Qing Yan didn't waste time talking and took out her phone, directly dialing Li Yusha's number and turning on the speakerphone.
This phone number was saved by Qing Yan the first time she visited the Li family. Li Yusha insisted on her saving it, right in front of their parents. She said they could make appointments together for a spa day and afternoon tea in the future.
Qing Yan didn't want to pretend to have a deep sisterly bond with her, but to avoid putting her parents in a difficult position, she still saved the number and never dialed it.
After a moment, the call connected.
"Sister?"
Li Yusha's sweet voice came from the other end, and the word "sister" left Mu Jing stunned.
What's going on?
Why is Sasa calling this little brat her sister?
Could it be that they are really relatives?
"Do you know who I am?" Qing Yan's voice sounded somewhat displeased.
"You... aren't you Sister Qing Yan?" Li Yusha was a little puzzled. She happened to be at home, in front of her parents, and quickly put on a kind facade. "Sister, aren't you participating in the competition today? Is there something you need help with?"
Hearing this, Li Yuanfu and Song Qiaoying on the side eagerly urged Li Yusha to turn on the speakerphone and ask Yan Yan if she had forgotten to bring the registration materials or ID, or if there was something urgent... They wanted to help too!
Li Yusha quickly turned on the speakerphone, wanting to make a good impression in front of her parents.
"I ask you, who is Archen's fiance?"
This sudden question left Li Yusha stunned in place. What does it mean? Why would Qing Yan call and ask her this question out of nowhere?
Did something happen?
Li Yuanfu and Song Qiaoying were also confused as to why Yan Yan suddenly asked about this before the competition.
"Um?" Qing Yan made a simple syllable, immediately bringing Li Yusha's thoughts back. Although Li Yusha didn't know what Qing Yan was up to, she still displayed her gentle and amiable side in front of her parents.
"Of course, he's your fiance, my brother-in-law..."
"Click..."
Qing Yan hung up the phone decisively, giving Mu Jing a look as if to say, "You don't even know you're being used as a pawn!"
Mu Jing stood there as if struck by lightning, unable to believe what Li Yusha had just said...
How could she call the girl in front of her "sister"?
And why did she say Archen is her "brother-in-law"?
What on earth is going on?
But it was clearly Sasa's voice just now...
Bianhu Lake Villa.
Li Yusha was confused and didn't understand why Qing Yan suddenly hung up the phone. When she tried calling back, there was no answer.
"Sasa, what's going on? Yan Yan's tone didn't sound too happy," Li Yusha wondered aloud.
"Between you and Archen..."
"Mom, Dad, please don't misunderstand. There's nothing going on between me and my brother-in-law," Li Yusha also felt confused and quickly explained, "I don't know why my sister suddenly became upset and asked me about this. Don't worry, I'll message her later..."
"The competition is about to start, so let's not disturb her for now and let her focus on the competition," Song Qiaoying said that, but she had a nagging feeling that something was not right. She thought it would be necessary to wait for Yan Yan to come back and clarify.
"Okay." Li Yusha temporarily suppressed her uneasiness. She had no idea what Qing Yan was up to!
If she knew she would ask like this, she wouldn't have spoken so openly!
Just then, the bell for the competition rang.
"Contestants numbered one to twenty, get ready, it's time to go on stage!"
Upon hearing the staff's words, everyone in the A rest area was ready, feeling nervous and restless...
The male host in a suit stepped onto the grand stage.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, participants, and judges! I'm delighted to have you all here for the annual Hua Guo Cup Fashion Design Competition."
"Over the years, this competition has produced many outstanding designers who have taken our Hua Guo fashion to the world, spreading our cultural influence through clothing in various countries..."
"Today, we are honored to have five influential figures in the industry as our judges: Fu Jia, President of the Hua Guo Fashion Designers Association; Shirley, Fashion Editor-in-Chief; Tian Lan, President of the Women's Fashion Association; Mei Ying, President of Fashion Times; and President Li Yihan from Li Ming Corporation. Let's give them a round of applause."
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
"At the same time, we have 200 esteemed guests in the audience, including renowned designers, experienced fashion scholars, fashion icons, and fashion enthusiasts, who will participate in live voting to ensure fairness and impartiality in our competition..."
"Qing Yan, what should I do? I'm getting nervous," Yin Panpan stood at the back of the crowd, looking towards the stage. She didn't even know what the host had said and was trembling slightly.
"You're not afraid when so many people watch the live broadcast, but you're nervous with just 200 people in the audience?" Qing Yan said as he continued playing his game.
"You have strong mental resilience..."
He still has the mood to play with his phone and games now!
Several designers around them had pale faces from fear.
"What else can we do? Is being nervous helpful?" Qing Yan asked casually.
Yin Panpan shook her head.
"If being nervous is useless and can even affect our performance, why not adjust our mindset and face it bravely?"
Upon hearing Qing Yan's words, the designers around them suddenly woke up, realizing that he had a point...
Why does she look so young yet so sharp-minded?
"There are 120 designers participating in today's competition. Now, let me announce the rules for the first round. Every group consists of 20 designers who will take the stage together for the initial challenge. In the end, only 30 designers and their assistants will proceed to the second round of the competition."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted in commotion.
Even the contestants felt nervous...
"There are 120 participants, but only 30 can make it to the second round. Three-quarters of them will be eliminated at once!"
"That's terrifying, isn't it?"
"Even before the competition, I can feel the tense atmosphere."
"I heard there are a few well-known freelance designers participating today. I wonder what kind of works they will bring."
"I heard that Yan Yan, the designer who revamped the live broadcast, is also competing today."
"Oh? Really? I really like her. Which number is she?"
"I have no idea..."
With a smile, the host announced, "Now, let's warmly welcome the first group of contestants with the loudest applause."
In the judge's seat below the stage, Li Yihan, expressionless, cast his gaze onto the large screen.
The first group consisted of twenty designers, each accompanied by their own assistants. He scanned the faces of the designers, but none of them resembled his sister.
"What number is Qing Yan?" he whispered, lowering his voice to ask the person beside him.
Mei Ying, the president of Fashion Times, looked bewildered. "Qing Yan? I haven't heard of such a person... President Li, do you know her? Just a moment, let me check..."
She searched through the data but couldn't find the name Qing Yan among the list of 120 designers.
"Let me have a look," Li Yihan took the file and quickly scanned the designer list. Nothing. Could it be one of the assistants?
Scanning again, number 16 caught his eye.
He raised his gaze, instantly locking eyes with the exquisite face on the stage.