Chapter 118: Yibai, Sister Needs You to Save Her Life

The exhibition began promptly.

The first designer presented a conventional work: a "starry sky" gown embedded with crystals, resembling a brilliant galaxy and symbolizing the eternity of time. As the model walked the runway, the designer explained their concept from the podium. Typically, each model's showcase lasted three minutes, after which both the designer and the model would exit. The judges began scoring during the walk. The scoring process was public; each judge submitted scores based on various criteria, which were then displayed on the screen behind the stage, and the system calculated a total score based on the assessment standards. For instance, the first designer received a total of 80 points, a respectable score.

Once the first designer finished, the second designer, Jiang Xiaoxiao, took the stage. Her model emerged in a vibrant, floral-covered gown. The dress was adorned with various types and colors of flowers, arranged with such exquisite layout that it achieved a perfect visual balance. As the massive train dragged along the floor—also covered in flowers—a fragrant breeze seemed to drift through the air.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaoxiao presented on stage: "My work is titled 'Four Seasons Garden,' symbolizing the passage of time through the four seasons..." As she spoke, she noticed the looks of amazement in the audience, especially among the judges, many of whom were whispering and nodding in approval. After finishing her presentation, she and the model left the stage together. Upon reaching the backstage area, she glanced back at the big screen and saw that the judges had given her a total score of 95.

This was an exceptionally high score. Even last year’s Golden Top Award winner had only received a total of 93. Jiang Xiaoxiao felt both proud and thrilled; it seemed the Golden Top Award was practically hers already. She couldn't wait to check her phone. Entering the live stream with nearly a hundred million viewers, she found the discussion surrounding her work was explosive. It was all praise, not just for the dress but for her as well. The name "Jiang Xiaoxiao" had instantly become synonymous with "design genius."

Outside the live stream, Jiang Jinhui and Yao Shulan were watching intently. When they saw Jiang Xiaoxiao unveil the "Four Seasons Garden," they were deeply shocked. Jiang Jinhui had always felt that while Jiang Xiaoxiao’s previous works were good, they seemed to lack something—brilliant in some places, yet clumsy in others, like a phoenix wearing pheasant feathers. But today’s work was simply perfect, from its spirit to its very soul, it was breathtaking.

Jiang Jinhui was ecstatic. He grabbed Yao Shulan’s hand and said, "I never expected our daughter to be such a genius, a true genius." Yao Shulan, however, frowned slightly. Why did this design feel so familiar in her memory?

***

Jiang Xiaoxiao was almost intoxicated by the overwhelming praise online. But when she turned to look at Jiang Ziyou's work, a sense of dread began to spread. Having spent several years in the design industry, she could tell at a glance that Jiang Ziyou’s piece was no ordinary work. It would certainly pose a significant threat to her winning the title. If Jiang Ziyou won the Golden Top Award, even if she won other prizes, it would still count as a loss. And if she lost, she would have to hand over twenty percent of the company’s shares. She would never let that happen.

Nearby, Jiang Ziyou was still making final adjustments to the details. She was the 22nd to go on stage, an hour away from her turn. The garment was already on the model, but due to its unique material, it required micro-adjustments based on the model's physique. Jiang Ziyou remained buried in her work, optimizing every detail. A crowd had gathered around her, watching as if they were observing an artist creating a masterpiece.

Jiang Xiaoxiao slipped into the crowd. After glancing around, her eyes landed on the shoe rack holding the models' high heels. The heels were provided by the organizers—uniform crystal stilettos. Models wore no accessories and uniform shoes so that the judges would focus entirely on the designs. Because each model had a different shoe size, the organizers had custom-made shoes for each, though they all looked identical. The shoes were neatly arranged on a rack, each labeled with the model’s number.

Seeing no one in front of the shoe rack, Jiang Xiaoxiao snuck over. She grabbed the high heels belonging to Jiang Ziyou’s model, performed a quick operation, and a few minutes later, snuck them back into place. A wicked smile appeared on her face. *Jiang Ziyou, let’s see how you compete now.*

Half an hour later, Jiang Ziyou had finished optimizing everything. She stood before her model, surveying her work with great satisfaction. With about thirty minutes left until her slot, the assistant brought the heels for the model to put on. The model put them on and intended to take a few steps to test them, but as soon as she took two steps, her foot twisted and she fell to the ground. The gown, covered in sand-like particles, shattered at the impact, and several seams burst open.

Jiang Ziyou’s "Sand Gown" had been crafted by first creating a fabric mold based on the model’s physique, then layering it with seven colors of sand and micro-crystals. It was stunning, but its only defect was that the material was rigid and easily damaged. After the fall, both the waistline and the zipper on the back had come undone.

The people around them gasped, as if a priceless treasure had been shattered. Jiang Ziyou was stunned for a moment, then she and her assistant rushed to help the model up. The model was terrified, apologizing profusely, "Sorry, sorry..."

Jiang Ziyou frowned as she picked up the shoes from the floor. She noticed that the heels of both shoes had snapped, and the cross-section of the break appeared to have been cut by a sharp object. Jiang Ziyou looked around and spotted Jiang Xiaoxiao in the corner, holding her phone and looking at her with malicious intent. Jiang Ziyou knew exactly who had done it.

Her assistant, Annie, a Chinese girl studying at the Royal College of Art, had been helping Jiang Ziyou create this "Sand Gown" for the past two days. She admired Jiang Ziyou immensely and had also poured her heart and soul into the dress, working 48 hours without sleep. Seeing the dress ruined, she burst into tears, panicked and at a loss for what to do.

Jiang Ziyou didn't have time for sorrow. She checked the dress; luckily, it was only the seams that had broken, which could be repaired. But there was a fatal problem: the model had twisted her ankle, which had swollen to the size of a bun, making it impossible for her to walk, let alone walk the runway. The model kept apologizing through the pain. Jiang Ziyou comforted her in English, but Annie sobbed, "Sister You, what do we do? Even if we fix the dress, we don't have a model."

The dress was custom-made for the model’s specific physique. The model was exceptionally tall, over 1.8 meters, so no ordinary person could wear it. Just then, a slim, young figure appeared before her.

"Sister, when are you going on?"

Jiang Ziyou looked up and saw Eboni. He had been waiting outside and grew bored, so he had come backstage to check on her. Upon seeing him, Jiang Ziyou felt as if she had grabbed a lifeline.

"Eboni, I need you to save me."