Graduation Gala (1)
As everyone entered the auditorium at Hangcheng High School, the graduation gala's stage instantly drew every eye, a dreamlike realm lit by magic.
Its main colors, brilliant gold and deep royal blue, intertwined as though a luxurious palace had been fused with the boundless starry sky.
The curtains were made of heavy, finely textured golden silk, their edges embroidered with intricate silver-thread patterns. Under the lights, they reflected rippling glimmers like a flowing Milky Way.
A giant crystal chandelier hung overhead. Every crystal had been cut to perfection, refracting light between them and scattering countless tiny, dazzling spots across every inch of the stage and into the astonished eyes of the audience.
The stage backdrop consisted of an ultra-high-definition LED screen, currently showing a moving image of the night sky.
Stars twinkled, nebulas drifted dreamily, and meteors occasionally streaked past with long, brilliant tails. It was so lifelike that people could almost imagine themselves in space.
On either side of the screen stood layers of three-dimensional decorations made of transparent acrylic and metal, fashioned into the magnificent columns of a palace. Glittering gems and light strips were set into their surfaces, changing color to the rhythm of the music.
Countless flowers lined the front of the stage. Vibrant red roses, noble white lilies, and delicate violets clustered together in a vast, luxuriant flower bed.
Crystal-clear droplets clung to the petals, shimmering enchantingly in the light. Rich floral fragrance filled the auditorium, lending the stage a touch of romance and elegance.
The stage floor was made of a special glass material, with multicolored light strips embedded inside.
When a performance began, the light strips would shift into all manner of gorgeous patterns and colors to match the music and performance.
At times they resembled surging ocean waves, blue light rising and falling; at others, they became a sparkling night sky, pinpricks of starlight twinkling beneath the performers' feet. When dancers moved across it, they seemed to be walking on light, as though in a dream.
Enormous sound equipment stood on both sides of the stage, cleverly disguised as ancient Greek-style sculptures. It ensured perfect sound while complementing the stage's magnificent style.
Above the speakers were giant projectors that could cast various special effects onto the stage, such as swirling petals, falling snowflakes, and burning flames, adding a wealth of visual effects to the performances.
A complex lifting system was also concealed above the stage. During performances, props and decorations could suddenly descend slowly from above, or performers could be raised into the air, creating a stunning stage effect.
For example, during a mythology-themed performance, a giant prop representing a deity could descend from the heavens amid smoke and special lighting, creating a mysterious and sacred atmosphere.
Vivid, fresh flowers surrounded the stage. Below it, women in splendid attire conversed quietly. Some were elegant and noble, others capable and free-spirited, but each was a prominent figure in society, here to select promising youngsters and recruit talent for her family.
The schoolgirls about to perform wore exquisite costumes, their eyes full of nervousness and anticipation!
In this female-dominated world, the social order was the reverse of traditional expectations. Women handled external affairs, exercising their abilities in crucial fields such as politics, economics, and the military.
Men tended to domestic affairs and devoted themselves more to fields such as art and education, adorning the world with their delicate talents.
As a top school, Hangcheng High School's senior graduation gala attracted considerable attention. It was a stage for its many students to show their talents and an opportunity for prominent figures from all walks of life to discover talent.
Backstage, Wang Binbin was concentrating on practicing his song.
His voice was clear and pure, like a mountain spring. He was practicing the high notes over and over, his brow slightly furrowed and fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
His singing echoed through the classroom, now a lilting, gentle croon, now a passionate, soaring song. Every note was filled with emotion.
His instructor stood nearby, offering professional advice from time to time. "Binbin, put more feeling into this part, and pay attention to your breath control."
Wang Binbin listened attentively and worked hard to adjust. He longed to show off his voice at the gala and let everyone hear his love of music.
In the piano room next door, Li Wenhao sat at the piano, his slender fingers dancing nimbly across the keys.
His gaze was focused, and he was immersed in the world of music. At times the piano rang clear and sweet, like pearls large and small falling onto a jade plate; at others it was deep and powerful, like ten thousand galloping horses.
He practiced the complex movement over and over, striving to make every note perfectly accurate and every melody capable of touching hearts.
Chen Ze and Song Ruoli, meanwhile, sat quietly in their chairs, waiting for the performance.
"Chen Ze, I'm a little nervous!" Sweat beaded on Song Ruoli's forehead, and her whole body trembled slightly.
"I'm a man, and even I'm not nervous. What does a grown woman like you have to be afraid of? Just pretend there's nobody below the stage and that you're performing for thin air!" Chen Ze comforted her, then patted her head.
Perhaps Chen Ze's head pat had done the trick, for Song Ruoli gradually calmed down.
After an exuberant opening dance, the gala officially began. Onstage, a group of girls danced with boundless energy, their movements coordinated and powerful, confident smiles on their faces.
Immediately afterward, two hosts, a man and a woman, walked onto the stage with smiles.
Together: "Good evening, everyone!"
Female host: "It's time once again for Hangcheng High School's annual senior graduation gala!"
Male host: "First, let us welcome the elites from all fields and the prominent figures who have joined us here tonight!"
"Clap, clap, clap!" Applause and screams filled the space below the stage!
Female host: "Hangcheng High School was founded in..."
Male host: "Now, please welcome the principal of Hangcheng High School, Ms. Guo Mingyu, to the stage to give a speech!"
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Principal Guo: "Rabbits and little shrimps, aba aba, the meal today was eaten by the dog, everyone's a king, right! ..."
After Principal Guo finished her long-winded speech, delivered in a heavy accent and lasting more than twenty minutes, the gala was finally declared open!
The first performance was Luo Wenwen's dance, "Dance of the Spirit Deer."
Luo Wenwen walked onto the stage in a white costume, its hem embroidered with lively deer patterns. The music slowly began, a melodious, ethereal tune that seemed to carry everyone into a mysterious forest.
Luo Wenwen began to dance, his figure light as a deer, his steps nimble and lively.
His arms stretched out gently like a deer extending its neck; his body tipped slightly forward as though he were foraging in the woods. Then he suddenly leaped high, like a startled deer darting swiftly away. His eyes were clear and bright, full of longing for freedom.
The audience fell silent in an instant, every gaze fixed on Luo Wenwen.
The women were deeply captivated by his dancing. Some parted their lips slightly in surprise; others gently pressed a hand to their chests, seemingly moved by the emotions Luo Wenwen expressed.
A veteran art critic could not help murmuring in admiration, "This child's dancing is not only masterful in technique, it also has a power that strikes straight at the heart. He's certain to achieve great things."
His admirers below the stage were red-faced with excitement, waving their glow sticks nonstop and shouting, "Wenwen, go! You're the best!" The students around them were also swept up in their enthusiasm and cheered Luo Wenwen on.
Luo Wenwen was immersed in his dance. Sweat soaked his clothes, but he remained completely unaware.
As the music reached its climax, his movements grew faster and faster. He spun and leaped in one fluid sequence, bringing the deer's nimble, lively nature to life.
At last, the music slowly stopped. Luo Wenwen gradually brought his movements to a halt and stood at center stage, breathing slightly hard. Thunderous applause erupted throughout the auditorium and continued for a long time. Tears glimmered in Luo Wenwen's eyes as he bowed deeply to the audience, his heart full of emotion and joy.
The seven judges below the stage nodded repeatedly, all saying that he had danced well!
The judges came from major entertainment companies across Great Xia. They had come to scout promising prospects, with singers, dancers, actors, and others all within their sights. It would have been more accurate to call them talent scouts.
After the two highest and two lowest scores were dropped and the remaining scores divided by three, Luo Wenwen received a final score of 9.5! That was already quite high!
Next came Wang Binbin's singing performance, "Daybreak." Dressed in a dark blue suit, Wang Binbin walked onto the stage, bowed slightly, and signaled to the band.
The prelude began with a stirring orchestral passage. Wang Binbin closed his eyes slightly and took a deep breath.
When the music reached a small crescendo, he began to sing. His voice was clear and penetrating, like the first ray of dawn piercing the darkness.
"Wandering through the long night, the hope in my heart has never gone out..."
His singing was full of feeling, every word seemingly imbued with power, giving full expression to the song's perseverance in pursuing dreams and its anticipation of the future.
The audience was absorbed. Some closed their eyes slightly, savoring it; others watched Wang Binbin without looking away, their eyes full of admiration.
A music producer spoke quietly to the assistant beside them. "This child has an exceptional voice, and his emotional expression is spot-on. With proper training, he's certain to become a rising star in the music world."
Wang Binbin became more engrossed as he sang, handling the high notes with ease. His voice echoed through the auditorium, stirring every heart.
Applause and cheers rang out continuously from the audience, and a confident smile spread across Wang Binbin's face. When the song ended, the entire audience rose to applaud. Wang Binbin's eyes reddened with emotion, and he bowed to them again in thanks.
The seven judges also gave their scores: 9.2, 9.5, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.1, and 9.4!
After the two lowest and highest scores were dropped and the remainder divided by three, Wang Binbin's final score was 9.3.