After Bankruptcy, the Billionaire Asked Me to Marry Him!
Chapter 349: Brick or Jade

Chapter 349: Chapter 349: Brick or Jade

The most sensational event at Imperial University in May was Jiang Chengcheng signing a contract with Fengya Media, placing one foot firmly in the entertainment industry.

A new face in the entertainment scene.

A future jewelry designer.

A wealthy boyfriend escorting her in a luxury car.

In a blink of an eye, Jiang Chengcheng transformed from an unknown nobody into a star figure at Imperial University.

During break time, Jiang Chengcheng was surrounded by all the female classmates in the class.

Envious of her good fortune and being spotted at first glance by a benefactor.

Envious of her securing a studio contract before even graduating.

Envious of her secretly dating a wealthy boyfriend.

Endless whispers of "Chosen Daughter" filled the air. When Jiang Chengcheng looked up again, she noticed Ye Li sitting in the front row, her expression indifferent and unbothered.

Instantly, her eyes were overflowing with triumph.

She had always known that her bad luck wouldn’t last forever.

If God closes one door, he’ll open countless windows for her instead.

Everything Ye Li has, she would have too—and more!

Thinking of Saturday’s jewelry showcase, Jiang Chengcheng found herself growing inexplicably excited.

"Ye Li..."

As Ye Li was packing up her bag to leave, Jiang Chengcheng raised her voice and stopped her. "There’s an industry jewelry showcase Saturday afternoon. Are you attending?"

Ye Li froze.

Jiang Chengcheng smirked. "The scale isn’t big, but only the top jewelry studios in Imperial City are invited. If you’re interested, I can give you an invitation. Of course, if you’re not, that’s fine as well."

Since breaking ties last semester and moving out of the dorm, Ye Li and Jiang Chengcheng rarely crossed paths. Even when bumping into each other at school or in the classroom, they pretended not to see each other.

Handing the Bishui Bay invitation letter Professor Zhao had given to Jiang Chengcheng—that was once.

Outside the Bishui Bay exhibition hall, speaking with Zhou Hecchen while Jiang Chengcheng rushed toward her—that was twice.

Both times, Jiang Chengcheng had been openly hostile, as if Ye Li threatened to snatch something valuable from her.

Yet now, Jiang Chengcheng’s attitude was strikingly different.

Watching her expression, more self-promoting than anything, paired with that obvious taunt hidden under a veneer of politeness, Ye Li instantly understood.

"Charity Night, correct?"

Ye Li curled her lips. "I don’t need an invitation. Thanks anyway!"

Jiang Chengcheng’s smile froze on her face.

On the day she signed with Fengya Media, Lin Kerou had introduced her to Dane Studio.

As one of the top three jewelry studios in Imperial City, Dane not only had the qualifications to participate in the Charity Night jewelry showcase but also had three pre-determined award slots.

Jiang Chengcheng was one of them.

Lately, Jiang Chengcheng had barely attended her school courses, dedicating herself entirely to preparing for Saturday’s jewelry showcase and the upcoming Charity Night auction.

Even if she were to win the least prestigious award, it would still be an Outstanding Work accolade.

If her work fetched a good price, it would cement her reputation—not just for Dane Studio but also for Imperial University’s jewelry design major.

At that point, the gap between her and Ye Li would close once again.

After graduating from her senior year, with enough experience at Dane, she might even have the potential to establish her own jewelry studio someday.

Her heart was filled with aspirations to surpass Ye Li. But what Jiang Chengcheng hadn’t anticipated was that Ye Li was not only aware of the jewelry showcase but also didn’t even need an invitation.

But... how was that possible?

According to her colleagues at Dane, this was an exclusive internal jewelry showcase hosted by Imperial City’s Charity Night, and invitations were rare to come by.

A studio of Ye Li’s scale shouldn’t even qualify for an invitation, right?

Before Jiang Chengcheng could figure it out, she looked up again and saw Ye Li walking out of the classroom, her silhouette disappearing from view.

Jiang Chengcheng couldn’t help but grit her teeth.

She had seen the three works Ye Li presented during "Shining with You," from the preliminaries to the finals. They were indeed outstanding but not so breathtaking as to be unparalleled.

If she could outperform Ye Li during the Charity Night jewelry showcase, wouldn’t it prove that she could have also won gold had she participated in "Shining with You"?

Her logical reasoning aligned, and in the blink of an eye Jiang Chengcheng was brimming with ambition once more.

But all of her enthusiasm came to an abrupt halt when Saturday afternoon’s jewelry showcase began.

"What did you say?"

Upon hearing the event organizer announce that Ye Li’s studio’s works wouldn’t be showcased or ranked but would go directly to the Charity Night auction in the evening, Jiang Chengcheng was left utterly in shock. "Wh-why?"

"There’s no particular reason," the organizer replied with an amused look at Jiang Chengcheng. "Is this your first time participating in Charity Night? After you’ve been involved a few more times, you’ll understand. This is Charity Night, you know? The showcase is merely the brick paving the road, but only the pieces qualifying for the auction at Charity Night are considered gems."

With that, the organizer walked away.

Jiang Chengcheng stood there like a statue.

So while she was putting in all the effort to prove herself as a gem rather than a brick, Ye Li had already qualified as a gem?

!!!

Furious flames burned her heart, leaving it restless and unsettled. Jiang Chengcheng couldn’t even remember how she managed to finish the jewelry showcase.

When she regained her focus, she overheard her own name being called.

Five pieces from Dane Studio were selected for the Charity Night auction, and she was among them.

Before arriving at the venue, she had felt pride and gratitude for being guaranteed a slot in Charity Night.

Now, her heart was filled with humiliation.

...

At 7 PM, Ye Li and Wan Mingyi arrived at the Charity Night ballroom, greeted by the sight of people mingling amidst dazzling lights and celebrations.

The men were dressed in impeccable suits.

The women were radiant and stunning.

Even the older guests exuded grace and composure in their every gesture.

Wan Mingyi took a deep breath, her voice nervous. "Lizi, what if no one bids, or the price isn’t right? Would it embarrass our studio?"

Ye Li met her gaze with a look of helplessness.

Sighing, Ye Li said, "Sister Mingyi, can we have a little confidence in ourselves? You won the bronze award at the jewelry competition! Even Master Panier gave your piece a score of nine. Why would you think your work wouldn’t fetch a high price?"

Wan Mingyi paused, momentarily stunned, and then snapped back to reality. Straightening her posture, she walked alongside Ye Li into the venue like a proud peacock with its feathers on full display.

The banquet hall, which could seat over a hundred guests, was filled to capacity. Those seated in the front row exuded an aura of wealth and status.

Each had a small table beside them with a numbered bidding paddle neatly placed atop.

When Jyang Wanruo, the evening’s host, stepped onto the stage, the room immediately erupted into applause.

"Welcome to the biannual Charity Night. Thank you to all the esteemed guests for taking the time to join us..."

With a graceful and poised smile, Jyang Wanruo glanced around the room. "As per tradition, seventy percent of the auction proceeds will go to the work’s respective studio, and thirty percent will be managed by the Charity Association and donated to relevant projects. In advance, I thank each of you for your generosity and support! Without further ado, let’s officially begin this evening’s Charity Night auction."

Jyang Wanruo raised her hand, and the first auctioned piece was displayed on the large screen.

Simultaneously, a gloved staff member walked up to the stage carrying a tray and placed the item under the spotlight.

A Princess Crown, encrusted with 99 diamonds.

Jiang Chengcheng’s heart skipped a beat.