"Why do you look so serious? Did something happen?" Li Mengxiao asked Xia Qingtian, feeling a chill down her spine, unsure why Xia Qingtian was saying this.
"It's nothing. I don't want you wandering around because I'm afraid I won't be able to find you at a critical moment. You don't speak French, and if you run into any trouble, it could negatively impact Gu's Entertainment," Xia Qingtian fabricated a reason. "As for not letting you eat random things, it's because I offended people from Wanqing Entertainment before."
"Ling Fenghan's incident made me a bit scared. What if they bribed someone in the manor to make a move on us? In this foreign land, we'd be completely helpless."
"You're not attending the banquet tonight anyway, so consider it a day off. You should rest in the room," Xia Qingtian said, sitting by the bed and tucking a stray strand of hair behind Li Mengxiao's ear. "If you're bored, you can play with your phone, or... or do something else."
"Okay, you don't need to worry about me," Li Mengxiao said with a smile, rubbing her still somewhat drowsy eyes. "You took so many photos yesterday. I'll edit them for you today. It's a big project, enough to keep me busy all day, so I won't be bored."
"The important thing is not to eat anything random. Only eat what I bring you," Xia Qingtian reminded her.
"Mmm-hmm." Li Mengxiao thought Xia Qingtian was being a bit overprotective, but she could also feel the concern in her words. Her heart felt warm, and she didn't even mind that she hadn't slept well last night.
She had to pamper her artist!
"Don't open the door for just anyone, and don't casually go with people. Contact me immediately if anything happens." Xia Qingtian picked up her things, and before leaving, she couldn't help but remind Li Mengxiao again. After confirming that Li Mengxiao had remembered everything, Xia Qingtian left with Jean Lingol to go to Madame Camille's dressing room.
There was a full-length mirror here. In addition to the natural light from the window, there were also individual simulated light sources to further adjust the makeup and styling.
Madame Camille was already preparing to get ready. Beside her were several racks of gowns and various matching jewelry.
Madame Camille was wrapped in a wide white bathrobe, her long brown hair cascading down her shoulders. She looked like a queen inspecting her spoils in her own empire.
"K3, A1, B5." As Madame Camille's voice fell, someone immediately brought out the corresponding gown, jewelry, and handbag for Madame Camille to choose from.
Madame Camille glanced at them and seemed somewhat dissatisfied. "Hmm... change B5 to B9, and A1 to A6."
As staff moved to make the exchanges, Madame Camille still frowned slightly.
Tonight's banquet was very important. Considering the lighting at the venue, she needed to make some adjustments.
"Why not try this handbag?" Xia Qingtian walked over and pointed to a brighter handbag. "This crocodile skin platinum bag matches better in terms of color."
Madame Camille didn't reply but simply moved her fingers, and someone immediately brought over that handbag. "Not bad."
Madame Camille nodded and then selected a pair of shoes of the same color. After confirming the coordination, she turned to Xia Qingtian. "Why are you still wearing that outfit? Your styling team will be here soon."
"I'll go change now," Xia Qingtian said with a dry laugh, shaking the bag in her hand.
The main reason was that Madame Camille had too many bags, and she had indeed been overwhelmed.
Several of the bags were already out of production and incredibly rare, like that brightly colored crocodile skin platinum bag, which she had desperately wanted in her past life.
She couldn't get it.
She couldn't get it even with all the money!
At this moment, someone immediately led Xia Qingtian to the fitting room.
"Accompanying a lady who needs to change is not gentlemanly behavior," Madame Camille said, reaching out to pull Jean Lingol's tie. "Stop embarrassing the Lingol family with your ridiculous, ignorant smile."
"Aunt Camille, I just wanted to see if I could help. How could you think of me like that?" Jean Lingol huffed after saying this. "It's fine if I leave then."
Pouting aggrievedly, Jean Lingol turned and walked out.
"Leave my brooch and a pair of pearl earrings. Those are what I'll be wearing tonight," Madame Camille said, crossing her arms.
"Tsk." Jean Lingol couldn't help but roll his eyes. He then returned and placed the accessories hidden in his cuffs back onto the tray.
Only then did he raise his hands and walk out.
"Still haven't learned your lesson." Madame Camille glared at Jean Lingol's retreating back irritably and then waved her hand with a pained expression.
After this, all the clothing and accessories that Madame Camille had not selected by sequence number were returned to their original positions.
The entire suite looked much more spacious.
As soon as Xia Qingtian finished changing and returned, the makeup and styling team arrived after she had a skin-refreshing treatment.
Xia Qingtian's makeup and styling were handled by a cooperative team that Gu's Entertainment had hired in Paris in advance. They were very professional and had extensive experience working with domestic artists.
It seemed the leader of the team was also an acquaintance of Madame Camille. After a brief exchange of cheek kisses and pleasantries, they began the formal makeup and styling.
"Your skin condition is excellent," the makeup artist exclaimed sincerely.
"Thank you," Xia Qingtian replied with a shallow smile.
This was also Xia Qingtian's first time being surrounded by so many people to get ready, from her hair to her toenails, receiving a full range of care and makeup.
During the process, she also tried on two gowns with the stylist. Ultimately, the team decided on a one-shoulder red mermaid dress.
The silhouette was simple and elegant, and the waist-cinching cut was adjusted on the spot to fit Xia Qingtian's curves, outlining bold and unrestrained lines while still maintaining a sense of poise. The visual impact was immediately amplified.
For her hairstyle, instead of intricate braids, her dark, long hair was pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck, exposing her shoulder and neck curves. Some subtle adjustments were made to the hair on the sides of her face to add more contour to her facial features and to give the overall look a touch of languidness.
With a streamlined and understated outfit, the accessories needed to be correspondingly bolder.
After she was dressed, even Madame Camille couldn't help but praise, "You are truly beautiful."
It seemed her eyes were still as sharp as ever.
She had recognized Xia Qingtian's innate essence of worldly nobility at first glance.
The pampered and noble aura flowing from her bones was even more pronounced in this makeup and styling, exuding wealth without arrogance, and beauty without seduction.
Facing Madame Camille's compliment, Xia Qingtian merely thanked her with a reserved, shallow smile.
There were still a few minor touches to be made, so Madame Camille did not interrupt, only admiring from the side with a silent regret.
This Xia Qingtian was indeed beautiful, but it was a pity...
Her beauty was too one-dimensional.
If only Xia Qingtian could be a little more unhinged...
As the time for the banquet approached, the entire manor became busy.
At this moment, someone informed Madame Camille that a guest from China, who introduced himself as Mr. Gu, had arrived at the Camille Manor.
"He's quite punctual." Playing with the feather fan she used for decoration, Madame Camille smiled, put down the small pastry she was about to eat, and got up. "Alright, I'll go meet him."
Observing the entire process, the maid who brought the pastries lowered her head, a hint of unwillingness appearing in her eyes.
It's okay, she would have other opportunities.
Today was still long.