Over the next few days, Wen Xinya and Mr. Ronda would head over to the jewelry crafting workshop at 10 AM every morning, only returning to their hotel at 5 PM. For the public, all they would see were the beautiful and dazzling end products displayed in the jewelry stores—never realizing just how arduous the process was to craft those creations.
As Wen Xinya possessed professional crafting knowledge, there were no practical issues in transforming her designs into a physical product. In addition, she got on very well with the master craftsmen, and so the crafting process went so smoothly that her creations were completed in just two days. She made use of the final day to make additional improvements, such that the final version of her Athena’s Protection jewelry set was near perfection.
Further, she had gotten on so marvelously with the master craftsmen that she managed to glean quite a bit of knowledge from them.
At the same time, the videos of the crafting process had been edited and released to the public.
Wen Xinya was on fire!
She was truly the hottest personality right now. Whether it was her professionalism during the crafting process, or her jovial interactions with the craftsmen, or her words directed at the camera—it garnered even more jewelry design fans for Wen Xinya, this teenage prodigy jewelry designer.
Wen Xinya’s hard work and determination gave the public a deeper understanding to another side of her. It was a side that drew her closer to the people and gained their respect and recognition.
Three days passed in a flash.
Wen Xinya was once again standing on stage at the Milan World Expo Hall. Jacqueline Madan whispered in a low voice as she passed by, “Do you think you can win just by hyping yourself up with videos of you crafting your creations? That was just a vulgar little trick to curry favor with the crowds. We will see now just who got the real skills.”
Wen Xinya had put on an extraordinary performance during the crafting process, which made Jacqueline Madan feel very vexed and disgruntled. It felt like she would never be the true winner even if she won first place.
That was because Wen Xinya had attained the recognition and admiration of the public. From certain angles, she could already be considered the biggest winner.
Wen Xinya ignored Jacqueline Madan’s resentful words. She drifted past Shen Siwen to claim her own seat.
Meanwhile, Shen Siwen’s face was full of conflict as she cast Wen Xinya a sideways glance, before lowering her head. No one knew what she was thinking.
The ultimate segment of the grand finals was starting at long last.
When Wen Xinya’s creations were presented, that exquisitely lovely, uniquely novel and elegantly enigmatic jewelry set had everyone spellbound.
Previously in the preliminary rankings based on the designs on paper, the judge who had given Wen Xinya her lowest score because of the lack of marketability jumped up in shock. He exclaimed agitatedly, “Oh, Wen. Your creation is too marvelous. Your mastery of the soul has directly elevated the marketability of the jewelry. A truly great design always puts to fore the art aspect of a creation, but cleverly conceals that vulgar marketability side.
“I am now offering you my most sincere apologies. I take back everything I said during the earlier design round, about how your creations have no marketability. You are truly an exceptional jewelry designer.”
With that, he gave Wen Xinya a deep bow.
Shocked, Wen Xinya hurriedly tried to wave off his apology. “Master, your apology is too much for me. Combining the meaning and soul of a creation to embody marketability is something which I should be learning to do, anyway.”
If Jacqueline Madan had the confidence to outdo Wen Xinya because of her ability to incorporate both meaning and marketability.
Then Wen Xinya’s creation, which was so full of meaning and soul that the two combined to reflect great commercial appeal—it was clear just who was the more highly skilled designer.
That judge walked slowly to the front of the stage. “I also wish to apologize to the audience. Due to my erroneous judgment earlier, I gave everyone a mistaken understanding. It was my fault. After so many years of judging, my eye has been tainted and I no longer have the right to continue sitting on the judging panel.”
The judge’s speech created an instant commotion. The reporters snapped away with their cameras in a mad frenzy.
Wen Xinya was stunned and couldn’t help feeling somewhat at a loss.
At this point, the judge came before Wen Xinya and hugged her. “Thank you, my friend. You have helped me rediscover the purity my soul once held but subsequently lost. I wish you the best of luck, my friend.”
With that, he took off his badge and resolutely left the stage.
He didn’t give Wen Xinya any chance to speak a single word the entire time.
Wen Xinya stared after his departing profile, feeling a sudden rush of gratitude. She suddenly called out. “Master, I also wish you the best of luck. I hope to see you once again on the judging panel in future jewelry design competitions.”
The entire arena was in a furor because of the departure of one of the judges.
A judge taking off his badge and leaving right on the spot. This was a very rare occurrence in the world of jewelry design. It pointed to a clear issue, which was that the judge in question didn’t have the right to sit on the judging panel.
This was a huge blow to the reputation of that judge. Not many would have the courage to take off his badge and leave just like that.
It was impossible!
Jacqueline Madan simply could not believe the dramatic scene that had happened right before her eyes. Wen Xinya, this lowly competitor from Country Z, had caused such a remarkable uproar that would turn the tide against her.
She could more or less picture how her much-coveted champion’s crown would be snatched away by Wen Xinya.
How did this happen?
Jacqueline Madan surveyed the furor caused by Wen Xinya. Despite all that background noise, she kept hearing Wen Xinya’s name resounding clearly in her ears.
Recalling her earlier challenge to Wen Xinya, she felt that she was as laughable as a clown.
The commotion was finally tempered down by a representative of the Milan World Expo Association.
The loss of just one judge would not have much effect on the competition.
The final rankings of the Milan World Expo International Jewelry Design Competition were finally being announced.
Counting down starting from the 10th place.
The male host sounded exuberant on the microphone. “Next, we are going to reveal the top four rankings.”
The male host paused for effect, but the female host cut in. “In fourth place, we have…” The female host drew out her words dramatically. “Miss Shen Siwen from Country H, with a total score of 90 points. Everyone, please give Miss Shen Siwen a warm round of applause.”
Everyone applauded excitedly.
Shen Siwen was thunderstruck.
Fourth? How was that possible?
Shouldn’t she be third? Did the organizers get it wrong?
She failed to get both first and second place—how could she have also failed to get third place? How did she lose out to Wen Xinya by such a wide margin?
