The grand and roaring cheers and applause rang out in the venue like thunder.
Thousands of people chanted You Mian’s name in unison with tears in their eyes for his work.
“You Mian! You Mian!!”
“Brother Mian! Awesome!”
Reporters and media sitting in the front row raised their cameras and frantically took photos of the work ‘Rebirth’ on the stage.
In the midst of the blinding and uninterrupted flashing of lights, a young female reporter had a brief conversation with the editor beside her and published an article about the winner before the results of the finals of the Star Cup were announced.
“It is risky,” the reporter whispered a reminder amidst the passionate cheers in the stadium.
The editor’s subordinates kept typing. The final draft was quickly written and sent.
After closing the laptop, the editor said seriously, “Look at the expressions on the audience’s faces and listen to the cheers. You Mian is the champion.”
The reporter was speechless.
A few seconds later, an article with a very exciting title about winning the Star Cup quickly appeared on the hot search.
[You Mian, the gold medal winner of the Star Cup, who went against the tide, broke through the shackles amidst thousands of boos, crushed prejudice, and was reborn.]
The picture on the homepage of the blog powerfully combined the distorted and bored booing expressions of the audience in the back row with the giant iron sculpture under the stage lights, which could easily provoke the most primitive emotional fluctuations in the viewers.
The countdown to the finals was over.
The host Qu Shao came to the stage and raised his hand, trying to quiet down the still cheering audience.
Following the gesture of silence, the audience shouting You Mian’s name immediately stopped.
They were different from the crazy fans before. They respected the rules of the competition and the other two contestants.
Therefore, when the shouts that threatened to break through the ceiling of the venue stopped, Qu Shao made a gesture and someone sitting in the first row of the judges’ seats picked up the microphone.
Jaeger Hillman’s voice was simultaneously translated into Chinese by Marcia and resounded through the final venue.
“I want to ask the three contestants to present it in turn.”
As the judging session began, the lights on the stage dimmed, and only the works of the costume design group on the left lit up.
Lai Zhikuan knew from the cheers of the audience just now that he might not win the gold medal.
But he also had confidence in his work and wouldn’t be discouraged.
Art didn’t need excessive explanation. Letting the audience and judges measure it with their eyes was the most intuitive evaluation.
The wide left stage rotated toward the center with mechanical sounds.
Dozens of mannequins changed into Lai Zhikuan’s final costumes. Tall models walked onto the wide T-stage to the music.
The eyes of the judges and the audience followed the fabric as it swayed.
Butterflies and silkworm chrysalis were stitched on the model’s neck, shoulders, and waist.
At the end, the model had a pair of huge, dreamy butterfly wings glued to her back, implying a rebirth from a cocoon.
The audience gave encouraging applause as the lights came on at the end of the music.
“The degree of completion is very high. It might lack some originality in terms of creativity, but the overall tailoring style is very uniform. It is a qualified work.”
Jaeger Hillman’s sane evaluation was translated, and all the judges gave it a high score of 9.78.
Lai Zhikuan made a scissors gesture to the camera and smiled. “Thank you, everyone.”
Applause rang out from the audience as Fang Xuenan on the right side of the stage was rotated to the center position.
An oil painting of a phoenix’s rebirth was enlarged on the screen. Every feather of the fiery red phoenix was coated with a layer of gold powder. The shiny and bright colors made the phoenix stand out from the heaven and hell in the background. It was as if it was going to break out of the painting.
All the judges whispered to each other.
The audience members were also talking in low voices.
“The level of refinement is great, but the creativity is lacking. The phoenix theme is indeed a bit old.”
“She has beautiful brushstrokes.”
“Indeed, the gold dust is sprinkled just right.”
Pei Huaiji listened solemnly to the occasional conversations in the venue, while he stared intently at the stage that was now shrouded in darkness.
Jaeger Hillman’s voice reached everyone’s ears through the microphone.
“I don’t know why you chose a topic like the phoenix with your painting skills.”
Hillman’s merciless voice made Fang Xuenan’s expression stiffen on the stage.
But in the atmosphere of the audience’s excitement, Hillman still gave very objective advice. “If you want to be innovative with the phoenix theme, you must not limit yourself to canvas. Your use of gold powder proves you have the idea of breaking through the previous constraints, but the degree is completely insufficient.”
Hillman asked, “Why does your painting have to be on canvas?”
Fang Xuenan, standing on the stage, was stunned. The audience also took a breath.
“As far as I know, the Star Cup finals only restricts the brushwork tools of oil painting. You can paint on a stone wall or under light and shadow…”
Hillman looked at Fang Xuenan’s stunned expression and said solemnly, “You are the one who restricted yourself.”
In the midst of the encouraging applause from the audience, Fang Xuenan came to her senses. She bowed down heavily to the judges.
The judges’ scoring results were quickly released. It was a score of 9.53.
The moment Fang Xuenan’s score came out, the media sitting in the front row rushed after each other and anxiously released articles about her score.
Then You Mian’s sculpture group was rotated to the center. It was accompanied by flashing lights and thunderous applause from the audience.
As he waited, You Mian simply tidied up his hair.
At this moment, the young man’s chestnut brown hair was softly draped over his eyebrows. His amber eyes were shining in the light, his posture was straight, and his shoulders revealed a carefree and unrestrained spirit.
Faced with such sharp eyes, no one in the venue dared to boo.
You Mian and Pei Huaiji looked at each other across the distance.
Discussions gradually arose at the scene.
“What can I say? There is nothing to say about this.
“If he only gets a passing grade, I will cry. No kidding.”
“Hillman’s eyes are vicious. He might really find fault with this.”
“D*mn… If such an amazing work can be criticized, the other sculpture students can’t learn it.”
As the audience chatted quietly, Hillman was seen holding the microphone while his eyes scanned the giant sculpture next to You Mian.
The judges had to look up to catch a glimpse of the giant sculpture in its entirety.
It was tall, strong and fragile.
Would the judges offer harsh criticism or nitpick it?
At this moment, all the audience members were waiting with tense hearts.
Jaeger Hillman’s voice paused imperceptibly for half a second without anyone noticing when he looked into the pair of amber eyes in front of him.
But he quickly came to his senses and said, “Beispiellos.”
An unparalleled work.
All the audience members, the media reporters, and even the judges sitting together heard Hillman smile and say this in the most admiring tone.
“Thank you for bringing us this sculpture.”
The audience could no longer suppress their screams. “!!!”
Marcia couldn’t help smiling as she translated. She stared at You Mian on the stage with bright eyes.
“There are no flaws. Dean Hillman’s evaluation is perfect.
The dean of the Academy of Fine Arts of the world’s number one college gave the first perfect evaluation since he took over as judge for the Star Cup!
You Mian stood in the beam of light. His heart was beating rapidly, and his fingers felt numb.
A huge and majestic iron sculpture stood on the stage.
There was no need for much explanation or for You Mian to elaborate on his creative journey.
This massive sculpture was the answer. Every line and powerful muscle was the explanation and answer.
All the regrets, unwillingness, disgust, melancholy, irritability and memories seemed to be powerfully released at this moment.
You Mian humbly bowed toward the judges’ seats.
He and his work had been reborn amidst the thunderous applause.
“Ahhhh!!!”
“Oh my god! I am truly witnessing history!”
“Ahhh, I got goosebumps.”
“I just said that this sculpture has absolutely no shortcomings!”
The comments from the judges brought the atmosphere to a climax. Countless audience members stood up and applauded spontaneously, their faces filled with excited smiles.
At this moment, all of them were resonating with the same soul for art.
In the midst of the seemingly endless cheers and applause, Qu Shao couldn’t help sweating as he stood on the side of the stage and held a microphone. He suppressed his excitement, raised his hand, and said, “Please give your scores, judges.”
The scene on the big screen showed all the judges sitting in the first row.
From left to right, the judges held up their cards in turn.
“A wonderful work.” —The first ten.
“Excellent creativity. I can even say that this sculpture has completely broken through the restrictions of the theme competition. It is based on the theme, breaks through the theme, and transcends the theme!”—The second judge also scored a perfect ten!
“You are young and have a bright future. I was worried throughout the competition, fearing that you won’t be able to finish carving it. But you completed it.”—The third one was still 10 points!!!
A row of 10 points was neatly placed on the stage. Qu Shao didn’t even need the staff to calculate the points. He just announced loudly, “The sculpture group’s contestant, You Mian, scored…”
“10 out of 10!”
There were a few loud bangs, and flowers and gold dust poured down from above. Cheers and screams were heard, and the excited audience members almost jumped up from their seats.
Guan Tong covered his eyes and screamed.
Qu Miao shouted hoarsely, “Brother Mian is the best!”
“Congratulations to the winner of the 5th Star Cup’s gold medal…”
“Contestant 0409, You Mian!”
The sound of the microphone drowned out the excited crowd, and the results of the finals were announced sonorously.
The camera flashes were frantically photographing You Mian, who was standing on the stage. Countless reports were posted on the Internet at the first opportunity and were rapidly climbing the hot search list.
In front of the stage, a golden glass trophy slowly rose.
You Mian stepped over the noisy shouts and the golden dust flowers in the sky. He walked firmly to the extension of the stage to hold the trophy of the Star Cup.
The young man held up the trophy. Then he leaned over and kissed the cup with a gentle look in his eyes.
You Mian’s name rang out in unison at the scene. Joy swept through the entire venue like a storm.
The media was about to rush out of their seats and head straight for the gold medal winner on the stage. The scene was so ecstatic that it was about to get out of control.
You Mian suddenly heard an extremely deep and restrained shout from the side.
The amulet peeked out from his sleeve.
Pei Huaiji stood in the audience and stretched out a hand to him. The man’s handsome face was filled with a smile of pride and admiration.
Pei Huaiji raised his dark eyes and said in a deep voice, “Come, my champion.”
You Mian jumped off the stage without hesitation. He was led by Pei Huaiji to the backstage of the competition amid the countless chasing sounds behind him.
In the empty lounge, the door frame behind You Mian was cold, but the body in front of him was scorching hot.
Pei Huaiji heard You Mian’s soft hiss as their lips touched. Then he immediately wrapped his arms around the young man’s narrow waist and pulled the young man close to him.
The touch of the cold door panel disappeared. At this moment, You Mian’s five senses were all focused on the deep kiss with Pei Huaiji.
Their emotions were equally excited, and their desire for each other reached its peak.
Pei Huaiji’s kiss rarely lost his restraint. The man’s beast-like biting movements made You Mian feel extremely safe.
The root of his tongue started to feel sour, and his chin was moist.
Pei Huaiji hugged You Mian tightly in his arms. The lines of his powerful arms were exactly the same as the plaster arms that finally held up the sunflower on the stage.
You Mian raised his head weakly to endure Pei Huaiji’s kiss.
Their collars were unbuttoned, and sparks of electricity appeared from the friction.
During the deep kiss, Pei Huaiji gave You Mian some space to catch his breath. The man tilted his head and pecked at You Mian’s trembling hand when he picked up the carving knife on the stage. His eyes were filled with a mixture of distress and pity, but the pride was still there.
You Mian looked up at Pei Huaiji in front of him in an absentminded manner. He was struck by the man’s overly handsome appearance and fell silent for a short time.
Pei Huaiji leaned over and rested his forehead against You Mian’s. He smiled solemnly and asked, “Is this why you wanted to measure the circumference of my arm that day?”
You Mian raised his neck according to Pei Huaiji’s strength. He knew that Pei Huaiji might guess it, but he didn’t expect the other party to guess it so quickly.
The first moment those arms were revealed, Pei Huaiji had discovered it.
The man’s keen observation skills were as good as ever.
You Mian’s amber eyes were filled with moisture. He smiled and said, “Don’t you like being my model?”
Pei Huaiji’s kiss fell on the bridge of You Mian’s nose and his eyes.
He said in a hoarse voice, “I like it.”
Pei Huaiji gently lifted You Mian’s sleeve, revealing the amulet that the young man had kissed on stage.
“A very good fortune…” You Mian stroked the amulet with an extremely gentle expression.
“Pei Huaiji.”
You Mian raised his face. His heart was weak as he said, “I love you.”
Countless electric fires crackled in Pei Huaiji’s heart, stirring up a mountain fire.
The corners of the man’s eyes were red. He lowered his head and kissed You Mian fiercely.
In the lounge, which was so quiet that only the faint sound of kissing could be heard, the hoarse words ‘I love you’ rang out between lips and teeth.
“I want to be your genius forever.” You Mian spoke intermittently due to the kiss. “And you want to be my muse forever.”
You Mian responded gently to Pei Huaiji’s deep kiss, his amber eyes filled with endless love.
He hugged Pei Huaiji and thought, ‘My eternal love, my inspiration, my muse.’
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Thanks for the update
Thanks for the chapter! How symbolic to use his pillar of strength into the scupture representing his rebirth
Omg omg omg!
Awwwww they are so cute 😍 🤧 I love their love ❤️ 😍
First things first: there is no way in hell that a competition would be held like this. Secondly: there’s no way the painting would be made from a blank canvas on stage in two hours. Thirdly: there would be no requirement for dozens of outfits from the costume department, as they also take quite a long time to conceptualize, pattern, and produce.
This particular arc falls very flat for me and completely kills my immersion. I wish the author had done some more research and found a different route for this.
Friend, its a rebirth novel, its already v unrealistic hahaha
If it helps you, the author mentioned that they can do prep before and just the final work has to be done in two hours. So most probably all of the heavy work was already done beforehand ^_^
first and foremost, it’s a novel. i think you need to keep that in mind before you read any fiction because now your comments are so annoying to read.