Chapter Seventy-One: The Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara

Chapter Seventy-One: The Thousand-Handed Guanyin

In its previous incarnation, "The Thousand-Handed Guanyin" was created as a "special art" performed by people with disabilities. It embodied both artistic and human beauty—the ultimate truth, goodness, and beauty of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, along with the profound themes of compassion, love, beauty, and kindness. Even more, it reflected the indomitable spirit of disabled artists.

This national treasure, a heritage of human culture, deeply moved all of China during its performance at the Spring Festival Gala. Its breathtaking display left audiences around the world in awe.

In the original version of "Crazy Stone," the dance was undoubtedly used as a parody for comedic effect. In Zhang Le's adaptation, however, the dance was significantly elevated—longer, more elaborate, and in many ways superior to the original, though the results remained to be seen. The extras hired for the performance were elderly men and women, hardly the epitome of elegance and artistry, their participation intended solely for amusement.

Yet, when the world-class dancer Yang Li watched the performance, she saw not its comedy but its potential—its malleability as a work of art, and the artistry hidden beneath the comedic effect Zhang Le had created for the film.

Yang Li’s personal visit to discuss the dance took Zhang Le by surprise, though upon reflection, it made perfect sense. After all, the piece originated in his own film; if Yang Li had gone ahead and refined it without so much as a greeting, it would have left things hanging.

Yang Li arrived with genuine sincerity, and Zhang Le naturally did not refuse. He was quite pleased at the thought of this dance appearing in this world.

To Yang Li’s surprise, Zhang Le agreed readily. What astonished her even more were his ideas and suggestions for the dance during their conversation.

Listening to him, she could only stare in amazement.

After seeing the dance, Yang Li had only a vague concept in mind, but hearing Zhang Le’s words, she felt as if he had already perfected it in his mind.

Zhang Le had, of course, seen this stunning dance before—multiple versions, in fact. As he discussed it with Yang Li, he held nothing back, recounting everything he had seen. His expressive skill was remarkable, and as she listened, vivid images seemed to spring to life in Yang Li’s mind.

When words failed, Zhang Le, eager to be understood, even took up pen and paper to sketch some of the scenes.

“Is something wrong?” Zhang Le, who had been speaking passionately, suddenly felt something amiss and asked in confusion.

“Director Zhang, have you already choreographed this dance?” Yang Li shook her head as she asked.

“No,” Zhang Le replied, shaking his head. “When I first came up with the idea, it was meant as a bit of a joke, but I did have some thoughts on it. Why, do you think something is off about my ideas?”

“No, your ideas are excellent—truly excellent. I’m beginning to wonder if you’re a film director or a dance artist,” Yang Li said, shaking her head. “Director Zhang, I’d like you to collaborate with me in choreographing this dance. I believe it could astonish the entire country, even the world.”

“Me? Co-choreograph?” Zhang Le looked at her in surprise and shook his head. “Are you joking, Ms. Yang? I don’t know the first thing about dance. I was just rambling just now.”

“I’m perfectly serious, Director Zhang. If what you said was rambling, then we haven’t even begun to ramble,” Yang Li replied. “I truly hope you’ll help me. I’m planning to invite dancers from the National Disabled Arts Troupe to perform this piece. This June, I’m organizing a charity gala for people with disabilities, which has already received strong support from CCTV. The event will be broadcast live, and I want this dance to showcase the resilience and spirit of the disabled.”

“Ms. Yang, I’m not trying to decline, but I really don’t have the expertise in dance, nor the ability. Even if I did, my schedule is already packed—I truly can’t spare the time,” Zhang Le said, recognizing Yang Li’s sincerity but unable to commit.

He simply didn’t have the time or the skill. Even with the original version clear in his mind, faithfully reproducing it would be difficult.

With dance, no matter how well something is imitated, it may capture the form but lose the spirit. If he failed to do justice to the piece and reduced it to a mere shell, Zhang Le would never forgive himself.

He felt no guilt about borrowing films or songs from his previous life; after all, sharing those classics with this world was, in his mind, a good thing.

But to recreate a classic from his previous life and not make it even better—or worse, to turn it into something mediocre—was unthinkable.

“How about this: I’ll sketch out my ideas for you to reference, Ms. Yang,” Zhang Le said, seeing the deep regret in Yang Li’s eyes.

He held great respect for artists like Yang Li. He believed that with her talent and the original as reference, she could create an even more awe-inspiring work.

“Thank you, Director Zhang,” Yang Li said after a moment’s thought. “As for compensation...”

“No need. If you must, just donate it to the Disabled Persons’ Association on my behalf,” Zhang Le waved her off. He needed money, but not so much as to profit off an artist devoted to charity.

“Oh! Ms. Yang, I didn’t expect to see you here.” Yang Xiner greeted Yang Li in surprise as she left Zhang Le’s office.

“Hello, Miss Yang,” Yang Li replied.

“Are you here about the charity gala?” Yang Xiner glanced at Zhang Le in the office as she asked.

She was a bit puzzled—if that was the case, there was no reason for Yang Li to come in person, and she herself hadn’t received an invitation. Since Yang Li was here just for Zhang Le, she was curious. She also knew Yang Li was organizing a charity gala.

“In a way,” Yang Li replied with a smile, her eyes brightening as she turned to Yang Xiner. “Are you interested in the charity gala?”

“While I can’t devote myself to charity as you do, I can certainly participate in a few benefit performances,” Yang Xiner replied with a smile.

“Then let me officially invite both you and Director Zhang to take part,” Yang Li said.

After Yang Li left, Yang Xiner learned from Zhang Le the real purpose of her visit and was utterly astonished. She hadn’t expected that the dance Zhang Le had jokingly parodied would catch the eye of a renowned dance artist like Yang Li, prompting her to visit in person.

What surprised Yang Xiner even more was that Yang Li had invited Zhang Le to co-create and choreograph the dance.

Yang Xiner knew better than Zhang Le just how influential Yang Li was in the world of dance, both at home and abroad.

After spending so much time with Zhang Le, she had never imagined he could be associated with the word "dance" at all. Especially not with a dance so rich in cultural heritage, so different from popular forms.

“Ms. Yang invited us both to her charity gala and I’ve already agreed,” Yang Xiner said.

“Yes, participating in such performances is always worthwhile,” Zhang Le nodded.