Chapter 57 - Wolf under a warm smile

In a distance, Jing Lihua spotted Su Liwei. He turned once he saw Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua paused for a second before walking directly towards him without any reluctance. If it was the Jing Lihua of past, she would have been fl.u.s.tered and tried to avoid him. But this Jing Lihua wasn't the one before him.

And for some strange reason as time passed, Su Liwei was losing his effect on her.

"Mr. Su I've been expecting you." She had a calm smile and wore very formal expressions. Like she was not addressed to her husband but to some acquaintance.

"We are in a gathering. It would be best if you addressed me less formally." Su Liwei's eyes were calm.

Jing Lihua's smile didn't falter. "There is no one around us. But if it makes you feel uncomfortable, I'll call you by your full name next time." Jing Lihua excused herself but Su Liwei stopped her.

"I know what are you planning."

Jing Lihua blinked at him in confusion. Su Liwei leaned towards her but Jing Lihua stood her ground unwilling to back off. In a very light tune, Su Liwei said.

"I've made a reservation to the Su Islands. I'll be expecting you to arrive next Monday, at the Mealor mansion." With that, he walked away.

"He thinks he can order me around?" Jing went to find herself a seat. The catwalk started soon and models started to appear along the catwalk. People held their phones and reporters their camera and equipment. Cheers and claps resounded in the Hall when Su Lanfen face surfaced from the corner. All the reporters tensed up and inched closer their camera. People held their breath. Among all the noise and clamour, Jing Lihua was calm. Her eyes assessed everything.

Su Lanfen posed for ten seconds, and turned to walked back. While she was heading back, Zhao Liying emerged from the background. She was wearing long heels. Her gait was smooth and flawless. They both stood at the middle and posed around. Then they exchanged their spots. The audience cheered loudly. Su Lanfen and Zhao Liying rivalry was a hot topic, and their double pose would make covers of many, many magazines.

Especially once the names for top ten models award are nominated.

Jing Lihua sighed when the first round went smoothly. After the first round, there was a short break. Drinks were served while buyers made contacts with fashion designers. Jing Lihua was approached by some people. In a corner, she saw a rather frantic looking Yang Mi rushing for the exit. Quickly excusing herself, Jing Lihua followed her quietly.

Yang Mi rushed to a room. She looked around to see if there was anyone. After making sure the corridor was empty, she entered the room and closed the door shut. Jing Lihua came out from and corner and walked to the room. From inside the room, screams could be heard.

"It's not my fault! Someone knew what we were up to."

"We had an agreement. Now that the plan is ruined, it is your responsibility to come up with a better alternative. If you fail to do so, not only we would stop the transaction, we'll make sure that you are totally destroyed."

"But..."

"Do as I proposed earlier. I'm giving you this drug. Use whatever method you have to slip it into her glass."

"What if she finds out it is me...?"

"We'll help you out and safely get you out of China."

Silence followed and shuffling of footsteps could be heard. Jing Lihua quickly walked away and pretending to be going about her own business. The person who came out of the room was Su Lanfen's manager. After confirming the identity, Jing Lihua didn't waste any time and found Zhao Liying.

"Zhao Liying what is Yang Mi job at your company?"

"Yang Mi? She is my makeup artist."

"Did she prepare you today?"

Jing Lihua eyes followed Yang Mi every movement. Yang Mi looked nervous as she chatted to a waitress at a distance. She grabbed two drinks and made her way towards them.

"No. My manager didn't let her attend me today. Why you ask?"

"Listen to me. Do not drink whatever she gives you." Jing Lihua had urgency in her eyes.

Zhao Liying didn't quite understand what Jing Lihua really wanted. But she grasped the gravity of the situation from Jing Lihua serious look so she nodded.

"Ms Zhao, you stole the spotlight today." She handed a glass to Zhao Liying. "Here's a toast to your fabulous performance."

Zhao Liying grabbed the glass but didn't drink.

Yang Mi grew nervous. But she pushed down her nervousness and wore a warm smile. "Come on. You have been preparing long for this day. Would you not even take a sip?"

Zhao Liying smiled. She glanced at Jing Lihua before guiding the glass to her lips. Yang Mi eyes eased like a great burden had been lifted off her shoulders. But she hid her real expressions under a smile.