CHAPTER 572: CHAPTER 570: SURPRISES ONE AFTER ANOTHER

After everyone had spoken words of encouragement that evening, they locked up the studio and left, Wan Chu’er seeing Jiang Lingling home.

"Thank you, sister-in-law," Jiang Lingling suddenly said, "It’s you who helped me find my purpose in this world, and I am very content and satisfied with my life now."

Wan Chu’er smiled, "It’s good that you’re happy, but it’s a bit early to be content. We still have to work hard; our journey has just begun."

"Yes, sister-in-law, don’t worry."

"Get some rest early tonight, we’ll see each other at the competition site tomorrow," Wan Chu’er reminded her, watching Jiang Lingling get out of the car and enter the residential complex before leaving.

Early the next morning, Wan Chu’er headed for the studio. Everyone knew that today was a big day and arrived early.

The assistant was urging Yu Zimu to have breakfast. Wan Chu’er saw it was quite a hearty meal and praised the assistant a few words. The assistant, excitedly declared their intention to take even better care of Director Yu from now on. Yu Zimu joked, "Don’t think I don’t know your intentions; you just want to fatten me up like a pig," making everyone burst into laughter.

When it was time to set off, Jiang Lingling had still not set off. After two failed phone calls, as time was running out, Wan Chu’er told everyone to quickly bring the clothes and head out. Mai Qiqi had already arrived at the competition site and was meeting with the models waiting.

Not yet reaching the venue, they could already feel the grandeur of the event from afar—with a stream of cars and celebrities. Due to traffic congestion ahead, they had to park the car far away and then walk with their belongings.

At the entrance, the organizers had arranged a red carpet ceremony. Although it was still early, some competing designers were already on the carpet, either being photographed by the media or signing autographs and being interviewed by reporters at the end of the carpet.

Close to the start of the event, fashion icons and celebrity luminaries would appear, the real focal points of the media.

The studio’s assistant, experiencing such events up close for the first time, was really taken aback and excited.

"Boss, you and Director Yu should walk the red carpet. After all, we have the invitation," urged the assistant, seeing others basking in the limelight on the carpet.

Yu Zimu glanced and grimaced, "We’re not well-known right now; no one would pay attention, people would just think we’re gatecrashing the red carpet, only to be laughed at."

"Let’s enter through the side door instead and hurry to the backstage to prepare," Wan Chu’er calmly directed everyone to enter from the side.

"Chuchu, wait a second."

As everyone was about to detour to the side door, they heard someone calling out Wan Chu’er’s name from behind. Turning around, it was Xiao Bai and Jiang Xiaoxiao, who was visibly pregnant.

Wan Chu’er waved the others in and then walked over to Xiao Bai and his wife.

"Why are you here?" asked Wan Chu’er.

Xiao Bai replied matter-of-factly, "Naturally, to cheer on Time! I heard Mr. Yan has returned and will also be here later as a special guest to present the awards."

Wan Chu’er was frustrated, "...He’s not a mogul in the fashion world; it’s not suitable for him to present the awards." And if Jiang Kechu finds out, he’s definitely going to be jealous.

Xiao Bai smiled mysterly, "Throwing around big money counts for a lot more now than some mogul, don’t worry, brother will be there to cheer you on."

"You better take good care of Xiaoxiao instead," Wan Chu’er said, "Alright, I need to go in now, we’ll talk more later." Saying so, she walked away.

"Don’t be like that, look at you, there’s a glamorous red carpet, but you insist on going the back door route." Xiao Bai complained and grabbed Wan Chu’er’s arm, "Come, walk the red carpet with big brother, let me have the joy of being flanked by beauty. You’ll definitely make the headlines tomorrow. Hey hey, don’t tell me you’re afraid Jiang Kechu will nag."

Wan Chu’er chuckled: "You’re far from making headlines. You think you’re Yan Hui, a regular on economy news headlines. Wait until you reach Brother Yan Hui’s level, then I’ll walk the red carpet with you."

Despite his usual flattering from Xiaoxiao, Xiao Bai was gritting his teeth and staring at Wan Chu’er fiercely, really feeling disrespected. He often makes the news too, although not exactly the headlines.

Suddenly, Jiang Xiaoxiao covered her mouth and laughed. Wan Chu’er seized the opportunity to tease: "See, even Xiaoxiao, who always defends you, thinks you’re too full of yourself."

"Now, shall we walk the red carpet together?" To their surprise, the lovely voice of Yan Hui came from behind.

Wan Chu’er turned around abruptly to find Yan Hui looking at her with a shining, gentle smile.

"Brother Yan Hui, when did you get here?" Wan Chu’er asked in surprise.

Yan Hui replied with a smile: "I arrived just when you mentioned ’when you reach my level, we’ll walk the red carpet together’. I happen to need a companion, why don’t we go in together?"

Er... It was just a dig at Xiao Bai, but Yan Hui caught it perfectly. How awkward.

As Wan Chu’er glanced up, she saw Xiao Bai gloating and making faces at her, making her want to hit him, but she held back because Yan Hui was there.

Yan Hui gracefully extended his arm towards her, and Wan Chu’er couldn’t refuse. Many sharp-eyed reporters were looking over, and the sound of camera shutters started. Rejecting now would be too disrespectful to Yan Hui.

If she really refused, she might indeed hit the headlines tomorrow, and the title would surely be: "Arrogant unknown woman harshly rejects the Finance Prince." She would brace herself for online backlash, and Yan Hui would be ridiculed too.

Since refusal was not an option, she might as well do it gracefully.

Wan Chu’er elegantly reached out, gently linking her arm with Yan Hui’s, and with her other hand, she cheekily grabbed the arm of Xiao Bai, who was still enjoying the show, and playfully said:

"There, now we truly make a grand entrance, a group of handsome men and beautiful women, definitely blinding the bystanders. Second Brother, now you can make the headlines tomorrow, don’t thank me and Brother Yan Hui too much."

Yan Hui smiled indulgently yet helplessly, and led the way onto the red carpet.

Xiao Bai took the opportunity to wink at Wan Chu’er, suggesting: "You’re strong!"

On the red carpet, Yan Hui’s appearance immediately caused a commotion, and reporters on both sides aimed their cameras at them.

Who is Yan Hui?

A darling of the finance world, a guarantee for newspaper and online traffic! Entertainment reporters often tried to pull Yan Hui into their fold, but despite their best efforts, they never dug up any juicy gossip about him.

Today, they finally saw a beautiful woman on Yan Hui’s arm, and seeing how Yan Hui tenderly took care of her, nearly looking back at her every couple steps, whether helping her with her dress or whispering, made the entertainment reporters excited. If it weren’t inappropriate for the occasion, they would’ve celebrated with loud drums to express their thrill.

This would definitely scoop a major news piece, the shutters kept clicking.

A bold reporter asked: "Mr. Yan, may we know who is this lady accompanying you?"