Chapter 142 - AND THE WINNER IS...
After Mo Yuan and Han Luo's performance, the emcee announced the results one by one. The emcee was an elegant Australian woman wearing a silver gown. She had a pair of attractive blue eyes and blonde hair.
The participants were standing on the lower stages on both sides, while the emcee was on the main stage along with Mu Liang and a woman named Zheng Yan Su. Zheng Yan Su was Mu Liang's relative. She was half Chinese and half Italian. They were the producers of the competition along with Mu Lan, Mu Liang's pregnant wife. She couldn't come because her husband didn't allow her.
For the music segment, Mo Yuan got first place. When he walked on to the main stage to claim the award, everyone was cheering for him.
"That's my son. That's my child. I'm so happy," Ma Rui was excited. Her eyes filled with happy tears.
People around her congratulated her earnestly listening to the excited mother. They knew Mo Yuan was a talented pianist. He deserved the award.
Han Luo was on the other side of the stage. She was brimming with joy when she heard Mo Yuan's name. She excitedly clapped while grinning ear to ear.
Mo Yuan's eyes swept towards the other stage, he smiled slightly while his gaze became warm when he saw her cheering for him. He turned around to Mu Liang and took the golden trophy that's poised of a human body holding a sun above his head.
"Congratulations," Mu Liang coldly said. His face was blank with no trace of joy in his expression.
"Congratulations, Yuan dear! I love the way your fingers dance across the keys with ease. Your music holds so much affection, completely opposite of your expression," Yan Su praised Mo Yuan. "I have become one of your fans."
"Thank you," Mo Yuan thanked both Mu Liang and Yan Su and shook hands with them.
Emcee asked him, "Congratulations, Yuan! What are you feeling right now?"
Mo Yuan answered truthfully, "At first, I wasn't sure how to feel but after seeing the smile of the person who wanted me to win this award made me feel content. I will do more and more to see that person smiling brightly at me."
"Ohh!" The judges and the audiences made a teasing sound.
The emcee said, "Oh my! Who is this person? Maybe it's a girlfriend?"
Mo Yuan bluntly replied, "I don't have a girlfriend and I'm not planning to have one right now. That person is very important to me."
Not finding anything to gossip about, the emcee said, "Good luck to you. Hope your bond stays strong."
Mo Yuan didn't express any emotion. He only bowed and said, "Thank you very much, and thank you, everyone, who supported me and inspired me."
After Mo Yuan went back to his seat, the emcee continued to call winners' names from the remaining segments. When it was time for the dancing segment, everyone became serious. Everyone knew that there were three potential dancers in the group.
One of them was a street dancer, named Adam. His moves were mind-blowing. He kept everyone on their toes. The second one was Jared, who was a ballet dancer. A confident and hardworking dancer like him was second on the list. The third was Zenna who was a tango dancer. Even though audiences liked Han Luo, she was nowhere among the first three ranks.
The emcee started with the second runner-up. "The second runner-up is Zenna. Her wonderful and passionate dancing is blood boiling."
Zenna was sitting on the chair with her eyes as round as a flying saucer. She had a hard time believing that she would get third place despite falling on the stage in the quarter-final.
When everyone pushed her and called out to her, she finally stood up and went to the stage with shaky legs.
The producer Yan Su gave her a wide smile. "Congratulations dear!"
"Th-thank you!" Zenna could hardly speak due to the excitement she was feeling. She took a certificate from Yan Su's hand. She was on the verge of tears. After taking the certificate, she stood in the corner of the stage. She had to wait for the next two winners.
"The first runner-up is Jared," The emcee announced after Zenna received her certificate.
Jared frowned. He was hoping to get the first prize. After he took the certificate, he stood beside Zenna.
"Congrats!" Zenna said. She reached out her hand.
"Thank you. Congrats to you too," Jared shook hands with her.
Zenna asked excitedly, "Who do you think will get the first prize?"
Jared spoke with a sour expression, "Judging by the last list, I have to say it's Adam. I can't believe someone is going to win with a dancing style that has no basics or history."
Zenna already got used to his behavior. She shook her head and said, "Street dance has history too."
"And the winner is…" the emcee dragged the sentence. When everyone was waiting for the name of the winner while holding their breaths, the emcee screamed, "Luo!"
Everyone was quiet at first and then the whole hall burst into cheerful roars. Han Luo was startled by people's reactions. She had no idea that the people started to think of her as a fighter of justice and the child goddess. She stood up and trotted to the main stage.
When she wanted to take the award, Mu Liang coldly reminded her, "You should be grateful to your big brother."
Han Luo was puzzled at first and then smiled. She said, "I know what he did. And, I have to thank you for helping him and giving me the second chance."
"Do you?" Mu Liang narrowed his eyes and said nothing else.
Han Lu didn't know why he said that and she didn't have the time to think about it. She took the award and thanked everyone.
The emcee asked her, "What are you feeling right now?"
"Breathless!" Han Luo exclaimed. Everyone laughed upon hearing her answer. She added, "If it wasn't for my big brother Yuan, my dancing partner Jared, my new friend Zenna and the producer President Mu, I wouldn't be standing here with the trophy and giving this speech."
She took a breath and continued, "When I was left out, I was thinking about how I was going to stand in front of Ben and Mary who prepared me for the competition. I didn't know how to face my big brother Ming and big brother Yujin who were cheering up for me from home. I didn't know how to make it up to mom and Noah who were working so hard for my sake."
She happily added, "Now that I got the trophy, I can proudly stand in front of them and say, "See? I got you what you wished for. Am I not amazing?" In return, I want them to hug me and tell me, "Welcome home, little Luo. You are amazing." Then I want them to prepare my favorite dishes and enjoy the day with me. I will tell them all about my experiences and whatever they wish to know."
While speaking, Han Luo choked.. She was so happy that she cried out.