After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Haishi. A dazzling display of lights.
The bustling metropolis throbbed with life in the night.
Jin Siyue, emerging from the dance studio, greeted Cheng Zhanxi with a warm hug, her arm draped over Cheng Zhanxi's shoulder as she led her inside, apologizing profusely for not being able to pick her up from the high-speed rail station personally. Her vibrant, charming face and sincere expression made it impossible to hold anything against her.
"Have we not seen each other for so long that you've become distant with me?" Cheng Zhanxi teased, interrupting her rambling apologies.
Jin Siyue's words caught in her throat. She opened her mouth, then, unable to articulate a proper response, laughed and sighed. "It's my fault," she admitted.
Cheng Zhanxi patted her shoulder, adopting a serious tone. "Let me offer you some words of wisdom: 'Never forget your original intention, and you will surely succeed'," she said.
Jin Siyue laughed and scolded her. "Get lost. I'm older than you, you know," she said.
Cheng Zhanxi turned to Jin Siyue's assistant, who was walking behind them. "Did you see that? A celebrity's persona crumbling before our very eyes! Someone should film this and sell it to her for a fortune. You'll be rich!" she exclaimed.
The assistant laughed quietly.
Jin Siyue said, "It's a shame you're not in business."
Cheng Zhanxi sighed dramatically. "Both the art world and the business world are missing out on a talent like me, but I can only choose one. It's a difficult decision," she lamented.
Jin Siyue gave her a thumbs-up. "Even after all these years, your narcissism remains unmatched," she said.
Jin Siyue and Cheng Zhanxi were childhood friends. When they turned eighteen, Cheng Zhanxi went to Europe to study art, and Jin Siyue went to the United States for business. However, after graduating, Jin Siyue hadn't immediately joined her family's company. Instead, she formed a girl group and debuted, acting as both the leader and the owner. After years of hard work, the group was finally gaining some traction. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived. The idol group scene in China wasn't conducive to long-term group activities; solo careers were generally more successful. As the other members gained popularity, they started having second thoughts, and disbanding was inevitable. In fact, it was already in the works.
Jin Siyue also didn't have the time or energy to focus solely on the group. Her parents had given her an ultimatum: she had to return home and take over the family business by the time she turned thirty. At twenty-seven, she had three years left, but it seemed she might have to "retire" from the entertainment industry early.
They entered the dance studio.
The room was spacious and bright, the floor polished to a mirror sheen. The group's name was engraved on the back wall, blue letters against a gray background, prominent and eye-catching.
A few girls were practicing inside, none of whom Cheng Zhanxi recognized.
Jin Siyue's group was practically disbanded, the members pursuing their own individual schedules.
Cheng Zhanxi tactfully avoided the topic, looking at the fresh-faced eighteen and nineteen-year-old girls in the center of the studio. "Are these the people you found for me?" she asked with a smile.
Jin Siyue said, "They're all new recruits at the studio. I'm planning to send them to a talent show next year. I'm almost retired myself, so their future depends on their own efforts." Not wanting to dwell on the subject, she asked, "Have you eaten yet? My treat. Let's go out for dinner."
Cheng Zhanxi replied, "No need. Let's just order takeout. We still need to practice. Going out would be a waste of time."
Jin Siyue thought she had misheard. "We're practicing tonight???" she asked incredulously.
Cheng Zhanxi glanced at her and started taking off her jacket. "Why else would I rush over here as soon as school ended?" she asked.
Jin Siyue feigned hurt. "I thought you wanted to see me, to catch up and chat," she said wistfully.
Cheng Zhanxi laughed. "You're dreaming if you think that's happening," she said, tossing her jacket aside.
"I'll warm up first. You go get the dance instructor. We can run through the routine a couple of times before the takeout arrives," she said.
Jin Siyue: "..."
Jin Siyue had thought they would spend the next two days reminiscing and catching up, but Cheng Zhanxi was a dance machine, devoid of sentimental attachments. She practically lived in the studio, never once going to the five-star hotel Jin Siyue had booked for her, more dedicated than the trainees themselves. The trainees, unsure of Cheng Zhanxi's background or purpose, just followed her lead, practicing day and night, their arms and legs moving even in their dreams. Seeing a twenty-seven-year-old still pursuing her idol dreams inspired them, fearing they might fall behind, they doubled their efforts, pushing themselves to the limit.
Jin Siyue, returning from her own schedule: "???"
Sunday, 2 a.m. The music in the studio stopped for a break.
Cheng Zhanxi leaned against the wall, wiping the sweat from her neck with a towel. The hem of her shirt was tied up, revealing her toned, supple waist and flat stomach glistening with sweat. With every breath, the lines of her abs were clearly visible.
With only two days, she had avoided all unnecessary socializing. Unlike her usual friendly and approachable self, she hadn't spoken a word unrelated to dance, except for the brief self-introduction she'd given to the trainees on the first day.
Tall and striking, with a serious expression, she projected an aura of aloofness.
The trainees huddled in a corner, whispering among themselves.
"Is she some kind of senior artist?"
"I don't think so. With her looks and figure, she'd be famous if she had debuted."
"She's almost as pretty and fit as Jin Zong. If she's not famous, what hope do we have?"
"What does she do, then?"
"I know! Could she be our new leader? Maybe Jin Zong is planning to debut us as a new group, and she's here to assess us!"
"Maybe. Why don't you go ask her?"
"Why me? Why don't you go?"
One of the trainees was chosen. She nervously approached Cheng Zhanxi, her steps small and hesitant. "Hello," she said softly.
Cheng Zhanxi nodded and replied gently, "Hello."
The trainee asked, "Excuse me, but what do you do?"
Cheng Zhanxi smiled. "I'm a PE teacher," she replied.
The trainee's eyes widened.
Returning to her friends, she relayed the information, resulting in a chorus of dropped jaws.
Were PE teachers now transitioning into idol groups? The competition was getting fierce!
The trainees became even more determined.
3 a.m.
The dance instructor had long gone home. Cheng Zhanxi, the pseudo-leader, turned off the music, turned to face the trainees, and said, "Good work, everyone. Go back to your dorms and rest. Let's meet tomorrow at nine… no, ten. Is that okay?"
The trainees shook their heads in unison: No, we cannot be so lazy!
Cheng Zhanxi: "???"
The trainees exchanged glances, and one of them suggested, "Can we meet at seven instead?"
Cheng Zhanxi exclaimed, "Isn't that too early?"
The trainees replied in unison, "Not at all!"
Cheng Zhanxi: "...Alright." She would just give them bigger red envelopes. Exploiting these young girls wasn't her intention.
Cheng Zhanxi took a photo of herself in front of the studio mirror. She was lying on a thin mat on the floor, a pillow on her lap, looking rather pathetic.
She opened her WeChat Moments, set the visibility to "Only visible to one person," selected Yu Qingtang, then hesitated and withdrew her finger just as she was about to post it.
It looked too much like she was fishing for sympathy: Look how much I've done for you. Don't you feel bad for me?
Cheng Zhanxi always strived for excellence in everything she did. Even without Yu Qingtang as her motivation, she wouldn't simply record a half-hearted video after only a couple of practice runs.
In the end, she posted a simple text update without a photo: [Goodnight [moon emoji]].
Waking up, she saw numerous likes and comments from friends asking why she had slept so late, when she was free to hang out, what she had been up to, and how much they missed her. Cheng Zhanxi scrolled through the comments, but didn't find one from Yu Qingtang.
Jin Siyue, free from her own schedule that day, sat cross-legged in a corner of the studio, working on her laptop while watching the trainees practice.
Cheng Zhanxi was currently practicing the more complex version of the dance, the one with formations and floor work – drops, knee slides, body rolls, and flips. It was visually stunning, but also physically demanding. Even professional dancers would end up with bruises on their knees and shins, let alone Cheng Zhanxi, who, while athletically gifted, wasn't a trained idol.
Jin Siyue, watching her spray her legs with pain relief spray again, frowned.
A hand took the spray from Cheng Zhanxi's grasp. She looked up and saw Jin Siyue's face.
Cheng Zhanxi extended her leg, accepting her ministrations without a word.
After applying the spray, Jin Siyue said, her expression worried, "Shouldn't you stop? You're going to ruin your legs."
Cheng Zhanxi waved her hand dismissively. "I'll practice a little longer. I'm almost done. I have to go back tonight," she said, using a newly learned term. "How was my expression management just now? Was my smile too stiff?"
Jin Siyue: "..."
"It looked natural. Those girls' smiles weren't as sweet as yours. Oh my god, my heart skipped a beat. I didn't know you had it in you," she said.
Cheng Zhanxi beamed.
She was imagining Yu Qingtang dancing. Of course, it would be sweet.
Jin Siyue said, "So, what do you think? Want to form a duo with me? A limited-time group, we'll disband after three years. I don't want to go home and take over the family business so soon. I haven't had enough fun yet."
Cheng Zhanxi replied, "I already have a partner."
Jin Siyue asked, "Who?"
Cheng Zhanxi smiled mysteriously, keeping her secret. "I'm not telling you," she said.
Jin Siyue scoffed. "So stingy," she said.
Cheng Zhanxi pushed herself up from the floor. "I'm going back to practice. Talk to you later," she said.
On Sunday afternoon, Cheng Zhanxi changed out of her training clothes, put on her regular clothes, and recorded two videos before nightfall.
Jin Siyue drove her to the high-speed rail station, watching the videos with her in the car, her excitement growing with each viewing. For the tenth time that day, she urged Cheng Zhanxi, "Come on, Xixi. Let's debut!"
Cheng Zhanxi ruthlessly rejected her. "No," she said.
Jin Siyue pretended to cry. "Waaah," she sobbed.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Your celebrity persona is slipping again."
Jin Siyue clung to her arm, continuing her fake crying.
Jin Siyue dropped Cheng Zhanxi off at the station entrance. Cheng Zhanxi said goodbye, got out of the car, and went through security.
As soon as she was settled on the train, Cheng Zhanxi unlocked her phone, opened her chat with Yu Qingtang, smiled, and typed: [Ding dong! Your dance video has arrived.]
Yu Qingtang: "..."
So dramatic.
[Yu Qingtang]: You're sending it now?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Which one do you want? The "Golden Axe" version, specially made for Jiejie? Or the ordinary "Iron Axe" version?
[Yu Qingtang]: The ordinary one.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Okay. As a reward for your honesty, I'll send you both versions. Please check your email, Jiejie. [Animated heart emoji]
Yu Qingtang's lips curved upwards slightly without her realizing it. She opened her email on her phone.
Two new videos sat in her inbox, sent two minutes ago, right before Cheng Zhanxi had messaged her.
One was titled "Only for Jiejie.mp4", the other "Instructional Video for Students.mp4." The difference was obvious.
Yu Qingtang looked at the first video, her finger hovering over the download button, then moved to the second one, still hesitating.
Normally, she would have opened them in order. Why was she avoiding the first one?
Yu Qingtang didn't want to analyze her motives, or to treat this matter differently. She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them, her gaze calm and collected as she looked at the first video. Just as her finger touched the play button, a new message popped up.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Friendly reminder: Please watch alone. I am not responsible for any uncontrollable reactions, such as screaming, rolling on the floor, or transforming into a caterpillar.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Are you ready?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: 3
[Cheng Zhanxi]: 2
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Yu Qingtang interrupted her countdown: [I'm on the bus.]
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Then watch it when you get home. I'm on my way back to Sicheng now. I'm exhausted.
Yu Qingtang held her phone, her lips pursed slightly, suddenly unsure how to respond.
Cheng Zhanxi was just a PE teacher. Students' academic performance wasn't her responsibility. The purpose of PE class in high school was to allow students to relax and de-stress from their demanding studies, to run, play sports, and engage in free activities. There was no need to go to such lengths to choreograph a dance and record a video.
She herself would never do that.
After a long moment, Yu Qingtang carefully typed: [You're a good teacher.]
Cheng Zhanxi, biting her lip, replied shyly: [Mmm…]
Yu Qingtang had finally praised her!
The "good teacher" title had been achieved. Could "good girlfriend" be far behind?
Yu Qingtang closed her email, deciding to watch the videos when she got home. It wasn't that she was afraid of having the reactions Cheng Zhanxi had described, but rather out of respect for a fellow teacher's hard work.
After ending the chat, Yu Qingtang, for some reason, tapped on Cheng Zhanxi's profile picture, then clicked on her Moments.
Yu Qingtang didn't usually browse Moments, so she had only just seen Cheng Zhanxi's "Goodnight [moon emoji]" post from 3 a.m.
They had several mutual friends, mostly teachers from the school. Yu Qingtang saw a comment from a new teacher who had also joined the school this year: [Out partying this weekend? Staying up so late?]
Cheng Zhanxi had replied: [Working [pitiful emoji]].
The new teacher had replied: [Pats your head.]
Yu Qingtang's expression was unreadable for a moment as she looked away, out the window.
After a while, she liked the post – one of the very few likes she had ever given since she started using the app, and it was for Cheng Zhanxi.
Yu Qingtang had dinner at the noodle shop near her complex, and by the time she got home, the city was aglow with lights.
She went straight to her study, logged into her email on her computer, downloaded both videos, and clicked on the first one.
Not having seen Cheng Zhanxi's dance during PE class, Yu Qingtang didn't know what song had been chosen or what style of dance it was. So, when the video started playing, she was slightly shocked, and being alone at home, she didn't bother hiding her surprise.
White shirts, ties, black trousers, and black Doc Martens. The uniform outfits gave them a sharp, cool look.
There were seven people in the studio. During the intro, their heads were lowered, making it difficult to see their faces clearly, but Yu Qingtang immediately spotted Cheng Zhanxi in the center. The tallest of the group, with the longest legs, she had an undeniable presence that drew the eye.
Yu Qingtang thought: Probably because she's so seductive.
She imagined Cheng Zhanxi looking up at her with a smile, calling out sweetly, "Jiejie!"
The music started playing. Unsurprisingly, it was a song Yu Qingtang had never heard before, but the tempo was fast and energetic.
The seven dancers moved in perfect synchronization, their movements sharp and powerful.
Cheng Zhanxi raised her head. Yu Qingtang was surprised to see not a smile, but a cold, sharp expression, her eyes full of aggression, her lips curled into a slight sneer. Her shoulders, neck, head, chest, hips, and legs moved fluidly, each part working in perfect harmony, hitting every beat, every movement resonating with the viewer's heartbeat.
A perfect blend of strength and grace, she commanded the stage, her movements flowing seamlessly, showcasing a different kind of captivating charm.
Yu Qingtang's eyes followed the curves of Cheng Zhanxi's body as she moved. Her tie, loosened, swayed with the energetic choreography, rising and falling with each movement. She suddenly dropped to her knees, executing a series of complex floor moves, then, in the next instant, her waist, supple as a willow branch, effortlessly propelled her back to her feet.
Yu Qingtang's eyes widened. She almost clicked rewind.
How… how did she do that?
As she marveled at Cheng Zhanxi's flexibility, her attention was captured by a sharp, precise movement: Cheng Zhanxi miming loading and firing a gun.
Bang!
It was as if a bullet had pierced the viewer's heart through the screen.
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes, her heart suddenly racing.
She paused the video, taking a moment to compose herself before resuming playback.
...
Beads of sweat trickled down Cheng Zhanxi's face, her pale cheeks flushed a delicate pink from the exertion. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, every pore, every inch of her skin seeming to breathe on its own.
And finally, she smiled.
Standing still, facing the camera, a fleeting but captivating image.
Like the renewal of spring, full of life and vitality.
The video ended.
Yu Qingtang sat before her computer for a long time, then went to get a glass of water.
Returning to her study, she found the second video, "Instructional Video for Students.mp4," took a deep breath, bracing herself, and double-clicked to play it.
A few minutes later, having finished watching the second studio version, Yu Qingtang: "???"
That was it?
It was the same studio, with the same wooden floor, and the same seven people, including Cheng Zhanxi. But this time, they were all wearing training clothes – plain t-shirts, black leggings, and sneakers.
There were no formations, no floor work, and none of the more difficult moves. The only noteworthy aspect was their perfect synchronization.
As a teaching video for high school students, it was perfectly adequate.
Class 7 students: ??? Are we not worthy? [Crying face emoji]
Short skit:
Cheng Zhanxi (jumping excitedly): Did you see it? Did you see my waist? Isn't it flexible?
Yu Qingtang: I saw it. I'll put it to good use.
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