Lin Muci rushed back to the Lin family villa in a hurry.
Naturally, she was subjected to a barrage of questions from her mother.
She managed to get away with it after repeatedly assuring them she hadn't done anything.
She went back and lay on her bed.
The system asked her.
"How do you plan to complete the red carpet mission?"
It felt like the host was confident.
Lin Muci hummed, she did have some confidence.
"I have my ways."
...
Then, for the next few days, Ling Qianhe was nowhere to be seen.
Sister Lan, however, called Lin Muci. She had used her connections to select a haute couture gown for Lin Muci and asked her to try it on.
There were rules within the circle.
Different levels of fame meant wearing different gowns.
The fashion world was notorious for its snobbery.
As one of the top five actresses in the entertainment industry, Zhao Lan could secure haute couture gowns from top international brands through her connections.
Newly debuted artists and ordinary minor celebrities, on the other hand, wore gowns from more modest brands, some of which weren't even custom-made but were simply ready-to-wear pieces.
The red carpet was a battlefield for actresses, with them vying for attention. If one appeared too shabby, they would inevitably be ridiculed.
Lin Muci recalled the supplementary information the system had provided earlier.
She clicked on it and reread it.
[At this charity gala, her arch-nemesis Huo Ziyao will also be attending. Huo Ziyao, also one of the top five actresses, will publicly humiliate Zhao Lan on this red carpet.]
[Prevent her. Avoid Zhao Lan being humiliated. Note: This mission may offend the prominent actress Huo Ziyao, turning your relationship with her from neutral to hostile. Please choose wisely.]
Lin Muci reached out and rubbed her chin. Then, she sent a message to Zhao Lan.
"Sister Lan, my gown is ready. I have an extra gown here, would you like to try it on?"
She guessed that Huo Ziyao would try to cause trouble with Zhao Lan's gown.
But Lin Muci's countermeasure was simple!
She would cut off the root and remove the well!
She could just change Zhao Lan into a new gown.
Zhao Lan quickly called Lin Muci back.
"Xiao Ci? What style is the gown you mentioned?"
"I have sponsorship from a top international brand. Xiao Ci, you're new to the industry, you might not understand the unwritten rules here. The gowns worn by actresses on the red carpet are very important..."
Zhao Lan intended to explain further to Lin Muci.
Lin Muci replied gently into the phone.
"I know, but this gown is a creation by Zi Mu, a designer who mysteriously disappeared five years ago. Sister Lan, you must have heard of her."
"She has drawn design sketches for many top international brands!"
"Many haute couture pieces also come from her. After her disappearance, every single one of her past gown designs could be auctioned for a sky-high price. Even at global award ceremonies, actresses were honored to wear gowns designed by her."
"I plan to have her 'Azure Sea Tide Gown' worn by Sister Lan."
Zhao Lan was taken aback.
If it was truly a gown by Zi Mu...
The works of this designer could command respect even on the red carpet, given that her designs were once fiercely competed for by several top international brands!
But how could Lin Muci obtain a gown by Zi Mu?
Hadn't she been missing for a full five years?
"Then what about you, Xiao Ci?"
"What gown will you wear on the red carpet?"
The name of the gown Lin Muci mentioned surprised Zhao Lan.
"I'll wear 'Azure Mist.'"
"'Azure Sea Tide Gown' is more grand and dignified, suitable for you, Sister Lan, exuding immense presence."
"'Azure Mist' is lighter, more lively and pure, so I'll wear this one, which also fits my status as a newcomer."
Her explanation was flawless, and Zhao Lan couldn't think of a better arrangement.
However, these two gowns were sister dresses. If someone with intentions saw them, wouldn't they think their relationship was too close?
It wasn't that she disliked this young girl, Lin Muci.
But after years of navigating the industry,
Despite having some standing, she had inadvertently offended many influential figures, such as Huo Ziyao, another prominent actress, who was her mortal enemy.
Years ago, Huo Ziyao had disdained the arduous filming for the role in the movie "Mulan's Ballad" and had refused the film, allowing Zhao Lan to play the female lead.
As a result, Zhao Lan became an overnight sensation, winning five Best Actress awards overseas. This grievance was thus established.
Zhao Lan took a deep breath and said.
"Xiao Ci, you need to think carefully. These two gowns are extremely expensive; they would likely fetch at least a million starting bid at auction."
Lin Muci replied.
"I've thought about it. Since I joined Sister Lan's production and you've been helping me along the way, what is one gown in comparison?"
"Sister Lan's kindness to me is worth far more than a million."
Since she had filmed "Fang Fei Jue Dai," she would not waver.
Zhao Lan was silent for a moment, then quickly made a decision.
"If it's truly the 'Azure Sea Tide Gown' designed by Zi Mu, then I will forgo the haute couture gown from the sponsor!"
Since this young girl, Lin Muci, was so brave and proactively showed her sincerity,
She would no longer hesitate.
This young girl was a newcomer and would inevitably face difficulties in the industry.
She wanted to make it known to all the fiends and monsters in the circle that Lin Muci had her, Zhao Lan, protecting her.
No one should think of bullying her!
Although it was just a gown, those with intent understood the signal being sent behind this dress.
She valued this young girl greatly!
...
This charity gala was jointly organized by several major fashion magazines and garnered high attention.
"Tomorrow's Idol" had just concluded, and it was rumored that several girls from the debut group would be attending. Furthermore, Zhao Lan, who held a high position in the entertainment industry, would be bringing members of her film crew.
Of course, the most anticipated guest was Ling Qianhe.
He had taken a break for a while recently and then served as a mentor for "Tomorrow's Idol," gradually resuming his work.
It was heard that he also had a cameo in Zhao Lan's film, which had just wrapped up shooting.
Everyone was very curious about Ling Qianhe's current condition and his future work arrangements.
It could be said that half of the media were staking out Ling Qianhe.
And on the red carpet, the competition was fierce.
The actresses all presented themselves in their best state.
Lin Muci sat in the waiting lounge. Thanks to Zhao Lan, she shared the same lounge as her.
Zhao Lan had changed into the "Azure Sea Tide Gown" that Lin Muci had brought. Indeed, it was grand and beautiful, exuding elegance. The faint green brought a touch of freshness in the winter, offering a unique charm compared to the monotonous black and white.
Her assistant was doing her makeup, while the stylist seemed displeased.
"Sister Lan, how could you wear a dress brought by such an unknown minor artist? It's too classless!"
He glanced at Lin Muci.
His tone was contemptuous.
"What good clothes can such a third-rate minor artist bring? If this gets out, other actresses will laugh at you!"
"Wearing such a knock-off gown, even a phoenix would turn into a pheasant!"
The stylist's tone was extremely sharp.
Hearing him speak like this, Zhao Lan couldn't help but frown.
Her stylist had also been recently replaced.
He was said to have good credentials and had created stunning designs for several other actresses before.
But what was wrong with him? He couldn't even recognize the work of Zi Mu, the most famous genius designer in the fashion world five years ago?
"This gown is..."
Zhao Lan intended to explain.
But Lin Muci happened to walk out.
Zhao Lan was stunned and suddenly fell silent.
Lin Muci seemed a bit nervous.
"What's wrong, Sister Lan? Does it look bad?"
It wasn't that it wasn't beautiful enough, but precisely because it was too beautiful.
It was stunning enough to make one gasp.
The young girl, wearing the "Azure Mist" gown, her pale green hue reminiscent of jade, was incredibly refreshing. She was already beautiful, and in the winter, she brought a sense of spring. Her facial features were exquisite, her skin so delicate it seemed it could be broken with a gentle touch.
As she stood there, everything around her faded into insignificance.
Zhao Lan nodded with great satisfaction.
"Let's go, we're going on the red carpet."
In fact, given Zhao Lan's standing,
She could appear last, and it would still be acceptable.
However, the organizers had their reasons – Huo Ziyao insisted on being last, otherwise she wouldn't get out of the car.
Under such circumstances, the organizers were also in a difficult position.
Both were prominent actresses, evenly matched.
Zhao Lan, on the other hand, was magnanimous.
She wanted to walk the red carpet with Lin Muci, even if it meant not being the final act.
She didn't care about these petty rivalries.
She smiled, then took Lin Muci's hand, and they walked out.
The designer was still babbling, gesturing with the slender-strapped dress in his hand.
Lin Muci glanced at the condescending designer, walked over, and quickly reached out. Before the designer could react, she grabbed the strap of the dress, and Lin Muci didn't even use much force.
The strap of the dress snapped!
The entire gown slipped down.
The designer's expression was one of utter madness.
"My God! Do you know, this is a haute couture Valentino gown, worth five million!"
Lin Muci looked at him with disdain.
"With this quality, you dare to charge five million?"
"The thread is loose. With just a little movement, it will break. If you don't believe me, look at the stitching now—"
"Don't touch it. This will be evidence. I have reason to believe you intentionally wanted to humiliate Sister Lan!"
Zhao Lan's expression immediately turned grim.
However, as she was about to step onto the red carpet, she couldn't express her anger immediately.
Having weathered many storms over the years, she wasn't someone who would be kind-hearted when facing an informant. Otherwise, she wouldn't have reached her current position. Zhao Lan sneered.
"Xiao Gao, put the dress away. Have someone inspect it later to see if it was tampered with."
She then turned to Lin Muci, her expression softening considerably.
"Let's go!"
She was very grateful to this young girl.
If Lin Muci hadn't suggested she wear Zi Mu's "Azure Sea Tide Gown," and if Lin Muci hadn't discovered the designer's scheme in time, she would have indeed appeared in this Valentino gown on the red carpet and only ended up humiliating herself in public.
With so many media outlets, once her wardrobe malfunction photos were taken,
No one would care about the underlying reasons; she would be disgraced in front of the global media!
It could even be used as an excuse for widespread attacks.
Lin Muci had saved her!
She held Lin Muci's hand and stepped onto the red carpet. Although her expression remained unchanged, still gentle and graceful, her heart was filled with gratitude towards Lin Muci, and—she wished the damned designer would pay the price immediately.
It was easy to imagine that he must have been sent by her enemies to frame her.
The camera lens on the big screen captured the elegant and slender figures of the two women.
The photographers snapped pictures rapidly.
Lin Muci walked forward with Zhao Lan.
One was grand and composed, with extraordinary presence.
The other, though a newcomer, was like a young phoenix about to spread its wings; the young girl was pure and charming, her gown ethereal, and the surrounding photographers were mesmerized by her beauty, rapidly pressing their shutters.
So beautiful! And this newcomer, standing beside Sister Lan, was not at all overshadowed.
Lin Muci walked forward with Zhao Lan.
The roar of a tidal wave of cheers reached her ears.
Unable to turn back due to being on the red carpet, she heard Zhao Lan whispering with a smile in her ear.
"Your little boyfriend seems worried about you walking the red carpet for the first time, so he's also rushed over."
So...
Ling Qianhe had arrived?