Because the team had been reshuffled, the choreography needed to be redone.
The team she was leading was admittedly less experienced than the ones Su Yiyun had left behind.
To dance well, they needed to play to their strengths and avoid their weaknesses, rather than trying to compensate for shortcomings.
When the two teams performed, it would simply come down to which team danced better.
Song Qingtang leaned back against her chair, looking at the details on the computer screen.
Final decision made.
They would dance “Shang Ling Gu.”
When it was time for rehearsal, Song Qingtang headed to the practice room.
All the trainees had already arrived.
Several of them didn’t look too well.
Half a day had already been wasted yesterday, so today’s time couldn’t be squandered any further.
She explained the details and theme of the dance clearly, breaking down each point that needed attention one by one.
Only then did Song Qingtang have everyone start practicing.
She began correcting mistakes.
There would be a short break in the middle.
The practice room was a bit too small, and Song Qingtang wasn’t quite used to it.
She sat in a corner adjusting the equipment when one of the trainees ran over with a smile and sat down beside her.
It was Chu Sangqing.
Song Qingtang looked at her as she came over and smiled. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Chu Sangqing said.
Chu Sangqing was the youngest of all the trainees.
Many times, Song Qingtang would look after her a bit more.
Besides, Song Qingtang had a gentle personality, but she wasn’t weak—soft on the outside, firm within.
She didn’t put on airs at all, and many of the trainees here really liked her.
“Qingqing laoshi.” Chu Sangqing sat cross-legged, hands resting on her knees, her gaze drifting around the room. “Don’t you think it’s unfair?”
Not expecting that question, Song Qingtang paused for a moment before saying, “There’s no such thing as fairness or unfairness in this world.”
Chu Sangqing propped her arm up and rested her chin in her palm, asking with confusion, “Aren’t you angry?”
“If you don’t think about it too much, you won’t be angry.”
After saying that, Song Qingtang curled her finger and tapped Chu Sangqing on the forehead.
“You’re still so young. Don’t overthink things. If you want water or need to rest, hurry up—we’re about to get back to practicing.”
“Okay, okay.” Chu Sangqing rubbed her forehead before quickly getting up from the floor.
She grabbed her water bottle and headed out to fill it.
Song Qingtang sat on the floor resting for two minutes. When she saw that it was about time, she stood up and had everyone get ready to resume practice.
After counting heads, she furrowed her brow and asked, “Where’s Chu Sangqing?”
“I don’t know,” said the trainee who stood next to Chu Sangqing during the dance. “She’s probably being playful again, thinking she can hang around the water station a little longer.”
Song Qingtang nodded. “You all keep practicing. I’ll go find her.”
Chu Sangqing was indeed quite playful. She was young and couldn’t endure too much hardship.
Dance training was exhausting.
Sometimes she’d always find some excuse to slack off.
Next to the practice room was a large lounge. After practice, some people would rest there, while others would just sit directly on the floor in the lounge.
Song Qingtang walked into the lounge.
She opened the door.
Chu Sangqing was indeed inside.
But she was crouching in the corner, her hair and clothes completely soaked.
The strands of hair at her temples clung tightly to her skin, and even her eyelashes were misted with water. Her water sleeves were nearly drenched through.
The hem of her skirt was stained with dirt, looking filthy.
And a little pitiful.
Song Qingtang walked over and asked, “What happened?”
Chu Sangqing looked up and saw Song Qingtang.
She pressed her lips together with a hint of grievance. “I just got into an argument with someone. I lost, and then I got splashed with water all over…”
Before Chu Sangqing could finish her sentence.
The lounge door was shoved open with force, and Su Yiyun walked in with a trainee.
Su Yiyun’s makeup was still striking as ever, her expression indifferent, her eyes tilted upward at the corners, giving her an overbearing air.
The trainee behind her was also a bit wet, but in much better shape than Chu Sangqing.
“Song Qingtang.” Su Yiyun spoke, her tone carrying a hint of fire.
Her voice was slightly sharp, like a judgment delivered from on high.
“Can’t you manage your own trainees properly? The captain finally gave you this opportunity, and not only do you fail to appreciate it, you’re this irresponsible—”
She paused for a moment before continuing, “Do you not want this job anymore?”
Hearing this, Song Qingtang paused briefly but didn’t react much.
It was more like she simply ignored her.
She reached out and pulled Chu Sangqing up from the corner, straightening her clothes.
“Tell me what happened just now,” Song Qingtang said in a gentle voice.
After speaking, Song Qingtang finally looked at Su Yiyun.
Su Yiyun’s expression was unpleasant, the annoyance in her eyes nearly spilling over as she shot Chu Sangqing a sharp glare.
Chu Sangqing pressed her lips together and leaned a little closer behind Song Qingtang before speaking quietly, “It wasn’t me who started it.”
“It was her.” Chu Sangqing said, pointing at the trainee behind Su Yiyun. “She started it.”
Hearing this, Su Yiyun let out a laugh—a somewhat contemptuous one. “She started it? Then tell me, why would she do that?”
Chu Sangqing bit her lip and reached out to tug at the hem of Song Qingtang’s clothes.
She took another step back behind Song Qingtang before speaking. “She was the one who started insulting us first. I just talked back to her a few words, and she got all worked up and threw the first punch.”
Su Yiyun listened to Chu Sangqing speak, arms crossed over her chest, her index finger tapping idly against her arm.
Yet there was a hint of impatience between her brows.
“What did she say about you?” Su Yiyun’s voice was indifferent.
Chu Sangqing glanced at Su Yiyun, took a breath, and said, “She said we were unwanted trash who would be kicked out soon…”
Before she could finish.
She was cut off.
“Isn’t that pretty accurate?” Su Yiyun lifted her eyelids to look at Chu Sangqing, her tone flat. “My trainee was just stating the facts. What was there for you to talk back about?”
“People should have a bit of self-awareness.”
“Song Qingtang, don’t you think?”
With that, Su Yiyun raised an eyebrow at Song Qingtang.
Then she withdrew her gaze, as if she couldn’t be bothered to say more, and turned to leave.
“Su Yiyun.” Song Qingtang called out to her.
Su Yiyun turned back to look at her.
Impatience flickered across her brow.
“There’s no need for you to be so cutting with your words.” Song Qingtang paused as she spoke, then continued, “After all, no one can predict what the future holds.”
With that, Song Qingtang grabbed Chu Sangqing’s wrist and led her toward the door.
As she passed Su Yiyun, she paused.
She looked at Su Yiyun.
“And one more thing.” Song Qingtang met her gaze, her eyes clear and bright, candid yet resolute. “Keep your own trainee in check.”
“My trainees aren’t someone just anyone can bully.”
With that, Song Qingtang led Chu Sangqing out of the lounge.
Leaving behind only Su Yiyun, whose expression had turned somewhat unpleasant, and the trainee behind her who didn’t dare make a sound.