In the program list, one entry immediately caught his eye: Solo Dance — “All Things Alive”, Performer: Zhou Nuan, Affiliated Elementary School.
Shi Anlan narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t expected the young girl to be able to dance!
Judging by the listing, she must be quite skilled. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a solo performance, let alone the closing act.
A sudden sense of anticipation welled up in him.
At the affiliated elementary school’s rehearsal room, Zhou Nuan changed into her practice outfit and dance shoes, played the music on her phone, and began rehearsing “All Things Alive.”
This song, by one of China’s renowned singers, combines lyrics and melody to create a mystical, ethereal, and philosophical atmosphere, allowing listeners to feel the mystery of life and the greatness of nature.
Adapting it into a dance was extremely challenging, requiring a dancer with strong technical foundation to convey the song’s depth and imagery effectively.
Previously, Zhou Nuan had represented her school with this dance in the National Youth Dance Competition, winning first prize.
No wonder people said she was a dancer whose talent had been delayed by teaching!
After a simple warm-up and stretching, Zhou Nuan fully immersed herself in practice.
Suddenly, a noise at the door interrupted her.
Instinctively, she turned and noticed the previously closed door had been left slightly ajar.
She calmly walked over and met a face that was both shy and slightly embarrassed at being caught—her school’s PE teacher, Zhang Jian.
“I’m sorry, Teacher Zhou. I didn’t mean to peek,” he stammered, his face flushed.
“I just heard some noise and thought it might be a mischievous student hiding here, so I came to check… didn’t expect it was you.”
Zhou Nuan looked at the man standing before her—taller than her by more than half a head, in his twenties, sporting a neat crew cut, dressed in a tracksuit, with gentle features and a slightly shy smile—a bashful young man.
“Heh, it’s okay,” she smiled warmly. “The Mid-Autumn and National Day Gala is coming up. I have a solo performance, so I’m practicing here.”
“I see. Then I won’t disturb you.” Zhang Jian started to leave.
After a few steps, he turned back, his eyes both shy and eager, fixed on her. “Teacher Zhou, your dance is really amazing!”
And you’re really beautiful!
Of course, he didn’t dare say that aloud.
“Thank you,” Zhou Nuan replied with a faint smile.
After Zhang Jian left, Zhou Nuan locked the door from the inside to avoid further interruptions and threw herself entirely into practice.
Splits, jumps, flips—she danced until drenched in sweat and completely exhausted.
What seemed like a small incident turned into something more when, a few days later, Zhou Nuan received a message from Zhang Jian:
*Teacher Zhou, I know how much you love dance. I have two tickets to the national tour of Master *’s Jiangcheng stop. Would you like to go this weekend?
Master ** was a famous domestic dancer, one of Zhou Nuan’s respected seniors.
Zhou Nuan smiled when she saw the message.
She knew how difficult it was to get tickets for the national tour. She didn’t know how Zhang Jian managed to get them—he must have gone through some effort.
But she didn’t want to go.
She knew Zhang Jian’s intentions from the way he looked at her that day.
After what happened with Jiang Hao, she found it hard to immediately invest in a new relationship.
Besides, if she got accepted to Yun University for graduate school, she would be moving to the provincial capital next year.
She didn’t want a long-distance relationship.
She replied: “Sorry, I need to go home this weekend, so I probably won’t have time.”
Zhang Jian persisted: “The tickets are for Friday. You could come back Saturday after watching.”
Zhou Nuan: “On Friday, a fellow villager is heading back; I plan to ride with him.”
Zhang Jian: “How about Saturday? I can drive you.”
Zhou Nuan: “I already arranged to go with my friend, so I won’t trouble you.”
Zhang Jian: “…”
Sorry, Zhang Jian. I can’t return your feelings, Zhou Nuan thought.
Some romantic prospects must be cut off firmly. Some intentions must be blocked completely.
If she didn’t want it to develop further, she couldn’t give him any hope.
Time passed quickly. The Mid-Autumn and National Day Gala, closely watched by Jiangcheng’s government officials, was about to begin.
Jiang Hao hadn’t bothered Zhou Nuan again during this period.
Shi Anlan, however, would send one or two messages every now and then, always about Xu Zhi.
Zhou Nuan responded casually.
She noticed a pattern: Shi Anlan only messaged her at night, close to bedtime—probably the only time he had free.
On September 30, the newly renovated Municipal Auditorium was packed.
A massive banner for the Jiangcheng City Government Mid-Autumn and National Day Gala hung above the stage.
In the audience, the first and second rows had reserved seating. At the center sat Party Secretary Zhou Qishan; to his left and right were Deputy Party Secretary and Acting Mayor Shi Anlan, and Executive Deputy Secretary Zhong Nan. Further out were the standing deputy mayor, other departmental deputy mayors, the Discipline Inspection Secretary, and municipal government secretaries.
The second row held heads of departments like the Development and Reform Commission and the Finance Bureau.
Beyond the first two rows, seats were arranged by units.
The City Government Mid-Autumn and National Day Gala was an annual tradition.
Considering the busy end-of-year schedules, most units didn’t prepare performances for New Year or Spring Festival; the gala was the largest and most attended event.
Departments competed fiercely to earn accolades, making the performances increasingly spectacular and diverse.
Talent was abundant, both solo and group performances, including singing, dancing, instrumentals, magic, skits, choruses, and ensemble dances—thirty acts spanning nearly three hours.
Although Shi Anlan had been in office three months, many bureau-level officials were seeing him in person for the first time.
From the moment he entered the auditorium, countless astonished eyes followed him.
Among the older, balding, or portly officials, his young, tall, and handsome presence stood out like a crane among chickens.
A simple white long-sleeve shirt and black fitted trousers, plain on anyone else, radiated a commanding, executive aura on him.
Even seated in the front row, Shi Anlan could feel the intense gazes burning into his back.