RITM - 31

In less than a minute, the lights on the hall stage suddenly brightened. In front of the walls plastered with the Cici logo, the host, two designers, and several staff members walked onto the stage together. The host’s voice, amplified through the microphone and speakers, spread throughout the entire hall: “Good evening, all you future designers. We are very pleased to gather with you here tonight in this dazzling moment at the Zhenji Royal City. As Cici embraces Gongzhou with a fresh new look, the talented and inspired new Cici designer will be born on tonight’s stage. Before we announce the final results of the designer selection, we would like to take this opportunity to share with you all the outstanding entries...”

After the series of opening remarks concluded, applause erupted throughout the hall. Staff members brought out a transparent crystal box. The host took out a brooch from inside and exclaimed, “Wow, this is truly a rare piece of art that could be directly hung at a Christie’s auction. Now, let’s have designer Miss Anna provide a detailed explanation.”

“This is a diamond flower brooch designed by Mr. Fan Huaiyuan. It weighs 5.5 carats, and the four oval-shaped diamonds on the leaves weigh approximately 4.15 carats…” After Anna finished her explanation, everyone predictably cast envious glances at the first designer while applauding in admiration.

After showcasing many works, they presented a familiar necklace: “The next necklace is a particularly thoughtful piece. As you know, Cici is a brand aimed at young people, so its main products should combine elements of liveliness, vibrancy, and affordability… This ocean crystal necklace is 720mm long, adorned with pearls, pear-shaped labradorite, and round-cut crystals. The pendant can be detached and used as a brooch. Although it’s not costly and the design isn’t groundbreaking, the craftsmanship is exquisite…”

Luo Wei carefully pushed through the crowd to the front, her eyes gleaming with anticipation — the necklace in the designer’s hand was hers.

Luo Wei’s heart was suspended. Indeed, she had put her heart into preparing this design, but with so many talented competitors, she hadn’t expected to be selected. Anna didn’t offer much commentary on her work, but what she did say was mostly praise, which undoubtedly gave Luo Wei a glimmer of hope. At this moment, when she looked at the other entries again, they no longer seemed as unattainable as before. When others realized she was the designer and looked at her with the scrutinizing gaze reserved for fashion insiders, she appeared confident. However, her clenched fist was hot and damp, as if holding a handful of steam.

Time ticked away, and more and more works were presented to Anna. Luo Wei listened somewhat absentmindedly as Anna explained each one until a string of colorful jewelry was held up — it stood out like a towering pine among weeds, capturing not only Luo Wei’s attention but also the gaze of everyone present.

“This necklace, featuring colored gemstones paired with diamonds, is arguably the most expensive piece among this round of entries. Pink tourmaline, aquamarine, sapphire, garnet, agate, moonstone, diamonds… The colors and clarity of this necklace are top-tier.” Anna carefully held it, revealing the delighted expression of someone receiving their first Christmas gift. “But what’s even more astonishing is its design. Are any of you fond of ancient Egyptian human totems? Their figures’ most prominent features must be clearly displayed. For example, since the profile of the head is most prominent, Egyptians only drew side profiles; since the eye is most visible from the front, they placed a frontal eye on the side profile; since the front view of the body is more prominent than the side, but the legs and feet are more distinct in profile, they only depicted the torso in a three-quarter view and the legs and feet in profile… Thus, the figures in ancient Egyptian murals always appear somewhat awkward. They didn’t seek innovation but rather adhered strictly to the original style, the more rigid the better. This Egyptian art persisted for three thousand years. It wasn’t until around 500 BC that a red-figure vase signed by ‘Euthymides’ emerged. On the vase, a youth is preparing for battle. His right foot follows the traditional depiction, but his left foot is shown frontally, rendered in perspective as five small circles. Before this, no artwork had ever done anything like it. And all I’ve said leads to this: Miss Xie’s colored gemstone necklace is the red-figure vase of the jewelry world. It may be raw, perhaps not the most perfect or surprising piece, but it is unique and innovative—a true treasure. So, let us welcome tonight’s ultimate winner — Xie Xinqi!”

After a brief silence of just a few seconds, thunderous applause filled the hall. Xie Xinqi flicked her hair, striking her best pose as the flashbulbs illuminated her. She gracefully ascended the steps, took the microphone, and said, “Thank you all.”

After a long while, the applause finally subsided. By then, the girls who had earlier gossiped about her were already blushing with shame, unsure where to look. Xie Xinqi smiled faintly, her false lashes, priced in the thousands, looking as realistic as a doll’s. “In fact, as Anna mentioned, I’m not an expert in jewelry design. My undergraduate degree was in oil painting, and my master’s focused on classical traditions, which aren’t closely related to fashion. The initial inspiration for this necklace came from two artworks — the Aztec rain god statue gave me its lines, and Raphael’s famous painting The Madonna of the Meadow gave me its colors. Coincidentally, Anna also loves classical art, so she noticed these two aspects of the necklace—” She pointed to a curled section and a jagged piece of agate on the necklace. “They’re derived from the eyes and teeth of the Aztec rain god, originally serpentine in form. So, you might find this necklace’s vibrant colors reminiscent of some Mexican retro flair…”

When discussing art and design, Xie Xinqi’s eyes sparkled like the colored gemstone necklace in her hand, dazzlingly bright. After her explanation, Anna joyfully remarked, “The fusion of modern and classical often creates new classics, and I believe the same holds true for Cici. Miss Xie standing out among hundreds of designers shows your remarkable talent. When we showed all the shortlisted works to Natalie, she gave this evaluation: ‘This is an unpolished masterpiece.’ We believe that after joining Cici, you’ll shine even brighter…”

As they conversed, the surroundings grew eerily quiet, with only the sounds of cameras clicking and flashes illuminating the space. After the over-an-hour-long press conference ended, many people came to congratulate Xie Xinqi, including her proudest brother. Moreover, she spotted her father, who happened to be here discussing business with someone. She pulled Xie Xiuchen over to greet him. The director chatting with Xie Mao exchanged a few words with the siblings and then began lavishing flattery, saying things like, “Young Master Xie is noble-born yet has no airs of arrogance,” “Miss Xie exudes aristocratic elegance,” and “Mr. Xie has raised his children well.” Afterwards, Xie Mao handed the remaining matters over to Xie Xiuchen to handle. Once her father was free, Xie Xinqi puffed out her chest, eager to boast about her achievement, but the first thing she heard was: “Your brother is far more likable than you.”

Xie Xinqi’s face fell: “What do you mean? Didn’t the director just say I have an aristocratic air?”

“The implication of ‘aristocratic air’ is nothing more than having a spoiled temperament, speaking rudely, and making people want to keep their distance. You don’t even realize when someone’s indirectly criticizing you. With your personality, you’re bound to get into trouble sooner or later.”

Xie Xinqi grew even more upset: “There are plenty of boys who want to get close to me; I just choose not to entertain them.”

“That’s because you’re at the prime age. Any man would be willing to flatter a woman of your age. If you don’t change your attitude, see who’ll dare marry you. You’ll end up an old maid.”

“Before I become an old maid, my brother will probably turn into an old bachelor first. He’s two years older than me, and he doesn’t even have a girlfriend, let alone any signs of marriage.”

“Your brother? His love life isn’t something you need to worry about. If he wanted to get married, it’d happen in the blink of an eye—it’s just a matter of whether he wants to or not. Worry about yourself. Men aren’t fools; they know that when a woman truly loves a man, she becomes gentle with him. With your temper, finding a good man to marry will be tough.”

“That’s not true! I’m harsh with Su Jiannian, but he still often says I’m his ideal wife… Wait.” Xie Xinqi suddenly looked up. “Why don’t we need to worry about my brother’s love life? Hasn’t he always been single?”

Xie Mao sneered: “Hmph, thank goodness Xie Xiuchen is my son. If he were my son-in-law, this kind of son-in-law would be utterly unacceptable. Before he settles down for good, if he doesn’t introduce you to thirty potential sisters-in-law, I’ll write my name backward.”

Xie Xinqi was amused by the exaggerated number: “Thirty? Make that negative thirty.”

“Who told you that? Did he say it himself?”

“Yes, he said it himself—he has no girlfriend.”

“If you believe everything he says, then you really don’t understand your brother. Haven’t you noticed how smooth his words always sound?”

“I know there are some women around him, but none of them are his girlfriends, right?” Xie Xinqi was deeply troubled. Could it be that despite spending every day with her brother, she still didn’t truly understand him?

Xie Mao chuckled: “That’s bad news. Even worse.”

“Huh? Why is it worse?”

Xie Mao shook his head, smiling helplessly: “Daughter, you’re still so innocent. Your mother will be here soon, so I won’t say more.”

Xie Xinqi was completely baffled, her mind swirling with confusion as she turned her head and looked at Xie Xiuchen, who was chatting and laughing with others. At some point, a few more girls had gathered around him. Far from feeling uncomfortable, he skillfully entertained them, making them giggle endlessly. It seemed he was quite popular with women… Could it be that he had dating experience that she didn’t know about? Xie Xinqi suddenly recalled the kiss they had shared on the bed. His behavior back then was anything but that of a novice…

At this thought, her cheeks flushed, and an inexplicable anger welled up in her chest. She scanned the room for Su Jiannian but couldn’t find him. She sent him a voice message: “Where are you? Why are you disappearing?”

As soon as she sent it, she realized her tone was indeed harsh. Remembering her father’s words, she began to wonder: Could it be that she didn’t truly love Su Jiannian? But that assumption didn’t hold either—if being gentle with a man meant true love, then her true love would be…

At that moment, her gaze inadvertently met Xie Xiuchen’s. Seeing him give her a faint smile, her heart’s softest spot was pricked. Flustered, she averted her eyes, clenched her fists, glared at him once more, and stormed off.