Shen Nian'an also said, "Mother, Father, don't worry. My sister is very strong. As long as she performs normally, she will definitely achieve good results."
Just then, the host's voice rang out: "Next, please welcome contestant number 18, Shen Nianxi, whose entry is a selection from the ballet 'Swan Lake.' Let's give her a round of applause!"
Hearing her daughter's name, Lin Wanqiu's heart leaped into her throat. She stared intently at the stage entrance, where Shen Nianxi, dressed in a pristine white ballet tutu, walked slowly onto the stage like a pure white swan. Her posture was upright, her steps light, a confident smile on her face, and her eyes clear and resolute.
As Shen Nianxi walked to the center of the stage, the music began to play softly. The familiar melody of "Swan Lake," melodious and moving, seemed to transport the audience into a dreamlike fairytale world. Shen Nianxi took a deep breath, stood on tiptoe, and began her performance.
Her first movement was a tiptoe spin. Her toes touched the ground, and her body spun rapidly like a top, her skirt billowing as she moved, resembling a blooming white lotus. Her spin was steady and fast, her gaze always focused, her expression gentle yet melancholic, perfectly capturing Princess Odette's inner world.
Lin Wanqiu watched her daughter on stage, her eyes gradually welling up with tears. She recalled the time when her daughter first started learning ballet. She was only five years old then, and because of her young age and lack of flexibility, she often fell while practicing tiptoeing, developing blisters all over her feet. Several times, her daughter cried and told her she didn't want to learn anymore, but with Lin Wanqiu's encouragement and guidance, she persevered. Now, that little girl who used to cry so easily could present herself so calmly and confidently on the stage of a provincial competition, which filled Lin Wanqiu with immense pride and joy.
Shen Tingzhou's eyes were also filled with pride. He held Lin Wanqiu's hand tightly, his gaze fixed on his daughter on the stage. He had always felt that his daughter was a precious gift from heaven to him and Lin Wanqiu, and he hoped that she could grow up healthy and happy, doing what she loved. Watching his daughter dance gracefully on the stage, he knew that she had found her passion and was working hard for it, and that was enough.
Shen Nian'an held his camera, constantly pressing the shutter to capture every wonderful moment of his younger sister. Looking at her on stage, he was filled with pride. In his eyes, his sister was not only an excellent dancer, but also a strong, brave, and persevering little girl. He was proud to have such a sister.
On stage, Shen Nianxi's performance continued. Her movements were precise and graceful, her leaps light yet powerful, her lifts clean and crisp. Every glance, every expression was just right, perfectly showcasing Princess Odette's purity, kindness, and sorrow. Her dance was like flowing moonlight, gentle and moving; like a swan spreading its wings, elegant and noble.
The audience was captivated by Shen Nianxi's performance. The venue was completely silent, save for the melodious music and the soft rustling of her skirt as she jumped and twirled. When Shen Nianxi completed a difficult jump, thunderous applause and cheers erupted throughout the venue.
The judges nodded frequently, their faces showing approving smiles. One of the elderly judges, a national first-class dancer with white hair, looked at Shen Nianxi on stage with a gleam of surprise in her eyes. She whispered to the judge beside her, "This young girl is very talented. She has great flexibility, a strong sense of rhythm, and most importantly, her eyes are expressive, able to convey the character's emotions to the audience. Rare indeed!"
As the music reached its climax, Shen Nianxi's performance entered its most spectacular part. She executed several difficult spins and jumps in succession, her movements fluid and seamless, without the slightest pause or mistake. Sweat streamed down her face, but her gaze remained resolute, and her dance became even more unrestrained.
As the last note faded, Chen Nianxi concluded her performance with a graceful pose. She knelt on one knee, arms outstretched, head slightly raised, her eyes filled with a sense of relief and hope, like a swan about to take flight into the blue sky.
A brief silence fell over the venue, followed by deafening applause and cheers. The audience rose to their feet, applauding and cheering for Shen Nianxi's brilliant performance. Lin Wanqiu, her eyes brimming with emotion, hugged Shen Tingzhou tightly, choking back tears as she said, "Tingzhou, Xixi was amazing! She danced so well!"
Shen Tingzhou was also very excited. He gently patted Lin Wanqiu's back and said, "Yes, Xixi is amazing! She has lived up to our expectations."
Shen Nian'an also stood up, clapped enthusiastically, and a bright smile appeared on his face. He knew that his sister's efforts had not been in vain, and her performance had won everyone's approval.
Shen Nianxi stood up, bowed deeply to the audience, then bowed to the judges' panel, before slowly walking off the stage. Backstage, seeing her family waiting there, she immediately ran over, threw herself into Lin Wanqiu's arms, and burst into tears. These were not tears of sorrow, but tears of excitement, joy, and release.
"Mother, I've finished dancing!" Shen Nianxi said, her voice choked with emotion.
"Yes, Mom saw it! You danced wonderfully!" Lin Wanqiu hugged her daughter tightly, wiping away her tears and sweat. "Xixi, you are Mom's pride!"
Shen Tingzhou stepped forward, patted his daughter's head, and said, "Xixi, you are amazing! Dad is so proud of you."
Shen Nian'an smiled and said, "Little sister, you're amazing! Your performance was absolutely flawless. I believe you'll definitely win the gold medal!"
Shen Nianxi smiled through her tears and nodded: "Thank you, Father, Mother, and Brother! I also think I did a great job."
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