Chapter 9
The event was a success.
Aside from taking photos and exchanging pleasantries with other guests, Jack spent virtually the entire afternoon chatting with Xiang Qingwei. With Tao Yun'er by his side, the two seemed to be enjoying their conversation. Tao Yun'er, who was fluent in English, had a sweet mouth, making her quite the charming companion for Jack.
After the event, Jack naturally invited Xiang Qingwei and Tao Yun'er to the evening's reception.
Xiang Qingwei accepted the invitation without hesitation.
Aside from Qiao Xiyu, who was the brand ambassador for the Asia region, Tao Yun'er was the only other celebrity invited to attend the reception, which everyone clearly understood meant something.
Qiao Xiyu returned to her hotel room and exploded in anger, immediately calling her manager to vent her frustrations. She questioned why her manager hadn't made an appearance at the event, which had not only ruined her reputation but also given Tao Yun'er a chance to gloat!
The manager could only offer words of consolation, reminding Qiao Xiyu that even if Tao Yun'er had become the cosmetics ambassador, it was only for cosmetics, while Qiao Xiyu held the title of brand ambassador for the entire region. She was still one step above Tao Yun'er.
Qiao Xiyu hung up the phone.
Meanwhile, Tao Yun'er, who was staying on a different floor of the same hotel, returned to her room and began excitedly screaming in delight, "I can't believe it! I can't believe it! I can't believe it! Sis Wei, did you see Qiao Xiyu's face? I can't stop laughing! Seeing her like that really helped me vent my anger!"
Kevin, the stylist Xiang Qingwei had hired last year, walked in, baffled. "What kind of crazy idea is this, Yun'er?"
The celebrity stylist was already familiar with Xiang Qingwei and Tao Yun'er, so he didn't hesitate to speak his mind.
"I'm attending a cocktail party tonight!" Tao Yun'er announced gleefully.
Kevin rolled his eyes. "I know, sis told me already. Otherwise, why would I be here?" He held up the gown Tao Yun'er would wear at the party.
Tao Yun'er bounced over to Xiang Qingwei. "Sis, you're amazing! How do you know everyone? Didn't you see Qiao Xiyu trying to suck up to Jack but couldn't find an opportunity? She's hilarious!"
"How come I feel like I've missed out on a whole drama?" Kevin asked suspiciously.
"Alright, we need to leave by 7 P.M., which means we have two hours left. Kevin, let's get started on Yun'er's hair and makeup." Xiang Qingwei left without another word.
As Kevin held Tao Yun'er down in the chair, she suddenly remembered: Hadn't Xiang Qingwei yet to answer her question of how she'd met Jack?
Xiang Qingwei returned to her room, touched up her makeup, and changed into an evening gown fit for the occasion. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, loosely tucked behind her ears.
She had received the news that Jack would be attending, so this was a battle she needed to win; she had prepared the outfit specifically for tonight.
The dress she donned was a form-fitting golden gown that extended just past her knees, modest yet elegant. Tonight's star was Tao Yun'er, so her outfit needed only to be appropriate and complementary.
After changing, she poured herself a glass of red wine from the bottle the hotel had prepared, walked toward the window, and watched as the sky dimmed while the city lights glowed. She swirled the wine in her cup, eyes deep.
How had she met Jack? Three years ago, she was not yet the Xiang Qingwei she presented today. Back then, she had still relied on someone else for support, but now, she no longer needed anyone.
"How are your waist so thin?" Tao Yun'er asked, glaring jealously at the way Xiang Qingwei's dress clung to her slender waist. "I've been eating boiled vegetables for a week just for today, yet my waist is still so much thicker than yours!"
"Have you been working out lately?" Xiang Qingwei suddenly asked.
Tao Yun'er's expression immediately panicked, like a student who'd been caught off guard during a pop quiz. "Uh, I've been dieting, so I haven't had much energy."
Xiang Qingwei swept a glance at Xiao Dong, displeased. "I put you in charge of keeping an eye on her."
Xiao Dong shivered instinctively under Xiang Qingwei's gaze, then stuttered, "Yun'er has lost quite a bit of weight this week, but it's generally harder to slim down the waist..."
"Work out at least three times a week from now on and send me a video each time; I'll check." Xiang Qingwei pressed the elevator button.
Tao Yun'er let out a painful wail. Why did she bring up the waist?!
A massive crystal chandelier hung in the center of the hall, casting a dazzlingly brilliant glow on everyone.
The people beneath sparkled under the light, their long tables covered in exquisite food and wine, open for guests to enjoy. There were also waiters passing through the crowd, offering drinks. This was a gathering fit for the elite.
"Xiang! You look stunning tonight." Jack warmly greeted her, then gave Xiang Qingwei a courteous nod before turning to Tao Yun'er with a gentleman's smile. "Miss Tao, you look beautiful as well."
Tao Yun'er donned the latest light blue sequined dress from Chanel, her hair elegantly pinned up to expose her long neck and delicate collarbones, like a beautiful mermaid.
Yet Jack's passionate gaze remained fixed on Xiang Qingwei.
Jack's enthusiasm drew the attention of many; despite his reputation as a courteous and mild-mannered man, this was the first time he had ever shown such passion toward anyone.
The evening's reception was attended by VIP clients of Chanel, and only those who spent over two million yuan on the brand received an invitation to the event. As a result, nearly everyone present was a young, wealthy second-generation individual with a luxurious background.
They quickly recognized Tao Yun'er, who stood beside Xiang Qingwei, but none of them knew who Xiang Qingwei was.
Xiang Qingwei's appearance vastly differed from their preconceived notion of what a manager should look like.
Xiang Qingwei wore an elegant, understated golden dress that clung to her body like a second layer of skin, perfectly outlining her alluring curves. Her makeup was refined and subdued, complementing her features.
Her long, silky hair framed her face, framing her bright eyes and diamond earrings, which sparkled in tandem with her gaze. It was difficult to discern which glimmered brighter, the diamonds or her eyes.
By the standards of the entertainment industry, she wasn't particularly beautiful, but there was a unique air about her that drew people in.
Jack introduced Xiang Qingwei to his colleagues. "This is my friend, Xiang. She's an excellent manager."
Xiang Qingwei confidently shook hands and chatted with the guests. She stood unreserved and unbothered among the crowd of tall, foreign men in suits, a faint smile on her lips, as she skillfully navigated the social scene.
The group of foreigners was immediately taken by Xiang Qingwei's grace and poise, which exuded an Eastern woman's charm. They were also pleasantly surprised by her profound understanding and insightful comments about the brand's history and core values.
Xiang Qingwei then purposely called Tao Yun'er over to introduce her to them, hoping to help the young woman expand her network.
"Xiang, want to grab a few drinks with me?" Jack asked enthusiastically after the event.
Xiang Qingwei gave him a wry smile. "Not today; my feet are already numb. If you're still in S City next month, I'll treat you to dinner."
Jack's pretty blue eyes glistened. "You know I'll be around because of this."
Xiang Qingwei laughed. "I'll take my leave, then."
As soon as Xiang Qingwei got in the car, she took off the heels on her feet, frowned as she moved her stiff toes, then leaned down to massage her aching calves.
"Miss Xiang, you've had a tough day." Xiao Dong, sitting on the passenger side, turned to look at Xiang Qingwei, his eyes sparkling. After witnessing Xiang Qingwei confidently navigate through the crowd of foreigners earlier this evening, he practically idolized her.
"Miss Xiang, is Jack your fan?" Tao Yun'er asked, her large eyes sparkling as she leaned over.
Xiang Qingwei pressed a hand against her face, gently pushing her back into her seat, then turned to Old Zhou. "Old Zhou, take us back to the hotel first."
Old Zhou was a man of few words, so he didn't respond as he started the engine.
Tao Yun'er still had a flight to catch to H City tonight for a photoshoot tomorrow.
Xiang Qingwei was exhausted from the day's work and had also downed several glasses of red wine and champagne, so she fell asleep almost immediately upon getting in the car.
Tao Yun'er watched Xiang Qingwei, who had been all smiles at the party just minutes ago, slumped over in her seat, sound asleep. She whispered to Old Zhou to drive slower.
Though he didn't respond, the car slowed down.
Xiang Qingwei woke up the next morning, took a cab to Teacher Tu's house with the gifts she had brought from C City, and rang the doorbell.
Teacher Tu was surprised to see her and welcomed her in with a warm smile, joking, "How come such a busy person like you has time to visit me today?"
"I came to accompany Yun'er for an event yesterday and will be leaving on a plane this afternoon. I have some time to spare today, so I thought I'd pay you a visit." Xiang Qingwei placed the gifts on the tea table in the corner as she spoke.
"Yun'er wanted to come over as well, but she left for H City on an early-morning flight last night and has work today, so she asked me to bring her greetings."
"As long as you're here, that's enough. What are all these gifts?" Teacher Tu poured two cups of tea and placed one before Xiang Qingwei, then sat down on the sofa.
Smiling, Xiang Qingwei picked up her cup of tea. "This is the tea I brought for you. A friend of mine planted these leaves himself, and they're the best of his harvest. He gave me some, but I don't drink tea, so it would just go to waste if I kept it. I thought I'd bring them over for you instead." She took a sip after she finished speaking and praised the tea's fragrance.
"I thought you said you didn't know how to drink tea, but now you can taste the fragrance?" Teacher Tu teased her.
Xiang Qingwei smiled. "I can't taste anything else, only the fragrance."
Amused, Teacher Tu's wrinkles seemed to relax.
Xiang Qingwei didn't stay long; she sat with Teacher Tu for half an hour and drank two cups of tea before she left.
Teacher Tu walked her to the door and watched as she departed.
To be honest, Teacher Tu considered herself a well-traveled, open-minded individual, but even she had to admit she'd never met anyone as meticulous and thorough as Xiang Qingwei.
When she taught Tao Yun'er, she had received compensation, and it certainly wasn't a small sum.
Ever since then, Xiang Qingwei had been sending box after box of cherries as if they were free, which Tao Yun'er had assumed would stop once Tao Yun'er left for university.
However, the deliveries continued, just as frequently, only the contents changed to reflect the season. The deliveries arrived at her doorstep every so often, starting last month when the cherries were back in season and selling for eighty yuan per pound at the market.
Not only that, but Xiang Qingwei also called to greet her on every holiday, both big and small, and Tao Yun'er had visited her a handful of times bearing gifts.
However, Teacher Tu was aware that Tao Yun'er's visits were merely an act; she lacked Xiang Qingwei's sharp wit and keen intellect, so it must have been Xiang Qingwei who reminded her or even "ordered" her to visit.
She had met many people in her life, but few were as calculating as Xiang Qingwei. Even someone as apathetic as she was toward socializing couldn't help but feel joyous at Xiang Qingwei's visits.
She knew very well that Xiang Qingwei's actions now would make it difficult for her to refuse the next time the young woman asked for help, but strangely, she didn't mind being "taken advantage of" by this particular person.
Watching Xiang Qingwei's retreating back, Teacher Tu smiled and walked back into her home.
Xiang Qingwei took an afternoon flight back to C City, stopped by her office to handle some business, and then paid Ning Yang's mother a visit in the evening with gifts from S City.
The corridor was empty; all the three-wheeled carts had been taken out for business. Aunt Zhou's door was locked, as she hadn't returned home yet, but Ning Yang's door stood wide open.
Xiang Qingwei entered, carrying gifts in hand, only to find the house empty despite the lights being on.
She walked further in, set the gifts down on the table, and glanced around the room. That's when she noticed a human leg beneath the table.
Even Xiang Qingwei was startled by the sight of this leg. Upon closer inspection, she realized that Ning Yang's mother had fallen to the ground.
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The entire book has been translated, with a total of 414K words and more than 1,200 pages.
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