The names of the applicants who passed the first selection process were later on announced. Each one was given a letter telling them to prepare for the second part the next day.
The ladies who were selected almost jump in joy as they hugged their assistants and managers. Only one name was not called. The ladies inside the room threw Xu Jia Li a look of pity. Some even whispered,
"I knew it. She's the only one who spent more time inside the room."
"Probably the selection committee can't be bought. You know what the rumors say. She's selling her body to get what she wants."
"Guess, that didn't work now, huh?"
"Hey be quiet. She might hear us."
"Who cares? She didn't even pass the first part. Guess, she's not that capable."
"Who would even pick her? Who would go to an audition wearing dress like that?"
"I agree. Look at her. She looks like a trash. How can she ever be fitting for Si Cosmetics. Look at Zhou Bingbing and Chen Anru. They look far better than Xu Jia Li."
Two persons in the crowd of jovial applicants rejoiced with Xu Jia Li's misfortune. Zhou Bingbing rose on her sit, eyes glinting with pride. She smirked at Xu Jia Li before she walked out of the room.
Qi Xenjin, on the other hand, celebrated as she heard what the other ladies had to say about Xu Jia Li. She was in cloud nine. Finally, there was something that she had done to defeat her. She laughed joyfully, her eyes so vicious that she didn't suit being called a princess.
Qi Xenjin continued as she boasted about how well she did in the audition and how she was liked by the selection panels,
"They told me that I'm perfect to be the face of Si Cosmetis. I couldn't be any happier."
Hui Ruo was ecstatic as she boosted Qi Xenjin's ego even more,
"You are really capable, Xenjin. Unlike other artists here who didn't even pass the selection. How hard could it be answering some questions?" Hui Ruo smirked, "I know you will bag the endorsement."
"You should have seen their faces when they saw me. They really want me to be the endorser."
The other applicants only gazed at Qi Xenjin who was still bragging about her success. The pity they felt about Xu Jia Li was directed to Qi Xenjin.
"Isn't it too early for her to celebrate? We still have more coming."
"She's so full of herself." sneered one of the contenders.
"Let her boast. She'll have her face slap anytime soon."
Unaware of other people's hateful gazes, Qi Xenjin turned her devious glare at Xu Jia Li who was sitting quietly at the far end of the room. The quiet posture of Xu Jia Li overjoyed her. She mistook her composure of that accepting defeat.
Xu Jia Li's name wasn't called and Shen Linqin knew that she would be out of the audition.
The poor Shen Linqin was sobbing incessantly beside Xu Jia Li. She wanted to answer the mean retorts of the other ladies in the room but she was stopped by Xu Jia Li.
"Never stoop down to their level, Linqin."
Only Xu Jia Li did not receive any letter which left a mystery to Shen Linqin,
"Li-jie, there must be some mistakes. I know you're perfect for this, I-I c-can't really b-believe that you weren't chosen."
"Linqin, stop crying."
Shen Linqin couldn't stop the tears from falling as her chest heaved up and down,
"Li-jie, these women are wretched. You're far better than them b- but ā¦" Shen Linqin didn't finish her words as she coughed because of crying.
"Hui Ruo, didn't I tell you that Senior Xu won't be picked?" Qi Xenjin whispered in Hui Ruo's ears enough for Xu Jia Li and Shen Linqin to hear.
They didn't see the two walked towards them. Shen Linqin wiped her eyes and nose before she spoke, "Will you shut up, Xenjin! Li-jie will always be prettier than you!"
Qi Xenjin moved closer to Shen Linqin, pretending to wipe her tears with her handkerchief. She inched even closer as she taunted, "Really, Xu Jia Li's maid?"
"I'm not Li-jie's maid!" Shen Linqin yelled before she slapped Qi Xenjin's hand.
The handkerchief fell on the floor. Qi Xenjin glanced around, making sure that there were people looking before she got down, pretending to pick the handkerchief up. As if on cue, Hui Ruo stopped Qi Xenjin as she spoke,
"Why did you do that to her? She only wants to help ease your pain. It's not even her fault that Xu Jia Li is lacking."
"But she told me that I'm Li-jie's maid!"
"You still shouldn't have slapped her hand!"
"Oh, no, Manager Hui, it's fine. I know Linqin didn't do it intentionally. I know it's hard for her to accept that Senior Xu didn't pass the initial selection."
"Don't be so kind, Xenjin. People will take advantage of you."
The on lookers threw Shen Linqin and Xu Jia Li their scornful gazes. The lady from group D said with disdain, "Pick that up. You don't even know how to respect other people. Is that what you've learned from that immoral flesh selling bitch?"
The room was suddenly full of buzz from people's gibberish mumbles. The contempt on their gazes was enough to make one wish to just be buried then and there.
Shen Linqin's face was so red that she felt like bursting. She despised Qi Xenjin so much that she wished she could pounce on her and slap her.
Before Shen Linqin could say anymore, Xu Jia Li spoke as she stared intently at Qi Xenjin, "Why don't you pick it up, Miss Qi? Since I couldn't teach Linqin good manners, would you like to teach her that?"
"She's not my maid. Why would I teach her that?" Qi Xenjin blurted out, forgetting that they weren't the only ones inside. Realizing what she'd done, she stuttered, "I-I m-mean, I c-could teach her but it's really shameless of me to bypass you, Senior Xu."
Xu Jia Li smiled meekly as she said, "It seems that Miss Qi always forgets that Linqin is not my maid but my dearest friend."
"I-I didn't say that."
Everyone who heard Qi Xenjin was filled with disgust. They were vexed at how despicable she was. They heard what she said and anyone would be offended with her words.
"How can she be so immature! She's a liar! I suddenly resent siding with her."
"Isn't she always like that? Li Yun doesn't even like her 'coz she's very wicked."
"Miss Qi, I don't treat my people like robots to do my bidding. I treat them family." Xu Jia Li said.
Qi Xenjin's face contorted as she furrowed her brows deeply, her face grew darker. She was expecting Xu Jia Li to yield. She didn't expect things to backfire all of a sudden. The shock was clearly written on her face upon hearing Xu Jia Li's retort.
She glared at her as she said, "What did I do? I was only trying to help." Qi Xenjin played the victim card as she changed her facial expression from livid to aggrieve.
But no one seemed to take the bait as the people inside said,
"I don't really know why she's making a fuss over that. Why doesn't she just pick her hanky?"
"I think the poor Linqin didn't really mean it. She's making it hard for the girl."
"That's really vile of her."
Qi Xenjin felt that bursting especially when she heard Xu Jia Li spoke,
"Of course, Miss Qi." Xu Jia Li nodded as she tried to pick the handkerchief on the floor. Before she could do that, Qi Xenjin immediately kneeled and stole it from her.
In the process, Qi Xenjin's artfully made nails scratched through Xu Jia Li's left hand. The blood dripped slowly which left Qi Xenjin speechless.
"I-I didn't mean it." Her eyes bulging as she looked around the room. All eyes were on her. Some gave her a dismayed look as they began whispering with one another. She even saw someone filming what happened.
The blood rushed on her head as her face turned red. She felt nervous. She hastened as she took Xu Jia Li's hand, trying to wipe the blood.
She was shaking when she saw the blood dripping on her hand. In her nervousness, she didn't notice that she was grasping Xu Jia Li's hand tightly which was already leaving a reddish mark on the pulse.
"I-I really didn't mean it." Qi Xenjin shook her head as she gazed at everyone's doubtful faces.