Raising a wolf-like puppy 8
"Mrs. Jiexi." Zhao Xin and Xiao Yi walked behind Mrs. Jiexi and greeted her who was talking to other people.
Madam Jessie turned around, smiled at them, and said, "You're here. Let me introduce you. This is Madam Du, this is Madam Fiani, and this is Madam Di Sena. You've arrived just in time. We were just discussing the couture collection that Xiao Yi released last year."
"I loved every piece of the haute couture collection you released last year. Unfortunately, something delayed me and I couldn't attend the show. I'm really looking forward to your competition show this year."
"I couldn't come last year, but just watching the runway video made me fall in love with the clothes. Although I ordered two pieces, I still felt a little regretful that I didn't make it to the show. So I came early this year, and I'm really looking forward to the haute couture collections you're going to release this year."
"Me too. I came to Country B early this time specifically to see your show. Last year, I ordered a dress designed by you, which made me a big star at many banquets. Before coming here this time, I had already decided that I would customize at least five or six of the clothes you released."
"Xiao Yi, the ladies are looking forward to your performance in this competition. Are you confident enough about this year's release?" asked Mrs. Jessie.
"Of course, ladies, please rest assured that the haute couture collection I'm releasing this year will definitely not disappoint you." Xiao Yi was confident, both outwardly and mentally. Although he couldn't use Xiao Yu's designs, he still had many other designers' classics he could use. So, he was equally confident about this release, believing it would be highly praised.
“That’s wonderful.”
"Yeah, it seems like our trip this time will definitely not be in vain."
“I can’t wait to see the show.”
Xiao Yi was very proud. These wealthy ladies from different countries were vying with each other to customize his clothes. He really enjoyed the feeling of being praised by people, especially the upper class people from different countries. Therefore, he would never give up and continue to be a designer. He would get better and better.
Zhao Xin was filled with pride and elation. Everyone used to think her son wasn't as good as Li Jinmeng's. Even her father-in-law, who clearly favored Xiao Yi, hesitated to let Xiao Yu take over the company. But now, everything was different. Not only had her son taken over the company, he was also incredibly popular, with many fans. As a mother, she also benefited from it. It felt wonderful to be so kindly approached by those ladies.
Who would dare to say that her son is not as good as Li Jinmeng's son? That would be a lie, because her son is obviously better. Although Li Jinmeng's son was praised by the media for a while, she still felt that her son was definitely better and would never be outdone by Li Jinmeng's son again.
After they chatted for a while, Xiao Yi said, "Mom, you chat with the ladies. I'll go say hello to the others."
"Okay." Zhao Xin smiled and nodded in response.
Xiao Yi walked to the long table in the middle of the courtyard and took a glass of champagne. He did not take the initiative to greet anyone because he knew that as long as he stood alone, someone would come to greet him immediately.
At banquets like this, when ladies gather together, besides chatting about recent events, they also inevitably discuss gossip. Besides the entertainment industry being the center of gossip, the fashion industry also has its fair share of gossip. While entertainment gossip centers around celebrities and directors, fashion gossip centers around designers and models.
"Among the young designers participating in this year's Haute Couture season, Xiao Yi is still the most anticipated. Last year, I wanted to customize a dress designed by him, but unfortunately I couldn't. It would be great if I could customize one this year."
"Besides Xiao Yi, I heard that many people are also looking forward to Xiao Yu's designs. Many of the costumes he released last time could have been used directly in the competition, but it was a pity that they were all released at once."
"Do you think Xiao Yu will surpass Xiao Yi this year and become the most promising young designer in Country H?"
"I'm still more optimistic about Xiao Yi. Xiao Yu's design inspiration is too unstable. Either he hasn't produced any good designs in over four years, or he bursts out with so many classic designs all at once. Who knows how long it will take for him to not produce any good designs after this burst of inspiration?"
"I think so too. The clothes Xiao Yu released last time could have been released separately, but he released them all at once. This shows that he is a person without planning and foresight."
"That's why more people are optimistic about Xiao Yi than Xiao Yu. Xiao Yi's designs have been getting better year by year over the past few years, and his progress can be said to be very stable. Xiao Yu's situation is too unpredictable, and the possibility of disappointment is also greater. Xiao Yi is still more worth looking forward to."
"So, in this promotion match, besides watching Xiao Yi's show, will you also watch other designers' shows?"
“Even the fashion media and photographers don’t watch every show. We just watch the shows of the masters and the shows of the young designers who are worth looking forward to.”
"Yeah, there are at least dozens of shows in the promotion rounds. Of course, you have to be selective in what you watch. I think most of the shows are not worth the time to watch."
Some designers use exaggerated artistic styles, which are nicely described as art, but the average person simply cannot understand or appreciate the beauty of their designs. These designers are more like artists living in their own world, their exaggerated styles understood only by themselves.
Among those who came to the banquet today, some were friends of Xiao Yu’s mother in Country B. In addition, Mrs. Lemire was always with them, so many people came to greet Tao Yuan, saying that they were looking forward to him and would go to see his show.
Tao Yuan knew full well that while some of these people were genuinely looking forward to it, most were only saying so out of respect for Madame Lemire and Li Jinmeng. He didn't care, however, whether they were genuinely looking forward to him or not. After the show, the winner would be revealed, his or Xiao Yi's design.
The organizer will send invitations to some wealthy people with status or celebrities with a certain degree of fame. These invitations account for 30% of the vote statistics and are very important for the participating designers.
Therefore, the more people who come to the show with invitations, the more votes they get. Generally, master designers have an advantage because more people with invitations will definitely go to watch their shows.
In addition to the designers recognized annually by the Haute Couture Association, some designers who didn't meet the requirements this year but whose works in previous years were very good will also participate in the qualifying competition. Therefore, in the first two weeks, there will be at least dozens of fashion shows, and the daily schedule is very tight.
The earlier the show is scheduled, the more advantages it has, because the earlier the show starts, the earlier it can be voted on the organizer's official website.
After returning to his residence, Xiao Yi took out his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Hello." Xiao Yi heard the call and immediately said, "Are you busy?"
"How long will it take you to finish your work and come to Los Angeles to watch my game?"
"I know you've already contacted the organizers. Although you're sponsoring this competition, I wouldn't be confident if you weren't here."
"I'm worried they won't listen to me... How long will it take you to finish this?"
"I need your help with something."
"Okay, I'll call him, but as soon as you're done, you have to come and play with me."
Xiao Yi hung up the phone, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and thought about his next plan. His boyfriend's company was the largest sponsor of this competition. With his boyfriend's permission, the organizers would definitely secretly favor him and try to give him better arrangements.
……………………………………
The next day, Tao Yuan held a meeting with the staff and made final confirmation on all the preparations before returning to his room to rest.
Tao Yuan didn't sleep well last night. He had another day of meetings today and was busy summarizing the situation. He had to solve various problems that his subordinates couldn't solve, and he also had to ensure in advance that there would be no serious mistakes in every link.
Especially as a designer, he has to draw the design drawings himself and select the fabrics and other things himself. When the ranking competition starts after the promotion match, he has to complete every detail by himself, which will be even more tiring.
When Tao Yuan was sleeping in a daze, he felt someone coming up to the bed and hugging him. It was a familiar feeling and breath.
Tao Yuan turned around and hugged his strong waist, and said in a half-awake voice, "You're back?"
Donald paused. The words "You're back" and "I miss you" both gave him different feelings. In this world, there was someone who missed him, who waited for him. The words "You're back" proved that he was expected to return to his side. The most important thing was this person, the one he fell in love with.
"I'm back." Donahue kissed his cheek.
Feeling the touch on his face, or the kneading between his legs, Tao Yuan opened his eyes and looked at "Are you really back? I thought I was dreaming. Didn't you say you would be here tomorrow night?"
"I'm back early." Donahue didn't care about anything else. He held Tao Yuan's lips and kissed her for a few minutes to vent his longing.
Tao Yuan's body had already reacted. He opened his legs and wrapped them around his waist.
Donahue caressed his body and asked, "Did you use your ex-boyfriend while I was away?"
"No, after I got used to you, I couldn't get used to my ex-boyfriend anymore." Tao Yuan said breathlessly.
"Why don't you bring out your ex-boyfriend and let's have a threesome," Donahue suggested.
"What tricks do you want to play?" Tao Yuan looked at him and asked.
Donahue reached out to open the bedside table, took out the box inside and opened it, then put the electric baton into the quilt and turned on the switch.
Tao Yuan couldn't help but shudder, then struggled. "Don't put it in, I don't like that thing."
"Don't worry, I won't let it in." Donahue hugged him tightly to comfort him and not let him break free.
Tao Yuan stopped struggling, not because he didn't want to struggle anymore, but because his body had become as soft as a pool of water and he couldn't muster any strength.
…………………………
Tao Yuan lay on Donahue's chest, and after his breathing became smoother, he complained, "Asshole, we agreed not to put it in."
"It's fun to spice things up a bit now and then. Don't you keep saying it feels good?" Donahue stroked his back. He'd long known that his physique was unique. Even without alcohol, just a touch or a massage would instantly trigger feelings. During his absence, his biggest worry was that he'd be tormented by desire.
"Have you finished all your work?" Tao Yuan asked.
"Well, it's done. I can stay by your side for the next few months. At least I won't be away for so long this time."
"...Do you know I'm worried about you?"
"Know."
"Then do you know why I'm so worried about you?"
"Because you love me."
"Don't be so sentimental. I don't love you." Tao Yuan suddenly became arrogant and turned her back to him and said, "I'm just worried that something happened to you and there would be no one to help me solve my physiological problems. After all, I have waited for so many years to finally get a bed partner that satisfies me."
"Your body is much more honest than your mouth." Donahue hugged him from behind and said, "Since you've waited for me for so many years, how about a lifelong support? I'm willing to sign a lifelong indenture, a legal one, and we'll exchange rings."
"Don't blame me for not reminding you, the one who confesses first loses." Tao Yuan said with his eyes closed.
"Isn't it true that the one who falls in love first loses first?" Donahue said in a helpless yet doting tone, "Well, I love you, and I will only love you for the rest of my life."
Although he had heard this confession countless times, Tao Yuan was still moved to tears. He turned around and looked at him and said, "You lose."
"Well, I lost." Donahue looked him in the eyes and said, "But I lost to you willingly."
"I'm going to try you out for a while longer before deciding whether to sign a lifetime contract with you. If you can't keep satisfying me, I won't make you a permanent employee."
"Then please give me more opportunities to show my abilities, boss." Donahue kissed his rosy and attractive lips. Although this attractive mouth always spoke arrogant words, he still loved it so much that he wanted to swallow it directly into his stomach.
Tao Yuan closed her eyes, hooked her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Perhaps for others, love was a matter of winning and losing; the one who loved more lost. But for the two of them, there was no winning or losing; it was just a matter of fighting and being beaten.
…………………………………………
Since designers and models are both the protagonists of the fashion world, the models will certainly have no less roles than the designers during the haute couture season.
Designers select models, and models also select designers. Only by walking the shows of successful designers can models continue to advance. At this time, the advantages of famous models and supermodels come into play. They want to use the designers' success to advance, and designers also want to use their popularity.
Selecting models is really important, because the more famous models are willing to walk the runway, the more popularity and attention it will bring.
Tao Yuan and Xiao Yi's model interviews happened to be scheduled at the same time. The reason for this coincidence was, of course, that Xiao Yi asked the organizer to arrange it this way on purpose.
Xiao Yi was furious because Tao Yuan had taught Angele a lesson, and his attempt to frame him had failed. But would he just give up on Tao Yuan? That was impossible. This model selection was another great opportunity for him. He decided that even if he couldn't prevent him from participating in the competition, he would still humiliate him.
Xiao Yi had accumulated fame over the years, and his influence and popularity within the fashion world were undoubtedly much higher than Tao Yuan's. Furthermore, Xiao Yi had developed strong relationships with many models over the years, and he had a powerful backer. Otherwise, so many models wouldn't be willing to listen to his instructions and openly boycott Xiao Yu.
Before the interview was about to begin, Tao Yuan suddenly received a notice from the organizers that designers recognized by the Haute Couture Association must have at least ten supermodels on the list of the top 100. If they did not meet this standard, they would be demoted to a reserve position.
This kind of regulation has never existed before, and it suddenly appears now. It is easy to imagine who is behind it.
In the interview hall, many media outlets had already set up cameras. Because today's interview wasn't just for Tao Yuan and Xiao Yi, there were also many other interview halls where designers were interviewing. So there were bound to be famous models and even supermodels, and these media reporters were all waiting to interview them.
Angele appeared with some supermodels, and reporters immediately surrounded him, taking pictures and interviewing him.
"Which designer are you here for?"
"Of course it's designer Xiao Yi," Angele said. "Compared to those second-rate designers who deliberately imitated his style and luckily got qualified to participate, Xiao Yi is the true genius designer. Since we walked into this hall, we certainly didn't lower our status to come here for those second-rate designers."
"When you say second-rate designer, are you referring to Xiao Yu?"
Tao Yuan and Xiao Yi were the only two present in the room. The reporter's reason for asking such a nonsensical question was, of course, to get him to reveal Xiao Yu's name himself. Entertainment reporters are known for their willingness to make their interviews as explosive as possible.
Last time, Angele was run over by Tao Yuan with a racing car and lost face in the bar. He was so resentful that he couldn't control his anger when he saw Tao Yuan.
"Of course it's him, Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu." Angele deliberately said his name several times, and then said sarcastically, "A second-rate designer actually dared to participate in the Haute Couture Season. He really has no self-awareness. But since he's here, I hope he can show his own style of clothing and stop imitating others' styles."
Angele admitted last time that he deliberately framed Xiao Yu, so now he can only change his tone and stop saying plagiarism and say imitation instead.
Xiao Yi looked at Tao Yuan with a very proud expression. He wanted to embarrass Tao Yuan today, and he had already made arrangements to ensure that he would not be able to interview the ten supermodels on the top 100 list.
Tao Yuan looked at him expressionlessly. Even if he failed to interview ten supermodels today and was demoted to a substitute, he could still crush him in terms of clothing. The one who laughed last would be the real winner.
Angele and his gang took turns humiliating Tao Yuan in front of the camera, then walked to the long table on Xiao Yi's side, went through the motions and signed the contract directly.
The next people to walk in were Angela and several other female models on the top 100 list. Reporters gathered around them for interviews again.
"Excuse me, are you here for Designer Xiao Yi?"
"Of course, besides Designer Xiao Yi, are there any other designers in this interview hall who are worthy of our interview?"
"So you're more optimistic about Designer Xiao Yi, right?"
“It’s not that I’m more optimistic about him, but I’m only optimistic about him.”
"But designer Xiao Yu also showcased a lot of great clothing at a recent press conference. Why are you so unimpressed by him?"
"I've seen those clothes online, and they're really nice. But when I first saw them, I thought they were designed by designer Xiao Yi. After all, the styles are so similar. Imitating someone else's style is like a knockoff product; it can never compare to the original. How could we possibly appreciate it?"
Angela was one of the models who publicly boycotted Xiao Yu last time. Xiao Yi often chose her to lead the women's fashion show at his fashion shows. She and Xiao Yi had collaborated many times, bringing each other popularity, so of course she was on Xiao Yi's side. She also brought along other friends from the supermodel community to help Xiao Yi with his appearances.
The interview situations on both sides formed a sharp contrast. There were many famous models and supermodels on Xiao Yi's side, and it was very lively, while Tao Yuan's side was very deserted, with only some unknown models coming for the interview.
Xiao Yi looked at Tao Yuan with a provocative look again. He had asked his boyfriend's assistant to contact many large modeling agencies. The number of supermodels they interviewed today would definitely not exceed ten.
Donahue stood in the corner, looked at the situation in the hall for a while, then suddenly turned and left.
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