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Chapter 5: Marks on the Knees

Shen Jie nodded, not nearly as skeptical as Yan Man. “That’s right, Sister Man.”

She straightened her back. “It’s about time it was our turn. Last time at the RY show, Zhong Yiyi got to open, and she’s been dying to remind us every day since.”

Just thinking of Zhong Yiyi’s smug expression made Shen Jie boil with irritation.

Yan Man, looking through the mirror at Shen Jie’s puffed-up cheeks, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Don’t take it to heart.”

She had always been indifferent to these kinds of things—never one to compete actively for anything, nor care about status within the circle. After all, modeling had only ever been a way for her to get closer to Tan Qishen.

Yan Man looked away from the mirror, sighing softly at the thought of having to open the show. There was a trace of concern in her voice. “It’s just that this time…”

The GV show wasn’t like an ordinary runway event. It would be broadcast globally and represented the nation’s image.

She was one of the few Chinese models in the group.

“Don’t worry.”

Before the person even entered the room, a gentle and cheerful voice could be heard.

Yan Man turned her head. A woman in a fitted blue suit pushed open the door.

“President Luo,” Shen Jie’s eyes lit up, giving her a nod in greeting.

“Just call me Rosy,” Luo Xi said, deliberately keeping a stern face. She didn’t like being addressed formally by her surname—she much preferred her English name.

“Alright, President Rosy,” Shen Jie quickly corrected herself.

Only then did Luo Xi smile. She rested her hand on the back of Yan Man’s chair, her eyes admiring her radiant and elegant friend in the mirror. “I was the one who recommended you to open the show. Are you really that lacking in confidence?”

Luo Xi was the CEO of Yan Man’s entertainment company and essentially worked under Tan Qishen.

Yan Man raised an eyebrow—she’d almost forgotten about her.

Luo Xi held a fair amount of sway in the fashion world.

Yan Man sighed helplessly. “I’ve barely entered the industry. Aren’t you afraid people will say I used connections, that you’re being biased?”

Luo Xi shrugged, unconcerned. “So what? We’ll prove them wrong with strength. You’re the most beautiful in this group, your stage presence is rock solid. So what if you’re new? This isn’t an industry where seniority matters—if you’ve got it, you go up.”

She smiled, her red lips curving slightly. “Darling, believe in yourself.”

She patted Yan Man’s shoulder, utterly confident in her friend’s ability.

Though they had only known each other for a year, it felt like they had met too late in life.

When a scout from the company first discovered Yan Man, they immediately signed her to a five-year contract.

The moment Luo Xi saw Yan Man’s looks, she had a gut feeling their company might just produce an international supermodel.

Sure enough, Yan Man hadn’t let her down. Over the past year, their relationship had grown beyond just boss and employee. They would occasionally hang out and grab drinks together.

Since Luo Xi had said so much, Yan Man didn’t argue further. She was never the type to back down—if she were, she would’ve given up on pursuing Tan Qishen long ago, rather than chasing after him for a full year.

“Then I’ll give it a try,” Yan Man said, looking at herself in the mirror.

Her makeup was elegant and meticulously done—she had gone for a vintage look to match today’s outfit.

Her black curly hair was smooth and glossy, full and thick, lazily falling just to her collarbone. Every strand seemed to carry its own charm.

“That’s more like it,” Luo Xi said, full of confidence in her friend.

With less than an hour until showtime, the haute couture gown and luxury jewelry she would wear were delivered to the private dressing room.

The GV show primarily showcased jewelry, with the gowns merely serving as accessories. But every gown’s color and design were carefully crafted to highlight the elegance and brilliance of the jewelry.

That meant each model’s gown was custom-made, luxurious, and one of a kind.

To avoid any damage, the dresses were only delivered an hour before the show.

Shen Jie carefully received the gown and began helping Yan Man change.

Luo Xi stood nearby, eyeing the white dress with satisfaction. “Only haute couture like this is worthy of our dear Manman’s aura.”

She wasn’t wrong. The gown was indeed extraordinary—crafted with the brand’s exclusive metallic fabric, accented with a rare obsidian-spliced black belt at the waist. Every fold and line was precisely calculated. Minimalist, yet anything but simple. And this was its debut appearance.

The skirt wasn’t long, ending just above the knees.

Yan Man stepped out of the dressing room, fully dressed. Her slender legs were elongated by a pair of plain-colored high heels that wrapped delicately around her toes.

Luo Xi’s admiring gaze slid from her feet upward. But after a few seconds, her eyes narrowed, and she asked in surprise, “What happened here?”

She squinted, looking at Yan Man’s knees. On her fair, slender skin, there was a visible bluish bruise. It wasn’t obvious from a distance, but up close, it stood out.

Yan Man glanced down and went blank for a second.

How could she have forgotten about that?

Luo Xi raised a brow, shooting her a knowing look. It was clear she had guessed where the bruise came from.

Yan Man looked away, knowing exactly what Luo Xi was thinking. But she couldn’t refute it—because it was true.

“Cover it with concealer,” Luo Xi said to Shen Jie.

It wasn’t very noticeable, but under the flash of cameras, even minor marks could be seen.

Shen Jie understood immediately. Her cheeks flushed a bit, but she didn’t tease—just quietly dabbed on the concealer.

For once, the usually composed and unreadable Yan Man showed a trace of awkward embarrassment on her face.

She really shouldn’t have indulged Tan Qishen…

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Meanwhile…

At the top floor of the building, where the runway show was to be held (also the headquarters of the host brand), the atmosphere was tense.

“I thought President Tan wasn’t coming?”

The event organizers were visibly flustered, hurrying downstairs.

“No idea why he suddenly decided to show up.”

They had just received word that Tan Qishen, CEO of the Tan Group, had changed his mind and was coming to the show. He’d be arriving downstairs any moment now.

Nearly twenty executives all rushed to the lobby to greet him.

By the time they reached the first floor, Uncle Nan had already opened the car door, and Tan Qishen was stepping out.

Leading the reception was a well-dressed Frenchman, all smiles, who quickly approached Tan Qishen. Despite his calm demeanor, his slightly trembling hands betrayed his nervousness.

“Mr. Tan, a pleasure to meet you.”

His Chinese was awkward and clearly recently learned—but the effort alone showed deep respect.

Though he was the brand’s president for the Asia region and held sway in the fashion world, he had little authority in front of someone like Tan Qishen.

Knowing the importance of etiquette in Chinese culture, he reached out first for a handshake.

Tan Qishen was dressed in his usual business attire, which happened to be perfect for such an event. His clothes were always custom-made, his leather shoes spotless and shining, the crease of his trousers sharp, his posture tall and dignified—he exuded quiet nobility.

He returned the handshake, his voice cool and steady. “A pleasure.”

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