The outcome was something Wang Xiangxiang hadn’t expected; she never thought she would lose in the first round. Just now, she had boasted confidently that she could win the Blood Jade, but now it looked like it wasn’t going to be easy. For the upcoming competitions, she had to give it her all.
"Sister, don’t lose heart; we still have a chance," Xiaoxiao continued to cheer on Wang Xiangxiang.
Before long, a small fish tank was carried onto the stage, filled with fish that were happily darting around.
"We will now proceed with the second competition, which is about painting skills. Everyone will take a moment to glance at the fish in this tank and then create a painting based on them. You have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Please, hurry up to the stage."
Wang Xiangxiang took a deep breath. She had to push hard this time; another defeat would mean the end of the competition for her.
Seeing her , Chu Lian was afraid she might be nervous, so he said, "Don’t worry, you can do it, come on."
He even copied Xiaoxiao and said the words "come on."
"Okay." Wang Xiangxiang cheered herself on. She had to make a comeback in this round and couldn’t afford to lose face in front of Chu Lian.
After going on stage, she saw Wen Nuan again. They exchanged smiles, but sparks of rivalry flickered in their eyes—neither wanted to lose to the other.
Painting was Wang Xiangxiang’s confidence area, but she had met her match in Wen Nuan, who was no easy opponent.
All the contestants took a glance at the fish in the tank after being lifted onto the stage and then began to paint earnestly.
This time, Wang Xiangxiang was extremely focused. She thought about how to bring the fish in the tank to life in her painting. While the people around her had started painting, she still hadn’t made a stroke. She kept her eyes closed, recalling the moment the fish in the tank had leapt.
Downstairs, Xiaoxiao and the others were anxious upon seeing that Wang Xiangxiang hadn’t started painting yet. The others were probably nearly finished. When Wen Nuan almost completed her painting and looked up to see Wang Xiangxiang hadn’t begun, her mouth curved in a smile, thinking she’d won again.
But suddenly, Wang Xiangxiang opened her eyes, and her hand moved with remarkable speed. The way she wielded the brush and her concentrated spirit made it seem as though she was in a world of her own, completely immersed in her painting and unable to extricate herself.
Her captivating performance left Chu Lian in awe. The corners of his mouth curled up subtly—he knew she would win because her talent was extraordinary.
In a room at Marriage Fate Temple
The waiting person asked unhurriedly, "Ada, how’s the competition going outside?"
"Young master, I saw Miss Wang. She’s on stage; she’s competing too," Ada said anxiously.
"What?" Han Yongsheng couldn’t believe it. They had arrived at Lin County so soon. He stood up, "Let’s go and have a look."
Han Yongsheng quickened his pace, and when he arrived, he saw Wang Xiangxiang on stage with her eyes closed. He witnessed her entire painting process in the competition.
Her performance left Han Yongsheng amazed as well. Her confident demeanor and her painting posture told him she was quite different.
The last time he had seen her rough sketches, he was somewhat in disbelief, but this time he saw with his own eyes. He wanted to keep watching this competition, to see how much more talent she had.
Although Wang Xiangxiang was the last to start painting, she was the first to finish. Lifting her head, she gave a slight smile to the audience below. That smile was simply captivating.
With a loud gong, the announcement came, "The time for an incense stick has passed, the second round of the competition is now finished."