"What good is having powerful connections? This is a global live broadcast, and the audience's eyes are sharp. If the judges are unfair, the audience will stand up for us."
"That makes sense. However, I still can't stand these mediocre people with connections who drag down the level of the competition."
...
The other contestants chimed in, relentlessly belittling Song Xingwan to the point of utter worthlessness.
Even contestants from other countries began speaking broken Chinese and joined the massive army of criticizing Song Xingwan.
Song Xingwan had never seen such a scene before. She bit her lower lip tightly and silently encouraged herself.
At that moment, she really wanted to run away.
She stood awkwardly behind the other contestants, keeping her head down, afraid that others would see the tears glistening in her eyes.
Huo Yunting, who was sitting on the second-floor observation deck, noticed that Song Xingwan's condition was not quite right. He immediately edited a text message and sent it anonymously to Song Xingwan:
I'll always be there for you, whenever you need me. When you're afraid, look up at the starry sky; they are your loyal protectors. And of course, behind the scenes, the cloud that tries to shield you from the wind and rain, though often ending up making things worse, will always be there too.
After receiving the text message, Song Xingwan subconsciously glanced at the observation deck.
She knew it must be Huo Yunting who had arrived.
However, the viewing platform was packed with people, and as far as the eye could see, it was impossible to tell who was who; there was only a vast sea of people.
She hadn't seen Huo Yunting since his surgery.
She thought that her relationship with Huo Yunting was completely over. Unexpectedly, he has once again barged into her world.
At this moment, she felt as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been spilled, overwhelmed with a myriad of feelings...
Sitting right next to Huo Yunting, Gu Nanfeng asked with particular concern:
"Ah Ting, you've just recovered from a serious illness, so you shouldn't sit for too long. Just take a look and that's enough. Go back and rest quickly."
"Brother Ting, I really don't understand you. You've already broken ties with your family, why don't you be brave and win your sister-in-law back?" Lu Jinjiu, sitting on the other side of Huo Yunting, crossed his legs and launched into a barrage of complaints.
"After breaking with the Huo family, I can say I have nothing left. Now, I can't give her anything. I'm thinking that once my career has improved significantly, and once I can protect her with my own abilities, I'll try my best to win her back."
Huo Yunting gazed intently at Song Xingwan, his words filled with restraint.
Previously, he understood love as going through fire and water, disregarding everything.
Only after he had hurt Song Xingwan so badly did he slowly come to understand that love can take other forms.
Love is sometimes about restraint, sometimes about letting go and fulfilling each other's wishes, and sometimes about silently watching over each other.
About two hours later, the competition was finally coming to an end.
Song Xingwan finally stepped onto the stage when the judges below the stage were already yawning frequently.
Holding a design sketch in one hand, she stood under the spotlight and eloquently explained the concept behind the design sketch.
When she mentioned the button design, the judges in the audience all looked up, and their drowsiness vanished instantly.
All the invited guests spontaneously gave Song Xingwan the first round of applause since she took the stage.
Hidden on the observation deck, Huo Yunting gazed intently at Song Xingwan, who was dazzling under the spotlight, and felt genuinely proud of her growth.
Lu Jinjiu became increasingly excited as he watched, repeatedly grabbing Huo Yunting's arm and saying:
"You're really good at this, sister-in-law. The button detail is really well done."
Gu Nanfeng nodded heavily in agreement:
"Although Ms. Song's alterations were not significant, merely changing the position of the buttons on the women's clothing, it was precisely this change in button placement that perfectly showcased the modern woman's desire and yearning for independence."
"She is so radiant, yet I have let her be covered in dust for so many years for no reason."
Huo Yunting looked at Song Xingwan, who had won the championship amidst the applause of the audience, and realized that his previous thoughts were really wrong.
Keeping a mistress in a golden house was merely wishful thinking on his part.
In fact, Song Xingwan could have had a much more brilliant life.
When she gave her acceptance speech, Song Xingwan's eyes seemed to hold a nebula, bright and captivating.
Her voice was as gentle as ever, but there was also a hint of determination within that gentleness:
"The inspiration for the button mainly comes from my best friend. Actually, my life had already hit a dead end after my parents passed away. If it weren't for my best friend, who has always been there for me and supported me to get to where I am today, giving me endless courage and motivation, I might have died long ago in the cold and rainy night."
Besides my closest friends, I also want to express my special gratitude to an old friend. Thank you for the wonderful times you gave me; may we shine brightly in the years to come when we are no longer together.
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