Chapter 2: The Phoenix Cries! Stunning the Entire Audience!

On stage, the host’s voice spread across the entire hall:
“Next, let us enjoy the dance—‘Phoenix Cry’!

“Performer—Wen Lingyue!”

Her skirt swayed as Wen Lingyue stepped gracefully onto the stage.

In her past life, she had stubbornly refused to admit her mistakes and was locked in a room by Jiang Su for two days. Because of that, she missed this competition—a lifelong regret.

In this life, Wen Lingyue gazed at the pitch-dark audience seats—

She knew Father Jiang and Mother Jiang were there, but they had come for Jiang Yurou. They would surely have no expectations of her.

But it didn’t matter. They were just two among the countless spectators here.

And this ‘Phoenix Cry’—she would dance for herself.

Zheng—

The strings twanged. She turned her head slightly, her long neck curving into a graceful arc. Her supple waist swayed fluidly with the melody, her fiery skirt spreading like wings in bold and dazzling movements.

Her dance was both strong and gentle, flowing like clouds and water, her body moving like the wind, blooming freely across the stage.

The thousand-strong hall fell utterly silent.

Every eye was fixed on the stage, involuntarily captivated by her dance.

The tempo quickened. Her slender figure spun and leaped at the center of the stage, the vivid red dress flaring like flames—like a phoenix reborn in fire.

Jiang Kun stared at the stage, momentarily entranced—

Hot or not, shameful or not, all such thoughts had vanished from his mind.

At this moment, he only wanted to watch the dance to the very end.

Zheng!

The melody rang sharp and clear, red gauze swirling with her graceful form, unrestrained and dazzling.

Wen Lingyue glanced back—her eyes like rippling water, yet carrying sparks of fire. Everyone could feel her pride, her freedom, her strength…

On stage, it was as if a phoenix was reborn in the flames, crying out a clear, ringing note to this world of her new life—

The past, let it die like yesterday.

Now reborn, she would live for herself!

The music ended. The dance was over.

The hall was silent—

As though the performance had been too dull for anyone to bother responding.

But everyone knew the truth: they were simply too immersed to pull themselves out.

In the audience, Lin Wanyi was struck dumb with shock—

What a breathtaking dance!

But—

This… this was their daughter, Wen Lingyue?!

She jerked her head toward Jiang Su, meeting the same stunned disbelief on his face.

“Excellent!”

At the judges’ table, Zhao Qingsong, a titan of the dance world nearing fifty, slapped the table and stood up:
“Phoenix reborn in fire, a fledgling’s clear cry!

“What a ‘Phoenix Cry’! Magnificent!”

The shout jolted the audience back to their senses. Thunderous applause erupted across the thousand-seat hall.

Meanwhile, the online live-stream chat went wild—

【Guys, I swear I just saw a phoenix!】
【If she’s a dance student, then what does that make me?】

Zhao Qingsong gazed at Wen Lingyue with admiration:
“The artistry and technique of this piece speak for themselves. Such skill can only be forged through countless trials.”

“But more importantly—Lingyue, you have given this dance a soul.”

He elaborated:
“For example, the previous dancer had the artistry, technique, and rhythm. Beautiful, yes—but soulless.

“That contestant was performing the lotus. But she was not the lotus.

“You, however—you are the phoenix.”

With that, he raised his hand:
“10 points!”

The first full score of the entire competition!

In the audience, Jiang Yurou nearly collapsed.

She couldn’t believe it—the dazzling dancer on stage was the same sister who used to flatter her endlessly, timid and self-abased?!

No… Wen Lingyue couldn’t be like this.

She was supposed to be dull, gray, and unnoticed.

How could she possibly shine so brightly on stage?!

Zhao Qingsong, clearly in high spirits, asked,
“Wen Lingyue, do you have a master? If not, would you allow me to teach you?”

The audience gasped in shock.

Wen Lingyue froze for a moment, then shook her head.

She had once learned dance just to catch a glance of Lin Wanyi—but Lin Wanyi had never set her eyes on her.

If she accepted a master now—

Wen Lingyue gripped the microphone.
“Thank you for your kindness. I will think about it seriously.”

Think about it?!

Just say yes!

At that moment, Jiang Kun’s thoughts overlapped with those of millions of viewers.

Lin Wanyi frowned.
“What is Lingyue thinking? Faced with such an opportunity, and she pretends to be reserved.”

Jiang Su shook his head.
“She might dance a little better now, but she’s still foolish. I’ll have to teach her later.”

At the judges’ table, Zhao Qingsong wanted to continue, but Feng Yunxia, the vice-dean of the Capital Dance Academy, couldn’t sit still any longer.

“Master Zhao, I thought you were simply moved by the dance. I didn’t expect you also had a heart for talent.”

“What a coincidence—I feel the same.”

Wen Lingyue froze.

The audience: Huh?!

Feng Yunxia smiled brightly, extending her olive branch:
“Lingyue, would you consider studying at our Capital Dance Academy? On behalf of the academy, I welcome you.”

Jiang Kun, who had just been regretting Lingyue’s hesitation, choked up.

So did Jiang Su, who had spoken up earlier.

The online viewers were dazed—

【Wait, am I watching a dance competition or a university recruitment fair?】
【Feng Yunxia, with your righteous face, I didn’t think you’d be this sly.】

Wen Lingyue bit her lip. In her past life, she had been starved of affection. Now, even kindness from strangers made her uneasy. Fortunately, she was composed. With a gentle smile and graceful bearing, she replied:
“Thank you. I will think about it seriously.”

Feng Yunxia nodded and gave her critique:
“For your dance just now, I award 10 points.”

“You are a child with true spirit. I hope to see you on an even greater stage in the future—just like your ‘Phoenix Cry’, a phoenix reborn, crying once to astonish the world.”

“To make your name known to all!”

The third judge, Xu Ming, followed softly,
“Well said.”

Then he raised his hand:
“10 points!”

…

“10 points!”

“10 points!”

One after another, the judges gave their scores. Finally, the host announced loudly:

“Congratulations to contestant Wen Lingyue, for achieving a perfect score!”

“This is the first full score in the competition. At the same time, contestant Wen Lingyue has secured the championship in advance!”

Jiang Kun sat frozen in shock.
“She’s already secured the championship?”

“Yes,” his assistant wiped sweat. “Unless another perfect score comes out.”

But the truth proved otherwise—there would be no second perfect score.

The judges were notoriously strict. By the end of the competition, the next highest score was only 9.65.

When the competition concluded, the lights came on, and the award ceremony began.

“I announce that the Bronze Prize in this year’s Lingcheng Youth Dance Competition, Classical Dance Division, goes to—‘Blue Lotus’, performer Jiang Yurou!”

Who cares about your bronze prize!

Jiang Yurou trembled all over, forcing herself to walk up and accept the award.

“The Silver Prize—‘Full Garden of Fragrance’, performer Chu Xiao!”

“The Gold Prize—‘Phoenix Cry’! Performer, Wen Lingyue!”

Wen Lingyue walked up slowly, her gown swaying elegantly, every movement exuding poise and grace.

Madam Pang, who had been holding back, finally spoke up:
“Madam Jiang, that’s your daughter Lingyue, isn’t it? You’ve taught her well. Even as an adopted daughter, she has inherited your foundation in dance.”

Lin Wanyi frowned.
“You’re mistaken. Lingyue is my biological daughter, not an adopted one.”

“But wasn’t she… adopted from the orphanage…”

Her voice trailed off.

Madam Pang noticed that Lin Wanyi, Jiang Su, and even Young Master Zhou in the distance all had unusually ugly expressions.

Wen Lingyue accepted the golden trophy from the award presenter.

The glittering prize shone with dazzling brilliance—just like the road that lay ahead of her.

After the ceremony, Wen Lingyue descended the stage. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Jiang Su and the others.