Volume Two: Dancer, Chapter Sixty-Five: A New Beginning
This sudden turn of events left most of the audience bewildered, not quite understanding what had happened. However, some noticed the issue. Zhang Yindi, also a dancer like Dorothy Zhang, understood the implications all too well and was anxious; meanwhile, the instigator of this accident was eagerly waiting on the sidelines to see the spectacle unfold.
At this critical moment, Fu Xiaotang suddenly sat down on the spot, one hand clutching her chest to prevent her dress from slipping further, while raising her other arm high and starting to snap her fingers in the air. Zhang Yindi, who had been watching Fu Xiaotang closely, suddenly had an epiphany and exclaimed, “Bingo!” She quickly called over Qi Rong, who was responsible for stage management, and gave him a few brief instructions.
Qi Rong, having seen many big scenes, responded with composure. Without asking questions, he immediately used his walkie-talkie to call for changes in lighting and music. In a flash, within just over twenty seconds, the stage lights dimmed abruptly, casting the audience into a cinema-like darkness. Before anyone could voice their confusion, a strong, narrow beam of light shone down from above, directly illuminating Fu Xiaotang’s spot on stage, creating a circle of light about a meter in diameter.
Within this circle, a pair of red dance shoes appeared, along with a small section of an ankle, delicate and smooth, with an exquisite curve. The rest of the dancer’s body and face were completely obscured in darkness, their outline indistinguishable. At that moment, everyone’s gaze was riveted on this sole source of light in the darkness.
The red dance shoes, bathed in silver light, fluttered like a butterfly, dancing and twirling as if they might take flight and vanish at any moment. The scene was both bizarre and gripping. The audience was silent, holding their breath, fixated on this vivid, seemingly alive, and almost magical butterfly, fearing that any distraction would make them miss this rare spectacle.
Fu Xiaotang had already taken off her problematic dress in the darkness, now dancing in nothing but her skin-tight undergarments. However, Zhang Yindi’s timely cooperation had relieved her, as if she was unburdened. She danced with all her heart, her spirit and senses focused entirely on her feet.
“The girl discovered she couldn’t take off the shoes that once brought her joy and attention, nor could she stop dancing. She had to keep jumping, so tired, really tired, hoping someone would come to stop her, to take off her shoes. But where was this person? Why hadn’t he appeared?” The music, perfectly timed, seeped into everyone’s heart like a river of sorrow and helplessness. Watching those increasingly weary feet, people felt the girl’s growing despair, deeply moved even though they could only see the shoes without any other accompanying movements. Fu Xiaotang undoubtedly interpreted the story of the “Red Shoes” to perfection.
As the music faded, the red shoes finally slowed down. The dancer seemed to collapse to the ground, and the fluttering butterfly didn’t gain its freedom; it made a few gentle, weak jumps before the dim red light faded out like the last ember of a candle, eventually coming to rest. The light beam also dimmed, as if consumed by the surrounding darkness.
Fu Xiaotang lay prostrate on the floor, breathing softly, her mind blank, not yet considering how to take her bow. Suddenly, without warning, a warm, large hand found her face, and a familiar, always gentle voice whispered, “Xiaotang, it’s me.” Fu Xiaotang couldn’t help but call out lightly, “A-Zun!” It was the first time she called him this, and it slipped out smoothly, surprising even herself. Fang Junjie fell silent, seemingly touched by this form of address. After a moment, he softly asked, “Are you scared?” as he draped a cloak over her.
Fu Xiaotang felt the fabric was light, soft, thin, and warm, as if it still carried the warmth of his body. At that moment, she didn’t feel the chill on her skin and instinctively leaned into the warm, broad chest beside her. “I’m not afraid, I knew you would come,” Fang Junjie smiled silently in the darkness, holding the soft warmth in his arms, and kissed her forehead ever so lightly, saying, “Good girl!”
The last time he had saved her from Zhao Dongyuan, holding her in his arms, he had called her in the same comforting, encouraging, and praising manner. Now, recalling that day, both felt a warmth and sweetness in their hearts.
Suddenly, the lights of the entire venue came on, illuminating the stage and audience like daylight. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, as if only now realizing the beauty and value of light, that darkness breeds evil, and only light can bring hope. But upon closer look, there seemed to be an extra person on stage. Fang Junjie, the young master of the Celestial Palace, was on stage, holding Fu Xiaotang, his face bearing a slight smile, standing confidently as if he was born to be there.
Fu Xiaotang’s dance shoes lay scattered on the floor. Now, looking at them, they were just ordinary red shoes, yet moments ago, they seemed almost magical. Someone started clapping, and soon, the entire venue was filled with thunderous applause, mixed with whistles and cheers, lasting for a long time. This was not only for the magnificent performance but also for the fairy tale about to unfold – whether it was the prince and the princess, Cinderella, or the sparrow turning into a phoenix.
After the lights came on, Fang Junjie’s appearance on stage, holding Fu Xiaotang, painted the most romantic and enchanting scene of this year’s “Dancing Competition,” which would be talked about for years to come.
In the “Red Shoes” story, the girl dies in her lover’s arms, who then takes off her red shoes for her. She says, “Finally, I don’t have to dance anymore. It feels so good.” Then, she closes her eyes, forever. In reality, Fang Junjie removed Fu Xiaotang’s dance shoes, crowning the “Dancing Competition” with the most beautiful and talented champion in its history.
Cheng Yu slapped Xia Pei Pei across the face with a smack, showing no mercy. “Was it you who messed with Fu Xiaotang’s dress? You’ve got some guts.” Cheng Yu’s eyes were bloodshot, yet his tone was eerily calm, as if merely stating a fact. “Have you forgotten what I told you?” Xia Pei Pei knew that the calmer he spoke, the more severe the consequences would be. She thought this time it was foolproof, but unexpectedly, it inadvertently helped Fu Xiaotang win the championship. Inside, she was both angry and jealous, but more than that, she was scared. She knew that the sight of Fang Junjie embracing Fu Xiaotang during the curtain call would provoke Cheng Yu like oil thrown onto a fire. Indeed, as soon as the event ended, he dragged her into a room. The terrifying look in his eyes suggested he might chew her up alive. Xia Pei Pei shivered, holding her face with trembling hands, and choked out, “It really wasn’t me.”
Cheng Yu raised an eyebrow and actually gave a slight, self-mocking smile. “Forget it, why bother asking you. I’m not here for you to admit anything. Deal with it yourself.” With that, he stood up and was about to leave. Xia Pei Pei was terrified, wondering if he would immediately send someone to deal with her if he left. “No!” she cried out sincerely, lunging to grab his leg, crying out, “Young Master Cheng, please forgive me… for the sake of the time we spent together, please don’t… I won’t dare do it again, I’ll stay far away from her, I won’t have any bad intentions anymore.”
