Too blind to see, too foolish to understand

•Dancing Beyond the Reflection•

Cobra (眼镜蛇): Are you on your way?

Li Qiao (李俏):

Yes, I’m on the subway.

Cobra (眼镜蛇): Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I’ll be there soon too.

Li Qiao (李俏):

I hope so, thank you for the support.

She slid her phone into the pocket of her unzipped gray hoodie, gripping the metal railing a bit tighter. In the subway, a girl with short, black hair in a mullet style stood waiting for her stop. A week ago, Li Qiao had passed the final stage of an audition in another city, and now she was on her way to sign her first contract with an agency. She had been informed in advance that she was officially part of the dance crew for a well-known idol, but without much detail. That’s all I need. — She thought, replaying everything that had happened recently in her mind. The subway doors hissed open, releasing the passengers. Li Qiao stepped out, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air. The breeze gently brushed her face. She adjusted the strap of her black backpack on her shoulder and set her gaze on a tall building across the road. A tower with mirrored windows and a subtle yet confident sign that read “TideSpark Motion” (潮星动). Li Qiao entered through the glass doors, which opened with a soft sound. Inside — cool air, a reception desk, a couple of girls near the elevator, white walls, and the faint scent of a premium air conditioner. An assistant with a blue badge quickly noticed her. — Good morning! Are you Li Qiao? — Yes. — she nodded, showing her ID. — Excellent. Here’s your temporary pass. Head to the fifteenth floor, room 507. Contract signing first, then a meeting with the new members. Everything is on schedule. Li Qiao thanked her briefly and stepped into the elevator. Her fingers momentarily tightened around the backpack strap. Her heart was beating noticeably faster. The contracts were already laid out on the table — clear lines, important clauses, personal details. Everything looked official. No flashy showbiz distractions. Carefully reading everything from start to finish, Li Qiao picked up the pen. Her heart paused for a second. She remembered everything she had gone through to get here and, with a mix of pride and excitement, signed her name on the crisp, white paper. — Great. Here’s your key card. Your apartment is number 7B in the neighboring building. It’s a studio with all the necessities. A brief list of instructions and your schedule are in the welcome envelope. — The manager added, handing her a neat envelope. — Thank you. — She thanked him briefly, squeezing the card between her fingers. On the fifteenth floor, they were already waiting for her. In a small meeting room, several girls had gathered — some flipping through documents, others just sitting, lost in thought. They all looked different: one had bright pink hair, another wore a neat dance school uniform. Guess I’m the only one who didn’t bother with my appearance. — Li Qiao thought, adjusting her gray hoodie. — Congratulations. You’ve passed the final selection for the support group of Tin Sou’s new solo tour. It’s a big opportunity. We will provide you with housing near the agency’s campus, and training begins on Monday. Today is for formal registration and moving in. — A pleasant female voice echoed in the distance, congratulating the new members. Standing at the back of the crowd, Li Qiao couldn’t see her, nor half of the other group members standing ahead.

Li Qiao (李俏):

Where are you? They’re about to start moving us in, and you haven’t even signed the contract.

Where is that snake hiding? — She thought irritably, slipping her phone into the pocket of her dark gray wide-leg jeans. — My name is Mae Yu. I’m in charge of training disciplines. We’re in the same team, so feel free to reach out if you need anything. — The woman finished her, what seemed to Li Qiao, overly long speech and left the room.

***

The sky was already darkening behind her, but the bright lights of Shanghai kept the streets from falling into darkness. On the screen near the doors, a welcome message glowed “Welcome to TideNest Complex!” Li Qiao touched the panel with her key card, and the doors obediently slid open, letting her in. She found the elevator and rode it to the third floor. Her apartment was number 7B. A small silver plaque with clear numbers. Another card check, and the door clicked open. The studio greeted her with the scent of new furniture and cleanliness. White walls, gray laminate flooring, a neatly made bed in the corner. Above it, a small window overlooked the lights of other apartments. A desk by the wall, a built-in closet, and a small kitchen area with a couple of cabinets and a mini-fridge. Li Qiao stepped inside, closed the door behind her, and dropped her backpack onto the chair. On the desk lay an envelope marked “Welcome,” containing a brief training schedule, instructions for using the agency’s shared spaces, and the contact details of her supervisor. She walked around the room, ran her fingers along the edge of the desk, peeked into the closet — empty. The bathroom shone with new tiles, a clean mirror, and neatly folded towels. — That’s it… — She sighed, leaning against the door. The silence was almost deafening after the bustling streets. Her fingers lightly touched her neck, as if trying to warm herself or check if this was all real. For the first time today, she was alone. In a foreign city, in a new life. But, as if on cue, the loud ringtone of her phone shattered the calm. — Oh, looks like you haven’t rotted somewhere along the way. — Likewise. — And where are you now? — Just entering the dorm. What’s it like? — Better than your old place. — Not getting a response, Li Qiao smirked. — I was thrilled when I arrived. New furniture and all that. — Hmm, interesting. I asked Mae Yu Yu, and she said the first training is tomorrow. — Yeah, they left a detailed schedule in the envelope. — Alright, see you tomorrow. — Good night. The call ended. She sat on the bed, staring out the window. In the building across the way, a light briefly flickered, and someone’s silhouette passed by. Li Qiao instinctively adjusted her hair and slightly drew the curtain. She placed her phone beside her, lay down on the bed, and closed her eyes. A new life was beginning. But now… now she could just rest a bit, listening to the soft hum of the city beyond the window.

***

The first class was scheduled for twelve o’clock, so there was plenty of time to get ready. Surprisingly, Li Qiao had a calm night for the first time in a month. She finally got enough sleep and allowed herself to do something she had been putting off for a while — taking care of herself. The first class was set for noon. Plenty of time. A glance at the clock only confirmed it. I live right next door. No need to rush. — She noted with satisfaction, stretching sweetly once again. Morning routine, hairstyle, outfit, packing her bag — everything was ready. After checking herself in the mirror, Li Qiao left her room and headed to the neighboring building.

Li Qiao (李俏):

I’m already heading up to the studio. When will you be here?

The reply didn’t take long: Cobra (眼镜蛇): Are you kidding me? I just woke up! It’s ten o’clock, why would I go so early?

Li Qiao (李俏):

Got it, I won’t wait for you.

Cobra (眼镜蛇): Go wherever you want, just don’t bother me. I still need to sleep.

Li Qiao (李俏):

Sweet dreams, Sleeping Beauty.

Cobra (眼镜蛇): First a snake, now a sleeping beauty. Make up your mind. And I do have a name, in case you forgot.

Li Qiao (李俏):

Forgot, remind me.

Cobra (眼镜蛇): You should save my name properly to remember it. Gu Min, for those especially gifted. Stepping out of the elevator, Li Qiao chuckled at the last message and slipped her phone into the pocket of her sports pants. So, this should be the changing room. — She thought, wandering through the corridor of the seventeenth floor. A spacious hall, soft light, the calm of the early morning. The way to the seventeenth floor passed quickly. And there, a wide doorway with a “Changing Room” sign. A barely noticeable movement in the hall beyond the door made her pause. Li Qiao cautiously stepped closer, holding her breath. There, in the mirrored space, a girl was dancing. The music rhythmic yet soft — seeped through the slightly open door. Long light brown hair flowed behind her like a ribbon. Every step was confident, every line perfect. Smooth movements shifted to sharp accents. Every motion seemed precise yet effortless, as if the wind played with her body. Her hands traced invisible lines in the air. Turns, sharp accents replaced by graceful fluidity. She wasn’t just dancing — she was telling a story. Her body was a voice Li Qiao understood without words. Her stylish sports outfit highlighted the body’s curves, but what captivated the most was something else — her gaze. Focused, burning, filled with confidence and yet tenderness. Li Qiao’s heart raced. Everything else faded. Only the music, the light reflections, and this dancing figure remained. Her outfit, simple and comfortable — light, wide green pants and a tank top — emphasized every move without distracting. Li Qiao couldn’t see her face, but she didn’t need to. There was something mesmerizing in this dance, something inexplicable. She didn’t know how long she stood there, afraid to break the moment. But suddenly, the music stopped. Li Qiao tensed but didn’t run. She stepped aside, hiding behind the door frame, her breath catching. Silly. Like a child caught in mischief. There, hiding around the corner, she tried to steady her breathing. Her fingers nervously played with the strap of her bag. — What am I doing… — She whispered to herself, listening to the quiet steps in the hall. Slipping into the changing room, she began to change, typing a message to Gu Min at the same time. Her friend had stayed up late yesterday, maybe she had seen the other dancers. As she typed, she didn’t notice another girl entering the room. In her peripheral vision, Li Qiao caught sight of a slender figure already pulling on a T-shirt. She’s seriously asleep? Alright, attempt number two. — Turning to the newcomer, Li Qiao thought. — Hi, could you tell me who the girl dancing in the hall was? As she asked, she managed to take a better look at her fellow groupmate. Soft facial features, deep, almost black brown eyes, and a delicate nose with a slight bump. Her shiny hair was casually pinned with a claw clip, and her slightly plump lips were slightly parted. A rather pretty girl. — Oh, you’re observant. Already noticed someone? — The girl turned, her soft features lighting up with a gentle smile. — Hard not to notice, such skill. For a few seconds, the girl slowly rummaged through her bag. But turning back, she replied: — You’re talking about the girl in charge of our team. — Oh, the one who welcomed us yesterday? Mae Yu, if I’m not mistaken. — That’s right. Are you new here? — Yes, Li Qiao. — She smile d slightly, feeling both more confident and slightly confused. — Nice to meet you, Li Qiao. — The girl responded warmly, then returned to her belongings.