Rebirth: Pampered by My Children and Husband Chapter 180

Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Grand Prize

The day she went to receive the award and pose for photos.

Ji Yuqiao wore a pale pink long dress, her black, long hair neatly tied up high, and around her fair, swan-like neck hung a matching pink gemstone necklace, which complemented her smooth, jade-like skin perfectly.

Xiao Yu's eyes flickered imperceptibly and then he looked away.

“Student Ji, you look really nice today. Even the teachers feel honored walking by your side,” the teacher praised.

Ji Yuqiao smiled and entered the venue with the teacher.

As soon as she came in, she attracted everyone's attention.

“Which school is she from? How come I didn't know there is such a beautiful girl?”

“I don't know either. Why don't you go ask for her contact information while you're at it?”

Among the whisperings of several students nearby, Zhao Jiayan came over with a hint of warmth and soft light in his eyes, a faint smile on his lips, “You're dressed very beautifully today.”

“Thank you,” Ji Yuqiao said.

“And…” Zhao Jiayan's voice paused, his eyes showing a trace of guilt, “I'm sorry for not taking good care of you on the cruise last time, which resulted in you drinking so much.”

Although Ji Tingyang didn't say anything when he came to pick up Ji Yuqiao that day, Zhao Jiayan could see the anger towards him on Ji Tingyang's dark, ink-like face.

“It's okay, my brother just made a big deal out of nothing,” Ji Yuqiao had also been scolded badly after sobering up that day, and after a while, she suddenly asked, “What prize did you win in the competition this time?”

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For Zhao Jiayan to be present here, it meant that he certainly had won an award.

Moreover, Ji Yuqiao had heard before that he was a frequent winner of awards in previous years, which naturally aroused her curiosity.

“I…” Zhao Jiayan was just about to speak when the loudspeaker announced the call to gather.

“May I ask all the leaders, teachers, and students to take their seats…”

The scattered crowd in the venue quickly returned to their respective school areas and sat down.

Before walking away to his seat, Zhao Jiayan left the words, “You'll find out in a bit.”

Ji Yuqiao was puzzled for a moment, but quickly realized.

Soon, the leaders would call the winners to the stage one by one to give out the awards and take photos, so she would naturally learn his ranking.

However, from the third prize up to the first prize, both Ji Yuqiao and Xiao Yu had gone on stage, but she had not seen Zhao Jiayan's turn.

With his good grades, it was impossible for him not to win an award, right?

Ji Yuqiao looked down from the stage at Zhao Jiayan in confusion, and he returned her gaze with a calm and collected smile.

“Next, please invite student Zhao Jiayan, the recipient of the grand prize, to come on stage and give a speech,” the host's voice spread through the microphone across the venue.

Ji Yuqiao blinked, stunned for a long time before coming back to her senses.

When she had signed up for the competition, she was only following Xiao Yu, not even bothering to understand many of the rules.

She always thought that there were only three awards in this competition. Hearing there was a grand prize brought out the surprise in her pupils.

But Xiao Yu, who had participated in many competitions over the years, calmly watched Zhao Jiayan on stage as if he had long expected this outcome.

No matter how many competitions he took part in, he was always surpassed by Zhao Jiayan.

Thinking of this, he clenched the hand resting on his leg.

Zhao Jiayan stood up straight on the stage, delivering his inspiring speech with confidence and ease, his resounding voice reaching everyone's ears through the microphone.

As the speech concluded, the surroundings erupted with enthusiastic applause.

By the end, all the classmates went on stage for a group photo.

Ji Yuqiao had just stood next to Xiao Yu when Zhao Jiayan also came over, “Can I take a photo here?”

“Sure.” Ji Yuqiao didn't mind, it's not like this place was her home; he could stand wherever he wanted.

Still, seeing Zhao Jiayan, she couldn't help but exclaim, “I didn't expect you to be so incredible, actually winning the special prize.”

She had just learned from her teacher that only the top-ranked in the national competition would receive the special prize.

Zhao Jiayan's tone carried a faint smile, “It's just that my family hired many tutors for me. If you ask President Ji to hire some famous teachers for you, maybe next year's special prize will be yours.”

“I don't want his help.” Ji Yuqiao snorted coldly.

That guy only knows how to nag her all day about staying away from Xiao Yu, it's so annoying it could make one's ears callous.

While the photographer was adjusting the positions of the students, Ji Yuqiao and Zhao Jiayan chatted sporadically.

“I just counted the first prize money, it's only ten thousand yuan. How much is the special prize money?” Ji Yuqiao was somewhat curious.

“It's usually twenty thousand; it should be the same this year.”

“That's so stingy.” Ji Yuqiao muttered.

Their monthly allowances were much more than that.

“It's enough for a meal at a restaurant. After this, do you want to go eat together? It's my treat,” Zhao Jiayan said.

Their whispers reached Xiao Yu's ears. Hearing them complain about the prize money, a layer of frost suddenly covered his stern cheeks, becoming more and more irritating as he listened.

Their life classes were completely different. The prize money, which could support his tuition for a whole semester, had become an object of disdain once it reached their lips.

His self-esteem was trampled upon by their words.

Xiao Yu's expression grew darker.

“Xiao Yu, Zhao Jiayan said he's treating us to a meal, let's go together!” When the session ended, Ji Yuqiao stopped Xiao Yu as he was about to leave.

She was intent on repairing their relationship.

But Xiao Yu's voice was distant and cold, “I have to go back to the studio to organize project materials; I don't have time to dine with you guys.”

After saying that, he left without looking back.

After arriving at the studio, his senior looked troubled as he shared some bad news with Xiao Yu.

“We've been dealing with President Wang these past few days, he seemed quite positive on the surface, but he turned around and signed a contract with someone else.”

The senior slammed his fist on the desk in frustration, causing the cup on it to tremble as well.

Turns out, after all the running around they did, President Wang had been playing them for fools.

“He never intended to sign a contract with us from the start. That day he took us to Wangjiang Pavilion, just to flaunt his noble status, feeling that our studio was beneath him.” Xiao Yu wasn't surprised by the outcome.

All those people were like that, shrouded in their self-perceived superiority, looking down on everyone.

“But we could have definitely secured the contract!” The senior tried to suppress his emotional outburst, “I told you before, you should have made good use of Ji Yuqiao as a networking resource; maybe by now, we would have even got the money.”

But Xiao Yu insisted on going his own way.

“You said you didn't need it, that you had a way. Well, tell me, what do we do now? If things keep going like this, our studio will inevitably go bankrupt sooner or later!” The senior suddenly felt some regret, wondering if it was a mistake to have started the studio with Xiao Yu.

“I remember Su's is developing a project similar to the one we have in hand.” Xiao Yu pursed his lips and continued, “Next week, a director at Su's will celebrate his 60th birthday with a banquet event. I'll find a chance to sneak in and see if we can strike a deal with them.”

Chapter end