As soon as they returned, Pheng Feiâs assistant was indeed waiting in the hotel lobby.
Chiang Xiao was easy to recognize and had no fear of not identifying the person.
As expected, thirteen out of the five contestants were selected, and she advanced to the second round of the competition. Pheng Feiâs assistant was there to take them to the estate.
Liu Guoying was thrilled while packing his things, but Chiang Xiao was relieved that she had gone out earlier, met with Meng Xinian, and informed each other of their situations, saying their goodbyes in advance.
This way, if they couldnât meet in the next few days, she wouldnât have to worry too much.
By the time they reached the estate, it began to snow again, and the snowy scenery of the estate was picturesque, earning continuous praise from Liu Guoying.
This time, there werenât as many people, making dinner noticeably quieter.
What annoyed Chiang Xiao was that Pheng Fei wasnât present, nor was Mr. Wen Li, and sitting in the main seat was Tina.
She hadnât yet settled the score with Tina over what happened yesterday.
Even more surprisingly, Wilson and Luna also made it to the second round, and the other two were men over forty who looked at Chiang Xiao politely and amicably.
However, there was another person beside the dining table, a young man with a prominent hooked nose. He sat next to Luna, his gaze sweeping over arrogantly and disdainfully.
"Let me introduce, this is Mr. Sveof," Tina said with a slight smile, looking at Chiang Xiao, "Mr. Sveof cherishes Miss Luna, so he specifically requested to accompany her in the competition."
Sveof continued, "I heard that a womanâs mind can be more vicious than a manâs, especially women from barbarian countries. Who knows what tricks they might play. Luna is pure and innocent, so of course I have to protect her."
Except for the two painters and Liu Guoying, who didnât understand, everyone else laughed.
Wilson laughed loudly, while Tina covered her mouth and chuckled, then said to Chiang Xiao, "Miss Chiang, please donât mind, Mr. Sveof is known for his straightforwardness."
This woman...
Saying so clearly implies that what Sveof said is correct.
Straightforward, isnât it?
Chiang Xiao smirked, "Mr. Sveof is directly insulting women, and as women, both you and Miss Luna are laughing so heartily. It seems you two have no brains. Also, everyone says Country Y is the country of gentlemen, but now Mr. Sveof has singlehandedly changed that perception. Truly impressive."
"Who are you calling brainless?" Luna fumed, slamming the table.
"Not only are you brainless now, but you also lack manners, shrew," Chiang Xiao sat leisurely, looking at her.
This time, she and Liu Guoying were seated at the lower end of the table.
She didnât mind where she was seated, but now someone was obviously trying to step on her while Mr. Wen Li and Pheng Fei werenât present.
Yesterdayâs incident hadnât even been addressed, and now Tina was trying to join in; she wasnât going to stand for that.
"Who are you calling..." Luna, furious and anxious.
Before she could finish, Sveof already pulled her back, then said to Tina, "Miss Tina, someone as rude as Miss Chiang shouldnât be able to participate in the competition, right? Iâve heard that if more than half of the competitors vote to expel her, she can be removed from the competition."
Liu Guoying had already sensed something wrong and couldnât hold back any longer, asking Chiang Xiao.
"What are they saying?"
Chiang Xiao didnât know there would be such a rule.
"Theyâre trying to find a way to kick me out of the competition," she said coldly, with a sneer.
Liu Guoyingâs expression changed slightly.
Tina looked troubled, "There is such a rule, Miss Chiang, youâd better apologize to Miss Luna and Mr. Sveof."