The emcee smiled at her heartfelt words before moving on.
"That was beautifully said, Jiang Xiu. Now, for your final question—"
Jiang Xiu took a slow breath, trying to steady herself. Her head felt oddly light.
The bright stage lights seemed harsher than before, and the noise of the audience felt like a dull hum in the background. She swallowed, forcing herself to focus.
The emcee continued, "If given the chance to influence the next generation, what message would you want to leave behind?"
Jiang Xiu blinked.
For a brief second, the words on the cue card blurred.
Something was wrong.
But there was no time to think about it.
She straightened, pushing past the dizziness, her voice clear but softer than before.
"I would tell them… to believe in their own growth."
A pause.
She gathered herself before continuing.
