Remember the charity gala I announced I was going to host? Yeah...
Rumei was busy up and down, alongside all my other assistants, as they made sure that everything was okay.
I never expected that hosting a charity gala would feel this exhausting and draining.
From the auction logistics, to the press coordination to small questions on whether the napkin styles were okay, I had reached a level of stress where even Nova had shut up for his own safety.
'Host I am only quiet because if I speak , the chances of you throwing your phone across the walls are 100%. Also, you might curse me out...'
"You are right," I muttered under my breath as I adjusted some of the misplaced roses. "You would deserve it though."
'Eer host, I recommend drinking water. You are really emitting a murderous aura. You don't want to get everyone, including those flowers killed before the gala ends.'
"Nova?"
'Yes host?'
" Shut up."
'Yes Ma'am.'
" Good."
I was about to move to the next table when I felt a presence behind me. It was unmistakably familiar.
Lu Jinghao.
He had an imposing but calm and warm presence. Shocking if you ask me.
If I am not wrong, he wasn't supposed to arrive early but then again, this man had a talent of appearing anytime stress was about to choke me.
"You really are talented in overworking yourself," he spoke gently. "How about I help handle the press? Just focus on being the star of the show tonight."
I felt heat curl in my stomach but I forced a breath.
"This is a charity event. How can I be the star?"
His eyes softened as he looked at me."Exactly. You're raising funds to support women's shelters. That makes you the brightest star here."
Before I could respond, he suddenly touched the corner of the Rose vase, a lame excuse to lean a little closer.
"Oh and by the way, you look beautiful, Jiang Rui."
I froze.
He smiled.
Unbothered by my shocked reaction, he happily walked off, giving himself the role of welcoming the arriving sponsors.
Nova laughed out loud. A laughter I never knew he had in him.
'Host you are malfunctioning. I recommend rebooting yourself.'
His laughter continued for like a minute straight, making me also want to laugh, but I controlled myself.
I bit back both a laugh and a smile, and straightened my shoulders.
This gala had to go smoothly. For all the women who would benefit from the donations, and for me.
This being my first major public event as a designer, I truly wanted everything to go well, proving that I am truly standing on my own name.
Or so I thought.
Because somehow, peace naturally hates me.
Right when the event officially started, she walked in.
Yu Feiyan.
A designer and a celebrity darling.
Privately though?
She is a poisonous vine disguised as a beautiful flower.
Her biggest identity though, remains to be Jiang Ning's lapdog. She tried sabotaging me once, got taught a lesson but seems like she never learns.
She wore a beautiful silver gown, one that shimmered under the lights but unfortunately for her, it was an obvious imitation of one of my collections.
Truly a painful sight for any authentic designer.
The moment our gazes met, her smile sharpened by several degrees.
"Oh my goodness! The Star herself!"
She glided towards me, pathetically air kissing me beside my cheeks.
"RuiRui darling. You are looking so... simple."
I smiled. "Why thank you. And you are looking like you just raided your apprentice's homework."
Her smile twitched and I smirked.
Such a good start.
She shamelessly looped her arm into mine, disgusting me to the core.
She was here acting like we were old friends.
"I brought something special for tonight's auction Rui."
Alarm bells.
Every fibre of me immediately woke up in Alert.
"Ohh, Is that so?" I asked smiling.
She nodded eagerly, way too eagerly. "Uh huh. It is a piece between me and a certain famous celebrity brand. We thought it would add glitter and prestige to your 'little' event."
'Warning host. The system detects venom.'
I kept my expression neutral as I replied.
"That's thoughtful of you, but the items being auctioned have already been screened."
"Oh, this one is so special, it won't need any screening" she spoke sweetly. "Come on. I will show you backstage."
I should have said no.
But the cunning glint in her eyes told me she had something planned, she had her ways of twisting the narrative if one plan didn't work out well.
And so I decided to follow her backstage.
The moment we stepped behind the curtains, I saw it.
A dress on a mannequin.
What caught my eye was the detail on the dress. This was a dress designed looking exactly like one of mine in my upcoming unreleased collection.
My blood chilled.
This is a dress she shouldn't even know existed. Unless...
Yu Feiyan clapped her hands in a delightful and dramatic manner.
"Well? Too Surprised to say something? Don't worry RuiRui… I'm just recognizing your talent. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, isn't it?"
"And you know, once the press sees this, they will automatically say you copied me instead."
Ah. I see. So that's what she had in mind.
She wants to frame me for copying her, using my stolen idea.
My fingers curled. I itched to give her the beating of her pathetic life.
Before I could respond, she pulled out a small vial, with dark green powder shimmering in it.
"This, Jiang Rui," she whispered, "will make all your dresses on the runway tonight fall apart. Seam by seam. Threads by thread. Unlike last time, tonight I want everyone to see you fail for good."
My breath stilled but I perfectly masked my reaction.
Not only did she want to frame me, but also publicly humiliate me, in a cruel and irreplaceable manner.
However, this stupid girl didn't know how to control her mouth.
'Such a wicked woman. Should I deploy violence host?'
"No, I got this." I muttered.
Yu Feiyan smirked with satisfaction. "Is the mighty phantom afraid?"
I stepped forward, in a slow and deliberate manner, before snatching the vial from her crusty fingers.
Her confidence suddenly cracked.
"Dear Yu Feiyan, I know this powder," I said, rolling it between my fingers, the same way I roll my sketch pencils.
"This is the same cheap powder Jiang Ning loves using anytime she meets someone more talented than her. You think I haven't been watching you two all these years?"
Her face paled.
"But....how... how do you..."
"Feiyan," I said softly, "you are really not as smart as you pretend to be."
I walked past her, directly to the imitation gown. I picked it up and tossed it on the floor.
She gasped so loud that I couldn't tell the difference between her and a dying cat.
Hmm..I'll have to make Nova imitate her later on.
"Jiang Rui! You can't...that was really expensive!"
"So is your career Feiyan. It's such a shame you're gambling it real bad."
She angrily lunged for me, but my quick reflexes helped me, as I was able to step aside on time.
"You really that desperate for attention?Fine then. I will gladly give you the spotlight."
Her eyes widened In shock. "No! Jiang Rui!!YOU WOULDN'T DA..."
But I did.
I flicked the mic on and walked right onto the stage.
Hundreds of cameras. Thousands of eyes. Just the perfect battlefield.
"Good evening," I said with a calm but calculative smile.
"As your hostess for tonight, I'd like to present to you a generous donation brought by Miss Yu Feiyan."
Feiyan stumbled onto the stage after me, her appearance already disheveled."RuiRui! Don't! Wait..."
I held up the ruined imitation dress, and immediately, gasps erupted.
"This gown," I spoke, my voice now cold, "is an imitation of my unreleased collection. It has been Produced without authorization."
Feiyan choked. "Y...you are lying! I hav..."
"And," I continued, "Miss Feiyan had an intention of sabotaging tonight's charity event using a chemical dissolver on my pieces."
A specific camera zoomed in on the vial still in my hand.
Flashes burst as the reporters whispered.
Yu Feiyan really fell apart faster than the pieces she tried ruining.
"No...No! It wasn't me! Someone. Yes. Someone must have planted..."
I tilted my head in amusement. "In that case, we should check the backstage security cameras. I'm sure we will have the truth."
Her face drained of color as she fiddled her fingers in shame.
Ah. Typical fool.
She forgot about cameras.
'Host I am giving you a five star rating. You are really delivering premium face slaps.'
I gave Yu Feiyan one last look, one that carried disappointment and finality, before turning to the crowd.
"This charity event is for the needy shelters that truly deserve our support. Let's not forget why we came here and let's not ruin this chance for thousands of women who need us."
The applause was thunderous and deafening.
Yu Feiyan?
She stumbled offstage, tears streaming down her face.
She had just been ruined publicly, and in a way so humiliating that she won't forgive me.
The gala finally resumed but with some newfound energy.
The support poured in. The Donations surged. Everyone deemed so eager to contribute.
I could spot people like Huang Zeming giving it their all just for the sake of supporting me. I truly appreciated it.
When I finally stepped away from the crowd, I felt the exhaustion pulling at me.
It wasn't easy interacting with all those people. From the press, to the sponsors, to almost everyone who wanted to see me. I am glad my stamina was able to hold up.