Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Old Li. Old Li smiled gently. "You decide for yourself."
Zhu Yanyi thought for a moment. "This embroidery isn't a masterpiece. It was just my graduation exam today. It means little to me. Let's give it to the Chinese Embroidery Association. If they auction it, the Association can keep thirty percent for their fund. Please donate the remaining seventy percent to the country. It’s not much money, but it’s my small contribution to national development."
Old Li chuckled and tapped Zhu Yanyi lightly. "You still remember the graduation ceremony?" She was very pleased inside. This girl was truly hiding her skills. If she hadn't pushed her, she wouldn't have shown she mastered the Mood-Variable Embroidery. She felt helpless but fond.
Zhu Yanyi stuck out her tongue. "I dare not forget. You made me join." She made a funny face.
Old Zhou looked at Old Li. "Old Li, what is your relationship with this contestant?"
Old Li laughed, her eyes bright with joy. "I won't hide it. She is my youngest disciple. This competition was her graduation exam." She turned to Zhu Yanyi. "Well, you have passed your graduation ceremony."
"Congratulations to both of you," Old Zhou said. She knew Old Li’s status in embroidery. Now she understood why Zhu Yanyi’s skills were so good. "Old Li, you hid such a talented student from us."
Old Li waved her hand. "I didn't hide her. She is young, and I worried she might become proud. But she did well today." She pointed to the embroidery. "Old Zhou, please handle this piece." Since Zhu Yanyi gave it to the Association, and Old Zhou was the president, Old Li would not interfere.
Old Zhou smiled. "Don't worry. I will handle it." He wanted to examine it closely first, then arrange the auction.
The other contestants watched this scene. They had no objections. Zhu Yanyi’s work was right there. If such a piece did not win the championship, the competition would not be fair.
Zhu Yanyi did not feel very happy about winning. To her, the championship was less exciting than eating a good meal. However, news of her victory spread to Yao City.
Principal Liu in Yao City saw Zhu Yanyi’s photo in the newspaper. She smiled and took the paper to Teacher Gao, the homeroom teacher of Class 1, Grade 7. "Teacher Gao, your student Zhu Yanyi has brought honor to the country." She handed the newspaper to Teacher Gao.
Teacher Gao knew Zhu Yanyi had strong backing. She had been on leave for nearly a month. She had been curious about what Zhu Yanyi was doing. When she asked Cheng Chen, she only said she had business. The principal had approved the leave personally, so she could not know more. Seeing the newspaper, she assumed Zhu Yanyi had attended secret training.
"Champion of the International Embroidery Competition. I didn't expect her to be so amazing," Teacher Gao said.
Teachers from other classes came to congratulate her. "Teacher Gao, this competition carries great weight."