Chapter 14: Don’t Be Nervous

This performance had been rehearsed countless times, and the team members worked together seamlessly. In the end, everyone performed at their usual level, making it a fairly successful showing. Huang Han was quite satisfied, confident that taking second place was well within reach.

Tianyun’s focus wasn’t on the group dance, so throughout the entire competition, Wen Caiqing didn’t pay much attention. What mattered to her was Su Yi’s solo performance tomorrow.

Both Lin Lu and Su Yi had drawn slots to compete tomorrow morning.

Lin Lu’s turn was later in the session. While she waited backstage, she spotted Xu Yancheng sitting near the front—he was probably there to watch Su Yi compete. They weren’t seated far apart, but Xu Yancheng never once looked back at her.

Then she saw Wen Caiqing walk over to Xu Yancheng and exchange a few words, likely informing him of Su Yi’s performance time. Xu Yancheng nodded slightly.

At that moment, Xu Mingchuan took a seat beside her.

“When’s your turn?” he asked quietly.

“Number six. Probably the last one before noon.”

“Alright, don’t be nervous,” Xu Mingchuan offered in reassurance.

Lin Lu replied calmly, “I’m not nervous.”

After so many years and countless competitions, she was long used to it.

“That’s good,” Xu Mingchuan said, wiping sweat from his brow. He muttered to himself, “Why am I the one feeling nervous…”

They watched the competition for a while. Then Xu Mingchuan remarked, “Honestly, their level isn’t that impressive. They’re not a match for you.”

A barely perceptible smile tugged at Lin Lu’s lips. “Of course. I’m here for first place.”

Xu Mingchuan was momentarily speechless—she was certainly… confident.

He couldn’t speak for the others, but he knew Su Yi’s skill level well enough—she had won several awards abroad. For Lin Lu to surpass her would be no easy feat. Xu Mingchuan felt a bit concerned, fearing Lin Lu would be disappointed if she lost to Su Yi.

Soon it was Su Yi’s turn on stage.

Her precise movements and elegant poise immediately caught the judges’ attention. Even the audience could see the difference—many whispered that someone returning from overseas truly stood apart.

Lin Lu stole a glance at Xu Yancheng, who watched the stage with unwavering focus.

After ten minutes, Su Yi finished her performance. The judges nodded in unanimous approval. She concluded with a flawless bow, displaying a calm composure untouched by triumph or failure. Applause broke out at just the right moment.

Lin Lu did not clap.

Even setting aside all her personal bias against Su Yi, she found the performance rather ordinary. The routine was technically difficult, and Su Yi’s execution was both skilled and precise, but everything else was… by the book, lacking any distinctive personal flair.

This was Lin Lu’s assessment. For Su Yi to win the championship with this dance would depend on how the other contestants performed—or whether anyone made a mistake.

Sitting in the guest section, Huang Han applauded each performance out of courtesy, surrounded as she was by prominent figures in the industry.

When Su Yi left the stage, Huang Han felt reassured. Her opinion matched Lin Lu’s—Su Yi’s performance showed no innovation; she was simply relying on past achievements.

Beside her, however, Wen Caiqing was moved to tears, rising to her feet to applaud Su Yi. Huang Han shook her head—truly, like mother, like daughter. The path Su Yi now walked was identical to Wen Caiqing’s early years.

Back then, Wen Caiqing was no match for her idol, not even for Huang Han herself. Yet, so what? She married well and was supported every step of the way, collecting trophies with ease.

Huang Han prided herself on her integrity and never bothered with the flashy competitions, choosing only to participate in reputable domestic and international contests. This was an influence from her idol, who once said, “Art stands far above commerce.” Yet, in this era of endless temptation, holding fast to such ideals is no simple matter; one must adapt. Even as she moved with the times, Huang Han constantly sought balance, never forgetting her original intentions.

After Su Yi stepped off stage, she didn’t leave right away. Instead, she took a seat beside Xu Yancheng to continue watching.

Lin Lu watched two more performances, then headed backstage for her turn on stage.

As the curtain rose, Su Yi turned to Xu Yancheng and said, “I’m a little hungry. Let’s go get something to eat.”