◎Not Suitable, Too Revealing◎
In early July, the weather grew hotter and hotter. The scorching sunlight made people feel restless and uncomfortable.
In Hangbei, at the ZE Fashion Building.
The central air conditioning steadily blew cool air outward. The venue in the central exhibition area had already been cleared, and workers methodically set up the red carpet area to welcome the upcoming ZE Fashion 20th Anniversary Charity Night.
Another batch of custom haute couture gowns from luxury brands arrived in the ZE Fashion Makeup Room, available for Song Chan to try on and pick from at will.
Ever since ZE Fashion officially announced that Song Chan would represent them as the main person in charge of the 20th Anniversary Issue at the 20th Anniversary Charity Gala,
In the past two days, overtures from major luxury brands had poured in one after another.
Recently, different brands delivered haute couture gowns and jewelry pieces every day, all appearing in the ZE Fashion Makeup Room.
Though Song Chan was not a trending young starlet in the Entertainment Circle, she was a red-hot figure in the fashion circle.
Especially now—she was the hottest topic online, backed by veteran fashion editor Lin Jinhe as her publicly announced successor and ZE Fashion’s aggressively promoted public face.
Song Chan’s fashion resources now outshone those of popular celebrities by miles. Gowns that A-list stars couldn’t borrow might not even catch her eye.
Perhaps from seeing too many custom haute couture gowns from luxury brands lately, Song Chan came down with a case of choice paralysis.
She had already picked a gown and, being swamped, had no intention of wasting more time dithering over it. But when she saw the newly arrived haute couture showpieces right in front of her, she hesitated once more.
“My god! Today’s delivery is actually onlyU’s Early Summer Haute Couture Showpiece!”
Qian Ya covered her mouth, eyes wide. Her irrepressible shock was plain as day.
Over the past few days, Qian Ya’s daily thrill had been trailing Song Chan, ogling and fondling custom gowns and jewelry from all the top luxury brands.
But she never dreamed she’d get to lay eyes on onlyU’s Early Summer Haute Couture Showpiece.
In stark contrast to Song Chan’s calm composure, Qian Ya tried to rein it in, but her surprise still shone through obviously.
She couldn’t be entirely blamed, though. After all, onlyU was the luxury brand favored by foreign royalty—internationally renowned to the point where princesses plugged it on their own to show their love.
For regular folks, forget trying on an onlyU haute couture gown; even catching a glimpse was a pipe dream.
Qian Ya lightly tapped the gown before her, not daring to touch it at first. Once she confirmed it wasn’t a hallucination, she clutched Song Chan’s wrist.
“Chanchan, this is onlyU! This is really onlyU!…”
In just minutes, she’d repeated it who-knew-how-many times. Song Chan couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I know. That’s why I’m agonizing now—onlyU gown or the one I picked yesterday?”
At those words, Qian Ya wondered if her ears were playing tricks. She shook Song Chan’s wrist, trying to jolt her back to reality.
“Baby, you okay? This is the onlyU Early Summer Haute Couture Showpiece gown. Still hesitating? Pick onlyU, obviously!”
“No need for me to school you on how killer the brand is, right?”
“The Early Summer series just dropped—only concept pics on the official site so far. Hasn’t even hit the fashion shows yet. Only insiders know.”
Qian Ya stared at the neatly lined-up gowns, her eyes practically glowing.
“Chanchan, they sent the whole Early Summer series showpieces—just for you.”
“I’m jealous! You’ll be the first person on earth to wear onlyU’s Early Summer series…”
Song Chan inwardly agonized amid Qian Ya’s nonstop amazed praise.
Of course she knew onlyU’s global clout. She also knew the brand was testing the waters lately, negotiating entry into the mainland market and future collab protocols with ZE Fashion.
Delivering the as-yet-unreleased Early Summer Haute Couture Showpiece was a blatant goodwill move.
But Song Chan knew more: onlyU had just turned down Li Shuning’s team’s gown-borrow request not long ago.
That was the root of her hesitation.
After laying it out for Qian Ya, she asked, “So you’re worried wearing onlyU would piss off Li Shuning’s camp?”
Song Chan nodded, troubled but helpless. “Swapping out her cover last time already ruffled some feathers.”
“Li Shuning’s on the invited guest list for this charity gala too. As the organizer’s rep, I can’t go stirring the pot.”
After some internal debate—fearing gala drama—Song Chan opted for caution.
“Forget it. Stick with yesterday’s brand.”
“Avoid trouble where we can.”
Qian Ya saw Song Chan genuinely liked these gowns but was prioritizing the company’s big picture.
Still, she griped, “Bottom line, Li Shuning’s a one-hit wonder newbie. Hot now, sure, but zero fashion cred. How’s she stack up to you?”
“Why would an international powerhouse like onlyU—royalty-approved luxury—lend to her?”
The more she dwelled, the more Qian Ya regretted it. She wheedled earnestly, urging Song Chan to hold firm.
“Chanchan, onlyU’s Early Summer series fits you to a T—perfect for your vibe. They say the brand’s picky on faces, but you’d slay it…”
That only deepened Song Chan’s conflict.
Unnoticed, Lin Jinhe—who’d arrived at the door and overheard everything—walked in, spotting her dilemma.
Lin Jinhe settled it for her in one go.
“onlyU for the red carpet. Pick something else for the onstage speech.”
Her tone brooked no argument, laced with clear protectiveness. “Quit fretting over nonsense. ZE partnering with onlyU is inevitable—a powerhouse matchup.”
“You in onlyU on the red carpet? That’s our preemptive signal to the industry about the collab intent.”
Lin Jinhe’s voice sharpened, her gaze on Song Chan turning steely.
“Song Chan, remember—you represent ZE Fashion. Every word, move, outfit is the company’s face.”
“Where’s that fire you had mouthing off to me? Your usual take-no-prisoners edge? Show it.”
“Don’t make me catch you waffling again, or you’ll tank us onstage.”
With that, Lin Jinhe turned and left.
Song Chan knew this editor-in-chief’s bark was fierce, but it was all for the company—and her.
And yeah, she shouldn’t second-guess so much.
Entertainment Circle or fashion circle—they were gladiator pits prizing only capital and clout. Playing meek meant losing.
Song Chan had always been a stubborn mule, unbowed.
Awakened, she waved at Lin Jinhe’s retreating back, shedding her hesitation.
Back to her bold, confident self: “Thanks, Editor-in-Chief Lin.”
Facing onlyU’s full Early Summer series haute couture showpieces, choice overload would hit anyone.
onlyU gowns had a signature: each in a haute couture series was a solo designer effort.
Collaborating designers built on prior series inspirations, weaving in the theme.
The wild style variances became onlyU’s killer fashion hook.
“Chanchan, onlyU gowns are a nightmare to pick. You’d rock that one, though…”
Qian Ya dithered ages before the 12 stunning haute couture gowns, then pointed to a bold red silk gown for Song Chan.
“This one?” She eyed it close, nodding approval. “Sultry vixen vibes—total match for your demoness aura.”
“And…” Qian Ya smirked slyly, drawling, “Backless design. You’ll slay ’em—no shot for other starlets.”
Song Chan mulled it over. Qian Ya’s rec was solid; the designer? onlyU’s ace, Steven.
It meshed perfectly—temperament, cut, style all amplifying her innate allure.
But that’s exactly why Song Chan passed.
She’d locked in yesterday’s onstage speech gown: a red fishtail with long train, style and color too similar.
“Nope, can’t do this one.”
After weighing options, Song Chan tapped the Teacher Su who’d just collected “tuition” from her last night.
Photos of every gown snapped and fired off to Su Yicen—the dilemma dumped squarely on him. Tuition paid; teacher couldn’t ghost the student.
Song Chan: 【(Pictures)12】
Song Chan: 【Pick one for me. Red carpet gown.】
Reply zipped back fast—but sans a scolding, he’d never get serious.
Next-Door Neighbor: 【None suitable.】
Song Chan: 【？？？】
Next-Door Neighbor: 【Too revealing.】
His words nearly gave Song Chan an aneurysm. Swallowing rage, she typed.
Song Chan: 【Hazmat suit for red carpet then?】
Next-Door Neighbor: 【Works. Could spark new trends.】
Song Chan: 【While I’m still civil, Mr. Su—don’t push it.】
Threat landed hard; he snapped serious.
Next-Door Neighbor: 【Miss Song’s stepping into the spotlight? Show range, not one-note style.】
He forwarded pics of a few fresh, airy gowns.
Next-Door Neighbor: 【First red carpet’s the crowd’s intro to you. Start fresh, hit ’em with sultry later—that contrast sticks.】
Song Chan: 【Got it.】
Su Yicen’s advice rang true on reflection. Fresh vibes built goodwill easier. Onstage bound? Go max contrast, max impact.
She lingered long among the fresh-style gowns.
Finally pausing at a pink gossamer long gown. The shimmery outer tulle? Designer’s sly touch.
Elevated the sweet pink freshness with luxe flair—no blandness.
Fresh, flirty, opulent—layered without cloying.
Song Chan eyed the name beside: Tao Han.
A Chinese designer, onlyU’s sole mainland talent.
Song Chan had dug into Tao Han before: ex-niche indie brand, fresh-flirty specialty.
Turned roses demure as gardenias, gardenias lush and tempting.
ZE collab outreach once? Firm no—stuck with her.
Now, here she stood before Tao Han’s haute couture masterpiece.
Casually: “Red carpet—this one’s it.”
Qian Ya: “You were agonizing seconds ago. Sudden decisiveness?”
Song Chan lips quirked, brow arched, musing her reply.
“Because I… have a strategist…”