Gu Yaxing was stressed beyond belief. Luo Ding hadn’t gone to Milan to generate media buzz, nor had he intended to compete for attention with the numerous female celebrities eagerly awaiting Fashion Week. The studio hadn’t even prepared a professional photographer for him; it was just Luo Ding and his assistant, Wu Fangyuan. Initially, Gu Yaxing thought that since Luo Ding would be back in four or five days, he didn’t need to worry much. But the rumors spreading in China, accusing Luo Ding of using this trip for self-promotion, were completely unexpected.
Gu Yaxing couldn’t believe that the public came up with this on their own—there had to be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes. If Luo Ding released photos from the show, the haters would immediately accuse him of shameless self-promotion. But if he stayed low-key, the “cold shoulder” rumors would continue to spread, and the damage to Luo Ding’s reputation and future career growth would be inevitable.
After much deliberation, Gu Yaxing decided on a middle ground. He suggested that Luo Ding post updates about his trip—perhaps pictures of the models on the runway, or shots of the designers and other guests, preferably recognizable figures. Even if no big names were involved, such photos would help dispel the rumors of Luo Ding being sidelined.
But instead of calming him down, Luo Ding’s next revelation left him stunned.
“A runway show?” The sudden shift from spectator to model left Gu Yaxing speechless.
Recently, Luo Ding had been practicing his runway walk rigorously and had learned things that even professional instructors couldn’t teach. Their teacher was a top male supermodel. Perhaps because they weren’t in direct competition, the model was eager to help, offering not only practical tips but also insights into the fashion world’s quirks. Overall, the chaos in the fashion world was no less than in the entertainment industry.
It wasn’t until he received Gu Yaxing’s call that Luo Ding realized he had forgotten to inform his manager about the runway gig. Luo Ding had grown accustomed to making his own decisions and wasn’t great at reporting back. Wu Fangyuan had been busy managing his schedule and assisting with events, so it wasn’t surprising that he had overlooked this. As a result, Gu Yaxing, Luo Ding’s manager, was the last to know about this major development.
Once it was confirmed that Luo Ding would be walking the runway, Gu Yaxing eagerly seized the opportunity and immediately leaked the explosive news.
Accompanied by photos of Luo Ding practicing alongside top male models and working with Tommy Lee, the official American spokesperson for M·M, the bold “D&S” logo was impossible to miss. Although D&S is considered a mid-range luxury brand for young people internationally, it is regarded as top-tier in China.
Gu Yaxing, with his stubborn nature, initially intended to keep Luo Ding’s Milan trip low-key. But when certain malicious parties seemed determined to sabotage Luo Ding’s reputation, jumping to conclusions with talk of self-promotion, Gu Yaxing decided to hit back.
Self-promotion? Fine, I’ll give you something to talk about!
Investing heavily, Gu Yaxing partnered with over ten media outlets. Just as rumors about Luo Ding sitting on the sidelines had reached a fever pitch, he unleashed the bombshell news: Luo Ding was walking the runway. In a stunning reversal, the narrative shifted from Luo Ding being sidelined to him being invited by a luxury brand to walk the runway.
It was a resounding slap in the face to all those who had criticized Luo Ding. But Gu Yaxing wasn’t done. He swiftly released photos of Luo Ding’s runway rehearsals, training alongside top models, and his collaboration with Tommy Lee. To ensure the message reached far and wide, he tipped off a few dedicated fan accounts, reassuring everyone of Luo Ding’s success.
Luo Ding’s die-hard “parent fans” sprang into action. Their earlier silence had been an attempt to avoid bringing more negative attention to him. But now that they had a chance to turn the tables, they mobilized in full force, tirelessly sharing and spreading news about Luo Ding’s upcoming runway debut, determined to make sure the world knew he would be walking at Milan Fashion Week.
A Chinese celebrity, a non-professional model, walking a luxury brand’s runway abroad—everyone knew what that meant.
Luo Ding had faced numerous smear campaigns since his debut, but this was the first time the stakes were so high. Thanks to his growing fame from two recent hit projects, media outlets eagerly picked up on the story.
Even mainstream news outlets began mentioning Luo Ding’s name. Gu Yaxing had gone all out, and the media took full advantage of the hype, proudly celebrating Luo Ding’s achievement as a triumph for China. In the same breath, they subtly hinted at the earlier rumors, allowing the public’s outrage to shift in Luo Ding’s favor.
The once maligned Luo Ding now garnered a wave of nationalistic support, with many praising him for representing Chinese talent on the international stage. His critics, who had confidently mocked him just days before, vanished from sight. Some fan groups that had once seen Luo Ding as a rival were now being called out for trying to piggyback on his misfortune, with Luo Ding’s fans cleverly framing their responses as “neutral observations.” Their tactics drew widespread interest, and although some offered apologies, their credibility was irreparably damaged.
Luo Ding’s “parent fans” scored a decisive victory. The frustration they had endured was now replaced with pride and satisfaction. New fans, having witnessed the struggle, became fiercely loyal. Gu Yaxing’s move had cost Luo Ding almost nothing, yet he had gained everything.
****
Luo Ding’s natural talent for learning, coupled with his focused mindset, allowed him to progress quickly. After just four days, his transformation was remarkable. Even the male supermodel who had been teaching him commented, “Luo, it’s a good thing you’re an actor.”
Luo Ding only smiled. While every profession has its challenges, being an actor is far more demanding than being a model. Actors must master all the skills models need, and more. Meanwhile, many of the skills actors require are completely irrelevant to models.
Later, Matthew and Jason came to check on his progress, and after observing Luo Ding’s performance, they made a decision.
****
Backstage was a flurry of activity, even though the show was still some time away. Everyone was already hard at work.
Luo Ding thought of the message Duan Xiubo had sent him that morning, letting him know he had boarded his flight. Calculating the time, Duan should be landing soon.
As the makeup artist brushed across his face, Luo Ding’s features were highlighted, his brows sharpened, and a subtle shadow added to his nose. Unlike the women, who had their faces contoured into all sorts of exaggerated shapes, the male models were given a more understated look. Before starting, Jason had specifically instructed the makeup artist not to go overboard with Luo Ding’s makeup or accessories. With his naturally striking features, too much embellishment could overshadow the clothes, which wasn’t what the designer wanted.
In the midst of the bustling and tense atmosphere, a flash of red caught Luo Ding’s eye. He instinctively turned to see a tall, curvaceous woman walking behind the seats.
The room was cluttered with various objects, requiring people to weave carefully through. But she moved with effortless grace, each step full of poise, her posture and gait exceptionally elegant.
Luo Ding admired her beauty for a moment before losing interest and preparing to look away—until she turned and met his gaze.
She was indeed beautiful. Her fair skin, fiery red hair, and the graceful curve of her swan-like neck as she turned made for a striking figure. Her eyes were a stunning shade of blue-gray, long and narrow, with a smile that slightly curled at the corners of her mouth. She exuded sensuality with every step.
When their eyes met, her smile paused for a brief moment.
But she didn’t do much else, just smiled a bit more warmly and nodded at him.
Luo Ding nodded back, then turned his attention back to waiting, wondering why the hairstylist hadn’t started yet.
Looking up, he realized that the hairstylist was staring at the woman in the red dress, completely entranced by her exposed back.
Not just the hairstylist—all the men in the room who weren’t otherwise occupied were equally captivated by her. She was a woman who naturally drew men’s attention, her femininity effortlessly commanding their focus.
As she left the room, she bumped into Tommy Lee, who had just come in.
Tommy apologized quickly, his eyes briefly flashing with surprise as he glanced at her.
Once she was gone, the room still felt as though it was buzzing with the energy she had left behind.
The hairstylist sighed wistfully and reluctantly resumed his work.
Curious, Luo Ding casually asked, “Who was that?”
“You don’t know her?!” The hairstylist looked at him in shock, as if not recognizing her was a grave mistake. “That was Sophia Lopez! She’s ranked in the top five supermodels worldwide! She’s a regular at every Victoria’s Secret show and a dream woman for men everywhere!”
Realizing that Sophia was likely this hairstylist’s dream girl, Luo Ding quickly explained, “I’m Chinese. The modeling culture isn’t as prominent in Asia.”
“What a shame,” the hairstylist said, starting up the blow dryer, still lamenting, “If you knew more about her, you’d definitely be a fan.”
Fan of what? He wasn’t even interested in women. Luo Ding quietly thought to himself, only to find out soon enough that he would pay for that offhand remark.
Jason came into the makeup room with Sophia on his arm.
“Luo! Guess who I’ve brought! I never thought I’d be able to get the famous Sophia to join us. The whole world will be jealous that you get to work with her!” Jason said enthusiastically.
Luo Ding was taken aback, then listened as Jason continued, “After your solo walk, we’re doing a duo runway walk, and I’m having Sophia close the show.”
Luo Ding raised an eyebrow in confusion, “…What do I need to do?”
“You’ll be walking with her, holding her hand, like lovers. Lots of interaction. Can you handle it?”
Acting intimate with an unfamiliar female co-star on set? Luo Ding nodded confidently. Then he processed the rest of the sentence. “Wait… you want me to close the show with Ms. Lopez?”
“She personally chose you.” Jason gave him a teasing smile.
Sophia smiled slightly, her voice husky yet alluring. “When I passed by you earlier, I thought, ‘Oh! Who is this handsome guy? How do I not know him?’ When Jason asked if I needed a partner, I described you.”
Luo Ding glanced at her, sensing something was off. Choosing a partner after only one encounter?
Still, he smiled and nodded. “It’s my honor, Ms. Lopez.”
“You can call me Sophia.” Sophia stepped closer, her soft hand resting on his shoulder, her breath warm and fragrant. “You’re quite special—your face, your build, your voice… I think you’ll find this collaboration unforgettable.”
As her face inched closer, Luo Ding thought about leaning back, but everyone around him seemed to think nothing of it. After a moment of consideration, he decided against dodging.
Sophia didn’t kiss him but brushed their cheeks together, her soft hair grazing his face and tickling his skin.
Her slightly raspy laughter sounded in his ear before she pulled away.
To outsiders, this gesture wasn’t out of the ordinary. In Western culture, cheek kisses are a common greeting, especially for someone as famously romantic as Sophia, a French supermodel. In the modeling world, physical contact is often more daring, and compared to Sophia, Luo Ding’s reserved reaction seemed odd.
Sophia’s playful teasing was one of her trademarks. Usually, after such a gesture, the man’s heart would be firmly hooked. With her voluptuous curves and sensual charm, Sophia knew how to wield her physical appeal.
After this brief flirtation, she slowly backed away, leaving a polite distance between them, as if the entire encounter had been nothing more than a casual greeting.
She glanced back, her eyes mischievous, fully expecting Luo Ding to respond with eagerness or admiration.
Instead, Luo Ding simply touched his cheek, blinked in confusion, and then, with a calm smile, nodded at her, saying, “Ms. Sophia.”
And then…
He sat back down.
Sat down…
Sat down…
“You should get your makeup done,” Luo Ding said, trying to be considerate. “It’ll get busy soon, but if you prefer, you can have it done here with me.”
Sophia froze for two seconds, her smile faltering as her eyes met his. Apart from polite courtesy, she found no trace of the admiration she had expected.
Is this guy gay?
🎄2nd week of Christmas event : Happy New Year !!!!!!!❄️❄️❄️
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Happy new year, I think you skipped part 1?
happy new year, thanks for the update 🥰🤗