"I really didn't expect that at a design competition, someone would be so brazen as to submit someone else's work!"
"You can't always tell what people are thinking. Some people will stoop to any level to get famous. Isn't this just trying to climb the social ladder?"
"Oh dear, I feel a little scared to be competing with someone like that."
"What are you afraid of? If the person who stole the work isn't ashamed, why should we, who are honestly using our own creations, be afraid?"
...
Mocking and sarcastic voices echoed in her ears. Shen Yao Yao wanted to roar, but she didn't dare. These scolding voices were like a series of slaps across her face, leaving her dizzy.
Yet, even so, she was unwilling to withdraw from the competition.
By this point, besides looking down on her, people also had some admiration for her. Such thick skin was truly uncommon.
Soon, the staff came over to announce the start of the competition.
The preliminaries were held in a large hall, with each participant spaced one meter apart. Everyone would draw their own work, and the theme for the first round was fashion.
The judges for this round consisted of two men and two women. One was sent by the organizing committee, and the other three were selected by the investors – all renowned figures in the design world.
As soon as the judges announced the start, the contestants began to draw.
The drawing time was two hours.
Shen Qing Qing was the first to put down her pen. After finishing, she didn't look around but closed her eyes to contemplate what kind of work she would use for the next round.
The judges noticed her and nodded slightly.
Regardless of how well the design was drawn, judging by her demeanor, she understood the rules of a design competition. The worst offense in a design competition was for participants to look around furtively. She must have participated in competitions before.
Soon, all the contestants put down their pens.
The judges reviewed everyone's work, and after a round of sharp critiques, the four judges deliberated briefly and announced the final rankings.
They started announcing from third place. The third-place winner was a young man, who was quite happy to have achieved this rank.
When it came to second place, a judge paused and said, "Shen Yao Yao."
Shen Yao Yao slowly flashed a radiant smile.
So what if her previous design was exposed? She had still achieved a decent ranking.
She completely ignored the surprised and questioning glances from everyone.
"Wait a moment."
Shen Qing Qing suddenly spoke.
A judge asked, "Does this contestant have any doubts?"
"Are the teachers sure that the drawing in your hand truly belongs to her?"
The judges were taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, it was unlikely anyone would forge something. The staff had been patrolling around the contestants precisely to prevent cheating.
Shen Qing Qing glanced at the staff member near Yao Yao. He was looking down, as if wishing he could shrink himself and disappear from the scene.
She walked directly towards them.
Before Shen Yao Yao could react, the staff member started to tremble.
Shen Qing Qing placed a hand on the table. Each participant had a few spare sheets of white paper on their table, intended for them to use if they ruined a drawing and needed to replace it.
But as soon as her hand touched it, Shen Yao Yao panicked and pushed her, "What are you doing? If you want to accuse me of plagiarism, you need to provide evidence!"
"I didn't say you plagiarized. Today, you actually drew a piece of work."
As Shen Qing Qing finished speaking, Shen Yao Yao's face turned pale.
Shen Qing Qing quickly lifted the white paper on the table, revealing a design drawing underneath. This drawing depicted a chick pecking at rice.
It was evident that the artist lacked skill. The chick was neither round nor plump, looking like a hodgepodge.
Shen Yao Yao's lips turned pale. "I drew this idly after I finished my drawing earlier."
Shen Qing Qing looked at the judges. "Masters, may I presume to ask how long you estimate it would take to draw the picture in your hands?"
The judges' faces turned serious. "At least two hours."
"This shows that the design is truly excellent," Shen Qing Qing said faintly. "But of course, if it weren't excellent, how could you have taken a liking to it?"
Shen Yao Yao gritted her teeth. "Don't talk nonsense!"
"It seems you won't give up until the Yellow River runs dry," Shen Qing Qing said, placing the chick pecking rice drawing on the judges' table. "If someone questions the top three winners, can the winners redraw their work? Is that correct?"
"Correct."
The judge's single word made Shen Yao Yao's blood run cold.
When the pen and paper were placed in her hands, her mind went blank. Let alone drawing that design, she couldn't even draw the chick pecking rice picture she had just sketched.
The crowd burst into mocking laughter.
"What a disgrace!"
"If you can't draw a design, why insist on participating in a design competition? Is this person out of their mind?"
"Fortunately, this lady raised the objection. Otherwise, the second place that rightfully belonged to someone else would have been taken by someone who can't even draw."
"That's truly ironic."
One of the judges stood up and announced, "I now declare Shen Yao Yao's second place revoked, and her entry will be investigated. The third-place winner will be promoted one rank, and so will the fourth place."
Upon hearing this, everyone became happy. Although they didn't get into the top three, as long as it wasn't Shen Yao Yao who received it, they were content.
Especially the girl who was originally out of the top three; she instantly sprang out of her disappointment.
However, some were curious. "Masters, who is the first-place winner?"
Mentioning the first place, the judge's serious face broke into a smile. "This first place winner is truly deserving."
The female judge beside him smiled and said, "Her name is—"
She deliberately paused, building everyone's anticipation and curiosity to its peak.
"Shen Qing Qing!"
All eyes turned to her, but Shen Qing Qing remained composed, offering only a slight smile as if she had anticipated this result.
"Thank you, masters, for your affirmation. I will continue to work hard."
After what happened with Shen Yao Yao, the crowd felt no jealousy towards Shen Qing Qing. Instead, they were glad that the first place was awarded to a deserving and beautiful young lady. If the win had been achieved through deception by Shen Yao Yao, they would have been furious.
As they left, people offered their congratulations.
Shen Qing Qing smiled and accepted their well wishes. As soon as she stepped out of the venue, she saw Fu Jing Shu holding a bouquet of vibrant red roses, his gaze fixed on her.
The crowd let out silent gasps.
Everyone knew of Master Fu's coldness and decisive nature, but no one had ever seen him waiting for a woman with a bouquet of roses.
As they walked closer, Fu Jing Shu's gaze grew more intense. Someone quietly asked, "Sister Shen, is he your suitor?"
"That's right, I'm pursuing her."
Fu Jing Shu heard this and straightforwardly admitted it.