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

"What do you mean? All the competitions I've participated in since I was a child..."

"The stage is the stage."

Ding Heng interrupted, "You're not used to the spotlight offstage at all."

Hua Qing was speechless for a moment.

Ding Heng continued, "Of course you're comfortable under the spotlight on stage, but what about offstage? You're afraid of being the center of attention, and you feel uncomfortable when fans ask for your autograph. If the director praises you, you practically want to bury your head in the ground. Today, someone gave you flowers, and you reacted so strongly. Doesn't it make you seem guilty?"

"I have no guilty conscience at all..."

Hua Qing's voice clearly lacked confidence.

She knew Ding Heng was right, but she just couldn't get over that hurdle.

Her upbringing taught her that dancers rely on their skills and don't need to engage in superficial things.

But reality has already taught her enough lessons.

Ding Heng pointed out incisively: "How the director chooses the actors is the director's decision. If you can step in at the last minute, that's your skill. Do you expect to care about the previous chef's feelings when you go to a different restaurant?"

"Can these be considered the same?"

Hua Qing clearly did not agree with Ding Heng's analogy.

"What's different?"

Ding Heng said matter-of-factly, "You don't owe anyone anything. This was your own opportunity, senior. Now that you've seized it, just be open and honest. Being timid and hesitant will only make people think you have something to hide."

Hua Qing remained silent.

As the car rounded an intersection, Hua Qing suddenly spoke up: "According to you, I should pick you up?"

"What I mean?"

Ding Heng cried his eyes out: "What I mean is, don't overthink it. If the director tells you to go, then go. If the director doesn't tell you, then keep practicing. What's meant to be yours will come to you, and what's not meant to be yours can't be forced, just like... that time with Wang Hai?"

"You always bring up things you don't want to talk about!"

Hua Qing was furious and embarrassed, so she turned her face away and ignored the man.

The car came to a stop in front of the apartment building, and Ding Heng turned off the engine and looked at her.

"Still wanting to?"

Hua Qing pondered, "I'm thinking... how exactly should I adapt?"

Ding Heng turned her around.

"How about I find you a tutor?"

"Who?"

"Longhe!"

Chapter 272: Practicing the Unspoken Rules

A week later.

Backstage at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

After the final performance, Hua Qing went to the makeup mirror, bent down, took off her earrings, and put them into the jewelry box.

In the mirror, her eyelashes were thicker and curlier than usual, and her blush was smudged by sweat, leaving a thin layer of red on her cheeks.

She picked up a makeup remover pad and was about to wipe her face when the door was pushed open.

"Hua Qing, classmate."

Someone peeked in: "Someone's here to visit you on set."

A set visit?

Before Hua Qing could ask who it was, a commotion broke out in the corridor.

Footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by gasps of surprise.

"It really is Longhe!"

Why is she here?

"Quick, quick, where's the phone?"

Hua Qing turned her head, and Long He was already standing at the door.

She wore simple, plain clothes, sunglasses, and held a bouquet of flowers.

"The performance went well."

Longhe handed over the flowers, as if it were a routine task.

Hua Qing took the flowers, but before she could say anything, the corridor erupted in chaos.

"Long He! Can we take a picture together?"

"I want me too!"

"Oh my god, she looks even better in person than on camera..."

Several young actors rushed to the doorway, poking half their bodies in, eager to try.

Long He turned around, his smile natural and appropriate.

"Okay."

She took off her sunglasses and walked over.

The first girl who came up was shaking; she held up her phone for a long time but couldn't get it to point properly.

Longhe simply took the phone, raised his arm, and framed himself and the girl in the same frame.

"Come on, look at the camera."

Click.

"Thank you, thank you, Longhe..."

"You're welcome."

Longhe handed the phone back to her and turned to the next person.

Hua Qing observed quietly and saw that Long He was composed and spoke in a gentle tone, without any airs or pretense.

Are you prepared to face the spotlight offstage?

Hua Qing seemed lost in thought...

After the long group photo session, the two girls walked out of the dressing room one after the other and got into a black van through the back door.

The car door closed, and Long He let out a long breath.

"worn out."

"Weren't you quite skilled just now?"

"That's called business."

Long He corrected, "Being proficient and liking are two different things."

Hua Qing didn't respond.

Long He then asked, "Where's Ding Heng? Isn't he with you in the capital?"

"Just left this morning."

Hua Qing said unhappily, "They said something came up at the last minute."

"Is something wrong?"

Long He raised an eyebrow: "Doesn't he have any free time during summer vacation?"

"Who knows..."

Hua Qing sighed.

The man was on vacation, but he only spent less than a week with her.

She said she had "something to do," but Hua Qing didn't bother to ask what it was.

It's nothing more than a matter concerning a few women...

Judging from her expression, Long He vaguely guessed what was going on.

"Are you just going to let him do this?"

"if not?"

Hua Qing smiled wryly: "It's not like we just met him yesterday."

Long He gestured for the driver to start the car, then turned to Hua Qing and said, "Hua Qing, have you ever thought about... leaving him for a while?"

"what!?"

Hua Qing suddenly became alert: "What do you mean?"

"Literal meaning."

Long He said seriously, "You are in the prime of your career right now. Instead of worrying about his trivial matters every day, you should focus your energy on yourself."

Hua Qing remained silent, her eyes growing increasingly wary.

Good grief, you big star, you're up to no good, aren't you?

"Think about it, you're only twenty-three. A graduate student at the Beijing Dance Academy, a lead dancer for the Lotus Award, and an account with millions of followers. As long as you're willing, you have plenty of opportunities. There's no need to dwell on teenage romance and childish games anymore..."

Long He's words came from the bottom of his heart.

In her opinion, the relationship between Hua Qing and the others and Ding Heng was bound to end sooner or later, so it was better to speed it up, which would be better for everyone, including her!

"Longhe!"

Hua Qing suddenly raised her voice, startling Long He.

"What?"

"Let's put it aside for now. Ding Heng asked me to study with you for the next period of time."