Chapter 96: The Best Counterattack, Action!

The other two pairs also received an average score of 8.5.
Although they were quite outstanding, they still fell short when compared to the even more exceptional Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang.

As the saying goes: the world only remembers the first place; there is no real difference between second place and last.

As Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang stepped off the stage, they crossed paths with Chen Xian and Zhang Xin, who were about to compete.

"Zhang Xin, we've already scored a perfect mark. If you're dreaming of taking first place, you might as well keep dreaming," Gui Jingxiang said, her face full of pride.

It was as if the first place trophy was already in her pocket.

Zhang Xin retorted bluntly, "Who gets first place is up to the judges, not you. We haven't danced yet—the final outcome is still uncertain!"

Li Shaoqiang cast a look of disdain at Chen Xian.

Chen Xian said nothing in response. He simply wrapped his arm around Zhang Xin’s slender, delicate waist and walked toward the stage.

He knew that the best rebuttal was not words, but action.

For Chen Xian and Zhang Xin to dance even better than Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang and win first place—that would be the most effective counterattack.

Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang returned to their seats in the audience. Around them, young men and women flocked over to offer congratulations.

"Young Master Li, Miss Jingxiang, the first place in this dance competition is surely yours. Congratulations!"

"Young Master Li, Miss Jingxiang, your performance was truly wonderful—perfection itself."

"Jingxiang, when you win those high heels designed by Master Xie Ansheng, you must let me have a good look at them."

…

Faced with the surrounding flattery, the two couldn't help but smile, basking in their moment of glory.

At that moment, graceful background music began to play.

The three pairs in the center of the dance floor started to move.

But only a few seconds had passed before enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience, all in tribute to one particular pair: Chen Xian and Zhang Xin.

"Wow, Zhang Xin and that man are amazing! Watching them dance is truly a feast for the eyes!"

…

Many in the audience could not help but praise them.

The dance had just begun, and even the five judges started to applaud. They were completely captivated by the performance of Zhang Xin and Chen Xian.

Their dancing far surpassed that of Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang.

At this realization, the expressions of Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang grew ugly.

Li Shaoqiang was a top expert in dance, with a keen eye for quality. He saw at once that Chen Xian’s skill surpassed his own, leaving his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Gui Jingxiang’s face was equally sour.

Now, both of them had lost confidence in keeping their first-place position.

As the music ended, all three pairs of dancers stopped, and the audience and judges thundered their applause, which seemed never-ending.

All of this applause was for Zhang Xin and Chen Xian.

It was only after the host intervened that the crowd finally quieted down.

"Judges, please score Chen Xian and Zhang Xin," the host said with a smile.

A male judge stood up and said, "Before I score, I must say: Chen Xian and Zhang Xin, your performance was outstanding. Your dancing has reached the pinnacle of perfection, comparable to any dance master. If I could give you an 11, I would, but the highest score is 10. My apologies!"

With that, he raised a card showing the perfect score of 10.

"Chen Xian, Zhang Xin, your performance has opened my eyes today. I couldn’t be more satisfied—10 points!" the second judge announced, also giving them a perfect score.

Then the third, fourth, and fifth judges each awarded them a perfect 10.

At that moment, some of the judges felt a twinge of regret for having given Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang perfect scores. If Zhang Xin and Chen Xian had performed first and received 10s, Li and Gui would have received no more than a 7 or 8.

"Congratulations to Chen Xian and Zhang Xin for receiving a perfect 10!" the host declared with a smile. "Including the previous perfect score, we now have two pairs with perfect marks. It seems selecting the first place will not be easy."

Under the burning gaze of the crowd, Chen Xian and Zhang Xin stepped down from the stage.

Twenty minutes later, all the contestants had finished their performances.

At last, it was time for the awards. The host, holding a list, announced, "We have determined the third through tenth places. However, since the first and second pairs both received perfect scores, it is difficult to rank them."

Turning to the judges, the host asked, "Judges, how should we rank Chen Xian and Zhang Xin against Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang?"

At that moment, before the five judges could respond, a clear young woman’s voice rang out, "There’s no difficulty at all. The first place should naturally go to Chen Xian and Zhang Xin, whose performance reached the level of a dance master."

Hearing this, Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang immediately darkened, turning to see who had spoken.

They saw a beautiful woman in a golden gown standing from the audience and walking toward the stage.

"Who are you? What right do you have to rank us?" Gui Jingxiang demanded, discontented.

Li Shaoqiang added coldly, "You’re not a judge. This is not your place to speak."

But before the woman in the gold gown could reply, the host spoke first, pointing to her, "This is Miss Zhou Zinan, the last disciple of Master Xie Ansheng and the provider of the special high heels. Miss Zhou has made great achievements in design and is also highly accomplished in dance. Please welcome Miss Zhou Zinan to the stage."

As the host finished, the room burst into excited whispers.

"I never imagined Miss Zhou Zinan would be here!"

"To disrespect Miss Zhou is to disrespect Master Xie Ansheng himself. Gui Jingxiang doesn’t deserve those precious high heels at all!"

…

Realizing the identity of the woman in the golden gown and hearing the murmurs around them, Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang’s faces grew stormy, as if they were about to spit blood from sheer frustration.

Zhou Zinan walked gracefully onto the stage, accepted the microphone from the host, and addressed the audience, "Friends, who do you think danced best tonight?"

"Chen Xian and Zhang Xin!" the crowd responded in unison.

"Then, who deserves first place?"

"Chen Xian and Zhang Xin!"

After hearing the audience, Zhou Zinan looked to the five judges and asked, "Judges, do you still find the ranking difficult?"

"Miss Zhou, there’s no difficulty at all. The first place should rightfully go to Chen Xian and Zhang Xin—they truly deserve the honor," one of the judges replied immediately.

The other judges nodded in agreement.

Hearing this, Li Shaoqiang and Gui Jingxiang had no face left to stay in the dance hall. Ashamed, they slipped away before the ceremony ended.

As for the second-place prize worth tens of thousands, they left it behind without a backward glance.