Time quickly slipped into September, and Shi Yue's senior year of college had just begun. Not long after, the final scoring rounds of the Design Competition started recording.
Fortunately, there weren't any important courses during her senior year, so Shi Yue easily got approval for a break from her professors, allowing her to fully focus on the competition.
The scoring competition consisted of three rounds, with a maximum of 100 points per round. After the three rounds, the contestant with the highest cumulative score would win. It's worth mentioning that each medal earned from the elimination rounds could give an additional 5 points. So far, Shi Yue held two medals, Zhou Leya had one, and Shen Lingling had none.
Because of this gap, Shen Lingling became more withdrawn after the competition started. During breaks, Shi Yue and Zhou Leya would occasionally chat to relax, but Shen Lingling was either in her room or buried in the workshop, rarely seen.
The topic of the first scoring round was trendy menswear.
When Shi Yue saw this topic, her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't skilled in designing menswear, and her company, Shi Nuo, had only ever focused on women's clothing, never designing or selling menswear.
But the topic had been announced, and no matter how challenging, she had to push through.
The result was predictable—she placed third in the first round with a score of 73. Unexpectedly, Shen Lingling scored 84, even 4 points higher than second-place Zhou Leya.
With these results, not considering the extra points from medals, Shen Lingling temporarily took first place on the leaderboard.
After the results were announced, the host mysteriously hinted at the next round: "For the second scoring round, we've invited a special cross field guest. With their participation, the artistic and entertainment value of the show will definitely reach new heights. I hope the three contestants get a good rest and prepare well for the next round!"
The crowd at the recording site clapped enthusiastically, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. Only Shi Yue felt her eyelids twitching for no apparent reason.
Instinctively, she turned to look at Shen Lingling, who was standing in the middle, only to find that Shen was also looking at her, a malicious smirk curling on her lips.
Their gazes briefly met in the air, and Shi Yue frowned, quickly turning away.
On one hand, she had a feeling that Shen Lingling was up to no good. On the other hand, she wondered if she was just being overly paranoid. After all, in the original novel's plot, Shen Lingling no longer had any tricks left to use against her.
When Shi Yue returned to the backstage lounge to remove her makeup, Zhou Leya unexpectedly approached her.
"Do you have time tomorrow?" she asked, "I want to go to an art exhibition, and we could go together."
After the first round, the contestants had two days of rest.
Over time, Shi Yue found that Zhou Leya was someone worth befriending. Since Zhou had taken the initiative to invite her and wanted to build a connection outside of the competition, Shi Yue gladly agreed. "Sure, I'm free."
Leng Yanmi had mentioned during a chat the night before that she would be out of town for a business trip, so she wouldn't be around to spend time with her anyway.
Zhou Leya smiled and waved her phone, "Send me your address. I'll pick you up at 9 a.m. tomorrow."
Seeing that Zhou Leya had everything planned out, Shi Yue relaxed and gave her an 'OK' gesture. Zhou Leya waved goodbye and left.
However, the next day, when they were stopped outside the art exhibition, Shi Yue realized that even someone as seemingly reliable as Zhou Leya could slip up.
"We're sorry, this is a private exhibition. Entry is by invitation only."
Zhou Leya froze in place.
Seeing her stunned expression, Shi Yue found it amusing. She pulled Zhou Leya to a nearby bench, teasingly asking, "Did you misread the information?"
Zhou Leya unlocked and locked her phone screen, too embarrassed to respond.
Shi Yue, not wanting to see her so down, suggested, "There's a big museum nearby. Since we can't enter the exhibition, how about we go there instead?"
Zhou Leya finally snapped out of her daze and apologized sincerely, "I'm so sorry. I didn't realize it was a private event..."
Shi Yue shrugged, "No worries."
To comfort her, Shi Yue added, "It's not really about what we do when hanging out with friends, but more about the company." She stood up and offered her arm, "Come on, let's go to the museum."
Zhou Leya hesitated before declining, "I... I don't want to go."
Shi Yue paused, then asked, "Then what do you want to do?"
Zhou Leya bit her lip, hesitating for a while before she finally said, "Actually, I came here to meet someone. Since we can't go into the exhibition, I thought I'd wait outside, and maybe I'll get lucky and see them..."
"I'm sorry. You can head back first. This was my mistake. I'll make it up to you next time."
Shi Yue scratched her head. She wasn't upset, just a bit confused about Zhou Leya's determination. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Who are you waiting for? I know some artists in the city. Maybe I can help you get a ticket to the exhibition."
Zhou Leya didn't have much hope, but she softly uttered a name, "Wu Xuan."
"Wu Xuan?"
"Yes!" Zhou Leya's eyes lit up, "Do you know her?"
Shi Yue's eyes widened.
If it were anyone else, she might have sought help from Leng Yanmi, but the person Zhou Leya was looking for—Wu Xuan—was someone Shi Yue could directly contact. Wu Xuan owned shares in Shi Nuo, and in order to gain the rights to manage those shares, Shi Yue had previously befriended her and even became close with her young daughter.
Shi Yue pointed toward the exhibition, "You're saying this is Wu Xuan's exhibition?"
Zhou Leya stood up, "Yes."
"It shouldn't be a problem." Shi Yue pulled out her phone and called Wu Xuan.
Wu Xuan answered after a brief pause, and though she sounded busy, she still took time to chat with Shi Yue. When she heard why Shi Yue had called, she laughed and said, "Didn't I invite you before? You said you were busy with the competition."
Shi Yue glanced at Zhou Leya, who waved her hand dismissively, and replied, "I'm off today. I didn't expect to be free."
Wu Xuan laughed again, "I can't step away right now, but I'll send my assistant to meet you at the entrance. Keep an eye on your phone."
Shi Yue agreed, "Okay."
Within two minutes, a young woman appeared at the exhibition's entrance. She called Shi Yue, confirmed her identity, and politely led them inside.
"Ms. Wu said you're free to browse. If there's any artwork that catches your eye, note the number, and she'll come to greet you once she's done with her guests."
Shi Yue nodded, "Alright."
The assistant then asked, "Would you like me to give you a tour?"
Shi Yue still had things to discuss with Zhou Leya, so she politely declined, "No need. You look busy with other tasks. We'll just browse on our own."
The assistant, recognizing their desire for privacy, nodded and left.
After she departed, Shi Yue walked over to Zhou Leya.
Zhou stood in front of a painting, silently staring at it, lost in thought or perhaps admiring the artwork.
Shi Yue had little interest in the art itself, instead using her peripheral vision to observe Zhou Leya's expression. From this angle, Zhou's face seemed oddly familiar.
This didn't feel right.
She'd known Zhou Leya for over two months—if she felt a sense of familiarity, she should've realized it long ago. Why was it only now, in this place, that the feeling struck her? Shi Yue scanned the surroundings, hoping the environment might offer a clue—
Could it be that what felt familiar wasn't Zhou Leya herself, but something about Wu Xuan's exhibition setup?
Zhou Leya remained silent, focusing on the painting. Shi Yue didn't disturb her, choosing to observe Wu Xuan's new works while her mind raced with speculation.
But before she could piece anything together, a familiar child's voice called out from behind her, "Auntie Shi Yue! Waaah!"
Shi Yue instinctively turned, crouched down, and opened her arms wide, catching the excited little girl as she ran toward her. "My sweet little princess! Give me a kiss!"
Little Ya obediently kissed her, then started to complain, "Why haven't you come to play with me?"
Shi Yue lifted her up effortlessly.
"I've been super busy! Today's my first chance to relax."
Little Ya's eyes sparkled as she giggled, "So you came to see me as soon as you were free?"
Clearly, that wasn't the case.
Shi Yue kissed her cheek and vaguely replied, "You could say that..."
Afterward, she turned to look at her companion.
It was only then that she noticed Zhou Leya's attention had shifted from the painting. She was staring directly at the scene in front of her. Following Zhou's gaze, Shi Yue realized Wu Xuan was standing there too.
Wu Xuan seemed equally stunned, standing still for a long time.
At that moment, something clicked in Shi Yue's mind.
She sensed something was off, but before she could address the tension, Little Ya cheerfully interrupted, "Mommy?"
Wu Xuan snapped out of her daze and slowly approached the three of them. Her voice was awkward as she greeted, "Miss Shi."
"Good morning..." Shi Yue purposely lowered her voice, "Uh, this is my friend, Zhou Leya."
Wu Xuan nodded, her gaze quickly shifting away.
But Zhou Leya's eyes were filled with emotion as she glanced at the little girl in Shi Yue's arms and then turned her watery gaze toward Wu Xuan. She extended her hand and said softly, "Ms. Wu."
She deliberately enunciated her words: "Long time no see."
Wu Xuan had no choice but to shake her hand.
Little Ya, curious, tilted her head, "Mom, do you know this lady?"
Wu Xuan said nothing, her gaze flickering as she gave the girl a brief smile.
Zhou Leya released Wu Xuan's hand, her eyes falling on the little girl in Shi Yue's arms. Her nose reddened, but her voice remained calm, "Little one, what's your name?"
The little girl replied, "My full name is Wu Miaoya, but you can call me Little Ya."
Zhou Leya's eyes shimmered as she softly repeated, "Little Ya..."
"Miss Shi." Wu Xuan turned to Shi Yue, her tone pleading, "Could you take Little Ya over there to look at the paintings? I... I need to talk..."
Shi Yue nodded and quickly walked away with the little girl, giving the two adults enough time alone.
The little girl clung to her neck, quiet and obedient. After a while, she looked up and asked, "Auntie Shi Yue, who is that lady?"
Shi Yue hesitated before asking, "Don't you know her?"
Little Ya shook her head. "Nope. I've never seen her before." She frowned, as if troubled. "Did I forget her?"
"I don't think so." Shi Yue kissed her cheek with a smile. "Maybe that lady hasn't visited you in a long time."
Little Ya played with her fingers, muttering, "Oh."
——
On the other side of the exhibition.
Wu Xuan took two steps to block Zhou Leya's line of sight toward Shi Yue and the little girl. With a grim expression, she asked, "Why did you come back?"
Zhou Leya raised her head to look at her.
Wu Xuan averted her eyes and gritted her teeth, "We already settled everything cleanly. Don't think you can have any contact with the child."
Zhou Leya silently withdrew her gaze and turned back to the painting.
In the tense atmosphere, Wu Xuan's patience quickly ran out.
She shifted her stance, ready to walk away, but just as she did, she caught a glimpse of something glistening.
Zhou Leya, though quiet, wasn't as composed as she appeared. She seemed to be admiring the painting, but her eyes were filled with tears. The tears flowed continuously down her delicate face, creating shimmering streams in the sunlight.
The vibrant spring scene on the colorful oil painting contrasted sharply with the girl standing in front of it, silently biting her lip as she cried.
Wu Xuan froze in place.
She hated herself for not being able to walk away as she had planned. After clenching her fists, she reluctantly asked, "Do you need money?"
She took a deep breath, "How much do you need?"
Zhou Leya turned to look at her.
Wu Xuan squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, "Or are you in trouble again?"
"What do you need me to do to help? Can I even help you anymore?"
Zhou Leya wiped her tears away.
Wu Xuan felt like something was stuck in her throat. "What else..."
"Wu Xuan." Zhou Leya sniffled and clearly enunciated each word, "Why won't you look at me?"
Wu Xuan slowly turned her head, meeting her gaze.
Zhou Leya asked, "Ms. Wu, do you not want to see me?"
Wu Xuan swallowed hard.
"Didn't we agree not to—"
"You say it." Zhou Leya's voice grew intense. "Tell me you don't want to see me."
Wu Xuan opened her mouth but no words came out.
Zhou Leya stepped closer. "Tell me you don't want to see me, tell me you hate me, and I'll leave right now, and never come back."
She moved even closer, "Say it!"
Wu Xuan took a step back.
In the end, she was the first to falter, turning her head away as she murmured, "Why are you doing this?"
Zhou Leya reached out and grabbed Wu Xuan's arm.
Ignoring Wu Xuan's stiff body, She used her sleeve to wipe away the lingering tears from her face.
After she calmed down a bit, Zhou Leya spoke in a low voice, "I've graduated... and I want to return to China to pursue my career."
Wu Xuan's gaze fell on the top of her head. "...I can introduce you to some big fashion companies."
Zhou Leya paused, then glared at her fiercely.
Wu Xuan shrugged nonchalantly, "What? Isn't that what you came for?"
Zhou Leya's eyes sparkled with intensity. "Then how should I repay you this time, Ms. Wu?"
Her gaze flicked toward where Shi Yue and Little Ya were. "How about..."
Wu Xuan's eyes widened.
Zhou Leya smirked, "How about I give you another child?"
Wu Xuan slowly raised her hand and pushed Zhou Leya's hand off her wrist.
As their skin touched, Wu Xuan realized just how warm Zhou Leya's hand was, though she wasn't sure if it was her own that felt cold.
Throughout the exchange, Wu Xuan remained silent, neither agreeing nor outright rejecting the suggestion.
That day, the four of them had lunch together, but Shi Yue took a taxi home alone afterward.
Later that night, Shi Yue saw a post from Zhou Leya on social media. In the photo, Zhou and Little Ya were happily building blocks together in a cozy living room, both smiling brightly.
In that moment, Shi Yue's curiosity peaked.
Thankfully, she still had some self-control and, respecting her friends' privacy, didn't immediately pry further.
A day later, the second round of the scoring competition began, and Shi Yue saw Zhou Leya again at the venue.
Unlike before, Zhou Leya seemed to be in excellent spirits today, her face glowing with health and happiness. She greeted Shi Yue and thanked her for the help, smiling warmly the whole time.
Shi Yue responded, "Don't mention it."
Before the recording started, she couldn't help but ask vaguely, "So... everything's going well between you two?"
"Ms. Wu is a very kind person," Zhou Leya replied openly, knowing what Shi Yue was hinting at. "Though she has a stubborn mouth."
"Oh?"
"But..." Zhou Leya's smile widened, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Her body is quite soft."