Chapter 30
Fei Sixin's design talent was undeniable. Even if her father was Fei Zhennan, her outstanding designs couldn't be hidden.
Compared to many other 'second generation' heirs, Fei Sixin wasn't hypocritical. She always accepted the convenience provided by her father, as well as his praise. According to Fei Sixin's words, "How can I deny that he is my father?"
Fei Sixin always admitted that the title of 'Fei Zhennan's daughter' brought her a lot of convenience on her design path. She even advocated 'making use of these conveniences to become more dazzling and glorious', rather than blindly denying what her father's reputation brought her.
So, this time, when Fei Sixin held her first fashion show, Fei Zhennan really had a broken heart.
This girl was so good at home, but why was she more stubborn than a cow? Once she made up her mind, even 100 elephants couldn't pull her back!
For example, when Fei Zhennan learned that this smelly girl invited Ming Yu as the chief model of her fashion show and didn't even wait to sign the contract, he almost fainted! He had exposed his old face and already invited a top supermodel to act as her chief model!!
But in this matter, Fei Zhennan didn't interfere too much. Fei Sixin believed that Ming Yu was the person she was looking for and he believed in his daughter's vision.
Fortunately, the supermodel wasn't as sharp as Xi Ze. He just smiled and replied, "It is okay, Old Lao. Call me anytime if you need me for anything."
Of course, it wasn't shown on the surface, but Old Fei was still nervous.
This smelly girl's fashion show, the chief model didn't have enough experience. Ming Yu had a good temperament and handsome appearance, even his catwalk was quite good. However, this was his first time as a chief model. Was it really okay to put these two new people together?
Therefore, for most of the one month preparation period, Old Fei always ran to see the progress of the studio, straightforwardly provoking them. This caused Fei Sixin to ask, "Dad, what are you saying? What are you trying to do? We are in the middle of going over things, it isn't convenient for you to be here!"
Fei Zhennan stared as he heard these words. "I care about you! You stinky girl, not appreciating it!"
Fei Sixin's resentful reply, "…Are you my father or my mother…"
'Mother' Fei Zhennan hit the table and cried out, "Your father!"
Fei Sixin, "…"
In this way, the preparation time passed in a flash.
During this time, Ming Yu tried on some clothing and had the size modified. Therefore, he encountered Old Fei. As long as it wasn't related to his daughter, Old Fei was still the top domestic photographer. However, Old Fei changed when it came to his relationship with his daughter, causing Ming Yu to smile with a dumbfounded expression.
Ming Yu never felt such warmth and care since his childhood. He didn't envy it, but he occasionally thought, 'The feelings between father and daughter are really good.'
The fashion show was scheduled to be held at 7p.m. As early as a week ago, Fei Sixin and Fei Zhennan sent out more than 500 invitations. They also spent two weeks decorating the venue of the fashion show in a beautiful manner.
The fashion show's venue was the exhibition hall on the 3rd Ring Road of the capital. Big name fashion brands often borrowed this venue for their fashion shows. On the morning of the show, MIng Yu, Zhao Rui and Luo Ru rushed to the venue before 9 a.m. The 20 models participating in the catwalk were in place, busy with putting on make-up, changing or taking photos.
Yes, Fei Sixin arranged to have photos taken of all the models before the fashion show.
The photographer was naturally one of the top 10 photography masters in Huxia, Fei Zhennan. Master Fei was an unusual photographer. He was fastidious, demanding and harsh.
His requirements for each shot were quite high. Whether it was the lighting, shape, arrangement or actions of the model, he conducted a detailed guild. It was to the point that many of the show's young models were overwhelming, sweating before they even took a photo.
"Look over there! Pay attention to your eyes!"
"Your right hand is too high, move your left foot forward a little bit… Yes! That's it!"
……
Master Fei wasn't so severe when taking the photos, but his speech and manner were very serious. Under the bright and dazzling lights, models lined up in the studio, as if they were at their execution, as they waited for the final trial.
“Ming… Ming Yu, Master Fei was so moderate before. Now he is so terrible…"
As the chief model, whether Fei Zhennan trusted him or not, he was arranged to be the last to shoot. Therefore, all the other models finished first. Currently standing in front of him was a second-tier model from one of the three main modelling agencies in Huaxia, Star Models Agency. Originally, this model was talking and laughing with Ming Yu, but as it came closer to his turn, he couldn't help feeling anxious.
In Fei Sixin's fashion show, the chief model was Ming Yu. Therefore, the other models shouldn't have higher fame than him. This could be regarded as a custom in Huaxian, in order to avoid any stealing of the spotlight. It was also a seniority thing.
…Of course, the limelight could steal be stolen, such as when Ming Yu grabbed all attention from Ming Yu.
Ming Yu heard the model's worried words and looked at Master Fei, who was scolding a model. He reluctantly chuckled and comforted the model, "Master Fei just wants his work to be excellent. Rest assured, he is a good person."
The model could only nod. After a long while, he curiously asked, "Ming Yu, what have you been drinking?"
Ming Yu suddenly stiffened as he heard this. After a long while, his lips curved in a bright and gentle smile. "This? It is an energy drink my assistant made for me. It is healthy and nutritious."
His voice was as soft as the spring breeze, but the model couldn't help shivering uncontrollably and never asked again.
…What type of drink was it, you ask?
Of course, it was Luo Ru's red beans, black beans, egg whites… a mixed milk beverage that contained vitamins A and D!
Well, the name was too long and Ming Yu only remembered this much.
Since he was ruthlessly crushed by someone in the parking lot, Ming Yu was determined to take advantage of this last development period.
The original owner was already 175cm at the age of 14. But after years passed, he didn't grow and Ming Yu only had a height of 184cm.
According to Ming Yu's guess, the reason for this halt in growth was because the original owner fell victim to that slag male. He didn't exercise, ate a lot of random things and didn't pay attention to nutrition.
At the time, the original owner didn't have an assistant and Zhao Rui was too busy.
Ming Yu had a deep suspicion: Maybe Cheng Su intentionally did this…
Well, the possibility was high and his suspicion couldn't be ruled out.
Fortunately, ever since Ming Yu's rebirth, he had insisted on exercising every morning, running at least 5km. His diet was very regular and healthy, allowing him to grow 2~3cm in the past four or five months, letting out the height that was suppressed for several years.
But that wasn't enough!
Xi Ze's official data stated he was 192cm tall, but after that night, Ming Yu thought that the man was at least 10cm taller than him.
Ming Yu pretended to casually ask Zhao Rui, who replied, "Xi Ze? Xi Ze never participates in the company's physical tests. He is too busy. I heard that Ding Bo just directly registers the information. In any case, he usually participates in fashion shows, where the clothes are tailored for him, so it is no big deal. Oh yes, it seems he has recently only been participating in the shows for his own brand. Then there is no problem."
Ming Yu, “…”
There was a problem!
It meant that he was much shorter than that man!
Luo Ru was truly a competent assistant. Once Ming Yu expressed his desire for her to create a plan to help him grow, she came back the next day with a complete program that she designed for Ming Yu… including medicinal soup that she boiled.
A height of 184cm was still good for a model. In the world's top 10 supermodel rankings, there was a male model from Denmark who was only 183cm. But… the average height of a male supermodel was 188cm, so this number could really be considered belong the average.
After seeing Ming Yu's gaze, Luo Ru hesitated for a long time before eventually saying, "In fact, I wanted to raise this issue a long time ago. However, you and Brother Zhao didn't say anything so I didn't speak. I actually worked out this plan a month ago and was just waiting for you to implement it…"
The implication was: Ming Xiaoyu, you should've noticed this problem a long time ago!
Ming Yu, “…”
With such a grieving mood, Ming Yu drank the full cup of medicinal soup. He handed the empty cup to Luo Ru and formally entered the shooting set.
Fei Zhennan was surprised as he suddenly saw a handsome teenager in the frame. His line of sight shifted away from the SLR, looking towards Ming Yu in the centre of the set.
The two people smiled at each other.
Fei Zhennan spoke, "I didn't expect that after half a year, I finally get the chance to shoot you, Ming Yu."
Chapter 31
Ming Yu had a good sense of the lens.
Fei Zhennan was quite clear about this.
When he first saw the teenager a few months ago in the studio of Fashion Entertainment, he had been attracted by the youth's incomparable control of the lens.
Not every model had an excellent temperament, but this boy had it. Not every model had a first class sense of the lens, but this body had it. Not every model could get the approval of his stupid daughter and be invited as the chief model, but this boy did all of it!
In this spacious studio, the dark blue background reflected off the lighting boards, projecting a faint blue halo. A tall and handsome young man was standing on a ground covered in white feathers. He calmly took different postures, casually allowing the camera to capture him.
A sense of the lens didn't mean that the model had to be watching the lens, nor did it mean that the model should be fully show on the camera.
Fei Zhennan rarely felt this tacit understanding that didn't need words. Sometimes the youth slightly raised his head, eyes looking down at the camera. Other times, he was staring into nothingness with helpless eyes.
In the quiet and spacious studio, everyone only heard the constant sound of the shutter clicking.
No one said a word, or took any actions. Old Fei also stopped directing from behind the camera. He just became the photographer who shot this beauty, the young man who constantly changed his posture and made different angles.
In just a few minutes, hundreds of photos had been taken.
Once Ming Yu finished shooting this set of clothing, he quickly left and changed clothes. After the make-up and the finishing touches on the clothing, he was once again in front of the camera, allowing the 'click click click' sound to be heard.
By the time all the photos were taken, the old man had been working the whole day without eating lunch. Ming Yu also only ate biscuits while waiting for his turn. Therefore, the two people grabbed a bowl of glutinous rice porridge and sat at a table to eat.
Old Fei picked up his chopsticks and smiled. "Ming Yu, those photos are good. There is still some time before the fashion show. If you come see me later, you can pick a few of them and I will give them to you."
Ming Yu was scooping up a spoonful of vegetable soup when he heard this. He smiled and nodded. "Okay, Old Fei. If it isn't too troublesome then we can go after finishing the meal."
Not everything was over after the photos were taken. The photographer had to sift through hundreds of photos to select the best one for later retouching. For example, many models looked greasy, even with powder on their faces. This required the photographer to fix later.
Of course, not every photographer needed to do this personally. Some liked to have their assistants help, while they were in charge of shooting the best picture.
Master Fei drank a mouthful of white porridge and shook his head with a smile, "What trouble? I had a glance through and the effect is great. I hardly need to do any late work on it. Your skin is delicate and the light feeling is also quite good. If you are willing, I can even send a few shots for you to hang at home."
Ming Yu smiled and accepted Master Fei's praise.
They finished eating the last of the white porridge and Ming Yu walked with Old Fei to his temporary studio. Old Fei spoke as he walked. "Ming Yu, this silly girl is really troubling you. It is her first fashion show and there are many deficiencies. I am really grateful that you accepted this job and can help her."
Ming Yu was startled by these words, before smoothly replying, "Old Fei, Sister Xin gave me a chance, so I am very grateful to her."
Fei Zhennan pushed open the studio door while listening to this young man. Then he shook his head. "Sixin shouldn't have a newcomer be her chief model, but you aren't a new model. Ming Yu, you have a good sense of the lens and your temperament is also very good. I have shot many supermodels, including this country's top supermodels. I even did a cover shot for Xi Ze when he first debuted."
Ming Yu looked up at Old Fei after hearing the name. He just listened as the latter continued, "Your sense of the lens is really the best out of all the models I've seen. The other supermodel in Muse, you should be familiar with He Chaoman right?"
Ming Yu nodded. "As an elder sister in the company, I have seen her from a distance."
Old Fei smiled. "Yes, Chaoman's temperament is very good. She was born into luxury, but doesn't lack affinity towards others. This trait allows her to attract the attention of others on the catwalk, but not take away from the beauty of the clothing. However, her sense of the lens is ordinary. When I first started taking photos of her, I was always training her. Her performance became skilled later on, but she often made me complain about many things, haha."
Ming Yu knew that Old Fei was talking about intimate matters, suggesting that he really regarded Ming Yu as his own. This recognition was also helpful to Ming Yu. He slightly raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Sister Man is very strong."
Old Fei waved his hand. "She isn't as good as you in front of the lens! Your sense of the lens… Ming Yu, you can't say this to other people, especially that man. However, when I am shooting you, I feel that you are absolutely no worse than that man!"
Ming Yu was slightly stunned as he heard 'that man'. He frowned and asked, "Old Fei, what man are you talking about?"
Old Fei raised his white eyebrows. "Of course, it is Xi Ze!"
Ming Yu, “…”
Who would know if he didn't say it!
The old man touched his chin and continued. "Xi Ze doesn't look like it, but he is actually very stingy. Ming Yu, you might have no contact with him now, but you are still in the same company. As a newcomer with such potential, you will eventually come into contact with Xi Ze. At that time, you absolutely can't tell him that I said these words!"
Ming Yu, “…”
Was this why there were misconceptions about Chinese people?
After selecting a few photos in the studio, it was soon evening and it wasn't long before the fashion show would start. Luo Ru found it difficult to enter the room to interrupted Ming Yu and Old Fei, so she sent a text message to Ming Yu, reminding him to go to make-up.
Ming Yu politely said goodbye to Old Fei and turned to leave.
However, he had just turned around and taken two steps when a hesitant voice was heard from behind him. "Ming Yu, what you said on that program… were you serious?”
Ming Yu's footsteps paused and he turned to look at the old man behind him. The world's top photographer had a complex look on his face. His expression was too complication and couldn't be understood. However, his eyes were sincere, causing Ming Yu's heart to slowly soften.
Under the shining light, the handsome youth gentle smiled and replied. "Yes, Old Fei. Everyone must have their own goal, and my goal has always been to aim for the top. Right now, that seems to be Xi Ze."
Ming Yu deliberately didn't conceal his ambition from the old man who cared about him.
The two people stared at each other for a long time before Old Fei suddenly laughed and clapped. "Good! Ming Yu, your goal is good! Tonight, Xi Ze will also attend this fashion show as designer. This might be your first step, so you have to grasp it!"
Ming Yu agreed and left the studio without looking back.
At this moment, Ming Yu and Fei Zhennan didn't know that a month ago, a certain man had sneaked into the Pei Feng fashion show, or that he watched the boy say "I want to go beyond Xi Ze" over and over again.
Today, on the evening of December 14th, 2016, a luxurious vehicle stopped at the entrance of the fashion show's venue. The driver quickly alighted and opened the rear seat door, and a pair of shiny shoes appeared on the red carpet.
The city's colourful neon lights shone in the sky and countless reporters stood in the cold around the red carpet, waiting for the guests who would come to the fashion show.
Yes, Fei Sixin was a 23 year old new designer who wasn't affiliated with any big name brand. But her work garnered many international awards in recent years, as well as appearing in many magazines.
It wasn't even because she was 'Fei Zhennan's only child.' The name 'Fei Sixin' alone was enough to attract countless renowned designers, photographers, magazine editors… and even models.
In addition, before the fashion show began, Fei Zhennan took the initiative to invite many industry friends to see his daughter. Thus, tonight the reporters could see many heavyweights in the industry. Three of the world's top 10 photographers came!
The reporters defied the cold as their cameras flashed endlessly on the red carpet. But once they saw this beautiful man, not one person thought about taking a photo because they were startled.
After a long while, there were murmurs of "Ahhh, it is Xi Ze.", "Why did Xi Ze come?", "Fei Sixin actually invited Xi Ze?"
After these exclamations, the flashes started again as they captured this cold and handsome man.
Some people came for the sake of 'Fei Zhennan.'
Some people came for the sake of 'Fei Sixin.'
But besides Ding Bo, no one else knew that—
Xi Ze, he came for Ming Yu.