IDEI Ch15

Looking at the large dog running wildly in the chatbox, Qi Yanning’s eyes filled with a strange smile.

He looked up and glanced at the three styling assistants around him.

“I’m heading over to Chenxing Entertainment. Who wants to come with me?”

The eyes of the three assistants lit up.

On the one hand, Chenxing Entertainment was a well-known big company in the industry, and for them, small fry, just going there would be a rare opportunity to gain some valuable experience. On the other hand, being invited by Qi-ge to work outside the company—did that mean…

They were recognized as Qi-ge’s own people!

“I-I want to go!” The three assistants eagerly called out, competing with each other.

Their expressions were tinged with nervousness, as if they feared Qi Yanning might leave them behind.

Qi Yanning’s gaze swept over their faces for a moment before he lazily spoke, “Chu Sixiu, Wu Jianming… and Li Jinshi.”

Before Qi Yanning called out Li Jinshi’s name, the disappointment on her face was about to overflow. But when her name was said, the disappointment vanished instantly, and she jumped up!

Li Jinshi protested with a bit of grievance, “Qi-ge, you’re teasing us!”

Qi Yanning raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of a confident smile.

Li Jinshi fell silent and then joined the other two in celebrating.

“Alright!”

“Long live Qi-ge!”

The three cheered, surrounding Qi Yanning and twirling him around several times, only stopping when his calm yet dangerous gaze fell on them. Embarrassed, they quickly scurried away to get their things ready.

Soon, it was the afternoon, and Ling Cangzhou sent a message to Qi Yanning, telling him that the car to pick them up had arrived at the entrance of the program set.

Qi Yanning led the three assistants to the entrance of the filming base. A steady-looking business car was parked under a tree at the entrance.

Leaning against the car, Ling Cangzhou smiled the moment he saw Qi Yanning’s figure.

“A-Ning! You’re here.”

Dressed in a suit and looking every bit the successful man.

But at a glance, Qi Yanning saw what seemed like a big dog wildly wagging its tail at him.

Qi Yanning’s lips curled up in a barely noticeable arc as he approached.

The three assistants froze in their steps. They hadn’t expected the president of Chenxing Entertainment to personally come and pick them up—no, to personally pick up Qi-ge.

Facing such a big shot, the three of them were extremely nervous, greeting him briefly before shrinking into the back seat, not daring to make a sound.

“A-Ning, how’s work been lately?” Ling Cangzhou turned his head and asked Qi Yanning with a smile.

“Pretty good,” Qi Yanning replied casually, as if the recent incident with Li Qing and Lin He hadn’t happened at all.

But to Qi Yanning, the minor trouble caused by Li Qing and Lin He didn’t really amount to much. Back when there was a shift of power on the throne and the court was full of turmoil, he had fought his way out of that situation. Naturally, he didn’t consider the petty scheming between stylists to be of any significance.

After all, those little tricks didn’t threaten his life.

Ling Cangzhou raised an eyebrow. He had intended to mention the situation with Li Qing and Lin He, but seeing the calm expression on Qi Yanning’s face, he smiled and changed the subject, beginning to explain the details of the upcoming fashion gala.

Chenxing Entertainment’s annual gala, combined with a fashion event, was always a big deal.

On this day, all of Chenxing Entertainment’s artists would attend, competing for attention on the red carpet.

The more notable artists had their own styling teams, but the remaining lesser-known ones from the far fringes of fame would need to rely on the company’s stylists. Since many new trainees had recently joined, the company’s stylists were in short supply, which was why Ling Cangzhou had specifically invited Qi Yanning to step in.

However, for the president of Chenxing Entertainment to personally extend an invitation to a stylist…

Qi Yanning glanced at the sincere-looking Ling Cangzhou and chuckled softly.

Not entirely pure intentions, huh.

“Which artists am I responsible for? What’s the theme of the event?” Qi Yanning asked directly, not wasting any time.

“The theme is ‘Garden,'” Ling Cangzhou replied gently.

He took out a tablet and held it close to Qi Yanning. As he leaned in, a faint and tranquil fragrance filled Qi Yanning’s senses.

“The scent is nice,” Qi Yanning raised an eyebrow, commenting on the person now in close proximity.

Ling Cangzhou turned slightly and grinned, “Thank you, A-Ning, for appreciating my taste!”

Qi Yanning didn’t respond but shifted his gaze to the tablet instead.

“Here’s the information on the trainees you’ll be styling,” Ling Cangzhou’s voice was low and soft, slipping lightly into Qi Yanning’s ears.

Ling Cangzhou leaned in closer and closer, but Qi Yanning acted as if he didn’t notice.

They continued their quiet discussion.

The three styling assistants in the backseat hesitated to speak. The atmosphere between the two in front made them afraid to say a word.

But, Qi-ge, you two leaning in so close and whispering—are there things we three aren’t supposed to hear…?

＊

Chenxing Entertainment’s building was located in the CBD of City A, an imposing office tower.

Led by Ling Cangzhou, Qi Yanning and his team headed directly to the styling department. Although Qi Yanning had already seen the photos of the trainees earlier and had some initial ideas, he needed to see them in person to better grasp their features.

Inside a spacious styling room, several trainees were nervously waiting.

There were seven trainees in total—five idol trainees and two from the acting department. They had just learned that their red carpet looks were to be done by an external stylist, and they were very anxious.

After all, for someone to be invited to style a group of nobodies like them, how big of a name could they be?

However, the moment Qi Yanning walked in, they quickly stood up and bowed at a 90-degree angle, “Hello, teacher!”

When they finally looked up, one trainee murmured in surprise, “Qi Yanning?”

Qi Yanning glanced over at the voice. It was a girl with a high ponytail, looking very cool. He thought for a moment—

“A-Qing? Long time no see,” Qi Yanning said.

This girl was Shen Qing. Back when Qi Yanning had been affiliated with a company to undergo idol training, Shen Qing was someone he had met. At that time, one was the strongest among the female idols, and the other was the weakest among the male idols, both outcasts, which had led to a sense of mutual understanding between them.

“I never believed the rumors from a while ago, but I couldn’t reach you, and I was worried sick! Now that I see you’re doing well, that’s a relief. But, why are you here?” A-Qing was stunned.

She hesitated, “Are you… the stylist for today?”

She found it hard to believe, but looking at the assistants behind Qi Yanning, each carrying makeup kits, she could only guess as much.

“Yes,” Qi Yanning nodded, “After I withdrew from the competition, I applied to be a stylist. I was invited over today.”

Shen Qing nodded, genuinely happy for him.

The other trainees, however, had mixed expressions. They all knew who Qi Yanning was—after all, he had been trending on the internet recently. But for Qi Yanning to do their styling?

Qi Yanning wasn’t oblivious to the doubt on their faces, but he didn’t mind.

Skill wasn’t something you could convince others of with a few words. Instead of saying much, he carefully examined them—

The five idol trainees were likely about to debut in a group. Their styles were quite similar, leaning towards a cool and aloof vibe. They were all tall, beautiful, and each had already developed a presence.

The two from the acting department, however, were entirely different. One had large, round eyes and a round face, full of mischievous charm with every expression.

The other had a classic film star face—her features perfectly matched the golden ratio of beauty, and her aura was as natural and elegant as a spring stream.

There was no denying that Chenxing Entertainment was a big company; these trainees all had a lot of potential.

“Teacher Qi,” an assistant sent over by Ling Cangzhou handed over a tablet at just the right moment, “Here’s a list of the outfits Chenxing can borrow for them. Please take a look. Once you’ve made your selections, we can contact the brands to have them delivered.”

Qi Yanning took the tablet and swiped through a few images, frowning almost immediately.

Most of the clothes available were several seasons old from various brands. If they were visually appealing, they wouldn’t be unwearable, but…

The colors, fabrics, and cuts were all monotonous. Wearing these outfits would be neither impressive nor bad, just blending into the crowd.

Qi Yanning carefully examined them all and found only one dress suitable for the cute trainee.

It was a plain white short dress with a playful and cute style, but it seemed a bit too ordinary for a red carpet event.

Afterward, he selected a floral-patterned skirt and handed the tablet back to the assistant.

“Teacher Qi,” the assistant hesitated, “You’ve only picked two dresses. What about the others?”

Qi Yanning thought for a moment, his mind flashing through various designs he had seen before, finally settling on a few skirts that, while imperfect in craftsmanship, were full of originality.

He suddenly spoke, “Li Jinshi, can you get in touch with your classmates Liang Qingxue and Qin Zhifan?”

Li Jinshi was startled, but quickly nodded repeatedly, “I can! Liang Qingxue is my roommate, and Qin Zhifan is our class monitor. I have both of their contacts!”

“Ask them if they can lend out their graduation designs,” Qi Yanning’s voice was calm, but it dropped a bombshell on everyone present!

Not interested in big-name ready-to-wear, but asking for graduation projects from two undergraduates?

Oh god, isn’t this just messing around?

The assistant wanted to speak up and dissuade him but, seeing Qi Yanning’s composed expression, reluctantly gave up. Finding an excuse, he secretly went to report to Ling Cangzhou.

As for the trainees, their expressions grew even more conflicted. Aside from Shen Qing, who trusted Qi Yanning enough to stay calm, the other trainees were visibly uneasy.

As artists who had yet to debut, they didn’t dare to oppose the company’s decisions. They could only hope that the assistant’s report to the higher-ups would persuade Qi Yanning to change his mind.

But when the assistant returned in silence, their hearts sank.

It was over. The higher-ups were backing Qi Yanning. They were likely to become the laughingstock of this fashion gala!

Even Shen Qing was at a loss for words. The trainees held hands tightly, their expressions darkening as they braced themselves for an uncertain fate.