Funny thing was, Liu Meilien and Qing Lok were only allowed a slice of the cake that they worked hard for. They shared the food with the journalists. Of course, Feng Xuan and Wang Yimin would not waste an opportunity to do a public CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). Half of the cake would be up for auction, the c.u.mulative amount would be given to a foundation that helped people fund their treatments for heart diseases.
"Do you really think people will buy this?" asked Qing Lok.
"It tastes good," said Liu Meilien through a mouthful.
"But I mean, isn't that a little creepy?" he shivered. "You're gonna buy a cake just because someone 'important' baked it."
"Isn't that why Gretel's is famous?" Liu Meilien laughed. "Because the recipe owner was someone who had gone through a car accident and a kidnapping?"
"If you put it that way, I can see the point." He took his last forkful and had a glass of water. "Where are we going after this? I'm pretty sure you know."
"Yeah," she said with a watchful eye towards the other people who were finishing their cakes. "The fishbowl part is a huge scam. We're going to the fashion strip."
Qing Lok fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Of course, we're going to shop at YANG."
"I'm not," chuckled Liu Meilien. "YOU are."
"Me?" he pointed to himself. "What program is this? Are we going to crossdress?"
"That would be fun," said Liu Meilien. "Oh, you looked excited but… that's not the activity. We're going to shop for each other."
To that Qing Lok raised his eyebrows. "That sounds boring."
"We're going to have to prepare for the nightime activities. That would be more exciting."
"What are we going to do tonight?"
"It's a whole lot better than shopping for each other." She cleaned her fork with her lips. "You'll see."
**
The line outside Rosa Chiaro was long. It was a little surprising to be honest. Da Xia didn't think that people here would actually be able to buy her clothes—much less wait in a line to get in. The store had opened the moment the fashion show was over. There were about fifteen people inside the store. They didn't want to overcrowd as it would hamper the experience of being in a luxury brand store.
She took pictures with the people and her staff then sat down near the small stage wherein the host was pulling out a game to win a discount at the store. While the people were busy playing, she was looking through her socials.
Her mother had warned her not to look this early as there would be a high chance of mixed reviews. The articles that would be written about the launch would be posted tonight. But she had to know what the people had to say about her.
"wish i went to the kingly and bought something from her store (sad face)"
"Her clothes look like scraps of fabrics stitched together (laughing face)"
"So fashionable!! FINALLY WE HAVE SOME MODERN CLOTHES HERE!!"
There were a lot of screen captures of the clothes and on the caption was her name, Rosa Chiaro, and the date. She smiled. Her clothes looked beautiful in the pictures. That was good. But she saw that the people were leaning on the more expensive items. She doubted the majority of them could afford it. What a waste, she sighed.
She already contracted some minor celebrities to shop in the next few days when most of the hype dies down. Hopefully that would draw more rich people in there.
Da Xia frowned as she scrolled more. She saw some posts with the word YANG in it. She changed her search and put the two brands on the bar.
She gritted her teeth in rage.
"Who agrees that YANG clothing exudes class and Rosa Chiaro just looks like trash?"
The post already garnered too much attention with thousands of reactions. Da Xia felt like she was going to be lit on fire.
Only when her mother clutched her wrist did she realize that she was shaking. "You will not be swayed by this."
"What are we going to do? We need more attention than this."
"Don't worry, I have everything planned. It's going to be fine."
Around four in the afternoon, the festivities finally ended. In the car, her feet were already crying and she felt like she couldn't walk once she pulled them out of her heels. She grabbed a wipe and started massaging her feet.
"You have to tell me this plan," she said to her mother who was busy typing on her phone.
"This is a little extreme for you," answered her mother. "It would be better if you don't know what going to happen."
"Are you going to burn something? Like you said? What are you burning? A building? Gretel's?"
"Qing Lok and that poor woman's daughter is at the fashion strip right now."
"Are you targeting them?"
Her mother did not answer.
"You can't target them," she said.
"Not if it would look like an accident." Her mother breathed out, the long ones like she was trying to extend her patience. "YANG's team was tight-lipped. I guess none of them knows where would the next location be. You have to give it to Qing Chen, he found someone who could be a mastermind. I guess they have many back-up plans." Her mother laughed. It could pass as evil. "Come to think of it, she made a whole new event to challenge you. You should be proud of yourself," her mother caressed her head. "That girl is running after you because she's behind you."
Da Xia only grunted. If she was the one in front why was she the one getting a lower coverage and scope?
Da Xia's mother looked out the window. She was not going to lose her place in this society. She sacrificed her husband once. What was a daughter?