Chapter 11

After finishing the selection process, Yan Wan walked along the road. Chen Xiaoai handed her a bottle of water and asked eagerly, “Wanwan, how did it go? What did the judges say about you?”

“The judges didn’t give any feedback. They just said the results will be out this afternoon, and we’ll be notified by text.” Yan Wan’s face was expressionless, but she felt irritable inside.

She hadn’t intended to participate in this kind of beauty pageant. However, because last year they added a new incentive—granting the winner one reasonable request—the system kept persuading her to join, so she signed up. She didn’t expect Yan Ning to participate as well. Now, she had to win, and the sooner, the better.

She didn’t want too many people noticing Yan Ning.

“Is that so? Don’t worry, Wanwan, you’ll be fine,” Chen Xiaoai said. “I wonder how Qin Li did? And Yan Ning too.”

“I’m not sure about Qin Li, but Yan Ning will definitely pass.”

“Huh? I thought you wouldn’t think highly of Yan Ning.”

Yan Wan sneered, “It doesn’t matter what I think. The preliminary round is all about appearance. She looks just like Mom—how could she not pass?”

It was precisely because she knew this that she felt so annoyed.

A girl who grew up in the countryside, without any trace of ladylike manners, could still attract attention solely because of that face.

“It’s just the preliminary round. The later rounds might be different. Wanwan, you’re sure to take first place,” Chen Xiaoai said.

“You.” A hint of a smile appeared on Yan Wan’s face, and her mood gradually calmed. With the system in her hand, she could take her time. That girl would eventually fall at her feet.

—

Under the large banyan tree at the entrance of the auditorium, the four-people group from Class 75, who couldn’t enter the venue, stood together. They had been waiting for almost four hours, but Yan Ning still hadn’t come out.

Qiao Yingxue took a sip of her milk tea. “I wonder how it went?”

“Don’t worry. With my strategy, even if she doesn’t get first place, she’ll definitely leave an impression,” Shi Lei said confidently.

“Are you sure about that? I’m a bit worried. The outfit you chose for Ningning is unique, but I think it’s too plain and might weaken her natural charm,” Zhao Xiaolu said.

“Where? She’s clearly both beautiful and pure. Trust me, there’s absolutely no problem. Zhou Ye, what do you think?” Shi Lei eagerly sought affirmation from his companion.

Zhou Ye didn’t respond because someone had just walked out of the auditorium.

Participants who finished their interviews exited from there, and they saw a young man with symmetrical tear-shaped moles at the corners of his eyes stepping out gracefully.

Shi Lei was stunned. This… this… this is it! This was exactly the vibe he was aiming for—leisurely, elegant, carefree, yet untamed. Like the moon and snow, like mist and wind—ungraspable yet unforgettable.

The others all had one thought: “It’s over. Ningning doesn’t stand a chance…”

Even when the campus beauty stepped out in a stunning gown, they hadn’t felt such a strong sense of crisis.

Lu Fengfeng walked past the group with an easy, unhurried stride. Qiao Yingxue couldn’t help but pinch Shi Lei’s arm. “Ningning hasn’t come out yet, which means she’s behind this guy. What do we do?”

“She’ll… probably be fine… right? Even if she can’t outshine him, Yan Ning’s looks are still strong enough. She should be able to make it… right?” Shi Lei was panicking. Yan Ning’s beauty was undeniable, but the problem was her style clashed with that of the young man.

There’s a saying about ^[1]“using stones to draw out jade” (抛砖引玉) is a Chinese idiom that means using something of lesser value or quality (the “stones” or “bricks”) to attract or … Continue reading”using stones to draw out jade,” but in this case, the reality was the jade had come first, and Yan Ning had been reduced to nothing but a discarded brick.

“Ugh! This is all your fault! What if Ningning loses?” Qiao Yingxue exclaimed.

Shi Lei felt equally aggrieved. “How was I supposed to know our school had someone with such outstanding charisma…”

—

Inside the auditorium, Yan Ning stood in front of the curtain, taking a deep breath.

Meng Qing, beside her, pulled open the deep-red drapes for her.

Minghua’s auditorium was one of the school’s landmark buildings, capable of seating 5,000 people for grand events. The stage itself was stunning.

At the moment, however, the massive auditorium was eerily empty, with only three judges seated in the vast space.

Yan Ning held a microphone in her hand and walked slowly to the center of the stage, standing still under a spotlight that illuminated her. The gemstones on her jewelry reflected dazzling light, and the auditorium remained silent for a long time.

After about ten seconds, the person in a black penguin mascot suit sitting furthest to the left in the judges’ panel was the first to speak. “Ahem… Excuse me, are you Miss Yan Ning, number 216?”

“Yes, hello, judges. I am Yan Ning,” she replied with a calm and composed voice. Her light gray eyes were tranquil, showing no ripples of emotion. Compared to the previous candidates, she seemed utterly devoid of any desire to perform—so indifferent that it bordered on dullness.

The penguin mascot suppressed the astonishment in his heart, turned to the two people beside him, and whispered, “What do you think?”

Sitting in the middle was 24-year-old rising film star Xun Li. His gaze had not left Yan Ning from the moment she stepped on stage. “Elegant, regal, melancholic, perfect,” he said.

“She’s beautiful, yes, but isn’t it a bit much? While she’s striking, the excessive glitter and ornaments make her feel… cheap. I think number 33’s style of subtle elegance is much more appealing,” said Zhao Xiaojue, seated on the far right. He was referring to Yan Wan, whose gentle and pure beauty had left a lasting impression on him, like a beam of soft moonlight etched in his heart.

In contrast, Yan Ning’s sparkling, extravagant, and cool-girl look inexplicably filled him with a sense of unease.

To put it another way—^[2]“It was a style not easy to master” means that the style or look being described is difficult to pull off or achieve successfully.it was a style not easy to master.

“Everything she’s wearing is authentic,” said the penguin mascot.

“Huh?” Zhao Xiaojue was stunned. Was he saying that the jewelry she wore wasn’t cheap trinkets from some online store but genuine pieces?

The penguin mascot pulled out a magnifying glass from who-knows-where and examined Yan Ning closely. As he did, he remarked, “Yes, these are rare gemstones from different regions… That silver bracelet on her right hand—is it…? Altogether, her jewelry is conservatively valued at around 200 million.”

“Two hundred million?!” Zhao Xiaojue almost fell off his chair. What kind of family casually lets someone wear 200 million worth of jewelry? And why would someone like that even participate in a competition like this?

^[3]“He couldn’t wrap his head around it” means that he couldn’t understand or comprehend something. It suggests that the situation was confusing or difficult for him to grasp, and he … Continue readingHe couldn’t wrap his head around it, but when he looked up again, the jewelry he had originally thought was tacky now seemed imbued with a sense of grandeur. Even its wearer appeared more captivating.

“She walks without making any noise. In such an empty hall, wearing leather shoes and walking on wooden floors, not a sound—only the young man from earlier managed that before her. Her appearance, posture, demeanor, and attention to detail are flawless. Her style is so distinct, I think the upcoming rounds will be fascinating,” Xun Li said.

The judges whispered among themselves in voices so low that Yan Ning couldn’t hear them. However, she did notice one of them suddenly pausing with an exaggerated expression, as though startled by something.

She felt uneasy and, while chatting with Lu Fengfeng, was already contemplating how to remedy the situation. The simplest solution was to create a completely opposite style. Slowly, the image of someone began to form in her mind.

Someone noble, extravagant, and ambitious, with an ever-present layer of melancholic depth in their eyes.

Whether it was the calm and free-spirited style of the wind or the solemn majesty of a deity, neither matched her personal style but could serve as tools for victory.

“Miss Yan Ning, could you please perform this movement?” the black penguin mascot loudly requested, demonstrating a pose with the right hand resting on the waist and the left hand extended outward.

Although puzzled, Yan Ning obediently followed the instruction.

“Like this… and this… and this!” The penguin mascot demonstrated several exaggerated poses.

Yan Ning imitated each one as instructed.

“Ah, this is… this is… absolutely perfect! I can’t help but lean forward in admiration~~~ How can such a flawless Earthling exist?~~~ This is nothing short of a masterpiece crafted by God~~~” If it were possible to see the face beneath the penguin headgear, it would surely be streaming with tears of awe, fully immersed in emotion.

Did she just hear the word “Earthling“? Yan Ning frowned slightly.