Chapter 160: The Fairy Accepts Her Fate

"A Demon from the Gobi Desert's Masterpiece: 'A Cosplayer Photo Opportunity – Why Did the System Take It Seriously?'" Click to read now!

After the Lantern Festival, life returns to normal.

Spring arrives late in Changsha. The plum blossoms on Yuelu Mountain haven't even all fallen yet, but the forsythia buds are already sprouting.

The air is always filled with a damp, earthy smell, carrying the sticky, humid feeling of spring in the south.

Ding Heng's life also returned to a regular rhythm.

I attend classes from Monday to Friday, have lunch with Wenjing at noon, pick her up from get out of class in the evening and take a walk on campus, and then Zhao Yanxi drags me to a hotel for two absurd days on the weekend.

The little rabbit and the kitten gradually developed a subtle understanding, and their interactions became much more natural than in the previous semester.

That afternoon, the last professional class ended.

The professor packed up his lesson plan and left, and people in the classroom began to leave in twos and threes.

Ding Heng yawned lazily and casually took out his phone. There was an unread message sent three minutes ago.

【A Sea of ​​Flowers Under a Sunny Day】: I'm going to the capital this weekend.

After the start of the school year, Ding Heng and Hua Qing didn't see each other very often.

Hua Qing was busy giving final cramming tutoring to several art exam students, while Ding Heng also had his schoolwork to deal with.

Their interactions mostly consisted of a few perfunctory greetings each night and the weekly "private vlogs" delivered on time.

The fairy remained aloof and reserved in front of the camera, but at least she was no longer as stiff as an AI as she was the first time.

[Ding Heng]: To the capital?

The reply came very quickly.

【A Sunny Day in a Sea of ​​Flowers】: Xiao Zhu and Qian Qian both made it to the second round of interviews. I'm going with them, and we might stay for a few more days.

[Ding Heng]: Senior, would you like me to come with you?

Half a minute later.

【Flower Sea Sunny Day】: No way!

【Flower Sea Sunny Day】: I'm just letting you know.

[Ding Heng]: Senior, are you afraid I'll get angry?

Hua Qing ignored him.

[Ding Heng]: Have you booked your plane ticket yet?

【Sea of ​​Flowers in Sunny Weather】: Not yet.

[Ding Heng]: Send me a date.

Hua Qing obediently sent over the flight number and time.

Ding Heng opened the ticketing app, selected the same flight, placed the order, took a screenshot, and completed the process in one go.

Ding Heng: [Image]

[Ding Heng]: I went with my senior.

【Flower Sea Sunny Day】: Don't you have classes?

[Ding Heng]: Academics are nothing compared to my senior!

【A Sea of ​​Flowers Under a Sunny Day】: [Disdainful]

One meme, and that was it.

Ding Heng took another look at the schedule Hua Qing had sent.

Qianqian got into the offline interviews at three schools, and Xiaozhu got into two. All in all, they'll have to stay in the capital for more than half a month.

Hua Qing's trip to accompany her students for their postgraduate entrance exams was partly due to one reason, but she also needed to prepare a place to stay in advance.

Because I have to go to the Beijing Dance Academy for rehearsals in April, I'll be scrambling to find a place to live and buy things.

Rather than being caught off guard later, it's better to secure accommodation now.

Ding Heng slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out. Wen Jingjing was waiting for him at the classroom door, holding her textbooks. Her round face was beaming, and her ponytail was tied high.

"Ding Heng! Let's go eat hot pot today!"

"Hey...did the sun rise in the west? What's got you so happy?"

"My scholarship money has arrived, it's my treat today!"

"good!"

The two walked side by side out of the school, and Ding Heng casually said, "I'm going out next weekend, it might be for several days."

Wenjing looked up: "Where to?"

"capital."

Wenjing simply said "Oh," without asking what she was going to do or who she was with.

She lowered her head and walked forward quietly. After a few steps, she asked softly, "When are you coming back?"

"It depends on the situation, but as soon as possible."

"All right……"

"Keep an eye on Zhao Yanxi for me. I'll bring you a gift when I get back."

Ding Heng habitually reached out and pinched Wenjing's face. He didn't know if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the little white rabbit had lost a bit of weight.

"Um……"

Wenjing remained obedient, but she tightened her grip on Ding Heng's arm a little.

Two days later, at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Ding Heng pushed his luggage cart out of the arrival hall, with Hua Qing following beside him.

"Teacher Hua! Over here!"

Qianqian's mother stood in front of a black minivan, waving to the two of them. She looked even more energetic than last year.

Qianqian trotted up to her and said affectionately, "Teacher Hua!"

Hua Qing ruffled the girl's hair: "Have you been waiting long?"

"No, no, we just arrived too."

Qianqian's mother walked over quickly, her face beaming with smiles, her tone revealing undisguised eagerness.

"Teacher Hua, thank you for making this trip. This should be a matter for us parents, but I've troubled you to take care of it..."

"Of course."

Hua Qing said calmly, "Qianqian and the others are taking their exams, which is a big deal. I feel more at ease having come along."

Qianqian's mother then turned her gaze to Ding Heng, her smile becoming even warmer: "Little Ding is here too? Teacher Hua, you are so lucky, your boyfriend is so busy but still took the time to come to the capital with you."

Ding Heng smiled calmly: "I just stopped by for a visit."

"What's so fun about the capital city?"

Qianqian's mother teased, but with just the right touch: "Clearly, they can't bear to leave Teacher Hua alone, young people like that..."

Hua Qing's ears turned slightly red, and she turned her face away, pretending not to hear.

Qianqian's mother opened the car door and eagerly invited the two of them to get in: "Come on in, it's windy outside. I specially called a private car, it's more spacious and comfortable."

After getting in the car, Qianqian's mother sat in the passenger seat and occasionally turned around to chat with Hua Qing in the back seat.

She started by exclaiming dramatically, "Professor Hua, I heard about your acceptance into the Beijing Dance Academy for graduate studies. Congratulations! That's fantastic news!"

Hua Qing politely replied, "Thank you, but it's not officially settled yet."

"It was bound to happen sooner or later!"

Hua Qing glanced at Qianqian and said earnestly, "Qianqian's mom, don't worry. As long as Qianqian performs normally, she has a great chance."

"Thank you for your kind words! Thank you for your kind words!"

Qianqian's mother couldn't stop smiling. The conversation then went from the campus environment of the Beijing Dance Academy to the food in the capital, and then from the food to the climate. She chattered on and on, and every word she said was meant to please her.

Hua Qing was never good at small talk, and she struggled to keep up with the responses of "um" and "ah".

Ding Heng interjected at the opportune moment: "Auntie, I heard Qianqian passed the preliminary exam?"

Qianqian's mother said proudly, "Of course... she got into the second round of auditions for Beijing Dance Academy, Minzu University of China, and Central Academy of Drama. Teacher Hua was a huge help; if it weren't for her pushing Qianqian to practice, this girl wouldn't be where she is today..."

Seeing that Ding Heng had taken over the conversation, Hua Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, I had a man with me, otherwise dealing with Qianqian's mother these past few days would have drained her a lot of energy...

The car was stuck in traffic in the capital city for nearly an hour before finally stopping in front of a high-end hotel.

The four of them registered and returned to their rooms to rest.

Ding Heng helped Hua Qing check her luggage and then asked, "Senior, what time did you schedule with that Professor Qi?"

"Tomorrow afternoon."

Hua Qing took off her coat, revealing her slender figure wrapped in a fitted sweater.

"You seem a little nervous, senior?"

"well enough……"

"So many years have passed, what's there to be nervous about?"

Hua Qing pursed her lips and didn't reply.

"Besides, I'll be there to keep my senior company."

Ding Heng pushed his suitcase aside, stepped forward, and took Hua Qing's hand in his, his thumb gently pressing against the smooth back of her hand. .

"Um……"

Hua Qing responded softly, feeling the man's rough, large hands, which calmed her heart considerably.

The following morning, at the entrance of the Beijing Dance Academy.

Hua Qing wasn't wearing makeup or dressed up; she was simply dressed in a light blue trench coat, looking fresh and clean.

Ding Heng stood beside her, idly observing the students coming and going.

"Tsk tsk tsk, as expected, all the girls at the Beijing Dance Academy are beautiful, those long legs..."

"Don't look around."

Hua Qing, embarrassed and annoyed, lightly punched Ding Heng, who then pulled her into his arms.

"Looks like I'll have to visit my senior at the Beijing Dance Academy more often, especially in the summer."

"you……!"

"Doesn't your senior want me to spend more time with you?"

"Scumbag..."

Hua Qing nestled in Ding Heng's arms, her gaze turning towards the gate of the Beijing Dance Academy.

She knew Ding Heng was deliberately trying to make her happy and relax, but her fingers still clenched unconsciously.

Beijing Dance Academy was the place she should have come to when she was eighteen.

Unfortunately, I was young and impetuous...

A white electric sedan slowly pulled up in front of the two of them. The window rolled down, revealing a gentle face.

The woman was in her early forties, with neat short hair and thin-rimmed glasses. When she smiled, there were a few faint lines at the corners of her eyes, which added to her gentle and graceful demeanor.

It is well-maintained overall and does not show many signs of age.

"Huaqing."

Qi Yanran's voice was as gentle as she was, neither hurried nor slow.

"Teacher Qi."

Hua Qing responded with a smile, but her voice was strained.

"Get in the car, it's windy outside."

"Um."

Hua Qing nodded and pulled open the back seat.

The car started and slowly merged into the traffic.

Qi Yanran glanced at Hua Qing in the rearview mirror and said with a sigh, "I went to Shanghai to see Lingling last month, and she said you're getting more and more beautiful. Seeing you today... it's true!"

Hua Qing was a little embarrassed: "Sister Lingling was just talking nonsense..."

Qi Yanran chuckled softly, "She's been talking to me about it for ages, saying you look so different, is it because you're in love?"

Hua Qing blushed slightly and didn't reply.

Qi Yanran's gaze shifted to Ding Heng, her smile deepening: "This is him?"

Ding Heng took the initiative to speak: "Hello, Teacher Qi, my name is Ding Heng, and I'm Hua Qing's boyfriend."

"Hello there."

Qi Yanran jokingly asked, "I heard from Lingling that you won Hua Qing over in just three months?"

"Why does Sister Lingling tell everyone everything!"

Hua Qing glared at Ding Heng resentfully, while Ding Heng looked innocent and shrugged.

Qi Yanran quietly observed the interaction between the two and recalled with emotion, "Hua Qing, you weren't like this before. Back then, if a boy wanted to talk to you, he would just be asking for trouble."

"Teacher Qi..."

"It seems that being in a relationship does have its advantages; at least it makes things less cold and distant."

Hua Qing was so ashamed that she couldn't lift her head.

"Teacher Qi, please stop making fun of me..."

Qi Yanran smiled and didn't continue the topic.

"By the way, how is your mother's health?"

"It's great, I was thinking of you before the New Year."

"When you have time, invite your mother to visit the capital. If she hadn't been injured back then, she probably could have come to the Beijing Dance Academy too..."

Hua Qing lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

Four years ago, she ran away back to Xingcheng in a fit of pique, not only wasting her own life but also abandoning the expectations her mother had placed on her.

"It's all in the past, don't think about it so much."

Qi Yanran softened her tone and turned into a side street, stopping in front of a courtyard-style private restaurant.

The storefront is small, with blue bricks and gray tiles, and looks unassuming, but it exudes a sense of not being cheap.

Qi Yanran turned off the engine, opened the door, and got out of the car.

Hua Qing followed behind, glancing up at the wooden plaque above the door: "Teacher Qi, this place..."

Qi Yanran turned around: "What's wrong?"

"It must be quite expensive."

"It's alright, the teacher is treating us today."

Qi Yanran glanced at Ding Heng and joked again, "If you're really too embarrassed, you can have your boyfriend pay the bill."

Hua Qing smiled awkwardly and didn't say anything more.

Passing through a moon gate, you enter a small courtyard.

The ground is paved with blue bricks, a clump of green bamboo grows in the corner, and a few koi fish swim leisurely in a stone vat.

The waiter led the three into an elegant private room with wooden windows, a Xuan paper lamp, and a traditional Chinese ink painting of a landscape hanging on the wall.

Qi Yanran handed the menu to Hua Qing: "Take a look and see what you'd like to eat."

Hua Qing took the menu and flipped through it. Every dish had an elegant name, and the prices were not cheap.

After hesitating for a long time, she simply pushed the menu to Ding Heng.

Qi Yanran saw this and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

She truly never imagined that Hua Qing, with her proud and aloof personality, would one day be manipulated by a man... like a wronged little wife.

Ding Heng picked up the menu, flipped through it, and named a few dishes, which the waiter noted down.

While waiting for the food, Qi Yanran picked up her teacup and took a sip, speaking formally: "Hua Qing, besides catching up, we also have serious business to discuss this meeting."

Hua Qing sat up straight: "Teacher Qi, please speak."

Qi Yanran put down her teacup, took out a tablet from her bag, swiped it a few times, and pushed it in front of her.

On the screen are several pages of initial drafts of the dance choreography, titled "Looking at the Sea".

"This is a new play that our troupe is focusing on developing this year. It tells the story of Mazu and tells the mythological culture of the coastal area. The main character is naturally Mazu."

Qi Yanran said calmly, "With my strong recommendation, you are now also one of the candidates for main dancer."

Hua Qing held the tablet, her fingers tightening slightly.

"In addition, the teacher hopes that you can relax. After all, this is the capital city, full of talented people. It's not like you at Hubei Normal University, and the scale of the projects is also different."

Qi Yanran continued, "Looking at the Sea is a key project supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The premiere is scheduled for September. If the performance is successful, there are plans for a national tour."

Hua Qing's breath hitched slightly.

There are seven people vying for the lead dancer position.

Qi Yanran solemnly reminded her, "You are the only undergraduate student currently enrolled and not yet graduated."

Hua Qing lowered her eyes and carefully examined the dance choreography on the screen.

"In early April, all candidates will come to the capital for intensive training and a unified evaluation. Whether you can secure the role then depends entirely on your own abilities."

Qi Yanran picked up her teacup and took another sip to moisten her throat.

"Hua Qing, I know your qualifications and your skill level. But you're not even a student at the Beijing Dance Academy yet. If you want to get this role, you have to do better than others."

Hua Qing raised her head, her gaze firm: "I understand."

Qi Yanran took back the tablet, pulled up a new video, and pushed it back in front of her.

"This is the first rehearsal video; take a look at it first."

The video shows a rehearsal clip of several dancers. The choreography is still quite rough, but the overall framework is already visible.

Hua Qing watched it intently, and after watching it once, she went back and watched it a second time.

Qi Yanran asked, "Give me an objective evaluation, don't be shy."

Hua Qing put down the tablet and, without mincing words, said frankly, "The transitions in some parts could be smoother, but the overall feel is right. Also, the costumes are a little inappropriate..."

Qi Yanran nodded: "I'll think about it when I get back."

As the principal choreographer, Qi Yanran doesn't mind her apprentice pointing out her flaws at all.

Four years ago, Hua Qing regretted the argument, and Qi Yanran regretted it as well, after all, a student like Hua Qing was hard to come by.

As the two were discussing professional issues, Ding Heng suddenly spoke up: "Professor Qi, I have a question."

"you say."

"Can the selection of the main dancer be guaranteed to be fair and impartial?"

Hua Qing was taken aback and turned to look at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng met Qi Yanran's gaze: "You just said that Hua Qing is not a student at Beijing Dance Academy yet, which puts her at a natural disadvantage in this regard... If you have already decided on a candidate, please give us an answer in advance."

Art can never be measured by data; whether it's good or bad is ultimately a matter of a single "judge's" word.

Ding Heng had no way of knowing how deep and murky the waters were in the capital's art scene.

Qi Yanran looked at Ding Heng again, her gaze now more scrutinizing.

A moment later, she burst out laughing.

"Hua Qing, your boyfriend has a broader perspective than you do."

Hua Qing lowered her head and remained silent.

She wasn't good at discussing these things anyway, so she simply handed over the entire conversation to the man.

Qi Yanran remarked, "I dare not speak for others, but as the chief choreographer, I will definitely cast my vote for the most outstanding and professional dancer, and I will never be swayed by external factors."

Ding Heng chuckled: "So you mean there were external factors involved?"

Qi Yanran sighed and smiled: "Perhaps... But no matter what, this is a great opportunity for Hua Qing, and I still hope she can participate in the competition."

"But I don't want Hua Qing to lose in a place where she shouldn't lose."

Ding Heng's tone was neither hurried nor slow, but Qi Yanran heard it as a warning.

She met Ding Heng's gaze, wondering where the boy in front of her got his confidence from.

You know, this is the capital city...

I tried my best.

"Thank you, Teacher Qi."

Ding Heng didn't say anything more. Regardless of what happens next, Qi Yanran still seems trustworthy for now.

After finishing their meal, the three of them left the restaurant.

Before getting into the car, Qi Yanran turned to look at Hua Qing: "Come to the theater troupe to report the day after tomorrow. I'll introduce you to the other candidates. Don't be nervous, just perform normally."

Hua Qing nodded: "Mm."

Qi Yanran glanced at Ding Heng again: "Xiao Ding, Hua Qing has come a long way, I hope you won't distract her too much."

Ding Heng smiled and said, "Don't worry, Teacher Qi."

The car slowly drove onto the main road, its taillights gradually disappearing into the night.

Ding Heng didn't rush to hail a taxi; he walked side by side with Hua Qing along the street.

The streetlights cast their shadows long, intertwined and overlapping.

Ding Heng suddenly spoke up: "Senior, is Teacher Qi from Fujian?"

Hua Qing was taken aback, then turned to look at him: "How did you know?"

"You can tell from the accent."

Ding Heng analyzed, "In addition, her choreography uses the theme of Mazu, which should be because she was influenced by the culture there since childhood."

Hua Qing remarked, "You're quite meticulous."

Am I thin?

"what?"

Hua Qing was stunned for a moment, not quite reacting.

Ding Heng leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Didn't you complain about your mouth being sore last time, senior?"

Hua Qing's face flushed bright red.

"You...you're a pervert!"

She turned around abruptly and quickened her pace.

Ding Heng quickly caught up with Hua Qing and pulled her to a stop. He reached out to straighten her collar, which had been ruffled by the wind, and his tone suddenly became serious.

"Senior."

"Um?"

"It concerns your ideals and future, so of course I will be careful."

Hua Qing looked up, unsure how to respond.

The streetlights cast a soft glow on the man's face, softening his features and making his gaze less aggressive than usual.

So far, every move Ding Heng made while accompanying her to the capital has made her feel his sincerity and concern for her, which warms her heart.

A system notification quietly appeared in Ding Heng's mind.

[Progress of romantic entanglement: 86%]

He took Hua Qing's hand again: "These two days are the weekend, I'll help you sort out the house issue first, senior."

"good……"

Hua Qing subconsciously gripped Ding Heng's hand tightly.

"You choose the location and style, I'll cover the rent and deposit."

Ding Heng's tone left no room for refusal: "No objections allowed, and no unnecessary politeness."

Hua Qing gave a soft "hmm".

"I'm also planning to get a car for my senior, but it's a bit difficult to get a license plate in the capital."

"Need not……"

Hua Qing instinctively wanted to refuse, but before she could finish speaking, Ding Heng asked her directly.

"What style do you want, senior?"

Hua Qing swallowed the rest of her words and instead murmured softly, "I'm fine with anything, whatever you say."

Ding Heng stopped again and turned to face Hua Qing.

Before Hua Qing could react, the man had already lowered his head and gently kissed her lips.

Very light, very fast.

Hua Qing froze.

Ding Heng stepped back a little, gazed at the fairy's flushed face, rubbed her head, and smiled with satisfaction.

"Right...that's a good girl."

To immerse yourself in reading Chapter 159: The Fairy Accepts Her Fate (Part 1), please click here.