Chapter 2967: You Are My Fashion Darling 26

The show's filming progress had unknowingly neared its end.

Each episode someone leaves, the remaining seats dwindle, and the competition grows ever fiercer.

The next episode will be the last formal match before the finals; after it ends, only ten people will advance to the finals.

In the evening, all contestants were summoned to the villa.

On the island, evening came slowly; the sun hung on the horizon, refusing to set, dyeing the entire activity villa's lawn a warm orange.

The director stood at the front, holding a cue sheet and announced.

"Contestants, tomorrow we will film the last episode before the finals. Unlike before, we will announce the competition theme and rules tonight, giving you all night to brainstorm and prepare."

When the venue fell silent, the director continued: "Tomorrow's competition theme is jungle and nature."

The theme appeared on the big screen, with a backdrop of a dense, deep tropical rainforest picture, light and shadow mottled, full of primal vitality.

"The shooting location is set in the undeveloped natural jungle area on the island's east side. You must go deep into the jungle, using its natural environment—trees, vines, moss, rocks, etc. —as your shooting background and props. The core requirement is that the final footage must clearly contain at least three kinds of jungle natural elements."

"Furthermore, this episode's product line is Oparles' cosmetics line, so makeup will be a crucial part. You need to devise creative makeup that fits the theme and your personal style, submit it in advance to the wardrobe and makeup teams, and since makeup time is limited, please consider everything thoroughly."

After the rules were announced, Chenshu, seated in the main judge's position, picked up the microphone.

"For tomorrow's jungle shoot, Judge Qi Jing will not participate in the on-site scoring; tomorrow's filming and scoring will be carried out by me, together with Anna, Victor, Ava, and Zhou Mu, the four judges, accompanying you throughout."

When these words were spoken, the other contestants had not yet reacted, but Min Heng froze first.

He abruptly lifted his head, his gaze locking onto Chenshu, his eyes revealing undisguised shock; upon realizing his gaffe, he quickly lowered his gaze, pressing his lips into a thin line.

Why isn't Qi Jing participating in the recording?

He now has only Qi Jing to rely on.

In these recent matches, without Jin Chen's help, Min Heng's mindset has become unstable again, and his ranking has fallen from the top tier to near elimination over several episodes.

Qi Jing's initial attention and favor toward him had long been worn away by repeated disappointments.

If he misses tomorrow again……

But now, Chenshu's light sentence completely snuffed out his last hope.

Chenshu put down the microphone, taking in Min Heng's intense reaction at that moment.

Qi Jing, seated beside him, raised an eyebrow, lowered his voice, and asked: "Why didn't I receive the notice?"

Chenshu didn't look at him, speaking lightly: "I'm notifying you now."

Qi Jing: "……"

Fine, whatever the Chief Executive Officer says goes.

After the evening's meeting adjourned, the contestants left in small groups; some gathered to discuss, while others sought to rest quickly and recharge.

Min Heng, absent‑minded, was the first to rush out of the hall.

He paced anxiously in circles on the villa's lawn; the evening wind could not dispel his agitation and chill.

No, he cannot sit and wait for doom.

Min Heng gritted his teeth and hurried toward the seaside viewing platform.

The viewing platform juts out over the sea; at this moment night is just falling, and a faint dark red still lingers where sea meets sky.

Qi Jing leaned on the railing, gazing at the distant surging deep‑blue waves, holding a cup of water in his hand.

Hearing footsteps, he turned and saw Min Heng, frowned slightly, and said in a flat tone: "What's up?"

Min Heng stopped a few steps before him, as if mustering great courage, his gaze burning as he looked at Qi Jing: "Teacher Qi Jing, I… I want to say a few words to you, just a few, I won't take much of your time."

Qi Jing's eyes showed no emotion; he waited for him to continue.

Min Heng felt nervous under his gaze, but steeled himself and recited his prepared lines: "Teacher Qi Jing, I know… my recent performance has disappointed you; I'm out of form, haven't shown my true level, let down your expectations, and I myself feel regretful and anguished."

"But please believe me, my love for this industry and pursuit of design beauty have never changed; I admire you—your talent and vision—from the bottom of my heart, and… and…"

Min Heng seemed unable to speak, yet unable to hold back; his voice dropped with a tremor: "And the uncontrollable admiration—since the first time I saw your designs, the first time I heard your critiques, I… I know this is abrupt and presumptuous, but if you don't go to the jungle tomorrow, I might… might never get a chance to speak to you like this again. I just want to tell you that, no matter the competition outcome, you are the most special person in my heart."

Qi Jing: "……"

Without the appreciation built from long‑term creative inspiration clashes, Qi Jing now sees Min Heng as merely someone who once had a hint of spirit but has become increasingly mediocre, restless, and even repeatedly tried to take shortcuts.

This sudden outpouring of feelings, in Qi Jing's view, is not only untimely but also resembles an ulterior‑motive emotional blackmail and pressure.

Qi Jing's face turned cold.

He set down his water cup, stood upright, and looked at Min Heng with a hint of scrutiny: "Contestant Min Heng, first, thank you for your attention to me and my work."

"But you need to understand one thing: this is the set of Fashion Favorite, I am a judge, you are a contestant, and our only connection is the competition and the professional evaluation of your work."

"Your personal emotions and thoughts are irrelevant to me and should not affect the competition; I hope you can focus all your energy on tomorrow's match, produce truly convincing work, rather than waste time on these trivial matters."

Thinking of Min Heng's creativity in the previous episodes, Qi Jing shook his head again: "To be frank, you've let me down; over these episodes, look at what you've filmed—you aren't lacking opportunity, you're wasting it yourself."

All of Min Heng's words were stuck in his throat, leaving only embarrassment and a suffocating shame.

"If there's nothing else, please go back and prepare well for the competition." Qi Jing issued the dismissal, turned to face the sea again, and no longer looked at him.

Min Heng stood frozen, watching Qi Jing's cold, distant back; the last vestiges of his unwillingness and resentment grew wildly in his heart.

It's all because of Jin Chen! If Jin Chen hadn't stolen the spotlight, Qi Jing wouldn't treat him like this!

Min Heng staggered away, fleeing the viewing platform that had trampled his dignity.

Not far away in a corner, Chenshu stood in the shadows, watching the scene from start to finish; only after Min Heng had walked off did he head toward the seaside platform.

Seeing it was Chenshu, the chill on Qi Jing's face eased somewhat: "Chenshu, what is this…"

Chenshu said: "Headquarters has a cross‑project collaboration for the upcoming haute couture line next quarter; the early concept and direction need a lead, and I'm assigning the preliminary work of this project to you, with a salary increase of twenty percent."

Qi Jing: "……?"

His swelling questions were choked back; he is now one of the chief designers, and a five percent raise is already a high benefit, let alone twenty.

The Chief Executive Officer's arrangement naturally has his reasons.

Qi Jing quickly adjusted his expression, switched in a second to professional‑elite mode, nodded and said: "All right, Chenshu, I'll familiarize myself with the project materials as soon as possible."

Qi Jing suddenly realized something, his heart brightened, and he couldn't help adding a teasing smile: "Also, I hope you soon get your wish and send Jin Chen to headquarters."

Chenshu: "……" — saying that makes him seem like some bad person.