When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 237: Chapter 98: Top Performer of the 60s Cultural Troupe (37)

In her nearly twenty years of experience in the field, she had never seen a performance this gaudy, aside from maybe a stage play or a grand ethnic chorus!

The mismatched costumes would inevitably distract the audience. For Group Three, this would make it even more difficult to get a high score and qualify for the final performance.

As Master Yuan thought of this, a sneer touched her lips. ’I won’t even have to lift a finger. The overall skill level of the Group Three dancers can’t even match Group Two’s. How could they possibly hope to catch up to Group One?’

She then gave another cold laugh, turned to face Group One, and forced a rare, benevolent smile as she offered them a few words of encouragement.

In stark contrast, the girls of Group Three felt uncomfortable and humiliated as they endured the curious and disdainful stares from the crowd.

Xia Zhaoyun smiled and patted their shoulders. ”Girls, you must always remember one thing: your only enemy is yourself!”

”As long as we improve every day, that in itself is a success. Other people’s judgments aren’t objective, and we can’t let them become a stumbling block on our path forward.”

The girls from Group Three thought about how they had worked harder than ever over the past half-month. Under Xia Zhaoyun’s guidance, every step had been a huge leap forward. They were a far cry from the amateurs they once were!

They nodded vigorously. ”We’ll show them on selection day.”

Watching from the side, Song Zhenbao couldn’t help but let out a laugh. She didn’t hold back even when she met Xia Zhaoyun’s cold gaze. ”Oh, sister, I’m sorry. I just find your method of comforting people a little amusing.”

”Comforting them is all well and good, but if you don’t let them recognize their actual abilities and their flaws, aren’t you just deluding them?”

”Honestly, sister... after you were kicked out of Group One, you shouldn’t have let your pride get the best of you. Did you really have to choose Group Three instead of our Group Two?”

”Are you that overconfident in your skills as a lead dancer, or do you just look down on us in Group Two?”

Her words managed to insult all three groups at once. Even Xia Zhaoyun couldn’t help but laugh. ”Song Zhenbao, do you really want me to tell you the truth?”

”Why did Group One push me out? A certain someone knows the reason better than anyone. If I hadn’t been forced out, how could that person have maintained her own ’dignity’?”

”And as for Group Two... well, you’re in it, and I don’t want my mood to be ruined when I’m trying to dance. Sigh. Now that I think about it, Group Two probably lost its chance to compete for a top-three spot because of you. Tsk, tsk. And you don’t even have the self-awareness to realize it.”

”As for the skill of my sisters in Group Three, I’ll say what I said before: we’ll settle it on stage!”

Song Zhenbao’s face turned ashen.

Normally, Xia Zhaoyun would never bother to explain herself, operating under the principle that the innocent have nothing to hide. She would have, at most, shot Song Zhenbao a mocking look and let the onlookers believe whatever skewed interpretation they wanted.

But this time, Xia Zhaoyun had not only explained, but had also bluntly hit the nail on the head, revealing the real reasons without any hesitation. Feeling the gazes of her colleagues shifting, Song Zhenbao forced a smile:

”Sister, what are you saying? Even if you’re holding a grudge, you shouldn’t take it out on me. You’re causing a scene in front of the comrades from other work units.”

’Another classic move—shifting the blame and muddying the waters!’

She was taking a small, private grudge and blowing it up into a matter of shaming the entire factory.

Xia Zhaoyun raised an eyebrow. ”Weren’t you the one who started this? If you hadn’t been slinging mud at me and my sisters, would I even be wasting my breath on you?”

”And by the way, I’m not your ’sister.’ No one even knows who’s older. Do you think you can just call me that to play the victim?”

”Besides,” a corner of her lip curled up, ”not just anyone can act all delicate and win people’s sympathy. It kind of depends on how pretty you are.”

”Comrade Song Zhenbao is passably cute, at best. When she tries to act all coy and fragile, it’s just a cringey imitation. People might think I have a fiery temper and refuse to be wronged, but at least my face is a delight to look at, no matter the angle.”

The girls from Group Three nodded emphatically. ”That’s right, that’s right! Comrade Song Zhenbao, your parents horribly abused our teacher, Little Xia, and then your family gets to decide what’s right and wrong with a few words.”

”People aren’t blind. You’re the one who came over here looking for trouble, and now you’re acting all pitiful. Tsk, tsk, what an eye-opener. We should all take notes, sisters...”

”Exactly. An outsider who didn’t know any better would definitely feel the urge to protect such a delicate flower...”

This barrage of taunts made Song Zhenbao clench her fists, her gaze fixed on Xia Zhaoyun as if laced with poison.

Then, she let out a light laugh, as if she hadn’t heard a thing. She looked at Xia Zhaoyun and said, ”Comrade Xia Zhaoyun, after this performance tour is over, Uncle Tong and Aunt Tong will be holding an engagement party for me and Yuanbin.”