The program selection is not based on grade, but solely on type.
Their dance falls under street dance.
Therefore, their batchmates are all street dancers.
However, their performance is scheduled later, and in the fifth group of a round, they happen to be with Tong Jiayi, who performs classical dance.
Wen Tingxue knows her foundation is excellent and has been worried they might be eliminated.
"Who's dancing? Why is there such a crowd?"
Xie Jin Yi nudged Wen Tingxue, who was praying fervently.
"Shall we go take a look too?"
"Look at what?"
She's in no mood to spectate right now.
But she can't resist Xie Jin Yi's carefree nature.
When she was pulled along, another large crowd had already gathered.
Wen Tingxue was perplexed, weren't they all competing?
How could they have the leisure to care about others dancing?
The onlookers were numerous, more than for any previous group.
Wen Tingxue was still curious about who possessed such charisma. Upon closer inspection –
It was Chi Ze Rui.
He was performing street dance with a five-person team.
He was the main dancer, wearing a loose white t-shirt, and danced with great energy.
His musicality and rhythm were exceptional.
The hip-hop and breaking moves were incredibly explosive.
Especially his floor work; the moment it appeared, the audience would erupt in screams.
Even the judges were covering their faces shyly.
The final pose was a one-handed aerial freeze, revealing his toned abs.
Especially his waist.
Both slender and powerful.
Truly lethal.
Screams rippled through the audience.
"Oh my god! He's so handsome!"
"Chi Ze Rui shouldn't dance, every time he dances I can't help but fall for him."
"Isn't he incredibly cool?"
"Honestly, apart from being a scumbag, Chi Ze Rui is perfect!"
"If he wasn't so much of a scumbag, I'd want to pursue him."
"Is this what they call a 'dog waist'?"
"I heard he's very skilled in bed."
"Holy crap?!"
Amidst the chatter, Chi Ze Rui stood up and casually put on the jacket thrown by a classmate.
Just as he was about to leave, he noticed Wen Tingxue in the crowd.
"Why is he suddenly coming over?!"
"Oh no, he's really coming this way!"
"Who is he looking for?"
"I'm so nervous..."
In the center of attention, Chi Ze Rui stopped in front of Wen Tingxue and asked with a slight arch of his brow, "Have you registered your performance?"
"Ah..."
Wen Tingxue was somewhat smitten by his handsomeness, and her speech faltered.
Chi Ze Rui chuckled, "What is it?"
"Street dance."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "What a coincidence."
"Let me take a look."
He casually crossed his arms and stood beside her.
Wen Tingxue: "..."
"Oh no..." she mumbled.
Chi Ze Rui tilted his head, his eyes dark and bright. "What? Don't you like me?"
"No, no," Wen Tingxue shook her head. "That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I..."
Under his direct gaze, she couldn't lie. She pursed her lips and told the truth:
"You're so good at dancing, and I'm just a newcomer. It's like bringing coals to Newcastle..."
The girl's skin was fair and delicate. When she spoke in a hurry, a faint blush would appear on her cheeks.
Like an underripe peach, shy and endearing, yet naive and ignorant.
Chi Ze Rui felt a tickle in his chest and smiled, "It's okay, I won't laugh no matter how you dance, don't worry."
He reached out and ruffled her hair, adding.
"I'm just filling in for now, I'm not that great."
Half of their class's performances were cut. They had no choice but to push him out.
They needed to present something decent.
He was annoyed by the situation, so he came to play around.
He didn't expect to encounter her.
She was quite interesting.
"Oh."
Wen Tingxue actually believed him.
Chi Ze Rui smirked; she was quite easy to fool.
Little fool.
-
Chi Ze Rui was the last performer in the previous round's five groups.
Yu Ya and, unfortunately, took the stage right after Chi Ze Rui.
The stark contrast led to an immediate three-vote elimination.
Wen Tingxue was scheduled third, and she became even more nervous.
Her back was stiffly straightened.
Chi Ze Rui glanced at her indifferently and smiled slowly.
"With that kind of state, you're close to being eliminated too."
"Ah?"
Wen Tingxue's face immediately fell, looking pitiful.
Chi Ze Rui shook his head helplessly. "What I mean is, don't take the competition too seriously. Enjoy it.
"Just like you usually practice dancing, enjoy the stage, dance. Only by relaxing can you achieve surprising results."
"Really, really?"
He was usually so unreliable, Wen Tingxue was somewhat skeptical.
Chi Ze Rui chuckled, "You ungrateful little ghost, don't believe me if you don't want to."
With that, he made a move to leave.
Wen Tingxue instinctively grabbed his sleeve, "I didn't say I don't believe you, don't be angry."
Her voice was soft, as if someone had bullied her.
Chi Ze Rui used to dislike this kind of demeanor, thinking she would cry for a long time over a small matter.
But her...
"Alright, it's almost your turn to perform, here～"
Chi Ze Rui took off the necklace from his neck and hung it on hers.
"Brother is lending you his lucky necklace, remember to return it～"
He ruffled her hair and then, with a flick of his finger, pushed her onto the stage.
Wen Tingxue hadn't even prepared herself before she was on stage in the blink of an eye.
Xie Jin Yi walked past her from behind and patted her shoulder. When she turned back, she patted her shoulder on this side again.
Smiling, she said, "Relax, smile～"
Perhaps because she was already on stage and had no retreat,
Wen Tingxue took a deep breath and nodded, "Okay!"
Then, she touched the pendant on her chest. It was star-shaped, with a hollow center inlaid with an hourglass.
*Sigh*
Relax...
...
Chi Ze Rui stood in the crowd with his arms crossed, a smile on his lips.
When the music started, he raised his hand to his lips and said loudly, "Good luck!"
His voice was unique and naturally alluring.
The moment he spoke, he attracted many people.
Those who knew him also cheered him on.
Wen Tingxue's face was flushed red as she danced the entire routine. Whether it was good or not, the atmosphere was great.
Chi Ze Rui, as expected of a street dancer, was excellent at creating a lively atmosphere.
"Alright."
The student union president, sitting at the main judge's table, nodded with a smile.
"Wait aside for a moment, the results will be out soon."
"Mm."
The two bowed and got off the stage.
Tong Jiayi performed after them. Since it was a selection, she wasn't wearing a dance costume.
But her figure was excellent. Even in the most ordinary school uniform, every step she took exuded grace.
It was as if she was already wearing an elegant and luxurious dance costume.
A tinkling melody began. Tong Jiayi raised her wrist, elegantly covering her face, her eyes stubborn and cold.
As the drums grew more urgent, the young girl slowly lifted her right leg, performing a perfect side split.
Flawless, steady, and full of power.
It clearly demonstrated her solid foundation.
"It's over..."
Wen Tingxue leaned her head on Xie Jin Yi's shoulder and sighed, "She dances so beautifully, we..."
"You danced well too," Chi Ze Rui interjected lazily. "Why are you so lacking in confidence?
"Besides, you're not the same type. If I remember correctly, there are quite a few spots for street dance, so your chances are high."
"Mm."
The little girl nodded, then remembered the pendant around her neck and quickly took it off to return it to him.
"Thank you."
"No rush."
Chi Ze Rui raised his hand to stop her, smiling as he said, "Return it after the results are out. Perhaps it will bring you good luck."
Wen Tingxue didn't expect him to be so accommodating today. She blinked dazedly.
She inadvertently noticed a tall, slender youth standing not far away, and her heart fluttered.
Without further ado, she hurried over to him.
Chi Ze Rui watched the little girl's flustered retreating figure, and a sudden sense of melancholy began to well up in his heart.