His physiological preference

Fan Lei changed into a cheongsam. The moment the zipper was zipped up, Yang Zhiyan felt a sense of relief.

It fits perfectly; the shoulder line is right at Fan Lei's shoulder peak, the waistline is at her narrowest point, and the skirt length is just to her calves.

Fan Lei turned around, her profile as smooth as a crescent moon.

Yang Zhiyan walked over, pinned a few needles to her waist, and tucked the waistline in by half an inch. She also pinched a pleat at the shoulder blade to make the fabric fit her back better.

She moved quickly and steadily, inserting each needle precisely into the correct spot.

Fan Lei stood there, looking down at Yang Zhiyan as she squatted down to adjust the length of her skirt. Looking at her focused profile, she realized that it was no wonder she looked so ordinary, yet she had won the president's approval.

If Qin Yuzheng knew what he was thinking, he would definitely scoff and say, "Does my wife need his approval?"

Yang Zhiyan stood up, took two steps back, and looked at Fan Lei. "Alright. Try walking a few steps."

Fan Lei took a few steps. Every step was perfectly timed; as expected of a former model, she had a real runway presence.

The hem of her cheongsam swayed gently with her steps, the embroidered magnolia blossoms peeking through the light. Qin Yushang leaned against a nearby pillar, watching this scene.

He remembered his brother saying, "That's your sister-in-law, stay away from her in the future." He looked away.

The competition began. The host's announcement came from the direction of the stage. Several veterans of the cheongsam design industry sat on the judges' panel, and the audience was full.

Yang Zhiyan stood on the side stage, looking at the stage through the gap in the curtain.

The lights dimmed, and music began—a piece for the guqin, its melody melodious and distant, like a mountain stream.

Fan Lei walked out from the other side of the stage. The spotlight shone on her, and her moon-white cheongsam looked like a clear spring under the light.

She walked steadily with each step, her shoulders didn't sway, her waist didn't twist, and her whole posture was like a quiet white magnolia.

The butterfly-shaped buttons on the collar shimmered under the light, their outlines, drawn with silver thread, resembling the patterns on butterfly wings.

The embroidery of white magnolias extends from the neckline to the hem, with the layers of petals progressing in the changing light and shadow, from the pure white of the flower center to the pale beige of the petal edges, like a flower slowly blooming.

Yang Zhiyan stood on the side stage, her hand gripping the edge of the curtain. She watched Fan Lei walk across the stage with each step, watched the hem of her cheongsam sway gently between her calves, and watched the judges on the judging panel nod slightly.

Her heart was pounding; her efforts and her achievements were finally revealed to everyone.

Fan Lei walked to the front of the stage, paused for a moment, and turned slightly to the side.

The light shone from behind her, bathing her in a soft glow.

The cheongsam's waistline was perfectly fitted, and the lines of her shoulders and back flowed smoothly like a stream. The small patch of skin below her collarbone was as white as porcelain against the backdrop of the silk fabric.

There was a moment of silence for about two seconds, then applause broke out.

Yang Zhiyan stood on the side stage, listening to the applause, her eyes reddening. This time, however, she didn't cry.

The competition results were announced after the last group of entries finished. The host stood in the center of the stage, holding a golden envelope.

Yang Zhiyan stood on the side stage, waiting nervously. Qin Yuzheng had come from the audience at some point, stood behind her, took her hand, and gently comforted her.

"First Prize in Provincial Competition: Yang Zhiyan, Magnolia".

Yang Zhiyan loosened her grip on the curtain. Her legs felt a little weak. She took one step, then another, and walked from the side stage onto the stage.

The spotlight shone on her, so bright and white that it made her squint.

She stood in the center of the stage, accepted the trophy, and said a few words of thanks, thanking the judges, Teacher Mu, and everyone who had helped her.

She didn't mention Qin Yuzheng, but her gaze shifted slightly towards the side stage.

Qin Yuzheng stood there, the shadow of the curtain obscuring most of his face, but she knew he was looking at her.

Qin Yushang suggested having a meal together to celebrate his sister-in-law's victory.

Fan Lei stood to the side, holding the cheongsam she had just changed out of. She hung it on a hanger and covered it with a dust bag.

When she heard Qin Yushang call her "sister-in-law," she glanced at Yang Zhiyan, then at the man standing behind Yang Zhiyan—a man in a dark gray thin sweater with an extraordinary air about him.

She recognized him. She'd seen him in the news; he was the eldest son of the Qin family, the youngest leader in Haicheng.

Fan Lei mentally pieced together all the clues: Qin Yushang, Qin Yuzheng, and the Qin family.

She said to herself, "Fan Lei, you made the right choice coming today."

Qin Yuzheng spoke up. "Go back and prepare your gift for tomorrow's meeting. I've already spoken with your sister-in-law; we'll arrange for you and Grandma to officially meet tomorrow. We're having a date tonight."

His tone was smug: "I have a girlfriend, you don't."

It was just like when Qin Yushang used to brag to him when they were kids, saying, "I have a mother, but you don't."

Of course, when they were young, Qin Yuzheng would try to tease Qin Yushang in secret, but Qin Yushang didn't dare to undermine Qin Yuzheng.

Yang Zhiyan tugged at Qin Yuzheng's sleeve and whispered, "Is it really okay to discard someone like this after they've served their purpose?"

Her voice was very soft. But Qin Yushang was standing close enough to hear it.

"Exactly," Qin Yushang said, looking at his brother, "How could you discard someone after they've served their purpose? That's so immoral."

With his sister-in-law around, at least someone can keep his brother in check.

Qin Yuzheng gave Qin Yushang a cold, murderous look.

Qin Yushang raised his hands, making a shushing gesture.

Fan Lei saw Qin Yushang's action from the side. Her boss, the one who had a lot of influence in Shenzhen, was now like a schoolboy who had made a mistake in front of her brother, obediently shutting his mouth and putting his hands down.

Her boss had always been someone aloof, unattainable, and unapproachable in her mind. Now, that idealized image of him shattered.

Yang Zhiyan spoke up. "Thank you for your help. It's my treat tonight, let's have dinner together!"

She glanced at Qin Yuzheng and added, "How about I call Siya?"

Her gaze fell on Qin Yuzheng's face, her eyes shining.

How could Qin Yuzheng not soften his heart? He looked into her bright eyes and sighed inwardly. There was no way he could refuse the requests she made.

"Okay," he said.

Yang Zhiyan took out her phone and called Teacher Mu first. The phone rang twice before being answered.

"Master, first prize!" Yang Zhiyan's voice was filled with joy and excitement.

Teacher Mu was silent for a second on the other end. "Yes, I knew you could do it."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up.

She dialed Jiang Siya's number again. "Siya, I'd like to invite you to dinner tonight. Come out."

Jiang Siya's voice came from the other end, "What's wrong? Did you win the lottery?"

"It's better than winning the lottery," Yang Zhiyan said with a smile. "I won first prize in the provincial competition."

Jiang Siya screamed on the other end. The sound was so loud that Yang Zhiyan moved the phone away from her ear a little.

Only after she finished calling did she put the phone back to her ear. "Send me the address, I'll be right there!" Jiang Siya said.

Yang Zhiyan chose a high-end barbecue restaurant and booked a private room.

When the four of them arrived at the barbecue restaurant, Jiang Siya had not yet arrived.

The private room was large, with a long table and a grill in the middle. Qin Yuzheng sat next to Yang Zhiyan, Qin Yushang sat opposite him, and Fan Lei sat next to Qin Yushang.

The four people sat down, and the waiter brought tea and menus.

Yang Zhiyan made a selection, and then asked Fan Lei and Qin Yushang to make theirs.

When Jiang Siya arrived, as soon as the door to the private room opened, her gaze swept over Qin Yuzheng, and they greeted each other.

Upon seeing Fan Lei, she was so excited she wanted to scream. She walked over and sat down next to Yang Zhiyan, leaning close to her ear and whispering.

"Fan Lei? How did you manage to get Fan Lei to come?" Yang Zhiyan whispered. "She's Qin Yushang's artist, she came to help."

Jiang Siya also asked Fan Lei for her autograph.