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

REI : Chapter 71.1

A Rough Start.

 

Sophia clearly didn’t want to admit that her charm wasn’t as strong as she thought. Luo Ding’s lack of reaction left her feeling a bit deflated, but as a goddess-like figure, she had to maintain her image. Despite her frustration, she forced a smile, bid everyone farewell, and went back to the makeup room to fuss over her clothes and face.

 

Luo Ding touched his cheek, feeling that Sophia’s enthusiasm was a bit over the top. This kind of situation bothered him—just like with Emma in the past, who was also touchy and affectionate. He couldn’t avoid it, but standing there and enjoying it felt wrong too. It was best to keep a distance from the start… truly a headache.

 

When Tommy Lee came back after stepping out, he seemed puzzled to see Sophia leave again. He asked Luo Ding curiously, “What’s going on? Why is she back?”

 

After Luo Ding explained what had happened, Tommy Lee looked at him with a strange expression, “Did you know her before?”

 

Luo Ding glanced at the hairstylist to make sure he wasn’t paying attention, then carefully leaned toward Tommy Lee and whispered, “No, I’ve never heard of her before. I think she was passing through the makeup room on her way to the runway. We made eye contact, she smiled at me, and the next thing I know, she’s asking me to partner with her. Isn’t that a bit impulsive?”

 

Impulsive…

 

Tommy Lee’s expression grew even more complicated. He knew Sophia well. Ranked among the top five supermodels, Sophia was far from an ordinary model. She was beautiful, in a way that appealed to a wide range of tastes, and her aura irresistibly attracted male attention. She had been highly sought after since her debut, and in recent years, she had become even more dazzling. Men hailed her as the “light of France,” but as someone in the industry, Tommy Lee knew more about her than the average admirer.

 

Sophia and Emma, though in different circles, had a bit of a rivalry due to their chaotic personal lives. They both had a habit of pursuing the same type of men. While Emma was much more famous, Sophia often attended the same events, which led to frequent run-ins and tensions. Tommy Lee, who had worked with Emma on a disaster film during their peak conflict, often heard Emma gossiping about Sophia—claiming she had gone off with some rich businessman after a brief conversation at a party or had stolen a handsome suitor from under Emma’s nose. Sophia was a woman who shamelessly went after what she wanted.

 

Tommy Lee frowned, aware that Sophia was nearby and knowing it wasn’t appropriate to gossip about a woman’s private life in such a public setting. He wasn’t sure if Luo Ding was oblivious to the danger or simply not bothered, so he softly warned him, “Sophia’s got game, you’d better watch out.”

 

Luo Ding blinked, “?”

 

***

 

“Go, go, 3, 2, 1! Get out there!”

 

“Watch your step!”

 

“I can’t! My shoe heel is wobbly!”

 

“Then tiptoe your way through!”

 

“Earring! My earring!”

 

“Too late, forget it, just get on stage!”

 

Backstage was chaotic, a sharp contrast to the order and calm of the runway, where the audience sat quietly. With cameras suspended overhead and models walking with perfect composure, their backstage panic disappeared under the stage lights, each step steady and graceful.

 

Jason stood anxiously near the exit. As the designer, the reactions of the guests to his clothes were his top concern.

 

Luo Ding’s hair was gelled firmly in place, revealing his smooth forehead. Light makeup accentuated his already striking features, with shading making his nose and bone structure stand out even more.

 

He was set to do a solo walk first, followed by a pair walk, and then he would finish the show with Sophia.

 

Honestly, he was feeling the pressure.

 

Jason reassured him, “Don’t be nervous. It’s just like we practiced. The only difference is there are people sitting below the stage this time, but most of them are just here for the spectacle. They’re not experts, so there’s no need to feel pressured. Just be yourself.”

 

Sophia had already completed her solo walk and changed into her outfit for the pair walk. She had the smallest workload and now had the time to stand beside Jason at the entrance, observing the crowd’s reactions.

 

Luo Ding glanced at her, and she responded with a sultry smile, casually tossing her hair. The strands slid through her fingers and settled onto her snow-white chest.

 

Luo Ding looked away almost immediately, making Sophia’s eye twitch in frustration.

 

Jason patted Luo Ding on the back, peeking outside to time his entrance. With calm authority, he instructed, “3! 2! 1! Okay, go!”

 

Luo Ding stepped into the shadows.

 

Watching him leave, Sophia shot a glance at his back and asked Jason, “He doesn’t seem that remarkable. Why did you choose him?”

 

“Not remarkable?” Jason was puzzled.

 

Sophia raised an eyebrow, tilting her head critically as she looked toward the stage, “Isn’t he? When he stood in front of me earlier, I didn’t feel anything special from him…”

 

As Luo Ding took a deep breath and stepped into the dazzling lights, Sophia’s words were cut off as she watched him transform under the spotlight. Even from behind, his aura became commanding and independent. Silently, with a hint of uncertainty, she smiled.

 

The Chinese faces were not uncommon in the crowd, and backstage, there were many domestic media outlets. Luo Ding’s participation in the D&S show had already stirred up a frenzy back in China. Regardless of how well he performed, the outlet with the first-hand news would undoubtedly be the biggest winner for the upcoming week.

 

As soon as Luo Ding emerged from the shadows, the audience sensed his presence. 

 

Young, fair-skinned, and handsome, Luo Ding appeared much slimmer than the muscular male models who had preceded him. Yet, the moment he stepped onto the stage, all eyes were inexplicably drawn to him.

 

Even the media cameras, focused elsewhere, quickly shifted back to him as he moved halfway down the runway. It was as if an unseen hand had grabbed and held their gaze.

 

Luo Ding’s features were well-suited for makeup—his nearly perfect nose and sharp profile became even more striking. To the Chinese media, who were accustomed to his gentle demeanor, this sharp, intense look was unfamiliar.

 

When Luo Ding reached the end of the runway, he made no pause, executing a clean, fluid turn before walking away. His gaze swept casually across the audience, completely unbothered.

 

Yet that single glance left many holding their breath, tension gripping them until he disappeared into the shadows at the back of the stage.

 

As he stepped into the darkness, the weight of the audience’s gaze finally lifted. Standing for a moment between the backstage and the front, Luo Ding slowly came back to himself, heading toward the wardrobe area with a sigh of regret, “I forgot to pause at the end.”

 

Jason, who had rushed over to compliment him on his performance: “…”

 

Sophia chuckled.

 

The playful look in her eyes gradually gave way to genuine interest. She stepped forward, her soft, fair fingers trailing up Luo Ding’s tie, slowly undoing it.

 

She gazed deeply into his eyes, her red lips curving sensually as she tilted her head with a teasing smile, “You really… exceeded my expectations.”

 

Luo Ding, recalling Tommy Lee’s earlier warning, felt a sense of unease that was now confirmed by her actions. He suppressed his discomfort and subtly removed the tie from her grasp, allowing her to hold onto it as he smiled and replied, “Thank you.”

 

Sophia noticed his rejection. She hesitated for a moment, holding the tie, before gracefully retracting her arm, still keeping her composure, “You deserve it.”

 

She wanted to say more, but before she could, someone quickly stepped between them.

 

Tommy Lee pushed Luo Ding back a few steps, patting him on the shoulder with a rare smile, “You walked better than I expected.”

 

“You’re up next. Go get ready at the exit.” Luo Ding urged him, giving him a light push.

 

“You should change too.” Tommy Lee nudged Luo Ding toward the wardrobe area. Luo Ding, eager to leave, gave him a grateful glance and hurried off.

 

Sophia pouted slightly, feeling a twinge of disappointment but also a growing sense of challenge at the unexpected resistance.

 

As soon as Luo Ding was out of sight, Tommy Lee’s smile vanished. He turned to Sophia, his gaze sharp and filled with disdain, his voice low, “You’d better know your place, little model. Not everyone falls for your cheap tricks.”

 

He wasn’t one to hold back, nor did he care about respecting women, especially not in an industry full of big names where he was used to doing as he pleased. Facing Sophia, who was outside of his usual professional circle, his bluntness was even more pronounced.

 

After delivering his harsh words, he walked away, his posture exuding arrogance, not even sparing her another glance.

 

Sophia stood frozen for a moment, only then realizing that she had just been insulted by a man. 

 

“Little model? Cheap?” Screw you!

 

Glaring at Tommy Lee’s retreating figure, Sophia squinted, mentally flipping him off with a very clear and decisive middle finger.

 

After a hugely successful opening show, Luo Ding grew more confident and familiar with the process as things moved forward.

 

During the pair walk, he led the way with the same powerful presence as before. After finishing, he quickly changed outfits.

 

By the second walk, his nerves had completely settled. As he scanned the audience, he could sense that everyone’s attention was focused solely on him.

 

It was going much better than he had expected.

 

For the final showstopper, Sophia wore a stunningly heavy white gown adorned with lace and rhinestones. Luo Ding, on the other hand, donned a military-style riding outfit, complete with knee-high leather boots and metal studs—Jason’s rare indulgence in decorative accents. The fitted cut of the riding outfit highlighted Luo Ding’s tall, slender frame, giving him a commanding, almost martial air.

 

Jason stepped back, frowning as he examined the look.

 

Something still felt off…


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inner child
inner child
1 month ago

thanks for the chapter 😊🫶🏽

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