Jiaochen

The cheongsam seemed to have been based on an ink painting. Its base color was white, while the top portion featured a lotus flower, seemingly growing out of a pond, replete with green leaves, roots, and buds that have yet to fully bloom.

The dress didn’t evoke any vulgarity, but instead made you feel something special.

However, the most eye-catching feature was actually the frog fasteners on its straight collar, which were designed to look like small dancing butterflies, flitting across the lotus pond.

Everyone was in an uproar.

Ye Zhenzehn couldn’t help but exclaim, “My God! The visual effect is too awesome.”

Chen Xinyu couldn’t help but nod, “She should still have something up her sleeve.”

“What?”

“We’ll know when the model performs.”

Ye Zhenzhen nodded while not fully understanding.

When all the works were carried out, it was time for the runway exhibition and the designer’s Q&A.

Every work had a story.

In the backstage, the models were already ready. After they had changed into the completed designs, it was time they came out and performed. It was a big show.

Ji Qingying was last in line so she had to wait patiently for all the other walks and designer Q&As to finish.

The scores were directly given, with the highest and lowest scores being removed, and the average of the remainder being taken.

Each judge could give a max score of 10.

And there were a total of six judges.

When Ji Qingying’s model came out, it was not surprising that everyone’s attention came upon her.

After seeing the cheongsam and styling on the model, everyone’s eyes collectively widened, which quickly devolved into many whispered discussions.

“Does the model’s hands need to be positioned like that?”

“Oh my god!!! This idea is just too amazing!”

“The ribbon on the model’s head, was it prepared just now as well?”

“Ahhh! The green one on her wrist connects to the green lotus leaf bud! It looks like an iron chain, right?”

……

Ye Zhenzhen also looked over with wide eyes. She turned to look at Chen Xinyu, before asking, “Sister Xinyu, is this…?”

Chen Xinyu nodded and whispered to her, “I knew it. She added a few strokes here and there, so they must have a meaning.”

After the model had finished walking, Ji Qingying came on the stage.

After coming up to the front, the host was the first to speak, “Can Ms Ji introduce your work to us?”

Ji Qingying smiled while taking the microphone, “Hello everyone, I’m Ji Qingying.” She pointed sideways, “This is the work I designed, a cheongsam that represents ‘Freedom’.”

As soon as she finished, one of the judges asked, “The topic is indeed freedom, but why did you come up with a design using a cheongsam?”

Ji Qingying raised her gaze and calmly replied, “I like cheongsams very much, and I also think that cheongsams can also represent freedom.”

Another judge nodded, “The fabrics you chose are full of character, and you’ve even prepared for when the model will don the outfit on the runway.” He paused a bit before continuing, “What I want to ask is does the pose of the model have any meaning? Together with the green ribbon on her wrist, too?

“Of course.”

Ji Qingying explained them one by one. “The ribbon on the wrist connects to the lotus leaf bud on the cheongsam, right? When you look at it, it’s like a chain, isn’t it?”

The crowd nodded.

Ji Qingying smiled, “This is what I intended.”

“Actually, when you raise the hand, the chain is broken, right?” She continued, “Whether it is in design or even with people, all of them should only be limited up to a certain point. As long as you take a step forward and lift your hand up, the chains will disappear and you will be free. That is your freedom.

She continued, seriously, “To many people, cheongsams represent being stifled. But for me, they can also be very freeing, very fashionable, and very design-oriented. Breaking tradition is the freedom I want.#pleasereadthischapteratfoxaholic.com

She pointed to the butterfly embroidery on the dress, “It’s like this butterfly as it hovers on the lotus leaf. It’s there, but it doesn’t mean it can’t leave, it just chooses to stay. And in its splendid fluttering, it is free. The same could be said of the blooming flower, it’s a personal choice.”

After her words fell, the judges were the first to applaud.

One of the judges even commented, “I like your design concept very much, and I also find your work impeccable.”

“Thank you.”

After several juries commented one by one, only Zhou Zhilan was left.

Zhou Zhilan took the microphone and looked at her, "Your work is very good, but I have a question."

Ji Qingying looked unfazed, “Teacher Zhou, please speak.”

Zhou Zhilan paused a bit before gently asking, “How will you get the public to accept your work? Essentially, a fashion designer job is to make everyone like their designs, regardless of the level of constraint. At an international level, how will you convince foreigners to like it?”

Ji Qingying looked at her and calmly replied, “As long as I make things good, they’ll have no choice but to like it.”

She continued, “Everyone has different preferences, but at the same time, people can’t resist beautiful things.”

She pursed her lips in determination as she said, “Many years ago, the cheongsam had its splendor. It was even liked and imitated by many foreigners, so I don’t think that they only appeal to the Chinese. This proves that it has worldwide appeal, and that it is not bound by the constraints of our own little world.”

…………

It was time for the judges to give scores.

Ye Zhenzhen was holding Chen Xinyu’s hand as she was very nervous.

In contrast, Ji Qingying was relatively calm as she was the last in line.

Not long after, the judges' scores came out.

The host read the report, one by one.

After removing the highest and lowest scores, Ji Qingying’s average score was 9.8.

When the words fell, Ye Zhenzhen turned to look at the person next to her. “Brother, what was the highest score out of the other seven designers?!”#pleasereadthischapteratfoxaholic.com

Fu Yanzhi kept his gaze on the person on stage. The two’s eyes met across the crowd. He chuckled lightly with his eyes full of praise. “The highest score was 9.6.”

Hearing his reply, Ye Zhenzehn was ecstatic. “Ah!!! Sister Ji is the winner!”

As soon as it quieted down, the host proceeded to speak, “Let’s congratulate the winner of this year’s national design competition, Ji Qingying.”

The applause thundered forth.

Everyone had only eyes for her.

Everyone was thoroughly impressed by her talent. So was Fu Yanzhi.