"Anyway. Where is Yunru? Oh, do you think Jun will be here too!?" A wave of excitement burst in Nian's heart. "That will be so cool! You, Yunru and Jun can help my sinking love story."
"Can you think of something else other than that?" Jin asked, grimaced.
Nian shot him a cold stare, making him straighten his back. "I want Xing Bi to let go of all her resentment against me, and I want that to happen tonight. At all costs. You will help me with that."
That was what Jin never liked about Nian. One moment he would be goofing around and the next moment, he would suddenly turn into a vicious beast who would destroy the whole world if something didn't go his way.
He sighed in annoyance. "It will be fine."
"Great!" The coldness disappeared from his eyes as if it was never there. "Should I search for Yunru and Jun? I will involve them in my awesome plan!"
"Yunru will be busy with tonight's Summit. Let him be. Also, Bro Jun won't be here."
Nian stuck out his tongue. "Oops. I forgot. He must be enjoying his date with Shui~~"
Jin seemed expressionless. That wasn't the case, and he knew that.
But even if they weren't on a date, he knew that Jun wouldn't be here anyway. Public appearances at such events were always handled by Yunru. Jun always steered away from such gatherings.
Jin watched Ai's figure for a moment before he quietly withdrew his gaze.
After the wait was over, the emcee came back on stage, carrying a small envelope in his hands. The crowd immediately hushed into silence, and everybody waited in anticipation about the results.
From the third floor, Jun narrowed his eyes, burning his gaze towards the envelope and so did Yating from the place where he observed the event.
There would be only three names in that envelope. One author per batch. Jun didn't care who the other two were, but if one of the names wouldn't be Ai, then…
I swear I will burn this place down!
He had full faith in Ai's abilities, yet he still felt his fist trembling. Ai needed this win the most. He knew how much this meant for her.
Yunru studied every slightest change in Jun's countenance. He seemed to be unaffected on the outside, but his reactions were telling a different story.
The emcee smiled. "Time to announce the results. The judges have reviewed all the entries, and it was a tough pick indeed. Every story was wonderful, but there could be only one winner. So, are you ready?"
Everybody held in their breaths. The reporters, too, had stopped the camera clicking sounds. There was a deep silence in the atmosphere, but everybody inwardly was screaming and panicking.
Zhan Yahui rolled her eyes. "Don't be so nervous. You are CherryBlossom. There is no way your name isn't there."
Guiying felt her heart drum louder and louder, not only because of the results but she knew that MrPerfect was watching her too. She didn't wish to disappoint him by not winning this Summit.
Xing Bi firmly held Ai's hand and gave her a reassuring nod. "You will definitely be there. I just know it because if you aren't, then the judges are blind."
Ai's body was stiff with tension, yet Xing Bi managed to make a soft chuckle escape her lips. "Thank you, Xing Bi."
The emcee said, "Okay, there is too much tension in the air already. Let me diffuse it with the names of the winning authors. From the first batch of submissions, the winner is CherryBlossom! Congratulations!"
Guiying stiffened for a moment, still in a daze about her name being announced.
I am there. I am there…
She touched her chest with her trembling hand and heaved a big sigh of relief.
Zhan Yahui was thrilled and hugged Guiying. "You got it! I told you, you were worried over nothing!"
Guiying nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Zhan Yahui." Follow current novᴇls on NoveI[F]ire.net
She got up and bowed. "Thank you so much. I feel honored."
The claps rang louder and louder like thunder rumbling in the clouds.
Guiying sat back on her seat, not knowing that a pair of irises gazed at her from the dark, his lips ever so faintly curved up.
Ai smiled and clapped as well. Keeping aside her personal differences, Guiying was a talented writer and professionally, she appreciated her.
The emcee continued. "Let's move on to the winner of the second batch which is…MysticMidnight!"
Everybody was puzzled. Nobody had ever heard of the MysticMidnight author.
"Hey, who is MysticMidnight?"
"Never heard about her."
"Which company does she belong to?"
Xing Bi was extremely curious. She glanced at Ai and asked, "Have you heard about this author?"
Ai gave it a thought and tried to recollect from her past life if she knew this writer. She faintly recollected some parts here and there but not much. MysticMidnight wasn't much in the limelight just like her.
Suddenly, the woman who was seated with Ai and Xing Bi all this while - with the ponytail and light green dress, stood up on her feet. The light focused on her, and she bowed.
"Thank you so much for selecting my story. I am honored," she thanked with poise and a soft smile on her lips.
Ai and Xing Bi stared at her, stunned. Then they exchanged glances.
The one sitting with us all this time was MysticMidnight?
Ai observed the woman and found her strangely staring at a particular table. When she followed her gaze and found that she was looking at Guiying's table with an unreadable expression. Something flickered in her eyes, but it disappeared soon enough.
She sat back amidst the clapping and Ai said, "Congratulations."
Xing Bi nodded too. "Congratulations."
She glanced at them and bowed. "Thank you."
The emcee took out the third card. "Time to announce the third and the final author."
Jun narrowed his eyes and impatiently waited for him to announce Ai's name.
If it is not Ai's name then…
His brown eyes darkened by several shades, emitting danger and alarm.
Ai swallowed a gulp and shut her eyes. She opened them a moment later, ready to hear the results. Xing Bi had held onto her hand and was trembling more than her, making Ai helplessly smile.
The emcee took out the card and blinked at it. "The third and the final writer who will proceed is…"