CHAPTER 559: CHAPTER 559: THE PLAGIARIST IS CONTESTANT NUMBER 8, YAN XINXIN!

Facing Yan Xinxin’s bright and spirited eyes, Qin Xinyu inexplicably felt a guilty pressure building inside her.

"...You? So, you’re Yan Xinxin!"

Her realization came abruptly.

The group of sycophants behind her couldn’t help but feel embarrassed upon hearing this.

No one had expected Yan Xinxin’s features to be so delicate and refined!

Just like her creations—clean yet stunningly eye-catching!

Were it not for pandering to this so-called ’Xinyu teacher,’ they wouldn’t have spoken against their conscience.

Honestly, in their eyes, Yan Xinxin’s work was truly outstanding!

"I am Yan Xinxin."

Yan Xinxin nodded with a gracious smile.

"I’ve seen your work. It’s a brooch made of jade and diamonds, titled ’Flowering Bloom.’"

"So what? You—someone I’ve never even heard of—what makes you qualified to critique my work?"

"Whether I’m qualified or not isn’t about whether you’ve heard my name, but about how solid one’s professional knowledge is!"

"You..."

"Anyone in this field knows that the hardness of a diamond is 10, making it the hardest naturally occurring material. While diamonds are one of the most commonly worn pieces of jewelry in daily life, even the lightest contact is enough for its hardness to leave scratches on the jade’s surface. Your fatal flaw was failing to properly secure the diamond."

"..."

"I suppose your reason for choosing jade was probably just to highlight its opulence? But ignoring such a fundamental and amateur mistake—it’s really not ideal."

"..."

Yan Xinxin’s words left Qin Xinyu’s face alternating between pale and flushed, utterly humiliated.

Some of the other contestants nearby couldn’t help but glance at Qin Xinyu, whispering and pointing discreetly.

"Xue, the time’s almost up. Let’s go!"

Yan Xinxin turned and took Lu Chenxue’s hand.

"Mm!"

Lu Chenxue looked at Qin Xinyu with a smug smile.

"This story teaches us—never gossip behind someone’s back. Spend that time improving yourself instead!"

"You..."

Qin Xinyu was so angry she stomped her foot, her overly made-up face flushed red as if she were constipated!

"Just you wait! Wait until I win the award and see what else you have to gloat about! Hmph!"

She stomped off in frustration, high heels clicking, under the questioning stares of the people around her.

Yan Xinxin and Lu Chenxue proceeded to the contestants’ seats according to their assigned numbers. Before long, all the seats were filled with the respective contestants and audience members.

Gazing at the gorgeous stage ahead, Lu Chenxue looked somewhat nervous, her eyes flickering as she glanced at Yan Xinxin sitting beside her.

"Xinxin, are you nervous?"

"Mm... a little."

Yan Xinxin pressed her lips together and smiled faintly.

Lu Chenxue’s eyes shifted slightly, her gaze drifting toward the judges’ seating area, a trace of distraction in her expression.

"If you don’t win an award, will you feel very disappointed or sad?"

"Disappointed, probably. But I don’t think I’d feel too sad."

"I see..."

Lu Chenxue lowered her head thoughtfully.

"It’s starting."

Just as Lu Chenxue was about to say something, they heard the reminder that the ceremony was beginning.

All the judges, guests, and the host came on stage.

Yan Xinxin immediately spotted Jian Ziqing among the judges. Today, Jian Ziqing was dressed especially extravagantly, looking well-dressed and glamorous.

The host began their introduction, and soon, the big screen displayed the design concepts and final products of all the pieces that made it to the finals in order.

After the round of viewing, something seemed to go awry—the host walked over to Jian Ziqing, bent down to listen to her, and kept nodding. Not long after, Jian Ziqing took the microphone and walked to the center of the award stage.

"Esteemed judges, honored guests, and contestants, before we announce the results of this jewelry competition, there’s something I need to share with all of you."

As she spoke, she raised her left hand, which held a letter.

"I received a report along with evidence that one of the contestants in this competition is an outright plagiarist. Her work is a complete copy of a design by a friend of mine who is a jewelry designer. And this plagiarist is none other than Contestant No. 8, Yan Xinxin!"