Chapter 4

On the campus's tree-lined avenue, Lian Jiajia rushed over, threw her arms around Feng Ling's shoulders, and panted, "Sister! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Something urgent happened yesterday, and I left my phone at home. Did I leave you waiting?"

"It's okay," Feng Ling said comfortingly, seeing her face flushed from running, "I'm glad you're okay."

"I'm fine! How about you? Are you okay attending classes by yourself?" Lian Jiajia caught her breath and asked impatiently.

Feng Ling was about to share her experience that day when Lian Jiajia suddenly remembered something more important. Her eyes lit up and she interrupted her, "Oh, right! Didn't you know? Xihe is about to recruit Family members from various dance styles. Do you want to sign up and try?"

"Family members? What's that?" Feng Ling was confused.

"Every teacher has their own core team!" Lian Jiajia explained excitedly. "They rehearse together, polish their work, and even represent the club in competitions. But you need to pass an assessment and get the teacher's approval before you can join. The annual assessment period is next month!"

"Wow... it would be fantastic if I could join!" Feng Ling's eyes lit up at first, but then his shoulders slumped and he said dejectedly, "But... with my level, there are so many talented people in the class, how could I possibly get a turn?"

Lian Jiajia was amused by her sudden change of expression and poked her forehead, "Silly girl! Those great dancers have their own dance troupes out there, they wouldn't come here to compete for this spot. Family is mainly for ordinary students like us who have potential and really want to improve. Xihe also wants to cultivate her own direct troops!"

"Really?!" Feng Ling's eyes lit up again with hope rekindled. "Then you have to take me with you. Let's take the exam together!"

"Okay! But I'm targeting Teacher SiSi's Jazz Group. Want to join us?"

"Ah..." Feng Ling wrinkled her nose, revealing the innocent charm of a little girl. "Jazz is too... too feminine. It feels similar to what I used to dance to. I still prefer hip-hop. It feels freer and more stylish!"

"Hahaha..." Lian Jiajia laughed so hard she couldn't straighten her back. "What do you mean by too feminine? You're not a woman, are you? Then why don't you sign up for Qiqi's group? Maybe he'll see how hard you're trying and relent and let you pass!"

The two girls talked and laughed, their figures gradually disappeared into the depths of the campus, and the air seemed to be filled with longing for the future.

***

Ever since learning about the Family recruitment, Feng Ling has been attending Xihe Dance Club every weekend without fail. She attends every hip-hop class, regardless of the instructor, from basic to advanced. Drawing on her physical foundation built through years of dance practice, as well as the coordination and musicality cultivated through training in various dance styles, she's gradually mastered the art of street dance. To the untrained eye, her moves are already quite impressive, with a certain air of style.

But Feng Ling knew this wasn't enough. No longer content with simply keeping up with the class, she began looking in front of the mirror, revising the details over and over again, comparing them to the teacher's demonstrations, and correcting the subtle differences in her force points and range of motion.

That day, after Qiqi's class, Feng Ling stayed in the gradually emptying classroom as usual. While waiting for the changing room, she practiced a few moves she hadn't fully mastered in class in front of the mirror. She frowned, concentrating on adjusting the angle of her hip rotation.

After Qiqi finished tidying up the speakers, she looked up and saw the serious yet stubborn figure in the mirror. He walked over generously, his tone casual but encouraging: "Want to try for the test next Saturday?"

Feng Ling stopped what she was doing when she heard the voice, turned around, looked up at him with a guilty look, and said with uncertainty in her voice: "Do I... really have a chance?"

Qiqi looked at her cheeks, which were slightly flushed from practice, and her eyes, which were bright yet nervous, and nodded confidently, with a gentle smile on her lips: "Yes."

It was just a simple word, but it made Feng Ling's heart tremble. The certainty and recognition in his eyes made her lose her mind for a moment, and she just stared at him blankly.

"Come on?" Qiqi smiled, naturally stretched out her palm, and held it in the air, waiting for a high-five.

Feng Ling finally came to her senses, a warm feeling of shyness and excitement welling up in her heart. She stretched out her hand and gently patted his large palm.

There was a brief but clear "snap" sound. The warmth of his palm passed through her skin, like a weak electric current, giving her great encouragement and also making her fair cheeks, which had just relaxed, quietly turn a layer of crimson.

She quickly lowered her head to hide her accelerated heartbeat, and her voice became lighter: "Yeah! I'll do my best!"

At that moment, the goal that seemed out of reach suddenly became real because of this high-five and this word.