Chapter 72: She Called Him "Husband" in Front of Everyone

Everyone was stunned into speechlessness by this earth-shattering accusation; all eyes darted back and forth between Qiao Xi and Qi Qi.

The experts at the judges’ table leaned forward in astonishment.

“You… you’re talking nonsense!” Qi Qi snapped back to herself, her voice trembling with panic and rage. “Qiao Xi, you just can’t stand to lose and now you’re slandering me! Where’s your proof?!”

“Proof?”

Her gaze was razor-sharp as she fixed her eyes on Qi Qi. “You want proof? Then I’ll give you proof.”

She turned toward the giant screen, making a crisp, decisive gesture.

Instantly, the screen split in two: one side displayed the core mechanism diagram Qi Qi had just presented, while the other showed snapshots from several dense, esoteric academic papers.

“Judges, please look.”

“The flaw in Dr. Qi’s theory is that she entirely ignores the effect of hydrolytic enzymes and pH values on this chemical bond within a physiological environment.”

She zoomed in on a data chart from one of the papers.

“According to authoritative research published in the International Journal of Biochemistry three years ago, the half-life of this bond type is less than an hour!”

“So tell me, how can she possibly achieve the 95% long-term targeting she claims?”

Qi Qi’s mouth hung open, her face going from pale to ashen. She tried to retort, but found herself utterly bereft of any words in the face of such overwhelming expertise and hard facts.

Finally, Qiao Xi’s gaze locked onto Qi Qi once more, delivering the final blow.

“You keep insisting this is your ‘original’ technology. In that case, please answer a basic calculation question about this bond type right here, right now.”

Qi Qi was frozen on the spot. As someone who had stolen the work of others, how could she possibly understand such profound foundational principles?

Her reaction spoke louder than any words.

No further proof was needed.

Everyone in the hall, from the judges to the audience, saw the truth with perfect clarity.

Those who had cheered for her moments before now stared with shocked anger at having been deceived.

The thunderous praise of earlier instantly turned to whispers of suspicion and contempt.

On the judges’ panel, Fu Yancheng’s expression had darkened to the point of storm.

Again. Another thief masquerading as “Dr. Q”!

He had actually been fooled by such a crude disguise once more, and had even expressed his admiration for her.

A surge of fury at being played swept away his composure.

This wasn’t merely a personal deception—it was a brazen desecration of the entire academic gathering.

He stood up, turning to the chief judge and the organizing committee.

“Mr. McKay, Mr. Evans. The facts are clear—this is not a simple academic debate, but outright fraud!”

“This person has not only stolen someone else’s research, but also assumed another’s identity and tarnished the name of Dr. Q.”

His voice was cold and steely. “On behalf of the Fu Group and my own reputation, I fully support Engineer Qiao Xi’s accusation.”

“I propose that the Huiyao team’s qualification be immediately revoked and the authorities notified at once!”

The main judges exchanged brief words and quickly reached an agreement.

The chief judge nodded heavily, picked up the internal communicator, and said, “Security!”

“Proceed to the main stage at once, and alert the police.”

No sooner had he spoken than several uniformed security guards strode up and seized Qi Qi on either side.

“No! You can’t do this—I am Dr. Q! I—”

Qi Qi’s shrieks and sobs sounded especially shrill and ridiculous in the solemn silence of the hall.

Without a flicker of emotion, the guards dragged her away and tossed her out the main doors.

Fu Yancheng withdrew his gaze with indifference, as if sweeping away a piece of unsightly trash.

He resumed his seat at the judges’ table, his face as stern as ever.

But when his eyes fell on Qiao Xi on the stage, a complex emotion flickered in their depths.

Regret, yes—but above all, an unprecedented pride and curiosity for the dazzling woman before him.

Qiao Xi’s performance was simply astounding.

Not just for her incisive rebuttal, but for the unfathomable depth of her professional expertise.

None of this could be explained by the abilities of a mere engineering prodigy.

How could she understand the real Dr. Q so thoroughly?

Could it be…

Fu Yancheng’s heart skipped a beat.

He forced himself to suppress the astonishing suspicion rising within him.

“Apologies for the delay, everyone.”

At that moment, Qiao Xi’s voice brought all attention back to the main event.

“Now, allow me to officially present the Fu Group’s core achievement for this competition: the ‘Aurora Factor’ and its comprehensive application plan.”

What followed was a true celebration of academia and innovation.

Qiao Xi’s presentation was flawless, her logic rigorous and eloquent.

The hall was filled only with sincere admiration and awe.

The judges’ eyes shone with amazement as they nodded and exchanged glances.

At the conclusion of her talk, the room fell into a brief, reverent hush.

Then, an ovation broke out—warmer and more heartfelt than ever before.

Many even rose to their feet, applauding, paying the highest tribute to the engineer who had conquered the stage with her sheer brilliance.

The result was beyond any doubt.

When the competition’s chairman personally announced: “The grand champion of this year’s International Cosmetics Innovation Competition is Ms. Qiao Xi of the Fu Group,”

Beneath the spotlight, she held the trophy in her hands, her smile radiant and confident, her entire being aglow.

Fu Yancheng stood at the front of the judges’ panel, applauding her with all his might.

His pride nearly overflowed.

His wife—how many more surprises was she hiding?

…

The victory banquet was held in the most renowned Michelin restaurant in the country. Fu Yancheng had booked the entire panoramic floor.

It was clear he was in excellent spirits, a faint smile always playing on his lips.

He offered a personal toast to every member of the team, thanking them for their hard work.

Yet his gaze rarely left Qiao Xi’s side, his admiration and affection barely concealed.

The younger team members reveled in triumph, wave after wave of toasts keeping the atmosphere exuberant.

As the undisputed star, Qiao Xi naturally became the center of attention.

Her tolerance for alcohol was low; after just a few glasses of champagne, her cheeks were tinged with a captivating blush.

Her eyes grew languid and dreamy.

“Sister Xi, this one’s on you! You made us all proud!” another young researcher said eagerly, raising a glass.

Just as Qiao Xi smiled and reached for it, a slender hand interceded.

Fu Yancheng took the glass instead, smiling at the employee.

“I’ll drink for her.”

With that, he downed the wine in one smooth motion.

It was hardly the first time he’d shielded her from the drinks that night.

For a moment, everyone was stunned—then the room erupted in even louder cheers and applause.

She looked up at the sharp line of his jaw as he protected her from yet another drink, her heart as warm and sweet as honey, filled with a deep sense of safety.

As the night wore on, Qiao Xi, tipsy and dazed, nestled closer to Fu Yancheng’s side.

Almost instinctively, she burrowed into his arms.

Her voice, soft and sweet, laced with a touch of coquettishness, murmured, “Darling, stop drinking already…”

Everyone: “…”

In an instant, the lively banquet hall fell utterly silent.

All the team members stared, eyes wide with disbelief, at their usually formidable President Fu—

And the astonishing Qiao Xi, still completely oblivious, snuggling her head against his shoulder.