Chapter 40
The mirror reflected Lu Xiao's focused and resolute profile, his sweat refracting into tiny sparkles under the light. The taut lines of his back with each spin, the powerful leg muscles with each jump, the indomitable spirit that shone through his eyes as he got up immediately after each fall... all of this was clearly visible to Zhuo Hua.
In her crystal-clear eyes, that stubborn, striving figure was reflected; deep within her calm gaze, something was quietly melting. It wasn't the "performative emotion" that the ordinary teacher demanded, but something deeper, more genuine, flowing gently.
When Lu Xiao finally completed the spin-jump sequence perfectly, landing as solid as a nail without moving an inch, a relieved and triumphant smile spread across his face. He was drenched in sweat, but his eyes shone brightly like stars as he subconsciously looked in Zhuo Hua's direction.
Zhuohua remained leaning against the mirrored wall, her posture languid. But the instant Lu Xiao looked over, the corners of her lips curved upwards slightly, yet undeniably genuinely.
That wasn't a practiced, perfect smile. It was faint, fleeting, like a tiny snow lotus quietly blooming on an icy plain, carrying an almost clumsy, genuine warmth.
Teacher Luo Wei, who had been keeping an eye on Zhuohua out of the corner of her eye, happened to catch that fleeting smile. She froze instantly, forgetting even to call for a stop.
That smile... without any skill or performance, as pure as a mountain spring, yet it carried a power that struck straight to the heart! It was the only truly human, vibrant emotion she had seen in Zhuohua all afternoon!
Teacher Luo Wei was shocked. A thought flashed through her mind like lightning: Perhaps she was teaching in the wrong direction? This Miss Zhuohua's emotional expression wasn't in those deliberate imitations and mimicry? But rather in... when she looked at that young man named Lu Xiao?
Lu Xiao also saw Zhuo Hua's fleeting smile. Though brief, it was like a ray of light, instantly illuminating all his weariness. He felt an inexhaustible surge of energy, and his eyes shone brightly as he looked in Luo Wei's direction: "Teacher Luo, shall I do it again?"
Teacher Luo Wei snapped out of her reverie, looking at Lu Xiao's energetic demeanor, then at Zhuo Hua in the corner, who had regained her cool composure, as if her fleeting smile had been nothing but an illusion. She sighed with a complex mix of emotions. She waved her hand, her voice tinged with weariness, yet also carrying a strange sense of relief.
“…That’s enough for today. Lu Xiao, you’ve made great progress, keep it up. Zhuohua…” She paused, and finally only said, “…You’ve worked hard too.”
The bell rang just in time. Ms. Luo Wei, almost with a complex feeling of fleeing a battlefield, hurriedly packed her things and left. She needed some peace and quiet.
Lu Xiao walked over to Zhuo Hua, his face still flushed and excited from exercising: "Hua Hua, did you see my final landing? It was steady, right?"
Zhuohua looked into his bright, sparkling eyes, like a large dog waiting for praise. She didn't speak, but simply raised her hand and gently brushed away a bead of sweat from his chin with her cool fingertips. The movement was natural, carrying a silent intimacy.
Lu Xiao felt a surge of sweetness in his heart and took her hand in one go: "Come on, I'll take you to eat something delicious! I know a newly opened dessert shop..."
Zhuohua let him pull her along, her gaze fixed on his sweaty nape, her eyes calm. The setting sun streamed through the huge glass curtain wall, casting long shadows of the two on the polished floor. One was vibrant and energetic, the other serene and composed, yet they blended together strangely, creating their own world.
As for those "emotional expressions" that ordinary teachers cannot understand?
Looking at Lu Xiao's vivid profile, she thought it was fine this way. Her emotions didn't need to be acted out for strangers.
In the dance training hall on the top floor of Xingyao Media, the smooth wooden floor reflects the bright lights overhead, and the air is filled with the unique scent of sweat and fragrance, as well as a hint of... the relaxation after surviving a disaster.
Teacher Luo Wei stood in the center of the training hall, her back straight and her eyes still sharp, but deep in her eyes was a complex emotion that was hard to describe, a mixture of exhaustion and relief.
She looked at Zhuohua and Lu Xiao standing side by side in front of her, cleared her throat, and tried her best to make her voice sound professional and solemn:
"Lu Xiao, Zhuo Hua." Luo Wei's gaze first fell on Lu Xiao, with obvious praise. "Lu Xiao, your progress in training over this period of time is obvious to all. From the initial advantage in coordination to now being able to grasp the expression and transmission of emotions in physical movements, your core control, explosive power, and the precision of your movements have all reached the excellent standard of the basic course. Your efforts and focus deserve recognition."
Lu Xiao bowed slightly, his sweat-dampened hair clinging to his full forehead, his eyes bright and humble: "Thank you, Teacher Luo, you've taught me very well."
Luo Wei nodded, her gaze shifting to Zhuo Hua. Her expression instantly became extremely subtle, as if she were trying to find a word that could accurately describe this student without going against her conscience.
She paused for a moment before speaking in an almost lamenting tone, tinged with subtle emotion: "As for Zhuohua... your physical condition, your control over movements, that... um... stability and explosive power that surpasses physical limits..."
Luo Wei carefully considered her words and finally chose a relatively safe statement: "...It is perfect, self-contained, and highly personal. Although...although there are some differences in our understanding of artistic expression in terms of the way you express 'ordinary emotions', it is undeniable that your 'existence' itself is a kind of art that is extremely impactful."
This is probably the most unique and "safe" graduation comment that Teacher Luo Wei has given to a student in her thirty years of teaching.
Looking at Zhuohua's still cool and calm face, as if the evaluation she had just given was directed at someone else, she silently added in her heart: Thank goodness, she has finally graduated! If she continued teaching, her dance philosophy would probably be completely destroyed and rebuilt.
Zhuohua merely nodded slightly at Luo Wei's painstakingly crafted evaluation, indicating that she had heard it. Perfect? Self-contained? It was only to be expected.
As for "ordinary emotions," she glanced at Lu Xiao beside her, whose lips curled up slightly as he received affirmation. Hmm, watching him dance seemed much more interesting than imitating those so-called "emotions" herself.
After learning that Zhuohua had finally finished her training, physical education teacher Qian Min and dialogue instructor Zhang Rui reportedly organized a small "celebration party" in private to celebrate their survival from the shadow of their "career Waterloo".
Vocal teacher Li Manqing quietly sent Su Qing a long thank-you message, thanking the director for not arranging any further advanced vocal courses.
In conclusion, a training period that was a mental ordeal for the teachers, merely a way to pass the time for Zhuohua, and a transformative experience for Lu Xiao, has finally come to a close, bringing a sense of relief to all parties involved.
Su Qing's office was spacious and bright, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bustling city streets. The rich aroma of top-quality coffee beans filled the air. Su Qing sat behind her large desk, her makeup impeccable, exuding a powerful aura. Looking at Zhuo Hua and Lu Xiao sitting opposite her, a smile of undisguised satisfaction graced her face.
Her gaze swept over the two of them, lingering particularly long on Lu Xiao. This young man had undergone a dramatic transformation in just a few months.
His eyes have lost their initial naivety, replaced by a calm sharpness and confidence. His posture is upright, and every gesture exudes a composure honed through rigorous training. It is a radiance forged by sweat, effort, and talent.
"Excellent!" Su Qing's voice was full of praise. "Lu Xiao, your progress during this period has been very remarkable, as reported by Teacher Luo, Teacher Qian, Teacher Zhang, and Teacher Li! Especially your attitude and comprehension, which are truly commendable."
She paused, then turned her gaze to Zhuohua, her smile deepening with an almost indulgent tolerance. "As for Zhuohua... well, your very existence is the biggest challenge and breakthrough to 'conventionality.' The teachers are very impressed with your... 'personal style.'"
Zhuohua picked up the spiritual tea offered by Su Qing's assistant, took a small sip, and remained noncommittal about Su Qing's assessment. She was well aware of what Su Qing meant by "deeply impressed" by her teacher.
"The training is over, it's time for you to get real involved in the project."
Su Qing picked up two beautifully bound script outlines from the table and pushed them in front of the two of them, her eyes gleaming with the shrewdness of a professional agent. "Both scripts have been evaluated by the company, and they both have great potential and fit your current positioning and development direction. Take a look and see which one you prefer?"
The first script, with its cover bearing the elegant, ancient-style calligraphy, was titled "Nine Heavens Ballad." The synopsis described it as a large-scale ancient costume fantasy idol drama. It tells the story of a mortal youth who accidentally enters the immortal realm and becomes entangled in a poignant and heart-wrenching love triangle with a cold, aloof, and compassionate immortal (the female lead) and a rebellious, morally ambiguous demon prince (the second male lead). To protect all living beings, the immortal ultimately chooses to sacrifice herself, her soul returning to the heavens.
Su Qing added at the opportune moment: "Nine Heavens Ballad is an S+ level big-budget production with a huge investment. The platform has already decided to make it the drama king of the year. The role of the female lead, the immortal 'Yun Ya', has a cold and aloof temperament, and is full of love but is also restrained and patient. It requires a high level of demeanor, aura and eye acting from the actress."
She looked at Zhuohua meaningfully, "This role, Zhuohua, I feel... is perfect for you. You can capture that air of looking down on everyone with ease."
She then looked at Lu Xiao, "Lu Xiao can try for the second male lead, the Demon Lord 'Night Fury,' a character who is both righteous and evil, wild and passionate, with great tension, and can quickly accumulate popularity."
Zhuohua flipped through the synopsis of "Nine Heavens Ballad," her glassy eyes remaining completely unmoved. A Celestial Venerable? Cold and aloof? Compassionate towards all living beings? Self-sacrifice? Her slender fingers traced the description of "Celestial Venerable Yunya" in the script, and she only felt...absurdity.
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