Shun and Ren followed close behind, their arms laden with a Bounty of snacks and colorful, celebratory banners. With a cheeky wink, Ren handed her a water bottle. "Hydrate, champion," she quipped. Shun chimed in with a laugh, "We've already started planning your statue!"

Everyone laughed out loud.

"It has to be made of one hundred percent gold!" Chatty declared.

Coach Carlos approached last, moving slowly, his energy spent. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, his voice thick with emotion. "You didn't just win," he said softly, "you became."

Lily enveloped him in a tight embrace, whispering, "Thank you for believing in me when I didn't."

Pharsa entered with the twins, Kim Kim and Chin Chin, bouncing with glee. "Second sister! You were like a superhero!" Kim Kim exclaimed. "But prettier!" added Chin Chin, her eyes wide with admiration. "And you didn't fall once!"

Mushu, usually stoic, offered a rare smile, nodding silently from the doorway. El Padre and El Capitan exchanged looks of pride. At the same time, Goldie, ever the planner, began distributing celebratory sweets from a backpack prepared way earlier in Geneva, the sugary treasures spilling out like a treasure trove.

Four Eyes stood beside Ling Li, who had just arrived, her overcoat still aglow from the final flare of the event. She approached Lily without haste, her expression one of warmth and understanding.

Without a word, she placed both hands firmly on Lily's shoulders, peering deep into her eyes.

"You are safe, and congratulations, Champ!" Ling Li said, her voice steady and filled with love.

At last, Lily's tears fell freely, warmth pooling in her chest.

"Thank you, Mom, I couldn't have done it without you," she whispered, her heart swelling with gratitude.

The Journey Home: A Victory in Motion

The convoy rolled through the city like a parade of stars, bright and flashing against the twilight backdrop. Cars honked merrily, and bystanders waved enthusiastically, their smiles infectious. Philippine flags fluttered from windows and balconies throughout the Filipino community in Shanghai, transforming the streets into a vibrant tapestry of colors. The atmosphere was electric with celebration — vendors handed out free *taho, children twirled and danced in the alleyways, while joyous elders clapped from their porches, their faces beaming with pride.

Inside the lead van, Lily sat between Fatty and Shi Min, her medal resting securely in her lap, a radiant bond of past effort and current joy. Fatty was narrating the day's events to his parents on the phone with all the flair of a dramatic radio host, his voice animated and lively.

"And then she flew — I mean, literally — and the judges were like, 'We are not worthy!' And I turned to them and said, 'I told you she's a comet!'"

Fatty's father chuckled, his voice filled with good-natured banter. "You're lucky she didn't land right on you."

From the back seat, Chatty chimed in, "I'm still emotionally recovering. I need three dumplings and a hug!"

In rhythm with the bubble of joy, the twins sang victorious songs, Pharsa guiding them with a gentle sway, their laughter rippling through the air.

Shun and Ren were already glued to their screens, diligently editing a highlight reel that would immortalize this moment.

Coach Carlos sat quietly, a rare smile illuminating his face as he watched his star student bask in the golden glow she had earned.

In the second car, Ling Li and Four Eyes rode together, their fingers intertwined, eyes scanning the horizon — not searching for challenges, but dreaming of the bright future ahead.

Tonight, a grand celebration awaited them.

There would be an abundance of food, infectious music, rippling laughter, and countless stories shared.

But more than anything, what filled the air was love.

Because Lily wasn't just returning home with gold.

She was coming home as a fierce flame that had weathered the storm.

And everyone who had guarded her — who had fought for her, cried for her, and believed in her — was now enveloped by her radiant light, shining brightly together.

The estate shimmered with laughter and radiant light, a tapestry of joy woven into the evening.

Long tables sprawled across the garden, overflowing with a feast fit for royalty — succulent lechon glistening under the golden glow of lanterns, dumplings piled high like precious gems, and trays filled to the brim with *kare-kare, crispy lumpia, *dinuguan, savory pancit (noodles), chicken-pork adobo, bicol express, and balut, and many more.

Luscious mango tarts, halo-halo, and *sorbetes ice creams for desserts, each one a delightful treasure. Tonight, a vibrant celebration of Filipino culinary artistry unfolded.

Champagne bubbled over in the glasses, the symphony of clinking resonating in every nook of the gathering. Fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting a warm, enchanting glow. At the same time, the air was alive with the intoxicating melodies of laughter, the sweet scent of jasmine intertwining with the savory aroma of roasted garlic.

At the heart of it all sat Lily, an effulgent smile lighting up her face, her medal cradled safely in a plush velvet box beside her plate, her cheeks glowing from the warmth of shared love and laughter. Fatty, ever the entertainer, sat beside her, comically reenacting her uneven bars routine with chopsticks and a napkin, gesturing wildly.

"She executed a double twist — like this!" he exclaimed, feigning grace before dramatically pretending to land, "and then descended like a goddess from the heavens!"

Chatty, blissfully indulging in his third plate of dumplings, added with mock seriousness, "I was so moved, I forgot how to chew!"

The twins flitted between tables, their voices ringing with joy as they sang spontaneous victory songs, while Pharsa, embodying a rare softness, kept a watchful eye over the exuberance around her.

__________

*Taho is a beloved Filipino snack and breakfast dish made from fresh, silken tofu, sweet arnibal (brown sugar syrup), and chewy tapioca pearls

*Kare-Kare is a Filipino dish featuring a thick, savory peanut sauce. It is generally made from a base of stewed oxtail, beef tripe, pork hocks, calves' feet, pig's feet or trotters, various cuts of pork, beef stew meat, and occasionally offal.

*Dinuguan, from the root word dugo meaning "blood," is a savory Filipino stew made with pork meat and/or offal simmered in a dark, rich gravy of pig's blood, vinegar, garlic, and chili. It is a classic comfort food in the Philippines, though its rich, dark appearance often earns it the nickname "chocolate meat" for those less familiar with the dish.

*Sorbetes in the Philippines refers to a traditional ice cream originating in the country, uniquely characterized by the use of coconut milk and/or carabao milk.

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