"Master, I feel like Hu Hansan's skill level has only improved by a tiny bit since back then?"
The professional judges on stage are commenting on entry number 014.
After whispering to Xie Siyu next to her, Ling Xiaohan leaned closer to Xie Chenlu with a smug look on her face and asked, "Was I too subjective?"
Just by looking at Ling Xiaohan's expression, Xie Chenlu knew what he was thinking. He didn't answer, but only raised his chin. "Listen carefully to what the judges have to say. Top masters are rarely seen. One comment from them is enough for you to learn for a long time. Why don't you seize such a good opportunity? Why do you have time to think about other nonsense?"
The master's tone was full of lessons.
But Ling Xiaohan only keenly caught that nonsensical sentence.
Looking up at the stage again, the unrestrained brilliance in his eyes shone even brighter.
Hu Jingyao caught a glimpse of this, and his mood worsened.
The judges praised his work but pointed out a few shortcomings.
The final score was 9.37.
Not all of the 20 works have been displayed yet; among the dozen or so works that have been shown so far, he is only ranked second.
Although advancing to the next round with a ranking in the top four shouldn't be a problem, it's far behind Ling Xiaohan's 9.89.
"Now that all 20 works have been reviewed, judges, please score them!"
A rustling sound arose.
Accompanied by a series of thumping sound effects.
The results of all 20 works in the colored gemstone category were displayed on the big screen.
Without even bothering to check his own ranking, Hu Jingyao's gaze swept around and found Xie Chenlu's work.
One glance was enough to leave him completely stunned.
With a score of 9.96, the piece signed "Shieh" and titled "Blooming" ranked No. 1 in the colored gemstone category.
Xie Chenlu designed a clip with a pink gemstone base and inlaid with colorful gemstones.
It can be used as a hair clip to style hair.
It can also be worn as a brooch on the front of the chest.
At first glance, it resembles a hibiscus in full bloom, displaying its ultimate splendor.
Among the 20 works, it stands out like a crane among chickens.
Looking at the scores of the other entries, sure enough, even the design that came in second only scored 9.62 points.
Xie Chenlu is the undisputed number one in the Colored Gems competition.
His dangerous 9.37 score came in fourth.
They were just one step away from being eliminated.
That was close!
Before he could even exhale, Cheng Yanxi nervously grabbed his arm, and he heard her excited voice in his ear, "Brother Yao, it's the Pearl Group's turn! I'm so worried!"
I wanted to comfort her and say it was okay, that getting this far was already a demonstration of their abilities, considering that more than a thousand people were eliminated in the preliminary rounds, and they were already outstanding designers selected from among hundreds.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to give her a push, because you never work hard or study properly.
The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Hu Jingyao said nothing.
The instructor is giving feedback.
People around were talking about it.
Hu Jingyao's eyes were fixed on the 20 works on the big screen, but in fact, he was paying attention to Morning and Mai Xiaomi out of the corner of his eye.
If he wasn't mistaken, those two were in this group.
However, Hu Jingyao was wrong!
When the scores and rankings were displayed on the big screen, gasps of surprise rang out, and Hu Jingyao and Cheng Yanxi were both stunned.
Yan Ziqing ranked second, while the other designers from the Chinese team ranked first, fourth, and ninth respectively.
Morning and Mai Xiaomi's names were not among the 20 people.
Combining this with the candidates selected from the gold and silver, diamond, and colored gemstone sections, Hu Jingyao realized what was going on.
Morning, Mai Xiaomi, and Xie Siyu all chose "Other".
Sure enough, after the final 20 works were reviewed and scored, the three were prominently featured.
In the "Other" category, where no one belongs, some designers chose uniquely shaped stones, while others chose cotton, linen, or woven materials.
At first glance, they appear bizarre and strange, yet inexplicably harmonious.
When the scores and rankings were announced, the entire audience erupted in uproar.
Morning is first, Xie Siyu is second, and Mai Xiaomi is third.
One of the designers from the Italian team ranked fourth.
A total of 4 people were selected, and the top 3 were all from the Chinese national team.
Staring blankly at the rankings on the big screen, Hu Jingyao was completely dumbfounded.
After the second round of competition, 80 out of 100 people were eliminated, leaving only 20.
At first glance, half of the teams were from China.
The surrounding area was filled with exclamations of amazement, and the sound of "Amazing!" could be heard continuously.
The disbelief in Hu Jingyao's eyes was almost overflowing.
He didn't care how many designers from the Chinese team qualified for the next round and then made it to the finals.
All he knew was that Xie Chenlu and Ling Xiaohan, along with the other four, were all on the list.
But... how could that be?
Wasn't he away from jewelry design for five years and spent his days drinking heavily?
And Ling Xiaohan, Morning, and the others—they've all given up jewelry design; they've abandoned their passion.
What happened to the saying "the student surpasses the teacher"?
What happened to the saying that the older generation dies on the beach?
Why?
Why is God so unfair?
He never dared to slack off and worked hard every day. Why is it that in the end, he is not as good as a few people who work hard for three days and rest for two, and who do not respect their passion at all?
Why???
Hu Jingyao's eyes and heart were filled with resentment.
Ironically, he couldn't even question it.
Whether it was Xie Chenlu or Ling Xiaohan and the other four, the works presented on the big screen were exquisite. Even though he was unwilling, he had to admit that they were brilliant designs and deserved that high score.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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