Chapter 164: Chapter 164 She must have cheated!

Chapter 164: Chapter 164 She must have cheated!

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At the same time, all the judges and organizers were seated in the studio, watching the live carving of all competitors.

Seeing Ji Shiwang start her machine almost without even a preliminary design, as if she knew exactly what to design at first glance, many judges were particularly excited.

“Miss Ji truly stands out as a new star among jade sculptors…”

“She has studied abroad for many years, and for such a large piece of jade, she surely knows what to carve just by looking at it…”

“I believe the champion can be none but her this time.”

“Isn’t it said that the finished jade sculptures will be auctioned? From her material, as long as there are no mistakes, it will definitely fetch a high price…”

“Look, what is contestant number 18 doing?”

Following an exclamation among the judges, their attention was drawn to the work area of contestant 18. The camera slowly zoomed in, and Ning Yichu had also started her machine!

“Is she planning to start carving directly too?”

“How can this be! Her material is much less regular compared to Miss Ji’s. If she hasn’t made a detailed plan, it’s likely to get ruined…”

“Young people really can’t keep their calm. Carving within 48 hours is indeed difficult, but it’s not impossible; starting rashly like this is just foolish!”

Meanwhile, Ning Yichu, unaware of the judges’ thoughts, had a plan in mind and tentatively began on the Hetian jade.

Carving, which required distinct clarity between the real and the hollow portions, needed a more delicate and gentle approach than bold and sweeping strokes, but Ning Yichu quickly took a suitably sized carving knife and pressed down along the center of the material.

The judges, especially those organizers who had previously noticed something fishy with President Li and her, initially had some expectations for her due to her high skill level in the broad-bladed carving techniques.

However, upon seeing this move, they all shook their heads.

Another one overeager for success…

For safety in carving, it was best to use the smallest and finest carving tools. Her approach…most likely spelled failure.

Instantly, everyone lost interest in her and focused on appreciating Ji Shiwang’s craftsmanship.

Witnessing Miss Ji’s seamless and fluid technique was truly a pleasure.

Unintentionally, the morning passed, and everyone stopped to wait for the staff to distribute lunch.

A few judges, still unwilling to give up, glanced again at Ning Yichu’s workspace, once more feeling frustrated with her.

What on earth was she carving?

The news reached Ji Shiwang’s ears, and she scoffed disdainfully, seeing Ning Yichu as a second-rate jade sculptor.

After lunch, the competition continued, and time trickled by under the watch of the cameras…

In the blink of an eye, it was 10 AM the next day, and the competition had been going on for a full 25 hours.

Ji Shiwang was meticulously carving when she suddenly heard the broadcast ding, followed by a reminder, “Contestant number 18 has completed the competition assessment, other contestants please continue to work hard.”

Finished so soon? Ji Shiwang incredulously lifted her head, then scoffed derisively, thinking Ning Yichu must have failed and simply submitted something random.

She was different; she pursued quality, not caring for shoddy work.

Thus, Ji Shiwang steadily continued her jade carving, relying on her experience of drafting multiple times in advance, the skills came naturally. By six in the evening, she too had completed her assessment.

Right after she clicked submit, a notice about contestant number 21 finishing the competition was broadcasted.

Her personal bodyguards saw her return to the resting room and immediately brought in a massage therapist.

Ji Shiwang lazily sat on a sofa stool while two therapists knelt before her and massaged her hands to alleviate the fatigue.

Ji Shiwang looked around, her nose in the air, as most of the jade sculptors who had chosen line carving had already finished and left the competition site.

Only a few jade sculptors who insisted on doing openwork remained.

Because the competition categories were changed at the last minute, the judges needed to carefully compare and score both categories, so the awards ceremony and the auction were scheduled for the following day.

“Has Yichu left?”

“Yes, she left the competition site right after she finished this morning.”

“Ha, she left so early, she must have failed.”

The bodyguard’s expression briefly stiffened, and the other staff members exchanged looks.

Ji Shiwang’s face darkened, “She didn’t fail?”

“… She designed a scene of a line of egrets soaring into the sky with that piece of jade.”

Ji Shiwang could hardly believe it; she was genuinely faster than herself!

She had practiced many times in private to become proficient with that design, and her face cooled again, full of disdain, “That piece of Hetian jade had so many flaws. She only spent about twenty-something hours on egrets soaring into the sky, it’s probably a defective product! How many points did the judges give her? Was she disqualified on the spot?”

As the words fell, the bodyguards exchanged looks, the atmosphere extremely awkward.

“Why isn’t anyone speaking?”

After hesitating for a while under the pressure, the bodyguard finally said, “Yichu… didn’t fail, she avoided all the flaws. I asked around, and many judges gave her the highest score…”

“What?!” Ji Shiwang couldn’t sit still anymore, her entire face turning grim, her body suddenly sitting upright.

The two masseuses didn’t anticipate Ji Shiwang’s sudden change of posture, and one of them accidentally scratched her hand, causing Ji Shiwang to cry out in pain, her face even more sullen.

Seeing this, a bodyguard kicked the female therapist in the chest, “What are you doing? Don’t you know that a jade sculptor’s most important tools are their hands?”

“Miss, please forgive me, it wasn’t intentional. You suddenly sat up, and I didn’t react in time…” The female therapist came to her senses, hurriedly knelt on the ground, and pleaded humbly.

Ji Shiwang looked at the red mark scratched on her flawless hand, all her dissatisfaction erupting, “So you’re blaming me for not informing you in advance?”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant…”

“Drag her out, don’t let me see her face again!” Ji Shiwang said resentfully.

In the blink of an eye, the bodyguard dragged the female therapist out of the resting room.

Ji Shiwang’s hand that rested on the armrest of the chair slowly clenched into a fist, “I don’t believe that Yichu could complete such a high-quality openwork in such a short time. Where is the video? Go and find the video for me, she must have cheated!”

Seeing that Miss Ji was in a bad mood, the bodyguard didn’t dare say much and hurried off.

Miss Ji had been learning jade carving since she was young, it took her over twenty years to achieve her current level. Yichu had only studied abroad for a few years, how could she compare to Miss Ji?

She must have cheated when the cameras were not recording!

…

After leaving the competition venue, Yichu went home to take a bath. Since she had taken two days off, there was no rush to go to the office.

On the other side, Mommy Zhuo took the money given by Li Lingyang, bought a luxurious small courtyard, and hired workers to renovate it. Once the dormitory was renovated, she could move in with a few dozen children.

She was so moved that she decided to invite Yichu out to dinner.

Yichu happened to be with Fan YuKe, so she invited her to join as well.