Chapter 116: Termination from the Position
Gu Shaohua's smile vanished suddenly, replaced by overwhelming anger.
"Since I've been managing the troupe, you are the first to blatantly disregard our rules and take on private work outside!"
"Ms. Gu..."
Sheng Xiangsi's face turned pale, but she wanted to explain some things.
"I did take on private work, but that was before I joined the troupe. I have a contract with the film crew..."
"So what?"
Such an explanation was useless.
Gu Shaohua was known for her strictness. Once a rule was broken, she wouldn't show any leniency.
"You took on private work while being part of the troupe, didn't you?"
"..."
Sheng Xiangsi opened her mouth but was at a loss for words. It was a fact she couldn't argue with.
"Foolish!"
Gu Shaohua closed her eyes, feeling a deep sense of disappointment.
But rules were rules.
No matter how much she regretted it, Gu Shaohua couldn't keep Sheng Xiangsi in the troupe any longer.
Raising her hand, she commanded, "Go change out of your practice clothes and leave the troupe immediately."
"!"
Sheng Xiangsi looked up sharply, her eyes filling with tears. "Ms. Gu, I..."
"There's no need to say anything."
Gu Shaohua raised her hand to stop her from continuing.
"I broke the rules once for you, but rules are rules. Today, you broke them, and I can't protect you. Otherwise, how can I manage the troupe effectively?"
Looking at Sheng Xiangsi, she sighed, "It's a pity. You've ruined your own future."
Then she added, "But maybe not entirely. With your talent, perhaps you are better suited for a career in the entertainment industry. I'm sure you'll do well."
"No, Ms. Gu..."
Sheng Xiangsi shook her head. She had never thought about it that way.
"Sigh, just go."
There was no room for negotiation, "I'm sure with Mr. Fu's backing, you'll do well in the entertainment industry. Leaving here isn't such a loss."
Waving her hand, she urged, "Go quickly!"
There was no turning back.
Sheng Xiangsi had nothing more to say, regretting only that she hadn't handled the situation properly.
But even if she had another chance, she doubted she could have managed it any better.
"Ms. Gu."
Sheng Xiangsi bowed, "I'm leaving."
"Go."
Gu Shaohua turned her eyes away, no longer looking at her.
Leaving the office, Sheng Xiangsi stood at the door, feeling a wave of darkness wash over her... What should she do now?
The joy of joining the troupe hadn't even worn off yet, and she was about to become the lead dancer in just two days, officially debuting!
And now, it was all gone...
Everything was gone!
Back in the dressing room, her colleagues' gazes had changed.
They whispered among themselves, stealing glances at her.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Sheng Xiangsi took it out and finally understood why they were looking at her like that.
In the group chat, there was an announcement from Gu Shaohua.
[Our troupe's prospective lead dancer, Sheng Xiangsi, was found to have privately taken on a dance substitute job with a film crew. The facts have been verified. Effective immediately, she is terminated from her position.]
Instantly, tears welled up in her eyes.
Sheng Xiangsi clenched her phone tightly, her jaw set in determination.
"Well."
Diao Yan crossed her arms and walked over to her, "What happened? Our air-dropped star, why were you fired?"
"Stop it already!"
"Why?"
Diao Yan was in high spirits, "Taking on private work? Impressive! By the way, Sheng Xiangsi, aren't you supposed to have a benefactor? Can't you get him to keep you in the troupe?"
A benefactor?
Fu Hanjiang?
Even if Sheng Xiangsi had thought of it, which she hadn't, she had lost her value to Fu Hanjiang. He definitely wouldn't help her now.
"Haha."
Diao Yan laughed, flipping her hair.
"Useless! Don't even think about it. Ms. Gu is a stickler for rules. She broke the rules once for you; do you think she'd do it again? Who do you think you are?"
She swayed her hips and walked away.
"Let's go, ladies, time to practice!"
Watching Diao Yan's retreating figure, Sheng Xiangsi felt something was off.
How did Ms. Gu find out about her taking on the film job? Who told her?
Her head throbbed. Even if she knew who tipped off Ms. Gu, what difference would it make? It was her mistake.
…
Feeling down, Sheng Xiangsi lay in her apartment all day.
In the evening, she received a call from Zhong Pei.
"Xiangsi, I'm at the dance troupe's entrance. When will you come out?"
Sheng Xiangsi turned over, her voice weak, "I'm not at the troupe."
"Huh?" Zhong Pei was surprised, "Did you go back already? Are you done for the day?"
He clearly remembered that Xiangsi was about to officially debut in a few days.
It was her first performance, and she had been practicing intensely.
"Yes."
Right now, Sheng Xiangsi only wanted to be alone, "If there's nothing important, I'll hang up."
After a few words, she hung up.
Zhong Pei held the phone, puzzled.
Something wasn't right. Xiangsi's voice sounded off. Was she unhappy?
Unable to let it go, he drove to West Twelfth Street.
Sheng Xiangsi lay in bed, feeling more and more depressed.
When the door was knocked, she didn't expect anyone, "Who is it?"
She reluctantly got up to open the door, and was surprised to see, "Zhong Pei?"
"Xiangsi."
It was Zhong Pei's first visit. He had even gone to the wrong building and was slightly sweaty from the heat.
Seeing her, he confirmed his suspicion, "Xiangsi, you sounded off on the phone. Are you unhappy? Did something happen?"
Sheng Xiangsi didn't expect him to come all the way because of a phone call.
"Zhong Pei..."
Her heart warmed, and she confessed, "I made a mistake. Ms. Gu expelled me from the dance troupe."
What?
Zhong Pei was shocked. This was indeed terrible news.
The Lightning Dance Troupe was like a hall of fame for modern dancers. Xiangsi was just a step away from shining, and now this?
"I'm sorry, Zhong Pei."
Sheng Xiangsi only told Zhong Pei about it without expecting comfort from him.
At this moment, her sadness couldn't be consoled with words.
"I'm really not in the mood today. I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to be alone and think. Thank you for coming to see me. I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
Zhong Pei quickly shook his head, "I understand, really."
"Then..." Sheng Xiangsi didn't invite him in, "I'll go back in."
"Alright."
Zhong Pei stood at the door, watching as the door closed again.
He rubbed his forehead.
He wasn't upset about the wasted trip but was thinking about how he could help Xiangsi. Right, Zhou Jinting!
Zhong Pei turned and went downstairs, taking out his phone to call Qin Yanzhi.
"Bro, it's me. Are you with Jinting?"
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