Although the color combination was bold, it looked great on her. At least, Qin Ran thought it was beautiful. Besides, no one would dare say that Yu Shuman didn't look good in this outfit. The price of the jewelry set alone was enough to make any talkative journalist think twice before making any comments.
And most importantly: warmth! Warmth!
It was so cold that Qin Ran didn't want Yu Shuman to catch a cold just because she attended a fashion week. Qin Ran herself didn't plan on walking the red carpet. It wasn't common for high-society ladies to walk the red carpet anyway. Plus, Qin Ran's social anxiety made it impossible for her to do such a thing. Instead of spending time taking a car to walk that short distance, Qin Ran decided to stroll over with Wu Assistant.
When they arrived at the special entrance reserved for high-society guests at the Mist City Fashion Week, the security guards hesitated for a moment, unsure if they should let them in. On one hand, it was unusual for anyone attending fashion week to walk there; on the other hand, both Qin Ran and Wu Assistant were dressed in expensive attire that money alone couldn't easily buy.
It wasn't until Wu Assistant showed them the invitation that they were finally let in.
Good thing they did get in, or tomorrow's top trending news would have been: "#99EntertainmentBossStoppedatFashionWeekEntranceforUnknownReasons#".
This wasn't Qin Ran's first fashion week. In her previous life, even though she wasn't interested in fashion, her mom was. Her mom was the epitome of a powerful woman and wealthy lady who loved to visit various fashion weeks whenever she had the time.
This life's fashion week didn't look too different from the previous one. Celebrities from around the world gathered here, with young, glamorous ladies and elegant madams everywhere. Some knew each other and gathered in small groups, holding champagne glasses while chatting and smiling.
This was how it was everywhere; people gathered to chat and drink, only here it was in a more upscale, luxurious setting.
After staying in the waiting room for a while, the guests gradually arrived. Finally, the staff came to escort everyone to their seats. Yu Shuman walked up to Qin Ran with a smile on her face. The moment she arrived, celebrities, models, and high-society guests alike couldn't help but turn their attention to her.
Not to mention, her outfit was just too valuable. Many whispered among themselves, trying to figure out who she was. Once they got their answers, some were skeptical until someone mentioned that the jewelry company behind this star was funded by a mysterious wealthy investor. It was then that they showed an expression of sudden realization.
Through their information exchange, many of the business moguls realized that Qin Ran was that mysterious wealthy backer. They wanted to connect with Qin Ran but had already missed the best opportunity as the staff ushered them to their seats in the show. Qin Ran and Yu Shuman, along with Wu Assistant, went to their seats.
Their seats were indeed excellent, right in the first row, and even in the area where the models would pose. While not the very center, it was still one of the best spots. The seating arrangement alternated between chairs and small tables, allowing Qin Ran and Yu Shuman to sit side by side while Wu Assistant was seated across from them. Whoever was on the other side of the next table wasn't their concern.
The fashion show had a unique setup, making the indoor venue resemble the streets of Mist City. The walls on both sides had large glass panels with images of shop interiors behind them, making it seem like the guests were sitting on an open street. Several columns supported the lights overhead in the middle.
Before the show began, the lights were bright. Qin Ran and Yu Shuman leaned close to each other, discussing what had just happened outside. Many cameras were pointed at Yu Shuman, but she had walked so many red carpets back home that she managed to reassure herself. Yet, being her first time on a red carpet abroad, she was still a bit nervous.
"Just pretend they're not there. Our Shuman is the best," Qin Ran whispered, trying to comfort her.
Hearing this, Yu Shuman covered her mouth and laughed.
Before long, the lights dimmed, signaling the show's start. Mist City Fashion Week didn't have an opening ceremony. After a brief female announcer's introduction, music began to play, and the first model appeared at the end of the runway. The runway was long, and after walking for a while, a second model followed.
The first model reached the turning point in front of them, posed a few times, and then proceeded to the next point.
Yu Shuman and Qin Ran quietly discussed the outfits. The background music drowned out their voices, so no one else heard what they were saying. Many guests even took out their phones to take pictures of the models. Qin Ran whispered, "Shuman, if you see any outfit you like, let me know."
Yu Shuman ignored her. Qin Ran knew Yu Shuman was trying to avoid spending money. So what? She would just take care of it herself. Qin Ran took out her phone and snapped away, mentally commenting on each outfit: This one looks great, this one would suit Shuman, Shuman's long legs would look great in this.
Qin Ran didn't dare speak out loud about outfits that suited Yu Shuman, but she had no problem commenting loudly on those that didn't.
"This dress isn't right for Shuman. It's too revealing. Wearing it would definitely lead to paparazzi snapping photos and making up bad headlines."
"This one doesn't work either. The leg design is off. Shuman's legs are so long and straight; it's a waste not to show them off."
Yu Shuman listened with a helpless expression. She couldn't tell if Qin Ran wanted her to wear more or less clothing, but hearing Qin Ran say an outfit wasn't suitable for her actually made her breathe a sigh of relief. As long as Qin Ran wasn't spending money everywhere. What Yu Shuman didn't know was that if Qin Ran didn't comment in front of her, it was something she planned to buy for Yu Shuman.
The high fashion at the show was perfect for Yu Shuman, and as a celebrity, she had plenty of opportunities to wear gowns. What's wrong with having a few more gowns? And those everyday outfits, as long as they fit and didn't exceed Qin Ran's fashion standards, why not get them? Shuman couldn't go without clothes, right?
Qin Ran kept muttering the entire time. Toward the end, she noticed a dress that gave her a strange sense of familiarity. Not that she had seen it before, but it had a sense of déjà vu. The layers of roses on the outfit reminded her of the designs from Ling Miaohan's alias, "Rose."
It was the kind of design Qin Ran couldn't understand—lots of big flowers, a different design concept from the others.
Mist City Fashion Week wasn't limited to just two or three brands; it involved numerous brands, selecting classic luxury brands and some emerging designers. It wasn't surprising that Ling Miaohan's alias "Rose" had her work featured. However, when placed alongside other designers' works, hers seemed a bit lacking. Even Qin Ran, who didn't understand fashion much, noticed it stood out awkwardly.
Qin Ran figured Ling Miaohan intended to reveal herself as "Rose" during this fashion week to gain recognition for her talent. But Qin Ran wasn't sure how she planned to do it. Now that she saw the outfit, it couldn't be that Ling Miaohan would simply announce she was the designer after the show and wait for praise, right?
Fashion Week did include a segment where designers would appear on stage, but only the chief designer would come out. This designer would be judged on seniority, qualifications, and works. Qin Ran doubted Ling Miaohan had what it took to appear on stage. Even if "Rose" was an emerging designer, winning one or two awards wasn't enough here.
To be featured in such a prestigious global fashion week, a designer would need to have been a prodigy, winning numerous design competitions. Many were not just award-winners but judges and chairpersons in those competitions, and even they couldn't guarantee an appearance as the chief designer at the end.
Though Qin Ran didn't think Ling Miaohan had the qualifications to appear on stage, this was a novel world. The previous incident with the real estate tycoon showed how she could be unexpectedly dumbed down, and with the protagonist halo so strong, who knew what might happen?
As the show went on, the clothes became more beautiful, but Qin Ran's expression grew more serious. She kept waiting for Ling Miaohan's moment, even if she thought it was unlikely. However, by the end, the show concluded, and the designer who came out for the finale, wearing a badge around her neck, was a European woman in her forties.
A big question mark popped up over Qin Ran's head. When others around her stood to applaud the chief designer, she was pulled up by Yu Shuman. Yu Shuman didn't know if she should applaud but stood up anyway, thinking it impolite not to when everyone else was standing.
So, Qin Ran reluctantly clapped along. After the chief designer left, they sat down again. Yu Shuman noticed Qin Ran's distracted state and asked, "Xiao Ran, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just thinking about something." Qin Ran pulled herself together and smiled at Yu Shuman. The show was over, and since they didn't know many people there, they headed straight back to the hotel. Back at the hotel, Qin Ran was still pondering what Ling Miaohan's next move would be.
She tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. The next morning, she searched Ling Miaohan's name online and found that Ling had revealed in an interview the previous night that she was the designer known as "Rose."
Qin Ran was baffled. She had prepared for all sorts of unexpected tricks Ling might pull, even imagining scenarios where Ling would steal the show from the chief designer. But it turned out she used the most straightforward method.
It left Qin Ran feeling a sense of powerlessness: Really, that's it?
Qin Ran: This dress isn't suitable, and that skirt isn't nice…
Yu Shuman: (sighs with relief) Good, now she won't spend money recklessly.
In reality: The ones she didn't mention are great! Let's get them all!
Yu Shuman: ???