a key part of it, which meant constant travel across the country and endless overtime for the foreseeable future.

She had accepted the situation naturally—no meetings for a while, no lingering reluctance.

They were adults, after all. Focusing on one’s career was paramount, and of course a partner would support that. When she practiced dance, she tuned out all external distractions. Nothing could interfere with her focus or time.

Casually, Bo Ranying tossed out a joke: “Yeah, it’s been forever. A few days ago, I dreamed I was calling you, but you didn’t pick up. I couldn’t find you anywhere. I panicked—were you with someone else?” Dimples appeared naturally on her cheeks, sweetness dialed up to maximum.

She watched the screen leisurely as she spoke, the remark as casual as could be.

Qiao Xiuyu hadn’t expected her to say something like that. He tensed up for a rare moment.

He glanced up, studying her expression, and confirmed she was still utterly nonchalant. He let out a breath of relief, tinged with a spark of anger.

He tugged at his tie with one hand, loosening it.

“How could that be? Dreams always mean the opposite.”

“If Little Ran can’t find me in her dreams, in reality, I’d pick up the second you call.”

Bo Ranying hummed in acknowledgment, not dwelling on it.

Qiao Xiuyu gazed at her quietly for a moment, his smile warm. “Why are you out here in your practice clothes at a time like this? Have you eaten?”

“Nope.”

“Your dance practice is so intense—you can’t skip meals. Like this: I’ll order some food and have it delivered. Eat a little.”

“No need. I’m not hungry.” Bo Ranying refused again.

Qiao Xiuyu had no counter. They chatted a bit more.

“Heading out soon to ask your teacher for time off and try on wedding dresses?”

“Yeah. I want to lock one down quick, so we can move on to the other steps. The Dance Troupe’s national tour is coming up soon, and I don’t want it clashing with everything.”

“Film a video for me when you try them on. Even if I can’t be there with Little Ran, I want to feel part of those big moments in your life.”

Bo Ranying agreed. She was about to say something when a knock echoed from the video, followed by the distinct click of high heels on the floor.

Was that a woman coming to see Qiao Xiuyu?

The thought flickered through her mind.

The screen jolted violently. Qiao Xiuyu’s face distorted in the lens, his features stretching into something eerie and unfamiliar.

“Little Ran, gotta go—got a document to sign here.”

“Send me videos and pics from the wedding dress shopping this afternoon.”

After a few more instructions, the video call cut off.

Delivering documents, then.

Bo Ranying murmured to herself in understanding. It must be something crucial, or Qiao Xiuyu wouldn’t have minded her listening in—though she wasn’t interested anyway.

Assistant or business partner delivering something that important?

She’d never heard of Qiao Xiuyu’s assistant being a woman, so probably a key partner.

Bo Ranying felt a twinge of oddness but didn’t dwell. She sighed inwardly at how relentlessly busy he was, grinding non-stop. That’s what made tycoons tycoons—the kind of effort most people couldn’t sustain.

She pocketed her phone. Lunch break was nearly over, so instead of heading back to the changing room, she simply stepped into their dedicated practice studio.

Qiao Xiuyu ended the call and propped his hand against his temple, letting his mind go blank for a few seconds.

His gaze drifted back to the photo frame on his desk.

It held a candid shot of a girl he’d captured.

In the photo, Bo Ranying wore a black swan tutu. Her hair was neatly pinned up in a bun, exposing her smooth, full forehead. Her pure, beautiful features were accented with bold stage makeup, radiating irresistible allure and commanding the stage.

On tiptoe, neck arched like a swan’s, her legs in white tights stretched taut as she spun endlessly in the air. A romantic, brilliant smile curved her lips, captivating everyone.

He had instinctively grabbed his camera and snapped the moment, printed it, and framed it carefully. He took it everywhere, placing it where he could always see it.

He was deeply drawn to Bo Ranying’s beauty and confidence. She was the most dazzling girl he’d ever laid eyes on.

Love at first sight.

The instant the call connected earlier, Bo Ranying looked like she’d just finished practice—bare-faced, cheeks and neck glistening with sweat—yet she still held him utterly captivated.

When she accepted his pursuit and agreed to be his girlfriend, Qiao Xiuyu had been over the moon, like a lovestruck kid. He’d blurted the news to all his buddies, sharing his joy far and wide.

But two years into the relationship, Qiao Xiuyu realized Bo Ranying was too detached, too indifferent toward him. She didn’t pry into his life, showed no jealousy, never checked in during his business dinners or outings…

She was the perfect, dutiful girlfriend so many men dreamed of.

He wanted more.

Perhaps it was his imagination, but the genuine concern she showed for her best friend Nan Qi far outstripped what she gave him, her boyfriend…

After days apart, he’d hoped an early return would surprise her. Instead, her reaction crushed him. Qiao Xiuyu had watched closely—she was as unmissful of him as ever.

A frown creased his brow, likely from fretting over her friend again.

Qiao Xiuyu: “…”

“Come in.”

He called toward the door.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than it swung open.

A stunning beauty in a form-fitting qipao glided in on high heels, her figure swaying seductively. It seemed like her first time in such shoes; her steps were unsteady.

She wobbled a few paces, then lost her balance. Her foot twisted, and she pitched forward in panic, her face draining of color as she cried out in a trembling voice: “Mr. Qiao~~~~!”

The man shot to his feet. His strong arms encircled her, sparing her a nasty fall.