Chapter 508: Judge 4.

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Its good that youre 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 compet.i.tion at all. After introducing the judges, the compet.i.tion began. The partic.i.p.ating 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 partic.i.p.ants 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 Lis eyes. After a moments thought, he too stepped out.

Ye Lengan, wait, Ye Li called out when they were alone.

Whats the matter? Ye Lengan turned, a hint of impatience in her tone. Dont you know compet.i.tors are not allowed to interact with judges before the end?

You know why Im speaking with you, Ye Li said gravely. Since youre a judge, I expect you to remain objective. Dont undermine Xiyuans 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, shell 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 Xiyuans capabilities better than you, Ye Li said excitedly. Her sketches are first m rate, practically at an international designers standard. So unless you interfere, she is sure to prevail.

Really? We shall see, said Ye Lengan evenly. I look forward to gauging Ye Xiyuans 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 youll regret it. This compet.i.tion was too vital for the Ye Groups 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 antic.i.p.ates, 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 Lengan 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.

Youve no proof otherwise. Stop these wild allegations.

You also have doubts, dont you? Ye Lengan looked at him scornfully. Every designer has a distinct style, but Ye Xiyuans 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 youll 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 Lengans departure, doubts swirled inside Ye Li as he stood fixed in place. Thinking of Ye Xiyuans diverse designs especially troubled him.

No Xiyuan would never do such a thing, he muttered, seeming to convince himself as much as dispel Ye Lengans poisonous words. Those sketches are surely hers. Ye Lengan merely spreads lies.

But though Ye Li tried to rea.s.sure 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 antic.i.p.ated, the contest had announced a banquet theme. The two could not be more unrelated. This unexpected s.h.i.+ft had caught her completely off guard..