With The Backing Of A Powerful Figure: He's Gone Wild In The Modeling World - Chapter 11

Tears welled up in Le Xin’s innocent eyes as if she had suffered a great injustice, but she quickly wiped them away. “Thank you for the guidance. I will pay attention.”

He Yu nodded.

Contrary to He Yu’s critique, Meng Ping gave Le Xin high praise. He commended her physique, movements, and expression, eventually awarding her a high score of 9.

When it was Bai Chuan’s turn at the end, he smiled at Le Xin and said, “Your fans really like your photo and gave it a very high rating. Keep it up.”

After a few more contestants, it was Cao Yan’s turn. As a son of a wealthy family, he had already been exposed to the modeling industry through his family’s connections. His editorial shot won the favor of the judges, earning him the same score as Le Xin: 8, 7, and 9.

Soon, it was Zhan Zhiqing’s turn.

His photo appeared on the large screen. He was leaning against the white wall of the corridor with his orange sunglasses hooked onto his shirt. He tilted his head toward the camera with one hand in his pocket. The lazy posture perfectly showcased his physique, while his slicked-back hair and steady gaze made him look like a Western cowboy ready to gallop across the plains.

“I am very pleased to see such a perfect editorial shot in the first episode,” Chen Bing said, the sharpness on her face completely vanishing. “I love your seemingly casual yet body-conscious posture. I love your taste, your use of the sunglasses, and your gaze. I give you a 9!”

“I also give you a 9, dear. Your taste makes you look like an international supermodel who has walked dozens of shows. Keep it up,” He Yu added.

Zhan Zhiqing smiled and bowed in thanks.

Meng Ping studied the photo for a long time before speaking to Zhan Zhiqing. “To be honest, I like your movements and posture, but your physique leaves me a bit unsatisfied. I give you an 8.”

“Do not be ridiculous. The fashion world does not just need muscle men who only know how to show off their bodies. Zhan Zhiqing is unique. Please do not use your standard to judge him,” Chen Bing retorted, openly challenging Meng Ping at the judges’ table.

Meng Ping seemed unwilling to argue and simply shrugged.

“The audience score for you is very high. They appreciate your flowing long hair, your determined gaze, and your nearly perfect face.”

Zhan Zhiqing bowed again and returned to his spot.

Zhou Xing was scheduled late in the lineup. The judges were impressed by her, and her final score was high, though the audience did not seem to buy into her look as much, giving her a lower rating.

After every model’s photo had been critiqued, the elimination round arrived.

He Yu stood before everyone holding a stack of photos. “Those whose names I call will continue in the program. The contestant with the best editorial shot will get to stay in the Top Model Suite! Furthermore, the suite provides a series of clothes from our sponsors for your daily wear!”

The contestants cheered.

Zhan Zhiqing finally felt a sense of anticipation. His current roommates had irregular schedules, often returning to sleep at one or two in the morning. Since they had to do their own cleaning, the room was often cluttered with unwashed clothes. Moreover, the frequent accidental physical contact made him extremely uncomfortable.

His eyes sparkled with longing as he looked at He Yu like an expectant puppy, yet he remained reserved in a contradictory contrast.

He Yu smiled. “Zhan Zhiqing, congratulations!” She pulled out a photo and held it forward. “You have earned the right to continue competing for the title of China’s Top Model.”

Zhan Zhiqing was overjoyed.

Being a polite child, he stepped forward to take the card, bowed in thanks, and stood to the side while listening to He Yu announce the remaining names. Unsurprisingly, the runner-up was Le Xin, followed by Cao Yan. Zhou Xing ranked sixth.

Finally, He Yu had only one card left, and three models stood before her: one girl and two boys. The girl was nearly at her breaking point with red eyes, and the boys did not look much better.

“Three beautiful models stand before me, but I have only one photo in my hand. Who will stay to continue the fight? Please look at the screen!”

At He Yu’s command, the names, photos, and scores of the three models appeared with the numbers scrolling rapidly. Soon, the scrolling stopped. The names of one boy and the girl turned black, signifying their elimination.

“Congratulations, Yu Can. You have the right to continue.”

Yu Can was the remaining male. He was friends with Cao Yan and had a striking look with prominent cheekbones and a dark complexion favored by the fashion world, but he had received low scores because his movements in the shoot were too stiff.

He Yu handed him his photo and embraced the two eliminated contestants.

The first episode of China’s Next Top Model drew to a close. The audience scores for the first round were based solely on the editorial shots. Tomorrow, the first edited video episode would air on streaming platforms, meaning every move they made in the house would be scrutinized by the audience to determine their future scores.

“Everyone, be careful,” was He Yu’s kind reminder. In a communal living environment, being perceived as aloof, cold, or petty could be a fatal blow to one’s reputation.

Zhan Zhiqing knew that being isolated and excluded alongside Zhou Xing might cause some viewers to dislike him. People who stand out in a group often draw the ire of the general public. However, he did not intend to pander to the group just to please the audience. He believed that as the show progressed, his true character would earn more empathy.

Sixteen people came, but only fourteen remained. Most models showed little emotion given they were rivals who had known each other for less than a week, except for Le Xin. She seemed immersed in grief, constantly crying to Cao Yan about how close she was to the eliminated girl and how heartbroken she was.

The cameras on the bus recorded everything. Zhan Zhiqing and Zhou Xing sat at the back. He heard Zhou Xing whisper, “This woman is such an actress. Yesterday during the shoot, that girl asked Le Xin to help with her hair, but Le Xin refused, saying she had to take her own photos. I ended up helping her. If Le Xin liked her so much, she would not have refused.”

Zhan Zhiqing frowned, uncomfortable with such behavior. Yet the others on the bus fell for it, offering comfort while Le Xin thanked them one by one, appearing kind and generous.

When the fourteen entered the house, they saw that the photo of He Yu on the large screen had been replaced by Zhan Zhiqing’s winning shot. Zhou Xing celebrated happily, only to hear a sneer.

“It is just one photo. One would think he won the whole championship.” It was Cao Yan. He sat on the sofa with his arm around Le Xin, then pulled out a set of darts. With a flick of his wrist, a dart stuck right into the eye of Zhan Zhiqing’s image on the screen.

Zhan Zhiqing did not get angry, but Zhou Xing had a fiery temper. She rushed forward to argue but was held back by Zhan Zhiqing. “Stay calm. If there is a physical altercation, the instigator will be kicked out immediately.”

After soothing Zhou Xing, Zhan Zhiqing took a step forward with a cold voice. “Your score was two places behind mine. Are you standing up for Le Xin, or are you just upset about being second best? I am more than happy to compete with you in challenges and shoots, rather than watching you act as someone else’s tool.”

Zhan Zhiqing’s words were blunt. Cao Yan was a classic example of all brawn and no brains, pampered by his family and easily manipulated by Le Xin in the house. He actually thought he was here for a romance.

Instead of listening, Cao Yan was provoked. He started to stand up as if to lash out, but Le Xin quickly pulled him back. “Forget it, Cao Yan. Zhiqing is just young; he probably did not think before he spoke. If you hit someone, you will be eliminated. I do not want that to happen because of me. It is all my fault. Zhiqing, I should also say I am sorry to you.”

She acted like a kind older sister, seemingly mediating but actually implying Zhan Zhiqing was brainless and highlighting her own generosity.

Zhan Zhiqing was tired of these mind games. He nodded and went upstairs to his original room to pack. Another male model, Yu Can, was sitting on the edge of the bed. As Zhan Zhiqing was about to leave, the man spoke hesitantly. “Hey.”

Zhan Zhiqing turned. They had not spoken a word until now. “Is something the matter?”

Yu Can mumbled, “I did not think you would be so polite. Cao Yan told us in private to isolate you and get you eliminated.”

Since Yu Can was friends with Cao Yan, he had not responded when Zhan Zhiqing greeted him previously. But after nearly being eliminated today, he felt he should not just watch Zhan Zhiqing be bullied.

Zhan Zhiqing nodded and thanked him sincerely. “Thank you for the warning. I will be careful. I am going to move my luggage now.”

“Go on then,” Yu Can scratched his head. He felt much better after coming clean.

The Top Model Suite was on the third floor, the only room there. It was quiet and exclusive. The room was clean. After putting away his things, Zhan Zhiqing checked the walk-in closet. It was huge, filled with menswear and accessories like belts and hats. He was delighted to find that the clothes were from a brand he loved in styles he particularly enjoyed.

While he was reserved in public, he was more lively when alone. He picked out several outfits to try on for tomorrow. When Zhou Xing knocked to call him for dinner, he sheepishly emerged.

In the living room, the other models were celebrating after finishing their meal. With no electronics, they played small games. Led by Cao Yan, the screen showing Zhan Zhiqing’s photo was now covered in darts. When he saw Zhan Zhiqing come down, he provocatively threw another one.

Zhou Xing had made a light dinner. After eating, Zhan Zhiqing took the dishes to the kitchen, only to find the sink overflowing with unwashed plates. Soon, a shy female model entered to wash them. Seeing Zhan Zhiqing and Zhou Xing, she glanced warily at the door before whispering, “Hello.”

Her name was Shen Lin. She was delicate like a porcelain doll but timid. Her score today was at the bottom; the judges said she lacked confidence. Zhan Zhiqing noticed she was washing all the dishes alone.

“Are you taking turns with the dishes?” he asked.

Shen Lin looked at the door again before answering. “No. I washed them yesterday too. We played rock-paper-scissors, and I lost.”

“You lost two days in a row?” Zhan Zhiqing was curious. Shen Lin nodded while setting a plate down.

“They might be playing you. It is not fair. Was this Le Xin’s idea?” Zhan Zhiqing saw her fear. He wanted to help, but it was awkward for him to interfere directly. Shen Lin turned pale; she clearly knew the truth but said nothing.

Zhan Zhiqing left the kitchen. A few minutes later, Zhou Xing walked in. She liked this delicate girl, but since Shen Lin seemed to avoid her, she had not pushed for conversation. But just now, Zhan Zhiqing had asked her to go help the girl.

She rolled up her sleeves and stood next to Shen Lin, reaching into the sink. “I saw them. They planned to cheat in the game to make you do the dishes because they think you are an easy target,” Zhou Xing said bluntly.

Shen Lin was silent for a long time before asking in a tiny voice, “Do you think I am an easy target too?”

Zhou Xing gave a roguish grin. “I think you are very pretty.”

Shen Lin blushed. Coming from a rural area and having been put down by her mother her whole life, she had no confidence in her looks. Hearing such a compliment made her both excited and skeptical. “Do you really think so?”

Zhou Xing finished the last dish, rinsed her hands, and nodded firmly. “Why would I lie to you?”

That night, Shen Lin moved into Zhou Xing’s room, taking the bed of the eliminated contestant.

While the models slept after surviving the first elimination, the first episode of China’s Next Top Model officially aired, causing a sensation on social media. The audience saw the true personalities of the models in the house. The editing was expert, highlighting professional modeling while amplifying conflicts. Every move was under a magnifying glass.

Soon, each contestant had their own fan base. The content of the first episode would have a massive impact on the audience scores for the next round.

The second challenge was about to begin.