Chapter 12: Wen Lingyue Takes the Stage, One Dance Stuns Everyone

On stage.

The host, seeing the next contestant about to appear, called out loudly:
“Please welcome the contestant from the Lingcheng division, Wen Lingyue!”

“Performing piece—Cold Moon, Sparse Shadows!”

The journalists perked up instantly—this was the hot topic!

Wen Lingyue moved to the center of the stage. Under the cool stage lights, she lowered her eyelids and slowly raised her gaze. Her face was as pure and bright as a cold moon, exuding a subtle, ethereal chill.

As she turned and moved, her supple waist swayed gently, every motion natural and effortless, like moonlight forming a halo around her, like the glow of polished jade.

The lights shifted, painting the stage in shades of frosty white. Her ice-blue dance costume fluttered gracefully, as if merging with the snow and moonlight itself.

As the melody changed, she looked back, her cold yet elegant features softening, like snow melting on pear blossoms, radiating infinite delicacy and joy.

Fu Yuanzhang, seated in the audience, suddenly remembered a phrase—

“Between moonlight and snow, she is a third kind of unparalleled beauty.”

The audience collectively held their breath.

This was what they called a smile that could topple the world.

It was right before them.

The music ended, the dance concluded.

The hall fell silent for a moment, then the applause erupted like thunder, almost lifting the roof off the venue.

The live-streaming bullet comments scrolled rapidly:

[Breathtakingly beautiful]
[Top-tier beauty combined with top-tier dance skills—who can resist this?]
[After Wen Lingyue, no one can replicate Cold Moon, Sparse Shadows]

As the excitement settled slightly, the host stepped forward, clutching his chest and sighing:
“Truly beautiful.”

The audience echoed the sentiment.

Wen Lingyue responded with a faint smile.

A snowflake-shaped ornament adorned her brow, and as she smiled gently, her elegant, icy features radiated a soft brilliance, like a bright moon emerging from the clouds.

Many in the audience sighed again.

“Such beauty, such dance skill… the championship seems predetermined.”
“If Wen Lingyue doesn’t win, I won’t accept it!”

Lin Wanyi, listening to these words, closed her eyes abruptly.

No.

Yurou would not be any less impressive than her.

She had been Lingcheng’s elegant and poised young lady since childhood—her pride.

The judging panel, always serious, wore smiles. Jiang Chunying said:
“Truly worthy of someone who can perform Phoenix Song. Wen Lingyue, your dance is captivating and moving—you were born for dance.”

Her praise left the audience in awe.

This was Jiang Chunying, Vice President of the China Dance Association!

A master representing the highest level of dance in China, known for her stern critiques—one of the most feared judges.

For her to lavish such praise—was this still Jiang Chunying?

Jiang Chunying continued briefly, then gave her score:
“10 points!”

Wen Lingyue’s eyes widened.

The notoriously strict Jiang Chunying had given her a perfect score!

She hadn’t even expected this.

And there was more: Judge #2, Sun Yixiao, chuckled as he added:
“Then I’ll give 10 points too.”

Casual as it seemed, everyone knew Sun Yixiao was as rigorous about dance as Jiang Chunying.

Judge #3, a straightforward person, simply said:
“10 points!”

Backstage, the previous contestant almost cried.

10 points!

“Can you not be so casual, all of you?!”

This was a perfect score at the National Dance Competition.

They usually debated over every fraction of a point, carefully considering even 0.1.

When had 10 points ever been this easy?!

Wen Lingyue pursed her lips and looked at the fourth judge.

National first-class dancer Li He commented:
“Your every movement balances strength and softness, flowing seamlessly from start to finish, perfectly capturing the dance’s cold, ethereal mood. I believe this piece could serve as a teaching model for dance.”

He gave his score:
“10 points!”

A fourth perfect score.

Wen Lingyue took a deep breath, turning to the last judge.

Just one more critique remained.

If this one was also 10 points—

She would become the first perfect-score contestant in the National Youth Dance Competition Finals!

Wen Lingyue’s fingers stiffened. Calm as she usually was, her heart suddenly leapt.

The host, too, held his breath:
“Four judges have already given 10 points, so—”
“Can Wen Lingyue replicate her past success? Achieve another perfect score and secure the championship?”

Everyone’s attention focused on Judge #5, Zhen Dan.

Zhen Dan, a council member of the National Dance Association, was highly skilled, and like Jiang Chunying, delivered precise, harsh critiques.

It wouldn’t be easy for Wen Lingyue to get a perfect score from him.

Zhen Dan paused:
“The dance’s movements and rhythm are very good. I like the choreography, but the sense of coldness in every gesture is too strong, and the mood is rather lonely.”

Wen Lingyue’s heart sank slightly.

“I think you could add a touch of liveliness within Cold Moon, Sparse Shadows. It could be tender green branches under the cold moon, or a playful spring breeze… In short, there is room to improve the choreography.”

The audience sighed involuntarily.

It seemed the perfect score would slip away.

Zhen Dan finished, then announced:
“My score is—”
“10 points!”

Wen Lingyue’s almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief.

The hall went utterly silent, as if struck by lightning.

For a moment, only Zhen Dan’s firm voice echoed above.

The host couldn’t believe it:
“10 points?”

Zhen Dan nodded earnestly:
“Every person has their own perception. My previous comments were just my personal understanding. Wen Lingyue’s performance was flawless—I find no fault.”

Then why say so much?!

Deliberate!

The audience gritted their teeth—Zhen Dan was definitely being deliberate!

Zhen Dan smiled, clapping toward the stage:
“Congratulations, Wen Lingyue.”

The host, nearly breaking his voice, shouted:
“Congratulations, Wen Lingyue! You’ve received the first perfect score of this final!”
“And also the only perfect score in the history of the finals!”

“Congratulations—”
“Wen Lingyue!”

Her name echoed throughout the massive hall.

It was easy to imagine that soon, it would spread across the nation, and even the world.

Wen Lingyue stood at the center of the stage, overwhelmed by the grand, passionate cheers.

Her heart was full of joy, but also uncertainty—

Did she truly deserve this honor?

Her wandering gaze met a pair of deep, black eyes.

Profound, serene, yet filled with joy and affirmation.

Her restless heart calmed strangely at once.

She curved her lips, her icy features softening like melting spring snow—a radiance she had never shown before.

In the audience, other division heads patted Jiang Kun:
“Impressive! Lingcheng has turned the tables!”

Not only had they won the championship, but with a perfect score!

Jiang Kun smiled broadly, feigning modesty:
“Just ordinary, the performance was okay.”

Heh—

Others ground their teeth silently.

And you’re still pretending!

But such a talented contestant—why isn’t she from your own team?

Wen Lingyue stepped down from the stage.

The host announced the next contestant:
“Let’s welcome another contestant from the Lingcheng division, Jiang Yurou!”

Jiang Yurou stepped onto the stage with heavy steps.

As the two crossed paths, Jiang Kun couldn’t help but sigh:
“Fate is truly unpredictable.”

In the last round, Jiang Yurou had shone brilliantly, and he had worried for Wen Lingyue from the audience.

This round, everyone would be worried for Jiang Yurou.