The ballroom smelled of polished wood and silk.
The final round was here. Lights blazed over the runway, cameras clicked non-stop, and the hum of whispers stretched across the room like tensioned wire.
Liu Meilin adjusted the hem of her black silk coat.
Underneath: a new ensemblestructured, commanding, subtle crimson accents for authority.
[System Notification]
Final Round Mode: Active
Investor Influence Boost: +40%
Sabotage Detection: Maximum
Her fingers hovered over the fabric. It wasn't nervousness it was preparation. She had survived village insults, gun attacks, and backstage sabotage. Nothing here was new.
Lu Jianfeng appeared quietly behind her. His presence was still calm, protective but he did not touch her this time. He knew she needed to own this stage alone.
announcer's voice boomed:
"Contestant 47 Liu Meilin, independent entry!"
Gasps went through the audience. Miss Zhao's lips tightened. She had expected to control the final, but Liu Meilin walked like she owned every inch of the room.
Step by step, Liu Meilin approached the runway. Investors' eyes followed.
Cameras zoomed.
Sponsors murmured.
Her system flickered subtly, showing heat maps of attention:
Primary: Zhou Trading Group
Secondary: Media
Tertiary: Rival investors linked to Miss Zhao
[System Suggestion]
Engage directly. Command attention with voice and posture.
She exhaled softly.
Liu Meilin placed her first design on the mannequin. It gleamed under the lights. A structured, professional silhouette, commanding respect without shouting. She stepped back. Her voice carried effortlessly, controlled, persuasive:
"This design represents precision and authority. Rural production meets urban consumption power, structure, and elegance intertwined."
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Investors scribbled notes. Judges leaned forward.
Miss Zhao's smile stiffened.
[System Notification]
Charisma Enhancement Active: 100%
Investor Influence Probability: 96%
Halfway through her presentation, a small distraction occurred.
A young assistant clearly sent by Miss Zhao tried to lightly tug at the hem of the second garment.
Liu Meilin froze mid-step.
System alert: Sabotage Detected.
Her mind was calm.
She subtly adjusted the mannequin, covering the slight movement.
No one noticed. The system whispered:
"Direct eye contact with primary investor. Maintain narrative flow. Ignore all distractions."
She did exactly that.
By the end of her presentation, judges were visibly impressed, investors intrigued, and the room shifted subtly.
Miss Zhao's confident posture cracked just slightly.
Liu Meilin exhaled quietly from the wings. She was flawless.Backstage, the final scoring began.
Investors held quiet discussions. Zhou Trading Group leaned closer to Liu Meilin's portfolio.
The system quietly highlighted key potential allies, guiding her:
Investor A: Support probability 87%
Investor B: Neutral, swayed by strategic language
Investor C: Weak link, susceptible to charm
Liu Meilin nodded subtly.
The system didn't make decisions for her it enhanced her strategy and intuition.
Later, in a quieter lounge area, Lu Jianfeng finally approached her.
"You handled that perfectly," he murmured, voice low.
She looked up. "I didn't need you to intervene."
Not intervene,.he replied, smirking.
I watched. You're… remarkable.
Her eyes flicked to his chest. A familiar pang hit her. Even after the glow-up, she had a weakness: his abs, his physical strength, the raw danger he embodied.
Her system subtly noted:
[Physiological Response Detected: Weak Point Activated]
Liu Meilin's pulse quickened. Lu Jianfeng noticed.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
That look… you're distracted.
"Maybe," she replied coyly.
He leaned closer. One hand brushed her arm. A spark ignited.
The system whispered softly:
[Recommendation: Stress Reduction Protocol Initiated Optimal Private Interaction Suggested]
Liu Meilin knew exactly what that meant.
And for the first time since the final, she allowed herself a private, passionate moment behind the lounge curtains.
It wasn't just desire it was relief, victory, and connection.
By the time the dinner concluded, the votes were clear.
Liu Meilin's design won unanimously.
Investors were intrigued, sponsors impressed, Miss Zhao forced into defensive strategies.
Lucian held her hand in the car ride back.
"You were incredible," he said softly.
"And you?" she teased, a playful sparkle in her eye.
"Don't test me," he warned, voice low.
The night ended the way every night would end from now on in the city.