Chapter 278 - 279: The Competition

Chapter 278: Chapter 279: The Competition

That’s right. This was one of the reasons she couldn’t continue as a model back then.

"My injury is almost healed!" Bai Zhi said earnestly. "I can guarantee it."

’Almost healed?’ Mr. Lin raised an eyebrow slightly.

He knew his former collaborator. She was an honest person and wouldn’t lie about something like this. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have made things so easy for him back then. Even though they had already signed a contract, after she got injured, she suggested a replacement herself without causing him the slightest bit of trouble.

Mr. Lin still remembered that favor.

"Bai Zhi..." Mr. Lin hesitated. "You should know that the auditions for this fashion show ended a long time ago. If you want to participate now... it’s too late."

"I know!" Bai Zhi nodded. "But every year, it’s inevitable that some people pull out for various reasons. I want to fight for a chance. If someone does drop out, I hope you’ll consider me."

"Drop out?" Gong Yi spoke up again. "Do you think our provincial fashion show is some amateur event? This is a legitimate show. Countless models are fighting tooth and nail just to walk the runway, and here you are, hoping someone quits. Are you trying to jinx this show or something?"

Bai Zhi glanced at Gong Yi. "Gong Yi, there’s no need for the snide remarks."

"What snide remarks?" Gong Yi immediately retorted. "Do you really think you’re still the supermodel you were a few years ago?"

Gong Yi wore a smug look, like a petty person who’d finally gotten a taste of power. "In the years you’ve been gone, the modeling world has been completely turned upside down. You think you still have any market appeal? A substitute? You don’t even qualify to be a substitute!"

"Why don’t we settle this with a competition right here?" An idea suddenly struck Li Yang, and he said to Gong Yi, "Looking at you, you must be one of the models for this show. Since you’re so confident, why not have a catwalk battle with our Sister Zhi right now?"

Bai Zhi’s heart skipped a beat.

’This is a bad idea! I’m so rusty, but Gong Yi has been training this whole time. There’s no way I can beat her now.’

"Fine by me!" Gong Yi’s eyes lit up. ’Isn’t this exactly what I wanted?’

’I couldn’t beat you on the main runway, but defeating you like this now still counts as a victory.’

"If you’re not scared, then let’s see what you’ve got."

Her face was full of disdain.

Back when she first entered the industry, she was a complete nobody, while Bai Zhi was at the peak of her fame.

Their relationship wasn’t exactly bad, but Bai Zhi was just so popular back then that it made her jealous.

’I was just as beautiful and my skills were excellent, so why was she the one who got famous?’

Later, after Bai Zhi got injured and left the modeling world, she slowly started to make a name for herself.

But even today, she still hadn’t reached the heights Bai Zhi had at her peak.

Now, meeting Bai Zhi again, the woman no longer had any right to be compared to her. But she still hadn’t been able to get over her old resentment, so Li Yang’s proposal was exactly what she wanted.

Bai Zhi felt a surge of anger.

Of course, she knew what Gong Yi was thinking, but she was also afraid of failing.

She knew her own skill level. Before, she wouldn’t have been scared of Gong Yi in the slightest, but she hadn’t been on a runway in so long. Her catwalk would definitely be a mess...

"Sister Zhi, don’t be afraid!" Li Yang said, taking her hand. "Go on up and compete with her."

Bai Zhi felt a warm current flow into her from Li Yang.

One of the reasons she hadn’t dared to go up was that she was afraid she didn’t have the stamina.

Walking the runway required a huge reserve of physical energy; it wasn’t as simple as just walking.

As the warm current from Li Yang flowed through her, Bai Zhi instantly felt incredibly comfortable from head to toe.

In that moment, it was as if she had found that old feeling from her prime again.

She glanced at Li Yang.

Li Yang gave her a slight smile.

"Alright!" Bai Zhi stood up abruptly. "Since you want to see, let’s do it. We’ll see if I’ve still got it or not. Mr. Lin, let’s go. We can use the main hall."

"Fine," said Mr. Lin. He had actually wanted to refuse Bai Zhi, but felt he couldn’t because of their history.

The way he saw it, if they competed and it turned out Bai Zhi really wasn’t up to par, he would have a valid reason to turn her down without being so blunt.

’Bai Zhi hasn’t been on a runway in so long. There’s no way she can pull it off.’

"Let’s head out!"

Soon, they arrived in a reception hall.

"Why don’t I call some friends over to watch?" Li Yang’s eyes darted around as a plan formed in his mind.

"Go ahead!" Gong Yi said immediately. "It’s a perfect chance for everyone to see what a real catwalk looks like."

Li Yang sneered inwardly. ’I didn’t want to resort to this, but you and your big mouth are just asking for it. Don’t blame me for what happens next.’

"Great!" Li Yang quickly went to find Han Qiuyue.

Before long, a crowd of diners flooded into the area.

"Hey, there’s a model show going on!"

"Yeah, what a surprise!"

...

Everyone who came in was watching the scene unfold.

Meanwhile, Bai Zhi and Gong Yi were getting ready.

A man walked up to Mr. Lin and extended his hand. "Hello, Mr. Lin. I’m Wang Zhi, the chief editor of Yizu Fashion Magazine."

"Oh? Chief Editor Wang, what are you doing here?" Mr. Lin was surprised to see the chief editor of Southern China’s biggest fashion magazine here.