Because I simply love you

Jing and Nana were anxious about Yukito, but the rules said no family members were allowed to meet the participants until the competition was over.

The Liu family could meet him despite the rules, but the competition was important for Yukito. They didn't want him to lose his credibility.

Nana sighed. "Don't worry. Just have faith in Yukito. He will be fine."

Jun mumbled, "Even if something went wrong, it has only gotten advantageous for Uncle Yukito."

Jian and Nian nodded.

Jinhai smiled. "Yes. We will see in just a few minutes."

---

Huang Minzhe was furious. His perfect plan got ruined! Because of Yukito's flawless performance, they had to pass him to the final round. They couldn't nitpick anything with which they could disqualify him.

And now, there was just him and Yukito.

The emcee came on the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen! It's finally the time for the last round! This final battle will decide the winner between our last two finalists – Yukito and Huang Minzhe!"

The audience roared. "Yay!!!"

"This is the question-answer stage! The judges will ask the same question to Yukito and Huang Minzhe. But! As I said at the beginning, you have to vote for the best answer you like. The audience will choose the winner. So now it's time for you to keep your voting pads ready with you. After they finish with their answers, you will have one minute to cast your vote."

"YESSSSSS!!!!"

"I am so ready!"

The emcee continued. "Let's begin! Please welcome our finalists – Yukito and Huang Minzhe!"

The audience clapped hard and loudly cheered as they entered the stage. They smiled and waved at the crowd as they stood at the center.

Yukito was hurting because of the wound but despite Yang Tian's protests, he was adamant about going to the final round. He didn't bandage all over his foot, so others couldn't see anything wrong with him.

Huang Minzhe smiled and raised his hand towards him. "Congratulations for making it to the final round. Let the best man win."

Yukito smiled back and shook his hand, slightly crushing his palm with his handshake, jolting him a little. "Yes, Huang Minzhe. Glad to see you here too against me. I wouldn't have had this any other way."

Huang Minzhe gulped his anger but maintained his smile.

It's useless now, Yukito. Because I already know what the question of this round is thanks to that bribed judge! It isn't difficult to prepare an answer where you know the question, heh.

All the votes will be mine, Yukito!

The emcee said, "Esteemed judges. I ask you to please ask the question to our finalists of this last, deciding round!"

Jing was silently watching Yukito. Today, he was supposed to get all his answers.

Jinhai glanced at Jing and smiled. "Jing. Listen carefully now."

"I am all ears, bro."

One of the judges stood. "First a fall, congratulations Huang Minzhe and Yukito for making it to the stage. You both have showcased exemplary performance, and without a doubt, you are the greatest models and inspirations that came this far. Only one more test and one of you will win this prestigious competition!"

"Go, Yukito!"

"Huang Minzhe! We love you!"

The whole stadium was roaring with excitement and fire. The fans could hardly control their urge to just break out at the stage.

Wang Ling was also watching them in anticipation. She knew Yukito was talented, but she was shocked to see him come this far in this fierce competition.

And that feeling made her uncomfortable because she felt that Yukito had already gone so far away from her reach. The distance between them was like heaven and earth.

Seven years back, he was close to me, just within my arm's reach…and now it seems that he is so far away from me as if I am looking at a dazzling star from the earth.

Her gaze dimmed.

This distance…I will never be to bridge the gap again, will I?

The judge said, "Are you ready?"

Huang Minzhe and Yukito nodded.

"Alright. Here is the question for both of you."

Everybody held their breaths, and the hall quieted down in an instant. There was complete silence. Nobody wanted to miss a single word of their answer.

 "What is your dream?"

Huang Minzhe inwardly smirked.

Just like that judge on my left told me.

"Who wants to go first?"

Yukito nodded to him to go first.

So stupid. The first answers make the most impact on the people. After my answer, there is no chance that you would be able to sway the audience on your side.

Huang Minzhe took the mike. "Thank you for the question, esteemed judges."

He faced the audience and said, "My dream is always to be a part of this stage. This stage is where I feel at home, walking in front of millions of people loving my work. But things weren't always easy for me because I wasn't from an affluent family or had any connections. So I had to face countless rejections even though I had honed my skills to the best. And that challenging journey gave me my dream. To not only be the best model but to inspire all the new budding models not to give up in any adversity because true talent can and will be never be hidden away.

This is what I want to prove by winning this competition. That if I can come to this point struggling and working hard despite all odds, then everybody can. Everybody can stand in this position where I am today. This is what I want to prove, and this is my dream. Thank you."

"WOOOOOOOO!!! HUANG MINZHE!!!"

"That was so touching! I never knew that he had struggled so much."

"We only know that he is the top model, but gosh, it was so tough for him to reach here."

"He is truly an inspiration!"

"You have our respect, Huang Minzhe!"

Everybody clapped for a long time.

Huang Minzhe bowed and stepped back.

Now let's see what you got, Yukito, he sneered.

The emcee said, "Thank you, Huang Minzhe, for your wonderful answer. Now, Yukito. Please go on with your answer."

Yukito took the mike. Then he looked up in the audience and found Jing. He smiled.

Once again, there was a pin drop silence.

"My dream…is really simple."