◎He Xing's Dance Drama Debut◎
As the only senior in Dorm 320, He Xing was set to graduate a year earlier than her juniors.
When she attended Yan’s wedding in Ning City, it marked exactly one year since she had graduated from Bin University and joined the Xia National Dance Theater.
After hastily attending the wedding, He Xing couldn’t stay longer for other activities with her juniors—she was swamped with work.
The classical dance drama Millennium: Flying Apsaras, in which she played the lead role, was about to premiere, leaving no room for slacking in her daily practice.
"One day without practice, only you know; three days without practice, even the audience can tell."
Thanks to her unique experiences, He Xing had fewer physical injuries than most dancers, making it easier for her to execute demanding moves with precision.
In the dance troupe, respect was earned through skill.
Though not particularly sociable, He Xing still commanded admiration.
Back when the incident involving Fu Yao came to light, she never imagined she’d end up in the same dance theater. After passing the audition last year, her arrival inevitably drew attention.
The gazes she encountered held a mix of concern, curiosity, pity, and other indescribable emotions.
But none of it could touch her now.
She had weathered countless storms, and life had settled into calm waters. All she wanted now was to dance—to be a dancer, nothing more.
On August 8th, Millennium: Flying Apsaras held its premiere press conference.
From August 18th to 20th, at the Xia National Grand Theater in Ning City, He Xing would officially begin her journey as the lead dancer in her own production.
As the principal dancer, she didn’t receive many complimentary tickets. Fortunately, her juniors were resourceful—some managed to snag tickets through sheer persistence, while others had connections, leaving He Xing with extras. She gave one away and handed the other to a colleague.
...
Watching He Xing’s debut performance in Ning City was the last thing Yan and Zhu Jue did before returning to Bin City for their studies.
After graduating with their bachelor’s degrees, their classmates had scattered like stars across the sky—even their own dormmates were now busy with their own lives.
Following their wedding, the group had only managed a brief one- or two-day reunion before parting ways. While they were still on summer break, Ping An was already preparing to start her new job.
"This summer feels so peaceful—it’s almost unsettling," Yan mused, pacing around the walk-in closet of their new home.
She finally settled on a sleeveless turquoise-blue maxi dress with a cinched waist, its color reminiscent of the autumn lakes in Jiuzhaigou—cool, refreshing, and tinged with green. To complement her look, she paired Zhu Jue’s loose white T-shirt with a short overshirt for added dimension.
Perfect—this way, the color of her dress would stand out even more!
"Maybe the heavens are giving us a leisurely honeymoon," Zhu Jue said, gathering her long hair to tie the dress straps into an elegant bow at the nape of her neck.
After their July wedding, the couple’s circle had remained small—aside from Da Bao and Xiao Bao, the occasional appearance of Wen Xin, and Uncle Xiao at the traditional medicine clinic, no other "spotlight figures" had intruded on their newlywed bliss.
"Heh, that’s because I made a wish," Yan declared triumphantly, hands on her hips.
"I said no new ‘spotlight people’ are allowed to ruin our honeymoon!"
Zhu Jue laughed, sweeping her up in a spin. "That’s right—you’re the most amazing."
Once dressed, Yan double-checked her mint-blue chain bag for essentials—cushion compact, lipstick, and the performance tickets—before Zhu Jue slung it over his shoulder, the color perfectly complementing her dress.
He Xing’s premiere was at 7 PM, but by 4 PM, Yan and Zhu Jue were already heading out. They had plans to meet Brother Xiao and Sui Sui for dinner before the show.
"After tonight’s performance, Senior He Xing will probably be swamped. The Ning City premiere is just the start—she’ll be touring other cities soon."
"Big cities will all have shows. If you can get tickets, everyone will have a chance to see it," Zhu Jue remarked.
Since they were attending a dance performance, they ruled out strong-smelling options like barbecue or hot pot to avoid carrying odors into the theater.
Prioritizing privacy, the four of them settled on a nearby Chinese restaurant with private dining rooms.
Yan observed Sui Sui’s light green cross-collar dress, flowing like spring water, her hair loosely pinned up. Beside her, Brother Xiao wore a dark emerald-green shirt with a subtle mandarin collar and half-length sleeves, exuding quiet sophistication. The contrast between their outfits—one soft, one deep—created a harmonious balance.
Looking between her own outfit with Zhu Jue and Sui Sui’s with Brother Xiao, Yan concluded, "Today, we’re the blue-green squad."
Xiao Qingnang raised a brow at Zhu Jue’s white T-shirt and black overshirt, teasing, "You—get out."
Zhu Jue lifted the mint-blue bag in protest. "I have an accessory."
"Me too," Brother Xiao countered, holding up a white clutch.
Yan and Sui Sui exchanged exasperated glances.
"Pathetic," Yan muttered.
"Childish," Gu Jiasui deadpanned.
With the evening’s main event in mind, they ordered four dishes and a soup. Soon, Yan and Sui Sui were whispering like conspirators.
To escape the men’s alternating tactics—puppy-dog eyes, intense staring, and poorly disguised eavesdropping—the two women grabbed their bags and retreated to the restroom.
"Yan, I swear, he’s gotten so... immature lately," Sui Sui grumbled under her breath.
"No idea where he picked it up, but he’s started pulling this pitiful act—this grown man looking at me like I’m the heartless one!"
Yan nodded emphatically. "Zhu Jue does the same thing—fake pouting, fake sadness. It’s ridiculous."
"Outsiders think he’s all calm and composed, but he’s just getting more shameless! And clingy—so clingy." Sui Sui clenched her teeth, leaving some details unsaid.
Yan understood completely. No wonder Xu Jiaojiao and Zhu Jue never got along—his possessiveness was next-level. Back when she and Jiaojiao took a girls’ trip, Zhu Jue’s constant calls and video chats had Jiaojiao accusing him of "pulling manipulative stunts" to lure her back.
After venting for a while, they returned to find the men sitting stiffly, eyes forward, as if they hadn’t just been exchanging tips.
Dinner concluded, the quartet headed to the theater, falling into their old campus dynamic—Yan and Gu Jiasui walking arm-in-arm ahead, their two bag-carrying "accessories" trailing behind.
Listening to the light laughter ahead, Xiao Qingnang quickened his pace. "Wonder what they’re talking about."
"If it’s not about us, it’s probably gossip," Zhu Jue said sagely.
Xiao Qingnang smirked. "They’re not glancing back—definitely not complaining about us."
As they spoke, they arrived twenty minutes before the performance, just in time to avoid waiting in line outside. After bag checks and security, the theater had already opened, and they smoothly made their way to their central seats.
"I think I caught a glimpse of someone just now," Yan whispered to Zhu Jue after sitting down.
"Someone new?"
Yan shook her head. "It looked like Sister Zheng."
Her sensitivity to auras had reached the point where she could pinpoint them with a single glance.
But after scanning the surroundings, aside from Sui Sui and Brother Xiao, there were no other auras nearby.
"The senior probably gave Sister Zheng a ticket, but since it's the premiere, she might be keeping an eye on the venue. Security’s pretty tight today," Yan mused, wondering if some VIP had attended the premiere.
They hadn’t had time to check out the official merchandise for the dance drama before arriving.
The theater gradually filled, buzzing with activity. Yan noticed people raising their phones to take photos, some even pointing in her direction—likely trying to sneak a shot of Sui Sui. She shifted slightly to block the view.
"I sent the senior a message half an hour ago. She replied with an 'okay,' but she’s probably too busy to check her phone now," Yan said.
"I’m feeling a little nervous," Gu Jiasui admitted.
Soon, the theater darkened, leaving only the red-lit warnings near the stage: "No photography or recording during the performance," and "Please remain quiet."
And so, Millennium: Flying Apsaras began.
The story unfolded with a traveler’s journey to Dunhuang, opening the prologue to a thousand years of celestial dance.
The curtains rose, revealing heavenly maidens with flowing ribbons, their movements as light as petals in the wind.
At the center was the Flying Apsaras Saintess, her ribbons soaring as if alive, pulling the audience into an immersive dream.
Graceful, divine, and radiant—no words could fully capture her presence. Only "heavenly maiden" seemed fitting.
The beauty onstage was mesmerizing, leaving the audience breathless, afraid even the slightest sound might disturb the sacred performance.
During the fifteen-minute intermission, the restroom lines buzzed with discussions about the dance and plot.
"That lead dancer, the one in the middle—she’s incredible."
"That’s the principal dancer, right? I don’t know how to describe it, but she was amazing. Like she stepped right out of a painting. What’s her name?"
"I got here late, but I saw the name on the board outside. The first one must be the principal—He Xing. 'He Xing,' as in 'how fortunate.'"
"What a name. Honestly, seeing this performance today, we’re the fortunate ones."
When the two-hour show finally concluded, thunderous applause and cheers filled the theater. The cast took bow after bow, and Yan and Sui Sui exchanged a knowing smile.
The premiere of Millennium: Flying Apsaras was undoubtedly a triumph.
After the performance, as the crowd dispersed, Yan considered joining the post-show meet-and-greet to support the senior. But the endless line made it clear her presence wasn’t needed.
The merchandise section—selling notebooks, tote bags, and more—had been completely cleared out.
"The senior won’t have time for us now."
"Let’s not squeeze in. Time to head home!"
They sent He Xing photos and videos of the packed venue before making their exit.
Meanwhile, backstage, the dancers celebrated as they changed out of their costumes.
Dancing was physically demanding, and He Xing had barely changed when she checked her phone—flooded with messages. She only had time to skim the troupe’s notice: the principal cast was expected at the meet-and-greet.
Grabbing her phone, she stepped out of the dressing room with seven or eight minutes to spare—only to spot a familiar face she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Officer Zheng Yi stood with her hands in her pockets, as casual as ever, a special access pass hanging around her neck.
She gave He Xing a slight nod and a smile.
"Congratulations. A flawless performance."
Zheng Yi raised a hand, as if for a high-five.
He Xing met it with her right hand.
"Thanks for making time in your busy schedule."
When He Xing had sent the ticket, Zheng Yi was away on official business. She hadn’t expected her to come.
During the performance, her focus had been absolute—seeing only the sea of faces in the audience.
"You sent the ticket. How could I not come?" Zheng Yi’s eyes held a quiet warmth.
Over the years, she hadn’t kept in touch with the young dancer. But seeing He Xing shine as the lead tonight, she couldn’t help but think: This is good.
After the high-five, Zheng Yi held onto her hand.
Her tone turned solemn.
"Miss He."
"This time, justice wasn’t delayed. And it certainly wasn’t absent."
The handshake felt like an echo of the past, leaving He Xing momentarily stunned.
"Xing’er, let’s go!" A colleague’s voice called from down the hall.
"Thank you, Officer Zheng." He Xing squeezed her hand firmly before letting go.
She jogged to catch up with her troupe, waving over her shoulder.
"See you around."
Zheng Yi leaned against the wall, hands still in her pockets, watching her rush ahead. A soft chuckle escaped her.
"See you, He Xing—dancer extraordinaire."
To see you walk further down this path, back to the rhythm of life—
This is good.
