Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

"It's not any other kind of relationship."

Hua Qing continued, her words clear and distinct: "He's my boyfriend!"

Sister Zhou was afraid that Hua Qing might suddenly change her mind and not sign the contract, so she quickly smiled apologetically and said, "I understand, I understand. You two look very much in love."

But while saying that, he was secretly thinking to himself.

I heard what they said in the car just now...

However, Zhou Li didn't understand the world of the rich, nor did she want to.

As long as the commission is received, nothing else matters to her.

"Ms. Hua, you can just sign here."

Sister Zhou pointed to the last page of the contract, her smile professional and appropriate.

Hua Qing hesitated to put pen to paper. She knew what Sister Zhou thought of her, after all, similar relationships were not uncommon among dance students.

She wanted to continue explaining, but when the words reached her lips, she felt that nothing she said would make a difference.

Although her name was written in black and white on the contract, it was Ding Heng who ultimately paid the real money.

Suddenly, Hua Qing thought of Wen Jing.

That quiet, well-behaved girl, like a little white rabbit.

Hua Qing used to think that Wen Jing was too weak and lacked her own opinions, and that Ding Heng had her completely under his control.

But now I feel inexplicably envious...

"Miss Hua..."

Sister Zhou called out softly, wishing she could slap herself twice for her foul mouth.

What are you yelling about when the duck is finally cooked?

Finally, Hua Qing finished writing, pushed the contract to Zhou Li, and remained silent.

Zhou Li took the contract, wisely refrained from saying anything more, packed her things, and took her leave.

In the corridor, Ding Heng hung up the phone and pushed open the door to come in.

Hua Qing was still sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at the contract on the coffee table.

Ding Heng walked over and sat down next to Hua Qing.

"what happened?"

Hua Qing shook her head and didn't say anything.

Ding Heng didn't ask any further questions, but simply reached out and pulled the girl into his arms.

A system notification quietly appeared in my mind.

[Progress of romantic entanglement: 90%]

[Ding! The progress of the romantic connection has exceeded 90%, and the stage goal has been achieved!]

[Rewards: 1000 Divine Merit Points, +6 to Constitution, and an upgrade to the skill "Sword Heart Clarity"!]

Chapter 161: The Fairy is in Love...

At 11:30 a.m., Ding Heng was idly scrolling through his phone by the flower bed downstairs from the dance studio.

The faint sound of music drifted from upstairs, intermittent and classical music he couldn't name, which inevitably made him drowsy after listening for a while.

According to the original plan, the first rehearsal should have ended at 11 o'clock, and Ding Heng, who was supposed to pick him up on time, had been waiting for a full half hour.

He put away his phone and looked at the gray-white building entrance. Occasionally, students would walk out of the building in twos and threes, their steps hurried.

About ten minutes later, Hua Qing finally came out.

The dance student's perfectly neat high ponytail was impeccable.

Wearing a light gray oversized sweatshirt with black casual pants, and with little makeup on her face, she looked a bit listless, as if she lacked energy from the inside out.

Ding Heng waved, and Hua Qing immediately quickened her pace.

Instead of standing still as usual, she crashed headfirst into the man's chest.

Ding Heng was knocked back slightly by her bump and instinctively reached out to put his arm around her shoulder.

"what happened?"

"Well……"

Hua Qing didn't say anything.

Ding Heng didn't urge her. He gently stroked the back of her head with his palm, like soothing a sulking little pet.

A few seconds later, Hua Qing took a deep breath, stepped out of Ding Heng's arms, and stood up straight again.

She raised her hand and brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, the slight wilting on her face disappearing, replaced by her usual aloof and proud demeanor.

"I'm fine, let's go get something to eat first."

"Um……"

Ding Heng smiled and didn't press the matter.

He could probably guess.

At Hunan Normal University, Hua Qing is the only principal dancer in the entire School of Music and Dance to win the Lotus Award for Best Dancer.

Her name is her trademark; her award-winning photos are displayed prominently in the corridors of the teaching building; and her resume is something teachers can boast about to new students.

But this is the capital, where heroes from all over the world flock like fish crossing a river…

The Lotus Award is the pinnacle at Hunan Normal University, but today it's just the threshold! Hua Qing's qualifications are even the least among the seven candidates.

Others are either geniuses selected from among the top universities in the capital, or working dancers in major theater troupes, with rich stage experience and connections.

Only she, Hua Qing—a senior student who hasn't yet received her undergraduate degree.

Such a disparity would be painful for anyone.

Ding Heng didn't say anything to comfort her, but patted Hua Qing on the shoulder: "Let's go, I'll take my senior to have some fun."

Hua Qing looked at him suspiciously: "Why are you so happy?"

Ding Heng grinned mischievously: "Of course, it's about doing things that make both boys and girls happy."

"Scumbag..."

Hua Qing mumbled something, clearly thinking the wrong thing.

Ding Heng didn't take a taxi; instead, he accompanied Hua Qing as they walked slowly along the street.

After turning two corners, the two stopped in front of a small restaurant.

"Just something to eat?"

"Ah."

Ding Heng led Hua Qing through the door and sat down. The owner, a woman in her fifties, spoke with a thick Beijing accent: "Please sit down, what would you like to eat?"

Ding Heng pulled two pairs of chopsticks from the chopstick holder and wiped them with a tissue: "Senior, you can order."

Hua Qing glanced at the menu: "One stir-fried vegetable dish, with less oil and salt; one blanched kale dish, with less soy sauce; one tomato and egg drop soup..."

"Eh eh eh".

Ding Heng couldn't stand it anymore: "Senior, what are you doing?!"

Hua Qing pouted: "Didn't you tell me to order...?"

"Then at least consider that I'm a grown man weighing 170 pounds. Do you expect me to become a monk and eat vegetarian food with you?"

"Oh... I'll change the seaweed and egg drop soup to braised pork ribs."

Hua Qing closed the menu, picked up her teacup, and took a small sip.

Ding Heng chuckled, "Senior, it can't be that bad, can it?"

"I've gained three pounds over the Chinese New Year!"

Hua Qing said with a resentful tone, "And ever since I've been with you, I've been eating high-carb and high-sugar foods all the time. I measured my waist today, and it's a whole centimeter thicker than last year!"

Ding Heng chuckled: "How come I didn't notice?"

Hua Qing's soft and slender waist was second only to the White Rabbit in Ding Heng's affection. He held it in his arms every day, but he didn't feel that it had gotten thicker.

Hua Qing, unusually, ignored Ding Heng's teasing and said seriously, "I am a dancer, and my body is my capital. One centimeter on stage can mean a difference of a fraction of a point, and a fraction of a point can mean the difference between a gold medal and a silver medal."

Ding Heng didn't say anything more.

Hua Qing has always had an almost obsessive pursuit of dance, but in the past it was more about passion, love, and absolute confidence.

Today, she began to feel a sense of urgency.

A strong sense of urgency that "I must work harder than others to get this opportunity."

However, when the braised pork ribs were served, Ding Heng still picked up a piece and put it into Hua Qing's bowl.

"Eat more, senior, so you don't run out of energy for rehearsals."

"Hmm, this is still too oily. I'll just eat some chicken breast when I get back..."

"obedient."

Ding Heng could see the longing in Hua Qing's eyes and didn't want her to torture herself too much.

Hua Qing picked up a rib and stuffed it into her mouth, her taste buds were very satisfied, and she subconsciously reached out to pick up a second piece.

"Hua Qing?"

The shout made Hua Qing abruptly stop eating.

Ding Heng turned around to look.

A girl had just picked up her food and was holding a tray in her hand.

He was about 1.68 meters tall, wearing a light gray tracksuit and a hairstyle almost identical to Hua Qing's, typical of dance students.

Her overall features are less striking than Hua Qing's, but she is still considered a fair-skinned and pretty woman. Her temperament is somewhat similar to Zhao Yanxi's, and she is the kind of sunny and cheerful person who seems easy to get along with at first glance.