Even though she had to stay in a reception room the entire time with two of Chen Qing's attendants, not meeting anyone, and only returned to Mao'er Hutong after leaving a certain government office, Lin Zhao still felt like she might be dreaming.
As for what Chen Qing went there to do, she didn't dare to think about it, let alone ask.
Upon returning to the mansion in Mao'er Hutong, a styling team was already waiting there.
Chen Qing sat in her study in the west wing of the inner courtyard, typing on her computer while speaking to Lin Zhao, who was separated by a beaded curtain in the outer room: "According to the script I've read, let's treat this as your 'dream day trip.' We'll see it through to the end. Later, we'll attend the premiere of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Tonight, you'll be the international superstar Miss Lin Daiyu. Shanwu and Yuanchi, you'll be Miss Lin's assistants, guiding her on how to walk the red carpet and socialize at the party."
The Jiang sisters agreed in unison.
Lin Zhao had completely given up resisting and allowed the fashionable, fair-skinned stylist with dyed blonde hair to measure her with a soft tape.
After a moment, the stylist finished taking measurements and looked toward Chen Qing in the inner room, asking respectfully, "Miss Chen, what style should we go for with this lady's look?"
Chen Qing continued typing without pause, effortlessly multitasking as she replied, "Elegant, sophisticated, and mysterious." She then added, "Make sure to highlight her... assets."
The Jiang sisters couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Lin Zhao blushed and shot them a weak glare.
The stylist, however, didn't dare to join in the teasing. After giving Lin Zhao another once-over, she said, "In that case, given Miss Lin's natural features, the dress should be black, white, purple, or perhaps a dark gold. It shouldn't be too form-fitting—looser, but fully covered, no exposed skin. To emphasize her figure, we can just cinch the waist."
Chen Qing said, "You handle it. Make sure it's done by six."
Soon, maids and the stylist's assistants wheeled in two racks full of clothes. The stylist picked through them, occasionally holding up a piece to compare against Lin Zhao. Finally, she selected a dark gold, high-necked, long-sleeved silk gown and had Lin Zhao try it on.
Lin Zhao, mentally telling herself that everyone around her was a woman, numbly changed into the dress. She realized it was likely a semi-finished piece, but it covered her completely, even with horse-hoof cuffs that extended over her hands.
The stylist expertly pinned and adjusted the dress, working on it for over ten minutes before presenting it to Chen Qing.
Chen Qing, having just finished a few work emails, stretched slightly and turned to look.
She had to admit, the stylist—who had reportedly returned from the Edinburgh College of Art—had an excellent eye and skill.
Lin Zhao's issue was her chest—it was too large, so even a little exposure could make her look overly provocative. By fully covering her up and cinching her waist, the stylist had managed to highlight Lin Zhao's best features while perfectly meeting Chen Qing's requirements.
Nodding in approval, Chen Qing smiled and said, "Well done, Judy. Let's go with this one."
The stylist, whose real name was Li Ming but went by Judy due to her time abroad, was pleased with Chen Qing's approval. She then added, "For her hair, I think leaving it down would be best. Miss Lin seems to often tie her hair up, so it's a bit wavy. We should straighten it. As for makeup, since she'll be walking the red carpet and taking photos, it should be a bit heavier. However, Miss Lin's eyebrows are a bit thick, so we'll need to trim them."
Chen Qing said, "As I mentioned earlier, just make sure it's done by six."
Judy and her assistants helped Lin Zhao out of the dress, which needed some last-minute alterations, and took her to a nearby room to finish the styling. Before leaving, Judy glanced at Chen Qing and asked with a hint of hope, "Miss Chen, would you like me to give you some advice as well?"
Chen Qing shook her head. "No need. I'm not walking the red carpet. Just touch up my makeup before we leave."
Judy, though disappointed, tactfully took Lin Zhao and the others out.
Chen Qing asked Jiang Shanwu to prepare some fruit for her and reopened her email to start drafting a message to her boss.
The matter of her visit to the government office that afternoon was about the financial crisis.
Recently, no country or region in Asia had been spared from the turmoil. The higher-ups had probed whether Chen Qing's side was planning any major projects—certainly not small-scale ventures like the shipyard joint venture in Jiangsu or the real estate project in Wudaokou.
Essentially, they wanted her to relay a message.
If there were such projects, negotiations would go smoothly. After all, if the Westeros system were to invest in China during such a downturn, it would be a significant positive signal, influencing various sectors and even deterring speculative capital in Hong Kong that, despite the absence of Soros's influence, was still restless.
Chen Qing didn't think there were any suitable major projects at the moment, especially since her boss was clearly pursuing a low-profile strategy. So, she simply relayed the message.
Additionally, there was the outcome of her morning meeting with Wang Shi of Vanke.
Along with the usual personal tidbits Chen Qing liked to include in her emails to her boss—such as today's "dream day trip" with Lin Zhao—she finished the email just after 5 p.m.
After handling some work documents, by 6 p.m., Lin Zhao, now fully dressed in her glamorous outfit, was brought before Chen Qing.
The girl, already stunning by nature, looked even more breathtaking. If it weren't for her unique figure and the tight schedule, Chen Qing might have considered a custom-made gown for her. Still, the current result was dazzling enough to make even Chen Qing, a woman herself, take notice. Standing over 180 cm in heels, with a model's figure, exquisite features, and her notable assets, Lin Zhao was a true knockout.
In truth, the world was never short of beautiful women of any type, given the global population nearing 6 billion. However, due to factors like family background, social circles, and class, many beautiful women remained confined to their own small worlds, rarely stepping into the public eye.
Chen Qing felt she had done a good deed today.
Such a striking woman would undoubtedly appear in the media tomorrow, and then... well, let people wonder and speculate.
With this mischievous thought, Chen Qing became even more enthusiastic. She personally selected a Hermès handbag from her closet for Lin Zhao. Seeing that it was almost time, she arranged for two cars to depart from Mao'er Hutong one after the other.
The premiere of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was set to begin at 6 p.m. at the China Film Group's Jinshu Cinema on Xidan North Street.
The event organizers had laid out a 60-meter red carpet along the pedestrian street outside the cinema. The first 30 meters were reserved for lucky moviegoers who had won tickets through a recent cinema promotion, while the latter 30 meters were for media from across the country and even overseas.
However, the arrangements severely underestimated the event's popularity.
By morning, crowds had begun gathering around the area, and by afternoon, the streets for hundreds of meters were packed. The two nearby overpasses became prime viewing spots, leading to several fights over space. It wasn't until over a hundred police officers were dispatched to maintain order that the situation was brought under control.
The premiere did not disappoint.
Thanks to the influence of China Film Group and Jinshu, nearly all the major stars in Beijing's entertainment industry had confirmed their attendance, with over a hundred celebrities expected to grace the event.
At 6 p.m., a stream of well-known domestic stars began arriving, walking the red carpet. A large screen had been set up on the building to broadcast the red carpet live, with hosts introducing each guest to the audience.
...
"Wow, Jiang Anqi! She's so beautiful, just like in Taken!"
...
"Old Jiang? Wait, since when did he get together with Xiaoqing?"
"Years ago. You're just noticing now?"
...
"Director Xie is here too. Too bad The Opium War didn't get much attention, even though it was good."
...
"Ge You? Ugh, his Kou Lao Xi this year was such a waste of his Cannes Best Actor win."
...
"The three leads from My Fair Princess? Never heard of them, but they're all pretty."
...
"President Han from Beijing Film Studio? Isn't this film distributed by China Film? Why is Beijing Film here?"
...
"Zhu Momo—she looks even taller than in Keep Cool. Wonder what her next movie will be."
"She's a model, internationally famous. Acting is just a side gig for her."
...
"Wow, two Daji's! Are they mother and daughter?"
"Fu Daji is only in her thirties—how could she have a daughter that old? And didn't you hear the host say the younger one's surname is Jin? They can't be related."
"Are you dumb? Mothers and daughters don't share the same surname. Fathers and daughters do."
"They played sisters in Love Call Transfer. A holiday movie?"
"Sort of like Zhang Yimou's Keep Cool. Gotta admit, the production company did well finding two beauties who look so alike."
...
Amidst all this excitement, it wasn't until after 6:40 p.m. that the black Mercedes carrying Lin Zhao finally reached the red carpet entrance.
The female guard from the Wei family got out of the driver's seat and opened the car door. Lin Zhao waited as Jiang Shanwu gave her a final check on her outfit and makeup before stepping out. As soon as her feet touched the red carpet, Lin Zhao was hit by the overwhelming energy of the crowd.
"Follow the pace of the guests ahead. Walk slowly, and stop for photos when you reach the media section. Remember to turn so both sides can get a clear shot of you."
Listening to Jiang Shanwu's instructions, Lin Zhao, her limbs slightly numb from her first time in front of such a large crowd, forced herself to move forward. The cheers, whistles, and screams from the audience made her feel like she had entered another world.
To be fair, even though many eyes inevitably lingered on her chest—something she would normally find distasteful—Lin Zhao found herself oddly enjoying the sensation of being in the spotlight.
However, she also knew that compared to the established stars walking the red carpet before and after her, she was a nobody.
This realization brought a wave of insecurity and a faint sense of confusion.
Dazed, she reached the media section halfway down the red carpet. The blinding flashes of cameras made her instinctively raise a hand to shield her eyes. Realizing her mistake, she quickly lowered her arm and remembered Jiang Shanwu's advice. She turned to face one side of the media, allowing them to take photos.
Then, she heard a voice that made her face burn with embarrassment.
"Now on the red carpet is the renowned actress, singer, model, film producer, fashion designer, advertising strategist, and entrepreneur—Miss Lin Zhao!"
What... what is all this?
Hearing applause from the audience and noticing the cameras flashing even more intensely, Lin Zhao's face turned crimson. She wished she could disappear into the ground.
Overwhelmed by the fear of being exposed, Lin Zhao mechanically turned to pose for the other side of the media before quickly making her way to the end of the red carpet. Even after entering the cinema building, her heart was still pounding.
When had she ever...
This was ridiculous.
If she were exposed, how could she ever show her face again?
And with TV cameras recording, this would be broadcast. If her family saw it, she'd become a laughingstock. After all, everyone back home knew her real situation.
Filled with anxiety, a staff member approached and politely guided her to a signature wall. Following Jiang Shanwu's reminder, Lin Zhao numbly took a marker and found a small, inconspicuous corner to sign her name, writing it as neatly as if she were back in school, called to the blackboard for a quiz.
Only after finishing did she realize her mistake.
Everyone else's signatures were flamboyant and artistic, while hers stood out for its neatness.
She thought about fixing it, but scribbling over her name on the wall would only make her look worse.
With Jiang Shanwu's prompting, she turned to face the photographers in front of the wall, trying to block her signature. However, she was told to move to the center, so she reluctantly stepped forward.
Her nose tingled.
She felt wronged, guilty.
She wanted to cry.
With her head down, Lin Zhao followed Jiang Shanwu and Jiang Yuanchi through the building, up stairs, down hallways, and into a lounge, where she finally saw Chen Qing again.
Chen Qing had changed into a casual yet sophisticated outfit—a khaki Burberry trench coat and slim white pants. She exuded confidence, sitting among a group of influential figures.
After the day's whirlwind of experiences, Lin Zhao's emotions were a tangled mess. Looking at Chen Qing now, amidst her complex feelings, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
She suddenly wished she could truly be like Chen Qing, not just the subject of the host's "joke."
Chen Qing, who was chatting and laughing with the group of VIPs, noticed Lin Zhao and waved her over. Once Lin Zhao sat down beside her, Chen Qing introduced her: "This is President Tong from China Film Group, President Han from Beijing Film Studio, and President Wu from Jinshu..."
After making the rounds, Chen Qing briefly mentioned Lin Zhao's name before returning to the earlier topic: "So, President Tong, is the consolidation really happening?"
The middle-aged man with a round, dignified face nodded. "Yes, it's been discussed for years, but Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has finally pushed the higher-ups to act. Our film industry can't keep declining, so they're planning to consolidate several state-owned film units—China Film, Beijing Film, the Children's Film Studio, the Co-Production Studio, and the Movie Channel—into one major state-owned film conglomerate, the China Film Group. The plan is still under review, but I'm giving you a heads-up. Please keep this confidential."
President Tong glanced at Lin Zhao beside Chen Qing.
She was... impressive.
Chen Qing assured him, "Don't worry, President Tong. I understand the sensitivity."
President Tong added, "The reason we're informing you early is that, aside from the key units remaining state-controlled, the higher-ups are allowing us to collaborate with outstanding private enterprises on joint projects. We've already worked together on theaters, so we're well-positioned to strengthen our ties. After all, it's all for the future of Chinese cinema."
Chen Qing replied without hesitation, "Absolutely, President Tong. We're on the same page."
______
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