Chapter 202 Honor
Qu He covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes reddening, her face filled with disbelief.
She stood up amidst the congratulations of those around her, her steps unsteady as she walked onto the stage, overcome with emotion.
The spotlight shone on her as she received the golden trophy from the presenter, holding it tightly in both hands.
She walked up to the microphone, and before she could even speak, tears streamed down her face. She wiped them away, feeling a little embarrassed.
Qu He's voice, choked with emotion, carried throughout the hall and, through the tablet, clearly reached Zhuang Bieyan's ears:
"Thank you! I am very grateful to the Qinglan Cup Organizing Committee and all the judges for this honor. The work 'Three Springs' is of great significance to me. It is not just a piece of ceramic art, but also my reflection on the past years, my gratitude to my parents, and my courage to start anew in the future."
Having been away from this field for many years, I felt lost and doubted myself, but fortunately, I never truly gave up.
I am grateful to my mentor, Mr. Qi Mo, for his guidance and encouragement all along; I am grateful to my family for their selfless support and understanding; and I am also grateful to the person who always believed in me, accompanied me, and gave me the courage to stand here again.
This trophy, this honor, is shared with you all!
Her speech was sincere and moving, and applause rang out again from the audience.
As Zhuang Bieyan watched the woman on the screen, shining brightly on stage and shedding tears of emotion, his heart was filled with something overwhelming.
Pride and emotion flowed through my heart.
He seemed to see the little girl from many years ago, laughing carefree with mud in her hands under the sunlight at Yujia Ferry.
Time flies, despite setbacks along the way.
But his Ah He, finally, once again shone with the most dazzling light in the field she loved.
He couldn't help but reach out his finger and gently stroke her tearful smile across the screen.
"Tan Cong," Zhuang Bieyan said, his gaze remaining fixed on the screen.
"Mr. Zhuang, what are your instructions?"
"Have the gifts that were airlifted over yesterday arrived yet?"
"I just arrived this morning," Tan Cong replied.
"Okay, pack it nicely and put it in my car."
Zhuang Bieyan looked at the figure bowing on the screen, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
He took out his phone, quickly typed a message, and sent it.
"Pass down the notice: the morning meeting is rescheduled."
"Yes, Mr. Zhuang."
Almost simultaneously, Qu He, who was in the hall, took a quick look at her phone during a break between going offstage, and couldn't help but smile.
After the awards were announced, it was time for reporters to conduct interviews.
As the gold medal winner, Qu He was naturally the first interviewee that reporters and media were interested in.
In contrast, Yan Shu, who won the bronze medal, was only accompanied by a few reporters, and the interview was arranged by the organizers.
Yan Shu stared intently at Qu He, who was surrounded by reporters and enjoying immense fame, then looked down at the bronze medal trophy in her hand.
I'm so jealous!
She put in so much effort and used so many methods, so why did she still lose to Qu He in the end?
Why is Qu He so lucky, able to get everything she dreams of so easily?
Zhuang Bieyan's love, Mrs. Zhuang's status, and now even the gold medal of the Qinglan Cup is in her hands.
That's so unfair.
The anger in his heart burned higher and higher, and then his eyes fell on Qinglan, who was sitting to the side and had won the silver award.
Qinglan's gaze kept drifting towards Qu He's direction, her expression complex.
Yan Shu sneered, stepped forward, and said with a look of regret, "Sister Qinglan, I think your work this time is very inspired, with ingenious ideas and skillful technique. It's a real pity that it didn't win the gold medal."
She paused, glancing meaningfully in Qu He's direction, "Teacher Qu He has been out of the ceramics world for so many years, and she has only just made a comeback, yet she has already won such a prestigious gold medal. Her luck is truly extraordinary."
Qinglan was silently organizing her thoughts, planning to take a photo and get an autograph from Qu He when there were fewer people around. Upon hearing Yan Shu's words, she frowned slightly.
These words sounded like they were defending her, but in reality, every word implied that Qu He's award was not entirely genuine.
She glanced at Yan Shu and said in a flat tone, "Thank you for the compliment, Teacher Yan Shu. However, I think Teacher Qu He's 'Spring Sunshine' is well-deserved in terms of concept, craftsmanship, and emotional expression, especially the carving of the aroma lamp, which is very exquisite."
In comparison, Yan Shu's bronze award is truly undeserved.
Yan Shu's expression changed slightly as she was met with a firm but not overt rebuttal.
But she quickly adjusted her expression and leaned closer. "Qinglan, you're still young, and you might not be familiar with some of the rules in this industry. If you really feel resentful and want to reclaim the honor that rightfully belongs to you, I can help you."
Qinglan looked up, asking curiously, "Oh? Does Teacher Yanshu have any ideas?"
"There are solutions, of course."
Yan Shu was pleased to see that she seemed interested.
"If you want, I can make you a true gold medalist. How can someone who rose to the top through shady relationships deserve to stand in this position?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a commotion broke out on Qu He's side, who was giving a group interview to the media.
A male reporter wearing black-rimmed glasses excitedly stepped forward, his microphone almost touching Qu He's face, his voice shrill.
"Teacher Qu He, we have received a tip that your winning of the Qinglan Cup gold medal was manipulated. Is this true?"
According to reliable sources, you have already submitted your application to Art Basel! It is understood that usually only gold medal winners of such competitions are eligible to submit their applications directly! Did you already know you would win, and that's why you submitted your application in advance? Please answer directly!
This series of malicious questions instantly silenced the entire venue, and all the cameras turned to focus on Qu He.
The live stream chat exploded.
Qu He's smile froze.
Aside from Professor Qi Mo and Zhou Shi'an, she had never mentioned the application for the Baselworld trade fair to anyone else. How did this reporter find out?
Just as she was about to explain, she suddenly realized that no matter how she explained that there was no pre-arranged agreement, from the moment she opened her mouth, she had already fallen into the trap of self-proof, and would only make things worse by explaining.
She can't follow the other person's pace!
Qu He looked up and stared directly at the reporter who had asked the question.
"My friend, before making this malicious accusation, shouldn't you have provided some evidence first?"
You keep saying you "received a tip" and that it's "reliable information," so who is your source? Can you ask them to come forward and confront you directly?
With a counter-question, she sent the ball back to the reporter, who, caught off guard by her calm retort, was momentarily speechless, his face flushing red: "I...I..."
Qu He didn't give him a chance to catch his breath: "As for the issue of eligibility for Art Basel that you mentioned, I regret that your information seems to be somewhat outdated."
Starting in the first half of this year, Art Basel Asia adjusted its application policy. In addition to the direct application eligibility of the competition's gold medal winners, a new application channel has been added.
A joint recommendation and guarantee from two or more senior artists or critics with sufficient influence in the industry can also get you into the application process, but it will add an extra review stage.
She raised her chin. "My friend, I hope that next time you conduct an interview, especially before raising questions that might affect someone's reputation, you can do some basic fact-checking first. This is a matter of respect for your own profession, and also a basic respect for the interviewee. Okay?"
Her reasoned, well-founded, and assertive rebuttal won applause from many in the audience.
The reporter was speechless, sweat beading on his forehead, and could only stammer and lower his head.
But then he turned his gaze and looked up again, unwilling to give up, and launched another attack.
"Fine! Even if the Baselworld incident was a misunderstanding, how do you explain your own misconduct?"
"There are rumors circulating online about your husband, Zhuang Bieyan, and Yan Shu, the bronze medalist this year, meeting and falling in love in the UK! Although the relevant information was later deleted, the truth will prevail! What is your explanation for this?"
These words caused an uproar in the audience.
The media then shifted their focus to Yan Shu, who was standing outside the crowd.
She looked pitiful, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
"Justice resides in the hearts of the people?"
Qu He found this absurd scene utterly ridiculous.
"Then I would like to ask, what is justice? What is the truth? Is the truth something that can be determined based on a few photos and a few people's accounts? Among those present, who personally witnessed this so-called love story?"
At this moment, Yan Shu suddenly stepped forward, her eyes reddening, and bowed deeply to Qu He and the camera.
"Teacher Qu He, I'm sorry. I really didn't know that something like this would happen today. It's all my fault for causing trouble for everyone."
Her innocent and pure appearance immediately aroused the protective instincts of her fans.
"Sister, don't apologize! It wasn't your fault!"
"You and President Zhuang are the true love! Qu He is the mistress!"
"Qu He! Do you dare to explain clearly in front of the live broadcast camera what exactly is going on between you and President Zhuang!"
The situation was getting out of control.
As Qu He watched this meticulously planned farce and Yan Shu's hypocritical performance, her anger burned ever brighter.
Just then, a reporter exclaimed excitedly, "Quick, look at Weibo! Zhuang Bieyan posted on Weibo! My God! Is this a ten-year secret crush?"
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