The Song family usually keeps a low profile, especially Song Mochen, who rarely appears in the media. Except for those within his circle, few people outside recognize him.
“Sir, who are you…”
The host, though experienced, lacked the social standing to be familiar with the likes of the Song family. Naturally, she didn’t recognize Song Mochen, a person even family members rarely encountered.
“I am Xiao Chen’s boyfriend. I witnessed him creating this piece, and this shirt is mine. I don’t understand how my shirt became Miss Lu’s?”
Song Mochen was straightforward, not bothering to conceal their relationship. Even in relatively conservative China, others’ opinions didn’t matter to him. No one could bully his beloved.
Hearing his words, the host’s expression stiffened noticeably. Still, maintaining her professional composure, she found it impossible to continue hosting. The script was off the table!
Their silence wasn’t due to the revelation of their relationship; in fact, the renowned designer, Master Fran, was a homosexual. Their silence stemmed from the implications in Song Mochen’s words.
“Mr. Song, do you have any evidence for what you’re saying?”
Master Fran, not in a good mood, spoke. He wasn’t just an internationally renowned designer but also a baron bestowed by the Queen of England, a fact that some had heard about Song Mochen.
He didn’t know if the design was authentic, but he would not allow anyone to tarnish the beauty of his favorite jewelry designs, let alone dirty dealings in his presence.
He wanted to know the truth, to understand who was capable of creating such a stunning piece.
Song Mochen didn’t immediately answer Fran’s question. Instead, he looked straight at Lu Jinwen and questioned her.
Under Song Mochen’s stern gaze, Lu Jinwen felt somewhat uneasy. She didn’t know this man’s identity, but seeing even Yan Junfeng wary of him, she knew he was not someone to mess with.
However, with the situation having escalated to this point, there was no way to stop it. As powerful as this man might be, they were now broadcasting live to a national audience. He wouldn’t dare do anything to her in front of everyone.
At this point, biting her lower lip, Lu Jinwen appeared desperate, as if forced into a corner, tears on the verge of streaming down her face.
“I… I don’t have any witnesses. This shirt doesn’t belong to anyone specific; I just bought it randomly. The inspiration of a designer is very fleeting, and I was afraid of forgetting, so I bought a random shirt on the roadside to draw on. I don’t have any witnesses…”
She had seen that shirt. While the quality was good, it had no labels, making it impossible to prove where it was purchased, let alone identify the owner.
Seeing Lu Jinwen on the verge of tears, the female contestant who had supported her before couldn’t help but speak up again, her tone full of indignation.
“Sir, you may be Jiang Zichen’s boyfriend, and naturally, you would be a witness for him. But do you understand how crucial the confidentiality of a designer’s work is? How could there be a witness when Jinwen was sketching? I personally saw this shirt with the original manuscript in Lu Jinwen’s room and even took photos. Now you claim the shirt is yours; do you have any evidence?!”
Song Mochen sneered. One of his bodyguards stepped forward, pointing at the big screen where a video appeared. Speaking with a calm and logical tone:
“This shirt is a custom-made garment from KING. It is not sold on the market, and KING has records of our customization. If Miss Lu has any doubts or questions, she can have it verified by an expert.”
Accompanying the bodyguard’s words, the big screen on the stage began displaying a brief introduction to KING’s custom clothing and the purchase records of KING’s customization.
KING was a top-notch custom brand that money couldn’t necessarily buy. Ordinary people might not even have heard of it, let alone see it on the market. How could you casually buy such custom items on the roadside? What a scam!
Moreover, even if Lu Jinwen could afford it, didn’t her family face financial difficulties, lacking money for her father’s treatment? Where did she get the money to buy expensive custom clothing?
A twist, a big twist, overturning all of Lu Jinwen’s testimonies!
Now, the questioning gazes of the audience turned to Lu Jinwen.
Lu Jinwen’s face turned very pale. She never expected Song Mochen to have such evidence. The shirt had no tags except for its good quality, and she couldn’t recognize it as a high-end item, let alone a custom piece from KING…
Staring at the evidence on the big screen, Lu Jinwen’s face turned pale. She couldn’t possibly admit it; if she did, it would be over for her.
“No, it’s not like that. This sketch is mine; I drew it at Mr. Yan’s house!”
Mr. Yan’s house? Was it Mr. Yan from the jewelry design competition organizer?
Everyone looked at each other, and the online world buzzed with activity. The situation had taken an unexpected turn.
“What’s going on? What a mess! I’m here for a variety show, not a detective movie. Confused, totally confused. What’s happening…”
“Heh, I told you our Xiao Chen is innocent. I know about KING custom; I study fashion design. It’s not something anyone can customize. This is solid evidence! Solid evidence! Can’t you see that Lu Jinwen is just trying to wriggle out of it? But… is this really Xiao Chen’s boyfriend? So handsome!”
“Handsome +1. Xiao Chen indeed has a boyfriend!”
“Handsome + ID card number, plus the [website domain]. I’m eagerly waiting for more shocking revelations…”
After a brief silence, the online world erupted again. In the live audience, people began quietly discussing the situation.
Even the female contestant who had spoken up for Lu Jinwen before was now unsure. She had seen the original manuscript of the shirt in Lu Jinwen’s room, but she hadn’t witnessed the drawing process.
“Miss Lu, can you explain clearly?”
Knowing the owner of the shirt was more convincing than the testimony and photos from the female contestant. The judges’ expressions darkened; they felt like they were being played for fools.
Facing the skepticism of the crowd and the cold looks of the judges, Lu Jinwen forced herself to calm down. Even if she proved the shirt belonged to Song Mochen, what did it prove? Who would believe a seventeen-year-old boy could create such a masterpiece?
Wiping away her tears, Lu Jinwen thought quickly. She explained how she went to Mr. Yan’s house due to her bone marrow surgery, how she took Mr. Yan Junfeng’s shirt without thinking, and how she didn’t mention it earlier because she was afraid he would be angry.
“…This work was painted at Mr. Yan’s house. I didn’t intentionally use this shirt; it was an impromptu creation inspired by Mr. Yan Junfeng. I don’t expect to win first place and become Master Fran’s disciple. I just want to win this competition. Besides the competition, I don’t know where else I can earn so much money to repay Mr. Yan. Thank him for his help.”
“This work is the engagement ring of my dreams. Marriage is the most beautiful moment for every girl. When designing it, I imagined what my future wedding would be like. My husband would be gentle, with love ingrained in his bones. That’s why I used the setting of the diamond inside instead of the usual protrusion…”
Lu Jinwen’s tone wasn’t particularly intense, but there was a hint of sadness, a kind of sadness that resonated with people.
Although her previous explanations seemed strained and lacked evidence, her insights and design philosophy fascinated people. Slowly, the balance in their hearts tilted towards her, feeling that she was the real victim.
Song Mochen stared at her as she spoke, his expression becoming even colder.
Su Jingxuan stared blankly at her, almost ready to hand her an Oscar. This woman was truly… so good at making up stories that he, the real designer, almost doubted himself.
After a moment of silence, Lu Jinwen spoke again, showing determination in her eyes.
“Master Fran, if there’s anything I’ve done wrong that you dislike, you can tell me. But this work is my effort and my dream. You won’t understand the pursuit of ideals by a true designer.”
Ending her speech, Lu Jinwen faced the judges and the audience, her eyes filled with a strong unyielding spirit. “Judges, I have no evidence to prove my innocence, but I believe strength can prove everything.”
With that, the crowd’s gaze shifted again. Yes, evidence could be fabricated, but strength wouldn’t lie.
Fran nodded. He just wanted to know who the real designer was. Although the design time on stage was short, the person who could create such a stunning work would undoubtedly win. When the time came, their true colors would be revealed.
“I’m okay,” Lu Jinwen was the first to say. She had absolute confidence; even if Jiang Zichen had talent, it was limited. He couldn’t possibly create such a masterpiece again. It was just a result of chance and exceptional performance.
The audience agreed with this suggestion and looked at Su Jingxuan, waiting for his response.
However, to everyone’s surprise, the young man shook his head. “I won’t compete.”
Not competing? Everyone was stunned; wasn’t this directly proving guilt?
“Why not compete? Are you scared because you’re guilty?”
“Don’t be afraid, Xiao Chen. Believe in yourself! We will always support you!”
This time, not only online but also the audience below the stage shouted, some taunting Lu Jinwen’s fans and some defending and encouraging Jiang Zichen.
Su Jingxuan surveyed the audience and the judges, then threw a reassuring glance at the stern-looking Song Mochen. Slowly, he walked to the front.
He carefully laid the shirt with the original sketch on the table, smoothing it out. Then, from the small box he had brought up with the work box earlier, he took out traditional Chinese painting tools, a brush, and pigments with distinctive Chinese characteristics.
“In fact, this design is not complete; it’s a half-finished piece. The main theme of this work is not the love ingrained in the bones but the lingering love, as bright and enduring as the stars accompanying the moon, never giving up and never leaving. So, I named this work ‘Starlight.'”
Brushing, coloring.
Accompanying the clear voice of the young man, the brush touched the white shirt, turning its snow-white color into a deep black. The silver pigment scattered like raindrops, forming a beautiful picture of a ring shining brightly.
When he finished, the boy, with a smile on his face, habitually drew a smiley face in the lower right corner of the painting as his signature.
At the same time, as he put down the brush, the stage lights suddenly dimmed, and those two finished rings in his hands lit up with a dazzling silver light in the darkness, just like the image he had painted a moment ago!
Lu Jinwen’s face turned pale, taking a step back, her legs feeling weak.
Yan Junfeng tightly recalled the last signature symbol. He stood there as if struck by lightning, frozen in place…
