Zhou Cheng knew Americans liked to express emotions dramatically, and that Xia Xiaolan was joking. It was similar to how Chinese parents would say “My child is the dumbest” – if anyone agreed with them, they’d be the real fool and would instantly receive a side-eye from the parent. Only family members could make such comments, and Xia Xiaolan’s behavior followed the same principle. If anyone believed her and mocked the Daisy trio, Xia Xiaolan would be the first to defend them.
Heidi secretly glanced their way. What a coincidence – neither her team’s entry with Jonathan nor their project made it to the honorable mention list. Heidi was very confident that this meant they must have made it to the top three! However, neither Xia Xiaolan’s group nor Ning Xue’s solo entry received honorable mentions either.
Could they all have made it to the top three?
“Impossible! They must have been eliminated, not even good enough for honorable mention!”
Jonathan gave his girlfriend a look. In such settings, no one should judge others’ work – they were all participants, and only the five judges had the right to evaluate. Because of Heidi, Ning Xue had already moved out of the dormitory, and before coming to New York, she had formally requested to leave their study group.
Their study group wasn’t just for McCarthy’s class – they worked together for team assignments in other professors’ courses as well. Ning Xue wasn’t asking for Jonathan’s opinion; she was informing him. Leaving mid-semester would be troublesome, but she would explain to the professors… meaning regardless of the competition results, her departure was final.
Under these circumstances, Jonathan wished Heidi could be more generous. Whatever she thought, it wasn’t appropriate to say it out loud!
“Either Ning’s or Xia’s group – one of their works should make it to the top three,” Jonathan said, then ignored Heidi.
Heidi desperately didn’t want to see such an outcome, but Jonathan was usually right. Whether it was Ning Xue or Xia Xiaolan’s group that made the top three, neither result would make Heidi happy!
What Heidi didn’t expect was the devastating announcement that followed. The awards ceremony host dramatically announced the top three: “…’ The Cliff Library,’ ‘Electronic Plaza,’ and ‘Sky Forest Garden.’ Congratulations to these three works for making it to the final evaluation stage! Who will be the champion of our first C·W Architectural Design Competition? The final result will come from these three works!”
“The Cliff Library” was Ning Xue’s work.
“Electronic Plaza” was Xia Xiaolan’s group’s work.
“Sky Forest Garden” was Jonathan’s team project with senior students!
This meant that of the top three entries, two were completely designed by sophomores, and the third had sophomore participation. This year’s sophomore class was incredibly strong!
Not only were the audience and faculty shocked, but even Professor Lipton on the judges’ panel couldn’t help but look at McCarthy. The Dark Lord’s reputation was well-deserved – this competition seemed to be discovering top students for him, as all three finalists were taking McCarthy’s “Structural Elements” course!
Harold looked down at the audience, where Xia Xiaolan was inseparable from her Chinese boyfriend. She was indeed impressive, making it to the top three on her merit. Even though the competition was limited to Cornell’s Architecture School, these were already America’s top undergraduate architecture students. Dominating wherever she went, Xia Xiaolan had true architectural talent.
Of course, compared to her architectural talent, Harold was more interested in her as a person. Due to the judges’ strict confidentiality, Harold still didn’t know which place Xia Xiaolan had won. No matter – if she won first place, he’d present that award; if second, he’d present that one. It didn’t matter – though first would be best. Some people were born to shine, destined to be the center of attention. Placing second, standing below others, would seem like a great injustice.
“‘Electronic Plaza’ – only our work has that name, right?” Daisy covered her face. God, they made the top three!
“Of course, it’s just us!” With such a direct, unromantic name, Lyle was certain no other team would have the same title.
Zhou Cheng kissed Xia Xiaolan’s hand. “Congratulations, you truly deserve this award.”
Xia Xiaolan pretended to be modest. “We don’t know which place yet.”
Daisy was nearly going crazy. Any place would be fine! The prize money! The glory! The chance to be noticed by major firms! Professor McCarthy’s “A” grade! And the opportunity to participate in the new Wilson Hotel branch’s architectural design – the top three prizes were so good that Daisy wanted to scream.
Xia Xiaolan didn’t scream; her gaze met Ning Xue’s. Their so-called competition played out in McCarthy’s classroom and competitions like this. The C·W Architectural Design Competition was just the beginning, a small-scale competition, more like a warm-up!
Xia Xiaolan had a feeling that first place would go to either her or Ning Xue. As for Jonathan’s “Sky Forest Garden” collaboration with senior students, Xia Xiaolan never considered it their biggest competitor. A temporarily assembled team with conflicting ideas couldn’t fully merge their inspirations – it wouldn’t amount to much. Jonathan had too little time! The most strategic error was teaming up with seniors and excluding Ning Xue. Ning Xue kept too low a profile at Cornell; Jonathan hadn’t realized her true value yet. Trained by Ning Yanfan himself, how many years had Ning Xue been exposed to architecture?
Xia Xiaolan and Ning Xue exchanged glances before looking away.
Heidi’s mind was spinning – Xia Xiaolan and Ning Xue both made it to the top three! How was this possible?
But even more shocking news awaited Heidi.
The projection screen displayed Heidi’s team’s “Sky Forest Garden” design.
“Third place goes to ‘Sky Forest Garden.’ Let’s welcome the design team to the stage! A round of applause for them – they will receive a $10,000 prize!”
Jonathan wasn’t particularly happy. The senior student who had invited him to join wasn’t pleased either. Only third place?
Then the first place would be between Xia Xiaolan’s group and Ning Xue. One was a Chinese international student competing solo. The other was a Chinese exchange student leading three “losers” who couldn’t even get an “A” in McCarthy’s class. The champion would be one of them?
This had to be a joke!
As the “Sky Forest Garden” team went on stage to receive their award, none of them seemed happy. The reporters seemed to be yawning – they’d guessed right that this niche professional competition wouldn’t produce any shocking moments. Looking at the winning participants, they all appeared so dejected. Couldn’t they at least smile?
Heidi looked down at the audience where Daisy’s three “losers” were now trying to act composed. The thought that the “loser group” might take second place or even the championship made Heidi’s forced smile worse than crying – the world must have gone mad, and the judges too, including Professor McCarthy. Not a single person was thinking straight!