Chapter 74: The Double Champion

On the stage, the “West Sequence” group accepted their trophy, bowed in thanks, and slowly walked off. The host took a deep breath, his tone becoming unusually solemn, his voice rising a few notches:

“Teachers and students, the most exciting moment has arrived! After the votes from the judges and the live audience, who will claim the championship of this year’s Haida Arts Festival and become the brightest star?”

As his words fell, the entire sports ground fell into dead silence. Everyone held their breath, eyes locked on the host, not daring to even exhale loudly, silently waiting for the final name. The air was thick with tension and anticipation.

The host deliberately paused for three seconds before slowly speaking, his tone impassioned:

“Alright! Next, let’s welcome our champion, Zhi Mengmeng! Where’s the applause?”

The entire venue went silent for a moment, then erupted in deafening cheers.

A tall, straight figure slowly ascended the stage.

This person’s appearance was absolutely stunning: brows like ink-painted distant mountains, perfectly shaded; eyes like bright stars, clear and deep, with a faint warmth hidden in the depths; a nose like a hanging gall, prominent and well-defined; lips like red jade, warm, with a slight smile at the corners.

His face was as fair as jade, skin gleaming white, hair flowing like clouds over his shoulders, jet-black and soft. His posture was straight as a pine, his steps calm as the wind, every movement exuding elegance and refinement.

He possessed an extraordinary bearing, with inner splendor contained, pure and unparalleled. Looking at him, he was bright as the moon, proud as a pine, truly a gem of the world, captivating at first sight, stirring hearts and lingering in memory.

The screams from the audience exploded instantly.

“Zhi Mengmeng is still so handsome!”

“Zhi Mengmeng! Zhi Mengmeng!”

“Mom, I’m in love!”

Luo Xiaoyun also looked over and gasped at his good looks. So handsome, really handsome. Not the intense, aggressive kind, but an elegant kind that made you want to keep staring.

But,

The champion was this person.

Luo Xiaoyun looked at Zhi Mengmeng on stage, and instead of disappointment, there was a hint of a smile on her face. She turned to Su Muxue, her tone laced with relief and teasing:

“See, I told you I wasn’t first. It’s okay, I won’t make any excessive demands. Still, it’s a bit of a pity that I didn’t even make the top ten…”

Su Muxue didn’t respond. She just quietly watched the stage, a faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of her mouth.

Luo Xiaoyun was a little puzzled. Why hadn’t the award ceremony started yet?

Just then, the host spoke again. This time, his voice was noticeably excited:

“Everyone, please bear with me. There’s another name to announce.”

The whole place fell silent.

“This year’s Haida Arts Festival is the first time in its history…” The host paused, took a deep breath, “that we have co-champions!”

“What? Co-champions?!”

“Oh my god, there are actually two champions?!”

“What a surprise!”

The audience erupted in exclamations, voices overlapping. Then came even more enthusiastic applause and cheers, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.

The host raised his hand to quiet the crowd, then said slowly and deliberately: “That’s right! Co-champions! Next, let’s welcome our other champion, ‘Yachiyo’ to the stage to receive the award!”

Luo Xiaoyun stood frozen on the spot.

Her expression was blank, eyes wide, mouth open wide enough to fit an egg. She pointed at herself with one finger, her voice trembling in disbelief: “Me… me? Are you calling me?”

She never imagined she could become one of the champions. Just a moment ago, she thought she hadn’t even made the top ten and was feeling disappointed. Now, a huge surprise washed over her.

Su Muxue couldn’t help but laugh at her dazed look. She gently patted Luo Xiaoyun’s shoulder and said softly: “Go get your award, champion.”

Luo Xiaoyun slowly came back to her senses, a bright smile spreading across her face, her eyes sparkling with surprise. She smoothed her Lolita dress, took a deep breath, and walked slowly toward the stage.

Along the way, the applause and cheers from the audience never stopped. Everyone was cheering for her. Shen Jiaojiao was especially excited, standing up and waving her arms, shouting: “Little Yun! Awesome! I knew you were the champion!”

Luo Xiaoyun stepped onto the stage and stood next to Zhi Mengmeng. They exchanged smiles. Zhi Mengmeng extended his hand first, his tone warm: “Congratulations, Yachiyo. Your performance was wonderful and well-deserved.”

Luo Xiaoyun quickly reached out, her face full of shyness: “Thank you. Congratulations to you too. You were also great.”

A staff member brought over a crystal-clear cup with “Haida Arts Festival Champion” engraved on it. Since there had never been co-champions before, only one trophy was prepared.

Zhi Mengmeng looked at the cup, smiled, and handed it to Luo Xiaoyun, saying generously: “You take the trophy. Your performance was more stunning than mine. You deserve it.”

Luo Xiaoyun quickly waved her hand, embarrassed: “No, no. We’re both champions. We should share it.”

“It’s okay,” Zhi Mengmeng said with a smile. “I don’t care about these things. I’m already happy to be a champion. You keep the trophy. Consider it my blessing to you.”

Luo Xiaoyun looked at his sincere eyes, finally took the trophy, held it tightly in both hands, and said with gratitude: “Thank you.”

Then, the two stood side by side in the center of the stage, bowed deeply to the audience. The applause and cheers once again resounded across the entire sports ground, lasting for a long time.

After the ceremony, Luo Xiaoyun held the crystal cup, brimming with joy, walked off the stage, and quickly returned to Su Muxue’s side. Her smile was impossible to hide, and she said excitedly:

“Muxue, Muxue, I got the championship! Such a surprise!”

Su Muxue looked at her happy face, her eyes full of affection, and gently ruffled her hair: “I knew it. My little Yun is the best.”

Luo Xiaoyun felt a little shy at her words and scratched the back of her head: “Actually, Zhi Mengmeng is also very good. I was just lucky…”

“Luck is also part of strength.” Su Muxue smiled and pinched her cheek.

Shen Jiaojiao rushed over from the side and grabbed Luo Xiaoyun’s arm: “Little Yun, you’re amazing! I knew you’d be the champion! My vote wasn’t wasted!”

Ji Haitang stood nearby, also wearing a rare smile: “Congratulations.”

Su Muxue looked at the delighted Luo Xiaoyun and suddenly remembered something: “Oh, about that bet earlier…”

“Huh?” Luo Xiaoyun blinked.

“You lost.” Su Muxue flashed a sly grin. “You have to agree to one thing for me.”

Luo Xiaoyun looked at her mischievous expression and felt a bit uneasy: “Okay… tell me, what is it?”

Su Muxue tilted her head and thought for a moment. She couldn’t come up with anything on the spot.

“I’ll owe it,” she finally said. “I’ll tell you when I think of it.”

Luo Xiaoyun nodded: “Alright. Tell me when you know.”

The stage lights gradually dimmed, and the host began delivering the closing remarks. The audience in the sports ground started to leave in batches, but many still looked back reluctantly.

As Luo Xiaoyun’s group was about to leave, Xu Xiangyang, Zhou Yu’an, and Cheng Fang walked over.

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