Chapter 2.2: It's not even as good as the passionate love period when I was "kept" by him.
ELEGANCE is a fashion bible, but Gu Lai just finished filming a movie this month and has a new editor-in-chief asking for a favor, so she might not accept the invitation.
The powerful businesswoman known as the "fashion mogul" Delilah's longest-held position was editor-in-chief of the ELEGANCE section. Now she has been promoted to the group headquarters, where Xu Rui, a "newcomer" who has been immersed in the fast fashion industry, has emerged from a pack of wolves.
Even the highly competitive September and October sales seasons couldn't match Gu Lai's value, not even the authoritative fashion media outlet *ELEGANCE*, which has produced fashion icons. Even the most prestigious fashion bible has to leech off fashion giants.
Now, Jiang Yi is the master of a fashion tycoon, and Gu Lai is the most accessible ladder to success for him.
Back when Gu Lai was just a pampered princess in everyone's eyes, Jiang Yi gave her the cover of "ELEGANCE" as a gift, which also taught her what status meant.
Capital can say what level she is, and the public will believe it. If that's not enough, they'll say it ten times, a thousand times. She's not some hopeless case; among her various S-level projects, there's bound to be a blockbuster.
That was the first time Gu Lai discovered that the glamorous entertainment industry could be so worthless.
Dozens of people were working around Gu Lai, who was talking fluently to the photographers and interviewers. As soon as the cameras moved away, Gu Lai's expression immediately became calm.
Those around her were used to her reserved demeanor. Assistants handed her coats, held up mirrors, and offered her monk fruit tea. Zhou Shanshan was left alone, sitting next to Gu Lai with a tablet, reporting on public opinion.
Zhou Shanshan first gave a brief overview of the trending topics on various platforms, from those that made the list to those whose data curves were off and had been suppressed, which left Gu Lai with little interest. It wasn't until Zhou Shanshan started talking about recent related events and news that she finally perked up a bit.
"Lastly, President Jiang was photographed yesterday." Zhou Shanshan read through the number of reposts and comments, finally looking up from her tablet. "Some comments guessed that he returned overnight from Country I, and Sister Gong's PR team suppressed it from trending on social media."
Is getting home at 10 PM considered working through the night?
Gu Lai paused for a moment without speaking, then turned her gaze away from the ELEGANCE photoshoot team that was surrounded by layers of people, and looked at Zhou Shanshan, asking in a low voice, "How were you photographed?"
Zhou Shanshan replied, "It was when President Jiang met Camilla that the photo was taken. The person who took the photo was a fan who also runs a fashion gossip media outlet. She happened to see Camilla heading towards the private terminal at the airport and guessed that she was meeting with some high-ranking client of Elodie, but she didn't expect it to be President Jiang. She just took a picture and posted it online."
Jiang Yi wasn't a celebrity; her public recognition stemmed from Feng Lu and Gu Lai, but it shouldn't have warranted being photographed. However, since this person was a fan of Gu Lai, it's quite understandable.
Their marriage has always been a topic of conversation, and public opinion has been guided very well. Many of Gu Lai's fans are also CP fans.
Camilla is the creative director of Elodie, another high-end luxury brand under the Fenglu Group. Gu Lai took a while to remember.
Feng Lu controls too many luxury brands, and Jiang Yi is involved in too many industries. Gu Lai's limit is remembering the ones Jiang Yi solemnly introduced to her and the ones she was allowed to fawn over in front of her.
If it weren't for the fact that Elodie's haute couture gowns were coveted by celebrities on the red carpet and that the creative director had mentioned them to her multiple times, she really wouldn't remember a foreign name. Combined with this news, she'd probably think she was some ambitious model.
Gu Lai thought this, and she said it, her tone casual, the content sarcastic, like a harmless joke. So the assistants all laughed along, creating a harmonious atmosphere, only Zhou Shanshan's expression stiffened.
Zhou Shanshan was surprised that Gu Lai was unaware of Jiang Yi's whereabouts. It wouldn't have been a big deal originally, but this morning Gu Lai was clearly acting strangely, as if they had parted on bad terms. While the other assistants seemed friendly and humorous, she heard sarcastic remarks, which gave her a terrible headache.
Gu Lai stared at her for less than three seconds before Zhou Shanshan reverted to her perfect working-class demeanor, casually telling her that the studio had already communicated with Jiang Yi's team and confirmed that it didn't matter whether they filmed it or not. The demotion to prevent trending topics was just to avoid unnecessary public opinion work, so Gu Lai didn't need to worry.
For a moment, Gu Lai felt a little absurd.
She was initially a little distressed, after all, Jiang Yi had been working non-stop, which was exhausting, but she was mostly angry.
Gu Lai truly didn't understand. Did setting aside a wedding anniversary mean the Jiang family would go bankrupt and be restructured the very next day, leaving them only able to livestream their daily lives? She was even more annoyed that Jiang Yi would analyze everyone else's words meticulously, but completely ignore hers. He was now too lazy to even repeat his advice to cut back on smoking, drinking, and irregular sleep patterns.
Before getting out of the car that morning, Gu Lai checked her home's smart surveillance footage on her phone. Sure enough, the smoke index and the dining room footage showed Jiang Yi practically setting the house on fire. She didn't get out of the car, habitually taking a bunch of screenshots while still angry. After finishing, she opened Jiang Yi's WeChat but suddenly stopped.
What's there to say? Most of the time, the messages just sit in the chat box, waiting for Jiang Yi to glance at them when he has a spare moment. He either pretends to be dead and doesn't reply, or he sends a simple "hmm" or "okay." It's even worse than during their passionate "sugar daddy" days, when at least Jiang Yi would reply with an emoji.
Now, Zhou Shanshan tells her that Jiang Yi can still meet with executives during the time he has to rush home after getting off the plane, and the funny thing is that she didn't know that.
She didn't ask, and Jiang Yi didn't say anything. Gu Lai knew it wasn't intentional; there was no need. Jiang Yi probably just forgot to mention it.
But Gu Lai felt that it was funny and unnecessary for her to worry and be angry for her.
What's even more absurd is that Zhou Shanshan and her team members, looking at her expression, tried to comfort her, saying things like, "Don't worry about Jiang Yi."
Gu Lai suddenly wanted to call Ge Li and ask if her first reaction when Jiang Yi had a long face was that he was also showing his emotions for Madam Jiang.
However, Gu Lai wasn't one to hold grudges. She simply nodded noncommittally and looked up at the ELEGANCE team. The interview editor in the distance turned to look this way, and the renowned fashion photographer also smiled in their direction, seemingly ready to go.
She silently rose, draped in her white suit. Her team made way for her, the photographer directed his assistant to move the set, and all the cameras began to focus on her.
The theme of this shoot is "A New Chapter," and the location is the seaside.
The shooting area had been cleared, and for a moment only the photographer's voice could be heard directing the proceedings. Waves lapped against the beach and rocks; few seabirds were visible, only a handful in the distance, small as black dots, chasing each other and the spray. Light pierced through the thick clouds, spreading out in shades of red and gold.
This photographer's greatest strength is his ability to capture beauty and his skill in dealing with celebrities and socialites of all kinds. At this moment, he said very little to Gu Lai; his only response was, "Just wander around."
Gu Lai truly treated everyone around her as if they didn't exist. From the moment she stood up, took off her suit jacket and draped it over her arm, and started walking forward, the camera began working non-stop. But she seemed to ignore it all, as if she hadn't heard a thing.
She was wearing a piece by a creative director whom Jiang Yi greatly admired, which had never been shown to the public. Gu Lai's profession meant that she was different from other wealthy men and women who would buy clothes simply because they looked good on the fitting models. Every season, she would have haute couture looks specifically for photoshoots, red carpets, and other special occasions, which were more extravagant and fashionable than her everyday outfits.
Gu Lai didn't necessarily have to wear her own clothes, but since they suited her, she would use them. As Jiang Yi would say, it would be a waste to be so stingy as to leave these clothes unused.
Strangely enough, when Gu Lai ignores everything else to think about the theme of "new chapter" and to showcase the beauty of this seaside, she also thinks of Jiang Yi.
Her first solo cover for a major fashion magazine was "ELEGANCE," the year she met Jiang Yi. Back then, Gu Lai was still a rising idol who had quickly faded after debuting on a talent show. Meeting a top photographer was an incredible privilege, and during the shoot, she dared not move to the left or right.
The cover shoot for that issue was done with Jiang Yi's help. Jiang Yi chatted and laughed with others, while she, under instructions such as "tilt your head to the left," "turn your head to the right," "shrug your shoulders," and "bite your lip," forced herself to create the sense of story that the photographer wanted.
Gu Lai was completely bewildered during the shoot and equally bewildered when she finished. On the way back, she asked Jiang Yi if he had captured the magazine's theme and if the photographer was satisfied. Jiang Yi casually replied that that was the editor's job; she didn't need to worry about anything, just make sure it looked nice.
To be honest, what constitutes a new chapter is the theme of that episode. Everything is new to her, the future is also transformed, and she is new to the audience as well.
The photographer's lens captured Gu Lai looking down as the waves surged towards her. She stomped her foot hard, splashing water everywhere, with a few drops clinging to her black patent leather boots.
She glanced down expressionlessly, then continued backing away, occasionally glancing at the camera. The boundless ocean and the churning, dark clouds behind her seemed to temper the overwhelming power of nature.
The ELEGANCE team, which participated in the interview and photoshoot, had, of course, learned about Gu Lai beforehand—her on-screen and off-screen personas, her stage presence, her interview photos, and her fashion editorials. She was already an object of envy and admiration for everyone in the industry, and upon meeting her, she truly lived up to her reputation as an exceptionally independent and extraordinary woman.
But at this moment, my body is still tense and my heart is racing.
Gu Lai and the sea are a perfect match.
Lonely, reserved, mature, like a calm, deep, and indifferent sea, both close to and isolated from the noisy world. Yet, that restrained and gentle beauty subtly harbors tension, capable of turning into a tsunami from a hurricane or an earthquake beneath the earth.
As she casually waded through the water, she irresistibly exuded pheromones, drawing people to her, even those who knew she was distant, cold, and unapproachable.
As the sun sets and the moon rises over the sea with the tide, the night is just beginning.
Xu Rui, the new editor-in-chief who was observing the filming, had a premonition that this episode would become a classic. Gu Lai had shown handsome, cold, gentle, and innocent sides before, but this was the first time he had filmed someone so calm and dangerous.
Xu Rui had studied Gu Lai before; she had been labeled as having an "older sister" image since her debut. However, the "older sister" aesthetic at that time was still very thin, and in Xu Rui's eyes, it was just a product created by the stage and her own physical attributes. Unlike now, she has a restrained and mature charm, and she also carries the aura of Jiang Yi.
Like countless others, she came for Young Master Jiang. Of course, she had learned beforehand how Gu Lai had transformed from a sparrow into a phoenix, so it was inevitable that she would have some speculations and different opinions.
Even after the photoshoot ended and she dined with Xu Rui, Gu Lai remained reticent. Fortunately, social skills weren't essential; Xu Rui, along with his assistant and Zhou Shanshan, enjoyed a lively meal together. The conversation began with a recollection of Gu Lai's deep connection with the magazine, followed by reminiscing about the previous editor-in-chief, and finally mentioning Feng Lu and General Manager Jiang.
When the last topic came up, Zhou Shanshan hesitated to speak, turning her gaze to Gu Lai. Gu Lai, seemingly drunk, leaned back in her chair and looked at Xu Rui, occasionally offering a faint, encouraging smile.
For a fleeting moment, Xu Rui realized that she resembled Jiang Yi remarkably, just for that instant, with her air of ease and superiority.
Just as he was about to start making connections, he suddenly changed his tone, abruptly altering his words: "I heard the studio recently signed a student from China Film Group? What's her name again, Zi?"
The assistant standing to the side didn't turn around to look, but his expression inevitably betrayed a hint of surprise.
Gu Lai sipped the bouillabaisse slowly and casually, and Zhou Shanshan chimed in, "Yes, a little girl named Fan Zi."
"You're from your studio, no wonder. I've seen that kid's picture. It's hard to find an artist these days who has both influence and fashion sense. Besides, we need a fresh face to keep readers interested, but we're also worried that she'll lose momentum and we'll just be wasting resources."
Xu Rui wasn't in a hurry and slowly said, "Someone recommended her to me last time, but we just didn't click. But that girl is quite talented, and I'm actually interested in her. Beauty is universal, really. I watched 'Desire Party' and felt she had a bit of your vibe back then."
Gu Lai's suppressed irritation resurfaced.
She knew that Xu Rui was still doing this for Jiang Yi's sake, trying to pry a flaw out of her through countless words.
Those in the industry generally know that her studio is invested in and managed by Jiang Yi, and they also know that she doesn't understand the ins and outs of business and never gets involved in such matters. It's just that others don't believe it; could she really be sitting on a gold mine unmoved?
But she was truly unmoved. She was willing to talk about film and television, but when it came to investment or even Feng Lu, she only had one sentence: "I know, go ask my lover."
She had heard about the new artists signed by the studio, but she never interfered; her general manager, Tan Junming, was in charge.
Investments need to yield returns, otherwise how can I explain this to Jiang Yi at the end of the year? But such trivial matters as signing contracts are really not something Jiang Yi would even consider.
Zhou Shanshan continued Xu Rui's words with flowery language, when Gu Lai suddenly spoke up. Her voice was soft and casual: "What does she look like? Let me see."
Before Zhou Shanshan could find any pictures, Xu Rui immediately chimed in, "She might not be outstanding in period costumes, but she looks great in any evening gown. She's a natural for the red carpet."
Before he could finish speaking, Xu Rui's assistant found the picture and shoved his phone towards them. Even Xu Rui felt this was a bit deliberate, and when Gu Lai looked down at it, he glanced away.
Zhou Shanshan quickly sent a message on her phone while keeping her head down, then kept an eye on Gu Lai.
Gu Lai didn't seem to react much.
She looked at it for two or three seconds, then suddenly looked up and smiled, her eyes sparkling with the rising tide: "It's her."
Xu Rui was a little surprised by her reaction. Zhou Shanshan first breathed a sigh of relief, but then thought about it and understood.
She had seen this kind of trick too many times with Gu Lai. Either Jiang Yi was involved, or there were enough signs to make it clear that the girl was attending an important event related to Jiang Yi.
Once Gu Lai's heart is moved and she becomes angry, whether she tries to exploit loopholes for profit or tries to get closer to the "official wife" to share the same hatred, anything is possible.
It's all too common. No one believes in genuine sincerity in the world of fame and fortune, nor does anyone believe that a kept woman who marries into a wealthy family wouldn't worry about fading beauty and losing favor.
The problem lies in whether the two parties involved cooperate.
Sure enough, the center of the photo was Fan Zi, wearing a silver off-the-shoulder tulip-shaped dress, holding a wine glass with her eyes downcast, looking as serene as a moon goddess standing on the bustling Olympic Mountain. And coincidentally, Jiang Yi was also captured in the distance that the camera could see.
Jiang Yi's gaze seemed to be fixed on her.
Xu Rui was also in a "give it a try" mentality.
She'd heard stories of people using such tactics to sow discord and test each other, only to have their claws chopped off and sent back home. But she'd only shown someone a photo; at most, they'd underestimated the relationship. Did that mean she had bad intentions?
Moreover, according to the editor who interviewed her privately, Gu Lai was not in a good mood this morning.
For a moment, Gu Lai, who was being stared at, really wanted to throw her phone in someone's face—Xu Rui, or this Fan Zi, or even Camilla from that gossip news story.
She doesn't usually get jealous over such baseless things, but she only realizes how annoying it is when she encounters it time and time again.
Gu Lai recalled the envious and jealous glances, the sour blessings and gossip, when Jiang Yi formally introduced her as his girlfriend and they announced their marriage.
“Jiang Yi is quite handsome.” Gu Lai smiled again, a smile like melting sea ice filling the room with spring, her eyes and brows beaming. Xu Rui was stunned by the smile, watching Gu Lai push her assistant’s phone to Zhou Shanshan.
“Send it to Jiang Yi,” she said.
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