Chapter 95: Full Marks

The emcee was a female university student. Though she was not as beautiful as Zhang Xin, she was still quite pretty. Holding the microphone, she smiled and said,
“Next, I will announce the rules and prizes of the dance competition.
The dance form selected for this competition is the waltz, and the rules are as follows…
Five dance performers from the H State Dance Association will serve as judges. Based on their scores, final rankings for first, second, third place, and so on will be decided.
We also have a special guest who will present the awards.
The first-place prize is a pair of gold-and-diamond evening heels designed by Master Xie Ansheng, worth two million, second in rank within the entire Hualong Federation, plus a watch designed by a team of watch-design masters, worth one and a half million.
The second-place prize is… the third-place prize is… Please sign up enthusiastically.”

As soon as she spoke of the first-place reward, the room erupted in excitement.

“Wow, the first prize is incredibly generous. A unique pair of heels by Master Xie Ansheng—I’m going to compete.”

“Me, too. If I miss this chance, it will be so hard to get Xie Ansheng’s heels later.”

“…”

The girls present were buzzing with eagerness.

“Still, since Li Shao is here—he has even won the individual championship in a national dance competition. With him participating, we might as well give up on first place.”

Someone said it.

Immediately, the vast majority of the girls there seemed to wilt like eggplants touched by frost. Facing Li Shaoqiang, they had no confidence of winning unless he danced with them.

“Li Shao, with tonight’s wristwatch and those Xie Ansheng heels, they’re definitely ours,” Gui Jingxiang said, her eyes bright with excitement as she looked at him.

That pair of heels designed by Xie Ansheng had made her jealous beyond measure.

“Of course it’s ours,” Li Shaoqiang said with confidence.

He then turned his gaze toward Chen Xian on the other side, full of challenge.

Seeing this, Chen Xian’s lips lifted slightly, revealing a streak of rebellious amusement.

Zhang Xin said, “Xian, you must make sure I get that pair of Xie Ansheng heels tonight.”

“I promise you, I’ll get them for you,” Chen Xian said, looking fondly at his extraordinarily beautiful girlfriend beside him. “As long as you like it, dear, I’d pull down the stars of the sky for you.”

When Zhang Xin heard him, she felt deeply happy inside, but she said with a teasing smile, “Xian, I didn’t know you could speak so sweetly and chatter your way into making me happy.”

“No, what I said is true,” Chen Xian replied seriously.

If he could truly perfect the Supreme Chaos Doctrine, then yes—he really could pluck stars and even take the moon.

“Fine. I’ll believe you.”

“Xian, is Xie Ansheng’s design really that good? It’s worth a million, and so many girls are racing for it?” Chen Xian asked curiously.

Though his fortune now ran into the billions, and two million meant little to him, a pair of high heels costing that much still felt expensive—almost unbelievable.

After all, many international supercars cost only around two million apiece.

Zhang Xin smiled and explained, “Master Xie Ansheng is recognized worldwide as the foremost female shoe designer. She designs at most twelve pairs of high heels in a year, and every one is a masterpiece—or better, a precious work of art.
They are released in a worldwide limited edition: in each country, no more than ten pairs. Each pair is signed in her own hand.
Even the rich rarely manage to buy one of Master Xie’s designs. The reason a pair has appeared at this dance contest is probably because Miss Zhou Zinan from the National Academy of Fine Arts in H State brought it; she is Master Xie’s prized student.”

“Apparently there’s a lot more to it than I expected,” Chen Xian sighed.

Though he was now a billionaire, he still knew surprisingly little about the world of the wealthy.

“Very well, I have finished introducing the rules and prizes. Sign-ups will begin now; the dance competition will start in half an hour,” the emcee announced.

As soon as she finished, everyone hurried to register.

Zhang Xin walked toward the registration table with Chen Xian’s arm around hers, gracefully close and dependent.

“Zhang Xin, you need not even think about first place this time. First place is definitely mine and Li Shao’s, and in the end those heels by Master Xie will be on my feet.”

The voice belonged to Gui Jingxiang, who had just arrived, walking hand in hand with Li Shaoqiang.

Zhang Xin’s striking face was full of confidence as she replied, “Gui Jingxiang, I said first place belongs to me. You may not believe it, but that is the reality.”

After speaking, Zhang Xin and Chen Xian ignored her and headed straight for the registration desk.

Watching Zhang Xin’s back, Gui Jingxiang’s pretty face was full of derision. “Hmph. Boast all you like. With Li Shao there, no one gets first place!”

Li Shaoqiang watched Chen Xian walk away and unconsciously tightened his fist. Inwardly he thought, On the dance floor, Chen Xian, I will put you beneath my feet.

Many people around them saw this scene. Their interest rose sharply, and they looked forward to the competition ahead, certain there would be a real show.
Although Li Shaoqiang was a figure men admired deeply in dance, among the girls present, Zhang Xin was clearly the one to lead the field.
So the battle for first place would surely be fierce and dazzling.

Half an hour passed quickly. As soon as the emcee finished her announcement, the competition began in earnest.

The first group to take the stage had three couples, including Nana and a 180-centimeter-tall young man. When the music began, six dancers glided across the stage in graceful formation.

With scattered applause rising from the audience, all six bowed to the crowd and left the stage.

Though everyone had danced with full effort, the results were not very impressive.
The five judges gave them average scores of 7, 6.5, and 6, with Nana’s pair highest among them.

The second group, including Gui Jingxiang and Li Shaoqiang, came out with three couples. The moment they entered, they drew everyone’s attention.

As beautiful background music rose, Li Shaoqiang took Gui Jingxiang’s hand and began to dance.

“Wonderful dancing!”
“Excellent—quite professional.”
“…”

The five judges nodded repeatedly in praise.

These compliments were all for Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang.

When the piece ended, thunderous applause rolled through the hall immediately.

The audience was spellbound by their movements. Li and Gui bowed slightly to the judges and audience alike and took their final curtain.

“Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang: 10 points!”
“10 points!”
“10 points!”

Every judge gave them full marks without hesitation.

“Congratulations, Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang. They have both received perfect scores. It seems first place tonight can belong to no one but them.”

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