Chapter 279 - 280: The Grace Remains

Chapter 279: Chapter 280: The Grace Remains

"I’m just here on a business trip. I heard the food here was incredible, so I came to try it. I really didn’t expect to see you here."

"Is that so!" Mr. Lin laughed. "That’s right, I’m here on business too."

"Huh, she looks really familiar."

"It’s Bai Zhi. Remember her?" Mr. Lin said, a hint of regret in his voice.

Wang Zhi’s eyes widened in realization. "I know... the former supermodel! They said she retired after an injury. So this is..."

Mr. Lin nodded. "Exactly. She wants to make a comeback. Gong Yi is competing with her so we can see if she’s still got it."

"Well, that’s perfect!" Wang Zhi’s eyes lit up. ’I’ve got a story!’

’I’m always reporting on these models, but this time, I can write something new.’

’A retired model like Bai Zhi... I can do a deep dive into her life after she left the scene. I’m sure plenty of people would want to read that.’

’Back in the day, Bai Zhi was a massive star. The whole country knew her name.’

’As for the outcome of the competition, he could already predict it.’

"Um... can I take a couple of photos?" Wang Zhi was already eager to start.

"It’s fine with me, but as for Bai Zhi, you’d better ask her yourself later."

"Okay!"

Soon, the catwalk show officially began.

Although it was just a large hall, Bai Zhi felt a little nervous.

’This feeling... It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way.’

Li Yang waved at her.

Bai Zhi took a deep breath and nodded back at him.

The music started.

A moment later, Bai Zhi took her first step.

That single step, combined with the music, brought back the feeling from all those years ago.

The memories seemed to flood back into her. That, combined with the warm current he had given her, allowed her to execute the movements with ease.

TAP, TAP, TAP...

Bai Zhi’s entire demeanor seemed to transform. She became icily glamorous, each step exuding an incredible, intimidating power.

The expressions on Wang Zhi’s and Mr. Lin’s faces changed.

They were seasoned professionals who had seen countless shows; they could tell good from bad in a single glance.

Right now, Bai Zhi wasn’t wearing high fashion, just casual clothes and flat shoes...

But the aura she projected with her walk was commanding, each step powerful and deliberate.

Each step seemed to land deep in the hearts of the onlookers.

’If she were wearing high heels, the sharp click-clack of her steps would undoubtedly stun everyone watching the show.’

"This... This is the stage presence of someone who hasn’t walked a show in years?" Wang Zhi was dumbfounded, seizing the opportunity to snap several photos.

Mr. Lin also had a complicated look on his face.

’This... How does this look like someone who hasn’t been on a catwalk? This kind of presence... she’s at her absolute peak!’

Gong Yi was also a bit stunned.

’How is this possible? How can she still walk with such a powerful stage presence? Impossible!’

The further Bai Zhi walked, the more confident she became. The old feelings came flooding back, and she felt completely self-assured in her every move.

After completing one circuit, she lifted her chin slightly as she turned to walk back.

That small gesture drove the onlookers wild with excitement.

"My God, she’s breathtaking!"

"Damn, this woman is unreal!"

...

The audience was too excited to even speak.

Over on the side, the color had drained from Gong Yi’s face.

Finally, Bai Zhi walked back to her starting point and stood there, as regal as a statue.

It was Gong Yi’s turn.

Gong Yi seemed dazed. From her very first step, her timing was already off the beat.

Mr. Lin and Wang Zhi shook their heads at the same time.

This made Gong Yi even more flustered, and she proceeded to miss the beat of the music again and again.

Her whole walk fell into disarray!

Mr. Lin furrowed his brow.

THUD!

Just then, her composure completely shattered. She lost her footing and fell to the ground with a thud.

The crowd erupted.

"And she calls herself a model!" an onlooker jeered. "What a piece of trash!"

"Yeah, how can you just fall like that!"

"Get off the stage!"

...

The crowd continued to curse and shout.

"WAAAH!" Gong Yi actually started crying right there on the floor.

Li Yang was also dumbfounded. ’I was originally planning to pull a little trick,’ he thought. ’But I never expected this girl’s confidence to be so shattered by Bai Zhi that she’d mess up on her own. This is great, I don’t even have to be the bad guy.’

Mr. Lin shook his head in anger, thoroughly disappointed.

Wang Zhi also shook his head and said, "I followed her back when she debuted. I said back then that I felt she lacked composure. To put it bluntly, she doesn’t have the right mindset for the big leagues. And look at her now... She was clearly affected by Bai Zhi. Compared to Bai Zhi, she’s really..."

Perhaps realizing Mr. Lin’s connection to her, Wang Zhi stopped himself abruptly. "By the way, I heard she was going to be in your fashion show, right?"

Mr. Lin’s expression was grim. "She won’t be appearing in it anymore."

This time, Mr. Lin had completely lost all hope in her.

’To think she would be beaten this badly by Bai Zhi, someone who hasn’t been on a runway in ages.’

Soon, the other diners had left.

"Miss Bai!" Wang Zhi waved at Bai Zhi. "Do you remember me? We’ve met before. I’m Wang Zhi, chief editor of Yizu Fashion Magazine."

Bai Zhi was taken aback for a moment before it clicked. "Chief Editor Wang, what are you doing here? What a coincidence!"

Wang Zhi laughed heartily. "It is a coincidence! I never thought I’d get to see Miss Bai’s famous walk here of all places!"