Chapter 35

“Wishful thinking? Me?”

Qiao Xi did not expect to hear such a thing the moment she returned backstage. She crossed her arms and looked at the female student who had just spoken with a faint smile.

That person’s expression froze, as if recalling what had happened backstage this morning. She silently took a step back and hid in the crowd, not daring to make a sound.

Qiao Rou walked past the crowd and held Qiao Xi’s hand with a face full of worry. “Sister, where did you go? Someone said that you gave up participating in the competition… Sister, quickly tell everyone that you’re a participant. You clearly like designing so much…”

“I’m not a participant in the competition.”

Qiao Xi withdrew her hand.

Qiao Rou’s expression froze. “Sister, you…”

.

She sounded angry and sad at the same time. “Why… Why did you…”

Why?

Qiao Xi raised her eyebrows. Of course, it was because she was a judge.

“Don’t worry. You’ll know why later.”

Qiao Xi looked at her deeply.

That glance made Qiao Rou feel uneasy.

At this moment, the host talked into the microphone, “Please keep quiet, everyone. We’re soon going to announce the winner of Li City University’s Fashion Design Competition! Everyone knows that this competition has made history in our university. Not only did we manage to invite Mr. Gu Zheng, the CEO of the Gu Corporation, over but also the mysterious Master Gu Shan!”

As soon as the host finished speaking, the spotlight to the judges’ seats.

Gu Zheng’s handsome face instantly appeared on the big screen.

“Damn, so handsome!”

“The CEO of the Gu Corporation is actually so young! If I had known earlier, I would’ve signed up for the competition too!”

“Bullsh*t, don’t think that I don’t know you. You’re from the business department!”

“But what about Master Gu Shan? Didn’t the host say that Master Gu Shan is here too?”

Compared to Gu Zheng, who would occasionally appear in financial newspapers, the students were more interested in the mysterious Master Gu Shan.

However…

The seat that should have been Master Gu Shan’s was empty.

The chancellor kept winking at Zhou Guanjin, asking him where she was.

Zhou Guanjin was also anxious. He kept calling Qiao Xi but there was no response!

In a corner of the hall, Qiao Xi nonchalantly rejected the call. After the spotlight was no longer on the judges’ seats, she slowly moved forward.

The host was good at acting on the spot. After a short pause, he announced the winner of the competition.

The participants who were backstage were disappointed when they did not see Master Gu Shan. However, they quickly composed themselves and waited excitedly for the host’s final announcement.

“Hurry, hurry, hurry. Where’s Qiao Rou? Hurry up and get ready to receive the award!” Someone called out to Qiao Rou.

Under their enthusiasm, Qiao Rou was pushed from the back to the front. She said some humble words, but her proud expression was about to overflow from her eyes.

She straightened her skirt and prepared to make her appearance on stage.

“Students, I now announce that the winner of this competition is Qiao…”

The moment the word ‘Qiao’ was uttered, the people backstage erupted in cheers. Qiao Rou could not even hide the smile on her face.

She enjoyed the envious and jealous gazes of everyone. She enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention. Gu Moling was holding a bouquet of roses and standing in front of Qiao Rou. He smiled at her. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Qiao Rou went on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

Gu Moling held her shoulders and waited for the host to finish calling out Qiao Rou’s name.

“Qiao Rou!

“I now announce that Qiao Rou won first place. Let’s welcome her on stage with warm applause!”

Amid the applause, Qiao Rou, who was wearing a white dress, appeared on stage like a fairy.

At the same time, Qiao Xi finally sat down on the seat.

Sensing the movement by his side, Gu Zheng casually glanced over and happened to meet Qiao Xi’s gaze as she shushed him.

Gu Zheng paused.

Song Shiyu heard the movement as well and turned casually. However, his eyes widened instantly. “Madam?! Why are you sitting here?!”

Fortunately, everyone’s eyes were on the stage and no one noticed this. Song Shiyu quickly bent down and waved at Qiao Xi. “Madam, come sit with me. Your seat belongs to someone else.”

The university knew that Gu Corporation intended to work with Master Gu Shan, so they had arranged for them to be seated together.

Qiao Xi shook her head. “That’s alright, I’ll just sit here.”

Song Shiyu, “!”

He was screaming in his heart. ‘I’m not being polite, I’m asking you to leave that seat!’

At this moment, Qiao Rou had already started giving her speech.

Ignoring Song Shiyu who was so anxious that his buttocks were burning, Qiao Xi casually raised her hand amid the silence. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have objections about the first-place winner of this competition.”