novelraw Chapter 73: You also know ballet?
Chapter 73: You also know ballet?
"You can contact me if you need anything!"
After adding her as a friend, Lin Man happily said goodbye and left.
Ding Heng was in no hurry to use his True Sight Eye to figure out what she was planning.
Since this vixen is up to no good, let's wait and see; there might be some unexpected surprises.
The following afternoon.
Ding Heng originally planned to have dinner with Wen Jing before contacting Hua Qing.
As it approached four o'clock, Ding Heng was resting in his dormitory when a message popped up on his phone.
【Flower Sea Sunny Day】: I've arrived at your school.
Ding Heng glanced at the time; there were still more than three hours until the performance started.
Good grief! You can't wait that long?
He first sent a message to Wenjing, then tidied himself up a bit, got up and walked out of the school.
Before leaving home, Wenjing sent a reply.
【Good Luck Xiaojing】: [Little rabbit nodding obediently.jpg] Okay~
Ding Heng put away his phone, quickened his pace, and arrived at a parking area, where he spotted a familiar electric scooter in the distance.
"Why are you in such a hurry, senior?"
Ding Heng opened the car door and got into the passenger seat: "Isn't the performance starting at 7 PM?"
"It's better to get there early, there might be traffic on the way!"
Hua Qing turned her head, and Ding Heng was stunned by her gaze.
The highest respect a woman can show when going out is a full face of makeup!
Her eyebrows were meticulously groomed, her eyeshadow was a light orange-pink, her eyeliner was slightly upturned, and her eyelashes were curled and distinct.
A light sweep of blush, and a soft mauve lip color with a touch of dewy shine.
Her long hair was styled into a bun similar to that of a Tang Dynasty court maid, piled high on her head, with a hairpin dangling from it. A few stray strands of hair fell across her forehead and around her ears, giving her a slightly broken look.
It is paired with a modernized version of the Tang-style Qi-Xiong Ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a very light green color and a thin fabric, like tender buds in early spring.
A matching sash was tied around her chest, with delicate tassels hanging down.
She wore a matching light green overcoat with wide sleeves, made of semi-transparent gauze, and the cuffs were embroidered with silver lotus patterns.
Ding Heng was stunned into silence for a few seconds, then smiled and asked, "Senior, you didn't just 'dress casually' today, did you?"
Hua Qing stared straight ahead, her tone stiff: "I originally wanted to just wear something casual, but I can't help it. You made a request last time, so I can only fulfill my duties as your girlfriend."
Ding Heng raised an eyebrow: "What about what you promised me last night, senior?"
"Don't worry, I won't break my promise!"
Hua Qing took a deep breath and prepared herself mentally.
She put down her phone, gripped the hem of her skirt, and slowly moved it up inch by inch.
Hua Qing's ankles were very slender, and the insteps were slightly taut, clearly showing the outline of her bones, which were now tightly wrapped in white silk.
Delicate, smooth, and translucent white silk stockings made with horse oil!
The skirt continued to rise, sweeping across her calves, knees, and thighs... The horse oil stockings clung tightly to her skin, outlining every inch of her figure.
White stockings, if not photoshopped, can easily make legs look thicker in real life.
But Hua Qing's legs definitely won't.
Her legs are typical of those sculpted from years of dance practice, irrigated by sweat and countless days and nights of practice.
While possessing a slender and bony figure, she also has clear, smooth, and powerful muscle lines.
The skirt continues to rise, reaching mid-thigh, revealing a section of lace camisole that disappears into the waistband along the curve of the leg.
"stop!"
Ding Heng finally called a stop, and Hua Qing froze instantly.
She neither put it down nor continued to lift it; she gripped the hem of her skirt tightly with both hands and remained motionless.
Several seconds.
Ding Heng didn't speak, and Hua Qing didn't move either.
She desperately wanted to pull down her skirt to cover her legs and block Ding Heng's gaze, but she didn't dare.
Because Ding Heng only said "stop," but didn't say "let go."
"asshole……"
She couldn't help but mutter a curse, her voice barely audible.
Ding Heng could hear it, but he didn't care.
He leaned back leisurely in the car seat, quietly appreciating the beautiful spring scenery before him.
Hua Qing could only tilt her head, her eyelashes drooping, her lips bitten until they turned white.
humiliation.
resentment.
There's something else...
System notifications kept popping up in Ding Heng's mind.
[Progress of the romantic connection: 14%...15%...16%...]
The numbers slowly jumped upwards.
[Progress of romantic entanglement: 17%]
The numbers stopped moving.
Ding Heng waited a few more seconds to make sure the progress bar had completely stopped before he spoke, "Put it down."
Hua Qing felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and quickly lowered her skirt to cover her legs completely.
Then she turned back and glared at Ding Heng with shame and indignation.
"Scumbag!"
This time the sound was much louder, and then a system notification popped up in Ding Heng's mind again.
[Progress of romantic entanglement: 18%]
Does criticizing it lead to a slight increase in prices?
interesting!
Hua Qing started the vehicle and slowly merged into the traffic.
Ding Heng sat in the passenger seat, quietly admiring the beauty beside him.
He deliberately made Hua Qing wear white stockings yesterday, it was definitely not because he wanted to see them!
More importantly, test the water temperature first...
This time it's just stockings that are a little more revealing; who knows what it might be next time?
Afterwards, the two found a place to have a quick bite to eat, and around 6:30, they arrived at the Xingcheng Cultural and Art Center Grand Theater on time.
Ding Heng led Hua Qing into the building and through the long corridor.
After checking the ticket, the staff at the entrance nodded politely: "Sir, your private room is on the second floor. This way, please."
Hua Qing was stunned.
A private room?
She followed Ding Heng up to the second floor and pushed open a small door.
The box wasn't large, but it had an excellent view, facing the stage directly without any obstructions.
There are two comfortable chairs, and a small coffee table next to them, on which are placed fruit and desserts.
Hua Qing sat down in her chair, looked down at the stage, and asked in surprise, "How did you manage to get such a spot?"
Ding Heng sat down next to her: "Didn't I say? I have a friend..."
Hua Qing pouted and didn't ask any further questions.
That makes sense; Ding Heng's background is anything but simple, so getting a performance ticket should be a piece of cake for him.
It was exactly 7 p.m.
The lights dimmed, a spotlight shone on the stage, and music began.
Don Quixote, a classic ballet, is a staple of the Mochâteau Grand Theatre repertoire.
The actors entered from both sides, and the stage instantly became lively.
Hua Qing leaned forward slightly, her expression extremely serious.
His eyes were glued to the stage, as if afraid of missing a single detail.
Ding Heng glanced at her every now and then. The usually aloof and elegant classical beauty now looked hesitant, like a child visiting Disneyland for the first time.
That pure, heartfelt amazement and joy was impossible to conceal.
Especially when the female lead appears.
The principal ballerina of the Mochen Grand Theatre, a Slavic woman in her thirties.
She has a slender figure, beautiful lines, and every movement is extremely precise.
Hua Qing's breath hitched for a moment as she stared at the dancers on stage, a sense of mutual appreciation almost overflowing from her eyes.
"So beautiful..."
She murmured softly.
Ding Heng leaned back in his chair and looked at her.
"Does your senior also know ballet?"
"Um."
Hua Qing nodded, her gaze still fixed on the stage.
"Although I specialize in classical and folk dance, I have also studied a little ballet with a teacher."
She pointed to the woman on the stage: "Ekaterina Sokolova, one of my idols, I never thought I would see her in person one day..."
Ding Heng's lips curved into a smile, knowing that the time was almost right.
He cleared his throat: "The Moscow Grand Theatre was founded in 1776, even before the founding of the United States. With over two hundred years of history, it has survived fires, wars, and reconstructions, and has always been the center of Russian ballet art."
Hua Qing tilted her head and blinked: "You know?"
"I know a little bit."
Ding Heng put on airs and acted pretentiously.
"Their ballet style is quite different from that of Western Europe, focusing more on technique and power, as well as maintaining the flavor of classical drama."
Look, their movements are more expansive, their jumps are higher, and their spins are faster—completely unlike the more elegant style of Western Europe.
"You know ballet?"
"I did say I know a little bit."
Ding Heng put on an expression that said, "Praise me quickly."
Hua Qing was stunned for a moment, and then—"pfft" she burst out laughing.
It was a very soft sound, but it was definitely a laugh.
For the first time, this expression appeared on that usually aloof face—not a polite one, not a perfunctory one, but a genuine smile from the heart.
She shook her head: "What you just said is all basic stuff. The style of the Mo City Grand Theatre is indeed more theatrical, but you don't understand it at all. The root of it all is their training system."
Look, they emphasize foot strength and control. When dancers stand on their toes, their insteps are more pointed, and they can hold the position for a longer time. And their jumps—look!
On the stage, Ekaterina is performing a high jump.
His body soared into the air, his legs splitting into a perfect angle in mid-air, and he landed silently.
"Their jumps emphasize a sense of suspension in the air, as if they could pause in mid-air before landing. This is a unique skill of the Mo City Grand Theatre, difficult for other schools to achieve, and then there's their spinning..."
Hua Qing became more and more excited as she spoke, and a rare radiance appeared on her usually cool face.
Ding Heng leaned back in his chair, listening quietly to her story, nodding occasionally and humming in agreement, like a diligent student.
Hua Qing talked for a while before realizing what was going on.
Did Ding Heng buy the ticket especially for me?
Did you even go out of your way to look up information about the Mo City Grand Theatre?
Just to put on an act in front of me and win my favor?
"Pretending to know what you don't...naive!"
Hua Qing muttered to herself, while a certain thought lingered in her mind and wouldn't go away.
It may be childish, but somehow it feels... strangely cute!
He's like a naive high school boy who doesn't know anything about pursuing girls and is putting all his effort in the wrong direction.
At the same time, in Ding Heng's mind...
[Progress of romantic entanglement: 19%...20%]
[Ding! The progress of the romantic connection has exceeded 20%, and the stage goal has been achieved!]
[Rewards: Divine Merit +1000, Perception +6, Skill "Sword Heart Clarity" upgraded!]
In fact, for Ding Heng, as long as he activates his True Sight Eye, he can obtain information about the actors on stage. Pretending to know everything is too easy for him.
The goal was to make Hua Qing feel that he was putting in the effort, but not too much effort.
By projecting an impression of being somewhat knowledgeable but lacking substance, you leave ample room for the woman to show off later.
Just like Secretary Yuliang, he might like a girl who knows the history of the Ming Dynasty, but he definitely wouldn't like a girl who knows the history of the Ming Dynasty better than him!
So far, the results are good.
On stage, the performance was nearing its end.
Amidst enthusiastic applause, the actors took their curtain calls time and again.
Hua Qing stood up and clapped vigorously until the curtain fell.
The lights came on, and Ding Heng got up to leave, when the system prompted him again in his mind.
【Wings of Calamity: Dragongrass】
[Current Status: Enraged Evil Dragon]
【HP: 88%】
Longhe!?
My health points, which haven't changed in a long time, suddenly dropped by one percent?
Ding Heng quickly looked around, trying to find a figure.
Hua Qing suddenly spoke up again, her tone solemn.
"By the way, if you can, please give my regards to your friend."
Thank you for the ticket; it allowed me to see such a wonderful performance in person!