Jingxia Rose

Chapter 14: An Unexpected Incident

Even before it was time to enter, the area in front was already packed with fans and audience members.

Ruan Zheng led them through the back door staff entrance. After they entered smoothly, Ruan Zheng introduced them to the theater manager and several other dancers.

Because she needed to put on makeup, and it wasn't appropriate to keep entertaining the two of them, she asked the theater manager to show them around.

The theater manager was naturally delighted. This was the young master of the Wen family, and it was already an honor for him to come to the theater. To be his guide was an even greater honor.

The Fengling Theater has been established for over twenty years and underwent an expansion a few years ago. Apart from the National Centre for the Performing Arts, it is the largest theater in Beijing.

Everywhere you look, you can feel the atmosphere of classical art and literature.

After a quick tour, the person in charge led them to a lounge and went about their business.

The audience had already entered the stadium one after another. Looking back, there was a huge crowd of people, and quite a few security guards were maintaining order.

When the time came, a staff member knocked on the door and came in. "Mr. Wen, Ms. Ji, the performance is about to start. I'll take you there."

Ji Xuan nodded slightly, "Thank you for your trouble."

As soon as she stood up, her hand was grabbed by the man next to her, and she glanced at him subconsciously.

Wen Qi didn't look over, seemingly acting subconsciously, and led her outside.

Ji Xian glanced at the hand she was holding tightly in her palm. She used to love being held by him, always feeling very safe. But now, she felt unusually calm and didn't hold on tightly like she usually did.

There is a short, steep slope leading from the dressing room to the front stage.

Ji Xuan's high heels tripped her, and she stumbled forward.

Wen Qi reacted quickly, reaching out to pull her into his arms. "Are you distracted while walking?"

Ji Xuan looked up and met his clear, deep peach blossom eyes, then awkwardly pulled away from his embrace, "...I'm sorry."

Wen Qi still held her hand and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing." Ji Xuan gathered his thoughts, without even making up an excuse.

Wen Qi glanced at her sideways, his brows furrowing slightly, but he didn't say anything, only tightening his grip on her hand.

Ruan Zheng arranged seats for the two of them in the first row, with an excellent view.

When they sat down, dancers were already warming up the crowd.

This was the first time Ji Xuan had ever seen a classical dance performance up close. Before, he had only seen videos of Ruan Zheng and other dancers dancing on his phone.

After the first two dances ended, the entire stage changed, the background lighting changed, and a circular platform rose in the middle. Ruan Zheng and several dance partners stood on it, their graceful figures swaying to the melodious music.

With hip thrusts and cheek support, a sideways hand strike, a swallow-like sitting posture, a hurricane-like chest and waist arched, a forward-pointing touch to the ground, a single-kneeling stance with a sideways gaze… each movement has a strong and powerful rhythm, yet retains a sense of grace.

As she stood still, her affectionate eyes shimmered with a captivating light. She slowly turned her head to look at the audience, displaying a myriad of charms.

Ruan Zheng's beauty was so stunning that even she, a woman, was captivated and moved by it.

After the song ended, other dancers took over, and until the grand finale, Ruan Zheng changed into a white ancient costume and appeared in everyone's sight while sitting on an aerial swing.

White silk fluttered in the breeze, dozens of butterflies changed on the stage backdrop, and the melody flowed like water. She stood on the swing, leaning back and inhaling sharply, her movements fluid and graceful.

Everyone's hearts tightened when she let go of the swing vines and fell weightlessly into the air.

But in the next moment, the wires carrying her graceful figure spun freely in the air, as beautiful as a startled swan. The entire dance was performed in the air, and the entire audience watched her dance in complete silence. As the music came to an end, thunderous applause erupted.

Many people also screamed her name.

No one expected that amidst the thunderous applause, an unexpected event would follow.

The wire carrying Ruan Zheng was descending at a very slow speed, but when it was halfway down, more than two meters from the ground, the wire suddenly went out of control.

In an instant, Ruan Zheng was caught completely off guard and before she could even scream, she fell to the ground with a 'thud'.

Ji Xian opened her eyes wide. Before she could even get up, the grip on her hand suddenly disappeared, and a dark shadow rushed onto the stage in front of her.

Ji Xian stared blankly as the man forcefully pushed aside the dancers surrounding Ruan Zheng, his expression tense and worried.

This unexpected turn of events threw the scene into chaos, with staff and theater managers rushing to check on the situation.

She rushed over, and as soon as she got there, she saw Wen Qi with his arm around Ruan Zheng's shoulder, shouting to the people around them, "Ambulance! Call an ambulance!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After Ruan Zheng was put into the ambulance, Wen Qi also got in.

Ji Xian didn't delay and immediately drove to the hospital.

At that time, the doctor was communicating with Wen Qi. Because it was a sudden fall from a height, the examination results showed that the fracture was quite serious, and surgery was recommended.

Wen Qi only asked one question: Was there any danger to his life? After receiving the answer, he signed the consent form.

Soon, Ruan Zheng was wheeled into the operating room.

Just then, the person in charge of the theater arrived, and Wen Qi stared at him coldly.

"Dean Qi, why did the wire suddenly break? This is the responsibility of your venue management, and you'd better give me an explanation!"

Dean Qi was sweating profusely on the way, and he wiped it away, sincerely apologizing, "I'm so sorry, President Wen, Teacher Ruan has rehearsed many times before without any problems, I didn't know..."

Ji Xuan walked over at this moment, his gentle voice tinged with seriousness, "Dean Qi, you said it yourself, the wire rigging was fine during multiple rehearsals, but it broke today. Isn't that strange? We just want the result."

"In addition, with so many viewers watching today, it's inevitable that it will trend on social media. You should also have a plan in mind to deal with it."

"Yes, yes, Miss Ji is right. Don't worry, we will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and give President Wen an explanation. In addition, our theater will cover Teacher Ruan's surgery and hospitalization fees..."

Ji Xuan raised his hand to interrupt him. At this moment, Wen Qi was clearly not in the mood to listen to him talk about compensation.

She walked over to Wen Qi and said, "Shouldn't we call your uncle and aunt to let them know? After all, we can't keep it a secret forever."

Wen Qi rubbed his temples, took out his phone, and dialed Sui Yi's number.

Dean Qi and the others dared not say anything more and could only stand far away, praying that Ruan Zheng would be safe and sound.

Ji Xuan also called the company's public relations department, asking them to keep an eye on the online situation.

After returning, she sat quietly next to Wen Qi, watching him clasp his hands together and rub them together. After hesitating for a moment, she reached out and took his hand, gently comforting him, "It will be alright, Sister Ruan Zheng will be alright."

Wen Qi was taken aback, glancing at the pair of fair hands that were trying to envelop him. His heart skipped a beat, and he only let out a soft "hmm".

(End of this chapter)