The backstage area of the academy was buzzing with nervous energy. Students scurried about, putting the final touches on their models, adjusting fabrics, and double-checking designs. But for Su Nian, every sound felt muffled, her mind consumed by the tension in the air. The weight of the competition, combined with the attack from Camila, felt like a storm that she was struggling to weather.
The moment Lu Cheng stepped into the room, everything seemed to shift. His mere presence brought an almost tangible sense of calm, but it was also a reminder of the storm brewing just beneath the surface.
Su Nian caught sight of him standing near the doorway, his posture tall and unwavering, his eyes scanning the room. She was about to approach him when the shrill voice of a woman cut through the air.
"Su Nian," Camila's voice called out mockingly from across the room.
Su Nian's heart sank. She knew what was coming.
As Su Nian walked toward her, Camila stood by her own display, her arms crossed in a show of smug confidence. There was no denying it—she was waiting for this moment.
"Well, well, if it isn't the golden girl herself," Camila sneered, her eyes glinting with malice. "I'm sure everyone here is curious to see if you'll actually manage to present your designs without falling flat."
Su Nian held her ground, refusing to let Camila's words shake her. "I'm not here to play your games, Camila. If you have a problem, take it up with the judges, not me."
Camila's lips curled into a smile, but it wasn't a pleasant one. "Oh, but I think you'll find that they already know all about your little secret. It's funny, really. A girl with no experience, no background, and certainly no talent, suddenly gets a free ride into one of the most prestigious design schools in the world. I wonder how that happened…"
Su Nian's breath caught. "What are you talking about?"
"You really don't know, do you?" Camila continued, her voice dripping with venom. "I sent the judges a little message about how you didn't get in on your own merit. I let them know you have some 'special' connections, and that perhaps your designs are not as original as you claim."
Su Nian's face blanched. "You're lying."
Camila shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. But we'll see if the judges think you deserve to be here after tonight."
Before Su Nian could respond, Camila turned, walking away with a smug look on her face, leaving Su Nian standing there, her heart pounding in her chest.
Su Nian's eyes followed Camila for a moment before she turned to face Lu Cheng, who had witnessed the entire exchange. His expression was dark, his jaw clenched tightly as he walked toward her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low but filled with concern.
Su Nian swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak despite the knot in her throat. "She's trying to ruin everything. She told the judges about the rumors. She's saying that I don't deserve to be here."
Lu Cheng's eyes narrowed, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "I'll handle it," he said, his tone sharp and resolute. "No one is going to get away with this."
Su Nian quickly shook her head, grabbing his hand before he could turn away. "Please, Lu Cheng… Don't. I need to do this on my own. This is my fight."
He paused, looking at her with a mixture of concern and frustration. "Nian Nian, I won't let her destroy you. You don't have to do this alone. We're in this together, remember?"
Su Nian took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "I know. I just… I need to prove to myself that I can do this without anyone's help. This is my chance to show that I belong here, that my talent is enough."
Lu Cheng's gaze softened as he squeezed her hand. "You already belong here. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."
The moment had arrived. Su Nian stood behind the stage, waiting for her turn to showcase her designs. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat feeling louder than the last. The murmurs of the audience and the other competitors faded as she focused on the task at hand—making it through this presentation with grace.
Her models, dressed in her stunning creations, lined up ready to walk the runway. Su Nian had spent hours preparing each piece, ensuring that every stitch, every detail, reflected her vision. This was her moment, and she wouldn't let Camila or anyone else take that away from her.
As the first model walked out, Su Nian's breath caught in her throat. The audience's reaction was immediate, a ripple of admiration spreading through the room. Su Nian's heart lifted—this was her design. Her vision. And it was perfect.
With each subsequent model, Su Nian's confidence grew. The applause grew louder, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she began to feel like herself again. Her designs weren't just a reflection of her talent—they were a declaration of who she was, what she stood for, and how far she had come.
But just as she was starting to feel victorious, she saw Camila again, standing near the judges' table, her gaze locked onto Su Nian with a look that was both cold and calculating.
The final model made her way down the runway, and the judges began their deliberation. Su Nian stood backstage, her hands trembling as she waited for the results. She had given it everything she had, but there was still a lingering doubt in her mind. What if Camila's sabotage had worked?
Just as the tension in the room reached its peak, the head judge, a renowned designer from Italy, stood up, signaling that the results were ready.
"We have deliberated long and hard," he said, his voice booming through the room. "This competition has been fierce, but there is one designer whose work stands out—not only because of its technical excellence but because of the passion and soul behind it."
Su Nian's heart skipped a beat. She had to hold her breath as the judge continued.
"And that designer is… Su Nian."
The room erupted into applause, but it was a distant sound to Su Nian. Her mind was racing, her heart beating in her chest. She had won. Despite the rumors, despite Camila's efforts to tear her down, she had won.
Backstage, the noise and excitement were deafening as the other students congratulated Su Nian. But she felt strangely detached from it all. All she could think about was the confrontation with Camila—and the look of shock on her rival's face as she realized that her plans had failed.
Lu Cheng appeared at her side, his expression proud but calm. "I knew you could do it."
Su Nian smiled, but it was a quiet smile, full of relief. "Thank you. For everything."
"I didn't do anything," he replied, his eyes softening. "You did this on your own."
Su Nian turned to face him, her voice barely a whisper. "I couldn't have done it without you, Lu Cheng."
Before he could respond, she leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a gentle kiss. It wasn't just a kiss of gratitude—it was a kiss that spoke of everything they had been through together, of the bond they had built despite all the challenges.
And as they pulled apart, Su Nian knew, deep down, that this was only the beginning. The battles might not be over, but with Lu Cheng by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.