Chapter Sixty-One Semifinals

"Hurry up, hurry up!"

The backstage area was filled with shouts.

The models hurriedly changed and lined up, makeup artists helping with touch-ups.

Soon, the music started, and the first model walked the runway.

Zhuo Yiyan, the sharp-tongued judge Mike, and the designer watched the show from backstage, the screen displaying the runway performance.

One after another, foreign female models with deep-set features strode confidently to the beat of the music, their long legs adding to the impact. The models, with their high ponytails and heavy makeup—smoky eyes and poisonous lips—didn't diminish the brilliance of the clothes.

Unique cuts, the skillful use of various fabrics, and trendy designs made each outfit tempting to buy on the spot.

When a model with black hair and black eyes walked the runway, the audience's eyes lit up. Although many Chinese female models had gone international, they were still rarely seen on foreign runways.

"Xiao Yang's stage presence is getting better and better," Zhuo Yiyan said to Mike.

“She’s definitely supermodel material now,” Mike, known for his sharp tongue, nodded in response.

“She has a very distinctive international face; I believe everyone will like her,” the Chinese designer said.

Because the designer was Chinese, the contestants received preferential treatment when they auditioned with her. Five out of the six had passed the auditions, and now the remaining four were able to walk the runway together in the same show.

The second contestant to walk the runway was Luo Yi. She hadn’t walked in big shows, but she had done smaller shows like this, so she had plenty of experience. Her only shortcoming was that she was too afraid of failure, so she didn’t walk with much confidence.

“Luo Yi has experience, but she didn’t have that do-or-die feeling of treating this as her last show,” Zhuo Yiyan commented.

“When I first saw this contestant, I thought she was very beautiful, but she didn’t give me much of the feeling I was looking for. If it weren’t for the eagerness in her eyes, I probably wouldn’t have given her this opportunity,” the designer also said.

The sharp-tongued Mike nodded and said, “Luo Yi is rather disappointing because she didn’t push herself in this competition.”

“Agreed!” Zhuo Yiyan said.

After a foreign model, the third contestant to walk the runway was Yin Meiling.

"Mike, what kind of person do you think Yin Meiling is?" Zhuo Yiyan was at a loss for words and immediately turned the conversation to Mike.

Mike said without any hesitation, "Besides her nice figure, she's good for nothing, especially her brain!"

"She's actually quite photogenic. What ultimately convinced me to keep her during yesterday's interview was how she looked in the photos of the ready-to-wear clothes," the designer said.

"But today, it seems she couldn't quite capture the essence of the clothes."

Sheng Jiaoyang was the last to appear. She was scheduled to go second to last. A good performance in this position could make her the grand finale, while an average performance would easily be overlooked, since everyone was eagerly anticipating seeing the last person to appear.

The other three had at least shoulder-length hair, all tied in high ponytails, but Sheng Jiaoyang had short hair. Today, the stylist had dyed her hair black, parted it in a 2:8 ratio, shaved the side with less hair into a very short buzz cut, and styled the other side with short hair styled to the side.

She had a very androgynous hairstyle, but she wore a uniquely feminine see-through long dress. A dark green leaf, its veins clearly visible, was sewn from a special fabric and placed diagonally on her chest. Light green tulle nestled within the leaf, revealing her entire back curve on one shoulder. Several layers of tulle slid down to the side, the skirt trailing behind her.

The short-haired model walked confidently on the runway, her long legs appearing and disappearing beneath the slit in the tulle skirt, creating a blend of androgynous beauty and her unpretentious elegance, making her truly striking. It was hard to tell whether the dress enhanced the person or the person enhanced the dress.

"This dress is stunning! Isn't it supposed to be for the closing model?" Mike exclaimed.

"No, I know this girl is young and has no runway experience. Initially, I wasn't too sure she could pull it off. The reason I chose her was because she suddenly had an inspiration and wanted to try something different. Fortunately, she didn't disappoint," the designer said.

"Although she's young, she doesn't give off the impression of being that young. Wearing such a revealing dress, she doesn't look shy at all. She wears this alluring dress with a particularly dignified elegance and a fresh, ethereal grace, like a fairy wandering the world," Zhuo Yiyan said.

Mike stroked his chin and clicked his tongue, "Xu Jiaojiao has a really good temperament. Wearing this dress, she looks like a socialite attending a banquet, not at all vulgar. Such a powerful aura at such a young age, her future is immeasurable."

While they were commenting, the short-haired female model on stage had already returned backstage, and the final model, swaying her exaggerated and grand floor-length sleeves, walked out.

The show was over.

The four finalists stood there, awaiting the judges' decision.

This was the semi-final.

"Reaching this point proves that everyone is very strong, but this is the recording site for the semi-final. Every competition has a result," Zhuo Yiyan said seriously to the contestants.

"We're ready, Ms. Zhuo, please speak freely!"

Zhuo Yiyan's gaze lingered on the four contestants. "Luo Yi and Xiao Yang both performed very well this time, but the most surprising one is Xu Jiaojiao. You could say she's the one who has improved the most this season of 'Supermodel'."

The others looked at Sheng Jiaoyang, reflecting on the 'Supermodel' opening show and how much she had changed. From being relatively unremarkable at the beginning to now shining brightly, she had gradually changed everyone's impression of her.

"Judging from your expressions, you've guessed who's the first to advance to the top three." Zhuo Yiyan smiled slightly. "That's right, it's Xu Jiaojiao!"

"Congratulations! Your efforts haven't been in vain." Mike wasn't sarcastic this time.

Based on their performance, the top three were undisputed: Sheng Jiaoyang, Xiao Yang, and Luo Yi.

Yin Meiling was eliminated in the top four.

Another person left the apartment, leaving the remaining three looking at each other, each with their own feelings.

That evening, Luo Yi and Xiao Yang were each invited for individual interviews, while Sheng Jiaoyang was greeted by a man who identified himself as an agent from a certain agency.

This agent was a man in his forties with a mustache. When he saw Sheng Jiaoyang, he gave her a thorough once-over with what he thought was a subtle, appraising look, and after his assessment, he seemed satisfied and smiled.

"Xu Jiaojiao, hello!" the man extended his hand.

Sheng Jiaoyang had her hands in her pockets, not intending to shake hands.

"Just say what you want."

A flash of ruthlessness crossed the man's eyes, quickly masked by a forced smile. "I am Tan Jie, the top agent of Supermodel Agency. I saw your performance on the show online and thought you were really great. I learned you haven't signed with any agency yet, so I came here specifically to sincerely invite you to join our big family."

"No interest." Sheng Jiaoyang turned and left.

"Hey, you..."

*Bang!*

The big guy was slammed to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw, unable to move.

Sheng Jiaoyang dusted off imaginary dust from his shoulders, glanced down at the groaning man, and walked out of the room.