Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Design Competition Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Design Competition Shen Yan watched Lin Zhiyi grab the milk and couldn’t wait to tap the milk carton.
Just as Shen Yan was about to drink, Lin Zhiyi, taking advantage of her distraction, snatched the milk from her hand.
“This brand of milk comes in several flavors. Let me see which one I like? Oh! Shen Yan, you bought the same flavor?”
Shen Yan instantly panicked, staring intently at the milk in Lin Zhiyi’s hand, and said with a forced smile, “We have similar tastes, so I bought the same one.”
After saying that, she snatched the milk back from Lin Zhiyi’s left hand and immediately took a sip,
as if afraid that Lin Zhiyi would swap it.
Lin Zhiyi also raised her glass and took a sip, “Thanks for the treat.”
Shen Yan, watching the liquid through the straw enter Lin Zhiyi’s mouth, smiled very happily.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.”
Lin Zhiyi walked into the waiting room, calm and composed.
Watching the door slowly close, Shen Yan couldn’t help but snicker.
The competition began.
The stage was bustling with excitement, and so was the waiting room.
Almost all the contestants surrounded Song Wanqiu, complimenting her beauty and her gorgeous dress…
Some even directly said that Song Wanqiu would definitely be the first place.
Song Wanqiu smiled modestly, but her gaze was especially proud as she looked towards Lin Zhiyi.
After several contestants went on stage to display their works, the atmosphere in the resting room gradually became quiet and tense.
Since they came to compete, who didn’t want to win?
When it was Song Wanqiu’s turn, Lin Zhiyi suddenly dashed out holding her stomach.
Song Wanqiu covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
Lin Zhiyi ah, how could I possibly let you appear in so many shots?
Blame it on your too ostentatious looks.
Whether it’s your work or you as a person, don’t ever think about stealing my limelight.
From the beginning, Song Wanqiu hadn’t planned to let Lin Zhiyi go onstage, she had already thought through every step.
Although Lin Zhiyi was somewhat intelligent, she fell far short in comparison to her.
At that moment, the host called Song Wanqiu’s name, and she elegantly stood up and slowly walked towards the front of the stage.
When Song Wanqiu took the stage, the applause was thunderous, dominating the show.
“Thank you, everyone. Today, I bring a collection of my own works—Nature.”
“The hollow design provides a naturally ethereal feel, and tiny bases are used to set blue-green gemstones in the center, as if the gems are suspended by the neck and ears, aligning very well with natural colors.”
“It looks like the leaves fluttering in the wind under the sunlight.”
After Song Wanqiu finished her explanation, the works were presented to the judges, and the big screen showed a detailed view for the audience.
At this moment, she added, “I took this competition very seriously, so instead of creating samples, I used real diamonds and real gemstones to strive for authenticity and intuitiveness.”
The audience was amazed,
“Using such large gemstones on the spot?”
“In major competitions, real stones are indeed used, but considering that the contestants this time are all college students, the organizers specifically agreed to use samples. I didn’t expect Ms. Song to take it so seriously.”
“Ms. Song is truly a genius, both in design and thoughtfulness, very clever indeed. You see, Xue Man has been nodding all along. It looks like Ms. Song is set to win.”
Xue Man was indeed the most important judge of this competition, and everyone vied for an internship spot in her studio.
She carefully observed Song Wanqiu’s entire set of works, her appreciation barely concealed.
When the host asked the judges to comment, Xue Man also gave a very high appraisal.
“Ms. Song’s works are very clever and show great innovation. However… I think, in the entire collection, the ring seems a bit out of place. The size is too large, quite discordant within the series.”
Everyone followed the lead to look at the flower-shaped ring on the display, seemingly to highlight the giant ruby in the pistil, the overall design appeared somewhat exaggerated.
It lacked the natural integration seen in the necklace and earrings.
Song Wanqiu’s face changed slightly, clenched the microphone tightly, and struggled to maintain her composure and elegance.
“Thank you, teacher, for your comments. I will continue to work hard.”
Xue Man was quite satisfied with Song Wanqiu’s attitude and inevitably paid her additional attention.
“Ms. Song, with your current design, I feel it has far exceeded my expectations for this competition, so I wanted to ask if there’s any contestant you wish to compete with in this competition.”
At this, the audience perked up.
This was far more interesting than going through the pieces one by one.
Song Wanqiu thought for a moment and smiled, “Actually… I have a classmate who is also participating in the competition. I have always admired her work. I wouldn’t dare say compete, but I do hope that more people can see her work.”
In the eyes of others, Song Wanqiu had already won.
Modesty, helping a classmate, elegance, and beauty…
All beautiful words suited her perfectly.
Even Xue Man applauded her, giving the host a signal with her eyes.
The host changed his tone, “Then, let us invite Lin Zhiyi to the stage.”
Three seconds after these words, Lin Zhiyi did not appear on stage.
The host thought Lin Zhiyi hadn’t heard and raised his voice, “Lin Zhiyi, it’s your turn to come on stage now.”
Another moment of silence.
Song Wanqiu’s gaze brimmed, a look of hurt, “Maybe she doesn’t want to compete with me? After all, she has always been the top student in our major. I was too presumptuous.”
The crowd instantly became noisy.
“Giving her face, but pretending, what is this?”
“Ms. Song is helping her, how foolish.”
“Some top student, all pretense!”
Xue Man also frowned, disliking such people who had little ability but liked to put on airs.
She quickly glanced at the host, signaling him to announce Lin Zhiyi’s forfeiture.
The host, feeling helpless, said, “Then we can only…”
“Sorry, I’m late. I wasn’t supposed to be in this order, so I thought of using the restroom. I didn’t expect to suddenly hear my name.”
Accompanied by a clear voice, an elegant figure slowly approached.
The gray-purple long dress trailed behind her like pale water ripples, accentuating her graceful figure.
Her pale shoulders draped with waist-length black satin hair, each strand enticing.
Especially her face, even the light makeup depicted an exceptionally beautiful face.
Breathtaking, captivating.
Standing in front of Song Wanqiu, she instantly overshadowed the elegant Song Wanqiu.
Song Wanqiu, seeing the calm and composed Lin Zhiyi, was also stunned.
That milk… Shen Yan had clearly seen her drinking it.
She had just clutched her stomach and ran out earlier.
How could she be alright?
At that moment, Lin Zhiyi looked at her, revealing a beautiful smile.
“Thank you, Ms. Song, for thinking so much of me.”
Instantly, Song Wanqiu understood everything—she had been played by Lin Zhiyi!
The host, seeing Lin Zhiyi on stage, immediately said, “Lin Zhiyi, please present your work.”
Hearing this, Song Wanqiu came back to her senses, her eyes still carried triumph.
She used “real stone” given to her by Gong Chen.
Lin Zhiyi’s hastily made samples in three days, how exquisite and beautiful could they be?