When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 287: Chapter 112: The Top Star of the 1960s Cultural Troupe (51)

No one knew how different the final image would be from what Xia Zhaoyun had imagined.

The stage was covered with soft, snow-white silk. The girls had changed into their performance costumes and were taking deep breaths, preparing backstage.

Xia Zhaoyun chuckled and said, ”I’ll say it again: don’t feel pressured, everyone. We’ve practiced for a month and a half and have nailed every detail. Now is the time to iron out any remaining issues.”

”If we get through these next few days, we’ll be halfway to success!”

This time, they were using genuine pigments for traditional Chinese painting, stepping and smearing them onto high-quality silk.

In the audience were Vice Factory Director Zhao, the head of the labor union, Mr. Xue, and Teacher Su, as well as a huge group of the girls’ friends and family!

Everyone was there to witness the results of Group Three’s month and a half of work.

An ethereal flute melody seemed to drift from the horizon, faint and indistinct, as a group of women in red dresses and light, white, hooded capes gracefully appeared.

The Kun dance, ”Winter’s Charm,” possessed the pure, graceful beauty of snow. It was a gentle, immersive aesthetic, every movement imbued with a Xiahua-style ”grace”—a legacy refined over millennia.

As the snow melted, the sound of a fine, dense spring rain began, and women in light blue, wide-sleeved dresses swayed onto the stage.

This was a Han-Tang dance, majestic and grand. Its static and dynamic postures created a unique physical grace, requiring the dancers to express it with perfect synchronization.

The light, flying sleeves, soft and flowing, were like the unfurling of spring itself.

Then came the summer rain. Girls full of exotic flair and fiery passion leaped onto the stage. Their movements were unique yet elegant, serene yet dazzling in their variety. Though few in number, they offered a glimpse into a mysterious world, creating a spectacular, dizzying display. It was like a hundred flowers blooming in summer, each one a peerless beauty.

This was a treasure of Xiahua, refined over thousands of years, a brilliant gem in world culture. Simple movements could give rise to a unique charm, yet they never strayed from the classical aesthetic of Xiahua.

An autumn wind blew, and girls in modern attire—black pants and orange tops—surged forward with joyful energy.

The four major schools of dance are among the most representative styles of Xiahua dance, having been refined over time.

This physical grace represented a highly generalized category of dance, a perfect fusion of body mechanics and rhythm. It embodied the cultural connotations and spirit of Xiahua dance while also incorporating many modern elements.

Body form, spiritual charm, focused power, and rhythmic movement—the interweaving of these four layers produced endless variations, showcasing the rich fruits of Xiahua dance while never forgetting its soul!

All the dancers’ clothes were simple, but the splendor of their movements gave the audience the feeling of having enjoyed a grand artistic feast. They were amazed, delighted, and mesmerized, following the girls on a slow journey back through the river of history.

Even ordinary people with no eye for dance couldn’t help but feel moved, reflecting on how hard-won their present lives were, their hearts filled with emotion.

When the final melody faded away, the girls leaped lightly off the silk, each taking a corner to present the painting, ”Shishu Ruyi,” to the audience.

Everyone couldn’t help but gasp. At the beginning, when a stagehand had spread the white silk on the stage, they had been puzzled, thinking it was to keep the girls’ feet from getting dirty. But it turned out that while dancing, they had created a traditional Chinese painting...

After a full five seconds of silence, the crowd erupted in applause. It was spectacular, truly beyond everyone’s expectations.

Vice Factory Director Zhao nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down his face as he said:

”This year, our factory has a real chance to get on stage and perform for the leadership. This piece is so well designed! It fits the autumn harvest theme, expresses blessings for our country, showcases our factory’s special character, and highlights the beauty of dance. What kind of mind does that choreographer have?”

Teacher Su couldn’t help but exclaim with admiration, ”It’s true what they say: the new waves of the Yangtze push the old ones forward, and new people replace the old. We’re really getting old. The younger generation is truly formidable!”

Mr. Xue smiled and nodded. ”The future of our country belongs to them.”

The girls of Group Three, panting slightly, listened to the thunderous applause, their hearts nearly overflowing with joy and pride.

Vice Factory Director Zhao immediately claimed the painting, saying he would have it framed and mounted in the most conspicuous place at the factory entrance, opposite the propaganda bulletin board!

After this performance, the girls’ initial anxiety completely vanished, and they trained even harder.

Soon, the day of the dress rehearsal arrived. The factory sent two buses to take the girls of the song and dance troupe, their teachers, the prop masters, the makeup artists, and other staff like the officers from the publicity department, heading for the city in a grand procession!

In contrast to the confident, victory-assured attitude of the Group Three girls, the girls from Group One were heavy-hearted, especially Jie Xiaoqin, who had previously been certain she would make it into the Central Political Department.