Chapter 123

Even though she was thoroughly familiar with "God of the Wilderness," Rong Qing could not help but be moved by the plot. She had never realized that the acting she had so carefully considered and fully immersed herself in could be so realistic and touching. Under the shroud of darkness, Ailus's strength and courage, and even the air of an emperor looking down upon the world that radiated from her entire being, made her wonder: was that truly him? If the performance amazed the actor herself, the audience in the packed theater was even more spellbound. The entire theater was silent; the magnificent fight scenes and the spectacular feast of acting were, for anyone, a visual treat.

May 1st was destined to be a sleepless night. When millions of fans left theaters around the world, the world erupted. Cheers and excitement filled the air, and unforgettable scenes played on a loop in everyone's minds. The Goddess of War, Ailus—a legendary and vivid character. As the world boiled over with the film, Ailus dolls sold out globally, and some fans even paid high prices to return to the theaters to enjoy the feast again. "God of the Wilderness" surpassed every film in historical significance, and with modern special effects and a stellar cast, it deservedly became the box office champion.

That night, according to official Hollywood statistics, the box office for "God of the Wilderness" exceeded 300 million, a figure that shocked the world. Hollywood producers earned hundreds of millions overnight—what an amazing fact. What made the Americans even more pleased yet troubled was that the yellow-skinned, black-haired, black-eyed Oriental beauty had overnight surpassed famous Hollywood stars in global fan support and attention, climbing to the top as the world's most outstanding, charming, and valuable superstar. It was laughable to think that the Americans, who prided themselves on being a cinematic superpower, had been thoroughly conquered by an Oriental.

International master director Evans was left in the dust; the perfect collaboration of the crew was ignored, as the world was shocked by only one person. Perhaps the image of Ailus was too perfect and real, triggering a fan frenzy for "love." Fans from all over the world flew to City X just to catch a glimpse of the superstar. If not for the tight security at the Huo residence, their villas would likely have been swarmed by these fanatical followers.

Rong Qing followed her usual strategy. When someone becomes so famous that they are at the peak of their popularity, most choose to show their faces and increase their exposure. But the superstar Rong Qing did the opposite, staying at home, eating and drinking, and ignoring the chaos she had caused. Her actions were both adorable and maddening to her fans.

Rong Qing was curled up in the living room, lounging in a recliner and sunbathing. Seeing that the plate of snacks on the table was almost empty, she picked up a hibiscus cake and swallowed it in one gulp. Still lost in the bliss of food, she smacked her sweet lips. So delicious! She touched her rounded little belly, her eyes widening in horror.

Rong Qing sat up in a panic. She pinched the soft muscle on her arm and touched her chin. She hadn't realized it before, but one touch gave her a fright. Since she was a child, her appetite had always been small, but recently it had surged, and her entire figure was expanding horizontally. How could this be? No, she had to go on a diet and restore her perfect physique. Her stomach growled—no, not that!

She had to find something to do. She pulled out her phone, which had been lying in a corner, and unlocked it. Ignoring the flood of messages, she dialed a familiar number. It was picked up quickly.

"You finally turned your phone on?!" An icy, gritted-voice came from the earpiece, making Rong Qing shiver. Yan Lin seemed to be in a very bad mood; was he on his period? (As if he had such a thing!)

"Do you have any idea what the consequences of your constant vacationing are?" Looking out the window at the fans holding placards and wearing uniforms as they left in dribs and drabs—this was the third wave he had sent away—he wondered if Rong Qing realized she had become a global sensation. Such irresponsible avoidance would only invite a siege by fans.

"Oh?" Rong Qing feigned ignorance. If she didn't show up, it was fine, but if she appeared in public, she could easily imagine being swarmed or even torn apart. "Haha, Lin, any events at the company lately?"

Yan Lin couldn't hide his insight into this little rascal's mind. Though he roared internally, he was still very satisfied with his artist. What is the greatest achievement for an assistant? Isn't it cultivating a world-class superstar? It had to be said that Rong Qing's talent was astonishing, and it had even boosted his own value as a super-assistant. Following the mistress was indeed a promising path. Thus, Yan Lin automatically ignored her occasional unreliability.

"Beauty fashion magazine is cordially inviting you to be on their cover. Rong Qing, you attend too few events." She barely gave those manufacturers, who were breaking down the door, any chance. If not for the fact that the international magazine owner had some friendship with Dingsheng Entertainment, Yan Lin probably wouldn't have passed the message on.

Rong Qing thought for a moment and agreed. Rather than stay home and put on weight, she might as well go out and show her face. Both parties quickly set a time to take the photos this Saturday.

Rong Qing sat in the spacious conference room, surrounded by Wen Na's design team. This was the third failed submission this month. The first two had been ruthlessly rejected by Rong Qing, and this time, their design clearly hadn't won her approval either. The designers, who had been eager to build their own brand a month ago, were exhausted and beginning to waver. They had gathered their courage and used their talents to create these sketches, yet they still couldn't get approval. Perhaps they really couldn't reach such a high standard.

In the conference room, everyone was dejected, having lost some of their fighting spirit. Rong Qing held the designers' work, her eyes carrying a hint of weight. If they shed the shadow of top-tier design concepts, their own creations were passable, but they always lacked the uniqueness Rong Qing envisioned. She could host a fashion show, create hope for them, and push Wen Na onto the world stage, but doing so would lower the standard of her brand. What she wanted to build was unique clothing, not clothes promoted simply by borrowing the fame of the superstar Rong Qing.

She closed her eyes and, hardening her heart, returned the sketches to the group. Just as she was about to give up, she saw a man sitting in the back of the conference room, head down, drawing busily. He clearly hadn't been bothered by the heavy atmosphere in the room.

Rong Qing held her breath, stood up, and walked toward him with light steps. Perhaps the quiet man was too absorbed in his drawing to notice Rong Qing standing behind him. He was quietly infatuated with the clothing in his mind, erasing and redrawing, while Rong Qing carefully stood behind him, watching his design. The others in the room were attracted by this silent scene and unconsciously lowered their breathing. Rong Qing stood behind He Mu; from initial interest, she was drawn in by the fluid lines and ingenious design of the clothes. But it still wasn't enough; this piece seemed to lack a finishing touch. Yet, the designer's inspiration did not stop there.

Finally, He Mu decorated the clothing with small metallic accessories, and instantly, the design was elevated by several levels. Finished, He Mu finally stretched lazily. As he looked up, he saw everyone in the conference room looking at him eagerly.

A pair of fair, small hands took his design sketch. Rong Qing examined it carefully; the more she looked, the more she felt a unique charm. A moment later, under everyone's nervous gaze, she bloomed into a sweet smile, her confidence inspiring everyone: "I think we can hold a fashion show."

"Whoo-hoo!" everyone cheered. There was nothing more exciting than this!

"Alright, He Mu, tell us about your design concept." Rong Qing quieted the excited staff; their task was not yet over.

The usually dull genius designer hadn't realized what was happening before he was invited to the podium. He looked at the wolf-like crowd below with confused eyes, then at Rong Qing, who stood at the back offering an encouraging smile. The natural airhead blushed shamefully, becoming instantly nervous.

Using the slides, he projected the drawing onto the screen. A metallic tinfoil-like material wrapped around the left arm, forming a sharp contrast with the retro, layered lotus-leaf silk skirt. The collision of metallic texture and softness provided a visual feast. Unlike the impact of bright fashion colors, such a design gave a wild and tenacious texture. These designs were novel enough, and the metallic pendant rings accentuating the fingertips were the perfect finishing touch.

"I was inspired by the Goddess of War, Ailus, from 'God of the Wilderness' when I first designed this rugged gown." As soon as He Mu finished, Rong Qing pointed at herself in surprise. Everyone’s eyes held relieved smiles. "Ailus's image is popular all over the world; she is a woman, yet brave and tough, even possessing a man's dominance. I thought, if I had to describe her with a color, I would choose metallic tones. Paired with soft lotus leaves, it is just like her character—strength within softness. The collision of soft and strong is as attractive as she is. So, what if clothing incorporated such elements?"

It was obviously a success, and it pioneered a new path in the fashion world. When Ailus fans saw this outfit, they could almost imagine the fanaticism in their hearts. Every woman has a princess dream, but what woman is willing to hide weakly behind a man? This outfit, a carrier of contradictory personalities, was a success!

"I think for our Wen Na spring fashion show, why don't we use the collision of metal and softness to design a fashion gown that will shock the world?" He Mu smiled and suggested to the group. He didn't keep his design to himself or start a studio to sell clothes privately. He truly wanted to create fashion exclusive to their people and build their brand well.

Everything was understood without words. Rong Qing looked at the team that belonged exclusively to Wen Na. Win-win cooperation—such a spirit made her proud. She suppressed her budding excitement: "Alright, for the sake of our fashion, let's all work hard together!"

Following this, the work proceeded very smoothly. With wonderful creativity, the design team worked in concert to make the final preparations for the fashion show.

On Saturday, Rong Qing flew to Country S as promised for the Beauty magazine cover shoot. News from the Milan Fashion Show this year indicated that vibrant floral shapes had become the trend. She wore a brightly colored, tight-fitting floral skirt, and in the spring when all things were reviving, she looked like a fairy dancing in a field of flowers. The fashion director of Beauty had racked his brains, bringing over almost the exact same skirt from Milan Fashion Week for Rong Qing to change into. The stylist snapped photos as if film were free, adhering to the principle of full utilization, pressing the shutter without mercy.

Rong Qing only had to move her hands and strike a pose to amaze countless photographers. From the colorful flower fairy to the bright blue-striped ocean beauty, and finally to the classic retro A-line skirt, each outfit brought a different effect, instantly stunning the entire set.

Rong Qing wore the fashionable clothes, but inside she hummed to herself: once their new Wen Na metallic color-clashing outfits come out, these old-fashioned, unoriginal, purely aesthetic clothes can go wherever it's cool.

The Beauty fashion director held the piles of negatives like treasures, his heart already blooming with joy; he could almost see the money waving at him.

"Oh? Darling Rong Qing, stay one more night. Tomorrow I will take you to tour all of England." The fashion director was dressed trendily, but the way he disguised himself as a woman really made Rong Qing shudder. Today's shoot was very pleasant, and the British people were enthusiastic and cheerful.

"I'm so sorry, my husband is still waiting at home." Rong Qing was truly apologetic. If not for that pig Huo Lingtian pestering her to return since last night, she would have loved to linger on the Rhine for a night.

"What a pity. Alright, cute and beautiful princess, see you later." Before parting, the fashion director, with red-painted lips, kissed Rong Qing's arm.

"Haha. Goodbye." Better never to see you again, Rong Qing thought with a forced laugh, slandering him fiercely in her heart.

The British fashion magazine, Beauty, which had been favored by Rong Qing, featured the currently popular superstar Rong Qing on its May cover. If acting skills could be acquired through practice, then that stunning, beautiful face was a masterpiece of God's craftsmanship. Undoubtedly, as soon as the magazine was released, it was snatched up by everyone. The pre-ordered inventory had long since sold out, and the official Beauty office had to rush to print more. After a period of silence following the release of "God of the Wilderness," Rong Qing had once again appeared in the eyes of the media and the public.

Her fans and followers were almost crying. (Out of excitement, of course.)

Shortly after Rong Qing returned to the country, she held a press conference as the president of Huo Group's Wen Na brand. It was said that once the news broke, reporters from entertainment media, CCTV, and fashion outlets all showed up without exception. Huo's? President? What did this mean? Anything carrying the name Rong Qing was enough to attract a large crowd of die-hard fans. What was supposed to be a small media meeting ended up being so crowded that even the largest conference room at Huo's couldn't hold this swarm of "flies" that had heard the news.

The Huo Group's media PR looked at the crowd breaking into the venue, their heads throbbing! Damn it, you people aren't even this active when Huo's releases financial reports.

Under everyone's gaze, Rong Qing entered the venue right on time. The chief designers of Wen Na sat in the front row, and Rong Qing took her seat in the very center.

"Everyone is very enthusiastic today," Rong Qing said with a smile.

The media were moved to tears. Great superstar, as long as you appear, we are enthusiastic every day.

--- Off-topic ---

Roar, it's finished, full speed ahead. Little buns will appear soon, my dears, don't be anxious.