Chapter 508 - Chapter 508: Judge 4.
Chapter 508: Judge 4.
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“It’s good that you’re confident.” Ye Li nodded and continued, “Xiyuan, your designs have a lot of creativity. Many senior designers in our company are not as outstanding as you, so I believe you can do it.”
Ye Xiyuan nodded without saying anything else. This small episode did not affect the competition at all. After introducing the judges, the competition began. The participating designers had to enter the venue to design. Within the allotted time, they had to sketch their designs and create digital renderings to display on the computer. They would then go on stage one by one to present their work, after which the judges would score them.
With the designers in the venue, the representatives of the companies continued waiting. The judges, however, were free to take a break outside. Of course, there was no concern about participants bribing judges. The judges had just been announced that morning, leaving no time for the companies to arrange anything untoward.
Moreover, money alone would not sway these wealthy judges. Something more would be needed to influence them, and there had been no opportunity to prepare such an offer.
Finding the wait dull, Ye Lengan decided to step outside for some air.
Seeing her leave, a shadow flashed in Ye Li’s eyes. After a moment’s thought, he too stepped out.
“Ye Lengan, wait,” Ye Li called out when they were alone.
“What’s the matter?” Ye Lengan turned, a hint of impatience in her tone. “Don’t you know competitors are not allowed to interact with judges before the end?”
“You know why I’m speaking with you,” Ye Li said gravely. “Since you’re a judge, I expect you to remain objective. Don’t undermine Xiyuan’s chances.”
Ye Lengan smiled coldly. “You presume too much. And you overestimate Ye
Xiyuan. Do you truly think she has the skill to win this?”
“Absolutely,” said Ye Li proudly. “Xiyuan is tremendously talented. Barring sabotage from you, she’ll undoubtedly claim first prize.”
“It seems you barely know her!” Ye Lengan scoffed. “Blindly trust her if you like. But her score will reflect only her skill, not your boasts.”
“Hmph, I understand Xiyuan’s capabilities better than you,” Ye Li said excitedly. “Her sketches are first m rate, practically at an international designer’s standard. So unless you interfere, she is sure to prevail.”
“Really? We shall see,” said Ye Lengan evenly. “I look forward to gauging Ye Xiyuan’s caliber. Nonetheless, you would be wise to prepare yourself for her defeat.’
Hearing this, Ye Li bristled. “Ye Lengan, if you make any untoward moves, I promise you’ll regret it.” This competition was too vital for the Ye Group’s prospects; he could not let it be ruined.
“Then you expect far too much of her,” said Ye Lengan with a smile. “At this moment, Ye Xiyuan may well be utterly confounded! The theme is not what she anticipates, after all.”
“What do you mean?” asked Ye Li sharply, a sense of foreboding rising within him – Ye Lengan seemed privy to something he did not know.
“Ye Xiyuan knows her own strengths,” Ye Leng’an went on. “Do you truly believe her work is her own? She feels no guilt claiming others’ creations for herself! ”
“Nonsense!” retorted Ye Li reflexively. “Xiyuan made those sketches herself.
You’ve no proof otherwise. Stop these wild allegations.”
“You also have doubts, don’t you?” Ye Lengan looked at him scornfully. “Every designer has a distinct style, but Ye Xiyuan’s pieces display a range of aesthetics. Could one woman produce such variety? You ignore this because it benefits you.”
“Make any more spurious claims and you’ll force my hand,” warned Ye Li, though his confidence wavered. “Any rumors from you will mean a slander suit. ”
“I welcome it,” Ye Lengan said with a shrug. “Have your lawyers send notice.” She then walked off, leaving Ye Li fuming impotently.
After Ye Leng’an’s departure, doubts swirled inside Ye Li as he stood fixed in place. Thinking of Ye Xiyuan’s diverse designs especially troubled him.
“No… Xiyuan would never do such a thing,” he muttered, seeming to convince himself as much as dispel Ye Leng’an’s poisonous words. “Those sketches are surely hers. Ye Lengan merely spreads lies.”
But though Ye Li tried to reassure himself, he could not shake a creeping sense of unease.
Meanwhile, the revelation of a vastly different theme left Ye Xiyuan shocked. Instead of the Spring Day theme she anticipated, the contest had announced a banquet theme. The two could not be more unrelated. This unexpected shift had caught her completely off guard..