Compared to the preliminary and semi-final rounds, there were far more people at the final round.
The circular grandstand is divided into two parts, with a spacious design platform on each side.
Below the stands, on one side, are the professional judging panel and the public judging panel.
On the other side were jewelry designers who had come from all over the world to visit.
And at the finals, they also have the right to vote.
"As is well known, the final rules of Starlight are different from those of other jewelry design competitions."
The host explained, "In a one-on-one PK competition, the elimination process begins the moment you step onto the stage."
20 people.
A draw will determine who will face off against whom.
The winner advances.
The loser is yet to be determined.
Each winner has walked step by step onto the podium and received their own trophy through sheer strength.
Especially for those who win the championship trophy, they will have to face at least four rounds of competition.
"Next, please welcome the 20 designers to begin the first round of drawing lots."
The host invited 20 people to come up on stage, and each of them chose a lucky number.
The moment the lottery results appeared on the big screen, Hu Jingyao had only two words in his mind.
finally.
He just happened to draw Xie Chenlu.
This was the scene he had dreamed of seeing ever since he learned that Xie Chenlu was coming to Milan.
To prove one's abilities.
It also proved to him just how wrong he was back then.
Although they didn't meet until the finals, Hu Jingyao felt that God was still looking out for him.
"In the first group, Shieh, the designer from the Chinese team, will face off against Jing, the designer from the American team."
After 18 people left the stage, Xie Chenlu and Hu Jingyao each chose a design table to sit down.
When the judges gave them a question involving numbers, the two remained calm and composed, one moving and the other still.
As soon as he adjusted his chair and pressed the mouse, Hu Jingyao seemed to have an inspiration and ideas, and immediately clicked into the canvas to begin his creation.
On the other end, Xie Chenlu stared intently at the Number on the big screen, seemingly lost in thought, and didn't turn around for a long time.
Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and 10 minutes went by.
Seeing that Hu Jingyao's design was beginning to take shape, Xie Chenlu finally picked up his paintbrush.
When the three-minute countdown began, Hu Jingyao put down the mouse.
Hu Jingyao designed a necklace.
The delicate chain is set with diamonds the size of sesame seeds, and on the pendant, a simple pattern resembles the number 2 or the letter Z.
It can also be understood as a wisp of wind that has taken shape.
Or something else.
In short, it's simple and elegant, a minimalist design that's hard to fault.
Applause erupted, and the designers in the audience chatted animatedly.
Before Hu Jingyao could even find Cheng Yanxi, he could sense the content of their discussion from her gaze or actions when thunderous applause erupted.
"Red represents Shieh, and blue represents Jing. Now, please welcome our 100 competition judges and 500 invited designer judges to give your scores."
The flashing red and blue lights give you the feeling of being in the Milky Way.
As the loud thuds rang out, Hu Jingyao turned around confidently.
One glance was enough to freeze him in place.
398 votes in red.
202 votes (blue).
I can't believe I lost.
I can hardly believe that the score difference could be so big.
For a moment, Hu Jingyao thought he had misheard, or that the host had said something wrong.
Or perhaps, he is the one who is truly red?
The thought had barely surfaced in my mind when it was shattered by the professional judges' comments.
"Shieh's work is innovative and stylish, and it's a real eye-catcher. This score represents everyone's choice!"
I vote for Shieh!
"Shieh!"
"..."
All 10 professional judges gave their 10 votes to Xie Chenlu.
Hu Jingyao watched helplessly as 398 soared from 408 to 498.
I forgot whether I bowed to express my gratitude.
I've also forgotten how he walked off the stage.
Even after Hu Jingyao sat back down and Cheng Yanxi took his arm, he still seemed out of sorts.
People kept turning around and saying, "Jing, you've done a great job. After all, that's Shieh," as if his loss was inevitable and that losing to Xie Chenlu was an honor.
Hu Jingyao's eyes were red with anger.
Looking up again, I saw Xie Chenlu's work on the large screen hanging high above my head.
Hu Jingyao was stunned.
The main stone is obsidian.
The auxiliary material is black gold.
Xie Chenlu's strikingly dark works resemble demons that have slipped away from Jesus's table.
It was like a wisp of black wind blowing out of hell.
No one mentioned 13, but interpreting it as the number 13 is perfectly appropriate.
An extravagant pendant.
A dazzling chain.
It's visually striking at first glance.
Whether it's an international supermodel walking the runway.
Or a rock singer who is about to take the stage.
Everything seems to match this necklace perfectly.
At first glance, it's both alluring and wild.
But this... is clearly not Xie Chenlu's style.
Look at your own work on the left.
Let's take a look at Xie Chen Road on the other side.
The two works are always contrasted, as if they were being publicly executed.
His minimalist design, which he had been so proud of just moments before, was now as crude as a straw picked up from the roadside.
Hu Jingyao's heart sank instantly.
Before today, he always felt that Xie Chenlu's work was thanks to Ye Li.
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