The staff member who had framed Shen Qi stumbled and fell to the ground, her face pale as she said, "Yes, I did everything. It has nothing to do with anyone else! I just couldn't stand how arrogant Shen Qi is!"
The people around silently watched her.
Shen Qi, arrogant?
When had she ever been arrogant?
She was the most low-key person there, wasn't she?
Wasn't this reason a bit too far-fetched?
"Fire me if you want, report me if you want, call the police if you want!" The staff member stiffened her neck, adopting a "dead pig not afraid of scalding water" attitude.
Cui Yuelan suddenly burst into loud laughter, raising her hand to point at the contestant who had helped Shen Qi and said, "I calculated and guarded against everything, but I never expected that He Yining's people would be hidden so deep. I thought I had only infiltrated the inside, but I didn't guard against others infiltrating as well! Shen Qi, you got lucky today, but we'll see!"
Cui Yuelan's words were an indirect admission that she had orchestrated all of this.
According to the rules, Cui Yuelan was disqualified from the competition and banned for life.
However, to Cui Yuelan, this meant nothing.
She didn't care at all.
Winning or losing meant nothing to her!
Cui Yuelan left, and Shen Qi stood there, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
Although her innocence had been cleared, she felt that many things were still unclear.
What exactly was going on?
After Cui Yuelan was dealt with, the contestant who had helped Shen Qi quietly stepped aside, with no intention of taking credit from Shen Qi.
Who had arranged him here?
What was his purpose?
Liu Yi seemed to understand something and couldn't help but sigh softly, saying, "At this moment, I am truly convinced."
Shen Qi looked confused: "Huh?"
Liu Yi glanced meaningfully at that contestant and said softly, "That person has been lurking among the contestants since the beginning of the competition. He either doesn't act, or when he does, it's decisive. The mindset of the person who arranged him is terrifying. Never become an enemy of someone like that. Too frightening!"
Shen Qi was still bewildered: "Who are you talking about?"
Liu Yi didn't answer the question: "Moreover, he anticipated Cui Yuelan's plan to frame you in advance, didn't tip her off, and used another method to reveal the truth to the public. That kind of strategy and composure—it's like he's not letting anyone else live!"
Shen Qi was completely lost: "Who exactly are you talking about?"
Liu Yi replied impatiently: "Figure it out yourself!"
Shen Qi looked innocent: "I don't know!"
Far away in the villa, Wen Yibo laughed with a mix of emotions: "Yining, isn't this move a bit too much? Aren't you afraid of offending your mother by doing this?"
He Yining smiled lazily: "This was my grandmother's instruction. How dare I disobey?"
Fan Sheng and Fan Li shook their heads and said, "Old Madam He just told you to handle it as you see fit, but you've dug several pits for Cui Yuelan. Still, seeing that your knack for setting traps is intact, we're relieved!"
He Yining rolled his eyes at them: "You should worry more about whether Xiao Qi can pass this exam!"
Wen Yibo shook his head and said, "It's uncertain. Not to discourage you, but Xiao Qi's creativity is good, but her foundation is too weak. This competition will probably just be a participation effort!"
He Yining smiled slightly: "It doesn't matter. A participation award is fine. After all, she'll eventually sign with the He Group sooner or later."
"That's not certain. I suddenly think it would be great if Xiao Qi signed with my family's brand! That button design was pretty good. Why not bring her directly to the company to design buttons for me?" Wen Yibo said with a grin.
He Yining stretched his long legs, stood up, and flexed his joints. He grinned at Wen Yibo, showing his white teeth: "Yibo, I haven't exercised in a few days. Come on, let me loosen up my muscles!"
Wen Yibo, who had been smug just a moment ago, let out a miserable scream upon hearing He Yining's words: "Yamete!"
Fan Sheng and Fan Li: "Pfft..."
The news of Cui Yuelan's direct disqualification reached Madam He's ears, and she immediately called.
Cui Yuelan was extremely aggrieved on the phone.
"Lanlan, don't worry! When we get back to the country, I'll definitely get even for you!" Madam He kept comforting Cui Yuelan. "Losing this time is no big deal! That Shen Qi might not even pass this competition!"
Cui Yuelan gritted her teeth and said, "Mom, I just don't understand why Yining Gege is so partial to Shen Qi! Look at his arrangements—everything is aimed at me!"
Madam He smiled bitterly: "Alright, alright, stop crying. I'll give him a good scolding later to make it up to you, okay?"
Cui Yuelan kept acting spoiled: "Mom, come back soon! If you don't come back, no one will have my back! I'm being bullied to death! Shen Qi, relying on Yining Gege's favor, bullies me without restraint, and now she's teamed up with that androgynous person to suppress me! The old lady doesn't like me either! Mom, come back soon!"
Hearing Cui Yuelan's whining, Madam He's heart softened instantly: "Alright, alright, we'll try to come back as soon as possible. For now, don't provoke Shen Qi. When we get back, we'll support you!"
With Madam He's words, Cui Yuelan finally smiled in satisfaction.
Having been framed twice in a row, Shen Qi was indeed somewhat affected.
Although both incidents ended without danger, it really dampened her spirits.
She didn't know who had secretly helped her, and she felt a strong sense of failure.
She was so foolish that she hadn't noticed anything. The person secretly helping her was probably laughing at her, right?
With Cui Yuelan removed, the competition continued.
Now there were nineteen people left, vying for the five spots in the final.
It could be said that making it to the finals essentially guaranteed becoming a top-tier designer in the future.
At this point, Shen Qi truly had no confidence.
The exam questions were really too difficult.
Without sufficient materials or enough design time, it tested a person's adaptability too much.
These were precisely the areas Shen Qi hadn't yet learned.
Many others shared Shen Qi's lack of confidence, including Liu Yi.
Liu Yi smiled bitterly and shook her head. It seemed she would also stop at the finals.
But making it this far was already worth it!
When submitting their work, most people's pieces were barely passable.
Shen Qi handed in her answer and took the initiative to say, "Sorry, this is my limit."
"It's okay, keep it up!" The designer smiled and nodded.
Shen Qi returned to her team, looking apologetically at the others.
Everyone was encouraging and comforting each other.
Having come this far, they had all done their best.
The results were announced quickly.
As expected, both Shen Qi and Liu Yi failed.
Shen Qi stood there, smiling bitterly.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't disappointed.
But she also understood that if she could advance to the finals with her current level, it would be a joke.
It was like an ordinary high school freshman taking the college entrance exam with seniors—if that freshman got into Tsinghua or Peking University, it would be a miracle.
Failing was expected.
Disappointed as she was, it wasn't a devastating blow.
Liu Yi opened her arms to Shen Qi: "It's okay. Losing is losing. Didn't my mom say? No matter if we win or lose, she'll make a big feast and wait for us to come home!"
Shen Qi hugged Liu Yi back: "Alright, then I won't be polite! I'll really go!"
"Even if it's fake, it's fine." Liu Yi flicked Shen Qi's nose. "Come to my place and eat to your heart's content! My mom eats very little to keep her figure, so we'll eat her share too! Make her jealous!"
Shen Qi burst out laughing.
Just then, the organizing committee's leader called out loudly: "Everyone, quiet down! The judges for the finals have come to greet everyone. Let's give them a round of applause!"
Oh?
The finals hadn't even started, and the ultimate bosses were already showing up?
Shen Qi saw He Yining walking at the front, followed by Wen Yibo, Fan Sheng, Fan Li, Feng Manlun, and other CEOs and chief designers, all heading their way.
He Yining was dressed semi-formally today.
His arrogant and unrestrained brows and eyes exuded a domineering aura.
Regardless of gender, everyone was involuntarily drawn to him.
He Yining locked eyes on Shen Qi, a smile coloring his phoenix eyes as he calmly walked toward her.
Shen Qi looked up at He Yining, and the two gazed at each other amidst the crowd.
One smiled with his eyes, the other looked puzzled.
He Yining stood with the group, and all the contestants and staff automatically stepped back and lined up.
That was the charisma of a king.
Even without saying a word, others instinctively submitted.
He Yining's gaze shifted away from Shen Qi, sweeping across the crowd, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly: "First, congratulations to the five contestants who have advanced to the finals. You have earned the right to choose from the world's top-tier companies."
A burst of applause erupted from the crowd.
He Yining nodded slightly, waiting for the applause to die down before continuing: "For those who didn't make it, don't be discouraged. Reaching the finals is already a victory. The fourteen contestants who failed today still have one chance to present yourselves. If your presentation satisfies us, you will also have the opportunity to enter a top-tier company for study and work."
"Wow..." The applause grew even more enthusiastic!
Those who thought they would leave empty-handed were overjoyed at this sudden news!
So they still had a chance!
"The content of this competition was originally extremely harsh. To be honest, designing without any raw materials is a tremendous test for a designer. However, I am very pleased to see potential and hope in all of you." He Yining continued. "This is what I find most gratifying. Even if someone receives a participation award today, please don't be disheartened. Your talent has already proven your strength. It's just that your competitors are too strong. Next time, we'll be waiting for you here."