Chapter 152 I'm Best at Playing from Behind
Chapter 152
Yang Jie frowned slightly upon hearing this. "Sleeping Beauty is much more difficult than Swan Lake. I watched their competition this time, and most of it was based on Swan Lake."
Swan Lake is the most common dance performed in competitions.
Meng Yingying nodded, "I know."
"But teacher, if you want to stand out in this kind of competition, you must have an advantage in the dance repertoire, and it must be more difficult than theirs."
At this point, she looked up at Yang Jie earnestly, "Teacher, this should be my last competition, and I want to win the championship."
Meng Yingying wanted to bring her dance career to a perfect close.
Yang Jie thought for a moment, and seeing that Yingying's lips and teeth were white from the cold, she poured her a cup of hot water and handed it to her before slowly saying, "Yingying, this competition is more difficult than you think. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
In fact, Yang Jie herself never thought that Meng Yingying would win the championship in this kind of situation.
Meng Yingying smiled and said, "Teacher, anything is possible. I'll give it my all one last time."
The sentence "That's the end of the story" was ultimately left unsaid.
But Yang Jie understood. "What are your plans?"
They've arrived.
It's finally here.
"Teacher, I think I'll go back to Harbin with Qi Donghan to be stationed with the team after this competition." After a pause, Meng Yingying added, "To stay permanently."
Yang Jie frowned slightly. "Yingying, you know I want you to take over my job."
In her eyes, both Gu Xiaotang and Zhou Lanxiang were Meng Yingying's assistants.
Meng Yingying shook her head, pursed her lips, and said, "Do you think I'm suitable?"
Before Yang Jie could answer, Meng Yingying muttered to herself, "If we're talking about teaching students, Xiao Tang is a professionally trained teacher, and she's better at teaching than me. But if we're talking about handling these tedious things, Zhou Lanxiang started learning from Lin Rujuan when she was ten, and she's better at it than me."
“Teacher, you see, the ballet company already has its own core members, so they don’t need me that much. As for winning awards and competitions…”
She smiled frankly, "I'm already twenty-eight years old, and I probably won't be participating in any future competitions."
"teacher--"
Meng Yingying looked up and said, "My era has come to an end."
This is the last match.
Both she and Yang Jie knew about it.
For some reason, when Yang Jie heard Meng Yingying speak like that, she inexplicably felt like crying. "Yingying."
Don't say that, you're still young.
Meng Yingying knew these were words of comfort, so she smiled and said, "That's why I'm going to win this competition."
"If we don't win this time, we'll never have another chance."
With a sense of relief, she said, "Teacher, my career has come to an end, so please don't try to persuade me to stay."
Yang Jie knew that her mind was made up, so she compromised, "How about this, although you go back to Harbin to be stationed with the team, I will still keep your position in the ballet troupe."
"Yingying, you only need to come over for two or three days each month if you can."
“You should come over during the annual new talent selection, and come over again before the competition to check their skills. If there are overseas competitions or training sessions, I’m too old to lead the team, so you can lead the team and take them out to broaden their horizons.”
"Apart from that, all your time is your own. Your position will be retained, and your salary will continue to be paid as usual."
At this point, Yang Jie's tone became somewhat pleading, "I'm begging you as my teacher."
Clearly, Yang Jie truly trusted Meng Yingying, and in her eyes, Meng Yingying was the one who could truly shoulder this responsibility.
As for Gu Xiaotang and Zhou Lanxiang, they are better suited to directing and getting things done.
Instead of taking a holistic view.
Only Meng Yingying truly possessed foresight and the ability to oversee the overall situation.
That's why Yang Jie said it to this extent.
Meng Yingying paused for a moment, then helped Yang Jie up, saying, "Teacher, you don't have to do this."
"Yingying, I'm forty-eight this year."
Yang Jie's gaze was calm and composed. "Yingying, not only is your dancing career coming to an end, but I also don't have many years left."
"However, I'm not dancing on the front lines. If I'm doing management and coordination behind the scenes, I'll have at most another ten years."
"And then what?"
Yang Jie wasn't entirely comfortable entrusting the ballet troupe to Gu Xiaotang, nor was she comfortable entrusting it to Zhou Lanxiang.
There must be Meng Yingying among them, an outsider, a clear-headed person, and a person with foresight.
She can only feel at ease when someone comes to mediate and coordinate the overall situation.
Meng Yingying sighed, "Teacher, I promise you."
She cannot simply enjoy the conveniences provided by her workplace without taking on responsibilities and obligations.
Hearing this, Yang Jie breathed a sigh of relief. She held Meng Yingying's hand tightly and said, "Teacher, thank you on behalf of everyone."
Meng Yingying shook her head. "I should thank you." She smiled, a hint of understanding in her eyes, "You gave me a job for life."
Even if she returns to family life, as long as she has a job, she will have confidence.
Yang Jie touched her head, smiled, and offered words of advice from someone with experience: "Don't put all your energy into your family. Take some time to work on your career occasionally; it can be one of the few ways you can fall back on your career in the future."
All I can say is that those who have been there before still have the experience.
They have an incredibly sharp eye.
Meng Yingying smiled and took Yang Jie's arm, "Teacher, I know."
*
The day of the competition was a rare sunny day. It was only 6:30 in the morning when Meng Yingying was dragged out of bed.
It was Qi Donghan who pulled her out, which left Meng Yingying somewhat dazed. "When I used to compete, it was always Cherry, Xiao Tang, or my coach and teacher who would wake me up."
This was her first competition, and she got up from a man's bed.
Qi Donghan dressed her with great satisfaction. It was cold in winter, so she wore layers of thermal underwear, sweaters, and cotton-padded coats.
"And what about this time?"
After getting dressed, Qi Donghan kissed Meng Yingying on the cheek and asked her with obvious affection.
"This time?"
Meng Yingying looked up at him, her eyes gentle, "This time I feel incredibly happy."
It must be said that Meng Yingying had a knack for coaxing people.
Qi Donghan's ears turned red from being coaxed. "Then I'll give them all to you from now on."
As soon as he heard this, he realized that this seemed to be Meng Yingying's last match.
Meng Yingying didn't seem to care. She tilted her head back and kissed Qi Donghan's chin. "You can definitely give it to me in the future."
"Because I see you every time I wake up."
As long as Meng Yingying doesn't go out, she will most likely wake up in the same bed as Qi Donghan.
Qi Donghan was instantly appeased. He hummed in agreement and, while Meng Yingying went to wash up, he ladled out a bowl of rice porridge that had been cooked in the kitchen and made a few golden pancakes.
"After you finish eating, go to the rehearsal hall."
Qi Donghan's cooking skills are exceptional. The rice porridge is cooked until it's bursting with flavor, and the pancakes are crispy and golden brown. One bite is both salty and fragrant, so delicious that you almost want to bite your tongue off.
While eating, Meng Yingying couldn't help but rub against Qi Donghan's shoulder, saying, "Qi Donghan, the food you made is so delicious."
God knows what she ate during her years in Moscow.
Qi Donghan really liked how Meng Yingying relied on him.
This gave Qi Donghan even more motivation to cook.
After dinner, he didn't even wait for Meng Yingying to pack up before seeing her off at the door, saying, "Go to the competition quickly."
It's clear that Qi Donghan values Meng Yingying's final match more than Meng Yingying herself.
When Meng Yingying arrived at the rehearsal hall, she saw that many contestants had arrived, mostly gathered in groups based on their skin color.
People with white skin stood together.
People with yellow skin from the neighboring art troupe stood together.
On the other side are their own locals.
Gu Xiaotang and Miao Qingqing both came, and Zhou Lanxiang, who did not participate in the competition, also came to the scene to coordinate and arrange work.
As for Ning Lu, she never liked to talk to Gu Xiaotang before, but at this moment, she still stood with Gu Xiaotang.
They can chat occasionally, and you can hardly tell that a few years ago, the two sides fought tooth and nail for a championship.
Gu Xiaotang is a genius, but Ning Lu was once the biggest threat to her.
Ning Lu almost snatched the championship from her hands many times. This is the real reason why Lin Rujuan repeatedly forced Gu Xiaotang to take medicine before the competition.
It's hard to imagine that those fierce competitors from back then can now stand together and chat.
Ning Lu spoke first, "Gu Xiaotang, are you confident?"
When she asked this question, her gaze was fixed on the group of people with different skin tones, even though they were about to compete.
But they were still practicing.
Perform the final practice.
Gu Xiaotang glanced at the group of white-skinned people and shook her head. "I don't have much confidence."
"That's the truth."
Ning Lu sighed, "I don't have much confidence either. If I were twenty, I could give it a shot, but I'm already twenty-six this year."
She paused for a moment, then said, "To be honest, and please don't laugh at me, I feel that since I turned twenty-five, my flexibility and other aspects of my body haven't been as good as they used to be."
"All I can say about this competition is that I will do my best."
However, it will be very difficult for Ning Lu to win first place.
Gu Xiaotang thought for a moment, "Don't be afraid, I still have my senior sister."
"Even if we can't offer something of our own, my senior sister is certainly very presentable."
Meng Yingying happened to walk over, and when she heard this, she didn't know whether she should be happy or not.
"Senior Sister—"
Gu Xiaotang was the first to notice her arrival and came over to greet her.
Ning Lu also looked over, her gaze filled with amazement. To be honest, Meng Yingying was from the same era as them.
She still retains the clarity and delicacy of her younger days.
It's so memorable that it's unforgettable at first glance.
"Comrade Meng."
Ning Lu greeted her very politely.
In essence, she and Meng Yingying were not very familiar with each other. Their only connection was the Red Star Cup match five years ago.
She and Meng Yingying were rivals.
Meng Yingying nodded to Ning Lu, "Comrade Ning."
Gu Xiaotang muttered, "Why are you being so formal? Ning Lu, if I were you, I'd call you Yingying."
A single sentence can bridge the distance between you.
Ning Lu smiled and called out shyly, "Yingying."
"This competition depends on you."
Meng Yingying thought for a moment, "This competition depends on all of us."
This is the truth, not an act of modesty.
"The opponent this time is very strong."
Meng Yingying asked them, "Have you seen the other team's list of participants?"
Gu Xiaotang nodded, but Ning Lu hadn't looked at it yet.
Zhou Lanxiang walked over at just the right moment, holding a list in her hand. She had been in charge of the on-site reception and arrangements during this period.
So she knew almost everyone on the scene very well.
This is a rare opportunity to see someone's name face to face.
She stood between Meng Yingying, Gu Xiaotang, and Ning Lu, and handed them the list, one name corresponding to one face, "See?"
"That's Arkhipova. She came from the same academy as Meng Yingying, and she's best at Swan Lake, right?"
She didn't forget to glance at Meng Yingying and confirm with her again.
Meng Yingying nodded, "Yes, she is indeed good at dancing Swan Lake."
Zhou Lanxiang put a checkmark next to the list, then pointed to another girl with chubby cheeks but outstanding features and fair skin, and said, "She is Katya."
"It's said she studied ballet in Italy before returning to the Soviet Union." She glanced at Meng Yingying, wanting more information, "Have you had any contact with her?"
Meng Yingying glanced at Katya and shook her head. "This is the first time I've met her either. In fact, when I came back from the Soviet Union, Katya wasn't with us; she came alone."
Upon seeing this, Meng Yingying knew that the people from the Su Kingdom were on guard against her.
But until the very last step, no one knows.
Even Meng Yingying, who had spent five years at the highest ballet academy in the Soviet Union, was unaware of this.
Katya, who is participating in this competition, is the trump card of the Soviet Union.
"Therefore, I don't know much about Katya either."
The academy was deliberately keeping its distance from her; even Jane and her teacher Inovov never mentioned Katya's name.
Zhou Lanxiang crossed out Katya's name and, recalling it carefully, said, "I've observed her."
As soon as she finished speaking, Meng Yingying and the others looked over.
Zhou Lanxiang was a little nervous, after all, she was being stared at by so many proud young women.
She took a deep breath and shared what she had observed.
"Katya should be dancing Sleeping Beauty."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yingying's heart skipped a beat, and her gaze hardened. This was because her entry for the competition was also Sleeping Beauty.
Moreover, she had been thinking about this piece of music in private for a long time before submitting it.
I thought I could still amaze everyone with this piece.
Just like in her previous competitions, she started by looking down on the contestants from the very first piece of music.
But this time, I've actually encountered someone like me?
The opponent also intends to crush all competitors with their repertoire.
This gave Meng Yingying a feeling that she couldn't quite explain.
She looked at Katya, who seemed to have noticed her attention and raised an eyebrow at Meng Yingying.
Arkhipova, who was standing next to Katya, whispered to her, "Katya, this is Meng."
"A genius who has almost suppressed us in the academy for five years."
Katya was also looking at the list, but upon hearing this, she clutched the list in her palm.
She looked up again, and unlike her previous perfunctory attitude, this time she seemed quite serious.
His gaze also bypassed the crowd and deliberately landed on Meng Yingying.
Meng Yingying was surrounded by everyone in the center, her back straight, her shoulders and neck smooth, and under the light, she was so white that it was almost dazzling.
Katya touched her cheek with the tip of her tongue and muttered under her breath, "So this is the Chinese swan that has been suppressing everyone for five years."
Arkhipova glanced at her, disliking her tone, so much so that her own words carried a hint of hostility. "Katya, don't underestimate her. Everyone who has competed against her in the academy has come in second place."
"Moreover, he has been the runner-up for the past five years. Meng's number one position has never been overturned."
Katya chuckled, her golden bangs ruffled by the wind outside the window. She raised her hand to smooth them, revealing her full forehead, her eyes shining brightly. "Pova, that's you, not me."
At this point, she said with a hint of confidence, "Today I'll try to take first place, for you all, and for Meng to see."
After saying that, she lifted the hem of her gauze skirt and walked straight toward Meng Yingying.
The soles of the shoes made a clattering sound as they stepped on the wooden floor.
Meng Yingying was talking to Zhou Lanxiang, and of course, they were discussing and analyzing Katya.
She caught a glimpse of the golden figure approaching out of the corner of her eye and instinctively turned around.
The two were only two steps apart, and the air instantly became tense.
The surroundings fell silent instantly.
Even Zhou Lanxiang, who had been talking non-stop just moments before, was included.
Gu Xiaotang and Ning Lu both looked worried.
The group all looked at Katya.
Katya spoke first, her Chinese halting, but she spoke each word clearly and deliberately, "Meng, I've seen your Swan Lake."
Meng Yingying looked directly at her, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Thank you. I've also heard that you dance Sleeping Beauty."
“What a coincidence.” Katya blinked, her tone playfully provocative. “We’ve chosen the same scene.”
"Then see you on stage." Meng Yingying smiled, but her eyes were burning. "Let's see who has the best skills."
"It's up to each individual to do their best," Katya repeated, extending her right hand, but with her palm facing upwards—a gesture of challenge between dancers.
Meng Yingying raised her hand and gave her a light high five, the sound crisp and clear.
Sparks flew everywhere in the air.
Kim Soo-ryeon from the neighboring art troupe, dressed in her dance costume, walked over gracefully. "It's so lively here."
She can even speak Chinese.
Moreover, it was in very authentic Chinese, which surprised Meng Yingying and Katya. They both looked at Jin Xiulian.
Meng Yingying didn't know much about Jin Xiulian, only that she learned from Yang Jie that Jin Xiulian had also joined the art troupe since childhood.
Then came the mainstays of the art troupe.
Seeing that Meng Yingying and Katya were both looking at her, Jin Xiulian chuckled and reached out her hand, "Let me introduce you, Jin Xiulian, a contestant from the North Korean art troupe."
Meng Yingying and Katya nodded.
Neither of them seemed inclined to continue the conversation.
But Kim Soo-ryun had no intention of stopping there. She tossed her dark hair back, a smile playing on her lips, but her eyes held a blatant provocation.
"Unfortunately, I danced the second act of Sleeping Beauty, which is also the main theme of this competition."
Meng Yingying and Katya's expressions changed slightly.
Clearly, they didn't expect that they would have another competitor to the Sleeping Beauty dance.
Kim Soo-ryun really enjoyed watching their changing expressions.
She smiled slightly, turned her head to look at Meng Yingying and Katya, her voice soft and sweet, but every word sharp, "I didn't expect the three of us to run into each other. Three Auroras appearing in one play, interesting, really interesting."
The incandescent lights in the rehearsal room reflected off the floor, and the mirrors reflected three opposing shadows, filling the air with the gunpowder smell of rosin and sweat.
Meng Yingying chuckled softly, then slowly drew a small circle with her toes. Her voice was low, but everyone could hear it. "Coincidentally, I'm also dancing Sleeping Beauty."
As she said this, she leaned forward slightly, her eyes sharp and piercing. "Since three Auroras have collided—let's see whose dawn shines brighter."
Katya, not to be outdone, suddenly took a half-step forward as well, her golden curls swaying with the movement, and a flame ignited in her blue eyes. "Stage fright?"
"I, Katya, have never known what stage fright is since I started dancing ballet."
Jin Xiulian did not expect that Meng Yingying and Katya would both react so strongly.
Kim Soo-ryun's smile faltered, but her face became even sweeter. Her palms clenched so tightly they turned white, as if she wanted to regain her lost ground. "I started dancing Sleeping Beauty when I was seven years old, and I've been dancing for seventeen years. Today, I'm here to claim the championship."
At this point, she smiled slightly, confident of victory, "The championship is mine."
"It can only belong to me, Kim Soo-ryun."
Meng Yingying and Katya both scoffed, neither of them agreeing with such childish talk.
The champion is always the most capable.
Just then, the referee from the organizing committee blew a whistle, announcing, "Assemble in three minutes."
The moment those words were spoken, the tense atmosphere vanished instantly.
They glanced at each other, then looked away and returned to their respective groups.
As soon as Meng Yingying returned, Gu Xiaotang and Ning Lu looked over nervously, "What did they say?"
They were so far apart that they didn't hear a lot of what they were saying.
Even from a distance, you could see the tension between the two sides was almost palpable.
Meng Yingying chuckled softly, now completely calm. She said to Zhou Lanxiang, "Jin Xiulian is good at dancing Sleeping Beauty, and she joined a performance troupe. She has been dancing this one dance for more than ten years."
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped.
Zhou Lanxiang, who was about to write down her analysis in her notebook, felt a sudden heaviness in her hand upon hearing this. She murmured, "Meng Yingying, how are you going to win this time?"
They haven't even figured out Katya yet.
Another formidable opponent, Kim Soo-ryun, has arrived.
Meng Yingying smiled, her tone calm, "Just win like that."
Gu Xiaotang and Ning Lu, standing nearby, looked pale and said, "I think we're definitely going to be just there to make up the numbers this time."
The information about these contestants is so disheartening, it's enough to make you feel hopeless.
Even these women weren't the main force; the main force was Meng Yingying.
Thinking about it this way, Meng Yingying felt immense pressure.
Seeing everyone looking at her with concern, Meng Yingying clenched her fingers tightly. The coldness of her knuckles made her more clear-headed and calm.
"Have you all forgotten??"
She looked up at them, her gaze calm and serene. "I'm best at playing from behind."
Every step of her journey has been fraught with adversity.
From the propaganda team to the team stationed in Harbin, and then to the competition in Heilongjiang Province.
Not once was it not true.
Every time, the disparity in strength was enormous, but every time she turned the tide against all odds.
“So—” Meng Yingying looked into their eyes, “please trust me, okay?”
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