Meng Dandan was naturally a proud and arrogant person. Being constantly criticized and nitpicked by Mr. Bob, her displeasure was understandable.
She, a dignified big star, had already stooped to her old profession, participating in a fashion show, and was still deemed not good enough?
If it weren't for the sake of that Director Han, would she even be gracing them with her presence?
Bob glanced at Meng Dandan and said bluntly, "Sue, I'm just stating the facts!"
Su Yingxue forced a smile and said, "Miss Meng, please don't mind what Mr. Bob said. He just... he just speaks rather directly."
Speaks directly?
Meng Dandan's face darkened. "If you're really not satisfied, I can leave."
"Not at all," Su Yingxue replied. "Please don't mind him. How about this, the clothes are ready. You wait here, and we'll go wait in the front!"
Meng Dandan hummed in agreement.
Su Yingxue, holding onto the stubborn Bob and Lilith, led them out of the backstage area to meet Chen Fan in the front hall.
Meng Dandan sat on the sofa to rest, awaiting the start of the competition.
Her agent had other matters and hadn't come with her, leaving her feeling a bit bored. She picked up her phone and posted on WeChat Moments.
Her selfie, wearing the stunning gown, immediately attracted a large crowd and exclamations of admiration.
The dress was exquisite, and paired with her static beauty, it was truly breathtaking.
But just then, the door was pushed open.
She frowned and looked, seeing a model agent leading two young models.
"Oh, someone's already here?"
The agent glanced at Meng Dandan and smiled, "My apologies. Ah... it's the little queen Meng Dandan. I didn't realize you were resting here!"
Meng Dandan's expression softened slightly at this.
"We just need to borrow this dressing room to change. Please don't mind!" the agent said with a smile.
Meng Dandan's face fell. "I'm sorry, I need to rest. You should find another place to change."
Disturbed by unrelated people, she wasn't in the best of moods.
The agent, not expecting Meng Dandan to be so unaccommodating, was taken aback. Then, with a sarcastic tone, he said, "Wow, what airs!"
A long-haired young model was displeased and snorted, "This room isn't that small. What's the big deal about borrowing it to change? Is this your home?"
Meng Dandan trembled with anger at this. "This is my dressing room and lounge. Get out!"
"On what grounds?" Another short-haired model raised an eyebrow and said, "We're all here for the fashion show. Do you still think you're a big star?"
"Someone like you, a star? You don't even have an agent by your side. I suppose you can't afford one, right?"
"Still think you're a little queen? A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken. Meng Dandan, you're a big star who came from modeling, going back to it. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Meng Dandan was furious, almost to death. When had she sunk to the point of being bullied by these unknown models?
Seeing that Meng Dandan remained silent, the two models began to mock and ridicule her unscrupulously.
"Tonight, we're all models. Why should you have a private VIP dressing room while we have to squeeze with others?"
"In terms of fame in the modeling world, you might not even be comparable to us!"
"You're past your prime and now you're here for a fashion show, yet you're still putting on airs. Let's ignore her. Just change, what's the big deal?"
Saying this, the two models proceeded to change their clothes as if Meng Dandan wasn't there.
Seeing that she had not only been mocked but also ignored, Meng Dandan was so angry she wanted to lash out.
She suddenly regretted her previous outburst that had caused Su Yingxue and Bob to leave.
Now, not only could she not kick them out, but even if she cursed them, she was outnumbered and couldn't win.
She maintained a cold expression, not wanting to linger. She walked towards the exit.
The two models let out triumphant laughter.
The model agent also smiled, showing no intention of stopping them.
Stepping out of the private dressing room, Meng Dandan realized that the backstage area was extremely crowded. A large group of models were waiting for the fashion show to begin, and no one paid any attention to her.
Even the staff were busy and had no time to deal with her.
A wave of anger washed over her, her face turning ashen. When she was popular, everywhere she went, she was surrounded by people.
But now, what was this?
"Miss Dandan, why are you standing outside alone?"
At that moment, a voice reached her ears.
Meng Dandan turned to look. The speaker was a young man.
Seeing him, Meng Dandan couldn't help but feel a surprise, her brows furrowing again. She snorted, "It's none of your business!"
"How can it not be your business? Our Young Master Tang can't stand to see the woman he fancies being wronged. Please wait a moment!"
After speaking, the man turned and entered another private dressing room.
Only a few seconds later, a man in a designer suit, looking like a wealthy young master, walked out.
The man's eyes gleamed with greed. He smiled and said, "Dandan, you look so beautiful today!"
"Tang Ruolin, what are you doing here?"
Meng Dandan wasn't entirely surprised to see him, but she still asked.
"Where Dandan is, I will be there!" Tang Ruolin said with a smile. "Heh, come, Dandan, let's go inside and talk!"
Tang Ruolin pushed the door open and went in first.
Meng Dandan glanced inside and saw a model with a flushed face putting on clothes. There was a peculiar scent in the air.
What Tang Ruolin had been doing was obvious.
Meng Dandan said coldly, "Tang Ruolin, what do you want?"
Tang Ruolin waved his hand, signaling the model to leave. Then he turned to Meng Dandan with a smile. "Since Dandan, you really want to know, then I won't beat around the bush. I want your fashion show tonight to fail!"
"What do you mean?" Meng Dandan's beautiful eyebrows furrowed.
Tang Ruolin smiled enchantingly, not answering her directly. Instead, he reached out and cupped Meng Dandan's chin. "Don't you want to regain everything you've lost? Don't you want everyone who ostracized you to regret it? Don't you want to become a true diva, a true big star, standing on the grandest stage, basking in the brightest spotlight, and becoming a person admired by the world?"
Meng Dandan had intended to slap Tang Ruolin's hand away, but as she heard his words, her heart began to beat faster.
She did!
Of course, she did!
She dreamed of it every night!
But how could it be easy?
Over the years, being suppressed had almost suffocated her.
But she had had enough!
As long as there was an opportunity, however slim, she had to try.
Tang Ruolin came from a top-tier wealthy family, with extensive connections and resources.
If she could marry him, Meng Dandan wouldn't hesitate.
But this man was too much of a playboy, and had some rather abnormal fetishes in certain aspects. This was why she had refused him initially.
But this time, she didn't want to refuse anymore.
Here, she was not even as good as a rookie designer. Two unknown models dared to mock her. It was ridiculous!
Meng Dandan took a deep breath and said, "How will you make me the center of attention, more glorious than before?"
Tang Ruolin smiled triumphantly, leaned in, and whispered a few words into Meng Dandan's ear.
The light in Meng Dandan's eyes grew brighter and brighter. Finally, she nodded heavily. "Okay, I promise you!"