As the scheduled time arrives, the guests quickly took to their assigned seats. The set up for tonight's event positioned the chairs in rows that make a sharp U.
Grandfather Ji held the front center seat that gives view directly to the stage. Madam Lu and Zhao Ya'Er sat to his right as to his left while the seat remained unoccupied. Neither person bothered about the empty seat and focused on the stage.
"Oh, it's starting. I can't wait to see the designs from each designer."
"I heard that this year, An Qing is showcasing their own designs and not De L'amour's designs."
"Eh? Why the sudden change of designer? Didn't An Qing win each fashion show because of De L'amour?"
"A friend of mine who is close to Miss Chen said that this year, all the designs are hand made by An Qing. However, seeing that Miss Chen has so much potential, I am curious to see who is up against An Qing."
As the guests converse amicably with one another, the lights inside Beauty slowly dims as darkness engulfs the entire place.
However, quickly as it happened, a spotlight turns on as it shines onto the stage.
The guests quickly quiets down and all eyes stare to watch a good show.
A tall and slender man steps onto the stage as his figure comes to view. He wore an all-white tailored suit that enhanced his charming and sharp features. Although his hair had been dyed a shade of gray, he was able to pull off such look.
"Oh my God! It's Wu Jing!"
"If this was not a fashion show, I would have mistaken this as his wedding!"
All the single and young ladies in the crowd blush into an uproar at the sight of Beauty's CEO Wu Jing. He is one of the bachelors in Imperial and considered an ideal husband.
Accustomed to the voices, Wu Jing slowly approach the end of the stage that nears the audience. He held the microphone close to his mouth and smiles a wink at the young ladies attending the show.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and members of the mass media. I am Wu Jing and I will be your host tonight."
As the CEO of Beauty, how can he not be his own spokesperson. After all, the only person he wanted to hire is participating in the show.
His eyes scans through the crowd as the media he allowed access inside click their cameras. He smiles with his teeth with a professional aura.
"First, let me welcome and thank you all for your presence at Imperial's Fall Fashion Show. I know many of you have waited a long time for this event. However, I warn you all, it's going to be a fabulous show."
Continuing his opening speech, he did not stay in place, but leisurely pace back in forth as he comfortably chats away.
"We would like to thank our judges and our mysterious guest of honor for being here with us and taking the time to enjoy tonight's event."
Saying this, he pause for a quick second to wink with a click of his tongue at the audience before his words continue.
"Don't worry, at the end of the show, we will reveal this mysterious guest of honor."
He walks to the front of the stage and stares out to the audience with a heartily smile.
"To entertain our guests, we have lined two fashion shows. Our first designer is one that everyone is familiar with, An Qing. As for our second designer…"
His eyes looks across the audience and he playfully chuckles.
"It is yet another mystery."
Saying this, the guest quickly whispers in curiosity as to who the second designer is. There was no name given on the invitation except for An Qing. They were sure Wu Jing would tell them, but he said it was another mystery.
Wu Jing takes a step back with a please expression of the atmosphere he created. Once the audience quieted down, he continues his speech.
"In line with tonight's theme "Snow Enchantment", you will witness the many manifestations of the inspiring designers."
When he spoke his last word finished, he drew his right leg back. His righthand press horizontally across his abdomen and left arm held out away from his body as he bows forward.
The guests applaud and watch the young bachelor leave the stage. One must know that Wu Jing is a man of great personality. His sense of humor is one that attracts not only the young but also the old.
As Wu Jing reached the back end of the stage, he walks in the direction of the left to exit.
In that very moment, the spotlight shuts off as the stage brightens with decorative lights. Music plays and the plain background portrays the image of mountains covered in snow with the faint movement of snowflakes.
A model steps onto the stage from the right side and the spotlight shines on her.
"Oh my goodness! What a lovely dress!"
"Who is she? Why haven't I seen her before?"
"I don't know, but she looks so lovely in that dress. An Qing is really a tough competitor."
The opening model of An Qing was not tall like other models, but she held her chin up with each step she took in her white six-inch heels.
Her short hair was slick back into a sleek style giving her a sharp feature. Her eyes were lined in a thick cat eye look with a soft pink tint to her lips.
She wore a long sleep dress in a soft blue color that flows down to the floor. The top part of her dress lace in floral in the matching color as the dress. However, it sparkles like glitter as the sequences reflected upon the lights.
The bottom of the dress flow in tulle as it trails down behind her like a river. The slit gap on the sides of the skirt allowed her to easy walk the runway. Both her wrists decorated with fur in the matching color of her dress.
"Isn't that Ning Mei? I saw her photo shoot once and it wasn't too bad."
"I know her. She is a rookie model under CNJ Entertainment. Wow! I never imagined that she would rise to be An Qing's opening model."
"She looks so lovely in that dress. It really does make one think about a vacation on the snowy mountains. If An Qing decided to sell this dress, I'm buying!"
All the women sitting in the crowd couldn't help but stare in awe at the young model as the young men admire the woman's face. She may be a rookie model, but they can see the potential in her.
As Ning Mei made her way across the runway, the sound of applause surface from the audience.
When she heard the sound, she beamed with joy and her confidence rose more. She raise her chin higher and continues to walk the runway.
So what if Han Yue Ling is here, as the opening model for An Qing, she held the higher position. Plus, from the looks of it, she's already captured everyone's attention.
After tonight, everyone will know who she is, and no one will be able to look down on her.
Reaching the front of the stage, she place both her hands on her hips and strikes a pose for the camera.
In the back, Chen Limei stood in front of the monitor screens set up to see the models on the runway. She scoff a chuckle and stares at the screen focusing on Ning Mei's face.
Never did she think that Ning Mei would be able to pull of the dress.
Once An Qing's turn is done and the audience sees De L'amour's, they will surely be shock at the similarities and criticize them for plagiarizing. After all, Ming Yue had given her the blueprints for the designs, and she had secretly stolen the materials from De L'amour in Milan.
She looks to the screen that focused on the judges and her smile widens. From their expressions, she can already determine that An Qing will win first place.
"How is this possible? An Qing's opening dress is ten times better than ours! How are we going to compete with them?"
On the other side, De L'amour was not in a pleasant mood. Tang Zhonghui cries loudly in panic as he bites his nails.
Standing next to him, Yue Ling had changed out of her dress and was now wearing a champagne silk robe. She stares at the monitor screen on their side and pout her lips.
"Indeed a tough competition."
"Do you think we have a chance?"
From behind, Lian Ni Shan asks as she walks up. Her usual straight face was now replace with a hint of panic.
Yue Ling does not look at the woman, but part her lips to speak.
"Win or lose, we're all winners."
As the three figures stood in front of the many monitors, Liu Shan drags his legs to stand next to Tang Zhonghui. He stares at the monitors then covers his eyes with his right arm as he sobs with trembling shoulders.
"Wuu… Our designs are comparable to An Qing's. Wuu! The possibility of us winning is 0 to ten. Wuu! What are we going to do?"
"….."
While the model and her two design members stare dumbfoundedly at the assistant, they did not see the sly secretary hiding behind a z-rack full of clothes.
Ming Yue's eyes lit brightly with a wide grin hearing their defeated conversation. Checking around to make sure no one saw her, she quickly runs from her hiding place and head in the direction of An Qing's team.
As her figure disappears from the room, Liu Shan continues to wail in tears with his right arm covering his eyes. However, he tiptoes sideways to his boss.
Standing next to her now, his shoulders continue to tremble but he lowers his arm and his dried eyes blink to her as he laughs with snorts.
"Boss, how did I do?"
"…."