Chapter 119: A Reversal

Two pale lights shone on Lu An’an and Han Ziyuan, respectively.

Compared to the chaos in the audience, the judges were much calmer.

The head judge looked at the two, a microphone in hand as he spoke calmly, “Your works are almost identical. Would either of you care to explain?”

Lu An’an was about to say something when Gu Anning immediately pointed at Lu An’an and said with tears in her eyes, “Look closely, everyone. It’s her, Lu An’an! She stole my work!”

The piece of news caused an uproar in the competition hall.

Yan Yunge, sitting in the corner, could not help but frown.

Han Ziyuan re-entered at this time.

She stood behind Yan Yunge and said, “Yan Yunge, if you are willing to take back what you said, I might let Lu An’an go.”

“Did you do this?” Yan Yunge turned around and stared at her coldly as if he were looking at a stranger, not the girl he grew up with.

Han Ziyuan smiled victoriously and said, “Yes, I did this. If you agree to my conditions, I can have Gu Anning retract her previous statement.”

…

“I never thought you would stoop so low.” Yan Yunge spoke calmly; disappointment, rather than anger, lined his features.

“Yan Yunge, you forced me into this position. I would not have stirred so much trouble if you had graciously accepted me as your wife-to-be.” Han Ziyuan ground her teeth angrily. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have bothered with Lu An’an at all. You only have yourself to blame.”

Contrary to her expectations, Yan Yunge ignored her, not reacting to her words. Instead, the entirety of his attention was set on the stage.

Lu An’an took on a deathly parlour. Gu Anning’s accusation had left her in a passive position.

“Lu An’an stole my work. I have the original design draft here as proof. Moreover, my clothes were made a few days earlier than Lu An’an’s. My design draft is dated, and I follow a careful, step-by-step process when making clothes. I can prove that I’m the original!” Gu Anning announced, affirming the veracity of her claims.

The crowd went wild.

Gu Anning was extremely pleased when she noted how public opinion had swung in her favour.

Lu An’an had already lost. There was no chance for her to make a comeback.

The judges regarded Lu An’an coldly.

“Lu An’an, since things have come to this, do you have anything to say for yourself?” The head judge turned to Lu An’an, his tone bitter.

He had thought highly of Lu An’an, and she was the contestant he had kept a close eye on all season. Not in his wildest dreams did he expect her to cause such a scandal, and in the finals, no less!

Yet, Lu An’an did not react as they thought she would, laughing as she was given a chance to vindicate herself.

Lu An’an’s cheerful laughter put Yan Yunge at ease. At least he knew she was safe.

“What are you laughing at?!” Gu Anning scolded, “You stole my work and still have the nerve to laugh! Lu An’an, if I were you, I would turtle myself somewhere, too embarrassed to show my face before anyone ever again.”

“Gu Anning.”

Lu An’an turned to her and the audience. “I always knew you were dumb, but I didn’t expect you to be this dumb.”

Her words stunned everyone. What did Lu An’an mean?

She cleared her throat and addressed the spectating crowd. “Does everyone truly believe the two wedding dresses on stage are the same?”

Everyone present studied the two wedding dresses once again, unsure what they should be looking for.

An elderly designer’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he shouted, “I remember now. This is Modi’s work.”

“Mo Di? The Goddess of Wedding Dresses?” A judge beside him asked curiously.

The elderly designer said excitedly, “Yes, it’s the Goddess of Wedding Dresses!” This design draft is a gem of her past. However, not many people knew about it. It was kept in her private collection, which was only recently put up on display at the museum. Ordinary people would not be able to tell. I was lucky enough to see it once.”