The Winner

The intonation of the voice that the host made hypnotized the people with high nervousness that all their eyes set on the stage to the host girl whose scrutiny allured them to listen to each of her words next. 

"And the winner of the cooking competition 2022 is …." There was another pause that challenged both the audience and the contestants' patience; as if feeling amused with their pounding hearts mirrored in their pupils, the host provoked them more with her long silence. 

For some who could hold their patience, the murmur had spurted out of their mouths; for those who only focused on the announcement just recited some prayers in their heart for their favorite contestants to win. 

Meanwhile,  the only thing grandma Li did in her seat was to let herself immersed in the host's alluring quietness; she mouthed neither complaints nor protests to the length of time that host girl took merely to mention one name.