Chapter 195: Threads of Love
Ten days of June have passed quietly.
Ding Heng made the most of his time by traveling back and forth between the capital and Xingcheng.
June 20th, one week before the lead dancer for "Looking at the Sea" was officially confirmed.
As the morning light streamed into the room, Hua Qing nestled in Ding Heng's arms, her breathing even.
Black Bean curled up at the foot of the bed, its tail occasionally twitching.
Ding Heng opened his eyes and glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table—7:42.
At this time normally, Hua Qing would have already gotten up, washed, and prepared for training.
He looked down at the person in his arms.
Hua Qing's nightgown strap slipped down a bit, revealing her pink, rounded shoulders.
Ding Heng didn't move, and lay quietly for a while.
About ten minutes later, Hua Qing slowly opened her eyes, focused her gaze for a few seconds, and then realized that she was pressed against Ding Heng's chest.
"morning……"
She rubbed her face against his chest, showing no intention of getting up.
Ding Heng asked curiously, "Isn't your senior going to training today?"
"Um."
Hua Qing gave a vague reply: "Teacher Qi has a meeting this morning, so he gave us half a day off."
"What do you mean?"
"It seems to be... a meeting about the follow-up arrangements for 'Looking at the Sea'. Investors, producers, school leaders, and some other related people that I'm not very familiar with will be attending."
She recalled Qi Yanran's notification yesterday: "It mainly discussed the final selection criteria for next week, as well as some project progress matters."
Ding Heng continued, "Are you worried, senior?"
Hua Qing looked up from Ding Heng's chest, her cool eyes revealing a hint of tenderness and dependence.
"Isn't it you I have?"
"yes……"
Ding Heng chuckled, and Hua Qing's phone suddenly rang.
She reached out from Ding Heng's arms and touched the phone on the bedside table.
The screen displays a message from Fan Chenxi.
[Fan Chenxi]: Hua Qing, not good.
【Sea of Flowers in Sunny Day】: What?
[Fan Chenxi]: I heard that Shen Tingwan's mother also went to sit in on the meeting today.
【A Sunny Day Amidst a Sea of Flowers】: ...
[Fan Chenxi]: Don't rush, let's see how things go after Teacher Qi finishes the meeting.
[Fan Chenxi]: I just wanted to let you know in advance so you could be mentally prepared.
[Fan Chenxi]: [Sighs]
Hua Qing put down her phone and buried her face in Ding Heng's chest again.
Ding Heng didn't ask any more questions and gently patted Hua Qing's back.
"Shall I go buy some breakfast?"
"Um."
Hua Qing responded and released her grip.
Ding Heng threw off the covers, got out of bed, quickly put on some clothes, picked up his phone and car keys, and left the bedroom.
The door closed gently.
Hua Qing turned to lie flat, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Black Bean jumped off the foot of the bed, scurried up to the windowsill, and let out a soft meow.
Hua Qing turned over to face Hei Dou, unable to describe her current feelings.
Are you worried?
A little.
But he still has full confidence in Ding Heng.
She didn't know what Ding Heng would do, or whether he could do it.
But she believed him.
Just like she believed in her dance.
……
At nine o'clock in the morning, a black sedan slowly came to a stop at the entrance of a cultural and art center in the capital.
The driver was a man nearing seventy.
His hair was gray, his figure was slender, and his face was serene.
Li Weiyong, former principal of Beijing Dance Academy, expert member of the National Arts Fund Council, president of the Chinese Dancers Association, etc., has participated in the planning and selection of many national key theatrical works.
In this line of work, his words carry considerable weight.
Just as Li Weiyong was about to push open the door to get out of the car, the back door was suddenly pulled open.
He was taken aback and turned to look.
A young man got into the car and closed the door behind him.
"you……"
Li Weiyong subconsciously reached for the car door handle, watching the uninvited guest warily.
"Principal Li, don't be afraid."
Ding Heng smiled at him and said, "I've come to you to discuss something."
Li Weiyong remained vigilant: "What are you discussing?"
"About 'Looking at the Sea'"
Ding Heng said formally, "To be more precise, it's about the casting for 'Looking at the Sea'."
Li Weiyong frowned slightly.
He certainly knew what kind of meeting was going to be held today, and what would be discussed at the meeting.
But how did this young man know his itinerary? And how dare he get into his car?
"Who are you?"
Who I am is not important.
Their eyes met in the rearview mirror.
Li Weiyong's mind seemed to be gently stirred by something, and his vigilance vanished in an instant.
"Principal Li."
Ding Heng said politely, "I have a suggestion; I would appreciate your consideration!"
…………
Qi Yanran sat in the conference room, looking down at the speech she had prepared overnight.
The paper was covered with dense annotations, some parts were circled repeatedly in red pen, and the paragraphs were revised repeatedly, showing that she had put a lot of thought into it.
"Teacher Qi."
A familiar voice came from behind me.
Qi Yanran looked up and saw that Shen's mother was walking towards her.
She wore a dark gray suit, her hair was neatly styled, and she walked with a composed gait.
"Teacher Shen."
Qi Yanran nodded in response, her smile polite.
"You're here quite early."
Shen's mother stopped in front of Qi Yanran and said casually, "Tingwan was so nervous last night that she didn't sleep at all. I came to check on her and listen in, so I can have a better understanding of the situation."
Qi Yanran smiled but didn't reply.
Shen's mother didn't say anything more, nodded to her, and went to sit down in the audience seat.
Qi Yanran let out a long sigh, glanced down at the speech she had prepared all night, and could only smile wryly.
Her heart had already turned cold.
The fact that Shen's mother is here indicates that everything that needed to be taken care of has already been arranged.
There's probably no need to hold this meeting again.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind me again.
Qi Yanran turned around and looked back, her gaze pausing.
The elderly man walked slowly over; he was Li Weiyong, the artistic consultant for the "Looking at the Sea" project.
"Principal Li."
"The former headmaster."
"headmaster……"
Everyone stood up to greet them.
Qi Yanran quickly went to greet him, but before she could speak, her gaze fell on Li Weiyong's back.
Hua Qing's boyfriend, Ding Heng!
Ding Heng nodded slightly to Qi Yanran as a greeting, then turned his gaze to Shen's mother.
At the same time, Shen's mother noticed Ding Heng and frowned slightly.
Isn't this Hua Qing's boyfriend?
Why was he allowed to attend the meeting? And why was he following behind Li Weiyong? What is their relationship?
Shen's mother looked away, a trace of worry rising in her heart.
She had taken care of almost everyone from top to bottom, except for Li Weiyong.
Because I felt it was unnecessary, and I didn't dare to.
A retired old man, though his words carry weight, is unlikely to be involved in too much decision-making.
But if he offers his opinion, I doubt many would dare to stand up and oppose him.
"Don't be so polite, please sit down."
Li Weiyong took the seat of honor and gestured for everyone to sit down.
On both sides of the long table, representatives of investors, producers, school leaders, troupe leaders... all these faces are figures from the capital's dance circle.
Ding Heng, the only unfamiliar face, sat down behind Li Weiyong, like an inconspicuous member of the entourage.
Qi Yanran glanced at Ding Heng out of the corner of her eye, then quickly looked away.
Her doubts were no less than those of Shen's mother, and she also felt a touch of sorrow.
Is a perfectly good main dancer selection going to turn into a battle of wits between gods?
One relies on their parents' connections, the other on their boyfriend.
What about all the hard training we've done over the past two months? Was it just a formality?
How tragic...
The meeting began.
First, the producer reported on the project's progress, then the theater troupe leader introduced the rehearsal situation, followed by a speech from the school leaders, the content of which was nothing more than platitudes such as "high importance attached" and "full support".
Finally, it was Qi Yanran's turn.
She stood up and opened her speech.
"There are currently three candidates for lead dancer: Hua Qing, Shen Tingwan, and Fan Chenxi."
Qi Yanran's voice was high-pitched and steady: "Hua Qing, a senior student at the School of Music and Dance of Hunan Normal University, is the lead dancer of the Lotus Award Gold Medal. She has comprehensive skills, strong stage presence, and has been ranked first in the overall score for half a month in a row recently."
Shen Tingwan is currently a third-year graduate student at the Beijing Dance Academy. She has national tour experience, solid technique, and rich stage experience, and ranks second in the overall score.
Fan Chenxi, a second-year graduate student in Shanghai Opera, possesses strong comprehension skills and a unique understanding of her characters. However, her technical skills are weaker compared to the previous two, placing her third in the overall score.
The meeting room fell silent for a moment.
A man in his early forties cleared his throat and said, "Teacher Qi, I have a question."
Qi Yanran looked at the man.
She was an investor representative, surnamed Zhou, but she couldn't quite remember his specific position.
Qi Yanran politely replied, "Please go ahead."
Representative Zhou picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke in a calm and unhurried tone.
"Our project involves a significant investment, and everyone is monitoring it closely. If anything goes wrong, no one can afford to take the responsibility."
Therefore, from a cautious and prudent perspective, shouldn't we prioritize dancers with national touring experience who have proven themselves on the big stage?
As soon as Representative Zhou finished speaking, someone immediately chimed in.
"Mr. Zhou is right! For big projects, stability comes first! No matter how well we perform in training, if we haven't taken on a major role on a big stage, we might get nervous and unable to handle the pressure if we lack experience..."
Qi Yanran clenched her fingers, her expression unchanged.
"I understand your concerns."
She said earnestly, "But what I want to say is that 'Looking at the Sea' is a new production, not a revival of a classic in the traditional sense. It needs new expressions, new interpretations, and even to become a new benchmark for domestic dance dramas."
Therefore, we must strive for perfection in the dancers' understanding, technique, performance, and grasp of the character. As for experience on a large stage…”
Qi Yanran looked at Representative Zhou: "Everyone starts from the first time, we have to give newcomers a chance, right?"
A woman on the other side of the long table spoke.
"Teacher Qi, may I interject?"
Qi Yanran looked at her; it was Guo Mei, the troupe's executive producer.
Guo Mei asked first, "Hua Qing is from Hunan Normal University, right?"
Qi Yanran nodded.
Guo Mei asked again, "Fan Chenxi is a Shanghai opera performer, right?"
Qi Yanran bluntly said, "Director Guo, what do you mean? Just say it directly."
"I'm not saying they're bad, but our project is, after all, a key production in the capital. If we could select our own children, they'd be familiar with everything, and communication would be easier."
Guo Mei sighed and laughed: "As the old saying goes, 'Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders.' Our own children are just as capable. Even if they become famous and outsiders try to poach them, it will be difficult for them to leave..."
Qi Yanran was filled with helplessness.
What a great example of your own child! Just say you only hire people from the Beijing Dance Academy.
"We are all compatriots working together. I don't think the claim of being an 'outsider' is valid, and we should not single out students from the Beijing Dance Academy."
Qi Yanran remained righteous and indignant: "Whoever dances well should go on stage; this is the most basic fairness for all dancers."
Guo Mei's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes turned slightly cold: "Teacher Qi, Hua Qing is your student, isn't she?"
Qi Yanran didn't say anything.
"You've always given her high scores."
Guo Mei said casually, "Of course, I'm not saying that Teacher Qi intentionally showed favoritism... but as her former teacher, shouldn't she be more cautious when giving scores and evaluations? After all, it's easy for misunderstandings to arise from such situations."
Qi Yanran clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white.
She said impatiently, "Director Guo, the scoring is the result of a joint discussion among the three teachers. Each score is meticulously recorded and based on evidence. If you have any questions, I can retrieve the scoring records, and we can go over them one by one."
"Teacher Qi, don't worry, let's have a normal discussion..."
"Director Guo, are you sure you're having a normal discussion with me?"
The two women were about to start arguing.
"Alright."
Li Weiyong tapped the table with his hand, his tone serious: "Let's have a proper discussion. Don't lose your temper, and don't speak with veiled barbs."
No one responded.
"I'd like to say a few words..."
Li Weiyong's tone softened slightly: "A year ago, when the 'Looking at the Sea' project was first launched, everyone thought it was an opportunity to break into the mainstream. But breaking into the mainstream ultimately means reaching the public, not just keeping it to ourselves for our own enjoyment."
His gaze swept across everyone's faces.
"I have an idea, what do you all think, is it feasible?"
He explained in detail: "The performance of 'Looking at the Sea' is about two hours long. With three candidates, each receiving forty minutes, that should be enough. We will organize a formal performance and randomly select 1,500 students from several nearby universities to watch it. Finally, we will let them vote to decide."
Firstly, it allows us to hear the opinions of young people, since the support of young audiences is essential for breaking into new circles.
Secondly, it can also serve as a small-scale warm-up, to generate some buzz.
As soon as Li Weiyong finished speaking, Shen's mother was the first to become restless.
She maintained a polite smile, but her tone had become increasingly urgent.
"Old Principal, I have a different opinion."
Li Weiyong raised his chin, gesturing for her to speak.
"Students aren't professionals, and their aesthetic standards vary greatly. Wouldn't it be biased to have them vote?"
Shen's mother said anxiously, "Dance is a professional art form that requires a certain level of aesthetic appreciation. I'm afraid that entrusting such an important decision to a group of students is..."
"What are you afraid of?"
Li Weiyong interrupted Shen's mother, getting straight to the point: "Ultimately, 'Looking at the Sea' will be presented to the public. Doesn't the public's aesthetic sense also count as aesthetic sense?"
Shen's mother opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"People who can attend school nearby are basically highly qualified individuals in the country. If you think they lack aesthetic appreciation, then who in the entire country has aesthetic appreciation?"
Li Weiyong slammed his fist on the table and demanded, "Are we just going to lock ourselves in and entertain ourselves with this little group of people?"
The meeting room was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Even those working in the industry, including Qi Yanran, didn't think Li Weiyong's plan was reliable.
It's likely that the old man made the decision on a whim, without any careful consideration.
However, due to Li Weiyong's position, no one dared to voice any opposition...
Shen's mother's face darkened further.
If the judges are changed, she still has ways to move around.
With her voting rights covered by 1,500 randomly selected students, she was at a loss.
Li Weiyong turned to Qi Yanran: "Teacher Qi, what do you think?"
"I have no objection."
Qi Yanran nodded and said, "I'll contact the other universities right away to arrange the venue and the audience."
Even if the plan is unreliable, it's still fairer than having to compete with your boyfriend or your parents, so Qi Yanran had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.
Li Weiyong nodded and stood up.
"Does anyone want to add anything? If not, the meeting is adjourned."
People got up one after another and walked out in twos and threes.
Qi Yanran was tidying up her speech when Ding Heng came up to her, speaking sincerely.
"Thank you, Teacher Qi."
Ding Heng had witnessed the entire scene. Apart from Li Weiyong, who had been hypnotized by him, Qi Yanran was the only one who dared to argue her case.
Qi Yanran put her speech into her bag: "No need to thank me, I was just doing what I was supposed to do."
"I'll need your help to take care of Hua Qing in the capital from now on."
"With you here, do you really need me to take care of you?"
Qi Yanran glanced in the direction Li Weiyong had left and gave a self-deprecating bitter smile.
The fact that Ding Heng was able to persuade Li Weiyong to propose the current solution shows that, as he said two months ago, he indeed has enough confidence and power.
Ding Heng didn't reply, he just smiled.
Qi Yanran withdrew her gaze, her tone serious.
"However, I have a piece of advice for you."
"Teacher Qi, please speak."
"Since the plan was proposed by you... no, by the former principal."
Qi Yanran looked up and stared directly at Ding Heng: "No matter what the final result is, I hope you can respect the outcome and also respect Hua Qing."
Ding Heng chuckled and sighed, "Teacher Qi, what kind of person do you take me for? Someone like Shen Tingwan's mother?"
"I hope so."
Qi Yanran picked up her bag, turned around, and walked out.
Ding Heng stood there, watching Qi Yanran's figure disappear at the end of the corridor.
As a complete novice, he didn't know if his method was reliable, but it was the "fairest" method he could think of.
…………
When the apartment door was pushed open, Hua Qing was sitting on the living room sofa watching TV, but the volume was very low, and she wasn't really paying attention.
Hearing the door open, she turned around abruptly.
Ding Heng changed into slippers and walked in.
"How is it?"
Hua Qing immediately stood up and asked, the black bean in her hand was squeezed so tightly that it made a "meow" sound and jumped to the ground.
Ding Heng sat down on the sofa and reached out to pull Hua Qing into his arms.
"The final selection plan has been decided... The performance will be a vote. The three of you will each have forty minutes to randomly select 1,500 students in the university town to watch and let them vote."
Hua Qing was stunned.
This plan sounds rather improbable.
"The final selection plan has been decided... The performance will be a vote. The three of you will each have forty minutes to randomly select 1,500 students in the university town to watch and let them vote."
Hua Qing was stunned.
This plan sounds rather improbable.
It's unprecedented that such an important role selection was decided by someone outside the industry.
Ding Heng shifted the blame, saying, "Teacher Qi agreed to Principal Li's proposal."
Hua Qing blinked, even more incredulous.
Students voted through performances.
This is actually Principal Li's proposal, and Teacher Qi doesn't object to it?
However, things have come to this point, and it's better than resorting to back channels or loopholes.
Nothing in this world is perfect...
Hua Qing sincerely said, "Ding Heng, thank you."
Ding Heng teased, "Senior, are you confident? Shen Tingwan is only 0.5 points behind you."
"certainly."
Hua Qing spoke with certainty, without the slightest hesitation, her cool eyes gleaming.
If you don't even have the confidence to win over 1,500 people, how can you have the confidence to win over the entire nation's audience?
The pride of a genius is beyond question!