When the time came, the conference room door opened. All the contestants from the sub-competition venues filed in, holding their number tags, and found their seats according to their numbers. Shen Qi felt as if she had returned to her high school days, when she would enter the exam room by number like this. Although this was a design competition, the feeling was quite similar.
The preliminary exam questions were far from the simplicity of the auditions. As soon as the chief examiner entered, they announced to all the contestants: "Today's task is to draw, from memory, the product you like the most. It can be something you designed yourself, something someone else designed, a previous year's model from a big brand, or a previous year's model from a niche brand. This test is about your brand recognition ability."
Upon hearing this, everyone perked up, their minds racing to recall the brands and styles they had encountered. Drawing the wrong style or mislabeling the brand would be embarrassing.
Shen Qi had been working in high-end styling for the past two years, so she was most familiar with luxury brand designs. This was no challenge for her.
Cui Yuelan also felt no pressure. During her time abroad, she had always been surrounded by luxury goods.
Shen Qi glanced at Liu Yi with slight concern. They were in the same room, but they had never discussed each other's life backgrounds. Shen Qi wasn't sure if a girl who loved boxing would be interested in fashion elements. If Liu Yi hadn't studied big-name luxury brands, today's exam would be tough. After all, big-brand designs were the most classic. Most niche brands also followed the big-brand route, just with a smaller audience.
Although today's exam didn't restrict brands, it was obvious that obscure, low-end designs under a few hundred yuan wouldn't gain recognition. The judges would only focus on big brands, not bothering to remember countless mediocre small-brand designs. Therefore, choosing to draw a small-brand design would be a real disadvantage.
Liu Yi caught Shen Qi's gaze and looked up to see the worry on her face. She shook her head at Shen Qi with a smile, signaling her not to worry. Liu Yi hadn't told Shen Qi about her background because she didn't want Shen Qi to treat her differently because of it.
In fact, Liu Yi's background was far from simple. Her biological father was a major figure in the underworld, and her mother was a highly accomplished dance artist. After her parents divorced, Liu Yi lived with her mother but inherited her father's temperament and violent tendencies, developing a love for boxing. Despite the divorce, her parents were open-minded and never lacked in their care for her. So Liu Yi's life was far from difficult.
Having spent years mingling with all kinds of people, Liu Yi could instantly tell whether someone genuinely cared about her or was just putting on a show. When she saw the worry and unease in Shen Qi's eyes, a warmth spread through her heart. She knew this girl was genuinely pure, inside and out.
The exam officially began, and Shen Qi had to withdraw her concerned gaze. Relying on her brand knowledge and memory, she chose the most familiar LV classic checkerboard pattern. This bag was very common on the market, but few could remember its exact dimensions. Shen Qi was grateful for her incredible memory, as she often had to match accessories for clients, where the size and style of a bag could make or break an outfit. These dimensions were etched in her mind, flawless.
Shen Qi worked quickly, finishing her drawing in no time. She skillfully sealed her answer and submitted it. She glanced back at Liu Yi, who was also sealing her answer and submitting it, and breathed a sigh of relief.
The two left the exam room one after the other. Almost as soon as they stepped out, they asked in unison: "How did you do?" After asking, they both burst out laughing and, with perfect默契, answered together: "Everything went perfectly." Having asked their questions and received each other's answers, they both relaxed.
"Great, I was really worried earlier. After all, dimensions are something many people overlook," Shen Qi said. "A lot of people only look at design sketches and don't pay attention to the sizing. Sometimes the dimensions of hardware details are easily ignored." Liu Yi smiled and said, "Even though I love boxing, my mom still wants me to be a designer. Besides, she's a perfectionist who demands precision in every detail. I couldn't forget even if I tried." Shen Qi laughed. "Come to think of it, I haven't noticed you using these brands. You don't seem to like them much." Liu Yi nodded. "Why would a boxer care about such things? But I can tell your family background is decent. On the first day, I noticed your phone was a custom model. That's not something just anyone with money can buy." Shen Qi smiled and shook her head. "That was a gift from my husband. Actually, my family situation is quite complicated."
The two left the conference room together and headed to the rooftop garden. They found a quiet corner to sit and continue chatting. Shen Qi didn't hide anything and told Liu Yi everything about her situation. Liu Yi was stunned. "Wow, your life story is so complicated! It could be a million-word novel." Shen Qi couldn't help but laugh. "Is it really that exaggerated? Maybe it's because I've always wanted to protect my brother, so I got used to shouldering everything myself." "Compared to you, I've been much luckier," Liu Yi said, deciding not to hide her background anymore. She spoke directly: "My parents are also divorced, but we still get along well. My dad is an entrepreneur who went from the underworld to legitimacy. You know, his position is pretty awkward. He's not quite upper-class, but he's no longer in the underworld. He's stuck in the middle, pleasing no one." "My mom is a dance artist who pursues perfection in everything. You probably can't imagine it, but she takes such good care of herself that she still looks like a teenager. When we go out together, people think we're a couple. Their personalities were completely incompatible, so living together was too painful. They divorced when I was young. I live with my mom, but I spend time with my dad every now and then." "I learned boxing from my dad. He used to compete too. But my mom doesn't like me boxing; she wants me to be a designer. So when I'm not boxing, I study design." Liu Yi ran her hand through her short hair and said, "My dad is actually still waiting for my mom, but she's too proud to agree. It's tough for me too." Shen Qi couldn't help but laugh. Just from Liu Yi's brief description, she could already picture a rough, clumsy man awkwardly trying to win over an elegant, refined dancer.
"You're not going to stop talking to me because of my background, are you?" Liu Yi asked, looking at Shen Qi with slight unease. "Why would I? Why would I stop talking to you?" Shen Qi looked at Liu Yi in surprise. Liu Yi sighed in relief and replied with a hint of embarrassment: "In the past, when people found out about my background, they either flattered me because they wanted something from my parents, or they looked down on me because I'm not truly upper-class. Our family doesn't have that kind of depth. To put it bluntly, we don't have a ticket into high society." Shen Qi nodded slightly. "That world is indeed very exclusive." "Yeah, like your husband. You can tell at a glance that he's from a well-educated, well-bred family. My dad is different. He's a rough guy who throws punches when he's angry." Liu Yi gave a bitter smile. "People like him probably aren't welcome in those elegant circles. And I don't see the point in forcing my way in." Shen Qi nodded. Indeed. Different paths, no common goals.
"But, Xiao Qi, even though I don't know much about high society, I've spent a lot of time around men. I can tell what a man's gaze means when he looks at a woman. Is there some misunderstanding between you two? I feel like he does have feelings for you." Liu Yi looked at Shen Qi intently. "And you can't let go of him either, can you?" Shen Qi didn't answer. She lowered her eyes, trying to hide the turmoil in her heart. But her gaze ultimately betrayed her inner struggle.
"Xiao Qi, from what you've told me, I can see that you're someone who lacks a sense of security. You're always afraid of being abandoned, so you'd rather shrink back and not take risks." Liu Yi gave a bitter smile. "I used to be like that too. I always thought people had ulterior motives, and I even went through a rebellious phase because of it. But later, my mentor taught me that only sincerity can win sincerity." Shen Qi bit her lip and said, "I understand what you mean. But I've already made up my mind to let go. Don't try to convince me anymore. It's over." Shen Qi slowly raised her eyes, her grief laid bare before Liu Yi. "No matter what his reasons were for choosing Cui Yuelan, he's already made his choice. There's no future for him and me." Liu Yi sighed and ran her hand through her hair, not knowing what else to say.
Just then, Cui Yuelan arrived at the rooftop garden with Jiang Xiaojiang. From the start, Liu Yi had simply disliked Cui Yuelan as a person. But now, after hearing Shen Qi's story, she felt a deep disgust for Cui Yuelan's very existence. Sure, she had the right to like anyone, but being so arrogant before Shen Qi and He Yining had even divorced made Liu Yi want to punch her.
Jiang Xiaojiang, now Cui Yuelan's lackey, saw Shen Qi and Liu Yi sitting together and decided to provoke them: "There are always some shameless people in this world who can't stand being alone. If you're so desperate, why not become a professional streetwalker?" Jiang Xiaojiang's words instantly lit Liu Yi's fuse.