Chapter 38 (1/2)

There actually wasn't that much time till the compet.i.tion. But within this narrowing band of time to practice, I never felt more blissful. Because of my feelings toward Yin Li and my newfound understanding of life, I danced with no regard for the first time ever. My body was weary but my heart was increasingly excited.

However, an unexpected turn of events ruined all plans.

”The compet.i.tion's committee has rejected your application to compete.” Wu Ke's expression was heavy, and she was hesitant to continue speaking. But in the end, she still blurted everything out. ”The number of people registering has tripled this time. The committee put out an urgent notice saying they will evaluate dance studios and issues invitations to those eligible. The studios with invitations are eligible to send their students to compet.i.tion. All compet.i.tion partic.i.p.ants must be backed by an eligible dance studio.

”The compet.i.tion winner will have the opportunity to attend the famous ballet schools in Boston, Paris, or Italy. Also, many of the judges have connections with world-cla.s.s ballet troupes. If a judge looks well upon you, you could receive pointers or even directly enter a world-cla.s.s troupe in one leap. Every dancer dreams of such an opportunity, and it's no surprise that everyone eagerly rushed at this chance. The online registration system even went down. Because of this emergency, the committee could only choose to go this route. They would strictly vet the compet.i.tors, and even request a dancer's bone growth diagrams, dietary programs, and health status.”

I had no strength to face these incredibly shocking new rules. I felt a little dazed. Ballet was indeed an art strict in requirements. Because of its deep history and old-fas.h.i.+oned tendencies, the ballet world found it hard to accept dancers who didn't fit the mold. They valued whom a dancer mentored under, what school the dancer learned ballet at, and what background the dancer came from. Many dancers did indeed walk this predefined road. In international compet.i.tions, practically all winners had this sort of background. Because of this, the committee's new rules weren't out of line.

But with these circ.u.mstances, I could no longer attend the compet.i.tion. I looked helplessly at Yin Li.

”Give me a moment.” Like always, he smiled at me tenderly. He turned and walked out, only to return a moment later. But this time his expression was a bit heavy.

”I called the heads of all the good-reputation ballet schools in China.” He muttered and pinched the bridge of his nose. ”But I couldn't stick you in. These schools haven't even received invitations.”

Yin Li looked at me in concern.

”I want you to know that your dancing is wonderful, but it's only one part of you. You still have many other wonderful things.”

Wu Ke also comforted me. ”There are many other compet.i.tions you can compete in.”

I tried my best to calm myself and nodded. But when I was alone, I bawled my eyes out.

In these months, I had poured my whole soul into practicing. Because my goal post suddenly disappeared, I didn't know what to do. I was unresigned to this fate.

Even if it was hopeless, I still wanted to write Madame Taylor an email. At that time, my emotions were roiling. My words were incoherent as I wrote of my life and my feelings at this time: I want to return to the stage. I don't want to dance just for Yin Li, but for the world.

I didn't expect that Madame Taylor would reply so promptly. But her tone couldn't exactly be called warm. She wrote: I'm very sorry for all that you have suffered, but you have not moved me enough.

I wasn't convincing enough.

I stared at the email on the screen. I really didn't know how to move her.

”Let's go to Paris as soon as possible.” Yin Li saw her email and said resolutely, ”Let's go there and host a dance exhibition for you. Madame Taylor can be cold to your words but she won't be unmoved by your dance. You can move her. With your dance, you can convince her.”

He was swift and decisive as he brought me and Wu Ke to Paris. He rented a site, and ordered a tutu and ballet shoes from a famous designer. He even brought a whole crew of health professionals just in case.

”Is one month enough for you to prepare for the performance? Is it enough time for you to recuperate?” In the windy Paris night, Yin Li helped me tuck my scarf a little tighter. ”If possible, let's book a time so that I can contact the press and print advertis.e.m.e.nts.” He looked afar. ”A few days later Li Jing will come too.

”I selfishly don't want to see him even exchange words with you, but it can't be helped that he has more connections in Paris than me. Since we're putting on an exhibition, let's truly make it special. Li Jing will be able to invite well-known people from the arts.”

Things progressed like this. Li Jing appeared the very next day. I don't know if it was just me but he seemed to be avoiding me. Every time we wrapped up our business, he said he had matters to attend to and left. But I didn't have the time to bother about it. I was also vexed by this exhibition. I didn't even know what to dance.

Besides the cla.s.sical ballet repertoire, there always had to be a special little something unique to the dancer.

While in Paris these days, I saw many ballet shows. The dancers' movements were all natural. The insteps and arches of their feet were all healthy. They danced with power and feeling. It could not have been more beautiful.

Yin Li was busy nonstop due to my upcoming performance. On the contrary, in the gloominess of the pa.s.sing days I started doubting myself.