Chapter 45: The Campus Belle Competition

After Bai Mengze discovered Ji Wenyan’s superb makeup skills, her confidence in winning first place at the Campus Belle Competition soared.

If she still failed to claim the top spot, it would be a disservice to all the effort Ji Wenyan had poured into her transformation.

Embracing this newfound conviction, Bai Mengze and Ji Wenyan approached the gymnasium entrance. The student council members, stationed as guards, merely performed a cursory check of their identities before allowing them entry.

All the while, the male student council members couldn’t tear their scorching gazes away from Bai Mengze.

They had never imagined Bai Mengze could be so stunning.

Her appearance was a complete metamorphosis compared to her previous self.

She shone like an ugly duckling transformed into a swan, radiating such brilliance that no one could look away.

No, Bai Mengze was never an ugly duckling. She had always possessed an inherent beauty.

It was simply unfortunate that this ‘big shot’ Ji Wenyan had already claimed her.

The mere mention of Ji Wenyan’s name brought a palpable shift in the atmosphere. Given the precedent of a former student council president being ousted from his position because of him, none of the current members dared utter a single harsh word.

Even with Ji Wenyan’s intention to accompany Bai Mengze into the gymnasium as her makeup artist, the student council had no choice but to meekly grant him passage.

There was simply no recourse. Even the principal himself had consistently given Ji Wenyan carte blanche; for mere student council members to attempt to stand in his way would be akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Observing Ji Wenyan’s evident concern for Bai Mengze, the persistent rumors seemed all the more credible.

Ji Wenyan was indeed pursuing Bai Mengze.

Even after facing a public rejection, he had shown no signs of discouragement.

Now, witnessing Bai Mengze’s lack of resistance, it seemed a happy conclusion might be drawing near.

Regardless, Bai Mengze was now undeniably beyond their reach, a figure they could no longer harbor secret fantasies about.

“Bai Mengze, there are so many participants! Was it this many last year?”

As Ji Wenyan and Bai Mengze stepped into the gymnasium, they were immediately confronted by a massive crowd. This sight left Ji Wenyan utterly bewildered. ‘Had the school summoned every single girl?’ he wondered.

Why were there so many?

If the number of contestants eventually outnumbered the audience, it would truly be a spectacle.

“There weren’t this many last year,” Bai Mengze replied. “But perhaps last year’s competition was quite successful, so they’ve amplified their efforts this year. Just look at all the advertising banners in the gymnasium; they must have secured a lot of sponsorship.”

Confronted by the veritable sea of people, Bai Mengze herself felt a surge of surprise.

However, she recalled that last year’s Campus Belle champion had launched directly into stardom after the competition. This success likely inspired countless girls, eager to replicate the path to fame.

Unfortunately, this was no mere accidental triumph.

Instead, it was a result of behind-the-scenes manipulation. To gain fame solely through a minor Campus Belle Competition would otherwise be far too simplistic.

Ji Wenyan, accustomed to the grander spectacle of professional beauty pageants, held little hope for this particular competition.

Yet, even if No. 1 Middle School intended to continue favoring a particular contestant this year, they would first have to ascertain if the audience was utterly blind.

With Bai Mengze’s unparalleled beauty, if they dared to deny her the top spot, he vowed to publicly expose No. 1 Middle School the very next day, reporting its poor school ethos, including instances of threats and bullying.

He would ensure this prestigious high school’s title was unequivocally revoked.

“Are you Bai Mengze?”

Just as Bai Mengze and Ji Wenyan sought an empty seat, a female voice suddenly cut through the din. The words carried a distinct note of uncertainty, as if the speaker dared not fully believe the person before her was indeed Bai Mengze.

The moment Bai Mengze heard the voice, a look of profound distaste immediately crossed her features, clearly indicating her reluctance to engage with the speaker.

This piqued Ji Wenyan’s curiosity. He wondered who this latest purveyor of trouble might be.

He had grown accustomed to these frequent encounters with such individuals whenever he was with Bai Mengze, and he even felt a faint flicker of anticipation.

Living under the constant shadow of death, he desperately needed these individuals to add a dash of flavor to his existence, preventing the mental burden from becoming too overwhelming and plunging him into depression.