Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 5: I wonder what Mr. Qu thinks?

In the morning, Shen Guining was awakened by a ringing bell.

The ringing incessantly in my ears was like a death knell.

She was forced to open her eyes, groggily sat up in bed, reached for her phone on the bedside table, and instantly became fully awake when she saw the caller ID.

It was her uncle calling, and she had a bad feeling.

As soon as the call connected, anger blazed through the receiver.

Shen Honglin launched into a tirade: "Shen Guining, what's going on between you and the Second Young Master? What did you do to anger him? The Zhou family is now canceling their cooperation with us!"

“I…” Shen Guining’s throat tightened, “He tried to take liberties with me last night, so I kicked him.”

Shen Honglin didn't want to hear her explanation, his words full of accusation: "How many times have I told you not to offend him? You come back here right now, and I'll take you to the Zhou family to apologize in person!"

The forceful, commanding tone made Shen Guining's heart clench. "Uncle, it's not my fault. I don't want to apologize to him."

Shen Honglin grew increasingly furious, "Can't you be a little more sensible? The company is counting on this collaboration to turn things around!"

Shen Guining remained silent, her grievances welling up uncontrollably. The word "sensible" had been with her since she could remember, like an indelible label that bound her tightly.

Everyone around her told her that her uncle and aunt had been kind to her, and that she should be obedient and compliant. And that's exactly what she did. From childhood to adulthood, she tried her best not to cause them any trouble.

But now, she doesn't even have the right to choose who she marries. For the sake of the company's interests, is she really going to have to sacrifice her happiness for the rest of her life?
No, she doesn't want to.

"I will not apologize to him, and I will not marry someone like him."

This was the first time Shen Guining had openly defied him. She knew that these words would enrage her uncle, so she hung up the phone before he could retaliate.

This was the first time in twenty-one years that she had rebelled. Although she didn't know what she would face next, at least for this moment, she had been brave for herself.

On the other end, Shen Honglin was furious. He slammed his phone on the table, his anger barely contained. "Fine! You've grown wings! Let's see how long you can keep this up!"
-
The weather changed suddenly, with continuous rain and dark clouds covering the sky.

After several sleepless nights, Shen Guining looked a little haggard. She put on a mask before leaving home and took a taxi to the dance troupe.

I received a call from Teacher Yuan an hour ago, asking her to come and save the day.

Today, the entire dance theater was booked by the investors to receive VIPs who specifically requested to see "Floating Light".

This classical dance is extremely difficult, and currently only the principal dancer Ji Shihhan in the troupe can perform it. Unfortunately, she suddenly developed acute gastroenteritis at noon and was sent to the hospital, leaving the troupe without anyone to replace her.

In desperation, choreographer Teacher Yuan thought of Shen Guining. Although the young girl was inexperienced, she was very talented. It would take others at least three to five years to learn the essence of this dance, but she only needed one year. She was truly blessed by God. Of course, it was also due to her own hard work.

Among the younger generation, she is the second person to be able to perform "Floating Light" brilliantly; others, even if they can dance, lack the same spirit.

Shen Guining is not yet a formal member of the troupe. She has just finished her junior year of college, and the dance troupe has already reserved a spot for her, waiting for her to come and report for duty during her senior year internship.

At the theater entrance, a man dressed in a suit and tie stood with several subordinates waiting in front of a long carpet.

A short while later, a Cullinan with a license plate number ending in 9 drove up and slowly came to a stop.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man stepped forward to greet the distinguished guest and respectfully invited him inside.

The back-end is still in the midst of frantic preparations.

Because the opening dance was changed to the closing dance, the order of the subsequent performances was disrupted, and everyone was a bit flustered.

The group leader rushed into the dressing room, looking flustered, and asked, "Has Stella arrived yet?"

"Not yet, I'll urge them." The girl who answered took out her phone and made a call.

Traffic was congested due to the rain, and Shen Guining rushed as fast as she could, finally arriving at 2:30.

As soon as she arrived, the makeup artist pushed her into the dressing room, saying, "Hurry up and change your clothes and come out for makeup. Today we're counting on you, Gui Ning!"

The band leader repeatedly emphasized, "Stella, this performance is very important. You absolutely cannot mess it up!"

However, the more she said this, the more nervous Shen Guining became, afraid that she would make a mistake.

While getting her makeup done, she asked curiously, "Who are the people coming to see the performance today?"

The makeup artist drew a floral design on her forehead. "This is a distinguished guest invited by the company's CEO. I don't know his exact identity, but the team leader is taking him very seriously."

Shen Guining stopped asking questions.

The entire makeup and styling process was completed in forty minutes. Before going on stage, she did stretching exercises to relax her muscles and joints.

Teacher Yuan comforted her, "Don't be nervous, just perform normally. Consider it a valuable experience."

Shen Guining nodded gently, "I will do my best."

The stage lights dimmed, leaving only a beam of fluorescent light shining in the center of the stage.

A slender figure in a plain-colored dress stood with her back to the audience, waiting for the guzheng accompaniment to begin.

As she turned around, the long sleeves that had been covering her face slowly fell, revealing a beautiful face. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in dark blue, and her lips were like cherries reflecting her rosy cheeks.

The beauty is undeniable, but the person is wrong.

The middle-aged man in the seat froze, and asked the staff member in a low voice, "Why isn't it Ji Shihan?"

The latter explained in a low voice, "Miss Ji has been hospitalized due to a sudden illness, so Miss Shen Guining has to take her place."

The middle-aged man frowned. Ji Shihan was the pillar of the troupe; how could she be replaced so easily? Who would be responsible if she messed things up? This Mr. Qu was someone he had gone to great lengths to invite repeatedly.

Now that things have come to this, there is no other way but to hope that Miss Shen will not cause any trouble.

The best seat in the audience was the one in the very center of the fifth row. Qu Yanci leaned back elegantly in his seat, his expression indifferent. He had been listless until now, when he saw the face on the stage. A ripple flashed in his eyes, but it was fleeting and revealed no emotion.

On stage, the girl lightly touched the ground with her toes, dancing gracefully, her dress swirling, her waist slender.

She raised the folding fan above her head and opened it, her flowing white dress instantly transforming into a crimson skirt, dancing gracefully to the melody.

Under the spotlight, her tenderness was like water, her starry eyes sparkled, and she swayed gracefully.

"She appears as if light clouds are veiling the moon, and drifts like swirling snow in a flowing wind"—this phrase perfectly describes her.

This dance requires extremely high dance skills, body rhythm and expressiveness. The movements must be precise and infectious in order to achieve the best aesthetic effect.

Clearly, Shen Guining succeeded.

The middle-aged man grew increasingly satisfied with the look, his heart settling in. With a hint of flattery on his face, he asked, "What does Mr. Qu think?"

Qu Yanci remained relaxed, his long fingers touching his forehead, his gaze fixed on the stage, and he commented indifferently, "Elegant."

He really is a man of few words.

The middle-aged man seized the opportunity to continue the conversation: "This is Shen Guining, the daughter of the Shen family. She is very young but dances exceptionally well. She is sure to be a rising star in the dance world in the future."

Qu Yanci remained silent, so the middle-aged man had no choice but to shut up.

As the music stopped, Shen Guining concluded with a glance back, bowed, and left the stage.

Backstage, the team leader said with a pleased expression, "Stella, you did a fantastic job!"

Shen Guining smoothed the stray hairs stuck to her temples. "Thank you, Sister Fang."

Despite her nervousness, she doesn't get stage fright once she's on stage. She doesn't care who the audience is; she just performs at her own pace.

The group leader asked her, "When can you come for your internship? The group is short-staffed right now."

Shen Guining smiled and said, "Anytime is fine."

"Really? Then I'll have someone prepare the contract!"

"Ah."

"Okay, it's settled then. I'll contact you once the contract is drafted."

"it is good."

After their conversation, Shen Guining went to the changing room to change back into her own clothes, said goodbye to Teacher Yuan, and left.

Just as she reached the door, someone suddenly called out to her: "Miss Shen, please wait."

Shen Guining sized up the unfamiliar man in front of her. "Who are you?"

Han Yi handed her a small box. "This is something my husband asked me to give you."

PS: "She appears faintly like light clouds veiling the moon, drifting and swaying like swirling snow in a flowing wind." — From "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River"