The results for the top five teams were no different than everyone’s expectations. Elena’s September Studio, Nina’s Shuxin Pavilion, and Flora’s Pearl Studio all managed to rank in the competition. There were two other studios, both of which were also quite famous among the university’s circle. They were Jiang University Studio from Skyler University and Ning University Studio from the Ning University. The person in charge of those studios were teachers from the respective universities. Both studios had been established for years. They had represented the universities in many projects with established companies in the market. There were even public associations.
The people from the Sharp Corporation had announced their intention to set up a new animation company. Who would not want to be selected to be their partner? Even the associations from the campus needed external sponsorship to continue their operations. It was a fierce competition, and it had reached a fiery state.
“Elena, what should we do? How do we get a lead artist soon?”
Layla and Lois had pestered Elena with that same question over and over again since their studio was announced as one of the top five teams in the competition. Their studio’s status had been upgraded, and they could recruit members from any grades within their campus. However, it was a challenge to hire a new lead artist at that time. Even if they managed to get one, they still needed time to build a rapport with that person, and they might not have the time to do that before the competition the next day.
“No matter what, we need a lead artist. Otherwise, what do we do for tomorrow’s final?”
Elena sat in front of her laptop, as if uninterested in the conversation.
“Elena, are you really not going to recruit someone?” Layla was so anxious, and she could not understand how Elena could be so indifferent about it.
“Even if we recruit someone now, we might not be able to work with the new person, so why bother?” Elena replied nonchalantly. “But…”
“No more buts. Didn’t we agree to go for hotpot today? Shall we get going?”
“How on earth can we enjoy a hotpot under such circumstances?” Even Lois could no longer stand Elena’s attitude.
Everyone was so anxious. How could Elena be so quiet and calm? No, even Luacs was relaxed as well.
Luacs was a very handsome man. When Lois first saw him, her heart had beat crazily for quite some time. It took a while for her to realize that Luacs was simply Elena’s shadow. He was always by her side, no matter if she was on the go or stuck somewhere. He looked on when Elena smiled, and he guarded her when Elena cried. Elena was indifferent about an issue, so he could not care less either. Anyway, only two of them looked forward to the hotpot. The others walked with their shoulders slumped in low spirits. They were like flat tires.
Just as they walked on the street, they saw Flora and her team members.
“Oh, aren’t they from the September Studio?” Flora was happy when she saw Elena.
“I heard that your lead artist went to Shuxin Pavilion, and your team is in a mess. You might as well withdraw from tomorrow’s final.”
“What are you talking about? Why should we quit?” Layla rebuked in a fury.
Lois was also upset when she heard that. “He is not our one and only lead artist!”
“Really? Where are the other lead artists? Where?”
Flora covered her lips and smirked disdainfully. “Your lead artist is probably enjoying himself in Nina’s bed.”
“What do you mean?”
“They had dinner together last night and then went to a hotel, didn’t you hear about it?”
Flora folded her arms over her chest and sneered. “Do you know why your lead artist left you and chose Shuxin Pavilion instead?”
The female assistant beside her asked with a smile, “Why?”
“Well, it’s because the captain of Shuxin Pavilion is a beautiful woman. Just look at this student Garcia, how ugly is she?
“If it were me, I would also choose Nina. Why would I be with this freckle-face ugly woman?”
“What did you say?” A tall figure lunged forward abruptly.
The boy who had spoken did not even see what had happened when someone gripped his shirt tightly. His feet were off the ground as the other party picked him up with one hand.
Everyone was stunned. How crazy strong was that arm?
“You… What do you want to do?” Flora backed away hurriedly, and her team members quickly stepped back as they stared at Luacs in a panic.
“How dare you? In broad daylight…”
“It is already night time.” Layla reminded them curtly.
“You… You…” Flora cried out loudly. “Help! Murder! Help…”
“Luacs,” Elena called out softly.
Luacs loosened his grip, and the boy fell onto the ground with a loud thud. He scrambled up, and hurriedly retreated behind Flora. Elena walked toward Flora with a faint smile. Her calm demeanor did not match her age at all.
She said with a grin, “Even if our team gives up, you still have three other competitors. You would not be able to beat Shuxin Pavilion.” “So, your Pearl Studio is on the same boat as us. What is the difference between laughing at us now and laughing at yourself?”
“Nonsense, how could you scum compare with us?” Flora’s face sank.
“Do you think that your Pearl Studio could compare with Shuxin Pavilion?”
Even though Williams Corporation also announced that they were interested in setting up an animation company, their representative was Ava, who had little to do with the Williams family. Therefore, no one knew if the Williams Corporation was sincere about their interest.
However, Sharp Corporation was different. The second Young Master Sharp was the judge from Sharp Corporation. He was a strong pillar in the Sharp Corporation. Sharp Corporation had made it clear that only the grand prize winner could work with them. In other words, there was no difference in getting the second prize or the fifth prize.
“Do you really think that Shuxin Pavilion is that capable? Sure, Nina managed to make some progress, even with the hidden rules.
“They had done excellent work with their previous comics, but in the past year, they haven’t had anything good in the market. I don’t even think that Nina had a hand in any of her successful works.”
Flora’s face was gloomy and openly disdainful. “If she had not snatched that god-like artist right before the final round, do you really think that she could get the first place with her own ability?”
“No, Aryan did not sign a contract with Shuxin Pavilion. He would not be competing on Shuxin Pavilion’s behalf.”
“How do you know that?” Flora was stunned, and she was a little shocked.
“Aryan is a good person. That was his last promise to me. Nina also has confidence in her team. She is not afraid of any opponent as long as Aryan does not compete with her.”
“Tsk! That b*tch thinks that she is really that good, huh?”
Flora looked as if she thought about something important, and she suddenly turned around. “Let’s go.”
Just like that, she had left with her group of friends.
“What’s going on?” Layla went up to Elena. “You said that Aryan gave you a promise?”
“I was afraid that they would harm Aryan.” Elena shook her head.
They knew where Aryan went and who Aryan met with the previous night. They must have kept watch on Aryan.
Lois sighed. “He has betrayed you, and yet you still cared for him.”
Elena did not say anything. There was moisture in her beautiful eyes that no one would understand.
“Let’s not talk about it anymore. We should enjoy the hotpot.”