Chapter 18: Saving the Autistic Teen 18

The day of the Oil Painting Competition awards ceremony.

The awards ceremony invited many renowned masters in the oil painting circle, even industry leaders, as well as art academy students; the venue was crowded with people, very lively.

Even with preparation, Ji Yan was still frightened by the crowd size, his face visibly paling considerably.

While waiting backstage, he almost entirely curled up in Jin Chen's embrace, not daring to lift his head.

Jin Chen coaxed and comforted him, but seeing the boy's fingertips still trembling, he still frowned with worry.

【0731, is there any medicine that can temporarily relieve the symptoms?】

【Some Hosts, the soothing medicine costs 50 points per vial!】

Jin Chen was just about to exchange for the medicine when he saw the boy take a deep breath in his embrace, slowly sit up, though his fingers still clung tightly to him.

"sweetheart?"

"……I can."

Ji Yan gathered his courage, recalling the mother who first taught him oil painting; in his memory, every time he painted, she smiled happily, saying, "Little Yan, you're so talented, you'll surely win the grand trophy someday."

He wanted to fulfill his mother's entrustment to him.

The boy's eyes, once filled with confusion and emptiness, gradually cleared, replaced by determination and courage.

"Ah Chen, don't go."

"I'm here watching you paint, I'm not afraid."

Jin Chen did not exchange for the medicine anymore; his sweetheart was stronger than he had imagined.

Ji Yan's eyes crinkled as he smiled; upon hearing his name, he released his hold on Jin Chen's hand and walked onto the stage.

Those who received the ceremony invitation were all the contestants who had placed in the awards.

The awards were divided into first, second, and third place, with first place further split into the final top five.

Only the first-place winner could receive the trophy and get a chance to be guided by the industry's leading figures; many challengers came for that opportunity.

Ji Yan and Ji Yu, being contestants from the same city, were assigned adjacent positions.

Ji Yu had long known through Bei Tai's connections that he was first place, so he felt no tension at all, looking at Ji Yan with an expression of smug complacency.

But the boy's gaze remained fixed on Jin Chen below the stage, not even glancing at him.

Ji Yu glanced at the host and judges who weren't paying attention here, suddenly turned his body slightly, and whispered something into Ji Yan's ear.

Ji Yan raised his eyebrows in surprise, as if puzzled.

When the second and third place awards were announced, neither Ji Yu's nor Ji Yan's names appeared.

The longer Ji Yan stood on stage, the more the courage he had mustered gradually faded.

Finally, he heard his name.

Second place.

Ji Yu was first place.

As Ji Yu's work was displayed on the big screen, Ji Yan's cheeks instantly drained of color, his almond eyes filled with disbelief.

It was Mother……

Why was Ji Yu's work the Mother he had painted two years ago……

He could see that Ji Yu had altered many parts, but that could not hide the fact that the woman with a gentle smile on the painting was his Mother.

Hearing the judges' praise for Ji Yu in his ears, Ji Yan could barely breathe; his hatred for Ji Yu peaked at that moment.

【Villain Blackening Value detected 20, total 45!】

Jin Chen suddenly sat upright, noticing Ji Yan's abnormality on stage.

【What's going on?】

【In the original plot, Ji Yu's work was not this piece, his ranking was only second place, and this work of his does not appear in the original plot at all.】

0731 quickly replied.

【Host, Little Pitiful One reacts so strongly; could this painting be something Ji Yu stole from him?】

Jin Chen seemed to have thought of something, a flash of realization crossing his eyes.

【0731, can you find photos of Ji Yan's mother from before?】

【Sure! Host, wait for me!】

On stage.

When the host pointed to Ji Yan to speak, he took the microphone with trembling fingertips, choking up to the point of almost being unable to speak.

"This contestant, are you feeling unwell?"

The host sensed something and immediately asked him.

"No,"

Ji Yan shook his head, desperately holding back the urge to cry, wanting to speak the truth, but the more he restrained himself, the worse his trembling became.

Jin Chen immediately stood up and, in a few steps, went onto the stage.

He embraced Ji Yan's shoulders and took the microphone from his hand.

"Sorry, he's a bit introverted; perhaps he was frightened."

"Those who engage in art often have a few quirks; the judges understood, but they wondered, 'What exactly startled him just now?'"

Ji Yan smelled the familiar sandalwood, his frantic pounding heart gradually calming, and he spoke again.

"……Ji Yu's, work, is not his…… it's, two years ago, I painted it."

"What?"

The judge who questioned him was shocked and sternly said, "Contestant Ji Yan, this is no joking matter."

Ji Yu clenched his fists, as if angry after being questioned.

"Ji Yan! Even if you dislike me, you can't slander me like this!"

The invited professor let out a cold snort.

He couldn't stand this kind of farce.

The host was sweating profusely, completely unaware how such a situation could arise, and the third-place contestant on stage touched his nose.

"Shall I step down first?"

The host nodded, signalling him to quickly step down and not get involved in this farce.

"Ji Yan athlete, what is the basis for what you're saying?"

The judges conferred briefly, but still decided to get to the bottom of it.

"Don't be afraid, just speak directly."

Jin Chen rubbed Ji Yan's shoulder, giving him endless encouragement.

Ji Yan took a deep breath, "Because… this painting is my mother."

Ji Yu's heart jolted, he barely kept his composure.

Impossible! The Jin Family has so many servants—haven't they seen the woman in the painting before?!

The judge also didn't expect this answer; her expression was puzzled and strange as she looked at Ji Yu.

"In your competition entry, you said the woman in the portrait is your imagined holy mother angel, right? Regarding Ji Yan athlete's questioning, what do you have to say?"

"I, I don't know what Ji Yan is talking about; this painting cost me a great deal of effort, she is the angel I imagined, the beauty I drew stroke by stroke—I absolutely will not allow him to slander me like this!"

Ji Yu forced himself to steady his mind, stubbornly refusing to admit this.

At the same time, he gave a glance to the judge bribed by Bei Tai, signalling him to help.

The male judge received the signal, his heart sank, knowing this matter was likely true.

But he had taken the money, so he couldn't refuse to help.

"According to Ji Yan athlete's meaning, this painting is yours, but in the same competition, how can you not even beat your own painting from two years ago?"

Ji Yan's expression changed.

Because over these two years, every time he picked up a paintbrush, Ji Yu would interrupt him—either tearing the canvas or simply spilling the paint…

He only took up the brush again after moving into the Jin Family.

Jin Chen saw the youth's sorrow, raised his eyes and gave the male judge a cold stare.

"Do you dare guarantee that each of your paintings will be better than the previous ones?"

【Host! The photo has already been sent to your phone album!】

Jin Chen didn't wait for the male judge to speak, took out his phone, and opened the photo of Ji Yan's mother.

He thrust the photo in front of the host's eyes, "Is this evidence enough?"