บท 126: Dance Video
"You can wear other clothes, even kimonos and bathrobes, but I can't. I'm forced to wear a cat-girl outfit!"
As the words tumbled from her lips, Miaoyi's face verged on the brink of tears, and her delicate, endearing heart felt utterly spent.
"True..." Song Ziyin mused, her contemplative gaze lingering. There was an undeniable truth in Miaoyi's grievance. She had witnessed Miaoyi don the cat girl attire on a previous occasion, and it was certainly not something one could casually flaunt in public. Or else... Song Ziyin turned her appraisal upon Miaoyi. Yes, it would unquestionably create quite the commotion.
After a thorough debate, the chosen locale for shooting "Paradise" was ultimately decided.
It wouldn't unfold within a plaza, along a bustling thoroughfare, or amidst the open air. The verdict was in: Miaoyi's residence would be the backdrop of choice!
It was a necessity; the luxury of having ample space was not to be underestimated. The interior layout of her domicile also met the mark, leaving no room for concern regarding any element seeming out of place.
With the primary predicaments presently sorted and all necessary clarifications laid out, the stage was set for finalizing the choreography and adhering to the game plan.
Speaking of which, this marked a maiden instance—across her two lifetimes—where Miaoyi would be poised to perform a dance in front of strangers. Not merely any dance, but one that was... profoundly endearing. Despite her initial resolve and meticulous scheming, a quiver of unease could not be suppressed.
Upon concluding their repast and taking a brief interlude, practice recommenced. Apart from the melodic backdrop, the sole audible accompaniment was Miaoyi's cadenced verbal directives.
Undoubtedly, as the producer, a profound grasp of the subject was requisite. Miaoyi, however, felt her cognitive faculties were taxed to their limits.
"Very well, prepare yourselves, 1-2-3-4, 1 and 2 and 3 and 4-5-6-7-8, once more, 1..."
- - - - - - - - - -
Time tiptoed by in hushed strides, and when Miaoyi accorded her nod of approval with a resounding "excellent," the hands of the clock were inching towards 7 in the evening.
"Ah, relief at last."
Honestly, executing a ceaseless dance regimen over the span of an entire day proved to be truly taxing unless one happened to be a seasoned professional. This was the present state for both Miaoyi and Qiuying; they were teetering on the brink of exhaustion.
However, through unwavering diligence, the routine had been completed successfully!
"Let's take a break and have dinner, shall we? What do you guys want to eat?" Miaoyi's tone bore traces of weariness.
Her vitality sapped, and she felt as though she could devour an entire... fish.
"Hotpot..."
"Hotpot!"
"KFC, the Happy Chubby Combo!"
Startlingly, the consensus was remarkably harmonious. Song Ziyin and An Qiuying reached their culinary decisions in the blink of an eye.
Only Miaoyi strayed from the collective accord.
Song Ziyin: "Majority rules."
"..."
- - - - - - - - - -
On December 20th, at 10:30 AM, Miaoyi, Qiuying, and Song Ziyin rendezvoused at a bubble tea shop near Miaoyi and Qiuying's house.
They were meeting with a photographer to discuss the video. They would be filming the routine for "Paradise" soon.
For some reason, Song Ziyin insisted on staying overnight at Miaoyi's house. She claimed it was to have some girl-to-girl confidential conversation; at least that's what Song Ziyin said.
In that case, Miaoyi naturally agreed. After all, there was ample space, and more company was better... of course, it wasn't because she secretly hoped to uncover Song Ziyin's stash of embarrassing childhood photos that she could use as blackmail material.
Because... why would you do that?
Miaoyi, do you have something to tell me?
"Is all the equipment ready?" Song Ziyin inquired first, looking at Qiuying.
"No problem." Qiuying smiled. "Two cameras, shooting from two different angles, along with the lighting and rendering equipment, everything's here. I asked my family to buy them at the Shujing Film and Television City, but I don't know if they work well."
Upon hearing this response, Song Ziyin's expression faltered momentarily. After a while, she said, "Miaoyi, has anyone ever told you that you're living with a genuine rich lady?"
"Some have, but the situation now is that she's supporting me, not the other way around..." Miaoyi said casually. "Unfortunately, my house doesn't have a rich lady's happy ball, so it's missing a lot of fun."
"???" At that moment, Song Ziyin really wanted to ask what exactly this so-called "rich lady's happy ball" was.
(A/N: I'm with Song Ziyin on this. What even is that?)
But seeing Miaoyi's slightly cryptic expression, Song Ziyin also vaguely understood. It probably wasn't something good. So, she restrained herself and, after holding back for a while, ultimately refrained from asking.
After a bit of idle chit-chat, while waiting for the cameraman – don't forget, this time there was a cameraman – they discussed matters. For the sake of making a dance video, these three young ladies were really giving it their all. The cameraman was hired by Miaoyi from the team behind "Counting the Seconds." Apparently, he was the director's designated photographer.
Miaoyi and the cameraman exchanged polite pleasantries, engaged in some mutual self-praise of their respective works, and then began discussing the shooting arrangements.
- - - - - - - - - -
At this very moment, Miaoyi had already returned to her own home. Currently, she was sitting on the living room sofa, lined up side by side with both Qiuying and Song Ziyin, the three of them joined by a new addition.
The group still numbered four people, but the photographer uncle was no longer with them. After completing the discussion about "Paradise," he had excused himself. Given that the entire house was now filled with young women, it was more appropriate for him to leave. Now, their new companion was the only boy currently in the house. He had a well-built but slender figure, dressed in a very fashionable way. He seemed like the type who wasn't overly talkative. His hair was barely sticking out from underneath his duckbill cap. He had a somewhat aloof air about him, and he was chewing gum as he sat there.
This was none other than their classmate, the class monitor, Mr Lin Ruofang.
At this moment, they were in the midst of discussing some matters.
"About the section before and after the electric guitar solo," Lin Ruofang pondered. "Miaoyi, are you sure you want me to take charge of that part?"
"Absolutely. I believe only you are truly suitable for it. And honestly, among the people I know, you're the only one who excels at popping. My thought is just that, and I truly believe that once we bring this to life, the effect will be explosive," Miaoyi replied without hesitation.
That's right, Lin Ruofang wasn't just skilled in urban dance styles; he was actually a popper! Miaoyi had only recently discovered this, and it was quite surprising.
"Well then, I can give it a try..." Lin Ruofang considered for a moment before nodding.
"Great, then the sections before and after the guitar solo are in your hands. That particular part is perfectly suited for popping freestyle. You can make your entrance during the guitar's prelude, using some stop-motion animation-style stutter, and hold back on the popping at that point. If we manage to successfully record that, brace yourselves for an explosive video effect..."
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