Huo Yimeng might not ring a bell for most people, but they would definitely find the name familiar.
Yet if you mention a few of his representative works, there'd certainly be those exclaiming, "So it's him!"
Huo Yimeng is a contemporary master in the dance world, an existence like a living fossil, who in his early years practically held up the entire dance scene.
Anyone studying dance would instinctively show their utmost respect at the mere mention of the old man's name.
The old man held an honorary advisor title at the Dance Academy of Zhonghai University, but Huo Yimeng himself seldom visited the place.
However, just because Huo Yimeng had this title, countless people would do anything to apply there next year—such was the extent of his influence, and his works had impacted several generations.
It was also because of Huo Yimeng that Shen Xuedong had so many collaborations with celebrities. What they valued was not Shen Xuedong's own fame, but the halo of being a disciple of Huo Yimeng.
At first, seeing his mentor had arrived, Shen Xuedong was overjoyed, even thinking to himself that heaven was on his side.
But the old man didn't give a hoot about him; instead, under the puzzled gaze of everyone, he approached Ning Fan and bellowed at the security guards surrounding Ning Fan, "Have you all gone mad?!"
Dressed in a gray Zhongshan suit, over eighty years old, with white hair, but still robust, with an upright posture, the old man's voice was powerfully resonant. His shout silenced everybody.
Everyone was stunned. Zheng Wenxiu, who had initially wanted to come forward with Bai Yunxi to say a few words to the old man, subconsciously turned to look at Ning Fan. An inexplicable premonition arose within her.
Had the old man come today not to see his disciple Shen Xuedong, but for this Ning Fan?
As soon as this thought arose, Zheng Wenxiu quickly shook her head, but she couldn't help revealing a sense of guilt in her eyes.
Shen Xuedong rushed up in a panic, thinking his master was confused and unaware of the situation, and hurriedly explained, "Master, this kid came to cause trouble, he not only hit me but also wanted me to take him as my master!"
Still scapegoating, Shen Xuedong was quick to complain, making Xu Xiaoqing, Wang Xiaodie, and Zhou Jiangming beside Ning Fan grit their teeth in anger.
Shen Xuedong looked at Ning Fan smugly, as if saying Ning Fan was done for today.
However, Huo Yimeng, the esteemed elder and Shen Xuedong's master, was furious. With a 'smack,' he backhanded Shen Xuedong across the face in front of everyone.
Instantly, a conspicuous red mark appeared on Shen Xuedong's left cheek, and he looked at his master in disbelief, holding his face, while the others were also stunned by Huo's action.
Shen Xuedong couldn't understand why Huo was hitting him and now looked at him with questioning eyes.
Upon seeing this, Huo became even angrier, and another slap flew towards him. With a 'smack,' both of Shen Xuedong's cheeks were now swollen.
That slap left Shen Xuedong completely dumbfounded!
"To have you as a master?" Huo scowled, eyes wide with rage, "To have you as a master would be damn well honorable for you! You think you're even worthy to have a master?"
To everyone's surprise, Huo burst out with a curse, making them gasp and turn their eyes towards Ning Fan.
Huo had come here not to support Shen Xuedong, but to back up this mysterious Ning Fan?
As for Ning Fan, he remained calm and indifferent, still smoking, making it all seem like a dream.
Could this person really be the legendary big shot hiding among the crowd?
At that thought, everyone found it terrifying!
Meanwhile, upon hearing of Old Huo's arrival, all the school leaders had run to the venue at this time and were stunned by the scene unfolding before them.
Old Huo's expression didn't look good, and Shen Xuedong stood there foolishly, clutching his face with a conspicuous handprint on it.
The school leaders felt a jolt in their hearts. Old Huo was unhappy and had even reprimanded his disciple, so they quickly stepped forward to try to say a few words to placate him—they couldn't let Old Huo harm his health in anger.
"Old Huo, don't be upset. If Teacher Shen has done something wrong, we as the school authority also share the responsibility. Please, don't rush to conclusions!"
"Right, we're all one family here. We can't have such a serious fallout over a small matter!"
"Teacher Shen, what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to Old Huo!"
At this moment, Shen Xuedong slowly regained his senses, then saw several school leaders urging him to apologize to his master. He felt even more aggrieved, as he had no idea what he did to upset the elderly man, and he was on the verge of tears!
But Old Huo glared at Shen Xuedong and snorted coldly, making him feel guilty all over again.
Old Huo ignored the school leaders and turned to look excitedly at Ning Fan, his expression one of both shock and joy as he tremulously approached Ning Fan and shouted, "Master, Elder Brother Ning, is it really you?"
Old Huo was very excited, but the people around him were even more so. As soon as his words dropped, they shocked the entire venue, and the crowd buzzed, all staring wide-eyed at Ning Fan, who looked indifferent.
Zheng Wenxiu's breath caught; her face turned pale. Old Huo was actually calling Ning Fan 'Elder Brother'?!
Bai Yunxi, who was beside her, also almost cried out in surprise.
If the two of them were so astonished, not to mention the rest. The students were all abuzz, and the security guards hastily shrank back.
Shen Xuedong looked incredulously at his master, the burning pain on his face now feeling even clearer.
Who was Old Huo? A famous artist and a living fossil in the dance world—yet he was calling Ning Fan 'Elder Brother'?
"Old Huo, what do you mean by this?" the principal asked cautiously. From the moment Old Huo addressed him as 'Elder Brother,' he had been completely dumbfounded.
Xu Xiaoqing was looking at Ning Fan, her face flushed and her eyes shimmering with a special light. She might not have recognized the elderly man, but seeing everyone's reaction towards him, he must be an important figure.
But such an important figure was actually calling Ning Fan 'Elder Brother,' making Xu Xiaoqing hug Ning Fan tightly. She felt like she had scored a great victory and looked smugly at the group who had previously mocked Ning Fan.
Holding Ning Fan's arm, Xu Xiaoqing looked up at his face, her eyes sparkling with an indescribable brilliance.
As for Ning Fan, when he heard Old Huo addressing him as 'Elder Brother,' he was visibly shaken. He swiftly dodged away from Old Huo with Xu Xiaoqing in tow, looking at Old Huo with an expression of disgust, "Hey, old man, I am definitely a straight man..."
Ning Fan eyed the emotionally stirred Old Huo with a feeling of disgust: "You homo, what are you trying to do?"
As he spoke, his reaction completely baffled Old Huo and left everyone else at the venue thunderstruck.
They were truly impressed by Ning Fan's attitude towards Old Huo.
"Elder Brother Ning, it's me, Little Huo! I am Little Huo!"
[First, three chapters as an appetizer. I know it's late now, and I really don't have the energy to write anymore. I'll continue with a burst of chapters tomorrow morning! After the morning surge, I'll make sure everyone is happily entertained; I'll strive to get up early.]