Helping her grandfather to his seat, Yue Ling did not sit down. She smiles apologetically to him.
"Yeye, I need to head back to prepare for the show."
"Mm. Go, go. I'll be fine here. There's also Ting so do not worry about me."
Grandfather Ji spoke a heartily chuckle and his thumb points to Ting who is seated behind him.
His expression was full of understanding, but deep down he really wish to spend more time with her since this is their first appearance together in public, but he knows he cannot wish for too much. She has things to take care of.
Seeing the quick flash of sadness in her yeye's eyes, Yue Ling felt her heart tighten. As his granddaughter, she should spend as much time as possible with him after the fashion show.
Thinking this, she turns away and head in the direction of the backstage.
"Liu Shan, let's go."
Liu Shan slightly bow to Grandfather Ji and follows after his boss. Even if he has to keep an eye out, they still need to get the show on the road.
As the supermodel and her assistant leave, a middle-aged man wearing a brown suit approaches the seat next to the old man.
"General Ji, it's a pleasant surprise to see you at this kind of event."
Grandfather Ji turn his head to look at the person. Seeing who it is, he smiles a small smile and nod his head in greeting.
"My coming here is only to support the designers of Imperial. Mr. Feng, I assume you are here with you wife and daughter?"
"Hahah, I see and yes, I was dragged here by my wife and daughter."
Mr. Feng heartily laughs as he lightly taps his thigh. Glancing at the empty seat next to the old man, he smiles.
"I saw you made a grand entrance with young Miss Han. Did you two come here together?"
Hearing this, Grandfather Ji did not get angry. He has long known the personality of the middle-aged man and Mr. Feng is not someone who's mind turn wild like others. However, Grandfather Ji's expression remains stern and unchanging.
"I met Miss Han by chance when I arrived. As an elder, I suggested we enter the event together."
"Ah, so that was what happened."
Mr. Feng nod his head in understanding. He glance at the empty seat again and sighs.
"I thought you knew the young lady. I was hoping to set a date with her for my son. You know that boy of mine has finally return from abroad after seven years and is already saying he wants to go back when he's only been home for three days."
Listening to the man, Grandfather Ji rolled his eyes. He will never sell his granddaughter out!
However, recalling Mr. Feng's son, he felt the boy wasn't so bad. At first, he even considered pairing the two together. Unfortunately, Lu boy now holds the winning position.
Into his thoughts, he hears Mr. Feng sigh again.
"General Ji, I should go see where my wife and daughter has gone. I hope you have a pleasant evening and enjoy the show."
Grandfather Ji bids the man farewell and his eyes search through the crowd like an eagle. He does not know what is going on, but from the way Liu Shan reacted when they arrived, it clearly means something is not right.
Thinking this, his eyes dimmed as he recalls Lu Tian's words, 'Imperial is too quiet.'
He leans back in his seat and slightly turn his head to Ting who sat behind him but his eyes still wonder to the crowd.
"Keep an eye out for anyone suspicious."
Unknown to her grandfather's thoughts, Yue Ling and Liu Shan approach the designated area for the designers. There were two rooms separated across from one another. One side was for De L'amour and the other for An Qing.
As they approach their side, she sees three figures standing a few feet in a hidden corner. Her eyes flash with a glint of danger as her assistant no different.
However, instead of cowering away, the boss and assistant continue in their steps with a pause.
The three women were whispering to one another like they were in a deep conversation, but the woman wearing a yellow dress caught sight of the model.
"Han Yue Ling, I did not think you were going to be here."
Ning Mei sneers at the tall woman. She was happily discussing important matters with Chen Limei and Ming Yue, yet, this slut had to ruin her good mood.
She tilt her head and scoffs a chuckle.
"By chance are you lost? This is strictly for participants only."
Like the rookie model, both Chen Limei and Ming Yue stare at the model. Especially Ming Yue. She thought Yue Ling was only here to watch the show, she didn't hear anything about the model participating.
Yue Ling pause in her steps near the three women. Due to her taller height by a head, she looks down at each face. However, she nonchalantly shrug her shoulders in response to Ning Mei's useless words.
"Whether I will be here or not, I'm sure Miss Ming would have mentioned it."
Finishing her words, she does not want to waste anymore time on them and walks to the room for De L'amour.
"Even if you are not a model for me, An Qing will still win like every other year. If I lose, I will resign, but if I win, I want you out of Imperial."
From behind, Chen Limei calls out to the model with confidence. No matter how many competitors she came across, no one stood a chance against An Qing. So, what if De L'amour decided to showcase their own designs, she will continue step on them like she always had with others.
Hearing the woman's taunt, Yue Ling pause in her steps. She calmly looks back at the woman and smiles her usual carefree smile.
"Miss Chen, as the CEO of An Qing, I hope you keep to your words."
"…."
Chen Limei was rendered speechless. She did not understand what those words meant. However, she knows one thing and that is, she will indeed keep her words and win first place. Once she does, she wants to see how cunning Yue Ling and the mysterious designer can continue to keep up their act.
Thinking this, she raise her chin and put on her CEO aura.
"I have faith in my An Qing. I will win that award."
Staring at the overly confident woman, Yue Ling sighs inside. Shaking her head, she turns away and continue on walking. Chen Limei is a smart woman, but her smartness is lower than an infant's.
Liu Shan stares at Chen Limei like she was the biggest idiot. How can she say such words to the person who has been the sole reason of An Qing winning first place every year? If it was not for his boss's hard work, An Qing would have been kissing first place goodbye. Not only that, his boss is Chen Limei's boss!
He shook his head in pity at the woman. Following after his boss, he rolls his eyes with a hmmf as he flicks his imaginary long hair behind his back with attitude.
His boss's enemies are forever his enemies.
"….."
All three women were dumbfounded by Liu Shan. Their eyes turned heavy as the model and assistant leave the scene.
Until neither figure were in sight, Chen Limei glares at Ming Yue.
"Ming Yue, you said she wasn't going to model."
"I…"
Ming Yue lower her head knowing she had given false information. She knew that Yue Ling would be here, but was everything not how she thought?
She knows that Yue Ling was put in the CEO seat of De L'amour, but that's all she knows. In this world, there is always someone controlling in the dark, so who could it be? Even now, she does not know who calls all the shots.
Chen Limei scoffs at the good for nothing woman, then cast a glance to Ning Mei. In comparison to Yue Ling's looks, Ning Mei is far inferior but there's not going back.
She will not let Yue Ling continue to have the spotlight. A retired model should silently stay retired until the end.
"Ming Yue, find out if she is participating in show. As for the rest, I will handle it."
Without giving either women another look, she walks in the direction assigned for An Qing.
"Let's go, Ning Mei. The show is going to start soon."