第五十七章 暗访寒家追恩原不忝 遣怀舞榭相见若为情 (Chapter 57: A Stealthy Visit to the Humble Abode, Gratitude Undimmed; An Encounter at the Dance Pavilion, Affections Stirred.)

Now, since parting with Leng Qingqiu that day, Jin Yanxi had been unable to forget her. He always longed for an opportunity to see her again. On this day, hearing that Leng Qingqiu was at home, he changed his clothing and, alone, stealthily made his way to Falling Flowers Lane. Arriving at the gate of Leng Residence, he found the double doors tightly shut. All was quiet. He dared not knock rashly, merely pacing outside.

While hesitating, he suddenly heard footsteps from within the gate. Then the door opened-it was Leng Qingqiu coming out. Seeing Jin Yanxi, Leng Qingqiu’s face flushed slightly. She asked, "Mr. Jin, what brings you here?" Jin Yanxi hurried forward to bow. He said, "I happened to be passing by and remembered your residence is here, so I came to pay a visit." Leng Qingqiu invited Jin Yanxi in. Upon entering the courtyard, Jin Yanxi saw Mrs. Leng also present and went to greet her. Mrs. Leng was delighted to see Jin Yanxi. She promptly offered him a seat and served tea. Jin Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu discussed poetry and literature. Leng Qingqiu responded fluently, and Jin Yanxi admired her even more. After sitting for a while, Jin Yanxi, fearing he might be intruding too long, rose to take his leave. Leng Qingqiu saw him to the door. Jin Yanxi seized the opportunity to invite her: "There’s a poetry club gathering tomorrow. I wonder if Miss Leng would honor us with her presence?" Leng Qingqiu politely declined: "Household affairs are numerous. I’m afraid I cannot make it." Jin Yanxi had no choice but to return disappointed.

The next day, Jin Yanxi went to attend a dance. At the dance pavilion, he unexpectedly encountered Leng Qingqiu. It turned out that Leng Qingqiu, invited by a classmate, had also come to the dance. She was chatting with a few female companions. Overjoyed, Jin Yanxi approached to greet Leng Qingqiu. She responded with a smile. Jin Yanxi asked Leng Qingqiu to dance. At first, she declined. But unable to resist Jin Yanxi’s repeated pleas, she agreed. The two danced gracefully in the ballroom. Jin Yanxi whispered his affections. Leng Qingqiu merely bowed her head in silence. After the dance, they went aside to rest. Just as Jin Yanxi was about to express himself further, he suddenly saw Bai Xiuzhu approaching. Seeing Jin Yanxi with Leng Qingqiu, Bai Xiuzhu felt a pang of jealousy. She deliberately struck up a conversation with Jin Yanxi. Noticing this, Leng Qingqiu excused herself to look for her classmates and turned to leave. Jin Yanxi wanted to follow, but Bai Xiuzhu held him back. He had no choice but to exchange a few words.

After the dance ended, Jin Yanxi found an opportunity to escort Leng Qingqiu home. On the way, they walked in silence, but affection quietly grew between them. From then on, the relationship between Jin Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu progressed further. They often visited each other.