The Rebirth of a Diva

Episode 7's

"What is there to bet on? Ye Xingling will definitely lose!" Many say.

In their eyes, Ye Xingling and Lu Tao were in different classes altogether. There is no way to set the betting odds.

Xia Ling maintained a calm expression, did some warm-up stretches, and then signaled for the referee to start. The referee, selected by the trainees watching from the sidelines, after seeing that Xia Ling was ready, verified with Lu Tao that he was also ready to start before signaling the start of the battle.

Of course it was disadvantageous for women to perform the windmill dance moves, but no one could take their eyes off Xia Ling as she placed her hands on the ground, stretched her body, and started spinning. Her long, straight legs gracefully kicked the air in a perfect, clean, purposeful arch, and with a talent that could only be executed for her confidence. Many people practice the movement of windmills, but those who can perform the rough dance moves with such talent and elegance are few and far between. No, rather, no one else can do it.

The gazes of many spectators landed on Xia Ling, and they kept staring at her.

"Yes God, is this a windmill .." One girl said in awe. "He's very graceful. Not at all like break dance."

"Yes .." The other boy continued. "It's beautiful and cool. The dance is a kind of."

Xia Ling's focus at this moment was not on the murmuring of the crowd, but on the world spinning before her eyes. Colorful and confident. Although her skills were not in break dancing, this did not mean she was not good at it. In his past life, he filmed an MV requiring him to do a windmill on set. The director then suggested that he use a double stunt, but Xia Ling insisted on completing the move herself. For that MV, he trained hard to learn the move for some time, developing an interest in it. Even after filming the MV, she would perform dance moves at all times for fun, treating it as a daily exercise and practicing her coordination and flexibility.

Pei Ziheng even said that he was blessed by the Gods. Many have tried to learn the dance moves over the years but failed. He, on the other hand, studied it while treating it as a game, and easily hit a number of rounds that were just shocking.

But . .

Xia Ling's mind drifted far away. Pei Ziheng. . Did he ever consider how much work he had to do to be able to build the foundation of dance to such a level? To be able to excel in all dance styles and use them flexibly to fit every song and situation?

He faintly heard the people around him counting out loud.

Those in front count for Lu Tao. "32, 33, 34 …"

The people behind counted for him. "29, 30, 31 …"

He started at the same time as Lu Tao, but his spinning speed was much slower than Lu Tao. It was inevitable because Lu Tao's specialty was break dance, which required his movements to be slippery and cool. In his case, while he was filming the MV, the director had asked to take it slow to bring out a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere. Even then, when he does windmills for fun, he focuses more on aerobics and flexibility.

He never practiced speed.

Lu Tao spun faster and faster, never seeming to tire. "46, 47, 48 …"

Xia Ling continued to follow at her own slower pace. "40, 41, 42 …"

A shocked expression slowly entered Lu Tao's eyes, as he never thought that there would be anyone other than him who could last so long. The several times he looked towards Xia Ling while exchanging hands became more and more frequent.

Xia Ling had a simple principle in mind. If Lu Tao didn't stop, he wouldn't stop either.

Finally, Lu Tao ran out of energy. When the crowd shouted "67", he stopped suddenly and stood up. He ignored the people running towards him with towels and water, keeping his eyes glued to Xia Ling's movements, his lips pursed in concentration.

Xia Ling continued to spin at her speed, and the counting around her continued. "59, 60, 61 …"

"God, even Lu Tao stopped but he was still strong …"

"God, even Lu Tao stopped but he was still strong …"

"But he was still left behind Lu Tao in terms of counting."

"Yes, that's right, but look how stable Ye Xingling is. He'll catch up to her …"

"66, 67, 68 .. Ah, she caught up with him! He actually caught up with Lu Tao !!"

The crowd became louder, and the counting chants for Xia Ling became louder and more numerous. "69, 70, 71 …"

They all looked happy that he had caught up with Lu Tao. After all, it's not every day that something extraordinary happens. Xia Ling listened carefully, and when they shouted "75", she stopped firmly. He only needed to defeat Lu Tao, there was no need to win by too large a margin.

A groan of disappointment sounded from around—

"Ah, what a pity, he stopped …"

"Yes …"

Amidst the murmur, Lu Tao's expression darkened. "Why did you stop?"

Xia Ling replied simply. "I'm tired . "

He glared at her as if he was trying to ascertain if she was lying.

He glared at her as if he was trying to ascertain if she was lying.

He just smiled at her and said, "You lost."

His face immediately wrinkled, as the news had just sunk. After which, he came to Xia Ling with a dark expression and then kneeled in front of her.

“Ye Xingling, I'm sorry.” He knelt down without hesitation, showing responsibility for his bet.

Xia Ling just wanted to see a change in attitude, to make everyone know that she was not easy to deal with so they would not bother her anymore. Now that Lu Tao had admitted defeat, he had no intention of making life difficult for him. "You can stand up" he said, then turned to leave.

"You're Xingling!" Lu Tao called out from behind.

Xia Ling stopped in her tracks and then heard her ask. "Where did you learn windmills?"

He did not reply and simply waved his hand with his back still towards him, pushing his way out of the crowd.

Luo Luo, who had joined the crowd in the midst of the battle, grappled Xia Ling as she walked out. "Xingling! How can you bet dangerously with him! What if you lose? You can't be so intentional!"

When Luo Luo spoke, her eyes began to turn red, and she looked like she was about to cry.

It was a lie to say that Xia Ling was not touched by Luo Luo's actions. For someone who has no relationship with him is willing to show loyalty and care for him. Xia Ling did not want to experience the same betrayal and despair in her past life. In this life, he was determined to have no relationship with anyone. Relationships scare her.

“Don't cry for me,” She pushed Luo Luo and turned around. "I can take care of myself, it has nothing to do with you."

There was a silence behind him for a moment, before he felt Luo hug him even tighter. "What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? We're friends!"

“Don't cry for me,” She pushed Luo Luo and turned around. "I can take care of myself, it has nothing to do with you."

There was a silence behind him for a moment, before he felt Luo hug him even tighter. "What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? We're friends!"

"Friends ..." Xia Ling closed her eyes for a moment and said, "There's no such word in my dictionary."

The small frame behind him froze. Xia Ling hesitated for a moment, but still pushed Luo Luo away. At that moment, he felt empty and reluctant to part.

Even if it's just for a moment.

Around him was a crowd. Clearly, to the audience the big scene today was truly worth their while. First, the great disappointment Xia Ling had made, defeating Lu Tao. Afterwards, a quarrel between Luo Luo and him.

Many were pointing towards Xia Ling as they discussed the incident mysteriously.

"I only feel respect for him for having defeated Lu Tao. Who would have thought that he would treat his friend like that after achieving success? Did he forget who was by his side when he was almost expelled from the academy?"

"Indeed, very ungrateful."

"Yes." Yeah."

Xia Ling walked towards the door in the midst of their criticism but could not help but look back. Luo Luo's small skeleton was still fixated on the same spot, with the crowd deliberately keeping their distance. He looked lonely and helpless.

Xia Ling hardened her heart as she turned around and walked away.