CHAPTER 637: CHAPTER 627: WELCOME BANQUET, OUTFIT CLASH

Jiang Lingxi lifted her skirt with one hand and supported Shen Yunqing’s arm as they got out of the car.

This gown was chosen for her by Xiaoxiao.

The outfits brought back from Fashion Hall yesterday were great for street shoots, but not quite suitable for this occasion.

So, Xiaoxiao, as a disciple of top stylist Yun Ping, borrowed this set of high-end international brand couture for her.

Though a bit inconvenient for movement, it was undeniably stunning.

The dress’s arrival even surprised Lu Zhengzheng and Fang Yao.

Previously, when Xiaoxiao joined Jiang Lingxi’s team with two assistants, they mainly handled makeup and styling.

Domestically, without many significant occasions, they mostly wore Shanyue Zhiheng’s outfits.

Clothing wasn’t much of Xiaoxiao’s concern then.

But now, they’ve gone international from Hua State. It’s not that they can’t continue wearing Shanyue Zhiheng, but they can’t wear the same brand everywhere.

After all, sometimes the gown one wears in the entertainment circle is also a symbol of status.

A celebrity stylist’s role isn’t just about hair and makeup; they sometimes need to help celebrities borrow sufficiently weighty gowns too.

This requires both connections and capability.

Upon learning how difficult it was to borrow this gown, Lu Zhengzheng whispered to Fang Yao.

"I finally get why Mr. Shao spared no expense to hire Sister Xiaoxiao!"

Previously, she had thought that Sister Xiaoxiao was valued for her makeup and styling skills—now she knew there was more to it.

Suddenly receiving two admiring looks, Xiaoxiao thought, "..."

Who knew that she, too, breathed a sigh of relief quietly.

At last, the day came when she was truly needed.

Previously, she just did some makeup and styling, feeling a bit guilty about her hefty pay.

So, for this gown, she put in extra effort to secure it ahead of several celebrity teams eyeing the same dress.

Not far ahead was the venue for the welcome dinner.

The massive white building was brightly lit, and the lawn in front was as bright as daylight, with shadows of people passing by, everyone wearing appropriate smiles.

The stars who draw numerous eyes on screens here were just one among many.

In addition, the side hall was available for the accompanying guests to rest.

Shen Yunqing had only returned after Jiang Lingxi was all styled and ready to head out this afternoon. Lu Zhengzheng, who usually stayed by Jiang Lingxi’s side, stepped back to Fang Yao’s side to give her sister and Mr. Shen some time together upon seeing him.

However, on the drive over and now as they reached the red carpet, they had to part ways.

One would go to the banquet venue, and the other to the rest area next door.

Besides, Tong Yue and others were tagging along, and Jiang Lingxi didn’t ask him what he had specifically been up to throughout the past day and night.

We can talk once the dinner is over.

"Sister Xixi, we’ll head over first, then."

Jiang Lingxi waved to Tong Yue and the group, who sensibly left first.

Leaving Shen Yunqing quietly standing by her side.

"You should rest well first; we’ll talk when we get back."

"Okay." Shen Yunqing quietly handed over the invitation.

Then, he watched as his Majesty walked alone, had the invitation checked at the entrance, and continued, blending into the crowd until hidden by the crowd’s shadows, before turning to head in another direction.

Jiang Lingxi walked up to a long white table, picking up a glass of red wine just placed by a waitress.

She swirled it but didn’t drink.

Continuing forward, people looked over, smiling, and she responded the same.

Until she found a less crowded seating area and stopped there.

There were even fewer people inside the building lobby, but since no one went in for the moment, they gathered outside on the lawn. She didn’t intend to stand out, deciding to stay outside as well.

"Sister Xi, finally found you."

Just after taking a sip of wine, Jiang Lingxi looked up to see Wei Minmin walking over with a wine glass in one hand and a plate of small cakes in the other, plopping down in a seat next to her.

"Came early by accident; this banquet is really dull."

Jiang Lingxi swirled the wine in her hand, "I just arrived."

"No wonder I couldn’t find you after searching for a while." Wei Minmin said, not forgetting to take a bite of cake, "Sister Xi, want some? I’ll get you another piece."

"No need, I figured this banquet wouldn’t offer much proper food, so I ate beforehand."

"I thought about eating before I came too, but look at my dress today; my manager absolutely wouldn’t let me eat, so I have to sneak bites here."

Jiang Lingxi glanced at her dress, it was a sleek, form-fitting style.

"A bit tight."

Wei Minmin stuck out her tongue, "My manager said I gained three pounds today; otherwise, this dress should’ve fit perfectly." Speaking of dresses, she glanced at Jiang Lingxi’s, "Hey, your dress..."

"What’s up?"

"Isn’t this MR’s autumn/winter haute couture for this year? I heard it’s hard to borrow."

"I’m not too clear on that, the stylist helped borrow it."

"That girl named Xiaoxiao? She’s quite capable!"

The two were whispering, comfortably in their own world, when someone came to disturb them.

Jiang Lingxi first noticed a less-than-kind glance, looked up, and saw Zhou Lingyue approaching.

Her gaze fell on the gown Jiang Lingxi wore today, raising her brows.

When Zhou got close, still munching on cake, Wei Minmin finally noticed someone coming over, turned her head, and widened her eyes.

"Oh, you two are wearing the same outfit!"

Normally it wouldn’t be a big deal, but in such a grand setting, it was a bit awkward.

Wait a second, wasn’t MR’s haute couture one-of-a-kind per design? Yet there are two identical dresses; could one be a knockoff?

Wei Minmin thought about this, quietly putting down her half-eaten cake, unsure what to say.

She knew the stylist for Zhou Lingyue’s team; compared to Zhou Lingyue’s, Sister Xi’s stylist wasn’t as renowned.

So, whose dress is the counterfeit!

Jiang Lingxi sipped her wine quietly, withdrawing her gaze.

Zhou Lingyue, seeing Jiang Lingxi seemingly indifferent about wearing the same dress, couldn’t hold her composure, "Where did you borrow this gown from?"

"My assistant borrowed it."

"What a coincidence, mine is also from MR. I feel I should kindly remind you, they only make one of each design. If there are two identical dresses, one must be real and the other fake, and yours is likely the knockoff."

Seeing Jiang Lingxi still unfazed, Zhou Lingyue was so frustrated her nostrils flared, "As the dinner hasn’t started yet, you’d better hurry and contact your people to change it; otherwise, you’ll make a joke out of yourself in public."

But this wasn’t her being kind. What really upset her was that even if Jiang Lingxi wore what might be a fake, she still looked better than Zhou Lingyue in her genuine dress; plus, Jiang Lingxi’s makeup and hairstyle were more fitting.

Now, that’s infuriating!