When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 224: Chapter 94: Top Star of the 60s Song and Dance Troupe (33)

As she spoke, Teacher Su seemed to space out for a moment.

”Child, you only live once. A dancer’s prime is fleeting—just a few short years. Many are forced to leave the profession because they get too old, their bodies lose flexibility, or old injuries flare up all at once.”

”Marrying rich is the goal for many of the women in the arts troupe. Very few, like me, can continue to make a living in this profession on skill alone. Most are forced by circumstance to transfer to other jobs, becoming as mundane as the people they once looked down on, losing all the beauty and glamour of the stage.”

”A true dancer must dedicate her entire being to the stage. If your mind is full of distractions, how can you perform a pure dance? And how can you continue to pursue the career you love?”

Xia Zhaoyun smiled, her lips pressed together. ”Thank you, Teacher. From now on, I won’t overthink things. I’ll devote myself wholeheartedly to dancing and become the brightest star on stage!”

Teacher Su shot her a glare. ”You also need to learn some humility. You need to understand that there’s always someone better out there. The girls in the Central Political Department are the top performers scouted from across the entire country. Talent, spirit, looks, technique... in what area do you think you’d have an edge?”

”The key is, they’re also hardworking, humble, and eager to learn. Not like you—you’re quick with promises and you coast on your looks. If you were lucky enough to get into the Central Political Department, you’d be eaten alive!”

Xia Zhaoyun shrugged, her previous serious and earnest expression gone. She asked in a playful tone, ”Teacher Su, what if I can take a top-three spot?”

Teacher Su scoffed. ”It’s not that I’m underestimating you, but you seem to have forgotten the actual skill level of your partners. They’re beginners at best. Give you a year, and you might have a shot at that goal.”

”With only half a month, not even the top instructors from the Central Political Department could guarantee it.”

”If you can really pull it off, I’ll make an exception and recommend you to the Central Political Department!”

Xia Zhaoyun tilted her head in surprise. ”Teacher Su, are you serious?”

Teacher Su poked her on the forehead, exasperated. ”Do you think I’m like you, making promises I can’t keep? I’m putting my foot down today. As long as you bring me a top-three finish, I’ll swallow my pride and put in a recommendation for you.”

”But let’s be clear. I’m just making the recommendation. Whether you make it or not is still up to your own abilities.”

’A fire ignited in Xia Zhaoyun’s heart.’ This was her obsession—or rather, the obsession of every dancer.

Her eyes curved into crescents as she nodded eagerly. ”Of course. If I’m not skilled enough to cross the threshold of the Central Political Department, then I wouldn’t even want to get in. I’d rather be a big fish in a small pond!”

”Is that the extent of your ambition? What are you standing around for? Do you think you have all the time in the world?” Teacher Su gave her a push forward and headed to the practice room ahead, showing no intention of going next door to introduce her.

Xia Zhaoyun smiled and rubbed her nose. She lifted her head, straightened her back, and pulled in her stomach before walking to a practice room and pushing the door open.

The noisy room fell silent for a moment. Everyone put on a solemn expression and struck a pose as if they were practicing diligently. Some were stretching, some were practicing their splits on the floor, and others were leaping and turning...

But then, everyone caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of their eyes. Seeing it was the former star performer—the one who had vanished for half a month and become the subject of endless gossip—they rolled their eyes and let out a few disgruntled huffs. Their poses didn’t change, but their mouths started flapping again, and the room returned to the clamor of a marketplace.

”The downtown department store just got a new shipment of dresses. Are you guys going on your day off?”

”I have to go with my parents to my grandparents’ place. I’ve already put it off several times, and my old man laid down the law—he said if I don’t go this time, he’ll disown his ’good little granddaughter.’ He’s being so stern about it...”

”I’m going out, but not to the department store. I have a date to see a play...”

”A play? You mean *Teahouse*? The one Mr. Huang adapted from Mr. She’s novel, starring the super-famous Lantian and Dongfeng duo from the General Political Drama Troupe?”

”I’ve heard of that one, too! I heard the higher-ups specifically commissioned it. They want to create a world-class production. The cast alone has over fifty actors. It was only for internal viewing at first, but the response was so good that they started selling tickets to the public. They’re impossible to get now, and it’s definitely going to be on the international stage someday...”

”Anyone who gets to go can say they’ve seen the same show as national and international leaders...”

In an instant, the woman who had tickets to the theater became the center of everyone’s attention.

Xia Zhaoyun’s eyes darted thoughtfully. She smiled, walked over to sit with them, and gracefully eased into a perfect split. ”Zhao Si’en, what a coincidence! My family and I are also going to see *Teahouse* this weekend. We could go together, and afterward, we can go for barbecue at my friend’s place.”