After changing clothes...
Sheng Wanrou immediately praised, "So beautiful!"
Ye Wanmei chimed in, "That's why they say clothes make the man—or in this case, the woman! This gown suits Jiaojiao perfectly. When she steps onto the red carpet later, she'll absolutely dazzle everyone!"
Ye Jiaorui also smiled contentedly.
Truth be told, putting on the dress had been quite an ordeal. Just now in the dressing room, she had taken several deep breaths just to zip up the waist.
But now, seeing the effects on her figure and feeling everyone's astonished gazes, she thought it was all worth it.
As long as she could outshine Sheng Congzhi on the red carpet, a bit of exhaustion didn't matter.
However, Sheng Congzhi scrutinized her, "The waist is too tight."
The fabric at the zipper was stretched to the limit, and it seemed it might burst open with any careless move…
Yet, Ye Jiaorui only felt she was jealous, "I don't feel it's tight, it fits just right."
"Since Jiaojiao is already wearing it, let's not waste words!" Sheng Wanrou pointed at a pale yellow gown that was left over, "You should wear this one. It's one I personally customized for Jiaojiao. You're getting a good deal."
At that moment, someone came to rush them to the red carpet.
Thus, Ye Jiaorui left surrounded by a group.
Chang Wan had a headache, "Sister Zhi, looking at this dress, the size is not suitable at all. Ye Jiaorui is shorter than you, and it's too short on her..."
"But apart from this one, there are no spare gowns available today."
"What should we do?"
"Yes, what indeed? The red carpet is about to start..."
Even though today was only a launch ceremony, there were so many fans and media reporters present. As the lead actress walking the red carpet in an ill-fitting gown, it would be laughable if news of it spread.
As everyone was at their wit's end, suddenly someone knocked on the door, "Is Miss Sheng Congzhi here?"
Sheng Congzhi looked up slightly, "That's me."
Two uniformed staff members entered the makeup room carrying gift boxes, "Miss Sheng, hello, this gown and jewelry here are specially prepared for you by Shengyao Media. Please sign for them."
Shengyao Media?
Chang Wan's eyes lit up and she quickly opened the gift box, "Oh my goodness!"
The staff members were also stunned, "This is...the latest butterfly bow gown from D-house, isn't it?"
As an internationally renowned brand, each new release from D-house creates a stir in the global fashion scene, and their gowns are especially invincible on the red carpet.
This butterfly bow gown was the latest couture from this spring/summer collection, and no one in the country had worn it yet, though its price was already rumored to be nearly ten million.
Chang Wan then opened the jewelry box.
Looking at the pair of pearl earrings inside, Sheng Congzhi's expression flickered slightly.
If she wasn't mistaken, these were the earrings from last night's charity dinner that Ye Jiaorui had wanted but missed out on, and that Fu Yan had ultimately bought for ten million...
"Young President Lu has good taste. These pearl earrings paired with this gown are just perfect," urged Chang Wan. "Sister Zhi, hurry and change, we're running out of time."
Meanwhile, on the red carpet.
The host held the microphone, introducing the main creators of the "Palace" series, one by one.
First were the investors, producers, directors, screenwriters, etc.
Lu Jiangnian, representing the investors, was the first to appear onstage. His charming face and casual blue shirt immediately triggered a wave of screams.
The host, clearly a fan herself, chatted with him for quite some time.
She even gossiped, asking him, "Mr. Lu, with so many fans here, can you share what your criteria are for choosing a girlfriend? What type of girl do you like?"
Lu Jiangnian raised an eyebrow, his flirtatious eyes fixed on the host, "I think... someone like you would be just fine."
The host burst into giggles, "Hehehe…"
Sheng Congzhi thought to herself: No wonder he and Fu Yan are good friends... Such a flirt!
After all the introductions, the host finally announced, "Next, please welcome the leading lady of 'Palace,' Ru Fei's portrayer: Sheng Congzhi!"
The fans below immediately erupted into screams, and media reporters raised their cameras, all focusing on one end of the red carpet.
A figure in rose-red entered their view.
It was Sheng Congzhi.
She gracefully walked forward, her layered skirt in hand, and a smile on her face.
The preceding creative team members had chosen relatively conservative outfits, so her stunning red hue made everyone's eyes light up.
The overall color of the gown was rose-red, two thin straps framing her perfectly shaped shoulders and neckline, a bow-shaped design at her fair and delicate chest, and large, pink petals adorned her arms. Only when Sheng Congzhi reached the center of the stage and turned around did everyone realize that the petals on her arms extended to the back, forming another large bow...
To match the gown, the stylist had changed her hairstyle to a voluminous princess style, paired with long wavy curls beneath, and the lustrous pearl earrings at her ears made her look charming, sweet, and even a bit cute.
Due to her appearance, Sheng Congzh had always chosen dazzling or sexy styles for her red carpet walks in the past; this was her first time making such a style change.
When she stood at the center of the red carpet and smiled slightly at the camera.
"Ah ah ah ah Sister Zhi is killing me!"
"She's so beautiful, so very beautiful!"
"Our Sister Zhi is really so sweet today…"
"I just discovered Sister Zhi has a little princess side too."
"Love it love it!"
...
The media reporters' flashbulbs clicked nonstop, and even the host on stage nearly forgot the cue sequence.
Ye Jiaorui, still waiting backstage, was so angry she almost crushed her teeth.
How could this happen?
Where did Sheng Congzhi find this dress?
It was even more expensive than the one she was wearing!
In the corner, Sheng Wanrou also frowned intensely.
That damn girl, Sheng Congzhi, had kept this ace up her sleeve? No wonder she had so readily given up the other dress...
"Older sister," Ye Wanmei stirred the pot, "This adopted daughter of yours is really cunning. If she had brought out both dresses earlier, you would have definitely chosen this one for Jiaojiao. Anyone with eyes can see it's much prettier..."
Upon receiving a fierce glare from Sheng Wanrou, she promptly shut up.
But she couldn't help but internally complain: It's a fact that Jiaojiao is not as pretty as Sheng Congzhi, and now she can't even compare with the dresses...
**
The drama "Palace" had many top stars, and though they were only making guest appearances, not all of them were present on site. But the host didn't dare to neglect them and introduced each one as they appeared.
Thus, when it was time for the second female lead, it was already half an hour later.
Including the waiting time backstage, Ye Jiaorui had been standing for over an hour, constantly sucking in her stomach, suffering indescribably.
Finally—
"Next, please welcome the actress Ye Jiaorui, who plays the second female lead. Where are Ye Jiaorui's fans?"
With the host's call, the pink fan group below went crazy, shouting, "Ravishing beauty, here for Rui!"
Ye Jiaorui smiled and lifted her skirt as she went onstage.
"Jiaojiao is on stage," Sheng Wanrou exclaimed, "Wan Mei, hurry up and take the video."
Ye Lianhai had left earlier due to work and had instructed them to record the video.
Ye Wanmei quickly raised her phone.
...
Ye Jiaorui, just over 1.6 meters tall, was much shorter than Sheng Congzhi.
The dress was a floor-length mermaid style, so she had to wear nearly 10cm high heels and hold up her skirt to ensure the front didn't drag on the ground.
Carefully walking to the center of the red carpet, she raised her hand and waved at the fans.
The host lifted the microphone and shouted, "This way, please."
Ye Jiaorui relieved, turned and walked forward holding up her skirt.
That's when the accident happened.
Unseen, her foot was suddenly caught by the red carpet, and she fell forward.
The male artist nearby instinctively reached out to pull her.
Instead of catching her, he grabbed the fabric of her dress...
A ripping sound was heard.
Ye Jiaorui slammed heavily to the ground, feeling a sudden chill on her body.
She looked down.
Her eyes widened, her mind buzzing, she was stunned.
Her dress had torn open from the waist! The fabric pulled apart, exposing large areas of her skin, including her underwear...
Initially, there was complete silence at the scene.
Then there was a loud uproar.
Even the host was caught off guard.
The first to react was the male artist who took off his coat and draped it over Ye Jiaorui.
Then she clutched the coat, scrambled up, and ran off the stage without looking back.
The audience below was still discussing animatedly.
The crew on stage couldn't help gossiping, with two seniors commenting bluntly:
"Modern young ladies are really something!"
"They stop at nothing to trend online!"
"How is this different from selling flesh?"
"The moral decline!"
Sheng Congzhi: "..."