Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 109

Not far from the exhibition hall, at a corner, Shang Qinghui adjusted her carefully styled and oiled hair, then touched the black and white checkered beret on her head.

After confirming that every inch of herself was exquisitely perfect, she took a step, then paused, looking down.

Yes, the lace trim on her socks, peeking out from her boots, was just right. She tugged at the hem of her down jacket, ensuring it covered her undershirt, breathed a sigh of relief, and finally emerged from the corner.

A few steps later, she saw Meng Weixin walking up the stairs, talking on the phone.

Meng Weixin held a white chef’s uniform in one arm and a phone to her ear; she didn’t notice Shang Qinghui a few steps behind her.

Shang Qinghui glanced at her, intending to look away, but something caught her attention, and she looked again.

By then, Meng Weixin had her back to her. Shang Qinghui frowned; although she had only glimpsed Meng Weixin’s profile, her expression seemed strange.

Meng Weixin entered the exhibition hall without ending her call, going to the railing to look at the view. Passing her, Shang Qinghui slowed down, hearing her speaking in French:

“I need everything to go perfectly… don’t give her a chance. Just confirm it…”

The exhibition hall was brightly lit, illuminating every pore on people’s faces. Three cooking stations were neatly arranged. This competition would be held in front of the judges, testing the contestants’ composure.

Entering, Shang Qinghui saw Bian Yingning, standing in a corner with Zhang Zhizhi, putting on her chef’s uniform. She had taken off her coat, revealing a black and white checkered turtleneck sweater and tight gray pants; she looked sharp and capable.

Her long hair was neatly tied up; only a few strands fell by her face, which she tucked behind her ear. The white chef’s uniform looked elegant on her.

Shang Qinghui suddenly thought of the word “gentle.”

Seeming to sense Shang Qinghui’s gaze, Bian Yingning looked over, meeting her eyes. Shang Qinghui’s heart skipped a beat; she quickly looked away but saw Bian Yingning walking towards her with something in her hand.

“Which team are you from?” Bian Yingning asked, her voice serious, like a staff member checking her credentials. No staff member would dare speak to her like that.

Shang Qinghui pursed her lips, glaring at her, ready to retort. But Bian Yingning had a teasing smile that didn’t match her serious tone.

…

Bian Yingning smiled, looking at her calmly, her words smooth and alluring. She said, “Quite a temper. You get angry after a few words. Is that all?”

Shang Qinghui rolled her eyes, “I don’t want to waste my time with you.”

“Is it a waste of time, or can’t you win an argument with me?”

…

Shang Qinghui felt dazed; she had momentarily thought Bian Yingning was gentle?.

“Come on, Marco isn’t here yet; the draw is about to start. What’s your luck like? Why don’t you draw for us?” Bian Yingning said, taking her towards Zhang Zhizhi.

The exhibition hall was smaller than the first round’s lounge but still large. Shang Qinghui looked at the stage; three large boxes contained the ingredients for the competition. No one knew what was inside; it was a matter of luck.

Her gaze fell on Bian Yingning; the color of the sweater peeking from her collar made Shang Qinghui pause; she looked at her own head… Of course, she couldn’t see anything. She had so many hats; why did she choose this color…?

“Hi!” Zhang Zhizhi greeted her enthusiastically.

Shang Qinghui offered a stiff smile. Zhang Zhizhi, pulling Bian Yingning aside, whispered, “Impressive. She even came to greet you at the door. Good, good.”

Shang Qinghui froze. Couldn’t they be more careful? Did they think I was deaf?

“I am thoughtful. I know,” Bian Yingning said shamelessly.

Shang Qinghui: “…” Her ears and face burned.

Couldn’t she explain? Was she being narcissistic? And why was the heating so high?

“She’s your translator, right?” Bian Yingning reminded Zhang Zhizhi.

Shang Qinghui looked towards the entrance. A tall girl stood there, looking awkward, unable to find friends; the competition hadn’t started; she didn’t know whether to enter or leave.

Shang Qinghui realized that if Bian Yingning hadn’t approached her, she might have felt the same way.

“It’s… Senior Song Yao!” Zhang Zhizhi said, rushing to greet her, helping her find a seat.

As soon as Zhang Zhizhi left, Shang Qinghui felt nervous.

She looked around, finding nothing to do; she took out her phone to pretend to be busy.

Warmth touched her.

Shang Qinghui looked up, meeting Bian Yingning’s eyes. Her eyes were beautiful; when she wasn’t smiling, they were commanding; when she smiled, they were captivating. But now, her eyes reflected Shang Qinghui’s image.

“What?” Shang Qinghui said impatiently.

Bian Yingning extended her hand, her index finger slightly curved, as if touching Shang Qinghui’s hair, but not quite. Yet, Shang Qinghui felt a breeze touch her soul.

“You look good today,” she said softly.

From the moment Shang Qinghui appeared, Bian Yingning couldn’t take her eyes off her. Insecurity and doubt vanished. As they got closer, Bian Yingning’s unique scent filled the air.

Shang Qinghui’s grip on her phone tightened; she snorted, “I always look good.”

“Please, each team send a representative to draw ingredients,” the emcee announced.

This was important. Bian Yingning looked around; Marco wasn’t there. She clicked her tongue, “You draw for us.”

Shang Qinghui put away her phone.

“Why me?” Her displeasure was evident.

“Marco isn’t here; it’s better if I don’t go; you’re more impartial.”

Shang Qinghui sighed, muttering about the trouble, walking towards the stage. Bian Yingning watched her, smiling, then sent a voice message to Marco.

After several attempts, Marco answered sleepily, “Allo?”

“The competition is about to start; why aren’t you here?” Bian Yingning frowned; Marco sounded like he hadn’t woken up yet.

“Ah…” Marco seemed to have just woken up; there was a clattering sound; Bian Yingning frowned deeper.

Marco wasn’t someone who would be careless about the competition; he had analyzed the theme with her; why was he so unprepared now?

“Do you know where the competition is?”

“Non, je ne sais pas!”

“Wait downstairs after getting ready; I’ll send someone to get you,” Bian Yingning said, to prevent him from getting lost.

Marco agreed. Bian Yingning took a deep breath; the draw had ended; Shang Qinghui was looking at the box she had drawn. She quickly went up, helping the staff bring the ingredients to their station.

They had twenty minutes to check the ingredients and plan their dish before the competition began.

“Do you know where Marco’s dorm is?”

There’s always a thrill in opening mystery boxes; even though it didn’t directly involve her, Shang Qinghui was excited to see what she had drawn.

Nodding, “Yes.” She had picked Marco up from his dorm last time.

“He just woke up; he doesn’t know where we are. Can you get him?”

Without a partner, Bian Yingning couldn’t compete; Marco was essential.

Shang Qinghui’s face darkened, “It’s almost noon; why did he just wake up?”

“We’ll talk later. If he doesn’t come, I’ll be disqualified,” Bian Yingning said calmly, but her voice was slightly low.

Shang Qinghui hummed, muttering about the trouble, and ran out.

Meng Weixin checked her ingredients, glancing at Bian Yingning. Bian Yingning needed to check the ingredients to plan her dish; she couldn’t go get Marco. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have time to complete the competition.

Shang Qinghui had good luck; she had various ingredients, from black pepper to foie gras and black truffle.

Bian Yingning’s station was at the back; Zhang Zhizhi was in the middle; Meng Weixin was on the other side.

Zhang Zhizhi cried out, “What are these? Bitter melon, winter melon, cantaloupe… add me to this list of useless!”

…

Leaving the classroom, Shang Qinghui initially walked, but remembering the exchange students’ location, she ran, telling the bodyguard to bring the car. She hated how large the campus was.

“If he doesn’t come, I’ll be disqualified…”

“Drive faster,” Shang Qinghui said coldly.

But she could only drive slowly on campus; there were students everywhere. Even though Shang Qinghui was anxious, she had to be patient. Getting to the villa area took twelve minutes. Shang Qinghui kept checking the time.

Luckily, she saw Marco downstairs. Despite the cold weather, he was sweating and apologizing.

“Don’t you set an alarm? Why did you sleep so late?” Shang Qinghui’s face darkened; her fist clenched unconsciously.

“I don’t know. I went to bed early, at 11 pm; I set two alarms, one for 8:30 am and one for 9 am… I don’t know why I slept so soundly…”

It was already past 11 am.

“Luckily, Bian called me; my phone wasn’t on silent; she kept calling; otherwise, I wouldn’t have woken up,” Marco said.

“I remember you share a room,” Shang Qinghui asked.

Marco was startled; he nodded, “But my roommate went to the Foreign Languages department’s exchange event early and hasn’t returned.”

…

“The competition will begin in one minute. Please go to your stations,” the emcee announced.

All the other teams were ready, except Bian Yingning’s team; only she was at her station.

The emcee was addressing her.

“What’s wrong?” The instructor asked Bian Yingning.

“My partner is lost; he’s on his way; he’ll be here in three to five minutes,” Bian Yingning said calmly, but her grip on her other hand tightened.

The instructor didn’t say anything and went to talk to the judges.

When the clock struck noon, Meng Weixin raised her hand, “Teacher, why hasn’t the competition started? Should we delay it because of one student?”

The judges exchanged glances.

One judge said, “Consider him absent. We can’t wait indefinitely.”