“So the man you stole really smells that sweet? You’re already this eager to show him off in front of everyone?” Qiao Xi sneered as she looked at her.
Qiao Ying’er instantly put on a wronged expression.
“Big sister, you misunderstood me. We just haven’t seen each other for so long, I…”
Qiao Xi shook her off with a cold expression.
“The reason I don’t bother arguing with you is because I’m generous, not because you’ve done nothing wrong.”
“All those scandals people love talking about—every single trap you, Qiao Ying’er, personally dug for me—I know them all perfectly well. Stop pretending in front of me.”
“When your design work becomes as impressive as your acting skills, then come talk to me again!”
After saying that, Qiao Xi shoved her away hard, pulled her suitcase behind her, and left without even turning back.
Her strides were quick and decisive, her tall slender figure radiating a cool, unstoppable confidence.
Qiao Ying’er nearly stumbled from the push, her face turning extremely ugly.
The people who had been gossiping about Qiao Xi earlier immediately shifted their attention to her.
Even Lu Jinghao’s gaze couldn’t help following Qiao Xi’s retreating figure, so much so that he forgot to comfort Qiao Ying’er.
If so many people hadn’t been watching, he probably would have chased after Qiao Xi already.
Just then, Qiao Ying’er’s phone buzzed with a notification.
Since today was the organizational stage of the semifinals, many media outlets were closely following the competition, and there was no shortage of news involving her and Lu Jinghao.
But one photo had suddenly exploded online and shot straight to the top of the trending searches.
It was the moment earlier when Nangong He had reached over to remove something from Qiao Xi’s hair.
What had landed on Qiao Xi’s head was a double-petaled cherry blossom. Nangong He’s long, elegant fingers brushing against her hair created an image so intimate and gentle that it looked straight out of a romantic drama, completely confirming how close the two of them were.
At first glance, the car in the photo looked identical to Lu Jinghao’s.
But in reality, Lu Jinghao only owned the cheapest version in the series, while Nangong He drove the premium model.
Qiao Ying’er’s eyes flickered, and in that instant, her face turned pale with anger.
“Are we going in?” Lu Jinghao asked beside her, his eyes still practically glued to Qiao Xi’s direction.
Qiao Ying’er took a deep breath and said coldly, “No need. I’ll go myself!”
She shoved Lu Jinghao aside and strode into the hotel without another word.
Qiao Xi received her room card. The room location was decent, spacious as well, so she began unpacking her belongings.
While she was busy tidying up, the door suddenly opened again, and Qiao Ying’er appeared in the doorway carrying luggage.
She froze for a moment before immediately smiling brightly.
“Big sister, so you’re staying across from me? I came over to say hello.”
Qiao Xi glanced at her expressionlessly and coldly spat out two words:
“Bad luck.”
“Big sister, don’t stay angry with me. We’re family—we should get along harmoniously.”
Qiao Ying’er stepped closer, softening her voice.
“I know you resent me because of Jinghao, but that doesn’t erase the feelings between us.”
“I truly love him, and now that you’re married too, wouldn’t it be better if we both found happiness?”
Qiao Xi pushed her away as if avoiding a plague.
“Whether I forgive you isn’t up to me anymore—it’s up to God. Since you’re so desperate to be forgiven, why don’t you kill yourself now and go ask God personally?”
Qiao Ying’er’s expression shifted slightly. She tried to continue her act, but Qiao Xi directly shoved her out the door.
Qiao Ying’er staggered backward and fell heavily onto the floor, her voice instantly turning tearful.
“Big sister, Jinghao and I truly love each other. I know you resent me, but I’m already pregnant. The child is innocent, and love is innocent too.”
“Now that we both have our own families, can’t we just let each other go?”
She covered her stomach with one hand, her voice trembling slightly, making her look like the most pitiful victim in the world.
Qiao Xi was so disgusted she nearly rolled her eyes on the spot.
Acting like this and still painting herself as the victim—how shameless could she get?
The commotion wasn’t small, and soon several nearby rooms were alerted.
A few people rushed over and helped Qiao Ying’er to her feet while looking displeasedly at the indifferent Qiao Xi.
“No matter what, she’s still your younger sister. Isn’t this a bit too much, Miss Qiao?” one of them said while supporting Qiao Ying’er.
“Exactly. Even if you married well, you shouldn’t forget where you came from.”
“Right. Leave some room for future interactions. You’re family after all—why make things this ugly?”
Qiao Xi laughed mockingly.
“If you all enjoy recognizing relatives for me so much, then I’ll gift this younger sister to you.”
With that, she slammed the door shut and refused to waste another second talking to them.
She had come here to compete, not to make friends. There was no reason to waste time on these people.
If they loved acting like saints so much, they could continue doing so—as long as they stayed out of her sight.
The hotel rooms weren’t single occupancy.
Not long after, a plainly dressed and low-key girl arrived at Qiao Xi’s room and became her roommate.
The girl looked like she had come from a small town, carrying a cautious air in everything she did.
Whenever Qiao Xi was outside, she instinctively kept her guard up and avoided interacting too much with anyone, including this girl.
After resting in the room for a while, someone soon came to notify them that the production team was treating everyone to dinner, and all contestants had to attend.
Although Qiao Xi had little interest in it, basic social obligations couldn’t be avoided.
The dinner was held on the first floor of the hotel, and almost every contestant showed up.
Most people in the design circle already knew each other. Combined with the fact that Qiao Ying’er had previously used Qiao Xi’s designs to create several breakout works, she had become the center of attention.
Many people surrounded her eagerly.
“Actually, I don’t really understand color theory that deeply,” Qiao Ying’er said modestly while sitting among the crowd and pretending to sound professional. “I only studied a tiny bit while abroad.”
“The most important thing is inspiration, and then refining the details afterward. Personally, I’m very detail-oriented.”
She rambled on and on. Some of what she said genuinely sounded insightful.
But in reality, everything she said was recycled from ideas Qiao Xi had already discarded long ago.
Qiao Xi couldn’t even be bothered paying attention to her. Sitting in the farthest corner, she casually played with the teacup in her hand.
She planned to simply go through the motions at this dinner and leave. She had no interest in wasting time on these people, nor did she want to keep staring at Qiao Ying’er’s unbearably fake face.
“Big sister, since your work was given a second review opportunity, it must have something impressive about it too. Why don’t you share some of your thoughts with us?”
Qiao Ying’er turned toward Qiao Xi and asked softly.