Chapter 5
The Xihe Dance Club's Family member assessment day was more like a grand gathering of the underground dance world. Even before the show started, the large classroom was already packed. Heat, sweat, and excitement swirled through the air, and the low-frequency sound pounded against my chest, making the floor tingle slightly. The walls were packed with people: eager examinees, keen-eyed dancers, and even more, spectators drawn in by the frenetic atmosphere. In front of the mirror, teachers of various dance styles sat solemnly, like judges, their aura overwhelming. In the center, the host, microphone in hand, his hoarse, yet deeply inspiring voice fanned the flames, raising expectations to a fever pitch. Nearby, the DJ's fingertips rubbed against the reels, like a bomb fuse poised to release. The entire space was like a pressurized furnace, waiting for the first crack.
The assessments were conducted sequentially by dance genre, with Poping taking the lead. All participants formed a large circle, and the host spun a water bottle. Whoever the bottle pointed at went first. The dancers' muscles vibrated like electricity, their joints transformed into delicate gears. Every hitch hit like a hammer hitting the cracks of a heartbeat, drawing gasps and enthusiastic screams from the crowd. At the end of each performance, the host shouted the countdown: "3, 2, 1... Judge!" Teacher Xiaobo thrust his thumb upwards, and a "Pass!" A roar of joy followed; then, when his thumb pointed downwards, the audience erupted in regretful sighs. The performance was brutal and direct, and the Poping team quickly filled up.
"Next, JAZZ!"
Swish! More than a dozen graceful girls and several stylish boys rose to their feet. Their charming gestures and confident smiles instantly drew cheers. Lian Jiajia was the third to take the stage, a departure from her usual lively image. Her long hair flowed freely, her makeup was vibrant, and she wore a red off-the-shoulder top paired with slim-fitting black trousers, showcasing her impressive figure. As the music flowed, she swiftly turned her head, her eyes instantly captivated by charm. Her body undulated smoothly like a wave, each kick and head shake perfectly timed, seamlessly blending the sexiness and power of JAZZ. "Pass!" Teacher SiSi raised her hand without hesitation. Lian Jiajia had successfully joined the team, and excitedly high-fived her teammates.
"Next One, Hip-hop!"
Feng Ling's heart leaped into her throat, blood pounding against her eardrums. She stood up, her legs weak. As she walked toward the dazzling central light, she caught a glimpse of another tall figure rising at the same time—An Hesu.
"He's going to join the Family too?" This thought flashed through her mind, adding to her pressure.
"Come, let's see who's taking the lead in hip-hop... Tiantian!" the host announced loudly. A girl who always occupied the center of the front row in class and was extremely familiar with the teachers stepped out confidently. "Second place... An, He, Su!" As soon as the names were announced, the audience erupted in a suppressed murmur of surprise and a commotion. Countless phone screens lit up, focused on the stern figure. "Third place... Hey, this beautiful lady, what's your name?"
"Feng Ling." She heard her own voice, with a barely perceptible tremor.
"Okay! Third place, Feng Ling! Fourth place..."
All the participants lined up one by one. Feng Ling stood behind An Hesu, her palms sweating with nervousness, and she could only take deep breaths to adjust herself. Meanwhile, the young man in front of her maintained his nonchalant and casual demeanor, as if the test wasn't a major one. She secretly admired his composure.
Tiantian, the first to perform, showed solid dance skills, strong control, and powerful movements, making her a leader among hip-hop dancers. At the end of the song, Qiqi gave her two thumbs up without hesitation, offering an appreciative glance: "Pass!" Tiantian smiled confidently, having gotten what she wanted.
It was Ankhsu's turn. The whole place fell silent, all eyes focused on him. He chose an R&B ballad, and the moment the music started, the atmosphere of the entire room changed. If Tiantian's dance was a display of skill, then Ankhsu's dance was a capture of the soul. He had complete control of the music, every note seemed to be played just for him, his movements delicate as whispers, and bursts of thunder, his emotions flowing from his fingertips to his hair. Without deliberately showing off his skills, he elevated the entire performance to an artistic level. After the dance, the silence lasted for two seconds, and then, the explosive applause, stomping of feet, and shouting almost broke through the ceiling! Qiqi stood up and completed that exclusive fist-bump gesture with him, silently announcing his participation.
Now, all eyes, all pressure, were focused on Feng Ling. The spotlight shone on her face, burning and blinding. Her throat felt dry, and every step toward the field felt like treading on cotton. In her panic, her gaze met Qiqi's. He said nothing, simply looking at her, his eyes steady and resolute. Then, with a slight nod, he gave her a quiet nod.
That single nod was like handing a piece of driftwood to a drowning man. Feng Ling took a sharp breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his cowardice had been suppressed, replaced by a reckless wildness.
The music exploded—an old-school hip-hop song with a gangster vibe! Feng Ling responded with a swift movement, her body instantly relaxed, the rhythm flowing naturally from her bones. Her movements were surprisingly relaxed and comfortable, her fine musicality allowing her to effortlessly control the syncopation and timing. While the range and power of her movements could still be improved, the entire routine was executed with perfect fluency, like a miniature replica of Qiqi's teachings—a truly impressive feat for a street dancer new to the genre. The final, clean, chest-fluttering movement—freeze! Sweat flew from her forehead, drawing a shimmering arc under the bright lights.
"Huh..." She let out a long breath, feeling relieved, and looked eagerly at the referee's seat.
Qiqi pursed her lips, her fingers tapping unconsciously on her knees, her gaze roaming over her body in a scrutinizing manner. These few seconds felt like an eternity. Finally, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, finally breaking into an incredibly bright smile. He nodded vigorously, and once again extended that familiar hand toward her.
At that moment, joy exploded in her heart like fireworks! Feng Ling practically leaped forward, gripping that hand tightly. Excitement, gratitude, the ecstasy of a dream coming true, surged through their clasped palms. He seemed stunned for a moment, his broad hand gently returning the grip, his fingertips even lingering for a fleeting moment on the back of her hand. Feng Ling, completely absorbed in her joy, didn't notice the subtle touch. She turned and happily ran back to the crowd, her steps light and fleeting.
"Finally, let's welcome the most exciting event - Breaking!" The host's roar pushed the atmosphere to its climax!
Like beasts unleashed from their cages, figures leaped into the center of the arena, their eyes meeting and sparks flying! Handstands frozen like sculptures, Thomas spins whipped up whirlwinds, somersaults felt breathtakingly suspended in the air, and heads spun so swiftly that only afterimages remained! A barrage of challenging moves followed, each impact of the body on the floor elicited a tsunami of exclamations! The scene spiraled out of control, and the teachers left the arena. The impromptu battle instantly reached a fever pitch, transforming the entire dance club into a boiling sea of sweat and roars. Raw passion and pure love ignited and exploded!
Feng Ling stood at the edge of the reveling crowd, her heart still pounding wildly, the deafening music nearly ripping her eardrums apart, yet she felt an unprecedented sense of joy and release. It was this feeling, free, passionate, fearless—this was the world she had longed for, a proud and glorious world for dancers!
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