We left the old dance studio and went to Teacher Xiao’s little apartment in the academy grounds. His wife cooked us a beautiful lunch and we continued to talk and talk. There was so much to catch up on. Teacher Xiao was now the co-head of the choreography department and had been promoted to professor.
“Cunxin, I couldn’t tell you how many times I have dreamed about your dancing!” Teacher Xiao said. “I always wondered if I would ever see you dance again before I died. I’m honored to have been your teacher! You have done Chinese ballet proud, all over the world.”
— Li Cunxin, Mao’s Last Dancer, 2003
