Chapter 1 - Reward Ceremony
The lights reflected off the shiny black stage, the loud whispers of the audience reverberating off the auditorium walls.
The announcer, Yi Shan, a famous talk show host was giving out the "Heart Trophy" a reward given to herbal doctors. Its kind of like the noble peace prize for us.
My palms were sweaty and my heart was beating rapidly. I was so nervous!
Tonight, my sister, Yu Mia, suggested that I wear this long, figure hugging, off the shoulder dress with my hair done up in a high pony.
She's the one who convinced me to come to this reward show in the first place...
I hate being the centre of attention.
The stage crew came running over, hooking me up with a small mic attached round my ear, the microphone itself came round to my mouth.
Stage crew B
OK! You're all set!
She ran her hands over my dress, straightening out any wrinkles. Also, dabbing my face with power to hide the nervous sweat.
Stage crew A
Ok, Miss Yu, 30 seconds!
I gave them a nod showing I understood. The curtain began to rise.
I put on the best smile I could muster, as I walked out of the wing the crowd cheered.
Some were cheering, some were whistling at me, the crowd mainly consisted of male doctors, scientists and professors.
Yi Shan
Miss Yu Anna, everyone!!
Yi Shan, a man with heavily gelled hair and eyebrows held out a hand to me, grinning.
I put my hand in his, smiling innocently.
He placed a swift kiss to my knuckles, I strained my smile, not wanting to show my distaste.
We sat down in the large velvet chairs centre stage, cameras focused on us.
Yi Shan
So, Anna... What an achievement! Tell us, what inspired you to become a herbal doctor?
I smiled happily, right now I was genuinely happy that I could share my experience.
Yu Anna
Well, Yi, it all started when I was a young girl...
I told him about sewing and caring for my teddies, using leaves from my back garden to make a pretend medicine.
How I read books upon books of medicinal herbs and anatomy.
Finally, I explained my family's history. How we were a long line of healers dating back 1000 years ago.
After about half an hour of meaninless chitchat, Yi Shan stood.
Yi Shan
Thank you for your wonderful insight into this world, Miss Yu.
A clerk handed him something covered with a cloth.
He held it before me, he pulled the cloth off, revealing a crystal heart trophy.
Yi Shan
The "Heart Trophy"!
The crowd exploded with cheers and applause.
Yi Shan
Awarded to Miss Yu for her outstanding work! Helping mankind cure TB with her ingenious, yet simple, ideas!!
He handed it to me, the lights angled to shine drirectly on it, casting rays of blue light all over the auditorium.
Tears started to spill from my eyes.
Yu Anna
Thank you!! Thank you everyone!!
They all applauded, Yi Shan took my hand and signalled for us to bow, we did.
Roses and confetti were thrown on the stage, in that moment my fear of being the centre of attention vanished.
Right now, I was beautiful, I was smart, I was victourius!
No longer in the shadow of my sister!
Pastel (Author)
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