Chapter 256 Competition

Meanwhile, Benjamin was matched with a male model. Without any ado, he took up the measuring tape and began taking notes.

“Do you mind taking off your coat? I think the measurement will be more accurate without it,” Benjamin suggested.

The man was confused, for his rugged and unkempt appearance had warded off many.

They were afraid and disgusted by him, but the designer before him was behaving differently. Despite the initial shock in his eyes when they first met, he composed himself quickly and seemed unperturbed at that moment.

From how comfortable Benjamin was around him, the model felt he was treated as Benjamin’s equal. “It’s dirty, though,” the model blurted.

Benjamin looked up from the design board and rested his hands on his waist, saying casually, “I don’t mind. Ms. Selena said we have nothing to worry about hygiene. Don’t tell me you feel self–conscious.” Now that Benjamin put it that way, the model felt his reluctance made him seem petty.

“I don’t,” he replied as he took off his coat, revealing his muscular body since that was the only thing he was wearing.

Benjamin was impressed by how well–built the slovenly–dressed man was.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Benjamin uttered, “I don’t understand how a homeless man like you maintain such a good body.

Don’t tell me you’re a real model Ms. Selena sent just to test us.”

Well, I guess I’m lucky to get a real model while others don’t. The chances of winning will be higher for me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m here because they said they were paying three hundred just for me to stand here,”

the man replied.

Oops, I guess I’m not that lucky after all. Collecting his thoughts, Benjamin observed that man and began drafting a design for him.

On the other side, Margaret was also working assiduously. Her goal was to win the competition, although it was no mean feat to dress a beggar up presentably.

In fact, she felt upset by the woman’s unsightly face, so she went ahead to cover the beggar’s face with a paper bag.

Now that she could only see the woman’s body, she felt she could finally work on the design without being distracted.

As for the female beggar, she felt disrespected when Margaret put a paper bag over her head, but she remained quiet since the rules required her to follow the designer’s lead.

As time ticked by, the live broadcast ended, with the next live stream scheduled for nine at night when the final round of the competition would be aired.

Once the drawings were ready, the designers began hurrying to make the clothes. In a time–constrained circumstance like that, they could only present the rough idea of their designs instead of being too detail- oriented.

While the designers worked, their models stood beside them and removed their clothes before putting on the freshly–made pieces.

If the designed clothing did not fit, the designers would make alterations directly on the clothing while the models had them on.

The atmosphere of the competition venue became tense as the designers worked away industriously without even taking a breather.

They were like athletes running on the track, afraid of being overtaken once they let down their guard.

Four hours went by in the sound of the whirring sewing machines, and the grey sky had already turned utterly dark without the illumination of any stars, making the indoor lights unusually painful to look at.

The audience was already waiting eagerly for the live stream.

In fact, the streaming server almost crashed when the show went live at the beginning. The camera focused on the emcee, who was smiling brightly on the stage.

After a simple word of introduction, the showcase began.

The first designer to present was Nancy, whose model was a tall woman dressed in a fringe dress. The neat trims on the fashion piece showed how fine Nancy’s artistry was. After putting on some makeup and wearing the exquisite dress, the homeless woman looked as though she had a major makeover.

Her aesthetic appearance won many votes from the audience online.

Likewise, the second and third models, who failed to make an excellent first impression, surprised everyone with the contrast they made after putting on fashionable clothing.

The fifth model to walk the runway was Margaret’s.

With a gold piece as the inskirts underneath a dress with a flounce hem, Margaret’s design was considered high–end clothing.

Everyone could feel the model’s powerful and captivating aura as she walked the runway.

Yet, despite all the impressed gazes thrown at the model, no one could tell from her cold expression if she liked what she was wearing.

Soon, it was time for Christina’s model to appear.

All the spotlights were cast on a woman in red at that moment. She had a sheer detailed top ornamented with red feathers and shiny pieces of diamonds, as well as a layered gauze fabric as a skirt, making her look like a blossoming flower.

From the design, it was evident that the designer had a tutu in mind. With an equally red headscarf which made her look like a flamingo, the tall model walked down the runway just as a ballerina would.

While black and white swans were common, the audience was amused when the model’s attire reminded them of a red swan.

Just as the model assumed her position on the stage, the lights suddenly went out. In the darkness, cries of astonishment pierced through the air.

“Whoa!”

“This is spectacular!”

The audience was blown away when they saw the model’s dress glowing in the dark. Glistens of red shone vividly as she danced gracefully until she reached the end of the stage when the lights turned on again. Ending her show with a pirouette, the model smiled confidently at the audience.

Everyone was so impressed that their jaws dropped.

Selena’s eyes glimmered with amazement as her lips quivered. Superbly done, Christina Steele. You didn’t let anyone who look highly on you down.

The other designers who were also watching could not believe the model they had just seen was a homeless woman. They had never thought someone like them could dance ballet.

She completed the dance with an immaculate fifth position, and her spin was incredible.

From how shaken up the audience was by the sight, it went without saying that they voted for Christina, propelling her position to the first on the chart after the humbling number of votes in the beginning.

“This is insanely good!” the staff exclaimed.

“The outfit really brought out the best in the model.”

These compliments were not well–taken by the designers standing on the other side, for they were confident that the model Christina had been assigned was explicitly chosen by Selena.

To them, there was no way a beggar would know ballet.