There Was Actually a Third Person at the Scene?!... (Continued)

"Now look here. This is a huge mistake. Actually, this is already quite good, but I'm the designer who got the highest score. In my eyes, there's still a huge gap between this and a polished design."

Sun Baofeng seemed to be guiding them, but the focus always came back to him. He found all sorts of ways to boast about himself, but his identity was fake, so he was actually boasting about Sishui—and Wen Feiran.

Wen Feiran's expression grew complicated, and he awkwardly rubbed his nose.

Su Shangting was a favored son of heaven. What kind of person hadn't he seen before? He hated this type most of all. He gave a cold snort, folded his arms, and looked away. Guan Yunning, however, gazed at Sun Baofeng with starry-eyed admiration and asked questions from time to time, giving him more room to show off.

"Teacher Sishui, could you let me see your design?"

That was exactly what Sun Baofeng had been waiting to hear. His nose was practically pointing at the sky as he turned the whiteboard around. His award-winning design was attached to the back, specially framed for display.

Although the guests present were laypeople, they had a basic sense of aesthetics. They couldn't critique it precisely in words, but they could vaguely sense its quality.

Zou Yuxing had been receiving extra individual instruction the whole time, but he finally spoke up. "No wonder it got the highest score. It really is good."

With him taking the lead, the others chimed in one after another.

The praise made Sun Baofeng even more eager. "You can all come over and take a closer look."

"You might not know this, but Sishui—that is, me—is the most talented designer since the South China Design Institute was founded. The judges at the time couldn't stop praising my design."

"The South China Institute recognized my talent, which is why I joined. When word of my design got out, people from all over contacted me. I'm not boasting, but the name Sishui has already become a legend throughout the industry. I'm also one of the best designers of the younger generation."

Guan Yunning was like a comic foil, always giving Sun Baofeng the most sincere reactions whenever he boasted. Sun Baofeng grew more and more extravagant, practically singing "his own" praises to the heavens.

Su Shangting liked the design so much that he even wanted to ask his agent to contact the South China Institute and have them design clothes especially for his red-carpet appearances. But he had a very poor impression of Sun Baofeng.

What a disconnect. It's hard to imagine that someone so contemptible could have produced a design like this.

Su Shangting clicked his tongue and turned away disdainfully. By chance, he caught sight of Wen Feiran, whose head was bowed low, the tips of his ears and his neck flushed bright red.

He narrowed his eyes and watched him for a moment before asking in confusion, "What are you embarrassed about?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Wen Feiran raised his head in a daze. He was so embarrassed that his eyes were misty and their corners tinged red, making him strikingly beautiful.

He was actually "Sishui," and Sun Baofeng's wording was outrageously overblown. It was like reading an essay full of effusive praise right in front of the person it was about!

This is so embarrassing. It's practically torture!!

Afraid he would give himself away, Wen Feiran awkwardly wiped his eyes with his arm. "I'm fine."

Su Shangting looked him up and down, his gaze sharp, as if he could see through his thoughts. "Something's off with you."

Wen Feiran waved his hands repeatedly. "No, there isn't. You're mistaken..."

His gaze darted around before he forced himself to say, "I'm just too hot."

Su Shangting still wouldn't let it go. Wen Feiran panicked, his face turning beet red.

The viewers in the livestream were all distracted.

[Ahhhh, Wen Feiran is so delicate. I really want to tease him.]

[My beautiful wife, slurp slurp]

[I'm suddenly having some perverted thoughts. A little dark room, a little leather whip, and interrogating him about what naughty things he's done behind my back!]

[Person above, if you keep this up, I'm calling the police. Siren.jpg]

[??? So why exactly is Wen Feiran reacting like this?]

Wen Feiran was mortified. He kept his head down and pretended to be a mushroom.

A minute passed, and Sun Baofeng was still boasting.

Five minutes passed, and Sun Baofeng was still boasting.

Ten minutes passed, and Sun Baofeng was still boasting.

"..." Wen Feiran's scalp went numb. Unable to take it any longer, he tried to slip out the back door, but after just two steps along the wall, he ran into a stern-faced old man.

The old man's gaze swept around before landing on Sun Baofeng. "Why haven't you gotten to the point yet? Don't waste time!"

Sun Baofeng was displeased at being interrupted, but he remained extremely respectful in front of the old man. "Yes, Teacher."

Sun Baofeng finally stopped boasting, impatiently taught them some basics, and had them try it themselves.

The old man remained at the door. After Sun Baofeng finished speaking, he went and stood before him, looking like an obedient student awaiting instruction.

From their interaction, Wen Feiran guessed that the old man held a high position and had considerable authority.

He glanced at him once, then looked away and casually drew a couple of strokes on the paper.

Last time, he had gotten distracted and accidentally revealed his real skills, even making the trending searches and putting his secret identity in jeopardy. This time he had learned his lesson. He pretended to be a beginner and even made a few mistakes on purpose.

But the lines couldn't lie.

This was a public livestream, and Sun Baofeng represented the South China Institute. The old man knew about the problems with Sun Baofeng's character and worried that he would mislead the students, so he stayed behind to spot-check Wen Feiran and the others' work.

Wen Feiran was full of confidence this time and thought he definitely wouldn't attract attention, but the old man stopped in front of him.

"Have you studied design before?" the old man asked.

Wen Feiran was dumbfounded. The old man seemed to have guessed what he was thinking and picked up Zou Yuxing's design.

It was a dark mess, with repeated, distorted lines and jumbled elements, like a child's casual doodle.

Wen Feiran: "..." Well... I miscalculated.

He fell silent for two seconds, then came up with an idea. "I've studied painting. I tried to develop in this direction too, but I didn't think it suited me, so I gave up."

"You could try again." The old man bent down and patiently helped him correct the few mistakes Wen Feiran had made on purpose.