After Bankruptcy, the Billionaire Asked Me to Marry Him!
Chapter 397: So Foolish, So Naive!

Chapter 397: Chapter 397: So Foolish, So Naive!

How did I follow Mr. Dai back to my seat?

When did the final start?

Qiao Li An didn’t know.

She only knew that this was her first time competing abroad as a new designer.

And then she got eliminated miserably in the semi-finals.

Her design got! Sold! Out!!!

And it was at a price she couldn’t even imagine.

Applause erupted, and Qiao Li An came back to her senses, realizing the final had already begun.

The preliminary round was chosen by the jury, who only saw the drafts submitted by the designers on the official website.

The semi-finals were a brutal showdown among the submitted designs.

At the final, 151 designers’ works would be displayed in the exhibit hall, presented to over a thousand participating designers at the venue, along with the votes from ten master-level judges and special guests.

The works were new.

Aside from the organizers, no one knew which piece belonged to which designer.

During the voting, designers entering the exhibition weren’t allowed any communication.

The process was open and fair.

"This will be a dazzling and magnificent feast, is everyone ready?"

The host’s voice soared.

The audience erupted in applause.

When the staff below signaled for the start, the view inside the exhibit hall appeared on the big screen.

It resembled a winding corridor, passing through one of the safety exits of the venue, leading into the exhibit hall.

Taking a lap around, one would return to the exhibit hall.

"Every designer entering the exhibit has three votes, each special guest has 10 votes, and each judge has 20 votes. You can vote for different pieces or the same piece, your vote is your call! But..."

The host continued, "Once the vote is cast, it cannot be changed."

"The Radiant Paris Jewelry Design Competition, final, starts now! Contestants, please enter in an orderly fashion."

One of the safety exit doors opened, staff guided in an orderly manner.

Designers holding number plates filed in.

Those without number plates looked up at the big screen.

In the back row, Dai Qingzhou turned back to Qiao Li An, "Do you know how to vote?"

Qiao Li An startled, then nodded, "I know."

Lydia was one of the finalists and had no voting rights.

Dai Qingzhou, although Dane’s boss, was neither a judge nor a special guest, and also had no voting rights.

Only Qiao Li An was eligible.

Though three votes weren’t many, in a competition, even one vote could eliminate several contestants, let alone three.

Dai Qingzhou believed that as long as Qiao Li An wasn’t foolish, she should know without needing to be told who to vote for.

The scene was somewhat dull.

On the big screen, designers were seen slowly entering and exiting, seriously admiring the displayed works in the cabinets.

The camera shifted, showing the work closest to the lens, but only a vague impression could be seen.

Glancing at the screen and then back to her phone, Ye Li appeared unconcerned about it all.

Dai Qingzhou tentatively asked, "Ye Li, how about it? Confident about the final?"

Ye Li looked up, smiling softly, "It’s okay."

???

What does "okay" mean?

In what way is it okay?

Recalling the audacious and arrogant Ye Li from the semi-finals yesterday.

Then looking at the fairy-like Ye Li in front of her now, with her indifferent and casual attitude.

Dai Qingzhou couldn’t help but roll her eyes internally.

These young people today really have no manners.

In a moment, Dai Qingzhou smirked.

Ye Li believed that as Mrs. Fu, even if she couldn’t make a name for herself abroad in a short time, she’d still be the high and mighty Mrs. Fu back in the Imperial City.

That’s why she was so arrogant, right!

So silly, so naïve!

Does she not know that in any industry, hierarchy matters?

Not to mention she’s currently just a newcomer without her own brand or reputation.

Even if she establishes her brand in the future and promotes Ye Li’s Studio’s reputation, she would still be slightly deferential to others at exhibitions or dinners.

I originally planned to introduce Ye Li to some industry bigwigs at tonight’s celebration banquet to benefit both Ye and that Uncle Fu.

Now, Dai Qingzhou reckoned, never mind!

No matter how extensive Uncle Fu’s network or wealth is, it only helps Ye Li gain fame domestically in the jewelry circle.

Abroad, she would still have to behave humbly.

No matter how much money Uncle Fu spends or how many people he hires for a competition like Radiant, whether Ye Li succeeds or not depends only on her own ability.

This isn’t her home turf!

With that thought, Dai Qingzhou felt much at ease.

Imagining Ye Li’s awkwardness at the banquet, knowing no one and facing setbacks all around, Dai Qingzhou felt amused.

Suddenly the lights dimmed, and Dai Qingzhou turned her head to see staff approaching to distribute number plates.

Ye Li remained still.

On Dai Qingzhou’s other side, Qiao Li An stood up, holding her number plate, and headed straight toward the exhibition hall.

Before leaving, she hesitated to look back at Ye Li.

Qiao Li An wanted to ask Ye Li: Ye Li, which is your work? I want to vote for you!

She thought so and did so.

But even after she sent the WeChat message, Ye Li didn’t reply for a long time.

Even after preparing to leave, Ye Li’s gaze never moved.

Was she confident she could stand out and become one of the ten people on stage?

Or, did she not wish to cheat and wanted to rely on her true skills?

No, it should be both.

She is Ye Li, after all!

The youngest but most energetic contestant at the Radiant competition, daring to challenge five designers single-handedly.

Suddenly, her previously anxious heart settled, and Qiao Li An entered the exhibition hall with her head held high.

She remembered Mr. Dai’s advice to vote for Lydia.

But almost as soon as she entered the exhibit, she forgot everything.

As they say, learning is endless; at this moment, she was like a shaky little boat in a vast ocean of knowledge.

Above was a dazzling starry sky.

In front lay the endless azure sea.

The works before her, all radiant, were like stars adorning the night sky.

Illuminating her path ahead.

And guiding her toward a clearer future.

The uncertainty that filled her mind at countless moments before, now seemed like twinkling little colored lights lighting up one by one.

By the time she reached the exit, Qiao Li An felt as if a Christmas tree had taken root in her heart.

The lights on the tree were entirely lit.

Something seemed ready to burst from within her heart.

That was... hope.

Aspirations!

Her beautiful future!

"Jo! ... Jo?"

A call rang out, bringing Qiao Li An back to reality, and she realized a staff member at the exit had handed her the tablet for voting.

It was her turn to vote.

"Thank you!"

Taking the tablet, she flipped through page after page.

Unaware she had already swiped past Lydia’s work.

Qiao Li An found the piece that impressed her most and inspired her the most, casting her sacred three votes.

Returning to her seat, she met Dai Qingzhou’s inquiring gaze, "Did you vote?"

Qiao Li An nodded, "I did!"

Dai Qingzhou nodded.

Qiao Li An exhaled lightly.

She indeed had voted.

It just wasn’t for Lydia.

In the end, only the total scores of the contestants would be published, not the voters.

Sigh, she couldn’t tell which piece was Ye Li’s.

She should ask her later for her learning experience.

Murmuring internally, Qiao Li An sneaked a glance at Ye Li.