System: Master Your Life-Chapter 623 - 157: Returning to Jiangdu, Preparing for Big Sister’s Birthday

Chapter 623: Chapter 157: Returning to Jiangdu, Preparing for Big Sister’s Birthday

"Hey buddy, have you managed to win over Pei Danqing?"

Next to a flower bush, someone handed Xu Lin a cigarette.

Xu Lin noticed the cigarette pack had no labels, so he wasn’t sure what brand it was.

"Do I look like I’ve won her over?"

Snap!

Xu Lin accepted the lighter from the other person and lit up.

"What kind of cigarette is this? I’ve never seen it before."

"I brought it from home, you can’t buy it outside."

"Oh."

Xu Lin didn’t think much of it. It was just a cigarette. If someone offered, he’d smoke it.

The guy smiled and said, "I’ve never seen Pei Danqing get close to any guy. A girl like her, from a noble family, would have very high standards. You’re the first guy who’s gotten close to her. You must be quite the expert, bro!"

Xu Lin smiled without speaking, exhaled a puff of smoke, and looked into the distance.

Just then, Pei Danqing glanced over, perhaps she had been watching all along.

Xu Lin noticed Pei Danqing giving him a gentle smile.

"Where are you from, brother?"

The other person asked.

Xu Lin: "I’m currently doing some small business, just starting out. The future is uncertain."

"With your charisma, how can you say the future is uncertain?"

The guy said, "You’re the most extraordinary man I’ve ever met. I’m sure you’ll become famous in the future!"

"You’re flattering me! And what about you, brother?"

Xu Lin retorted.

"As for my future, I guess I’ll go into politics. My father has already arranged everything. My life seems like it’s all laid out."

The other person didn’t mean to brag; he even seemed a bit resigned.

"For five thousand years, power has driven many men. How can you talk about seeing your entire life laid out?"

With family arrangements, it seemed this life would certainly be smooth sailing. The other guy was obviously from some prestigious family.

Xu Lin also knew that no one attending the ball came from an ordinary background.

"To be honest, my ideal life is to travel the world, like Xu Xiake, living freely under the heavens, experiencing the beauty of rivers and mountains, and the diversity of humanity."

He smiled, "But I’m the only son in my family, with four elder sisters above me, and my family needs me to carry on. My grandfather had a fortune teller say that in my generation, there would be only me as a male. So, there’s no point in unnecessary struggles, and it’s better not to act against fate, to avoid ruining the family’s destiny."

"I understand." Xu Lin nodded.

"What’s your name, brother?"

"Xu Lin, as graceful as jade."

Xu Lin asked back: "And you?"

"Zhang Boyu, Zhang as in article, ’Bo’ as in Bole, and ’Yu’ as in jade pendant. My nickname is Fenglin, taken from the phrase ’phoenix feathers and the treasured scales of Lin.’"

"From your name, it seems your family has high hopes for you!"

Boyu, a courtesy name of the Tang poet and writer Chen Ziang, whose courtesy name was Boyu.

Who was Chen Ziang?

’In the past, I see no pioneers, and in the future, I see no followers.’

This phrase is his.

Anyone who went to high school should remember this person.

Furthermore, Zhang Boyu’s nickname, Fenglin, derived from the phrase ’phoenix feathers and treasured scales of Lin,’ indicates his family hoped he would become a rare talent.

When standing with him, Xu Lin felt this guy had a special affinity, very well-mannered.

Coming from a prestigious family, where do you find a playboy?

"Haha, indeed, they all have high hopes for me. Xu, brother, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope I can see you famous one day!"

"Likewise, it’s a pleasure meeting you too."

After finishing a cigarette and chatting for a few more minutes, Xu Lin temporarily bid farewell to Zhang Boyu.

Xu Lin then walked over to Pei Danqing.

Pei Danqing was sitting there, a man in a white suit trying to invite her to dance, but she declined.

At this moment, Xu Lin came over.

Standing in front of her, Pei Danqing saw Xu Lin extending his right hand, "Miss Pei, may I have the honor of inviting you for a dance?"

Pei Danqing looked up at Xu Lin.

She smiled, put her right hand on his, and stood up.

"I thought you would refuse!"

Xu Lin laughed.

Pei Danqing gave a slight smile, "I don’t mind dancing with you, but I can’t dance."

"No worries, it’s simple. I’ll teach you."

They were dancing a ballroom dance, which Xu Lin had learned before.

"Then teach me."

Pei Danqing nodded, accompanying Xu Lin as they held hands. Xu Lin’s left hand held her right hand, and his right hand supported the area below her left shoulder blade.

Under the night sky, Pei Danqing’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Xu Lin had her place her left hand on his right shoulder.

Pei Danqing said, "I hope I’m not too clumsy."

Xu Lin guided her, "I’ll teach you, just follow along."

"Okay."

Xu Lin taught her the basic three-step, the most classic beginner’s dance move, very easy, and ballroom dance isn’t complicated. If you know the moves, you get it; the steps are quite simple.

Of course, there are more complex dance moves, like when the man raises one hand while holding the woman’s hand, letting her spin in a circle. That’s more complicated to learn, so Xu Lin didn’t teach her that. He was content to do the simplest moves with Pei Danqing.

Xu Lin was just teaching her to dance, with no other intentions. Even his hands behaved properly.

His right hand, for example, lay on her waist, feeling the heat and a certain tactile sensation through the dress. She wasn’t thin; her body had some softness, likely very gentle, and being in such proximity, the scent from Pei Danqing was enough to distract any man.

Yet Xu Lin’s right hand remained proper.

His hands would only act freely when kissing, like making exploratory moves.

In short, at this moment, Xu Lin maintained a calm heart since he wasn’t lacking beautiful women around him, so he could stay composed even in front of someone like Pei Danqing.

Moreover, at such a prestigious ball, even if you’re secretly a rogue or a pervert, in formal settings, a gentleman must remain a gentleman.