Ran Ting also knew this was not the time to cry. After the initial panic, she quickly wiped away her tears and forced herself to calm down.
"I'll contact the company right away and ask them to help borrow a dress!"
Song JinXing shook his head, "It's too late for that."
Red carpet gowns were usually confirmed with the brand in advance, and the size would be tailored according to the artist's measurements. Barely making it the day before like yesterday was cutting it close, but asking a brand to lend a gown with Zhong Ruanxing's popularity, with only four hours before the red carpet, was practically impossible.
Ran Ting said again, "Then I'll contact the crew of <Raise a Toast Laughing at Peach Blossoms>, since they invited you. They must think of a way..."
Seeing the cold look in her artist's eyes, Ran Ting swallowed back the rest of her words.
Even though the crew invited you, if you can't even get your own red carpet dress sorted out, wouldn't it just add to the embarrassment if this got out?
Song JinXing put away his phone and walked downstairs. Ran Ting hurried to follow, anxiously asking, "Miss Zhong, where are we going?"
After getting in the car, Song JinXing gave the driver an address.
Ran Ting wasn't familiar with Shanghai, this was her first time visiting after all. But under her artist's calm and composed aura, her chaotic heart unconsciously calmed as well. It seemed no matter what happened, she always had a way to handle it.
The car gradually drove into the city center, and both the traffic and pedestrian flow grew denser.
Stuck in traffic, Song JinXing's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, his brows revealed a hint of helplessness, "You didn't go to the airport?"
Zhong Ruanxing's usually powerful voice now sounded a little low, "This is your business, and my business too. How could I just leave it be? I asked Fu Ling to contact the brands, there should be news soon. Where are you? I'll come get you."
Song JinXing smiled, "No need, come meet me on Hengshan Road."
"Hengshan Road?" Zhong Ruanxing sounded a bit surprised. "You already found a brand willing to lend a dress?"
Song JinXing said, "I told you I'd handle it."
That's right, even with a different body, he was still the omnipotent Song JinXing.
She was just worrying needlessly.
Zhong Ruanxing's mood lightened a little. "Alright, I'm heading over now."
After hanging up, Fu Ling asked, "Boss, do we still need that dress? CHANEL already got back to us."
As expected, rules were made for ordinary people. As soon as the Song family got involved, even CHANEL was willing to break protocol and eagerly offer up the dress with both hands.
Zhong Ruanxing shook her head. "Refuse them, we're going to Hengshan Road."
By the time the two met up, there was only three hours left before the red carpet. Ran Ting was anxious, but seeing her artist still calmly sitting in the car looking at her phone, she could only suppress her feelings.
After looking out towards the street who knows how many times, a Maybach pulled up next to them.
A tall man in casual black clothing stepped out of the car. At first glance, Ran Ting almost didn't recognize him.
Because he looked far too youthful, completely different from the mature and charming image in a tailored suit the first time she saw him at the studio. It was two totally different auras.
Thankfully, that face was hard to forget. Ran Ting excitedly called out, "It's President Song!"
Only then did Song JinXing put away his phone and get out of the car.
Seeing Zhong Ruanxing's outfit, he paused briefly in surprise as well. The last time he dressed like this was probably back in high school. Along with her vibrant spirit, she really looked like a college student who hadn't graduated yet.
Zhong Ruanxing strode up to his side. "Where's the shop you mentioned?"
Song JinXing glanced ahead. "This way."
With Ran Ting and Fu Ling added, the four passed through a small alley and stopped in front of a shop with the door slightly ajar.
From the exterior, compared to the other trendy shops on Hengshan Road, this one looked completely unremarkable. The wooden storefront only had one door, and the glass display cabinet beside it held a men's suit and women's dress, the entire storefront exuding a British London vibe.
A small wooden sign was erected above the door, reading [BLOOMING], which seemed to be the store's name.
Zhong Ruanxing silently read the store name twice, completely unfamiliar with this brand.
Song JinXing seemed to notice her confusion, and explained softly, "BLOOMING used to specially make clothes for European royalty. They don't participate in the market economy, the stores carry on the creative principles from the past, and still only serve those they see as nobility."
Compared to the famous luxury brands people knew, this was true private haute couture.
Zhong Ruanxing looked at the men's suit in the display window, finding the fabric and cut vaguely familiar. She recalled the rows of suits in Song JinXing's closet, "The suits you own..."
Song JinXing walked up the steps and pushed open the wooden door. "Half of them are made here."
Unremarkable on the outside, yet a hidden world within.
Seeing Zhong Ruanxing, the handsome British gentleman in a suit brightened up. "Song! Long time no see!" His Mandarin was very fluent, even better than some native Chinese. "I'm so happy to see you here! You know, I've sent clothes to you before, but never saw you!"
He looked towards Song JinXing beside her. "Is this beautiful lady your companion? Oh! I can already imagine how gorgeous she'll look in the dress I newly designed!"
Zhong Ruanxing declined the enthusiastic Brit's attempt at a cheek kiss greeting, getting right to business. "That's perfect, she needs a dress, within two hours."
The British gentleman slapped his chest. "Leave it to me."
He gave a proper noble's bow. "Miss, please come with me." And told the attendant beside him, "I have an important guest to take care of, we're closing for today."
With Song JinXing going to change into the dress, Ran Ting stayed outside. Seeing Zhong Ruanxing looking around, she worked up her courage to say, "President Song, thank you so much for helping us today! You really helped us out big time."
Looking at the girl who had just graduated, Zhong Ruanxing recalled the sobs heard over the phone and comforted her, "Just a small thing, don't blame yourself either. There are too many quick rises and falls in this industry, this is only your first time encountering something like this, but it won't be the last. The manager and artist grow together through experiences like this. When you're able to stand on your own, these things will naturally fade away."
Ran Ting's eyes grew red. She felt like President Song was teaching her a lesson. "I understand, President Song. I absolutely won't make a mistake like I did today ever again!"
Every mistake she made in this job would become the foundation for her to climb higher.
Zhong Ruanxing then asked, "So how do you plan to handle the follow up for today's matter?"
Ran Ting clenched her fists tightly in indignation. "Even if she's blocked me, I still have our chat records. I will definitely find the brand to get an explanation!"
But after saying this, she saw President Song shake his head.
Ran Ting immediately shut her mouth, and nervously asked, "That's no good?"
Zhong Ruanxing unhurriedly said, "After making the chat records public, what if the brand denies it was their employee? The studio was closed for the day anyway since it was a rest day? If they want to scam you, they naturally have a hundred ways to explain it away."
Then the gossiping netizens and industry peers would just mock Zhong Ruanxing's team for being useless, can't even recognize a scammer, hurry and download an anti-fraud app.
It would just make them a pointless laughingstock.
