After the Agreement, the Aloof Movie Queen is Chasing Me All Over the Internet - Chapter 13

On the red-carpet display screen, Du Yaozhi had just emerged from the waiting area. With a stride of her porcelain-white legs, she made a stunning entrance.

Du Yaozhi wasn’t wealthy.

But she used the “breakup fee” from Shen Qing to rent a gown that was absolutely lethal.

“Please welcome our next guest Ms. Du Yaozhi!”

As the announcement fell, a figure cloaked in shimmering light instantly seized the focus of every lens. Du Yaozhi wore a champagne-colored mermaid gown. She waved politely at the cameras, a gentle and approachable smile on her face.

The dress featured a semi-slit design, with intricate embroidery gracing the train and waistline. The overall aesthetic was understated and vintage, yet it unashamedly traced the perfect curves of her waist and hips. The boldest stroke was the single burgundy silk ribbon used as an accent; in Du Yaozhi’s hands, it became the most breathtaking and eye-catching element of the design.

The ribbon was tied around her slender waist. Rather than disrupting the softness of the look, it infused her style with an irreplaceable sense of languid elegance.

Du Yaozhi paused before the signature board. The host gestured to a spot. “Over here, Ms. Du.”

She bent slightly to lift her skirt as she walked toward the mark. The red ribbon fluttered in the breeze of her movement, making her look like a legendary beauty from a bygone era. Some media members had dismissively lowered their cameras upon hearing her name, but seeing her in this outfit, they immediately hoisted them back up. The air was filled with the frantic clicking of shutters.

After signing her name, Du Yaozhi returned the pen and turned to the host. The host wore a practiced, professional smile. With the red-carpet schedule being tight, she jumped straight into the segment the moment Du Yaozhi turned. “Hello, Ms. Du! Welcome to the Baoli event. Come, say hello to our viewers!”

“Hello, everyone,” Du Yaozhi leaned in, her lips curving into a soft smile. After showing her face to the camera, she nodded to the host.

“Great! Now, let’s move the camera to our next guest”

The entire process took less than thirty seconds. Newcomers were already streaming in behind her. A staff member led Du Yaozhi into the gala venue. She didn’t dally, lifting her dress and stepping inside. She was clear-headed; she knew the event wouldn’t grant her extra screen time or interview questions. Leaving gracefully would leave a better impression on the public.

After all, “minimalist yet designed” and “understated yet soft” were her keywords for the day. That was the first reason she chose this gown.

The second reason? The dress was a 2019 Spring/Summer limited edition from a mid-luxury brand.

Its name was The Hunt.

Following the staff’s guidance, Du Yaozhi entered the ballroom.

Attendants led her to the transition area, where many new faces in the industry greeted her. Their eyes held speculation, doubt, and surprise, though most kept their expressions guarded. Some brushed past her because of her name, only to do a double take because of her striking look.

“Are you… Du Yaozhi?” a few minor stars leaned in to ask.

“That’s me,” Du Yaozhi replied with a bold, crimson-lipped smile.

The banquet hall was warm-toned and solemn. The “C-position” area at the center, directly facing the stage, was reserved for the organizers, brand ambassadors, and A-list celebrities. Surrounding that was the “Core Guest” ring, where top stars and close partners of the brand sat. Gu Lin’s seat was there.

Du Yaozhi was seated according to the organizers’ plan, one row behind Gu Lin. A staff member bowed politely and invited her to sit. Du Yaozhi scanned her surroundings, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

Though she was on the periphery, her seat was exceptionally good. She had an unobstructed view of the head table, and it allowed her to blend naturally into the social zone. In some ways, it was even more convenient than Gu Lin’s spot. It felt as if she had been specially looked after a form of “invisible preferential treatment.” Moreover, she noticed that if anyone filmed the head table, she would naturally be caught in the frame. For a celebrity, every second of screen time was vital.

Shortly after she sat down, Gu Lin arrived with her manager, Li Youzhu. Waiters followed closely behind with champagne.

Gu Lin smoothed her seat cushion and adjusted her position before sitting. “This spot is good. I can see the speeches. Xiao Li, sit next to me.”

Li Youzhu took Gu Lin’s handbag and sat down, complaining quietly, “I thought it would be warmer inside with all these people, but it’s still a bit chilly. Sister, why don’t you put on your coat? You can’t catch a cold.”

“I’m fine, I’m wearing enough. This knitwear has a fleece lining.” Gu Lin brushed it off before turning to Li Youzhu. “Where’s our Yaozhi? Did you check her seat? It’s the kid’s first time here and no one’s guiding her. I’m worried.”

As she turned her head, she caught sight of Du Yaozhi in the row behind her.

“Sister Lin, long time no see,” Du Yaozhi leaned her elbow on the table, resting her chin on her hand. “Were you looking for me?”

“You little brat!” Gu Lin looked at her with delight. “Who taught you that? That look in your eyes… you’re trying to make your sister faint. I’ll have you know, I’m very straight.”

Du Yaozhi laughed. “Am I not?”

As she spoke, she straightened her back. The bright overhead lights cast shadows across her beautiful neck and collarbones. Gu Lin knew that Du Yaozhi’s “straightness” was beyond saving otherwise, she wouldn’t have fallen head over heels at a young age for Shen Qing, the woman hailed as the “ideal type” of the lesbian community.

Given the public setting, Gu Lin only gave her a knowing look. This girl, she’s really feeling herself today.

“But isn’t this dress a bit thin…?” Gu Lin’s brow furrowed as she looked at Du Yaozhi’s bare shoulders. She asked with genuine concern, “Aren’t you cold? Why didn’t you change into something else for the interior?”

Du Yaozhi didn’t have the luxury of a second outfit. As an independent artist with average status—and having paid a large sum of money to her family to break ties years ago—she had little savings left. The “breakup fee” from her ex had gone toward buying a house and preparing for this comeback. She had to be frugal with the rest. Just in case her “black-and-red” path went south, she needed a reserve for PR fees.

A perfect, singular look was easier to remember and more likely to make her a highlight. Du Yaozhi understood this well.

She shook her head and told Gu Lin, “It’s fine, Sister Lin. I’m not cold. Filming in a pool during winter was much colder than this.”

Still, Gu Lin insisted, stuffing her own coat into Du Yaozhi’s lap to cover her legs. Du Yaozhi thanked her, carefully folding the coat to ensure it wasn’t damaged.

As guests continued to arrive, the lights dimmed and the stage brightened. The host took the microphone, and the Baoli New Product Gala began.

“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests! Welcome! Today, we are honored to showcase the new high-jewelry collection created by the Baoli jewelry team and our master craftsmen! We invite you all to witness this glorious moment together!”

The room erupted in applause. After the opening remarks, the new Asian President shared the brand’s philosophy and the inspiration behind the new collection, titled Rincontro Eterno. It was inspired by themes of “reunion” and “transformation”—celebrating the self-possessed woman of the new era meeting her lover and her true self, a moment captured in the language of jewelry.

Following this, the CEO took the stage to announce the night’s biggest news. “Thank you to our outstanding ambassador, Ms. Shen Qing! She perfectly embodies Baoli’s spirit of confidence and elegance. Tonight, we invite her to the stage to bring us our extraordinary moment!”

The camera immediately cut to Shen Qing. She rose gracefully from the head table, nodding to the CEO, and walked onto the stage under the spotlight.

Taking the microphone, she spoke with effortless composure: “Hello everyone. It is a great honor to stand here as the brand ambassador to witness the birth of Baoli’s new collection… Thank you all for being here.”

Inside the venue, Shen Qing wore a black velvet gown that flowed to her ankles. Her long neck was bare of any jewelry, making her look like a mysterious and noble black swan.

“Thank you, Ms. Shen Qing. And now, for our highlight!” The host guided the audience’s gaze. A brand executive stepped forward, holding a velvet tray. On it lay a necklace whose craftsmanship was nothing short of epic.

“Now, we are honored to present Baoli’s legendary masterpiece, the ‘Reunion’ necklace! Symbolizing the light of destiny and transformation, it has been worn by only a handful of legends since its creation!”

“Tonight, however, we will invite one lucky guest to join our brand ambassador, Ms. Shen Qing, in witnessing this legendary moment!”

Witnessing together? What does that mean?

Du Yaozhi looked at Shen Qing’s empty neck and realized. Is she going to… personally put the necklace on Shen Qing?!

Her heart leaped into her throat. Surprise, nervousness, and excitement surged through her all at once.

As if confirming her thoughts, the host announced that Shen Qing would personally draw a lucky guest to come on stage and fasten this “out-of-season” legendary necklace for her.

Shen Qing walked toward the mystery box with perfect poise. She reached in without hesitation.

In the dead silence of the room, as everyone held their breath, Shen Qing read the number into the microphone:

“Area A, Number 19.”

Almost simultaneously, Du Yaozhi instinctively looked down at her seat card.

Area A, Number 19.

Support