Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Hua Qing took the menu and flipped through it. Every dish had an elegant name, and the prices were not cheap.

After hesitating for a long time, she simply pushed the menu to Ding Heng.

Qi Yanran saw this and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

She truly never imagined that Hua Qing, with her proud and aloof personality, would one day be manipulated by a man... like a wronged little wife.

Ding Heng picked up the menu, flipped through it, and named a few dishes, which the waiter noted down.

While waiting for the food, Qi Yanran picked up her teacup and took a sip, speaking formally: "Hua Qing, besides catching up, we also have serious business to discuss this meeting."

Hua Qing sat up straight: "Teacher Qi, please speak."

Qi Yanran put down her teacup, took out a tablet from her bag, swiped it a few times, and pushed it in front of her.

On the screen are several pages of initial drafts of the dance choreography, titled "Looking at the Sea".

"This is a new play that our troupe is focusing on developing this year. It tells the story of Mazu and tells the mythological culture of the coastal area. The main character is naturally Mazu."

Qi Yanran said calmly, "With my strong recommendation, you are now one of the candidates for main dancer."

Hua Qing held the tablet, her fingers tightening slightly.

"In addition, the teacher hopes that you can relax. After all, this is the capital city, full of talented people. It's not like you at Hubei Normal University, and the scale of the projects is also different."

Qi Yanran continued, "Looking at the Sea is a key project supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The premiere is scheduled for September. If the performance is successful, there are plans for a national tour."

Hua Qing's breath hitched slightly.

There are seven people vying for the lead dancer position.

Qi Yanran solemnly reminded her, "You are the only undergraduate student currently enrolled and not yet graduated."

Hua Qing lowered her eyes and carefully examined the dance choreography on the screen.

"In early April, all candidates will come to the capital for intensive training and a unified assessment. Whether you can secure the role then depends entirely on your own abilities."

Qi Yanran picked up her teacup and took another sip to moisten her throat.

“Hua Qing, I know your qualifications and your skill level. But you’re not even a student at the Beijing Dance Academy yet. If you want to get this role, you have to do better than others.”

Hua Qing raised her head, her gaze firm: "I understand."

Qi Yanran took back the tablet, pulled up a new video, and pushed it back in front of her.

"This is the first rehearsal video. Take a look at it first."

The video shows a rehearsal clip of several dancers. The choreography is still quite rough, but the overall framework is already visible.

Hua Qing watched it intently, and after watching it once, she went back and watched it a second time.

Qi Yanran asked, "Give me an objective evaluation, no need to be polite."

Hua Qing put down the tablet and, without mincing words, said frankly, "Some parts could be smoother, but the overall feel is right. Also, the costumes are a little off..."

Qi Yanran nodded: "I'll think about it when I get back."

As the principal choreographer, Qi Yanran doesn't mind her apprentice pointing out her flaws at all.

Four years ago, Hua Qing regretted the argument, and Qi Yanran regretted it as well, after all, a student like Hua Qing was hard to come by.

As the two were discussing professional issues, Ding Heng suddenly spoke up: "Professor Qi, I have a question."

"You said."

"Can the selection of the main dancer be guaranteed to be fair and impartial?"

Hua Qing was taken aback and turned to look at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng met Qi Yanran's gaze: "You just said that Hua Qing is not a student of Beijing Dance Academy yet, which puts her at a natural disadvantage in this regard... If you have already decided on a candidate, please give us an answer in advance."

Art can never be measured by data; whether it's good or bad is ultimately a matter of a single "judge's" word.

Ding Heng had no way of knowing how deep and murky the waters were in the capital's art scene.

Qi Yanran looked at Ding Heng again, her gaze now more scrutinizing.

A moment later, she burst out laughing.

"Hua Qing, your boyfriend has a better perspective than you do."

Hua Qing lowered her head and remained silent.

She wasn't good at discussing these things, so she simply handed over the entire conversation to the man.

Qi Yanran said with emotion: "I dare not say anything else, but as the chief choreographer, I will definitely vote for the most outstanding and professional dancer, and I will never be influenced by external factors."

Ding Heng chuckled: "So you mean there were external factors involved?"

Qi Yanran sighed and smiled: "Perhaps... But no matter what, this is a great opportunity for Hua Qing, and I still hope she can participate in the competition."

"But I don't want Hua Qing to lose in a place where she shouldn't lose."

Ding Heng's tone was neither hurried nor slow, but Qi Yanran heard it as a warning.

She met Ding Heng's gaze, wondering where the boy in front of her got his confidence from.

You know, this is the capital city...

"I'll do my best."

"Thank you, Teacher Qi."

Ding Heng didn't say anything more. Regardless of what happens next, Qi Yanran still seems trustworthy for now.

After finishing their meal, the three of them left the restaurant.

Before getting into the car, Qi Yanran turned to look at Hua Qing: "Come to the troupe to report the day after tomorrow. I'll introduce you to the other candidates. Don't be nervous, just perform normally."

Hua Qing nodded: "Mm."

Qi Yanran glanced at Ding Heng again: "Xiao Ding, Hua Qing has come a long way, I hope you won't distract her too much."

Ding Heng smiled and said, "Don't worry, Teacher Qi."

The car slowly drove onto the main road, its taillights gradually disappearing into the night.

Ding Heng didn't rush to hail a taxi; he walked side by side with Hua Qing along the street.

The streetlights cast their shadows long, intertwined and overlapping.

Ding Heng suddenly asked, "Senior, is Teacher Qi from Fujian?"

Hua Qing was taken aback, then turned to look at him: "How did you know?"

"You can tell from the accent."

Ding Heng analyzed, "In addition, her choreography uses the theme of Mazu, which should be because she was influenced by the culture there since childhood."

Hua Qing remarked, "You're quite meticulous."

Am I thin?

"what?"

Hua Qing was stunned for a moment, not quite reacting.

Ding Heng leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Didn't you complain about your mouth being sore last time, senior?"

Hua Qing's face flushed bright red.

"You...you're a pervert!"

She turned around abruptly and quickened her pace.

Ding Heng quickly caught up with Hua Qing and pulled her to a stop. He reached out to straighten her collar, which had been ruffled by the wind, and his tone suddenly became serious.

"Senior."

"Ok?"

"It concerns your ideals and future, so of course I will be careful."

Hua Qing looked up, unsure how to respond.

The streetlights cast a soft glow on the man's face, softening his features and making his gaze less aggressive than usual.

So far, every move Ding Heng made while accompanying her to the capital has made her feel his sincerity and concern for her, which warms her heart.

A system notification quietly appeared in Ding Heng's mind.

[Progress of romantic entanglement: 86%]

He took Hua Qing's hand again: "These two days are the weekend, I'll help you sort out the house issue first, senior."

"it is good……"

Hua Qing subconsciously gripped Ding Heng's hand tightly.

"You choose the location and style, I'll cover the rent and deposit."

Ding Heng's tone left no room for refusal: "No objections allowed, and no unnecessary politeness."

Hua Qing gave a soft "hmm".

"I'm also planning to get a car for my senior, but it's a bit difficult to get a license plate in the capital."

"Need not……"

Hua Qing instinctively wanted to refuse, but before she could finish speaking, Ding Heng asked her directly.

"What style would you like, senior?"

Hua Qing swallowed the rest of her words and instead murmured softly, "I'm fine with anything, whatever you say."

Ding Heng stopped again and turned to face Hua Qing.

Before Hua Qing could react, the man had already lowered his head and gently kissed her lips.

Very light, very fast.

Hua Qing froze.

Ding Heng stepped back a little, gazed at the fairy's flushed face, rubbed her head, and smiled with satisfaction.

"Right...that's a good girl."