"The floral and bird pattern on this dress is good, but the bodice part is too plain, lacking any standout design."
"This kind of dress is very picky. Unless you have refined features and a slender figure, the average person won't be able to pull it off."
"Although the artistry is good, it lacks originality."
The judges and audience were divided in their opinions.
"Now, let us warmly welcome designer number 16 with enthusiastic applause."
Yin Panpan was wearing her self-designed gown for the first time, showcasing it on the stage.
She felt a bit nervous inside, but remembering Qing Yan's words before going on stage, she managed to suppress her inner panic and tried to imagine this place as the streets of old Shanghai, where she was simply taking a leisurely stroll out the door.
Walking a circle on the stage, her feminine charm radiated, receiving widespread praise. Whether it was her personal style or the dress she wore, they exuded a strong sense of modern and retro fashion.
"I originally thought her features couldn't support such a grand and dignified dress, but with this new look, the dress seems tailor-made for her. It looks stunning."
"This dress looks like haute couture. Designer number 16 is so talented."
In comparison, the previous ones were too ordinary, lacking that eye-catching feeling.
Li Yihan's gaze fell on her. The style was good, coupled with her wavy curls and captivating presence.
He gave a score: nine points.
Other judges also gave eight or nine points...
After stepping off the stage, Yin Panpan was filled with excitement. "Yan Yan, I think we have a chance to advance to the third round!"
"We were always guaranteed to win." Qing Yan had confidence in their designs. The combination of retro elements and artistic abstract paintings easily stood out among the sea of landscape and bird-and-flower designs.
"Now, let us invite all the designers and their assistants onto the stage with the loudest applause!"
As soon as the host's words fell, a tide of applause erupted from the audience.
Ten designers and their assistants went up on stage one after another.
"These designers and their assistants have just showcased their works one by one, and the scores are already in."
"Everyone can see from the big screen that the highest score goes to designer number 16 and her assistant. Let's congratulate them with applause for their successful advancement!"
The entire venue thundered with applause.
Yin Panpan happily bowed, thanking the judges and audience for their support and expressing words of gratitude.
On the other hand, Qing Yan, standing beside her, maintained a calm expression from beginning to end.
"Let us once again congratulate participants 16, 21, and 29 for successfully advancing to the third round with warm applause!"
Yin Qing, who was backstage, was furious. She had brought four designers this time, but none of them made it through!
At this moment, Designers 3 and 4 returned to the rest area, and Yin Qing couldn't control herself anymore. She stood up and gave them a hard slap.
"What's the use of the company supporting you for so long? A bunch of useless people! You can't even compare to the trash from the Yin family!"
Meanwhile, Lu Muyao couldn't believe that she personally tried to persuade the judges but didn't even make it to the top three. She sat in front of the dressing table, unsure of how to explain it to her parents.
"Miss Yaoyao, I'm not as skilled as the others. You can deduct my salary..." Designer 9 blamed herself.
In her mind, Lu Muyao silently cursed, "Useless!"
But she didn't say anything and didn't know how to explain when she returned.
"Yan Yan, it's already incredible for me to make it to the top three... Whether I can win the first place or not, I don't dare to expect it anymore," Yin Panpan whispered excitedly, her voice filled with excitement.
Anyway, the top three already qualified for the international competition...
If she participated, there would be a chance to meet Mu Qing...
She didn't know if Mu Qing would be one of the judges in the international competition...
"If you're going to do it, do it the best." Qing Yan looked ahead, her expression calm, her voice soft. "In this world, people only remember who the champion is and rarely know the names of the runner-up and the third place."
Upon hearing this, Yin Panpan suddenly felt it made sense and regained confidence to strive for the first place.
"Before I announce the content of the third round, please give a warm round of applause to our models for today, Li Qian, Liu Tingting, and Wang Xiaoling."
As the host's voice fell, everyone was surprised. There were models today?
The three girls slowly walked onto the stage, shocking everyone.
Were they three disabled girls?
"Li Qian was trapped under the ruins for three days and nights during last year's earthquake in Chuancheng. She not only lost her left leg but also her family."
"Liu Tingting suffered extensive burns on her hands and feet in a fire. She has visible scars and walks with a limp."
"Wang Xiaoling had half of her left hand crushed in a machinery accident due to overexertion."
"They are all of a tender age but have experienced inhuman suffering prematurely. The challenge for this round is for designers to create outfits that best suit them, showcasing their beauty."
Li Qian was assigned to Yin Panpan and Qing Yan's team.
Yin Panpan looked at Li Qian's prosthetic left leg and couldn't help but feel heartbroken. She wondered if it would be painful for Li Qian to walk with it.
"Take back your gaze," Qing Yan reminded in a calm voice. The external gaze, whether it's well-intentioned or curious, pitiful or sympathetic, can have a tremendous impact on people with disabilities.
"As a designer now, your priority should be designing the clothes that suit her best," Qing Yan continued.
Upon hearing Qing Yan's words, Yin Panpan shifted her focus back and began working with the materials provided by the organizers to create a cool set of sportswear for Li Qian.
Throughout the process, she didn't seek Qing Yan's opinion but showed strong determination, deliberately exposing the prosthetic limb on Li Qian's left leg.
In this aspect, it aligned with Qing Yan's expectations.
In contrast, Models 21 and 29 chose to conceal the unattractive aspects of their bodies, attempting to make themselves look like ordinary people.
Forty minutes later, the three models put on the clothes tailored for them by the designers and walked the runway.
Li Yihan picked up the microphone and asked Yin Panpan for her thoughts. "Why did you make her expose the prosthetic limb?"
Holding the microphone, Yin Panpan earnestly replied, "I wanted to convey a message to Li Qian and many others like her: don't be afraid that your prosthetic limbs might scare us. I believe they are more like badges of honor that should be proudly displayed. You can be admired and loved."
Upon hearing this, Li Qian's eyes welled up with tears.
"No one has the right to judge you, to say whether you're good or not. It's up to you to decide. The world may associate health with having two healthy legs and participating in sports, but sports should embody a resilient spirit. Even with one leg less, it doesn't diminish your passion. You can still run on the field, shine, and radiate."
Li Qian nodded, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.