CHAPTER 573: CHAPTER 571: STILL FELL FOR IT

Wan Chu’er forced a smile, and even felt a bit of regret. She quietly asked Xiao Bai, who was gleefully waving to the crowd, "What should I do?"

"Chill, just enjoy the limelight, so glorious." Xiao Bai squeezed out a few words with a smile.

Wan Chu’er, unable to resist the urge to kick him, turned to Brother Yan Hui instead, "Brother Yan Hui, can we keep a low profile?"

Yan Hui, standing in front of the crowd, gently smiled at her and said, "Okay." This even triggered a wave of screams.

What’s so okay! Wan Chu’er immediately shut her mouth tightly, refusing to say another word.

Yan Hui found it amusing, then turned to the reporters who kept asking questions, saying, "She is an important person in my life."

Wan Chu’er was instantly stunned and subconsciously wanted to pull her hand back, but was firmly held by a prepared Yan Hui without making a sound.

"She is my sister."

Then, hearing Yan Hui say this, Wan Chu’er’s heart that had been lifted instantly fell, and she slowly exhaled a breath of relief, which Yan Hui clearly sensed, feeling slightly sour but keeping a smile on his face.

"Today, her studio’s designer is participating in a competition, I specifically came to support her," Yan Hui continued calmly.

Wan Chu’er looked at Yan Hui in surprise, feeling unsettled and unsure of what facial expression to use towards him.

When the reporters and media heard Yan Hui say the word "sister," they were very disappointed; it would have been better if it were some other relationship. However, everyone still gave face to Mr. Yan, and enthusiastically asked, "Mr. Yan, what’s the name of Miss Yan’s studio? How has the designer performed in the preliminary round of the competition?"

Yan Hui, already prepared, gently smiled, causing another round of stifled screams from the crowd, simply perfect.

"I will not disclose that in advance, keeping it as a little secret until after the finals are over, to avoid allegations of unfair competition," Yan Hui spoke slowly.

Wan Chu’er was very satisfied with this approach. She trusted Yu Zimu’s abilities and didn’t want Yu Zimu’s achievements to ultimately be branded with Yan Hui’s mark, which would be unfair to Yu Zimu and also avoid targeted malice from those with ulterior motives.

"Thank you." She sincerely said to Yan Hui.

Yan Hui smiled, "No worries now, right?" This teasing remark made Wan Chu’er momentarily bashful.

Due to Yan Hui’s appearance, Lin Jiayi and Rose, who were being interviewed at the end of the red carpet, were affected. Many cameras that had been focused on them now turned towards Yan Hui and his group; even the host interviewing them frequently looked elsewhere, leaving Lin Jiayi gritting her teeth in frustration and Rose even more infuriated.

They had highly valued today’s event as a debut in the domestic scene, not only attending in full glam but also preparing eloquently scripted interviews in advance. However, the effect had been compromised due to Yan Hui and Wan Chu’er’s presence.

Seeing Wan Chu’er flaunting herself below, Lin Jiayi’s eyes flashed fiercely.

"Jiayi, who is that woman?" Rose, not very familiar with the domestic circumstances, cautiously asked.

Lin Jiayi said, "She also runs a fashion studio, don’t bother about her."

Rose thus assumed she was not an important person, and a look of disdain appeared on her face. She believed Wan Chu’er was someone who took shortcuts and relied on men by using her looks.

She said, "Hmph, I will let my work do the talking later, and properly make those who are just superficial taste defeat thoroughly!"

Lin Jiayi was elated and praised, "Truly worthy of being a world-class designer!" Success for Rose meant success for her, as they were in the same boat.

It wasn’t easy to get into the venue; as soon as Yan Hui entered, he was immediately surrounded by a crowd exchanging pleasantries warmly, and Xiao Bai also had several acquaintances greeting him, so Wan Chu’er took the chance to slip away and found Qiqi in a less noticeable position.

Since this was the top national fashion design competition, the organizers had put in a lot of effort to make everything high-profile and luxurious. Not to mention the red carpet outside, even the guests invited today were top celebrities.

They were either top national stars and actors or rich and influential socialites, or financial elites like Xiao Bai and Yan Hui, and then there were fashion celebrities, including top executives from famed apparel companies attending with a mission.

They came to grasp the trends and, if possible, to recruit some exceptional designs from the competitors, or to seek cooperation opportunities for mutual benefits.

Thus, many who attended as representatives of competing studios had seats that were comparatively off to the side. Wan Chu’er and Qiqi did not really mind this since their purpose was solely for their studio and not using their backgrounds. If they wanted to sit in the front rows, it would be an easy task for them.

As soon as Wan Chu’er sat down, Qiqi expressed her concern anxiously, "Jiang Lingling just arrived; she went backstage just now, do you know what happened to her?"

"What happened?" Wan Chu’er followed up.

Qiqi sighed helplessly and said, "She has diarrhea, from last night till this morning. I don’t know if it will affect her later."

Wan Chu’er also felt helpless upon hearing this, "How could this kind of thing happen? She went home so late last night, how could she have been affected by anything?"

"Jiang Lingling said she was hungry when she got home last night, so she had some midnight snacks. Guess what, after she finished, her mother then told her that the snacks were sent over by Lin Jiayi. Can you believe a mother would do such a thing!

At such a critical time, and still daring to accept things from Lin Jiayi, especially food—I really don’t know what she was thinking."

Upon hearing ’Lin Jiayi’, Wan Chu’er closed her eyes momentarily. Whatever involved Lin Jiayi always ended up in complications. She was amazed at Third Aunt Jiang, even after last time at the old master’s grand eightieth birthday, when Jiang Lingling and Lin Jiayi had that big fallout, she still dared to accept things from Lin Jiayi, especially food!

Lin Jiayi must have seen the preliminary contest list and then deliberately sabotaged Jiang Lingling.

Earlier, Lin Jiayi had hypocritically called Jiang Lingling, telling her she couldn’t control her emotions that day, spoke out of line, and asked Jiang Lingling not to mind it, still considering her as her beloved cousin, congratulating Jiang Lingling on making it to the finals and even inviting her out to celebrate.

Jiang Lingling wasn’t as forgiving as Lin Jiayi; she refused at that time. Wan Chu’er had repeatedly warned her to stay away from Lin Jiayi, especially before the finals, yet she still fell victim to Lin Jiayi’s schemes.

Hopefully, Jiang Lingling’s condition is better now and won’t affect her performance on stage.

Wan Chu’er asked, "How’s the situation backstage?"

Qiqi replied, "It’s okay. The show arranged by Lin Jiayi’s invitee, Rose, has a grand scale. Do you know who their models are? All famous models, and internationally reputable ones at that, each with extensive runway experience. You see, I initially suggested that we should also hire famous models, but you insisted on not confusing priorities, not wanting to intimidate everyone even before starting."