Chapter Eighty-Three: He Can Choreograph Too!

Chapter Eighty-three: He Can Choreograph!

The slap did not land on Tang Zhong’s face, but on the back of his hand that was caressing Lin Huiyin’s hip, catching him off guard in the midst of their dance.

Click—

Bai Su pressed the pause button, and the music stopped.

She walked up to Lin Huiyin, asking with concern, “Huiyin, are you all right?”

Tang Zhong felt as if he might spit blood. He was the one who got slapped, yet they were asking the slapper if she was okay? It was like having your finger cut by a knife and then rushing to embrace the knife and ask if it was injured.

Lin Huiyin’s expression was as calm as ever, but a faint blush colored her ears and neck. “I’m not used to it,” she said.

Indeed. In the past, the male lead in the music video was Tang Xin, a girl. When she caressed Lin Huiyin’s back and hip, even if it felt strange, Lin Huiyin was willing to make some concessions for the sake of art. But today, her dance partner was Tang Zhong—a real man, and a stranger at that. Dancing an intimate routine with him, letting him make such suggestive moves, made her uncomfortable.

When Tang Zhong’s fingers touched her hip, it was as if that spot ignited. Without thinking, she instinctively slapped away the source of that fire.

Thus, Tang Zhong took the hit.

Tang Zhong didn’t feel he’d suffered much from the slap. He was a man—or, fine, a young man.

Boys are naturally curious about and drawn to girls. When his fingertips brushed against her soft, cotton-like hip, he felt an intense sense of bliss—this was what life was about. His fingers sank in just with a gentle touch, so much so he didn’t dare use any force. It felt like if he pressed just a bit harder, he’d split her in two.

If a slap could buy him an opportunity to touch Lin Huiyin’s hip, Tang Zhong would gladly take a dozen.

No matter how outstanding a man is, he can’t ignore the allure of a woman’s curves.

“I’m fine,” Tang Zhong said seriously, trying to reassure her. “You’ll get used to it, the more we dance.”

“Oh, you’ll get used to it, will you?” Zhang Hepben chimed in, as if angry that Tang Zhong had touched Lin Huiyin but not her. “Who told you to keep touching her? You pervert!”

“So what do you suggest?” Tang Zhong retorted. “Should we skip this move?”

“Can’t you pretend?” Zhang Hepben said. “Just make the right expression and pose; you don’t have to actually touch Huiyin’s hip—there are plenty of kisses on TV, do you think all of them are real?”

“It’s not the same,” Tang Zhong replied. “If I don’t actually touch her, I can’t make the move seductive. Besides, I need to hold her for a spin—it’s a continuous movement. If the camera zooms in, we’ll be exposed, and the overall effect won’t be as beautiful.”

“Oh, so you’re saying it’s polite to touch her? Why should Huiyin let you touch her? Why don’t you let her touch you?” Zhang Hepben stood with her hands on her hips, like a shrew.

At that moment, Tang Zhong was nearly in tears.

My dear madam, I’m more than willing to let your Huiyin touch me! She can touch me however she likes, and anyone who frowns about it is a fool.

“Benben,” Bai Su glared at Zhang Hepben, stopping her from saying anything more outrageous.

Then she turned to Tang Zhong, saying, “Huiyin is quite sensitive. Is there any other way?”

“There is,” Tang Zhong nodded.

“What’s your solution?”

“I’ll wear gloves,” Tang Zhong said.

Before Lin Huiyin could object, A-Ken, who was standing nearby, already protested. “No gloves! Gloves ruin the aesthetic. Think about it—really think about it. In the midst of exhilarating music, a man’s fingers tracing down a woman’s back to her hip—it’s such a beautiful, seductive moment. If he wears gloves, wouldn’t it look weird? That’s like painting a snake and adding feet!”

“You’re not the one being touched, so why are you objecting?” Zhang Hepben said, annoyed that A-Ken was siding with Tang Zhong. “If he were touching me, I’d—well, I’d let him! This is a sacrifice for art. Do you people have any sense of dedication?”

Tang Zhong shivered violently. He thought, you may be willing to sacrifice yourself, but I’m not giving up my hand.

“All right, enough. Stop arguing,” Bai Su said. She looked at Lin Huiyin. “Can you accept it?”

Lin Huiyin shook her head.

When Tang Zhong touched her, her nerves and muscles tensed up. Even moving was difficult, let alone dancing.

“Tang Zhong—” Bai Su turned to him.

Tang Zhong thought for a moment. “How about this? I agree there are some small issues with this dance. Let me make some adjustments so it fits the theme of the song better and is easier to popularize.”

“Tang Zhong, you can choreograph?” Bai Su asked excitedly.

“No,” Tang Zhong replied. “It’s hard for me to create a dance from scratch, but I can make slight modifications to the existing one. I danced from age seven to fifteen, but then I found it childish—”

“What? You think dancing is childish?” Zhang Hepben and Lin Huiyin glared at him.

“Well, that’s how I felt at the time,” Tang Zhong shrugged. After fifteen, he preferred reading and practicing calligraphy. If he hadn’t learned to sit still, his calligraphy wouldn’t be what it is today.

“But I still have the skills,” Tang Zhong said. “Xu Sanjin used to say, dancing is painting with your body. The painter knows best if the painting is smooth and coherent. Though this dance blends many styles, the mishmash doesn’t help it become popular. We can simplify it so everyone can appreciate and imitate it.”

“Oh, you’re thinking just like me!” A-Ken applauded. “Back when ‘Growing Up for You’ was popular, the song caught on but the dance didn’t. I think it’s because the dance is too eclectic—without professional training, it’s impossible to pull off. Look at every dance by Jolin Tsai—they’re widely imitated and hugely boost her popularity.”

As he spoke, A-Ken waved his hands, striking the signature pose from “Dancing Diva,” making Bai Su and Tang Zhong avert their eyes in embarrassment.

“Good,” Bai Su nodded. “Tang Zhong, I’ll leave the dance adjustments to you. We still have some time, so if the changes are minor, they’ll be easy to learn.”

“I’m really looking forward to it,” A-Ken said with a grin. “Little Heart, I believe you’ll set off a new trend.”

“Just don’t bring a flood of criticism,” Zhang Hepben said. She didn’t believe Tang Zhong could improve the dance.

Bai Su pretended to pinch Zhang Hepben’s mouth, making her quickly hide behind Lin Huiyin.

Bai Su asked, “Tang Zhong, when do we start?”

“Now,” Tang Zhong replied. Although the anniversary was still half a month away, he had promised Hua Mingqiu and Yi Han that he’d accompany them to Jade Maiden Mountain during the Mid-Autumn break. Once he entered the mountain, who knew when he’d return? He wanted to finish the dance arrangements as soon as possible.

“Now?” Bai Su was surprised. “Are you sure?”

Choreographing is like painting or writing—it requires inspiration. Without it, how can you create a dance?

“Let’s try,” Tang Zhong said. “We just danced a segment. For that part, I have a few suggestions—first, Huiyin’s movement when approaching can be bigger. Take a larger step, and be more forceful when tossing your head.”

As he spoke, Tang Zhong spread his feet and suddenly did a full split on the floor. “After a series of moves, end with this pose. Huiyin, you’re cold—so take that coldness to the extreme.”

“Hepben, your dancing is fine, but your facial expressions are off. Don’t try to act cute—”

Zhang Hepben was furious. If Bai Su hadn’t stopped her, she would have bitten Tang Zhong’s little Tang Zhong. Pointing angrily, she said, “How am I acting cute? I am cute, okay?”

“Yes, you are very cute,” Tang Zhong agreed. “So just keep your natural charm. Be yourself—more natural.”

Hearing this, Zhang Hepben stopped fussing and seriously considered her own performance.

Once Lin Huiyin and Zhang Hepben had absorbed Tang Zhong’s advice and began practicing the improvements, Bai Su quietly retreated to a corner.

“He’ll be a superstar,” A-Ken said, his eyes shining as he watched Tang Zhong. “Su Su, do you believe it? He’ll definitely be a superstar.”

“I’ve told him that before,” Bai Su nodded with satisfaction. “But I’m even more looking forward to him becoming a diva.”

“Hmph. Even if he dressed as a woman, he’d be everyone’s superstar—just wait and see. Like Brigitte Lin’s classic portrayal of the Invincible East, he’ll turn this role into a classic.”

Bai Su sighed softly. “Too bad he’s not Tang Xin.”

-----

The taxi arrived at the intersection of Xuefu Road. Tang Zhong had just gotten out and was about to walk through the school gate when a woman’s voice called from behind, “Mr. Tang—please wait.”

Mr. Tang?

Tang Zhong smiled.

Who was so respectful to him?

(P.S.: Wishing all the handsome guys and beautiful girls reading my novel a happy holiday!!! What? You say you’re not handsome? Don’t be so modest.)