Chapter 78 - 78: Si Fuqing: Fine, I’ll Remove The Makeup (1)
Xia Sheng was a model by profession, blessed with both good looks and an appealing figure.
A native of the Southern Region, she carried the gentle grace characteristic of women from the Jiangnan area. Mild-tempered and attentive to her fans, she had cultivated a loyal following.
Coming from a cultured family, Xia Sheng had a deep appreciation for traditional Chinese culture.
After she entered the modeling industry, she frequently posted photos of herself in qipaos or summer robes on social media.
Summer robes referred to the traditional attire that originated during the Great Xia dynasty, a popular choice among lovers of ancient styles.
During the reign of Emperor Yin, the land was fraught with incessant wars, leading to frequent migrations between cities.
As a result, the summer robes of that era were designed to be less elaborate. Despite their simplicity, the women’s attire retained a sense of elegance, while the men’s clothes exuded virility. Both styles were deeply cherished by aficionados of traditional aesthetics.
Though the genre of traditional Chinese fashion shows had dwindled in recent years, East Moon emerged as a rare brand in this category.
That’s why, despite its obscurity, Xia Sheng had opted to audition for them.
Not just her fans, even Xia Sheng herself was confident that she’d land the role of the brand’s advertising model.
After all, models that fit this traditional style were few and far between, as many aimed to break into the international market by adopting a Western aesthetic.
But then, out of nowhere, came Si Fuqing—who wasn’t even a model.
What was the reason?
[I thought East Moon, being so obscure, must have picked Si Fuqing due to a lack of choices. But with Xia Sheng in the picture, why did they still go for Si Fuqing?]
[Alright, let’s not talk about looks or professional skills. Can Si Fuqing compete in terms of education? Oh, I forgot, didn’t she even drop out of high school?]
[It’s laughable. A product of a failed education system acting so brazen in the entertainment industry. Must be the power of capital.]
[Let me promote our Xia Sheng for a second: 178cm tall, 44kg, graduated from the city of Hail s Film and Television University, an excellent idol, worth following.]
[Si Fuqing really can’t compare with anyone. I had a little affection for her after watching ‘Youth With You,’ but it’s gone now. Why not focus on improving yourself? What’s the use of landing an endorsement if you’re not deserving?]
[I suggest that if Si Fuqing wants to win public favor, she should voluntarily give the endorsement to Xia Sheng. After all, she’s not even a model.] East Moon’s official social media was thoroughly bombarded.
The latest post announcing Si Fuqing as their brand ambassador had already amassed 20,000 comments, all of them expressing indignation on behalf of Xia Sheng.
Lin Qingyan felt elated as she scrolled through the comments, tidying her hair as she mused, “Excellent. When the time is right, we can give them a nudge. Doesn’t Xia Sheng have some connection with the city of Sijiu?”
“I think so,” her agent pondered. “Didn’t some rumors last year suggest that Xia Sheng appeared at the Yu family’s annual gathering? But there was no confirmed news.”
“That means her financial backer might be from the Yu family,” Lin Qingyan sighed regretfully. “Let’s pit her against Si Fuqing then. No matter how powerful the Zuo family is, they can’t compare to the Yu family of Sijiu.”
Her agent nodded in agreement, “Exactly, we can be the puppet masters pulling the strings from behind the scenes. No need to show our faces.”
Lin Qingyan’s lips curled into a smile.
When the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman profits.
She was that fisherman.
She believed that even if Si Fuqing didn’t go down this time, she’d at least lose some skin.
While Lin Qingyan was busy spending a fortune on internet trolls and marketing accounts, Si Fuqing had already wrapped up her treatment for the day.
She took a sip of fruit juice and lay on the couch, engrossed in an animated film about a mole digging tunnels. She found it utterly fascinating.
Feng San, who couldn’t comprehend her peculiar interest, went to the kitchen to cut some fruit.
Si Fuqing rolled over, propping her head on her hand, and glanced at the man sitting on a single-seater sofa beside her. “Boss, I think you’d be perfect for a certain type of role if you were in the entertainment industry,” she said, seemingly lost in thought.
Yu Xiheng took a gentle sip from his teacup, his voice evenly modulated. “What type?”
Si Fuqing blinked, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “An emperor, of course.”
Yu Xiheng’s teacup-holding motion paused, and his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.
The light amber of his pupils darkened several shades, revealing a deep-rooted, imposing aura that filled the depths of his eyes.
Just as Feng San emerged from the kitchen, the atmosphere changed dramatically. He felt as if his blood had turned to ice, his body rigid and immovable.
The air around them seemed to solidify, making it almost impossible to
breathe.
Struggling for air, Feng San stuttered, “Brother, Brother Nine….”