When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 199: Chapter 86: Top Star of the 1960s Cultural Troupe (25)

Xia Zhaoyun’s speech was perfectly paced, already tugging at the audience’s heartstrings. The addition of a sad and heroic prelude not only showcased her superb vocal skills as a broadcaster but also elevated the entire performance to another level.

Although her line, ”Tianhao, I’m sorry. I miss you,” was a bit abrupt, it was exceptionally sad and heart-wrenching in the atmosphere she had created. Furthermore, by using Yu Huanxin’s speech as a stepping stone, she achieved an unexpected effect.

’Fine, so you’re going to praise the families of martyrs?’

’I was one of them before. I’ll use my status as a family member of a martyr to bring the focus back to the individual family, elevating the theme.’

Xia Zhaoyun finished her speech in a whirlwind of emotions—a touch of regret, a deep longing for her lover, and a hopeful vision for the future, all interwoven.

The audience was still immersed in the aftershocks of the emotional rollercoaster when, suddenly, the piano music changed.

The music became cheerful, joyful to the point of disbelief, pulling everyone from their reverie. Xia Zhaoyun chuckled and said:

”My mood right at this moment is just like this music, and I’m delighted to share a piece of tremendous good news with everyone!”

”I am one of the lucky few who found fortune amidst misfortune. I never expected that by participating in this Golden Microphone competition, I would run into the love of my life, a man I thought fate had taken from me!”

”He endured terrible hardships and has forgotten much of his past, but his passionate, deep love for me remains unchanged. It turns out that love at first sight, and falling even deeper in love upon reuniting, is a real and beautiful thing.”

”I want to become an even better person, to be worthy of the hero that he is. I want him to be drawn to my looks, captivated by my talent, and bound forever by our love...”

”Comrade Huo Tianhao, I don’t know if you’re still willing to marry me this time—to take me home and cherish me like a little girl, shielding me from the world’s storms so that I see only rainbows and sunshine?”

A spotlight suddenly snapped on, illuminating Huo Tianhao.

He stood up and, smiling, walked toward the stage step by step, met by a thunderous ovation from an audience that seemed even more overcome with emotion than the couple themselves.

The moment he set foot on the top step, Xia Zhaoyun rushed forward and threw herself into his arms. The fiery red of her dress seemed to have found its final destination, radiating a searing heat even in stillness.

They embraced tightly. At that moment, no one would have dreamed of rebuking them for being overly intimate or behaving improperly. Instead, in their simple body language, the audience saw a story of love, patience, joy, and gratitude.

After about half a minute, they finally separated, and Huo Tianhao gently wiped the tear tracks from her face.

Xia Zhaoyun finally stepped back with a smile, wiping at her tears, but she kept one hand firmly clasped in his, her heart pounding furiously.

Taking the microphone, she said, her voice choked with emotion, ”I’m sorry, everyone. I lost my composure. Truly, from the moment I saw him again to this very second, it has all felt like a beautiful dream. I feel this constant need to hold his hand, to touch him, just to prove to myself that this is all real.”

”I’m reminded of a line from a poem: ’In days gone by, carriages were slow and letters far away; a lifetime was only long enough to love one person.’”

”We are the lucky ones who withstood the test of time. But in this world, so many people wait and watch over their loved ones with no such happy ending. Yet, they persevere without regret or complaint, just like the countless workers and homemakers who quietly dedicate their entire lives to their humble posts...”

”We persevere for our beliefs, we strive to prove our worth, and we charge ahead fearlessly for our motherland’s beautiful tomorrow!”

”May all lovers in the world find their happy ending, and may all laborers enjoy health, safety, and success!”

The two of them bowed together in a final curtain call.

The applause from the audience was unending. Xia Zhaoyun switched off her microphone, tilted her head to look at Huo Tianhao, and gave him a playful wink. In a low, teasing voice, she asked, ”Huo Tianhao, my hero, are you satisfied with this grand ceremony celebrating your return from the dead?”

Huo Tianhao let out a low chuckle. ”Well, Comrade Xia Zhaoyun,” he commented, ”congratulations on finally making your story stick.”

Xia Zhaoyun...

’Can’t we have one nice conversation?’

By combining theatrical drama with her speech to reenact the story of Hero Huo’s incident and return, Xia Zhaoyun created a truly original performance. It was a comprehensive showcase of her exceptional skills, successfully earning her first place.

He Qingran took seventh place. Yu Huanxin, who originally had a shot at the top three, had to settle for fourth. She had changed her speech at the last minute, only for its theme to clash with Xia Zhaoyun’s. She was so furious she feigned illness to get out of accepting her award on stage.

With two hundred yuan and a radio in her hands, Xia Zhaoyun was overjoyed. She had earned all of this through her own hard work, and the feeling was even more potent than when she had dazedly received twelve hundred yuan before.

Several organizations extended job offers to her, but Xia Zhaoyun explained that her dream wasn’t to be a broadcaster. She wanted to be a dancer, performing a hymn to life set to music!