Chapter 12: Deliberately Targeting Qiao Lan

Qiao Lan received a call from Tian Tian just as she was about to reach the stadium.

Tian Tian’s voice was filled with anger and tears: “Qiao Lan, I took this show for your sake, and even turned down an offer from a luxury brand. Now, you’re telling me to change models right before the show? That’s just too much.”

Qiao Lan frowned: “Who told you to change models?”

Tian Tian was an international supermodel. If it weren’t for their friendship, she wouldn’t have been able to get her. It was impossible to change models at the last minute.

Thinking of Qiao Yue’s arrogant demeanor, Tian Tian became even more angry: “Who else would have the audacity to do this besides the mistress of the Qiao family?”

Qiao Lan laughed angrily: “This crazy woman is always causing trouble. Who gave her the face to call herself the mistress?”

She comforted Tian Tian in a gentle voice: “Don’t mind her. I’ll be at the stadium soon to set things right for you.”

Hearing Qiao Lan’s assurance, Tian Tian’s panicked heart calmed down: “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

…

Five minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of the stadium.

Seeing the security guards outside, Mo Qian asked with concern: “Do you need me to go in with you?”

“No, they don’t allow parking here. You can go park first.”

Qiao Lan pushed open the car door and got out. Before she could enter, she was stopped by the security guards: “Are you Ms. Qiao Lan?”

Looking at their unfriendly faces, Qiao Lan asked cautiously: “Yes, what do you want?”

“Our CEO said you’re not allowed to enter.”

Qiao Lan frowned: “Did he say it himself?”

“Yes.”

It was An Qingyuan who personally invited her and Lan Xin to attend the fashion week. As a businessman, he valued integrity. How could he go back on his word?

Qiao Lan didn’t believe it. She took out her phone and called An Qingyuan.

“Sorry, the number you dialed is unavailable. Please try again later…”

Qiao Lan made two more calls, but the answer was the same. Her face visibly darkened.

At this time, her assistant called, asking anxiously: “Ms. Qiao, where are you?”

Qiao Lan had a bad feeling: “I’m at the entrance of the stadium. What’s wrong?”

“The brand just contacted me, saying they’re going to change Lan Xin’s order to the first one.”

This was supposed to be a good thing, but the problem was that Qiao Yue was causing trouble, and she couldn’t get in now.

The brand was clearly targeting her.

She could tell with her toes that she wouldn’t be able to reach the brand now.

Time passed by minute by minute, but Qiao Lan couldn’t think of a perfect solution.

The more she couldn’t think of a solution, the more anxious she became. The more anxious she became, the less she could think.

Tiny beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Looking up at the scorching sun above, she felt dizzy and stumbled backward.

Her legs were completely out of control. Closing her eyes, she prepared to fall.

In a flash, a strong arm wrapped around her waist. The expected pain didn’t come. She fell into a hard yet warm embrace.

A familiar scent filled her nostrils. Qiao Lan’s eyes welled up with tears.

But she was not used to showing her vulnerability, especially not to someone she had only known for a few days.

Because vulnerability wouldn’t be met with sympathy, but would be exploited as a weakness.

Qiao Lan pulled away from the man’s embrace, having already composed herself: “Did you park the car?”

Mo Qian hadn’t missed the fleeting vulnerability in the woman’s eyes. He didn’t expose her, but asked: “Why haven’t you gone in yet?”

Looking at the unfriendly security guards, Mo Qian could basically guess what had happened. He asked: “Why didn’t you call the stadium director?”

As the director of the stadium, he must have the authority to bring someone in.

Qiao Lan’s eyes lit up, then dimmed again: “I don’t have the director’s number.”

Even if she had the director’s number, he didn’t know her and wouldn’t risk offending the brand to let her in.

“I do.” Mo Qian encouraged her: “Try calling him. Maybe there will be a surprise.”

Qiao Lan asked curiously: “How do you have the stadium director’s number?”

“He’s so famous. It’s not difficult to find his number.”

“That’s true.”

Calling was at least a glimmer of hope. Not trying meant there was no hope at all.

Qiao Lan got the director’s number and called him with a nervous heart. After the call was connected, she said what she wanted with a stiff voice.

She was prepared to be rejected, but unexpectedly, the director’s attitude was very enthusiastic. He said he would personally bring her in.

Qiao Lan was surprised and couldn’t help but ask: “Aren’t you afraid of offending the brand by doing this?”

“Ms. Qiao, don’t worry. I dare to do it, so I have a way to deal with it.”

With Mo Qian watching, which brand would dare to pick a fight with him?

Qiao Lan ended the call, feeling unreal.

Mo Qian: “Why are you looking like that? Did he reject you?”

Qiao Lan shook her head and said truthfully: “No, he didn’t reject me. I just feel like the director is being too enthusiastic.”

He was even a bit flattering.

What was there about her that was worth flattering?

Qiao Lan was baffled.

Mo Qian said with a straight face: “Maybe the director is just a warm-hearted person.”

Qiao Lan: “…”

If she didn’t know the director, she might have believed it.

As soon as she finished speaking, her assistant called again.

Qiao Lan glanced at the time and felt a sense of urgency. Could the show have already started?

She swiped her phone, and the assistant’s excited voice came through: “Ms. Qiao, I have good news for you. The show has been delayed.”

Qiao Lan felt relieved: “Why was it delayed?”

“I heard that a big shot is coming to watch the show, but he’s still on his way, so it’s been delayed.”

Qiao Lan smiled slightly: “He’s really a lucky charm.”

Now, she was completely relaxed.

Qiao Lan ended the call. Her tense nerves relaxed, and she gave Mo Qian a sweet smile: “The crisis is over.”

Mo Qian: “Congratulations.”

Qiao Lan changed her mind and said: “I always feel like this crisis was resolved too smoothly.”

It was too smooth to be true.

Mo Qian said softly: “Don’t think so much. Maybe you’re just a person surrounded by good fortune.”

Qiao Lan laughed self-deprecatingly: “I’ve only heard you say that in my whole life.”

Everyone around her saw her as a jinx.

And she had to go through so much hardship and setbacks to get to where she was today. Only she knew what she had been through.

Mo Qian’s black eyes were filled with seriousness: “That’s because they’re blind and ignorant. There aren’t many people like me who can see things clearly.”

Qiao Lan thought the first half of the sentence made sense, but when she heard the second half, the corner of her mouth twitched: “Does your family know how narcissistic you are?”

He belittled others while praising himself.

Distracted by the man, she didn’t have so many worries anymore. Maybe the goddess of fortune had finally noticed her and started to favor her.