CH 27

Chapter 27

I want to go back by the wind, but I am afraid of the jade palace.

When this famous ancient poem in China came out from her mouth, the whole surrounding was quiet. And hearing the word Fei Tian, the first thing they think was Dunhuang and those rare and valuable fresco.

And this work, whether from the design of the dress to the makeup of the model it obviously has Chinese elements that everyone would undoubtedly thought this was one of Dunhuang fresco.

Who would have thought that it would be inspired by<<Shuidiao Getou>>1.

But surprisingly, it also fits well.

Looking at Zao Jinjin who looked stunningly beautiful they could immediately remember one of the stanza in the poem: Feathered clothes flying in the sky, the wind return.

On the big screen, line draft of the Fei Tian was put out. Xu Zhaixing then briefly explained her ideas when designing the dress as well as the problems and difficulties encountered in the creation process.

When it comes to the hem of the dress where the scattered diamonds was sewed that brought out a lively mood, she explained.

“In order to sew this small diamonds, I did not make my homework for a week and was punished by the teacher to clean the toilets for three days.”

The audience laughed in a friendly manner.

After that, the professor of the famous domestic fashion design institute took the microphone and said.

“Just now I heard when you talk about your design concept, there was a saying that the world is mired and dark that only a beam of light from the sky has become your only upward support. Let me ask you impolitely, you are only 16 years old and you came from a rich family. Why do you have such insight? And what does that light mean? It seems to me that there is a bit of new story to tell.”

At the age of sixteen, the most troubling thing they could encounter was probably studying. There was no adult pressure of all kinds, so how could she used such heavy words about the darkness of the mire.

The old professor’s question hit the nail on the head, and the people underneath held their breath waiting to hear how Xu Zhaixing would defend herself.

Xu Zhaixing didn’t expect to hear this kind of question but she just smiled lightly, nodded and said.

“Sort of, teenagers don’t know the taste of sorrow and I hope I will never have to know the taste of it.”

Just let the darkness that once almost killed her, dissipate forever into nothingness.

And she would never look back again.

She would just simply move forward.

The people at the audience area who were expecting something extraordinary tale were a little disappointed but the professor who asked the question instead smiled and nodded, he then put the microphone down.

When Xu Zhaixing turn was done, it was the next contestant’s turn. Zhao Jinjin next to her finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Just now, the old man was deliberately looking for trouble. She had to pinch herself while sweating a lot to make sure she would stay rational!

Until all 20 designers finished explaining their works, the following judges began to give them score and choose.

“I think we can at least take the third place.”

Zhao Jinjin said in a low voice.

“I don’t think so.”

Zhao Jinjin looked at her indisputably.

“Why are you so unsure of yourself!”

Xu Zhaixing said confidently.

“I think at least we can take the first.”

Zhao Jinjin: “….”

Sorry I was not savage enough.

Xu Zhaixing lauhed and poked her waist.

“Aiya, just relax. It doesn’t matter if you get the award, I’m already satisfied that we made it to the finals. I’m still young anyway, we’ll enter again next year.”

Zhao Jinjin who has a strong sense of victory, pouted and said.

“Anyway, if you don’t get into top three that only means they don’t have eyes for talents!”

Ten minutes later, the judges finished their discussion and the staff brought up the list and handed them to the host. The competition finally came to the most critical moment, everyone held their breath while staring at the list in the host hands.

The host did all the thrill and whetted the appetite of the audience and contestant before he started announcing from the third place.

“The third place winner of this year’s Paris Fashion Design Competition is, designer No. 30 Anan and his work “Feast”! Let’s congratulate Anan!”

Annan was surprise, Xu Zhaixing gave a high five to Annan who was only one person away.

The host went on to announce the second place winner, a female designer from UK.

And the first placer which was the main event of the night has yet to be announce.

When Zhao Jinjin heard that the third and second were not her own young lady she was immediately a little unhappy and inwardly muttered.

What the hell is wrong with these people! Do you have any eye for talent?!

As she was silently cursing the judges, she suddenly heard the host say.

“Congratulations to you young designer Xu Zhaixing, the winner of the 4th Paris Fashion Design Competition!”

Zhao Jinjin screamed and hugged Xu Zhaixing beside her.

The judges really have eyes for talents! It’s the best eyes in the world!

The audience resounded with loud applause, several judges were also smiling. It seems that this result were unanimously agreed by everyone, on the other hand what Xu Zhaixing said to Zhao Jinjin was her casual remark but who would have expect that it would really happen. She froze in place before she smiled happily at the camera.

The other designers who didn’t win came off the stage with their models, followed by the judges coming up on stage to present the awards.

After the heavy golden cup was awarded to Xu Zhaixing, the microphone was also handed over. She cleared her throat and said happily.

“To get this award, I would like to thank my parents first, my friends and teachers, second to the organizers and judges. These are all taught by Miss Zhao Jinjin next to me. Thank you.”

There was another burst of laughter in the audience area.

She looked at the camera, and did not know what came to her mind as her smiled became so sweet that even her voice was soft and gentle.

“Thank you for that light of mine, I love you forever.”

At the end of the competition, the winners took picture with the judges followed by interviews in the media area. Xu Zhaixing was of course, the focus of the reporters but she was not used facing so many cameras and pushed Zhao Jinjin after a few simple words.

Zhao Jinjin was familiar with this kind of things, also her beauty tonight shocked everyone and many media recognized who she was. Gradually the topic shifted to her, as they asked her various questions like if she had any experience being a model and what was her recent schedule.

As Xu Zhaixing was looking at the exposure and popularity of her artist increases she began to fantasized about Zhao Jinjin’s endorsements, scripts that were chosen just for her and the variety shows she would be in everyday—her little bee who was diligently making money.

Hehe, beautiful ladies are really satisfactory.

When the interview was over, the two satisfied people went backstage.

Annan was still waiting there, and as soon as he saw her coming he immediately greeted and congratulated her before asking.

“You know that you can cooperate with the Paris organizers in creating a brand of your own, right?”

Xu Zhaixing nodded.

“I know.”

Annan rubbed his hands together and asked tentatively.

“So when you’ve settled with that side, can you book me for the first interview and show? Li Magazine will give you the cover issue, the title I have thought about of is absolutely explosive!”

Xu Zhaixing smiled graciously and said.

“What’s not like to agree about? I’ll tell you first when I’ve confirmed everything with the organizers.”

Annan did not expect to get her interview so easily, this was the design champion of this year! She was the youngest in history and was already very popular with just this alone. Many magazines and media were waiting to interview her, so he was so overjoyed hearing her say that.

“Ok, you have my business card, contact me any time!”

Xu Zhaizing smiled and nodded her head.

Chen Xing lacks the resources in fashion magazine, it’s good for the development of the company’s artist to make friends with Annan so of course she won’t refuse.

After chatting with Annan for a few minutes, a person in charge of the competition came over to her and brought her to the meeting room.

The head organizers of the competition were from China, they were in charge of the process and hold the activities behind the scenes and just now when they heard that the designer who got the championship this year was a 16 year old high school student, they were surprise beyond words. They immediately informed the headquarters in Paris and sent the winning work.

The headquarters soon called and said that Fei Lao wanted to meet the youngest designer ever to win the title.

Fei Lao was the founder of the Paris Fashion Design Competition. He was a Frech-Chinise, when he was young he was an international famous designer and won numerous awards. The three brands he created ranged from affordable to light luxury to luxury, which were popular all over the world. A deity class who could shake the industry three times with just one stomp.

So the staff rushed to get Xu Zhaixing over.

When Xu Zhaixing entered, the video call was already connected and the old man with white temples on the computer screen looked elegant as he greeted her in a friendly manner.

Seeing the old man, Xu Zhaixing remembered that Fei Lao died in her junior year of college.

At this moment to be able to see this legend again, there was incomparable sadness inside. She sat down across the screen and politely said.

“Hello grandpa, my name is Xu Zhaixing.”

Fei Lao smilingly said.

“Domestics talents have emerged, knowing this my heart is relieved.”

The more powerful a person was the more relaxed Xu Zhaixing was chatting with him, she felt like she was really chatting with her grandfather. There was no sense of oppression at all. There was only the expectation and praise of the elders for the younger generation.

After talking for more than ten minutes, at the end Fei Lao said.

“Do you already have an idea about starting your own independent brand?”

Xu Zhaixing nodded firmly.

Fei Lao laughed.

“Very good, young people just have to be more daring and think more and the smoother the road ahead will be. They’ll get in touch with you and I’m looking forward to seeing your work.”

After hanging up the video call the staff handed over the contract, along the contract information of the person in charge specifically arranged for her and her email address.

Knowing that she was not yet an adult, the staff said.

“You can take the contract back to the adults to look at it first and after they approved it, you will need to sign another guardianship consent form and send it along to your responsible person at that time.”

Xu Zhaixing nodded her head and thanked them one by one before leaving the conference room.

Zhao Jinjin had already change her dress and was waiting downstairs holding the Fei Tian dress. She was still in a state of excitement and as soon as she saw Xu Zhaixing she run up and hugged her.

“Miss you’re too good, how can you be so good, you’re simply going to take over Brando as my new idol! The best decision I made in my life to was to sign Chen Xing, you don’t know at that time many agencies wanted to sign me but if it wasn’t for the handsome general manager Xu I would go to other big companies.”

Xu Zhaixing: “….”

Sister, you don’t have to tell me, the boss, such information, ok?

And you actually chose Chen Xing because of my brother’s face? Wouldn’t that be too casual? Do you want to be an entertainer or my sister-in-law?

Xu Zhaixing decided to supervise Xu Yan’s skin care and fitness from today onwards. Making sure he won’t grow fat and have beer belly when he becomes the big boss, since his face value now belongs to the property of the company and couldn’t be damaged at will.

When they walked to the exit, Xu Yan had already driven the car over and as soon as they got in, he asked.

“What do you want to eat today?”

***

<<Shuidiao Getou>>1– Shui Diao Song Tou or “When Does the Moon Have a Bright Moon” is a silly poem created by Su Shi, a writer of Song Dynasty.

It looks like a treat to celebrate.

However Xu Zhaixng’s brain turned 18 corners thinking about how to knock him out when Zhao Jinjin very excitedly answered.

“Hot and spicy hot pot! Iced coke!”

Xu Yan smiled.

“Okay, where do you want to eat?”

Zhao Jinjin pointed at Xu Zhaixing.

“The one Miss said, in the night market!”

Xu Yan thought for a moment.

“I know where it is.”

So the car started and went straight to the night market.

Xu Zhaixing who was not involved throughout the whole conversation: “…”

Wait a minute? I’m the star of the show today right? Have you asked me, the champion, for my opinion?

But if I go with them to the night market, I’ll be able to see Cen Feng—with this thinking she happily accepted their decision.

The car drove to the night market at five o’clock, time where people don’t get off to work and idle people don’t go out so there were only few table that were occupied, it was also quiet and more spacious.

Xu Zhaixing and Xu Yan do not eat spicy hot pot so Zhao Jinjin could only made the biggest concession.

“Okay, okay then we can have yuanyuang1.”

When three bottles of cola were put on the table, Zhao Jinjin finally got what she wanted. Looking at her expression, she was obviously the happiest while Xu Zhaixing just sip a few mouthfuls then put down her chopsticks and stood up casually.

“I want to eat some rice cakes, I’ll go and buy one back.”

Zhao Jinjin said.

“I want it too! I want the bacon one.”

While Xu Yan looked at her suspiciously, she did not know whether he had guess what she had in her mind but he did not say anything and just nodded his head.

Xu Zhaixing then ran happily.

Turning the corner, diagonally across the stress was the place where Cen Feng sings a song every time.

She had already thought of what she would say when saw him. She could even imagine what would happen after telling him that her work won an award, and since he was gentle he would surely say congratulations to her! And maybe even compliment her on her greatness!

Ahhhh what reward is not as good as the compliment from my beloved idol!!!

She ran all the way and only stop to wait for the traffic light while catching her breath, when she saw someone across the street in the triangle area, setting up a small stall to sell something there.

Xu Zhaixing was stunned for a moment, when the green light came on she walked along the stream of people and stopped in front of the vendor.

On the shelves were all pirated CDs and audio-visual disc with small speakers singing the popular songs of the day. The middle-age vendor greeted her.

“Little girl want to buy a disk?”

She subconsciously asked.

“Why are selling something here?”

“Why can’t I sell here?”

“Someone sings here every night.”

The boss smiled.

“Who’s singing ah, from morning to night it’s only me. I’ve been here for a month now.”

Her hearth thumped twice, she rushed next to the grocery store and went straight to the counter. The young shopkeeper didn’t recognize her at first and greeted her with a smile.

“Welcome.”

Xu Zhaixing said anxiously.

“A few months ago I gave you a jar of candy and 500 yuan so that you can send one to the boy who sings there every day. Do you remember me?”

The female shopkeeper suddenly realized.

“Oh, oh, it’s you. I remember you.”

Xu Zhaixing felt her throat tighten.

“Did you send it?”

The shopkeeper looked at her for a long time. She then got down and took out the jar from the cupboard below, as she said with regret.

“I’m sorry, he didn’t come again.”

Xu Zhaixing stared at a jar full of candy and for a moment her eyes hurt.

The female shopkeeper took out another 500 yuan.

“I wasn’t able to give the candy, you can take the money back.”

The little girl rubbed her eyes for a long time, and when she looked up her lips were still curved she then reached out and hugged the candy jar and whispered.

“Consider this as a fee for storing the candy jar, and thank you.”

After saying this, she politely nodded at the shopkeeper and turned to walk away.

The shopkeeper looked at her lonely back, she couldn’t bear looking at it so after struggling for a long time she stamped her feet and followed her, she shout.

“Eh, you wait.”

Xu Zhaixing turned back with her red eyes as she hugged the candy jar tightly.

The shopkeeper sighed.

“Forget it, I’ll be just a bad guy who doesn’t keep her word and tell you the truth. He acutally came here not long after you left.”

She repeated what Cen Feng had told her and added at end.

“He didn’t ask for the candy jar but he took a candy from it before he left. But it’s true that he hasn’t come back since that day.”

Xu Zhaixing looked her blankly, not knowing for a moment what expression she would have to face the twists and turns of events on the plot.

My idol knows I was here to deliver the candy.

My idol didn’t want my candy.

But my idol took away a candy.

So does he like it or not? Why did het let the shopkeeper lie to me? Why did he never come back after that day?

Is it because he doesn’t want me to come back?

Did he take that candy from me as a goodbye gift?

Xu Zhaixing looked down at the candy jar in her arms and felt even more stifled in her heart.

When she returned to the hot pot store, Zhao Jinjin had already eaten and drank enough. When she saw her holding a candy jar in her arms she asked curiously.

“You went to buy candy? Where’s the rice cake?”

She sat back to her seat in daze and whole facial features dropped down as she said in a dull voice.

“It’s closed.”

Zhao Jinjin was so happy that she didn’t notice anything wrong with her, she just nodded and asked eagerly.

“That candy you bought, what flavor is it? Is it tasty?”

Of course Xu Zhaixing understood what she mean, and said sullenly.

“Not even delicious, you’ve exceeded the calorie limit today.”

Zhao Jinjin suddenly huffed.

“How can I not eat one candy on a happy big day?”

Xu Zhaixing ignored her, and carefully places the candy jar on the corner of the table. Although her idol did not want this candy jar but he took one candy so it could be rounded as him liking the whole candy jar!

Xu Yan noticed that she was not in the right mood so he asked her.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Xu Zhaixing shook her head and forced a smile.

“Notihng, I’m just a little tired.”

She picked up her chopsticks and pretended to be relaxed.

“You haven’t finish eating, have you? Did you left something for me?”

Zhao Jinjin gave her sandwiches.

“There are, there are, the white flavor pot is all yours!”

Xu Zhaixing took her chopsticks to block her chopsticks.

“Ahhhhh don’t used you red oily chopsticks to sully my taste.”

Two people were playing with their chopsticks while Xu Yan’s eyes moved to the candy jar on the corner of the table and frowned.

After participating in the competition, Xu Zhaixing would return to S City to continue her schooling, while the contract given to her by the Paris sponsor was being reviewed by the company’s lawyers and see that there were no problems. After she goes home, she only need sign together with her parents a consent form and she could then start to cooperate with them to establish a brand.

Although she graduated as a designer in her previous life, it would be her first time to create her own brand. And Xu Yan doesn’t know much about this aspects so he couldn’t give her advices like before. After all operating a brand and operating a company was not the same, which not involved the fine details but also hands-on to knowledge.

Xu Zhaixing took the opportunity to go to what was said to be the largest and almost complete bookstore in B City to buy books related aspects on creating a brand before leaving, intending to study them properly so as to not lose out in the process of cooperation with the organizers.

***

Xu Yan drove her to the entrance of the bookstore and left, asking her to call him after she finished shopping.

The largest bookstore has four floors, each which was divided into different categories and the specialized books Xu Zhaixing needed were on the fourth floor.

There were not many people during the week, the bookstore was also deserted and the air was full of fragrance of books and inks. Xu Zhaixing was not in a hurry to buy so she was walking slowly from the first floor, while strolling she saw the romance novel Cheng You has been talking about, she grabbed the book and put it in her basket.

After strolling through the first floor, and ride up on the escalator she notice a man riding the escalator down opposite to her on the left side.

Wearing a dark blue sweater, a baseball cap and a black mask. The sweater was covering his already covered mouth while his cap was covering his eyes, making the whole person tightly wrapped up and creating an indifferent atmosphere.

With his head hanging down, and a stack of book in his arms he slowly descended down on the escalator.

Xu Zhaixing who was reading the synopsis on the back of the romance novel happen to glance casually and stood froze on the same place after.

She could still recognize her beloved idol even if he was wrapped like a dumpling!!!

Xu Zhaixing was able to meet him unexpectedly that she was caught off guard, after a moment she went up and down the escalator and walked towards the counter.

She could not think of anything else and just ran after him the moment she saw him. So she just instinctively climb up the reaming two to three steps and then went down immediately, chasing him down.

Cen Feng was paying in the counter when Xu Zhaixing reached him.

When she got close, she could clearly saw his figure and saw the shadow cast by the brim of his hat on the bridge on his nose– the whole person looked abstained.

He does not want anyone to see him?

Xu Zhaixing hesitated, and unconsciously took a small steps backward wanting to hide first to calm down herself. Just as she retreated two more steps, Cen Feng seems to have sense her presence and turned his head to look over.

The brim of the hat was covering his eyes but Xu Zhaixing knew that he was looking at her. At that moment all hesitation were gone, and smiled at once with her warm and bright eyes.

“Brother! It’s been a long time!”

Cen Feng look at her for a while, reached out and took off the mask and said in a light voice.

“En, it’s been a long time.”

Xu Zhaixing’s heart was loudly thumping. This kind of encounter was a big surprise for star chasing girl like her, she was so happy and doesn’t know what to say for a moment but just look at Cen Feng while giggling.

The cashier had packed the book and handed it over, smiling she said.

“Hello, that would be a total of three hundred and twenty- one.”

Cen Feng looked back, paused and said.

“Hold on a second.”

He walked up to Xu Zhaixing and reached for the book in her shopping basket and handed it to the cashier.

“This one also.”

“Okay, wait a moment.”

The cashier added the book with one sweep.

“That is three hundred and fifty-two in total.”

She then put the book on Cen Feng’s shopping bag.

After paying, Cen Feng looked down and saw a few very flashy big words on the flowery cover.

<<Don’t try to escape: The President’s hot little petite wife.>>

Cen Feng: “?”

Xu Zhaixing. “…..”

Brother it’s not like that, let me explain!!!

***