"Speaking of which, I really admire Miss Lu," Xia Xiaofu said with a sly smile. "She's managed to toy with both brothers without slipping up once. That's a skill we'll never be able to master."
Celia reached out and tapped Xia Xiaofu on the forehead. "Enough gossip. Let's focus on the fashion contest first."
Xia Xiaofu nodded. "Honestly, Yara Lu's success doesn't come from her so-called charm. It's the dazzling halo her mother passed down to her. As Xia Si's daughter, she was born to be fought over. Cici, that's why we have no choice but to win this fashion contest."
Celia smiled with quiet confidence. "Don't worry. Leave it to me."
Xia Xiaofu relaxed instantly. Her little Cici always had a dozen clever ideas hidden in her head.
Celia quickly immersed herself in preparations for the upcoming fashion contest. Time flew by, and before she knew it, the day of the competition had arrived.
In the corridor, Celia ran into Yara Lu and Xia Ling. They had assembled a team of top supermodels—tall, statuesque women with flawless long legs—to walk the runway for them.
It was clear Yara and Xia Ling had prepared thoroughly, and their runway show promised to be grand.
Xia Ling crossed her arms, smiling smugly. "Celia, we've put together a runway show on par with Paris Fashion Week. Paired with my designs, do you really think you stand a chance?"
Celia straightened her slender back, her clear, intelligent eyes flashing. "Xia Ling, trust me—you're the one who's going to lose."
"You—!"
Without sparing her another glance, Celia turned and walked away. Xia Ling fumed, but Yara quickly soothed her. "Lingling, don't get worked up. Let's just use our strength to crush them. They'll only cry once reality hits."
Still, the composure on Celia's face had left Xia Ling with a trace of unease. She had yet to see Celia's designs.
Celia's secrecy was airtight—her styles and runway plan were locked down so tightly, no one had a clue what she was preparing.
"Yaoyao, I'm… a little uneasy," Xia Ling admitted.
"Uneasy? Lingling, you studied fashion abroad. You're a professional designer. Celia has never formally studied fashion. She's no match for you," Yara said firmly.
Hearing this, Xia Ling regained her confidence. That was right. Why should she fear Celia?
Celia was just a novice, a complete rookie.
At that thought, Xia Ling's lips curved as a wicked idea struck her. Tonight, she was determined to see Celia humiliated.
Backstage, Celia moved quickly through the bustling preparations for their runway show.
Xia Xiaofu had just finished applying her makeup. "Cici, you're back."
"Yeah. I just ran into Yara Lu and Xia Ling in the corridor. They've recruited a whole lineup of supermodels with endless legs."
Xia Xiaofu's agent, Haitang, clicked her tongue. "Sounds like they're going all-in on flaunting those legs. I've heard Miss Lu is known as having the most beautiful legs in the capital. People will definitely be watching."
Xia Xiaofu smirked and lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, revealing a pale, elegant calf. "Well, we're not afraid of leg comparisons."
Celia arched a brow. It seemed the audience was in for quite a visual feast tonight.
Just then—bang!—someone knocked over the dressing table.
Haitang immediately snapped, "What's going on? How could you be so clumsy?"