Chapter 13: Jiang Yurou Loses, the Lowest Score in the Entire Venue!

Jiang Yurou struggled onto the stage.

She gazed at the packed audience below. Even with her usual pride, she felt a twinge of uncertainty—

Could she really outdance Wen Lingyue?

The music started. Jiang Yurou began to dance stiffly; her movements were chaotic, her rhythm sluggish. She tried desperately to perform well, but Wen Lingyue’s stunning dance kept flashing through her mind like a nightmare.

Whispers and jeers erupted from the audience.

“How did a dance like this even make it to the finals?”

“This is awful. Even the preliminary contestants are better than this.”

When her performance ended, Jiang Chunying frowned sharply and gave her score: “5.1!”

An unprecedented low!

The crowd gasped.

Jiang Yurou swayed, nearly losing her balance.

Sun Baixiao said nothing, yet somehow said it all with his score: “5.9.”

Li He sighed: “This isn’t your usual standard—5.8.”

…

“Jiang Yurou’s overall score is 5.5.”

The host read it out in an awkward silence—there had never been such a low score in any previous finals!

Jiang Yurou had broken a record.

In the audience, Lin Wanyi clenched her hands tightly.

Amid the murmurs around her, she felt dizzy, staring at the delicate figure on stage before quickly turning her face away.

What was this!

Her daughter, for whom she had poured twenty years of care and attention, had received the lowest score on the stage she valued most!

It shouldn’t have been like this!

Jiang Yurou was supposed to be her pride!

…

The finals ended.

The host announced loudly: “The overall champion of this year’s National Youth Dance Competition is—”

“Wen Lingyue!”

Applause and music erupted, lights and confetti crowning her.

Under the spotlight, Wen Lingyue walked onto the stage to receive her prize.

Golden lights bathed her, her skirt swaying, shimmering with brilliance.

Jiang Chunying handed the golden trophy to Wen Lingyue.

Wen Lingyue accepted it.

Under the dazzling lights, golden petals fluttered from above. In her cool, graceful dance dress, her eyebrows curved slightly, radiating beauty.

The audience felt as if a dazzling star had risen before them.

The host asked Wen Lingyue for her speech.

Taking the microphone, she paused for a moment and smiled: “If you bloom, butterflies will come; if you shine, destiny will arrange.”

The past was like smoke. She wanted to live brightly, to make her youth worthwhile.

At this moment, she was the most radiant presence in the room.

In the audience, Fu Yuanzhang watched quietly, lost in thought.

So was Zhou Huailang, elegant and refined, leaning back in his chair, feeling a little dazed—

That Wen Lingyue, who once softly called him “Brother” behind his back, had grown into someone like this.

The finals concluded.

Backstage, Jiang Yurou rushed over immediately, but Jiang Kun reacted quickly, blocking her from Wen Lingyue: “What are you doing?”

“Get out of the way!”

Jiang Yurou’s eyes were red: “Are you satisfied now, Wen Lingyue?!”

She had become the laughingstock of the entire industry!

Wen Lingyue, holding her trophy, tired after a long day, replied lazily: “You couldn’t dance well yourself. Who else is to blame?”

“You—”

Jiang Yurou, usually adept at playing the victim, now wanted nothing more than to tear her apart.

Suddenly, she looked away, noticing Lin Wanyi arriving late. She was about to complain when Lin Wanyi called softly: “Yue’er.”

Jiang Yurou was stunned.

Wen Lingyue looked back, surprised.

Lin Wanyi’s expression was complicated, her voice soft: “You’ve done well.”

Even more surprising to her, Wen Lingyue’s dancing was extraordinary—amazing everyone, earning universal praise.

Wen Lingyue remained silent.

When she first learned to dance, though she had shown talent, she was still no match for Jiang Yurou, who had trained since childhood.

Later, she practiced relentlessly, improving her skills, but Lin Wanyi’s attention was always on Jiang Yurou. She had never noticed Wen Lingyue.

“Yue’er.”

Lin Wanyi softened: “Come home with me.”

Jiang Yurou was shocked: “Mother?”

Wen Lingyue looked up, her expression cold and distant like the moon: “Mrs. Lin, you’ve forgotten. I am not a Jiang family member.”

“You are!”

“I’m not,” Wen Lingyue said, staring at her like a stranger: “I grew up in an orphanage, with no parents, no family ties.”

Lin Wanyi was struck by Wen Lingyue’s gaze and stepped back.

For the first time, she noticed Wen Lingyue’s eyes had changed—from affection to estrangement. It unsettled her.

Jiang Yurou couldn’t hold back any longer, throwing herself into Lin Wanyi’s arms: “Mother, do you not want Yurou anymore?!”

She was Lin Wanyi’s daughter!

Wen Lingyue did not deserve her attention.

Lin Wanyi’s heart softened as she saw Jiang Yurou’s tear-streaked face. She patted her head lovingly.

This was her daughter, the one she had cherished for twenty years.

Wen Lingyue’s heart was calm as she walked past them and left gracefully.

She was just an unrelated person.

Lin Wanyi watched her retreating figure and suddenly felt uneasy. She wanted to follow but couldn’t bring herself to push Jiang Yurou away, who was still crying in her arms.

So she stood there, watching Wen Lingyue disappear into the distance.

•  

The night wind blew gently, streetlights casting a warm glow.

Yang Yihong took out a bouquet and handed it to Fu Yuanzhang.

Fu Yuanzhang was puzzled.

Yang Yihong quietly pointed ahead: “Miss Wen is coming.”

Fu Yuanzhang said nothing.

Yang Yihong explained: “Miss Wen just won the championship. A bouquet is a small congratulatory gesture.”

Fu Yuanzhang paused for a moment, then took the flowers.

Yang Yihong smiled, satisfied.

That was right!

He could tell—this young master had come to the finals just for Miss Wen!

He was the best supporting role of the night!

Wen Lingyue approached, noticing Fu Yuanzhang holding a bouquet, slightly surprised.

Fu Yuanzhang was usually cold and distant, but holding a bouquet made him look even more handsome.

As she thought this, he handed her the flowers.

Wen Lingyue widened her eyes.

“Uncle Yang sent it to congratulate your victory.”

Ah?

She looked behind Fu Yuanzhang.

Yang Yihong staggered slightly, almost falling.

He cleared his throat: “It’s… nothing.”

Wen Lingyue took the flowers: “Thank you, Uncle Yang.”

Yang Yihong: “…You’re welcome.”

Young master, listen—I thank you.

If you manage to fall in love, I’ll admit defeat!

“The police need you to make a statement. Come with me.”

Fu Yuanzhang spoke and stepped forward.

Wen Lingyue, holding the flowers, instinctively followed his steps.

Only when they got into the car did she realize—

They seemed unusually familiar with each other.

They had only met twice, yet here they were, already in the car together.

She pressed her lips: “Thank you for saving me today.”

“Mm.”

Fu Yuanzhang spoke: “Once the case is closed, that person will be sent to a mental hospital.”

Wen Lingyue was stunned, understanding he was comforting her.

She smiled faintly: “I understand.”

Silence fell.

Neon lights flickered by the roadside. Fu Yuanzhang looked at her: “I haven’t slept well lately.”

The incense beads were useful.

Wen Lingyue smiled: “Then sleep well.”

She could help Fu Yuanzhang, and that was enough.

Soon they reached the police station. After giving their statements, Fu Yuanzhang glanced at his watch: “I’ll take you home.”

“Thank you.”

Wen Lingyue gave her hotel address: “I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

“When is ‘another day’?”

“…”

Wen Lingyue blinked, momentarily at a loss.

Do people normally ask so specifically?

Yang Yihong offered: “Young master, you can exchange contact info with Miss Wen. Then another day, you can have a meal together.”

“…Fine.”

They exchanged contact information.

Yang Yihong silently puffed out his chest—

It had to be him!

Without him, this romance wouldn’t even begin!