Volume One, Chapter 9: Why Are You Blushing?

At this moment, Lu Jingchen also lifted his gaze to look at her. Under the warm, golden light, his eyes resembled a shimmering lake; even without any extra expression, they inexplicably calmed one’s heart.

It was the kind of comfort that comes from familiarity. Although Ye Zhaoying and Lu Jingchen were not well acquainted, as her investor, he appeared exceptionally warm and rare in this venue where almost everyone awaited her downfall.

Confident and composed, Ye Zhaoying began presenting her works. As soon as the first piece appeared on the screen, the entire room erupted.

It was like suddenly pouring a ladle of water into a boiling pot of oil—the scene boiled over completely.

The previously indifferent and disdainful expressions instantly transformed into shock and disbelief.

The judges, who had been somewhat negligent toward Ye Zhaoying’s appearance, now showed excitement and vivid reactions.

“This piece is about sixty to seventy percent similar to the one Miss Ye Qianyao from Yuanhui Company presented earlier, but it’s several times better!”

“Exactly! Compared to this, Ye Qianyao’s works are completely inferior!”

“Absolutely marvelous! I never thought such an ordinary object combined with pale purple could look this beautiful—I’m seeing it for the first time!”

“Looks like the champion is undoubtedly Ye Zhaoying!”

Ye Zhaoying smiled confidently and calmly as she unveiled each of her works one by one.

Back when her first work appeared, Ye Qianyao, sitting below, had her triumphant smile freeze on her face.

The shock was so overwhelming that she forgot to maintain her expression under the glaring spotlight and the public’s gaze.

In an instant, it was like a bolt of lightning struck above her head, awakening her with a sudden, searing numbness.

Her previously assured smile vanished, replaced only by terror and disbelief in her eyes.

How could this be?

Weren’t Ye Zhaoying’s design drafts the very ones slumped on her desk before? She had seen them with her own eyes, photographed and traced every line.

At most, Ye Zhaoying’s works should have been just like hers—then deemed plagiarized by the judges, disqualified, and thrown out of the competition.

That was the ending Ye Zhaoying deserved!

Why was it like this instead?

Why were Ye Zhaoying’s current works so much better—several times better—than the ones she had seen in her office last time?

Ye Qianyao’s body felt as if filled with concrete, solidified, utterly immobile.

Beside her, her supervisor and colleagues, upon seeing Ye Zhaoying’s works, lost all their pride and smugness.

Their faces turned ashen black, chests heaving with furious breaths.

The prize, once within sight, had been snatched away by this unknown underdog Ye Zhaoying—who wouldn’t be enraged?

As Ye Zhaoying flipped through and displayed all ten design drafts, the entire venue erupted into thunderous applause, led by the judges.

Lu Jingchen, who had been sitting quietly without much reaction, also raised his hands to applaud. Ye Zhaoying clearly saw the corners of his mouth lift slightly, a smile gleaming in his eyes.

Ye Zhaoying was a person with strong responsibility. Although Lu Jingchen had set two unexpected conditions after signing the contract, his recognition at this moment was a great reward.

Meanwhile, Ye Qianyao, after Ye Zhaoying finished showing all the images, had completely lost the color in her face, pale as paper.

The confidence and arrogance that once filled her eyes vanished, replaced only by panic and chaos.

Her supervisor nearby looked on with furrowed brows and a cold glare. Even though he was deliberately lowering his voice, his anger was palpable.

“Ye Qianyao! You claimed this championship was guaranteed. Even if the designs are similar, how come her finished products are so much better than yours? Compared to hers, yours are nothing but scraps of paper! How did you guarantee this? Our department trusted you enough to enter all your works in the competition, and this is what you’ve done!”

Ye Qianyao, stunned by Ye Zhaoying’s unexpected move, finally realized why Ye Zhaoying’s works were so similar yet more brilliant.

Because the ones she had stolen from Ye Zhaoying’s office last time were most likely just discarded drafts!

That despicable Ye Zhaoying actually dared to sabotage me like this!

Fuming with rage, Ye Qianyao inwardly wished she could tear Ye Zhaoying apart piece by piece. She could only helplessly explain to her supervisor.

“Supervisor Xiao, I’m truly sorry. I don’t know why this happened… Oh, I just remembered, last week my sister went into my room. Maybe that was when she stole my designs, then hired other professional designers to innovate and perfect them, resulting in the works we see today…”

Supervisor Xiao looked at Ye Qianyao’s pitiful expression and softened for a moment. Then his gaze lifted toward Ye Zhaoying, filled with resentment and contempt.

Indeed, he had heard before that Ye Qianyao had a sister who was utterly useless—there was no way she could have designed such works.

Suddenly realizing something, he anxiously asked, “Did you have surveillance cameras in your room? Do you have any proof that she stole your designs?”

Ye Qianyao hesitated, shaking her head through tears.

“No, there are no cameras at home. I never expected my sister to think this way…”

Supervisor Xiao slammed his thigh in frustration. “Ah! You’ve been way too naive! They say the hardest thief to guard against is the one in your own home—how could you not be more careful?”

“Forget about the promotion this time. Just be more alert next time!” Supervisor Xiao said, both angry and regretful.

Hearing that the promotion was canceled, Ye Qianyao’s teeth itched with fury. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, nails digging into her flesh without her noticing.

“Ye Zhaoying, just you wait. You’ve humiliated me this time—I will make you pay back every bit of it!”

On stage, Ye Zhaoying, of course, couldn’t hear what Ye Qianyao and the others were saying.

She merely glanced at Ye Qianyao, who was clearly so furious she was grinding her teeth but still had to maintain appearances by applauding her. Ye Zhaoying nearly burst out laughing!

Elsewhere, Fu Mingchi’s face had completely changed from the moment Ye Zhaoying began showcasing her works.

Awe, shock, disbelief!

How could this be?

How could these possibly be Ye Zhaoying’s works?

Back in school, her design skills were rather average, not even a tenth as good as her sister Ye Qianyao’s. Sometimes, her impressive pieces were just copied from Ye Qianyao.

Why, then, were her works now even more brilliant than Ye Qianyao’s?

His company had been confident, but after Ye Qianyao’s works were revealed, they seemed inferior. Now, with Ye Zhaoying’s, they were utterly outshone.

“Ye Zhaoying’s works are at least sixty to seventy percent similar to Ye Qianyao’s. Do you think she might have plagiarized Ye Qianyao?”