Old Li smiled faintly. "Judge Seto, why haven't you started stitching yet?"
Judge Seto coughed, forcing his voice to be sharp. "There are too many places to stitch, so I need to think carefully." Without waiting for a response, he drove his needle directly into the edge of the cliff rock on the embroidery.
The moment the needle went down, the entire embroidery seemed to change. The pine tree was still a pine tree, and the sunrise was still a sunrise. But instantly, the colors of the pine and the light of the sun dimmed. Gray tones surged, turning the vibrant piece into a heavy, lifeless, and oppressive work.
"What is happening?" Judge Seto was surprised himself. He hadn't expected such an effect from just one stitch.
Old Zhou, watching from the side, filled with joy, exclaimed, "This… this… Could this be not just Mood Embroidery, but Variable Mood Embroidery?"
Zhu Yanyi looked at Old Zhou. "Old Zhou knows about Variable Mood Embroidery too?"
"I know, I know. I heard that Variable Mood Embroidery can not only affect people's moods but also reflect the embroiderer's own joys and sorrows. I thought it was a legend, but now I have seen it." Old Zhou’s voice trembled as he glared at Judge Seto. "You Japanese fool, if you don't understand embroidery, that's fine. But don't damage Variable Mood Embroidery. Don't you know this is divine embroidery? If you have the skill, stitch one yourself." To Old Zhou, Variable Mood Embroidery was a legendary divine craft. He could not let it be destroyed. In his eyes, Judge Seto was a pure destroyer.
"Old Zhou, no need to be so anxious," Old Li said with a smile. She then turned to Zhu Yanyi. "You, little girl, stop watching the show. Hurry up and fix it."
Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. She walked over, gestured for Judge Seto to move aside, and took the needle. She changed the thread and stitched a cluster of orchids at the bottom of the cliff rock. Instantly, the embroidery came back to life. The sunlight shone brightly again, the pine tree looked spirited, and the orchids seemed to sway in the wind, greeting people. The previous oppression vanished like smoke.
"Variable Mood Embroidery isn't that magical. It just puts human feelings into the embroidery. Human emotions are naturally joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. As long as the colors are used correctly, the feelings can be expressed. The most important part is the stitching technique. Mixing various techniques creates this effect," Zhu Yanyi said casually. She did not reveal the specific techniques used. Although everyone wanted to know, embroidery is a cultural heritage. Every master has their own tricks and secrets. Such big secrets are never told to others.
Zhu Yanyi naturally wouldn't say. Whether Old Li would reveal it was not her concern.
Old Zhou looked at Zhu Yanyi's embroidery and gave a thumbs-up. "If this embroidery doesn't win the championship, today's competition loses its meaning. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, yes." All the judges, except Judge Seto, nodded. They were all top experts in embroidery and knew how rare Variable Mood Embroidery was.
"I wonder, contestant, are you selling this piece?" one judge asked. She was a foreign judge, captivated by Zhu Yanyi's Variable Mood Embroidery.