The fashion show concluded. Ji Ya and Wang Mingming returned to the stage together, announcing the official launch of the “Elegance” brand. The long-legged models stood in a row while Ji Ya and Wang Mingming were dressed magnificently. Flower petals descended from above – the money wasn’t wasted, as the scene created a beautiful beginning and end.

Given Ji Ya’s pride, she would never imitate Luna’s clothing sales donation scheme in front of Xia Xiaolan. Such talk would be pure pretense – it was revolting just to think about, let alone have Ji Ya say it herself. If it were Xia Xiaolan, she would desperately try to turn the tide, swallowing her pride to announce joining certain brands’ initiatives for charitable donations… but Ji Ya couldn’t lower herself to that level. Today’s loss was inevitable!

“Elegance will collaborate with Miss Wang Mingming. She will shoot advertisements for Elegance and serve as our brand ambassador.”

Evening News reporter Liu Xuan excitedly asked first: “How much will Miss Wang Mingming’s compensation be for Elegance’s advertisements?”

Wang Mingming was from Hong Kong, which hadn’t yet returned to China. Otherwise, Liu Xuan would’ve been even more direct, asking if Wang Mingming planned to donate her payment.

The quick-witted ones had already connected this to Chen Xiliang’s earlier words. Chen Xiliang had said hiring Hong Kong stars cost 100,000 yuan while mainland actors only needed 10,000 yuan. Mainland actress Zhang Xiao even donated her 10,000 yuan fee instead of keeping it. So shouldn’t this Hong Kong star show some gesture while earning so much in mainland China?

Wang Mingming struggled to maintain her smile. Hong Kong celebrities participated in charity events annually, symbolically donating clothes for auction and such. But Zhang Xiao’s actions put Wang Mingming in an awkward position. How much should she donate? Zhang Xiao donated her entire 10,000 yuan fee, but Wang Mingming was receiving far more! She was unwilling to donate it all, but concealing her compensation wasn’t appropriate either. If she claimed she only received 20,000 yuan for the advertisement today, future mainland engagements would surely use that as her standard rate!

Every Hong Kong entertainment circle celebrity had their price. Once that price dropped, raising it again would be difficult.

Wang Mingming despised Luna and Zhang Xiao. Now faced with reporters’ questions, she could only smile without answering. Hong Kong celebrities always did this with paparazzi – just smile silently at unwanted questions, as speaking more meant more mistakes.

Unfortunately, she faced mainland reporters like Liu Xuan, who were considered “uncrowned kings.” They had just pressured Zhang Xiao until she fell, and Wang Mingming’s silent smile didn’t sit well with Liu Xuan.

The host quickly took over, congratulating Elegance’s establishment and announcing their brand store opening in Beijing on December 15th. He mentioned that Elegance had prepared small gifts for today’s audience.

The crowd stirred again. Gifts were always welcome. The distribution turned into a scramble. Queuing? When had Chinese people ever queued properly?

Reporters had intended to interview Zhang Xiao and Chen Xiliang more, but Xia Xiaolan used the chaos to slip away with her group.

Ji Ya wanted to berate Xia Xiaolan but couldn’t reach her through the crowd. Upon others’ suggestions, she increased the red envelope payments for attending reporters. She had to thank everyone individually, leaving no time to chase after Xia Xiaolan who had stolen the spotlight and fled.

Ji Ya told Zhen Wenxiu, “Their pretentious show won’t matter if the reporters don’t cover it. All their falling and donations will be useless without coverage.”

Zhen Wenxiu worried: “Is complete silence possible?”

Red envelopes were effective, but Ji Ya had perhaps spent too long abroad. China wasn’t a capitalist country – money couldn’t buy everyone. They couldn’t stop all the attending reporters.

Moreover, that Zhou fellow had attended. Zhen Wenxiu doubted that Vixen Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t seek Zhou’s help.

Ji Ya had money paving the way, and Zhen Wenxiu helped… but could they overcome the Zhou family? Zhen Wenxiu’s assistance came purely from a personal friendship with Ji Ya.

Her husband wouldn’t intervene.

Her father-in-law Ning Yanfan knew nothing.

Ning Xue claimed to be at the library, skipping the show.

Ji Jiangyuan went to Pengcheng weekly, refusing breaks even when George offered them since his “part-time” work came from Harold, not George.

Zhen Wenxiu expected Ji Hui to come, but Ji Lin said his wife had heart problems and needed his care at home.

Zhen Wenxiu broke into a cold sweat as she realized no Ji family members had appeared! Had they completely abandoned Ji Ya after the failed wedding, just because of Tang Hongen’s words? Surely the Ji family didn’t need to be so extreme?

Zhen Wenxiu felt uneasy and considered retreating, but Ji Ya seemed completely alone now. As a friend, she couldn’t kick Ji Ya while she was down, so she had to stay and help salvage today’s losses.

– How shameless of Xia Xiaolan!

– Taking advantage of Ji Ya’s expensive fashion show!

– Disgraceful!!

Xia Xiaolan’s nose itched, perhaps from sitting close to the T-stage where flower pollen irritated it.

She couldn’t understand why Ji Ya insisted on inviting her. If Xia Xiaolan had bluntly refused such “goodwill,” heaven itself might have disapproved of her wasting opportunities and struck her with lightning. To not waste Ji Ya’s “kindness,” Xia Xiaolan had to put in extra effort.

The results seemed good.

Chen Xiliang thought his acting was good, but Zhang Xiao was a true professional film actor! Zhang Xiao wasn’t naturally alluring, but her acting skills could create that effect. With makeup, styled hair, and her “battle gear,” Zhang Xiao achieved today’s stunning effect.

Then that sequence of being surrounded by reporters, questioning, and accidentally falling – it flowed perfectly without a single flaw. Amazing! After escaping the fashion show venue, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help praising her:

“Sister Zhang Xiao, you truly deserved that Best Actress award!”

Zhang Xiao smiled, “Even the best actor needs a good script to perform well. I just took a fall but gained so much! CEO Xia, and Manager Chen, I really must thank you both for choosing me for the advertisement instead of someone else!”

Anyone else would have become famous too. Zhang Xiao lost nothing – even the donated 10,000 yuan came from Luna. Xia Xiaolan and Chen Xiliang said it was her rightful payment, and since Luna had decided on the “donation” publicity strategy, they naturally wouldn’t make Zhang Xiao pay.

Zhang Xiao wasn’t that selfless to refuse money. She had originally shot Luna’s advertisement for the substantial payment, but now it wasn’t just about the money anymore. Luna’s success meant her success too.

Chen Xiliang was right – following CEO Xia meant good rewards! Wang Mingming was foolish – if she hadn’t broken the contract, she would have become incredibly famous from Luna’s advertisement.

As Zhang Xiao finished speaking, they reached their parking spot. Shao Guangrong went to open the door and almost kicked someone – looking closer, it was Little You crouching beside the car door counting ants.

Shao Guangrong jumped back: “Are you following me?!”