The championship was hers!
Zhang Caiyu raised her chin, her expression radiating an almost overconfident air as she took a step forward.
The staff had only just lifted the page of the files: "First place—"
Zhang Caiyu took another step, already distancing herself from the waiting crowd.
She could already picture the entire internet praising her for her skill and confidence.
"Let's congratulate Miss Qin He, Qin Miss." The staff member led a smattering of applause.
Zhang Caiyu stood four paces away from the crowd, hearing the scattered applause and whispered ridicule from behind her.
"Oh my god, what is Zhang Caiyu doing leaving? Does she think she's already won? That's hilarious."
"She's made a complete fool of herself this time. This is a live broadcast for the entire internet!"
Low giggles continued, and Zhang Caiyu felt a chill run through her. She suddenly turned to look at Qin He.
Qin He's expression was still calm, no different from any other time.
How could this be? How could Qin He, an amateur, possibly get first place!
There must be something fishy! Zhang Caiyu clenched her fists.
Qin He was the eldest daughter of the Qin family. She must have gotten the questions in advance, or—
Zhang Caiyu's gaze fell on Di Shishi, who stood beside Qin He.
Or perhaps that incense was made by her assistant, like cheating on an exam!
Qin He walked out of the crowd and stepped forward, politely asking the staff, "May I choose a villa now?"
The staff member smiled, "Of course."
Qin He didn't overthink it. She chose the same two rooms she and Di Shishi had been staying in before.
Their luggage was already packed, and moving it would be a hassle.
The rankings were almost announced. When the staff called out number fifty-two, a seemingly honest girl timidly stepped forward, her eyes showing a hint of fear.
"Alright, everyone should now have some understanding of your rankings and each other's abilities. Over the next half a month, I hope everyone can make progress in the competition and learn from each other." The staff member's words were official, yet also sensible.
Few people present were truly listening. Everyone felt a sense of apprehension. With half the contestants eliminated, few were confident they would remain.
"I really didn't expect Qin He to get first place, and Zhang Caiyu only second."
"I still find it hard to believe Qin He could be first. Why didn't the show allow us to see the fragrance Qin He made? I heard that when she went to the material room today, she only took a broken piece of wood and some dried flowers. How could such things be used to create perfume?"
"Perhaps Qin He has a powerful family and got the exam questions beforehand. Is that a possibility?"
Everyone was somewhat confused, their gazes towards Qin He growing even stranger.
With only fifty-two contestants remaining, those who had no objections to Qin He and those who disliked her were almost evenly split.
The perfumers who disliked Qin He believed she had come just to play around, using other people's futures to boost her own reputation.
As for those who didn't dislike her, and even felt grateful that Qin He had made this competition go viral, they didn't dare to speak too much in her defense. It was better to avoid trouble, and expressing too much favor towards Qin He would only lead to mockery about trying to curry favor.
Qin He didn't intend to linger on the beach. She led Di Shishi back to their previous villa.
After only a few steps, she was stopped.
Zhang Caiyu stood before Qin He, her face a mask of surprise, struggling to force a smile.
"Miss Qin, what formula was the fragrance you made today? Would you be willing to let me have a sniff?"
Qin He shook her head, "What I made was not perfume."
Zhang Caiyu's brows furrowed, "If it's a perfume competition, and you didn't make perfume, what did you make?"
Qin He took a deep breath, "Incense. It's a form of inheritance from our China."
Incense?
Zhang Caiyu thought for a moment and asked, "Is it the kind of spice used in cooking braised pork?"
Qin He was stunned for a moment, looking at Zhang Caiyu incredulously, "Miss Zhang, don't you know anything about some of the traditional crafts in our country's history? I'm talking about the kind of incense that is lit!"
Zhang Caiyu coughed lightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, "I know, I just couldn't recall for a moment. But if it's incense, how could it possibly compete with perfume?"
Qin He paused, "Why do you think perfume can compete with incense? Incense is made from purely natural substances, far superior to the essential oils you use with chemical binders!"
Zhang Caiyu pursed her lips. Seeing Qin He about to leave, she took a step forward anxiously and reached out to grab Qin He's wrist.
Di Shishi, who was quick-witted, grabbed Zhang Caiyu's hand and gently pulled, bringing her closer.
Although Di Shishi had a sweet appearance, she had spent years in Qing Yan Fu and handled numerous missions. The number of lives she had taken was countless.
Her eyes held a bone-chilling coldness that starkly contrasted with her youthful, delicate face.
"What are you doing?"
Zhang Caiyu's eyes widened. She felt the hand gripping her wrist, held by the seemingly delicate girl, was like steel, making it impossible to break free. She struggled for a moment.
"Qin He, are you not going to do anything about your assistant attacking someone in public?!"
"Attacking in public?" Qin He found it somewhat amusing.
"Qin He, tell her to let me go. There are live cameras watching!"
"My assistant is not attacking anyone in public. She's merely reacting in self-defense. What does it matter if people are watching? You're the one who started trouble, aren't you?"
Qin He raised an eyebrow.
Zhang Caiyu gritted her teeth, "Fine, I won't make a move now. Tell her to let go!"
Qin He nodded, her gaze calmly fixed on Zhang Caiyu, "Miss Zhang, are you speaking the truth this time?"
"When have I ever gone back on my word?"
Zhang Caiyu said through gritted teeth.
"Shishi, let her go." Qin He urged.
Di Shishi narrowed her eyes, "No, I've found her annoying for a long time. Always speaking sarcastically!"
Qin He helplessly said, "Let her go, and I'll buy you another self-heating hot pot?"
Zhang Caiyu's eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing their conversation.
What self-heating hot pot? She was only worth a self-heating hot pot?!
These two must be humiliating her!
Di Shishi pondered for a moment, then abruptly flung Zhang Caiyu's hand away.
Zhang Caiyu cried out in pain, discovering a red mark imprinted on her wrist.
She inwardly cursed Qin He: Is this an assistant or a bodyguard? Is this woman abnormal? How can a woman have such strength in her hands?
Moreover, she had only intended to hold Qin He back, to stop her from leaving.
Qin He actually had her assistant make a move. She must have something to hide. There must have been foul play in the previous competition!
Zhang Caiyu watched their retreating figures, gnashing her teeth in hatred.
But a drone camera hovered nearby, pointed at her and Qin He.
She had no choice but to suppress her hatred, feigning a look of grievance, and left, clutching her wrist.
It's fine. The competition time is still long!
Today is only the first day. She would have plenty of opportunities in the future to expose Qin He's true colors to the public live!