Zhang Yijie came in once, entering through the back door. He conducted a stern inspection of the area before finally standing in front of Zhao Xiyin. He bent down slightly, his expression kind, and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Zhao, please sit in the front. I'll get you a seat."
Zhao Xiyin was startled by his sudden outburst and turned away, saying, "No need, no need."
In just a short while, everyone around them started glancing this way. Zhao Xiyin felt extremely uncomfortable and almost begged him, "Boss, I did listen to the lecture."
Zhang Yijie didn't insist and left.
Zhao Xiyin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but stared at the documents in her hand, feeling anxious.
Lunch was served in the lounge at noon; the food was quite good, with three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a fruit platter. Remembering Dai Yunxin's admonition that she needed to lose another five pounds, it felt like a curse, so she didn't dare eat too much.
"Hey!" Just as she picked up her chopsticks, a girl greeted her, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile and a single dimple on her cheek. "Can I sit with you?"
Zhao Xiyin smiled and said, "Please sit down."
"My name is Cen Yue."
"Zhao Xiyin".
It's simple and direct; we just introduce ourselves.
The girl looked young, and her smile, seemingly oblivious to worldly sorrows, was quite pleasing to the eye. Zhao Xiyin glanced at her a few more times and noticed that the girl was also looking at her.
Cen Yue blinked. "You're so beautiful."
Zhao Xiyin chuckled and nodded, "Likewise."
There was another ethnic culture class in the afternoon. Cen Yue sat in the back row with Zhao Xiyin. Zhao Xiyin asked, "Aren't you going to sit in the front?"
Cen Yue fanned her nose. "The perfume smells too strong up ahead."
Zhao Xiyin raised an eyebrow and let her have her way.
Later, Cen Yue glanced at her notebook and asked softly, "Aren't you taking notes?"
"Hmm? Ah, I remember these."
Not to brag, but Zhao Xiyin studied classical dance in college, which is a direct lineage of her major and perfectly suited her. Before the incident, she was a scholarship recipient every year, demonstrating truly solid skills.
During a break while waiting for their three-point figure training, a few girls whispered among themselves:
"That leg wasn't straightened just now."
"His toes didn't seem to be very pointed."
Ni Rui covered her mouth with her hand and said with a grin, "I think she should eat less."
The others immediately suppressed their laughter and nodded repeatedly.
Zhao Xiyin stood behind, glancing at Ni Rui a few times, thinking to herself, "I always thought this younger sister was just low on emotional intelligence, but I never imagined she was so incredibly stupid. She'll offend everyone in the future, and then she'll have nowhere to turn for help."
After seven groups had finished their turn, when it came to the last group, the teacher said to Zhao Xiyin, "Xiao Zhao, you can stay with them."
Zhao Xiyin responded and stood at the back of the line, her right hand firmly gripping the horizontal bar. As the piano prelude began, she raised her hand and straightened her leg, striking a pose. This kind of standing training basically involves using leg strength, pressing the front leg down and then the back leg down—all fundamental skills.
Zhao Xiyin wasn't tall, but her proportions were perfect, with straight and well-proportioned legs. Her waist was slender and long, truly a slender, graceful figure. She and Li Ran had once jokingly tried to imitate the "A4 waist" trend on Weibo. Li Ran had to go without food for two meals before she could barely reach her navel with her hand behind her back. Zhao Xiyin, on the other hand, easily wrapped her arms around her waist with room to spare. Li Ran was deeply hurt and insulted her, calling her inhuman. Afterwards, she smugly remarked that Zhou Gou was so lucky.
Zhao Xiyin blushed at that moment.
Zhou Qishen did have a few bad habits; whenever they made love, he always liked to hold her waist tightly. Zhao Xiyin had read a psychology book that said this action was a man's ultimate desire for control.
In stage performances, besides professional skills, there's also the element of charisma.
First impressions are a mysterious thing; to put it more profoundly, it's a gift from heaven. Everyone who makes it onto the stage is stunningly beautiful. But those who truly stand out are the cream of the crop. Just like now, at first glance, everyone's eyes are drawn to Zhao Xiyin. This girl has an aura—cool and earnest, as if she might ascend to heaven at any moment.
The teacher's smile deepened slightly when it fell upon her.
The music was melodious. Halfway through the practice, someone walked in silently.
Four or five people stood in the room, their presence radiating outwards. Someone noticed them first and immediately tensed up, holding their breath. Dai Yunxin looked at the training team with a solemn and cold expression. Meng Weixi stood next to her, his gaze fixed on Zhao Xiyin.
Some people secretly thought to themselves, "This group is really lucky. They ran into Teacher Dai himself. Who knows which one he might have taken a liking to?"
Dai Yunxin walked over, pacing slowly, her critical eyes scanning the dancers. She was renowned and a leading figure in the dance world, inspiring both respect and awe.
Dai Yunxin stopped in front of Zhao Xiyin and said, "Straighten your legs."
"Where did the strength in my toes go?"
"Open your arms, stretch them out!"
"Your legs aren't sticking together properly, are they?"
The reprimands grew increasingly harsh. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances; Zhao Xiyin had clearly done enough. To anyone else, this would be nitpicking, a deliberate attempt to make things difficult by taking advantage of their seniority. But this was Dai Yunxin; her words were like imperial edicts, even her farts exuded divine power.
Zhao Xiyin remained calm, neither ashamed nor angry, and simply adjusted her movements to the extreme.
Dai Yunxin was still not satisfied. She picked up the ruler and struck Zhao Xiyin's hand with a sharp crack. Several girls standing nearby trembled. Zhao Xiyin's expression remained unchanged; she didn't even flinch.
Meng Weixi, standing behind the practice room, trembled slightly. Just a second before taking a step, Zhang Yijie stopped him. "President Meng."
Meng Weixi looked displeased, but still took a step back.
Dai Yunxin: "Do you know where you went wrong?"
Zhao Xiyin pursed her lips. "I know."
"What is the essence of dance?!"