Deviant: No Longer Human

"Hey, did you hear that?" Anran's voice carried a mix of excitement and nostalgia, her ears perking up as her eyes lit up with a smile.

Wang Xiao, taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor, responded, "What?"

Without further explanation, Anran grabbed his hand, her grip firm and insistent. "Come with me!" she urged, quickly finishing her ice cream with a few hasty bites.

Wang Xiao curiosity piqued by her enthusiasm, as he walked alongside.

As they wove through the bustling streets of Frostview Harbor, the source of the music grew louder and clearer.

The music led them to a small, As they followed the lively music, Wang Xiao and Anran found themselves being drawn not to a street musician, but towards an unexpected scene.

The source of the music was a bustling, joyous wedding celebration in a small square. The air was filled with the vibrant energy of the event, and the rhythmic beats of music resonated through the crowd.

The square was adorned with colorful decorations, and at the center, a group of guests were engaged in a traditional dance from the desert country known for its spirited and communal nature.

The dancers, hand in hand, formed a moving circle, their feet tapping and stomping in sync with the powerful rhythm of the music.

Wang Xiao and Anran paused at the edge of the celebration, watching it quietly.

The guests' faces were alight with joy, their movements a reflection of the festivity and unity of the occasion.

The energy was infectious, and soon, Anran's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Let's join them!" Anran's excitement was growing as she tugged at Wang Xiao's arm, her disappointment from earlier completely forgotten in the face of the vibrant occasion.

Wang Xiao, however, was less enthused. He shook his head in refusal, prompting a look of stunned silence from Anran. ".... Don't tell me you can't even dance?" she challenged, her tone challenging and probing.

Wang Xiao's face twitched slightly, a subtle admission that he could indeed dance. He took a seat, watching Anran gearing up to dance solo. But as he settled down, his shadows, ever-present companions, began to whisper their advice and opinions.

"She is provoking you, don't follow," one shadow murmured.

"This women needs a lesson in humility, teach her one!" another suggested.

"Purge her!" a more aggressive voice demanded.

Wang Xiao's face darkened slightly at the familiar yet unwelcome chorus of voices, recognizing them not as his own internal shadows, but as imitations. "Stop mimicking my shadows, Yue," he muttered under his breath, addressing Yin Yue.

Finally he made a decision. Standing up, he approached Anran, who greeted him with a delighted smile. She grabbed his hand, her enthusiasm clear as she pulled him towards the dance.

Initially, Wang Xiao moved awkwardly, unfamiliar with the steps. Seeing his struggle, Anran took the lead, guiding him through the basic movements.

"Here, let me show you," Anran said, her voice warm and patient. She demonstrated the basic steps, her movements graceful and assured. Wang Xiao watched intently before attempting to mirror her.

To his own surprise, he found the rhythm more accessible than he had anticipated.

The steps, initially awkward, gradually became more fluid as he allowed himself to be guided by the music and Anran's lead.

As they joined the circle of dancers, Wang Xiao's initial reserve faded, replaced by a growing sense of adaptation. The dance, with its energetic and communal spirit, was infectious, and he found himself moving in harmony with the others.

When the dance concluded, Anran, still beaming with exhilaration, turned to Wang Xiao. "See, not so bad after all," she murmered gently, a rare patience reflecting on her tone.

"Stupidity..." Wang Xiao muttered, shaking his head lightly, the rush of adrenaline from the dance still tingled in his veins, making him forget to reprimand her momentarily.

Catching her breath, Anran glanced at Wang Xiao as they walked away from the celebratory atmosphere of the wedding.

Her face still flushed from the excitement, she probed further, curious about his thoughts. "So, how was it, did you enjoy it?" she asked, her eyes searching his for a reaction.

Wang Xiao responded with his usual nonchalance. "It was exciting at first, but if you focus, you realize it's just a form of sublimation. You're redirecting your joy, anger and other repressed negative feelings into the dance, using body movements to engage them and trigger hormones for release. Once you realize this, it becomes pointless.

Remove the music, and all you see is a bunch of people jumping around, almost infected with rabbies."

"Wtf!?" Anran exclaimed, stunned by his blunt analysis. She felt wronged, her excitement dampened by his clinical breakdown of the dance's emotional underpinnings.

'Why did I even bother to ask him?' she thought, a mix of frustration and amusement at his unpredictably unromantic perspective.

Despite his unconventional views, Anran couldn't help but find Wang Xiao's honesty and lack of pretense strangely endearing.

[A/N: I was just refreshing some memories, wrote it on a whim. Feel free to forget it and focus on the story from the next chapter. This might be the first and last time you see such a slightly cringe chapter in this novel!]

________

Several hours later, with their shopping expedition complete, Anran's hands were laden with bags of various sizes and colors, while Wang Xiao walked alongside her, his hands free. She seemed unfazed by the imbalance, her enthusiasm undiminished as she followed him.

Most of their groceries were scheduled for direct delivery to the villa, which fortunately meant Anran wasn't burdened with the heavier items.

"Did people keep you chained or something? How can buying something excite you so much?" Wang Xiao finally asked, his tone laced with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Anran caught up to him, pausing for a moment before responding. "... It's my first vacation, I think," she admitted softly.

"First vacation?" Wang Xiao's brows furrowed in surprise.

"Yeah," Anran said, her voice growing stronger as she spoke. A spark of defiance ignited in her eyes. "That old bastard never gave me any free time. Always something to do, somewhere to go, something to learn. I've been wanting to punch him in the face for years!"

Wang Xiao was momentarily speechless, his lips curving into a faint smile. The 'old bastard' Anran referred to was Li Zhiming, whom she didn't yet realize was her actual father. The complexity of their relationship and Anran's unawareness of her true connection with Li Zhiming added amusement to her words.

Feigning a casual interest, Wang Xiao nodded, encouraging her to continue. "Is that all...?" he probed, his voice carefully neutral.