Page Fifty-Eight The Road Widened (Part Two)
Noticing the atmosphere over there, Lin Hua and Xiao Lei no longer played around. They gathered behind me, waiting to see AJ’s solo performance.
Xiao Lei asked, “Chairman, do you think that guy can make it?”
Men couldn’t say they couldn’t.
Although she wasn’t a man right now.
I explained, “Mr. Tony has high regard for AJ, but Miss Designer clearly has reservations about AJ as a spotlight. Moreover, AJ has no runway experience. How could she possibly walk well?”
Lin Hua didn’t comment and instead asked, “What does Sister Fēiyuè think? You seem to know Miss Designer quite well?”
Sister Fēiyuè tightened the bandage on her wrist and replied, “Miss Grizelda is easy to talk to and very laid-back. I don’t think she’s just picking on Sister A. She will probably give an objective evaluation… maybe.”
“You’re not reliable either. I’ll still go help out. Idiot! Give that back to me!”
“Ah…”
Xiao Lei handed the makeup bag hidden behind her back to Lin Hua. The latter dragged AJ, who had just changed into a cheongsam, to the dressing table and began applying makeup on her face, a modern magic.
“If AJ catches Miss Grizelda’s eye, Sister A’s image could appear in international brand magazines, right?”
“Not just that, she might even get to walk the runway wearing Miss Grizelda’s designs! But Sister A’s height isn’t ideal for a runway model. If only she were as tall as Sister Lei.”
Sister Fēiyuè’s response sparked the interest of the Idiot.
She asked, “Does this mean I have a chance to walk the runway if I’m this tall? Since that’s the case, I’ll try my hand at being a part-time model too?”
Sister Fēiyuè cast a pitying glance at certain parts.
“Sister Lei, um… I don’t want to say anything that might hurt your feelings, so can you take back what you said?”
Following her gaze to her own chest, the Idiot opened her mouth and closed her eyes, shouting, “Before you feel sorry for me, that statement was already pretty harsh!”
AJ finished her makeup. Lin Hua’s makeup skills were indeed impressive. With just a light touch, AJ’s aura transformed completely.
Because it was a white embroidered classical cheongsam, Lin Hua chose a delicate eyeshadow and blush. The lipstick was light but had a glossy finish, drawing attention without overshadowing the cheongsam itself.
I glanced at Miss Grizelda. Unlike her earlier doting stare at Mr. Tony Yang, she now sat upright with a critical gaze directed at AJ… she was taking on the attitude of a professional designer.
“I’ll give it a shot.”
Miss Grizelda responded, “Don’t be nervous. If you’re considered ugly, wouldn’t that be mocking me?”
Due to his original good looks, the transformed AJ looked truly beautiful. She had a beauty style different from mine, along with a ladylike demeanor that I couldn’t imitate… perhaps because I never had money?
Because of the limited space in the back room, Mr. Tony Yang could only arrange a five-meter walkway for AJ.
He comforted her, “Remember what I said before? Don’t be nervous. Just present yourself according to your own ideas.”
“That’s not enough…”
“—Then use this!”
Hearing AJ’s murmur, Cherry Sauce secretly sacrificed my coat, turning it into an ancient-looking blue-and-white porcelain umbrella. The cheongsam beauty’s eyes lit up as she eagerly accepted it but didn’t rush to open it. Instead, she held it in her hand, weighing it thoughtfully, pondering how to perform a solo runway show.
“What a beautiful paper umbrella, where did you get it… never mind, let’s start.”
She seemed to have a plan.
Under Miss Grizelda’s urging, AJ stood at the starting point. Although the distance was only five meters, she used this short span to seize an opportunity.
Without music, lights, or a high platform, the short five meters seemed harder than any runway show.
“Snap.”
AJ opened the blue-and-white porcelain umbrella and spun it once.
Like an actor entering a role, her eyebrows, like distant green mountains, carried a gentle tenderness, like a woman waiting by West Lake for her lover. Her eyes sparkled with a subtle allure. She walked with light steps, her cheongsam swaying to highlight her figure. Each step made her expression more radiant.
AJ looked unfamiliar. I had never seen such a graceful woman.
She walked elegantly towards us, stopped, and closed the umbrella. Her aura elevated further, as if she had returned from military service, though she wasn’t smiling, her eyes brimmed with joy.
Though I wanted to say something complimentary, no one else spoke, and even Xiao Lei only filmed with her phone… Sister Tao, Sister Tao, your ex-boyfriend is now a remarkable woman!
She turned around, put away the umbrella, and returned to the starting point.
To my amateur eyes, AJ had done quite well. Without rehearsal and no runway experience, she improvised entirely… yet Mr. Tony Yang asked, “AJ, did you secretly practice your steps?”
AJ’s expression became light again. She scratched her head and laughed, “I consulted other models, but I didn’t really practice. I just learned some concepts, but they might not be very professional?”
We all looked at Miss Grizelda. Other opinions were meaningless; the key was her judgment.
“Huh—”
She finally exhaled, surprised by AJ’s performance. She had been holding her breath.
“—I understand why Tony recommended you now. You are indeed a talented prospect… I’m not a professional model, so I can’t find many flaws. But your posture and stance need improvement. Currently, you seem to be just mimicking without grasping the essence. Additionally, your facial expressions need management. Walking the runway isn’t acting, and your expressions are too varied.”
Mr. Tony Yang added, “This is AJ’s strength. She adjusts her state based on the clothing style. Compared to professional models who follow a routine, I appreciate her effort to find her own path. By the way, her current reputation is excellent, and her promotional photos stand out.”
Miss Grizelda shook her head.
“But she doesn’t meet my expectations. Professional models aren’t just lifeless mannequins. They know how to showcase their clothes. Tony, perhaps you haven’t worked with enough models yet? Don’t dismiss others’ professionalism easily.”
Mr. Tony Yang said, “Well, my brand is just starting, so there aren’t many runway shows I can participate in.”
AJ felt somewhat disappointed but not regretful.
She lamented, “Oh, I tried my best, but it still wasn’t enough.”
“Mm, it’s not that there’s no hope.”
Miss Grizelda said, “As I mentioned, you’re a talented prospect. Since you don’t meet my standards now, keep working towards it. In time, I hope you can wear the clothes I design.”
AJ and we were unsure of Miss Grizelda’s intentions.
“Though you’re a bit short for a runway model, you’re already 170 cm, right?”
“I’m exactly 170 cm. With heels… maybe a bit taller.”
AJ stood on tiptoe, indicating a possible height.
“Isn’t that enough? You can compensate for your height with other efforts.”
“Are you saying… I still have a chance?”
Miss Grizelda pushed her glasses up and smiled.
“Now, I don’t need you, but I’ll introduce you to a professional modeling school. After graduation, you can report to my studio, becoming my exclusive model. Your tuition will be reimbursed, and your treatment depends on your performance.”
Facing AJ, whom she had just met, Miss Grizelda offered high-standard terms.
Mr. Tony Yang chimed in quickly, “Wait! AJ can also come to me. I can cover her expenses…”
“Hey, why are these two competing for her?”
Hearing my whispered complaint, Sister Fēiyuè explained beside me, “Good models are crucial for fashion designers. Before clothes are worn by customers, they are showcased through models, so the quality of models directly affects sales!”
AJ said, “About the professional training, please allow me to consider it.”
I thought AJ’s model training was a done deal… but she actually needed to consider it?
I couldn’t help but step forward.
“Sister A, what are you considering? Aren’t you enjoying this work? Since you have the chance to further your education, seize it.”
The original AJ definitely didn’t meet the admission criteria, so the recommendation from a famous designer was crucial. She herself advised, “If you’re worried about my promises, I can write down those conditions in a contract. As Tony recommended you, I won’t treat you unfairly.”
“I trust you! But, going to school means leaving this city, right?”
“There are many options. If you’re willing, you could even go to France… but from your reaction, you don’t want to go too far?”
AJ nodded helplessly. Miss Designer unexpectedly raised her eyebrows, momentarily speechless, as if she had misjudged her.
If she ultimately chose to join Miss Grizelda’s studio, she would likely stay abroad.
“Are you holding back because of Sister Tao and Sister Yǐjī?”
I hurriedly explained, “If they knew they were hindering your dreams, they’d feel guilty. I hope you don’t carry too much burden in this matter.”
“Sister Yǐjī makes me worry, and Sister Tao hasn’t forgiven me yet. I really don’t want to leave now… Designer, thank you for your consideration, but this decision is important to me. I need time to think.”
“No wonder you hesitated. Do you have a lover?”
Though disappointed, the designer said, “It’s fine. I’ll be back in England next month. Just give me an answer before then. This is important, and I don’t want any regrets.”
She seemed fine with it… as expected of a Brit.
“Thank you! Then I won’t disturb your reunion with Mr. Tiffany!”
AJ gratefully thanked her, then looked appreciatively at Mr. Tony Yang before taking her clothes to the changing room.
Miss Grizelda took a moment to ask, “Who is Tiffany?”
Perhaps due to the setting, AJ still couldn’t call Mr. Tony Yang by name correctly, sounding like a jewelry brand.
