3.
The massive circular recording studio, shimmering with lights, held 150 seats arranged in a tiered pattern, like a military parade. Directly in front lay the expansive stage and the seats for the four mentors. The air was thick with an invisible tension and excitement.
The contestants, numbered in turn, gave a one-minute self-introduction and talent show. This was not only their first impression of the mentors, but also their first battle for audience favor in front of the camera.
Halfway through the process, performances varied. Some were so nervous they forgot their lines, some over-exerted and came off as stilted, and some performed mediocrely but failed to impress. The instructors' comments were mostly gentle and encouraging, but rarely lavish.
When the big screen displayed "No. 76", Sang Wang of Mi'an Entertainment stood up. He walked onto the stage calmly, took the microphone, and smiled a standard, very friendly smile.
"Hello, four mentors, hello fellow trainees, I'm Sang Wang from Mi'an Entertainment."
His voice is clear and bright, and his stage presence is steady. "The talent I brought is a lyrical song, 'Light Chaser'."
As the music began, he closed his eyes, only to open them again to find them brimming with emotion. His voice was gentle yet penetrating, and a beautiful transition in the chorus earned him applause from the audience. At the end of the performance, he took a slight breath and bowed modestly.
Vocal instructor and pop diva Lin Qian was the first to nod: "The voice is very clean and the emotional investment is very good. He is a very good seedling."
Dance instructor and top dancer Luo Wei also commented: "Although it was just singing, your body language and stage performance were comfortable."
Sang Wang bowed again in thanks and walked off the stage with a proper smile. His performance undoubtedly earned Mi'an Entertainment a lot of respect and made him a strong contender for the C position.
The atmosphere on the scene was pushed to a small climax. Then, the next name popped up on the big screen -
No. 77, Xingshuo Entertainment, Mi Xi.
In an instant, all the cameras and everyone's gaze, as if attracted by an invisible magnet, focused on the figure with rose-pink hair.
Mi Xi slowly stood up, not even adjusting his clothes, and walked onto the stage as if strolling in the garden. He stood in the center of the stage, the blazing white light shining on him, his pink hair and face were almost unreal in their beauty.
He took the microphone but didn't speak immediately. Instead, he raised his eyes, gently sweeping across the audience before settling on the mentors' seats. His peach-shaped eyes appeared misty and watery under the bright light, and the teardrop mole at the corners added a touch of fragility. He raised the corners of his lips slightly, the curve that countless fans dubbed "Cupid's Lips" perfectly.
"Hello, teachers. I'm number 77, Mi Xi."
His voice came through the microphone, and it was clearer and more textured than what he usually heard from the audience. The ending tone had a natural, seductive softness, but it was not feminine.
Just a self-introduction caused a suppressed hum from the audience.
"My talent is..." He paused, as if considering his words, a sly look flickering in his eyes, "an impromptu... 'Phantom' dance."
Improvisation? Phantom?
The instructors showed interest. Unchoreographed dances are the most challenging for dancers' skills and impromptu performance.
The music didn't start, and Mi Xi gently placed the microphone on the stage floor. He took a few steps back, stood at the edge of the aperture, and then closed his eyes.
The entire recording studio was so quiet that you could hear breathing.
The next second, he moved.
Without a strong rhythm, his body seemed to compose a rhythm of its own. A soft wave began at his fingertips, spreading silently like venom, flowing through his arms, shoulders, neck, waist... Every joint seemed boneless, his movements incredibly fluid. He suddenly leaned forward, his eyes instantly opening, locking onto a single point in the void. His gaze was no longer the pure harmlessness of before, but held an almost bewitching allure, like the sirens of ancient legend whose song lured people astray.
Spinning, freezing, bending at the waist—each movement was imbued with extended beauty and explosive power. His body language told a story of seduction, decadence, and danger. The hollowed-out sweater swayed with his movements, revealing skin that seemed to glow in the light. The faint "Venom in Her Veins" tattoo on his collarbone perfectly matched the theme of his dance.
There was no music, but it seemed as if a silent melody was flowing around him.
He finished by slightly bending one knee, supporting himself with one hand, extending the other forward, and tilting his head back slightly. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his breathing became short. He looked towards the instructors' table, the strangeness in his eyes receding like a tide, returning to a clear, innocent expression.
"My show is over."
quiet.
Deathly silence.
Then, as if the fuse of dynamite had been lit, deafening applause and exclamations erupted! Almost all the trainees stood up, staring in disbelief at the young man on stage who had taken over the entire audience with just a silent dance.
Dance instructor Luo Wei was the first to slam his hands on the table excitedly. "Amazing! Your body control, your expressiveness, and your core strength! Silence speaks louder than words! You're not dancing, you're weaving an illusion with your body!"
He even used the word "illusion".
Vocal instructor Lin Qian was also amazed: "Although you didn't sing, I heard stories and emotions from your dance. Mi Xi, you are a very, very special performer."
The other two mentors also gave high praise without hesitation.
Sang Wang, who was sitting in the front row, still had a gentle smile on his face, but the knuckles of his hands on his knees tightened slightly.
Ji Ye, standing in the shadows backstage, watching the entire performance with his arms folded, his lips curled up in a wide, intriguing arc. His gaze was fixed on the bowing figure on the stage, his eyes burning, as if he had discovered a unique treasure that must be treasured.
The skill that Xiaoyuer showed was more than just stunning.
This is simply going to hook everyone's soul away.
The first real climax of the first stage was unsurprisingly ignited by No. 77, Mi Xi.
————
Dance instructor Luo Wei's excited comments lingered, the audience still immersed in the shock of that silent "Phantom." At this moment, vocal instructor Lin Qian smiled and picked up the microphone again. Her gaze, filled with undisguised admiration and a deeper curiosity, fell on the figure in the center of the stage.
"Mi Xi." Lin Qian's voice calmed the noise in the room a little. "Your dance was outstanding. It gave me, and I believe everyone else, a huge surprise."
Mi Xi bowed slightly, her attitude humble: "Thank you, Teacher Lin."
"But," Lin Qian changed the subject and made a suggestion that stunned everyone, "I saw in my profile that you seem to be good at the violin. I wonder if we'll have the honor of hearing a live violin solo from you today?"
Additional test!
And it's a violin solo!
The contestant booth erupted in an uproar, everyone stunned. Mi Xi was the first contestant to be asked to take an additional test since the show began! This was a test of strength, but also a more demanding test. Taking an additional test without any preparation, especially after completing an extremely strenuous improvisational dance, was a huge challenge both mentally and professionally.
"Violin? He can play that?"
"Oh my god, if this isn't done well, won't the myth created by the previous dance be shattered?"
"Teacher Lin is going to roast him on the fire..."
"As expected, fame brings trouble, and the opening scene is a difficult one."
Sang Wang also sat up slightly straighter, looking at the stage with a complicated expression. He wondered if he could remain completely calm if he was suddenly asked to take an additional test under such circumstances.
Standing at the edge of the backstage, Ji Ye's brows furrowed slightly, his gaze sweeping sharply towards the instructors' table, but quickly returned to Mi Xi with a subtle scrutiny. How would he respond?
Under the spotlight, Mi Xi's face showed no sign of panic. He didn't even glance at the audience or the instructor's reactions. He simply blinked softly, his long lashes casting a faint shadow under his eyes. Then, he raised his eyes and looked at Lin Qian, his lips curling into a gentle, confident arc.
"Of course, Mr. Lin." His voice remained steady, with a sweet and soft ending, but it exuded a reassuring power. "Do you want me to ask the staff to help me get my violin? I brought it."
He actually brought a zither with him?!
Even the instructors were surprised. Lin Qian nodded immediately, "Of course, go."
Soon, a staff member brought a beautifully maintained brown violin case to the stage. Mi Xi took it, expertly opened the case, and removed the violin and bow. As he gracefully rested the violin on his shoulder, his chin gently resting on the rest, his entire demeanor shifted dramatically.
The enchanting allure of his earlier dance faded like the tide, replaced by a calm and focused concentration, immersed in the world of art. The light fell on him, outlining his silhouette as he held the lute. His posture was standard and graceful, with a touch of classic romance.
He didn't even say the name of the song, but just took a deep breath, then held the bow in his right hand and touched the strings.
The first note flows out.
Clear, melodious, with a subtle hint of melancholy. It's a fragment from Saint-Saëns' "Introduction and Rondo Capriccio"!
His fingers nimbly danced and vibrated across the strings, his bowing smooth and full of tension. In the allegro section, the notes fell like rapid raindrops, dense and precise, full of technical brilliance. In the adagio section, the melody became lingering and plaintive, and each vibrato seemed to carry emotion, reaching the heart.
His eyes were slightly closed, his thick lashes drooping, and the small mole on the tip of his nose stood out clearly under the light. His rose-pink hair fluttered gently with his swaying body. At this moment, he was no longer the captivating "Venom" beauty, but a melancholic and noble young musician straight out of a classical painting.
The ultimate movement and the ultimate stillness, the ultimate charm and the ultimate elegance are perfectly combined in him.
When the last note trembled and dissipated in the air, Mi Xi slowly put down the bow, opened her eyes, and looked towards the instructor's seat again. There was still a trace of confusion in her eyes from being immersed in the music.
The whole audience was silent.
If the dance just now ignited the whole audience, then this sudden violin solo was like a silent nuclear explosion, razing all doubts, amazement, and jealousy to the ground, leaving only pure shock at absolute strength.
"Clap, clap, clap——" Teacher Lin Qian was the first to applaud, with undisguised surprise and satisfaction on her face.
Immediately afterwards, mentor Luo Wei, the other two mentors, and all the trainees in the audience stood up involuntarily, and applause like thunder swept through the entire recording studio!
"Genius...this is pure genius!" Lin Qian excitedly said into the microphone, "Your violin playing is not only technically proficient, but also full of emotion and storytelling! Mi Xi, how many surprises do you have in store for us that we don't know about?"
Ji Ye looked at the young man on the stage who bowed slightly amid the applause, his expression still calm, as if he had just completed an ordinary little thing. The inexplicable restlessness in his chest almost burst out.
He originally thought he had picked up a rare, beautiful butterfly with poisonous properties.
Now it seems that what he encountered might be a beautiful and ferocious beast that can play a deadly melody.
And this ferocious beast has just revealed its sharp claws.
The thunderous applause finally died down, but the shock lingered in the air. Everyone held their breath, awaiting the instructors' final assessment of Mi Xi.
The four mentors exchanged opinions in low voices, each with an expression of undeniable approval. The lead mentor picked up the microphone and gazed with admiration at the quiet figure in the center of the stage.
"Mi Xi," the instructor's voice echoed through the speakers, "Your improvisational dance showcased exceptional body control and artistic expression. And in the subsequent supplementary test, your violin solo further demonstrated your profound musical expertise. Both your dancing and musical sense have reached exceptionally high levels."
He paused, his voice firm and decisive:
"Our mentors have unanimously determined that your first stage performance is graded A!"
A!
The first A-level was born!
Although everyone had anticipated this, when the result was officially announced, there was still an uncontrollable burst of exclamations and sighs. Well-deserved! This was a true crushing victory!
Mi Xi's face did not show any ecstasy, and he still looked calm. He bowed to the instructors and the trainees in the audience, and said in a clear voice: "Thank you, instructor."
Just as he was about to leave the stage, dance instructor Luo Wei suddenly realized something. He suddenly picked up the information sheet at hand, his eyes widened, and he looked up in disbelief:
"Wait! Mi Xi!" Luo Wei's voice rose slightly in surprise. "I just saw your information... You've been studying dance professionally for 15 years? You just turned 20 now? And you're a student at the Central Conservatory of Music?!"
These words were like another bombshell, which once again set off huge waves on the lake that had just calmed down!
Started dancing at the age of five?! Central Conservatory of Music?!
That is the top institution for music and dance education in the country!
The trainees were completely numb, looking at Mi Xi as if she were a non-human being. It turned out that effortless improvisation was the product of fifteen years of hard work and refinement! It turned out that her exquisite violin skills were the result of systematic training at China's premier music school!
This isn't just some pretty vase; it's the ultimate boss, fully armed from hardware to software!
Mi Xi stopped and turned around. Facing the question from Mr. Luo Wei, he nodded gently and said calmly, "Yes, Mr. Luo."
Luo Wei took a deep breath and asked, "So what dance styles do you know now?"
Mi Xi thought for a moment and answered fluently, "Folk dance, modern dance, hip-hop... I've systematically studied all of these dance styles, but," he raised his eyes, his gaze bright, "the first three are the ones I've practiced the longest, and they're the ones I'm best at right now."
The foundation of folk dance, the expression of modern dance, the explosive power of Hip-Hop... Everyone suddenly realized why his impromptu dance just now could combine strength and softness so perfectly. It turned out that his dance foundation was so solid and comprehensive!
Teacher Luo Wei was at a loss for words to praise him, and could only shake his head and sigh, "Monster... What a charming little monster! I'm extremely looking forward to your performance on stage later!"
Mi Xi thanked him politely again, and finally, under the extremely complicated gazes, she calmly walked back to her seat No. 77.
Wherever he went, he seemed to carry an invisible aura that made people look at him involuntarily.
Sang Wang, sitting in Area A, watched Mi Xi calmly take her seat and for the first time clearly felt the pressure of a "gap." For this man, beauty was his least noteworthy virtue.
Backstage, Ji Ye folded his arms and leaned against the wall, looking at Mi Xi's impeccable profile frozen on the big screen. He lightly touched his tongue to his upper palate and chuckled softly.
Central Conservatory of Music, fifteen years of dancing experience...Xiaoyuer, how many secrets do you still have?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
