Hua Ling!"
The audience screamed, waving their lightsticks wildly.
She walked back onto the stage, still dressed in her glittering purple outfit.
Her steps were delicate, her face painted with the perfect mixture of humility and pride.
She took the trophy into her hands, lowering her head as if overwhelmed.
"Thank you… thank you so much…"
Her voice cracked beautifully, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"To my fans, to everyone who has believed in me—this award belongs to you. Without you, I would not be here tonight."
The audience melted, some even crying with her.
But as she spoke, her eyes began to roam.
Scanning. Searching.
And then—
They landed directly on Lin Qian.
Her smile deepened, but her gaze sharpened, glittering like a blade.
Lin Qian sat motionless.
Her fists, however, were clenched tight in her lap, nails digging painfully into her palms.
Her knuckles turned pale from the pressure.
The fury boiling in her chest threatened to burst out.
