Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Xihe Dance Club's status within the dance world is far more than just a simple training studio. It's a sacred place where many professional dancers refine their skills, a gathering place for experts. The students who come here for further training are often already teachers at other dance clubs or top students from professional academies, with clear goals and formidable skills. It's extremely difficult for beginners to survive here; the huge gap and the fast-paced, high-intensity training are enough to dampen most impulsive enthusiasm.
The person who holds the center position as an instructor at Xihe Dance Club is undoubtedly a master among masters. Qiqi, a prominent figure in the hip-hop world, has a distinguished record—he has won countless trophies in international competitions, and his choreography is known for its strong creativity and quality. He is a private mentor to many popular singing and dancing stars. His age is a mystery; he never reveals it, and people can only guess from his face, which combines youthfulness with mature charm.
"What's up, everyone!" a clear, magnetic voice called out. Qiqi rushed into the classroom like a gust of wind, exuding vibrant energy. He expertly high-fived each student in the front row, interacting naturally. When he reached the gloomy young man, their greeting shifted to a tacitly agreed fist-bump, followed by a small, unique gesture, clearly a close bond.
This scene surprised Feng Ling. She had assumed that someone who reached the pinnacle of such a field, surrounded by so many experts, would be somewhat aloof and distant. But Qiqi was completely different. When he smiled, the corners of his mouth turned up, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth, his brows clear and relaxed, the image of a sunny and cheerful young man. He was tall and long-legged, definitely over 180cm tall. A simple sports vest highlighted the beautiful muscular lines shaped by years of dance practice, especially his arms and shoulders, which were full of power without being bulky. This handsomeness, a blend of professionalism and unpretentious friendliness, was extremely lethal.
Once the class began, Feng Ling was impressed by Qiqi's meticulousness and patience. He explained the movements clearly and precisely, often walking up to the students to observe closely and correct details. Sometimes, he would look through the mirror at a student whose movements were off, then guide them through corrections with his eyes and subtle movements, his tone always gentle. However, once the music started and he was asked to perform a complete dance sequence, he instantly transformed—every beat was mechanically precise, every turn explosive, and even the glances and subtle expressions he managed when he paused were charged with tension, imbued with the sensuality and control of a mature dancer. This seamless transition between "gentle instructor" and "stage king" was incredibly captivating, no wonder he attracted so many followers. Feng Ling heard that many girls came to the class with more than just pure motives, with many bringing gifts and asking for photos, a treatment comparable to celebrity status.
But what Feng Ling admired most wasn't his unrivaled professionalism, but the humility and self-control he maintained despite his exceptional skills. He wasn't arrogant or pretentious, and this quality, like a gentle jade, truly made him stand out in a world of flamboyant dancers.
For Feng Ling, despite her years of dance training and exceptional coordination and rhythmic sense, the unique power generation, rhythmic syncopation, and free-flowing feel of street dance were still entirely new to her. She studied diligently, even stubbornly, trying to follow each complex combination. However, her movements still had a touch of folk dance, and against the rhythm of hip-hop, they seemed a bit clumsy and endearing.
Halfway through the class, Qiqi clapped her hands, raised her arm, and swiped it down in the air. "Okay! One group on the left, one group on the right. Let's go through this segment again."
The group presentations made the space suddenly much more spacious. Everyone could see themselves clearly in the mirror, which also meant that any flaws would be exposed. When it was Feng Ling's group's turn, she took a deep breath, tried to keep up with the music, desperately trying to recall the sequence of movements, and stuck to the beat as much as possible, just hoping that she would not appear too abrupt. Qiqi glanced at each row of students, nodding in approval from time to time. When his eyes fell on Feng Ling, he tilted his head slightly, and a knowing smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, as if to say, "Oh, it's a new face." Feng Ling felt guilty for a moment and hurriedly looked away, not daring to look him in the eye. She could only stare at the back of the head of the student in the front row and forced herself to complete the entire segment.
"Good job! Class dismissed!" The music stopped, and at Qiqi's command, many people collapsed to the ground. Lian Jiajia sat on the ground without any dignity, gasping for breath. "I'm so tired... Feng Ling, you're still standing. I can tell you're not dancing properly!"
Feng Ling was exhausted, her hair drenched in sweat, but she stubbornly stood with her back straight, catching her breath. "When I was learning dance, my teacher told me that if you sit down right after dancing, your butt will get bigger," she explained seriously.
"Ah?! Really?!" Lian Jiajia screamed, and immediately jumped up from the ground like a spring. "Then hurry up and change clothes. I can't lose my figure even if I die of exhaustion!"
When Feng Ling changed back into the light blue dress and turned into the "floating fairy" who was out of tune with the surrounding environment, Qiqi happened to be communicating with Sister May at the front desk. He raised his head and glanced at Feng Ling. He paused for a moment, and a hint of imperceptible surprise flashed in his eyes, as if he didn't expect to see a girl with such a clear and simple temperament here.
Feng Ling felt a little awkward as their eyes met. Qiqi gave her a smile that was even gentler than in class, nodded, and said softly, "See you next time."
"See you next time..." Feng Ling responded subconsciously, her voice as light as a feather. The moment they passed each other, she felt as if her heart had actually skipped a beat, and a gentle warmth quietly flowed over her ears.
***
The elevator descended, its metal box humming softly. Lian Jiajia nudged Feng Ling with her shoulder, her tone tentative, "How's it going? Do you think you can keep up? Will you come again next time?"
Feng Ling leaned against the cold staircase wall and let out a long sigh, her hair still damp. "It's manageable. I've memorized the movements, but the feeling just doesn't feel right. It's really difficult..." She paused, then asked with a hint of confusion, "But isn't this a 'basic course'? Why do all the students seem so amazing?"
"Hi, this is Xihe!" Lian Jiajia said with a look that said, "You're so naive!" "Those who come here often are probably teachers or top students from other dance clubs. They're here for refresher courses, so who cares if the class is basic or advanced? Especially since it's Qiqi's class, it's always packed." She changed the subject, leaning closer with sparkling eyes, lowering her voice, "By the way... isn't Qiqi handsome? He looks absolutely stunning when he dances!"
"Yeah," Feng Ling nodded honestly, his mind flashing back to Qiqi's precise and powerful demonstration. "She's truly excellent, and... not at all arrogant."
"You know what I'm talking about!" Lian Jiajia happily hugged her neck, as if she had found a like-minded person.
With a ding, the elevator reached the first floor. The moment the door slid open, a figure stood outside, almost bumping into them as they were about to leave.
Feng Ling instinctively looked up, caught off guard by a pair of eyes. She had never seen such beautiful eyes before—beautiful in shape, with deep black pupils, like black jade immersed in a spring, shimmering with the light of water. They should have been amorous, but instead, their gaze was icy, sharp and distant, shutting out all intrusion. It was the gloomy boy in the corner of the classroom!
The young man glanced at her calmly, his face expressionless. After they stepped out of the elevator, he silently lowered his head and walked into the car, reaching out to press the floor button. The elevator door slowly closed, isolating his thin and lonely figure.
Lian Jiajia looked back at the closed door with a complicated look in her eyes.
"Who is he?" Feng Ling couldn't help but feel curious.
"An Hesu," Lian Jiajia retracted her gaze, her tone filled with melancholy, "a trainee, a future superstar."
"Ah? Really?" Feng Ling opened her mouth slightly in surprise. "No wonder..." His temperament and appearance were so outstanding. Then another question came to her mind, "Why does it seem like... so few people are around him?" As soon as she said it, she felt she had asked a foolish question. With such a cold face, exuding an aura of "keep away from strangers," who would dare to approach easily? Perhaps this was also a form of self-protection, avoiding unnecessary trouble and lest it become a target of criticism in the future.
She noticed that Lian Jiajia's mood suddenly dropped, and a hint of sadness passed across her face, so she asked softly, "Jiajia, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Lian Jiajia shook her head and forced a smile. "I just feel... it would have been better if I had been born a few years later." She paused, her voice even softer. "He was still so young."
"How old is he?"
"Fifteen. Let's go." Lian Jiajia obviously didn't want to talk any more, so she took Feng Ling's arm and quickly left the building.
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