Qiu Baihui was swallowed by the shadow cast by a pillar, as if the Dance Stage were bathed in light while she lingered in the darkness, struggling to survive. Though they were in the same place, she felt a sense of profound loss.
Her nails scraped against the stone, carving clear gouges into the surface. She remained behind that pillar for a long time. Eventually, she pulled her head back behind the cover of the stone, her body sliding down from the pillar until she sat slumped on the floor. She drew her legs in, hugging them tightly and pressing her face against her knees. Emotions surged like a tidal wave, and she wept for a long while.
After Jiang Qiao and Mu Chenyuan collected their awards, Mu Chenyuan caught a glimpse of a familiar figure huddled behind a distant pillar. *Could that be Junior Sister Qiu?* After exchanging a few words with Jiang Qiao, she walked over with him to the base of the pillar.
Chapter 71