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Chapter 26: Seeing Her Brother
The show was being held at Senlai’s private venue. The entire setup had already been completed. Knowing that this was Tan Qishen’s private show, everyone was on high alert, giving it even more attention and care than an official high-profile fashion event.
Yan Man arrived at the company just as the staff were distributing clothes and jewelry.
“Manman, what are you doing here?”
Luo Xi, as the CEO of Senlai, was personally overseeing things backstage. Seeing Yan Man appear left her slightly puzzled.
“Shouldn’t you be attending class with Teacher Liang at this time?” Luo Xi asked.
“Yiling isn’t feeling well, so I’m taking her place,” Yan Man replied honestly.
Luo Xi nodded in understanding, then repeated the instructions she had just given to all the models for Yan Man’s benefit: “This show is specially arranged for President Tan and the leaders of the partnering company. You must showcase the jewelry and outfits perfectly, from every angle. Even though there are only two audience members, you must present your best state.”
“I understand.”
Yan Man wasn’t curious about which company they were partnering with. After finishing the conversation with Luo Xi, she headed into the dressing room.
Fang Hexun didn’t ride in the same car as Tan Qishen—he came in his own Maybach. Sitting in the back seat, he raised his eyes and could see the black Cullinan SUV in front. The license plate was striking: Jing-A followed by five nines. Anyone could tell the owner of the car held an extraordinary status.
A familiar face suddenly flashed through Fang Hexun’s mind. He closed his eyes and pressed hard on his brow.
“President Fang, about President Tan…”
Assistant Chen Xin noticed something odd through the rearview mirror. He had been working with Fang Hexun for seven or eight years and had seen Tang Qingshuo’s face in the early days.
Fang Hexun opened his eyes and asked quietly, “You think he looks like him too?”
“He gave me a real scare just now. I thought…”
Chen Xin trailed off—his meaning was clear without finishing the sentence.
Resurrection?
Faked death?
Fang Hexun knew that such things were absolutely impossible in this world. Tang Qingshuo had definitely boarded that flight which later crashed.
His face turned grim. He told Chen Xin, “You mustn’t mention this to Yiyi.”
Fang Hexun was well aware that Tang Qingshuo had liked his sister. As for whether his sister had reciprocated those feelings, he wasn’t sure. But judging from her behavior in recent years, there was probably something there.
Life truly plays cruel jokes.
If she found out there was someone in this world who looked so much like Tang Qingshuo, she’d probably never be able to forget.
The two luxury cars parked outside the company.
Luo Xi brought the company’s senior management to personally greet the guests. “President Tan, President Fang.”
“This is Rosy, the CEO of Senlai,” Tan Qishen introduced to Fang Hexun.
Fang Hexun nodded and shook hands with Luo Xi. “We met at the last banquet.”
Luo Xi smiled with calm confidence befitting her role. “Yes, I didn’t expect we’d be working together so soon.”
She made an inviting gesture. “The show is ready. Please, President Tan, President Fang.”
They all went upstairs together. The venue lights were already dimmed. The seats below the stage were empty, except for a few cigar chairs placed at the best viewing angles.
Once Tan Qishen and Fang Hexun took their seats, the private show officially began.
As intense drumbeats echoed, the first model stepped out. All the haute couture dresses worn by the models were provided by a subsidiary of the Fang Group.
In the past, Fang’s brand had stuck to a traditional path, mainly catering to the general public. Their clothes rarely appeared at high-end banquets or on runways. This was the first time they were branching out.
Fang Hexun watched with great interest—until the last model came out.
Yan Man, as the closing model, appeared last. She wore a dark, high-slit gown with a prominent diamond necklace around her neck, easily ten carats. Her ears had silver diamond-shaped earrings, matching the ring on her middle finger.
She always focused only ahead while walking, never glancing around. But with only two people in the audience, and those two seated so prominently, it was impossible not to see them.
Out of the corner of her eye, Yan Man saw the man sitting beside Tan Qishen and found him oddly familiar. As she approached and got a clear look, her legs nearly gave out.
Wasn’t that her brother?!
From what Luo Xi had just said, the only two audience members were President Tan and a partner from another company.
When did their family start working with the Tan Group?!
Fang Hexun’s smile froze the moment he saw Yan Man. He stared at her face, double- and triple-checking—this really was his sister.
He knew she had signed with an entertainment agency but didn’t know which one. There were so many in Beijing—what were the odds she’d join one under the Tan Group?
He instinctively glanced at Tan Qishen beside him. In the dim lighting, Tan’s expression was unreadable, his deep black eyes fixed on the model walking off stage—his sister.
Now Fang Hexun couldn’t help but worry. If his sister was working under Tan’s company, she had definitely seen him before.
Had she truly moved on?
When the finale concluded, all twenty-two models came out again, standing in a row on the T-stage in the order they had walked.
Yan Man stood at the far edge, the farthest from Fang Hexun.
She silently prayed he hadn’t seen her—but deep down, she knew that was just self-deception.
She stole a glance at Tan Qishen beside her. Unexpectedly, their eyes met. His gaze was intense and scorching, fixed directly on her. She feared others might notice something was off.
She quickly looked away, then glanced at her older brother. She wasn’t even sure why she suddenly felt so guilty.
No one in her family knew she was in a relationship—only Wen Moying knew.
After the show, Luo Xi came over and chatted with Fang Hexun, saying, “This is the first collaboration between the two brands. There were a few rough edges at first, but we’re working on improvements and will continue to innovate. Please rest assured, President Fang.”
Fang Hexun nodded. “Good, I’m looking forward to it.”
While the CEOs chatted, the models had to remain perfectly still onstage with smiles on their faces. It was a tough gig—until Tan Qishen stood up.
He turned to Fang Hexun and said unhurriedly, “President Fang, these jewelry pieces are gifts for your wife. Once they’re packed, I’ll have them delivered to your home.”
The models, tall and elegant, wore full jewelry sets. Though the styles varied, they were all new, luxurious designs—nearly all over five carats.
Twenty-two models meant twenty-two sets. That was quite an extravagant gift.
Fang Hexun raised his hand to politely decline. “Thank you, President Tan, but my wife doesn’t really like jewelry. I’ll just take one piece.”
Tan Qishen didn’t like forcing people. He nodded. “As you wish, President Fang.”