With The Backing Of A Powerful Figure: He's Gone Wild In The Modeling World - Chapter 5

Ying Cheng decided to get into his brother’s good graces while the opportunity was ripe.

“Brother, I had someone transfer some extra money to Zhan Zhiqing’s account as payment for his runway walk tonight. What do you think?”

Ying Yuan nodded toward him, a faint smile touching the corners of his mouth. “I will increase the investment in your brand, and I will handle the pressure from the family for you. Alright. I am leaving now. Have someone clean the villa thoroughly.”

“Understood. My thanks for Your Majesty’s profound grace,” Ying Cheng shouted in a mock falsetto.

While the Maybach carrying Ying Yuan sped through the heavy traffic of Yi City, the subway carrying Zhan Zhiqing rumbled through the city’s underground. To pay for his mother’s medical treatment, he had spent all his savings last year. The money to return to China had been earned over the past few months. Because he might be participating in China’s Next Top Model for a long time and was unsure of the expenses, he was saving wherever he could.

Shortly after boarding the subway, he received a text notification showing a deposit of 50,000 yuan into his bank account. Zhan Zhiqing, wearing a mask, stood in a corner of the subway car. He hesitated before sending a text back to Ying Cheng. “Mr. Ying, I just received the payment. Did your company perhaps make a mistake with the transfer?”

A 50,000 yuan fee for a single show was beyond the imagination of a newcomer who had just entered the industry.

Ying Cheng replied quickly. “Do not overthink it, Zhiqing. As the opening model, you walked exceptionally well. I am very satisfied, so I had them send you a bit more. You earned it.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ying,” Zhan Zhiqing replied with a smiley face, mimicking Ying Cheng’s style.

On the other side of the phone, Ying Cheng mentally projected that smiley face onto Zhan Zhiqing’s actual face. He took a screenshot and messaged Ying Yuan. “Brother, I have finished cleaning up the Yu Garden villa for you.”

Five minutes passed with no reply. Ying Cheng expected as much and sent another message. “Brother, Zhan Zhiqing smiled at me.”

The next second, a single question mark appeared in the chat box. Ying Cheng curled his lip and sent the screenshot of the text, followed by a screenshot of the search volume for the brand’s opening model on social media after the show ended. “I have achieved great things here, Brother. I have fired the first shot for his entry into the fashion world.”

The typing indicator appeared. Moments later, several images of sports cars were sent over. They were all limited edition models from the world’s top supercar brands, looking cool and wild.

“I will have someone bring you the keys tomorrow.”

As expected. Ying Yuan still thought he was just swayed by beauty. Ying Cheng was speechless at his brother’s denseness. However, that did not stop him from taking advantage of the situation. He sent Ying Yuan an emoji to express his thanks.

The next day, Ying Cheng’s brand and the previous night’s show trended on social media. Being part of the Ying family of the MA Group, the entire fashion circle had high expectations for this show. They were waiting to see if Ying Cheng was just a talentless heir riding on coattails or if he had genuine substance.

The result was no surprise. His unique designs and style drew praise from fashion celebrities and bloggers across social media. An iconic god tier photo even caught the attention of the general public who usually ignored the fashion world. It was an instant explosion.

This success was not just for Ying Cheng’s brand but for Zhan Zhiqing as well. The photo, taken by the official photographer, showed him with a cool gaze and steady steps as he walked across the velvet carpet in a dark suit. The classical staircase and mother of pearl wall behind him served as the perfect backdrop. The top comment with tens of thousands of likes read that even a single strand of black hair caught in the wind looked perfect.

For a moment, netizens were desperate to find information on this opening model, only to find that he had left no trace on the internet. Consequently, as soon as Zhan Zhiqing arrived at the interview site, he became the center of attention for most of the contestants. Contestants follow social media closely, and they were deeply impressed by Ying Cheng’s brand and that striking long haired model.

But arriving at the scene, they realized they had to compete against him. The fashion world is never a peaceful one. It means competition, climbing, seizing, and defeating. Its hidden blades and intrigue are no less intense than any other industry.

The interview was held in an office building. A long line of models waited at the door. Zhan Zhiqing checked his number, took a seat, and listened to the whispers of the male and female models clustered around him. He ignored them completely, focusing on fashion news on his phone. He had a feeling that last night’s show would help him, but he had not expected it to go this viral.

When he entered the interview room wearing a black shirt, black trousers, and long boots, the three judges sitting at the panel let out a collective gasp. He recognized the woman in the center as He Yu, the show’s producer and a world renowned supermodel. However, He Yu did not select him just because he had trended. She followed the standard procedure, asking him to perform a runway walk and then use a chair as a prop to strike several poses.

Zhan Zhiqing was not nervous at all. He walked back and forth in the narrow room with an aura that was powerful, steady, and free, perfectly matching the temperament of his clothes. His poses on the chair were flawless. When he finished, all the judges applauded.

He Yu curled her lips while her electric eyes stared straight at Zhan Zhiqing. “Zhan Zhiqing, welcome to China’s Next Top Model!”

With the expected result achieved, Zhan Zhiqing smiled, bowed, and expressed his thanks. Staff led the successful candidates to another room to inform them of the basic program process, content, and the contracts they needed to sign. The show would officially begin tomorrow.

The moment he walked out of the building with the contract in hand, Zhan Zhiqing sensed that his life was about to change. With a weight lifted from his heart, he put on his mask and went to a mall to purchase several outfits for the filming. If he was going to enter the fashion world, he had to be prepared. A model’s clothing reflects their taste and style. The 50,000 yuan was spent in the blink of an eye. Back in his hotel room, Zhan Zhiqing coordinated the outfits one by one without feeling any regret. His life motto was that life is short and one should enjoy it while possible.

Early the next morning, Zhan Zhiqing checked out of his room and waited at the hotel entrance for the production bus. He habitually wore his mask with the hair at his temples pulled back and the rest cascading down his back.

It was April in Yi City, and the weather was neither cold nor hot. He wore a black silk satin top that was both bold and daring. The neckline was a deep V that offered a glimpse of his abs. Black trousers and leather shoes accentuated his long legs. Leaning against a sofa while reading a fashion magazine, he drew the gaze of many passing guests.

His phone rang. Zhan Zhiqing closed the magazine, picked up his suitcase, and headed out. The bus was a luxury business model with transparent windows. He stowed his luggage and boarded, only to hear a loud and bold whistle.

He scanned the bus and quickly found the person responsible amidst a sea of unfriendly and hostile stares. It was a girl with long hair dressed in all black like him. Her features were sharp and striking, not typical of a traditional Chinese beauty. Her skin was a toasted wheat color and her black hair was styled in intricate braids. She looked exceptionally cool and waved at him with a bright smile. All the contestants were present and he was the last one. The only empty seat was next to her.