Chapter 1014: Turned into a Phoenix!

The Host walked onto the stage, holding a cue card in hand, and said softly, "Next, please enjoy the solo dance 'Phoenix Cry'. The performer is an outstanding young dancer from our province, Li Youyou."

Tang Ye sat offstage, his gaze locked onto the stage.

He was quite looking forward to this dance.

When the first clear, resonant sound of a bamboo flute pierced the darkness, the mist in the center of the stage slowly dissipated, and Li Youyou's figure, like a spiritual sprout breaking through the soil, quietly stretched out at the intersection of light and shadow.

She was dressed in a long dress with water sleeves, the hem spreading out in a gradient of crimson, just like the glow of a phoenix's wings as they first unfurl; the delicate silver ornaments adorning her waist shimmered in the dim light, waiting quietly for a nirvana-like blooming.

The opening movements were slow and restrained; Li Youyou's arms rose at an extremely slow rate, her elbows slightly bent, her fingertips trembling, as if a phoenix had just awakened from a deep slumber and was tentatively touching the light and wind of this world.

Her slender neck turned, her eyes lowered and then slowly lifted, her gaze filled with the innocence and clarity of one just awakened, interpreting the tranquility and softness of "first awakening" to perfection.

As the crisp sound of chime bells joined the accompaniment, her movements gradually quickened. Her water sleeves traced light circles in front of her body before being flicked backward; the range was not large, but it carried just the right amount of elasticity, each swing accompanied by the sound of the delicate silver ornaments clashing, weaving into a rhythm with the music.

The music turned impassioned, and her dance movements suddenly exerted force; she stood on her tiptoes, her figure spinning rapidly like a spinning top.

The crimson hem of her dress spread out like a blooming red lotus.

The water sleeves, like two streams of flowing clouds, fluttered and wrapped around her body.

The dance entered its climax, and the music grew increasingly magnificent.

Li Youyou's movements also became more unrestrained and expansive.

At times she leaped up, her legs crossing and spiraling in the air, her water sleeves flying wantonly, the crimson sleeves and the light of the silver ornaments weaving into a brilliant display of light and shadow;

at other times she leaned over and spun, her hands supporting her on the ground, her body forming a graceful arc, the water sleeves dragging long traces across the floor, like the glow cast by a phoenix as it streaks across the clouds...

The spotlight gradually narrowed, leaving only her slender and upright figure.

She bent her knees slightly and bowed deeply to the audience, her dress spreading out on the stage like a phoenix flower blooming in silence.

Not until the music completely faded did thunderous applause erupt in the venue, lasting for a long time.

Tang Ye could not help but cheer; with her exquisite dance technique and vivid expressions, Li Youyou had portrayed the entire process of the phoenix—from awakening and breaking free to soaring high and returning to its nest—with distinct layers and lifelike detail.

Moreover, this dance, "Phoenix Cry," was quite fitting for the development spirit of Dayu County as it climbed upward from the valley.

After the dance ended, Li Youyou went backstage; she was very satisfied with her performance, having released all the energy she had accumulated over the years.

"Youyou, your dance today was wonderful, truly stunning. I was left staring in awe."

"Yes, it felt like you had turned into a phoenix."

Facing the congratulations of her colleagues, Li Youyou said very modestly, "Thank you all for your encouragement. I was actually very nervous. Everyone helped me a lot during this time and gave me many suggestions, which is why this dance was possible today."

Yin Hong sat in the corner, watching Li Youyou, a look of jealousy appearing in her eyes.

Her group dance had already finished; although the reaction from the audience was enthusiastic, it was a group dance after all, so the audience's attention was dispersed, and her brilliance had been buried.

At this moment, Yin Hong's heart was filled with hatred, because she felt that the protagonist's spotlight Li Youyou had today should have belonged to her.

During this period, she had contacted Liu Cheng once, and Liu Cheng had asked her to quit her job and go to Canada together.

Although Yin Hong longed for a life free from worries about food and clothing, she knew that Liu Cheng was going abroad as a fugitive.

Yin Hong did not want to be like Liu Cheng, living a life like a rat in a sewer.

Yin Hong now regretted it deeply, because she and Li Youyou had met Tang Ye at almost the same time.

If she had been more proactive at the time and won Tang Ye's favor, today might have had a different ending.

In Yin Hong's worldview, the relationship between Tang Ye and Li Youyou was definitely unusual.

A man showing courtesy to a woman for no reason—wasn't it just for that business in the pants?

Yin Hong considered her own looks to be no less than Li Youyou's.

Unfortunately, she lacked a bit of luck.

After the cultural performance ended.

Shi Yao accompanied Liu Mingyuan as they walked out of the venue.

Liu Mingyuan glanced at Shi Yao, then at Jiang Anbang, "It has been less than three months since I last came to Dayu County; I didn't expect such big changes. Dayu County gives one the feeling of changes with each passing day."

Shi Yao said with a smile, "It is inseparable from the long-term concern of Secretary Liu."

Liu Mingyuan felt he had a lot to say, but when the words reached his lips, they turned into, "Keep up the good work; I look forward to even more surprises when I come to Dayu County next time."

After Liu Mingyuan left by car.

Shi Yao felt a sense of relief and said to Jiang Anbang, "Everyone has worked hard during this time."

Jiang Anbang said in a spirited tone, "Although it was hard work, it was effective. After this practical experience, everyone's abilities have been greatly improved, and their administrative level has made significant progress."

Tang Ye pondered to himself that many Government departments emphasized improving administrative capabilities and proposed many measures, but they were far less effective than this kind of practical experience.

"Secretary Shi, I'm going to go greet the actors and staff of the Song and Dance Troupe."

"Alright, go ahead!" Shi Yao nodded slightly.

The success of this performance was to Tang Ye's credit.

There was no dispute about this point.

Tang Ye arrived behind the stage.

He had asked Ma Ran to purchase flowers beforehand.

Most of the actors in the Song and Dance Troupe were girls.

Girls would not refuse flowers.

Xue Ying smiled as she took the flowers and said, "Thank you, Secretary Tang, for coming to express your appreciation."

Everyone applauded one after another.

Everyone knew that Tang Ye was the main driving force behind this cultural performance.

After the scene quieted down, Tang Ye said with a smile, "Teachers, today's performance was wonderful, and everyone has worked hard. On behalf of all the common people of Dayu County, I thank you for this performance."

Afterwards, Ma Ran instructed a few people to deliver the fresh flowers into the hands of the crowd.

Li Youyou watched Tang Ye look toward her, and her heartbeat seemed to suddenly accelerate.

Tang Ye walked straight toward Li Youyou, "Teacher Li, your solo dance today received praise from many people. Everyone thinks very highly of the dance. I think you could take this dance as your signature piece and further refine it to make the dance even more perfect and three-dimensional."

Li Youyou wore a smile, "I will seriously take your advice into consideration."

Subsequently, Tang Ye said similar words of encouragement to the other dancers.

In Tang Ye's view, these kinds of words were nothing more than polite social pleasantries.

However, he did not know that these words left a deep impression on Li Youyou.

It also strengthened her determination to meticulously polish her work.