Chapter 10
The final rehearsal was scheduled for the afternoon before the party. The atmosphere was noticeably more serious than ever before. Even Zhang Hao, the most playful person, was on edge.
Zhao Jinglu cast aside all distractions and devoted herself to the final coordination. She stood in the audience, like a little director, watching every detail on the stage.
"Confirm your opening positions again!"
"Do you remember the point where the music comes in?"
"The ending freezes, the eyes! Be powerful!"
Ling Peng and four other boys practiced repeatedly on the stage. His expression was focused. Although his movements were still not top-notch, his all-out dedication was completely different from his usual casual playing style. He tried his best to perform every position and every move.
The rehearsal was over. Zhao Jinglu looked at the five breathless boys on the stage and finally smiled with relief for the first time in these days.
"Okay, that's it. Dance like this on stage tomorrow. It's no problem!" she encouraged. "Thanks for your hard work, everyone!"
"The young teachers work harder!" Sun Wei said loudly, and the others echoed him.
Ling Peng jumped down from the stage and walked in front of her. Zhao Jinglu's heart beat faster involuntarily, and she subconsciously wanted to step back, but her feet seemed to be rooted.
He looked at her and said seriously, "Thank you. Tomorrow... we will try our best." He added in his heart: Good teaching.
This was the first time he had said such a long sentence to her that had nothing to do with rehearsal.
Zhao Jinglu was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "Yeah! Come on!"
On the day of the New Year's Day party, the campus was bustling with activity. Students from the middle school and high school classes were bustling back and forth. Zhao Jinglu's class also had a group performance, but she had to go backstage early to prepare, change clothes, and wait in the wings, leaving her with no time to watch the high school performance.
It was only during a break while waiting that she faintly heard the rhythmic beat of music from the distant venue. It seemed to be the song they were rehearsing. Her heart skipped a beat, following the faint beat. She imagined the scene on stage, but was then brought back to reality by the urging of the teacher in charge backstage.
Their performance was a success. Afterward, Zhao Jinglu and her classmates excitedly returned backstage, praising each other. Then, Chen Ping, the dance team's teacher, came over with a smile.
"Jinglu," Teacher Chen patted her shoulder, "I watched the high school street dance show just now."
Zhao Jinglu's heart suddenly tightened and she looked at the teacher nervously.
"The result is very good!" Teacher Chen nodded affirmatively. "Although the movements are not particularly fancy, the overall momentum is strong, and the boys dance with power, and the audience's response is particularly enthusiastic. Thank you for your hard work, and the task was completed very well!"
Hearing the teacher's affirmation, Zhao Jinglu felt relieved and a happy smile appeared on her face. "Thank you, Teacher Chen!"
The party ended and the crowd dispersed. Zhao Jinglu and her classmates packed up and prepared to return to the classroom. Amid the noisy crowd, she seemed to see several familiar tall figures in the distance.
It was them. They seemed to have noticed her, too, and stopped, waving at her from afar through the surging crowd, making the "yeah" sign and nodding.
The meaning of that nod seemed clearer than ever before - like a thank you, but also like a report: mission accomplished.
Zhao Jinglu also gave them a thumbs up.
Then, they were each carried away by the crowd and headed in different directions.
Her "little teacher" mission had officially ended. She felt a bit empty, but also relieved and filled with a faint, inexplicable sense of accomplishment. Everything about him seemed to be hidden deep in her heart again, becoming a simple secret that belonged only to her.
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