“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.
