Chapter 125

May 17th was destined to be an extraordinary day for all the staff at Wenna. The long-awaited fashion show took place exactly as scheduled. Thanks to the influence of President Rong Qing, the legendary godfather of fashion, Master David, was invited to personally oversee the event. Overseas media, newspapers, magazines, and news broadcasts scrambled to report on the exhibition. Tickets had been completely sold out three days in advance, with fans of Rong Qing traveling from all over the world just to witness her walk the runway. This fashion show was even more sensational than the international shows in Paris, with blinding lights capturing every eternal moment.

Backstage, Rong Qing wore heavy makeup as she tried on the first gown of the evening.

"Hoo... deep breaths," a staff member struggled to zip up the back of the dress. Rong Qing held her breath; the gown, which had been precision-tailored to her measurements, was suddenly a tight squeeze. How much weight had she gained these past few days? Rong Qing regretted her indulgence, and looking at the increasingly full fabric over her chest, she felt like crying.

"Wait," Rong Qing called out. She took a deep breath, adopted a resolute expression, and in one swift motion, exhaled, pulled in her waist, and tightened her core. The zipper slid up with a "zip." She touched her flat stomach; the fabric was taut, and she felt a pressure in her chest. "Whew," she thought, "thank goodness, it’s not to the point where I can't wear it yet."

The efficiency of the Huo family's staff was remarkable; they had selected an excellent local exhibition hall for the show. The venue was packed, yet thanks to the orderly guidance of the staff, everything remained well-organized. The front row was reserved for VIPs—the titans of European fashion design. Naturally, as the master of the Huo family, Huo Lingtian took the central throne with the best view, the envy of everyone in attendance.

The venue was brilliantly lit. The hall, which could hold a thousand people, was filled to capacity, with those who couldn't secure tickets standing in every available gap just to catch a glimpse of Rong Qing. Lighting technicians, photographers, and reporters stood ready, determined to be the first to capture the superstar's poise.

The "Wenna" fashion show embodied the dreams of all its designers, dreams that were finally being realized. Behind the scenes, the designers were eager and full of ambition—heaven knows how long they had waited for this moment.

The host walked onto the runway with a graceful gait. Wearing a cream-colored fashion gown with floral hem detailing, the look was inherently fresh and elegant. However, this was contrasted by metallic cuffs on her arms; the textured metal hardware clashed with the soft aesthetic to create a unique rhythmic fashion, instantly drawing gasps of awe from the fashion moguls in the audience. Her hair was pinned up, and her makeup was bold and cold. She wasn't just a host; she was the first shot fired in Wenna's fashion campaign. Indeed, the guests who had traveled from afar to see Rong Qing were genuinely stunned by the fashion prowess Wenna displayed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Wenna fashion show. Since its inception, Wenna has carried the dreams of all our designers. As President Rong Qing once said, what Wenna lacks is not ability, but opportunity. Today, we pour the talent of all our designers into the Wenna Spring Fashion Show—a collision of metal and softness. Let us witness the fashion miracle brought to you by Wenna." The host's voice was soaring and resonant, her brimming confidence instantly stirring the crowd. Perhaps Wenna could bring them a different kind of fashion breeze.

*Bang.* The lights dimmed, and the entire runway began to emit an icy blue glow, dazzling and brilliant. Soft, tinkling music began to play—rhythmic and soothing. The brilliant icy blue was gradually replaced by a soft, pale pink. Lotus petals blossomed in the center of the runway, swaying rhythmically. Under the gaze of the expectant crowd, a graceful, tall figure appeared.

She resembled a blooming lotus, swaying with supple grace. Her waist, slender enough to be circled by a hand, was adorned with soft lotus leaf accents, making her appear even more bewitching. The cold, hard texture of white tin foil around her neck and left arm provided a visual impact, yet as she moved closer, it created a strange and marvelous harmony.

"Clap, clap, clap, clap!" The entire venue erupted in shock and cheers. As the finale, Rong Qing once again shattered all expectations. Every time the superstar appeared, she brought a different kind of allure.

Rong Qing stepped closer in her high heels, the ornaments swaying on her slender wrists capturing everyone's attention. If the host's metallic look was merely stunning, the accessories on Rong Qing would surely spark a different kind of fashion frenzy. The stunned media and photographers finally came to their senses, but with half of the brief runway walk already over, they were filled with regret as their cameras clicked frantically.

Rong Qing's brief, fleeting appearance had thoroughly whetted everyone's appetite. They might have come for Rong Qing, but having seen the fashion style Wenna presented, they were gradually drawn in by the brand itself. Even Master David couldn't help but sigh; while Rong Qing’s outstanding performance in the fashion industry made her rivals wary, her transition into design was enough to shock even an old man like him. Seeing such brilliant designs, the master’s eyes were filled with appreciation, praise, and a hint of cautious foresight.

The collision of metal and softness, combined with uniquely individual clothing, fully demonstrated the brand's philosophy. The garments were the collective work of the Wenna design team—they gave the brand life, while Rong Qing created a path for them to survive.

With cold, glamorous makeup, the models strode forward, carrying a sense of freshness and sharpness. The pale satin hip-hugging skirts softened this jarring visual impact, resembling the unique character of a woman: as resilient as metal, yet as soft as a blooming lily. Rows of metallic tassels swayed against the hemlines as they approached. The audience could almost imagine the strange, fashionable sensation of wearing them.

Wenna introduced their ingenuity by placing necklaces on the models' thighs. When a string of exquisite charms was worn on a fair leg, the high-born lady became bewitching and alluring. The high-slit skirt revealed a flash of brilliant jewelry, instantly elevating the entire look. As soon as this piece hit the runway, it won the hearts of countless socialites in the audience. Tired of international brands, Wenna’s unique creativity brought them a different experience and taste.

As the show neared its end, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. Thousands of photos of the diverse outfits had been taken without anyone noticing. Just as they were calming down, the reappearance of the superstar, Rong Qing, pushed the atmosphere to its peak.

Rong Qing wore a tan leather jacket, her open coat revealing a nude-colored sheer outfit underneath. Her bewitching posture and confident stride carried a wild, youthful energy. Rong Qing’s exquisite, cold, and arrogant features left everyone intoxicated. It was damn impressive; such a woman displayed poise and seduction to the fullest. A string of ethnic-style tassels swayed with her movements, and her red snake-skin heels clicked rhythmically as she approached. Every smile and glance was captured by the photographers. Such outstanding charisma and stunning fashion gave the superstar a different vibe—it was as if she were born for fashion.

Some photographers and audience members couldn't help but stand up. The sight of the stunning model brought silence to the entire hall—this was the effect caused by the superstar. When He Mu originally designed this piece, it was tailor-made specifically for Rong Qing. This was his vision; this was the modern incarnation of the War Goddess Aeolus—a glory belonging only to Rong Qing. He Mu stood off-stage, staring blankly at the soul of the garment he had designed. His once dull expression became radiant.

The show concluded perfectly, with the designers taking the stage to bow with their creations. Rong Qing stood in the center of the runway, surrounded by the entire Wenna design team. They looked radiant and confident, bowing deeply to the audience with passion. Just as Rong Qing leaned down, a wave of intense nausea surged. She clutched her chest, struggling to endure the physical discomfort, and when she lifted her head again, she wore a stiff smile.

How could these small movements escape the notice of Huo Lingtian, who understood her better than she understood herself? The man in the audience narrowed his eyes, his cold, stern gaze betraying his inner turmoil.

Rong Qing looked at the countless camera flashes and felt a wave of dizziness; the intense nausea struck again. Rong Qing nearly cursed aloud. Why now? She remembered that to maintain her figure, she hadn't eaten anything this morning, so why was she nauseous? She was overwhelmed, but she forced herself to endure the discomfort, her face returning to a warm smile, though her irregular breathing betrayed her distress.

"I would like to thank all the media, the audience, and the overseas designers for coming to the Wenna fashion show. Thank you to my design team and all the staff; it is your hard work that made this show such a success. From today on, Wenna officially becomes an independent marketing brand. This is our honor and our pride." In her closing remarks, facing the countless flashes, they had finally done it. But this was only the first step toward the international stage; the road ahead was still very long.

After the designers took their photos and exchanged words with the masters, Rong Qing slipped backstage during the ensuing chaos. Her body felt increasingly unwell, and the noisy, stuffy venue made her feel even weaker. She lamented her situation and looked for a deserted corner. At the same time, Huo Lingtian had also disappeared from the front of the stage.

"Rong Qing... Rong Qing... what's wrong?" A staff member’s worried voice came from behind. Rong Qing was dazed, her thoughts spinning. She rushed to the restroom, and feeling she could no longer hold it back, she collapsed on the floor and began to retch uncontrollably. "Ugh... ugh..."

The acid from her stomach was expelled, and tears and mucus streamed down her face. She felt as though she were collapsing from exhaustion, the foreign sensation in her mouth and her increasingly heavy body making her feel faint. Just as she was about to lose consciousness, a warm body wrapped around her, and a large hand began to pat her back rhythmically. The steady, intermittent pats made her feel a little better. Rong Qing slumped on the floor, and in an instant, she was scooped up by a powerful force. A man's anxious, caring voice murmured in her ear.

"Baby... baby, I'm taking you to the hospital. It's okay, don't suffer, just hold on for a little longer." The heartbroken voice whispered in her ear again and again. It was as if her world finally had something to lean on; she no longer needed to hold on. She drifted into unconsciousness, feeling at peace.