When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 223: Chapter 93: The Top Star of the 1960s Song and Dance Troupe (32)

Pure music is what cleanses the soul. In the same way, dancers must treat themselves as keys on a piano, played into motion.

Xia Zhaoyun looked up and saw Song Zhenbao inside the room, drenched in sweat along with the others. She smiled and said, "Alright. But Teacher, I’ll choose the other piece."

Teacher Su raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Xia Zhaoyun hadn’t been with the troupe for very long, but two years was still a considerable amount of time for a dancer. She should have had a clear understanding of every member’s skill level.

All the comrades who excelled at dance had been assigned to the first piece. The ones rehearsing in this room now were the more mediocre dancers, and the piece Xia Zhaoyun had indicated was for the group that was practically at the bottom of the barrel.

This group had almost no natural talent for dance. They had carefree, undisciplined attitudes and were only here because of their connections—to add a bit of polish to their reputation, find a good spouse, and transfer to a different post once they came of age.

All the teachers turned a blind eye to this group. No one dared question them, and no one dared to manage them.

Teacher Su’s thinking was that rather than expend so much energy rehearsing three pieces, it would be better to focus all their efforts on just one.

’She didn’t expect this young woman to be even more conceited than she’d imagined.’ She also saw Song Zhenbao in the room and laughed out loud. "Young lady, there are many times in life when you have to learn to be patient with people and compromise."

"You’re young now. You have no idea what you’ll miss out on because of a moment of spite or petty squabbling."

"You’re a dancer. If you want to go far in this career, you should focus on your goals, not give in to your own whims!"

"Do you really think you’re so good you can carry the entire team on your own? Or do you just not take this competition seriously at all?"

"You’ve latched onto the factory director’s son, and you’re a hero’s wife to boot. So, are you getting ready to go home and be a doting housewife?"

At this, even though Teacher Su had strong reservations about her, she felt a pang of regret.

Xia Zhaoyun chuckled and shook her head. "I love the lights, I love the stage, and I love the joy of leaping toward my dreams. I’m going to the Central Political Department!"

Teacher Su scoffed. "Anyone can shout slogans. Very few are actually chosen by the Central Political Department, and they’re all young. You don’t have much time left."

Xia Zhaoyun didn’t continue the topic. Instead, she asked, "Teacher Su, can I make some changes to the piece?"

Teacher Su sized her up, her heart filled with disdain. ’Choreography is a technical skill; it’s hardly an easy task.’

Every choreographer works their way up from being a dancer. They have to completely master the movements and music. They learn through endless observation, study, and consultation, gradually developing their own insights. Their skill is built upon a foundation of time, diligence, talent, and practice, proven through countless choreographic attempts and revisions.

’This slip of a girl dares to take on choreography?’

"Xia Zhaoyun, do you have any idea what you’re saying? I don’t have high hopes for Group Three, but during the selection showcase, we’ll be performing alongside our peer organizations. If the piece is too awful, the entire factory loses face."

"My goal was just to get Group Three to a point where they wouldn’t be an embarrassment. To lose, but not in a way that stands out."

"You haven’t even seen the piece. How can you change it? What could you possibly change it into? When we’re humiliated, the leadership will come looking for *me*!"

"However," Teacher Su said, her expression turning solemn as she stared at Xia Zhaoyun’s exquisitely beautiful and captivating face, "if you’re willing to swear a military oath, then I’ll let you give it a try."

Xia Zhaoyun paused, then pressed her lips together and asked, "What kind of oath are you asking for, Teacher Su?"

Teacher Su glanced at the girls sweating inside the room and said with a smile, "I don’t expect you to take first place. But out of some fifty-odd pieces, aiming for the top ten isn’t asking too much, is it?"

"I’m not an unreasonable person. I’m not going to give you an impossible task."

"If you can pull it off, I’ll guarantee you a spot in the municipal arts festival in August. Otherwise, you go back to just dancing, and don’t you ever bring up choreography to me again!"

"You can’t even walk steadily, and you’re already trying to run."

Xia Zhaoyun was stunned. She looked at Teacher Su—the woman was in her thirties, divorced, and raising an eight-year-old daughter. Three years ago, she had come from the Central Political Department and was hired directly by the Zhaoyang Clothing Factory as a dance teacher and choreographer.

She embodied the characteristics of most professional dancers from the arts troupes of that era: aloof, proud, and difficult to get along with. She was also incredibly picky in her work, which had earned her the nickname Su Zhenren, putting her on par with the renowned Master Yuan.

Teacher Su looked over, amused. "What, you think this oath is all upside and no downside for you? Not my style, is it?"

"I’m supposed to find some fault of yours and hold it over your head, is that it?"

Xia Zhaoyun smiled, shaking her head repeatedly. "Not at all. I just thought that for a moment there, Teacher Su, you were exceptionally impressive and beautiful."

Teacher Su glared at her, exasperated. "I may not like the way you handle things, but I can’t deny your talent is exceptional."