After several days and nights of travel, Chen Nianxi and the members of the dance troupe finally arrived in Beijing, the capital. Before departing for Europe, they will undergo a week of intensive training to refine their dance pieces and learn diplomatic etiquette and local cultural customs.

The training base is located in a garden-style building on the outskirts of Beijing, in a tranquil environment shaded by lush trees. Inside the training hall, the floor is gleaming, and the walls are covered with posters of traditional Chinese dance. The air is filled with the scent of sweat and pine resin. Shen Nianxi and the other members of the troupe rise before dawn every day to begin their intensive training. Leg presses, backbends, splits—they practice each basic movement repeatedly until they reach perfection. During dance rehearsals, they strive for excellence, meticulously perfecting every glance, every movement, and every expression, hoping to fully express the essence of traditional Chinese culture.

Although Shen Nianxi is one of the younger members of the dance troupe, her dance skills are exceptionally solid. Coupled with her hard work and high aptitude, she quickly gained the recognition and affection of her teachers and classmates. The program she participated in was the classical dance "Flying Apsaras," a dance that incorporates traditional Chinese Dunhuang cultural elements. The movements are graceful and the artistic conception profound, requiring dancers to possess extremely high flexibility and expressiveness. To play this role well, Shen Nianxi put in more effort than others. Every night, after the other members had rested, she would stay alone in the training hall, repeatedly practicing the dance movements and pondering the artistic conception of the dance. Sweat soaked her clothes, and blisters formed on her feet, but she didn't care and persevered.

During breaks in training, the dance troupe invited professional instructors to explain diplomatic etiquette and the cultural customs of various European countries to the members. From table manners to daily greetings, from religious beliefs to taboos and customs, the instructors explained everything in detail, and the members listened attentively. Shen Nianxi also took careful notes, making sure to memorize the knowledge. She knew that as a disseminator of Chinese culture, she not only had to showcase the charm of Chinese dance on stage, but also demonstrate the positive image of the Chinese people in daily life.

The week-long intensive training quickly came to an end. Shen Nianxi and the members of the dance troupe boarded a plane to Europe, beginning their cultural exchange journey. As the plane pierced through the clouds and soared through the blue sky, Shen Nianxi sat by the window, watching the ever-changing sea of ​​clouds outside, her heart filled with excitement and anticipation. She imagined herself on a stage in a foreign land, wearing magnificent traditional Chinese costumes, performing graceful classical Chinese dances, showcasing the charm of traditional Chinese culture to foreign friends, and her heart swelled with boundless pride and joy.

After a flight of more than ten hours, the plane finally landed at the capital airport of a European country. Stepping out of the airport, Chen Nianxi was immediately captivated by the scene before her. Wide streets, towering buildings, blonde-haired, blue-eyed people—everything exuded exotic charm. But she did not forget her mission, maintaining a meticulous attitude and, along with the other group members, proceeded to the hotel to rest according to the pre-arranged plan.

The performance was held at a renowned local arts center. This center boasts a unique architectural style, blending classical and modern elements, with luxurious and elegant interior decoration and state-of-the-art stage facilities. During the pre-performance rehearsal, Chen Nianxi and the other members of the troupe diligently made their final preparations. Dressed in magnificent traditional Chinese costumes, they danced gracefully on stage, every movement precise and every expression vivid and expressive. The stage lights shone with vibrant colors, illuminating their figures in a dreamlike and enchanting way, as if transporting the audience to a mysterious and ancient China.

On the day of the performance, the art center was packed to capacity, with audiences from all over the world gathering there, eagerly anticipating the wonderful performance by the China Youth Dance Troupe. When the lights came on, Shen Nianxi and the other members of the troupe, dressed in gorgeous costumes, walked gracefully onto the stage, and the entire audience immediately burst into enthusiastic applause.

As the melodious traditional Chinese music began, the dance "Flying Apsaras" officially commenced. Shen Nianxi, playing the "Flying Apsara" fairy, wore a flowing long dress embroidered with exquisite Dunhuang mural patterns. Her movements swayed gently with her dance, like a fairy descending to earth. Her movements were light and graceful, sometimes spinning and leaping, sometimes stretching her arms; every movement was full of power and beauty, perfectly showcasing the agility and ethereal grace of the "Flying Apsara" fairy. Her eyes were clear and firm, as if telling a legendary story of ancient China, deeply immersing the audience.

The stage lights shifted dramatically, sometimes as bright as day, sometimes as soft as moonlight, perfectly blending with the dancers' movements and the music to create a dreamlike atmosphere. The audience was captivated, frequently erupting in exclamations of admiration and applause. Some foreign audience members, though unable to understand Chinese music or culture, were deeply moved by the dancers' graceful movements and genuine emotions, their eyes filled with appreciation and respect.

After the performance, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue as the audience rose to their feet to pay tribute to the dancers. Shen Nianxi and the other troupe members walked onto the stage for their curtain call, their faces beaming with confidence and pride. They bowed in gratitude, their eyes filled with excitement and pride. At that moment, they knew their efforts had not been in vain; they had successfully showcased the charm of traditional Chinese culture to foreign friends and won honor for their country.

Over the next few days, the dance troupe toured several European countries, achieving great success at every performance. Shen Nianxi and the other members captivated every audience member with their graceful dance and exquisite skills, allowing more people to understand the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture.

During breaks in the performances, Chen Nianxi and the other members of the troupe visited local museums, art galleries, and historical sites, gaining insights into the essence of European history, culture, and art. They exchanged ideas and discussed with local artists, learning from and drawing inspiration from each other, which enhanced mutual understanding and friendship. Chen Nianxi also presented her local friends with traditional Chinese handicrafts she had brought, such as paper-cutting, embroidery, and Chinese knots, conveying the friendliness and warmth of the Chinese people.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!