Novel schedule on pause, Rain ran awaaaaaay ! See you next week, to resume some series !!

REI : Chapter 70.1

 

Back in China.

 

As soon as Li Mei got news of Luo Ding’s whereabouts, she rushed to post it on the online media of the newspaper. People who had secretly taken photos of Luo Ding at the airport still hadn’t figured out why he was flying out again, but soon everyone knew he was heading to Milan for Fashion Week.

 

In recent years, more and more Chinese celebrities—both male and female—have gone abroad to make an appearance, doing everything they can for a bit of international media exposure. There’s nothing inherently despicable about this; after all, no one in the entertainment industry is superior to anyone else. Everyone knows the saying, “each demonstrates their own talents to cross the sea.” Celebrities do whatever it takes to become famous, and extravagant or outrageous behavior is inevitable. This industry has never been about how you become famous—only whether or not you are famous. Once you’re truly famous, no matter how embarrassing your past, it will eventually fade away.

 

While the media is pragmatic about this, the audience often is not!

 

Who cares about the nuances of the entertainment world? The public doesn’t want to see a bunch of relatively unknown celebrities taking a whole film crew abroad, dressing in outlandish outfits, and throwing a bunch of photos back to China with captions like, “XX celebrity appears on the red carpet of XX event,” or “XX celebrity stuns at XX show, drawing tons of attention.” It’s as if doing so automatically boosts their status. Even if we set aside the self-praise in these headlines, a minor celebrity from China standing next to a bunch of Hollywood A-listers must look incredibly out of place.

 

Chinese audiences have a peculiar contradiction. On the one hand, they complain about the overwhelming influence of Korean, Japanese, and Western pop culture on the Chinese market, yet on the other hand, they mock their own country’s stars who make it abroad. It’s as if taking a photo next to a blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigner taints the “noble” Western bloodline. They fawn over foreign celebrities, while harshly criticizing Chinese stars for looking either “too rural” or “too fake.” With Hollywood fiercely guarding its domestic market and local criticism piling up, Chinese celebrities have an increasingly hard time making their way. Every step is tentative, and they must get used to the feeling of being pierced by a thousand arrows.

 

No one escapes this scrutiny, including Luo Ding. As soon as the news broke that he was attending Fashion Week, people gleefully claimed that he was just there to promote himself. Even fans’ favorite “natural talent” was now resorting to every trick in the book to stir up attention.

 

How could he get in? A minor Chinese celebrity in Milan? Do you think those shows are easy to attend?

 

Even when told it was a brand invitation, they wouldn’t listen.

 

In their eyes, it was all just self-promotion!

 

Rumors and insults quickly spread, with Luo Ding’s detractors seizing the opportunity. Black sheep who had been lying in wait poured into forums and blogs, spreading nasty comments. If Luo Ding’s fans tried to defend him, they were immediately mocked as “guilty-minded fanboys/fangirls.”

 

Luo Ding’s fans were frustrated and angry. Explaining only invited more insults, but staying silent allowed the baseless rumors to harm his reputation. Fortunately, as other attention-seeking celebrities began their “stunning tours,” they helped divert some of the heat away from Luo Ding, letting his fans breathe a small sigh of relief.

 

As Fashion Week rolled on, all kinds of celebrity “street photos” began flooding social media. Some stars, with their ghostly white faces, even appeared paler than the Caucasians they stood next to. Others braved the freezing weather in thin, beautiful dresses, striking poses next to walls before having their pictures edited to perfection.

 

But back home, these photos were met with scorn. People complained about how they were trying too hard, looking ridiculous, or photoshopping themselves into unrecognizable versions. The more venomous the insults, the better. Amid all this, Luo Ding stood out as a notable exception.

 

Aside from one poorly taken photo on the first day in Milan, which Wu Fangyuan posted with all credit to Luo Ding’s striking presence, there was no public update on his whereabouts. It seemed like Luo Ding had really just gone to Fashion Week to watch the shows, as there were no photos of him attending any events.

 

His fans breathed a sigh of relief. Although disappointed that there weren’t any new pictures of Luo Ding to admire, they thought that at least this should shut up the haters.

 

But when people are determined to accuse, they will always find reasons.

 

Some began to mock Luo Ding, claiming he wasn’t even invited to the show. “Brand invitation? It’s all a lie! How do you explain the lack of photos from the show? Low-key? Is there really such a thing as low-key in the entertainment industry? He probably wasn’t invited at all.”

 

The sneers replaced the earlier insults, and by the time Gu Yaxing finally had time to check on Luo Ding’s latest situation, he found that things had already spiraled out of control.

 

*****

 

Milan, Greco Studio.

 

Matthew Greco is a well-known figure. Although his studio is located in a remote area, it becomes incredibly busy during Fashion Week. As a “runway expert” in the fashion industry, Matthew has overseen hundreds of major shows and countless smaller ones with an impressive track record. Whether it’s creativity or management, his skills are impeccable. Under his guidance, every model finds the perfect place on the runway.

 

This time, M·M and several major brands had entrusted him with their shows.

 

Matthew is somewhat chubby, and his serious demeanor gives him an air of constant anger, even when he smiles. When Jason told him he wanted Tommy Lee and Luo Ding to walk the runway together for the D&S show, Matthew gave him a flat, emotionless look.

 

“Do you think the runway is a joke?”

 

Jason knew Matthew wasn’t being arrogant, but as a manager, he had a duty to avoid risks. For designers, having a new face on the runway isn’t a big deal as long as the model matches the clothing’s style. But for those managing the shows, the more experienced the model, the better. The runway may seem glamorous, but backstage it’s often a mad rush. Models have less than a minute or two to touch up their makeup and change outfits. If they fail to do so in time, one person’s mistake can disrupt the entire show. Add in unpredictable problems with hair, makeup, and even ill-fitting shoes, and inexperienced models can be a liability. If something goes wrong, the blame falls squarely on the manager running the show.

 

Jason nudged him, “Come on, don’t be like that. Being a celebrity isn’t any easier than being a model. One of them is the spokesperson for M·M across the U.S., having shot several fashion campaigns, and the other is currently one of the hottest stars in China. Our brand is eager to collaborate with him. Their appearance will boost the show’s atmosphere, right? If the show gets widespread attention or media coverage, won’t that be good for you too?”

 

Matthew rolled his eyes. As the undisputed king of runway management, what did he care about media coverage?

 

Still, Jason had a point. After working together for so many years, it would be a bit too harsh to flat-out refuse.

 

Jason, sensing an opening, gave Matthew a little reassurance: “We still have four days until the D&S show. In that time, I’ll arrange for someone to teach them the basics. If, in the end, you’re still not satisfied, of course, I won’t push it. But if they do well, given their status as brand spokespersons and advertisement stars, don’t you think they deserve a chance?”

 

“Let them put on the clothes and show me,” Matthew sighed. “At least let me see what they’ve got.”

 

Jason immediately smiled.

 

When they heard they’d have to change into outfits and do a mini-runway test, Tommy Lee was visibly reluctant. Neither he nor Luo Ding were professional models, and they didn’t even know how to walk a proper runway. There must be a lot to learn.

 

Tackling such a highly specialized task without proper preparation usually ends in ridicule. Tommy Lee, with his impulsive personality and strong sense of pride, wouldn’t have agreed to this if he hadn’t owed Luo Ding a favor from the Stennis banquet. He didn’t care much for the fashion world, despite his endorsement deals. As for Matthew, the so-called “runway expert,” Tommy didn’t think much of him either.

 

D&S is a brand known for its bright, trendy clothing. As one of the lead designers, Jason had a distinctive style—he focused on elegant cuts without excessive embellishments.

 

For women’s fashion, this lightweight, airy style was easier to pull off. Female models with their slender figures could effortlessly showcase these flowing garments. For the male models, however, it was a different story.

 

Compared to female models, male models faced greater challenges. The fashion world was dominated by women’s clothing, which allowed for more experimentation and the creation of stunning effects with key details, like flowing skirts. Male models’ outfits, though more flamboyant than everyday wear, often paled in comparison when standing next to female models.

 

When Luo Ding emerged in a pair of cropped trousers, a mottled gray and black shirt, and a matching suit jacket, Jason’s eyes immediately lit up.

 

What does “lightweight” mean? In Chinese terms, it means a gentle and refined demeanor.

 

Finding a slender male model in the fashion world is difficult. For the sake of versatility, many male models train their bodies to resemble bodybuilders, which makes them more popular with designers. However, for younger brands like D&S, such a physique can feel a bit too aggressive.

 

Luo Ding, though tall, had a lean figure and possessed the unique gentleness of an Asian man. Coupled with his good looks, he blended perfectly with the style of the clothes.

 

“I don’t know how to walk the runway,” Luo Ding admitted openly. He figured that if Jason had asked him to try, it meant he had a chance, so it was better to point out his shortcomings upfront, giving them a buffer in case the expectations weren’t too high.

 

Matthew, after seeing how well Luo Ding looked in the clothes, softened a bit but still had the attitude of a professional dealing with amateurs. “You’re not a female model; male runway walks aren’t as hard. The walk isn’t the most important thing. What matters is your style and presence—can you capture the audience’s attention when you step onto the stage? Can you make people want to buy the clothes you’re wearing?”

 

Luo Ding listened, half understanding. “So, just walk?”

 

“Don’t swing your hips. Keep your posture steady, walk straight, and start from over there.” He pointed toward the mirror near the dressing room.

 

As Luo Ding walked over, he saw Tommy Lee, already dressed, leaning against the wall with a smile. Seeing his reflection in the mirror, Luo Ding scanned his own features and physique, furrowing his brows.

 

He recalled the male models he had seen on the runway earlier. Their focused gazes and calm, collected demeanor seemed to create their own aura.

 

Aura?

 

Calming his thoughts, Luo Ding subtly adjusted his expression. When he reached the mirror, he swiftly turned around. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tommy Lee standing upright, looking astonished.

 

Luo Ding remembered that he used to be praised for his “aura,” though he wasn’t sure when that started. In his previous life, this compliment came more often after he had gained fame, won a few awards, and had the confidence to take on bigger challenges. Gradually, people began to describe him that way. He had reviewed footage from his most “aura-filled” events, and he noticed that in every one of them—whether it was a movie premiere or a film festival red carpet—his common mindset was to treat the event lightly, with a relaxed attitude and soft expressions, naturally engaging with people around him.

 

In short, it was about inner confidence.

 

Smiling softly, he relaxed his arms. Without worrying too much about whether his walk was technically correct, he adopted the same gaze he would give fans at a film festival, taking slow, measured steps and focusing intently ahead, not caring about Matthew and Jason’s opinions.

 

When he reached Matthew, he stopped, turned slightly to display the outfit, and smiled more broadly as he glanced toward the man.

 

Matthew’s eyes widened slightly. Meeting Luo Ding’s gaze, he unconsciously took a step back and started inspecting the young man again.

 

“You…”

 

He stammered, unable to finish his sentence. After circling around Luo Ding with furrowed brows, he finally sighed lightly, “Your walk is terrible, but the overall effect is exceptional.”

 


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