When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 296: Chapter 1113: Top Star of the ’60s Cultural Troupe (Finale)

”Or are there other performances that can truly represent our Xiahua’s long and brilliant culture?”

The judges were shaken. If that was truly the case, then *Shishu Ruyi* had to be chosen!

Huo Tianhao added more fuel to the fire. ”It’s for this very reason that during the preliminary selections, some of the leaders’ secretaries personally came to watch the performance...”

He didn’t elaborate, but the judges weren’t fools. If there was a problem with *Shishu Ruyi*, they would have surely received clear instructions at some point during the past week.

The person in charge recalled giving his report, how his superior had patted him on the shoulder and solemnly expressed his high hopes for the showcase.

He mulled over Huo Tianhao’s words and read between the lines, and the weight on his shoulders suddenly felt heavier.

He gratefully patted Huo Tianhao’s shoulder. ”Thanks, Tianhao. When you have a chance, bring your wife and kids over to my place for dinner.”

Huo Tianhao smiled and nodded. ”Once my wife is transferred to the city, we’ll definitely take you and your wife up on that offer.”

With that, he waved to the children, gave Xia Zhaoyun a quick gesture, and led the kids outside.

The judges huddled together to confer for a moment, then announced to the crowd, ”After a serious discussion, we have decided to restore *Shishu Ruyi*’s eligibility to perform. However, all other selected acts will also keep their spots; there will be no further eliminations.”

Furthermore, they decided to position this performance as a tribute to the motherland, placing it in the final, climactic spot of the show!

”You are all top talents in this field. Don’t believe every rumor you hear, or let others sway your judgment and turn you into their unwitting pawns.”

”Art is a serious matter. In dealing with our heritage, we must discard the bad and keep the good. Any art that is uplifting and reflects the strength of our nation is good art.”

”*Shishu Ruyi* is a celebration of the golden autumn, which fits the theme of a tribute to our country.”

”If anyone has any doubts, you may raise them openly. I will report it up the chain of command and provide you with a timely and accurate response.”

”As for the anonymous report, we will pretend we never saw it. I hope everyone will approach this showcase rationally, without mixing in any personal grudges or preferences!”

Everyone nodded in agreement, surprisingly satisfied with this outcome.

Only Jie Xiaoqin’s face was ashen, her expression one of utter defeat, as if all was lost.

Teacher Su walked up to her and said coldly, ”Jie Xiaoqin, you need to remember your responsibility. I don’t care what you’ve done or what circumstances you’re about to face.”

”The official performance is in one week. Success is the only option; failure is not. Understand?”

Jie Xiaoqin bit her lip and nodded. Recalling what Xia Zhaoyun had said in the car, a glimmer of hope sparked within her.

’If other organizations besides the Central Political Department are also scouting for talent, then as the lead dancer in a performance that made the final list, there’s a good chance I’ll be picked.’

’As long as I can get into another unit, who’s going to know or care about my past?’

’Time heals all wounds. Didn’t my own mother get a new post to erase the stains of her own failed youth?’

The girls from Group Three had broken out in a cold sweat, but thankfully, the final result was just what they’d hoped for.

’Just what they’d hoped for?’

It slowly dawned on them just how far they had come. Overcome with excitement, they clamped their hands over their mouths, their faces alight with joy as they silently communicated with one another.

As the judges were leaving, one of them came over and patted Teacher Su on the shoulder. ”Old Su, we’re all looking forward to your return. And hey, remember to bring this star pupil of yours along.”

Teacher Su followed the judge’s gaze and saw it land on Xia Zhaoyun.

She chuckled softly. ”Old Li, you’ve got that wrong. She’s no star pupil of mine. She studied under Mr. Gao for a while. She’s a gifted child, and her skills are by no means inferior to my own.”

Seeing her old friend’s astonished expression, she added, ”The choreography, the musical arrangement, the costumes, the props—everything for *Shishu Ruyi* came from her!”

The man grew even more excited. ”Then I’m truly curious just how talented a dancer she is. If the Central Political Department doesn’t take her, I don’t know who else they could possibly want.”

Teacher Su nodded. ”I think so, too. A grand stage like the Central Political Department is where she belongs.”

The girls’ command of the dance was already precise. For the final week, they just needed to maintain a calm mindset, keep up a certain level of daily training, and let their muscle memory take over.

Xia Zhaoyun continued to set aside an hour each morning and afternoon for intensive coaching, helping the girls not only close the gap with Group One, but push far beyond them in every respect.

The systematic knowledge of dance from future generations, refined and summarized over many years, had the effect of a sudden, profound enlightenment.

Their time together was growing short, and Xia Zhaoyun hoped this knowledge and these techniques would help them go further on the path toward their dreams.

Amid great anticipation, the curtain rose on the August Golden Autumn Arts Showcase.

After finishing everyone’s makeup, Xia Zhaoyun chuckled and continued telling them amusing stories to ease their tension.

As the evening sky deepened from dusk to dark, the audience’s initial excitement for the succession of cheerful and soothing musical numbers and synchronized dancers began to wane. A sense of aesthetic fatigue set in, and whispers began to ripple through the hall.

Suddenly, the stage went dark. A pale blue beam of light pierced one corner as the ethereal, distant sound of a flute began to play. A graceful silhouette flickered in and out of view...

A stunning, timeless beauty slowly unfolded before them, instantly dispelling the restlessness in everyone’s hearts.

The rhyme of winter, the nourishment of spring, the blaze of summer, the fruition of autumn—each moment held its own unique and irreplaceable beauty. But in the end, none could resist the march of time, just as the long river of history ultimately flows into a golden age!

It was as if everyone had been cleansed of all worldly desires, leaving only a pure and sincere heart. As if, on this long axis of time that was simultaneously compressed and stretched, they had rediscovered their original purpose...

Art knows no borders, nor is it bound by any industry. It is an abstract yet intuitive philosophy from which everyone can draw their own understanding!

Even those who had been watching with wide eyes from the very start, intent on finding ”conclusive evidence” to make a fuss over, could not help but see their own impurity in that moment.

As the girls unfurled the festive *Shishu Ruyi* scroll, the audience suddenly realized that the dancers, without anyone noticing, had surreptitiously painted a traditional Chinese scroll painting...

The painting showed no trace of forced artifice; instead, every inch of it radiated a natural joy and harmony. It was a masterpiece of spontaneous, fluid strokes. Even masters of traditional Chinese painting couldn’t help but gasp in admiration—and many of the high-ranking officials in attendance were more expert in painting than they were in dance.

”Bravo!” an elderly gentleman exclaimed, jumping to his feet and applauding vigorously. ”This is the true art of our Xiahua! Instead of imitating foreign art, we should perfect our own path.”

”Without the generations of our people who have refined and passed down the art of Xiahua, we would not have the achievements we see today.”