Chapter 236: Two Gowns

It was a bustling scene live at the China Film Festival. The media and celebrities came together for this very moment.

Li Jingran gracefully and magnanimously stepped out of the car.

“Look, quick. Ms. Li is wearing the “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress” today.”

“Oh my god! She looks gorgeous like a fairy! Ms. Li is a true goddess, and the outfit suits her way better than a model.”

“Well, not everyone can look good in just any clothes. Ms. Li is the goddess of youth in showbiz after all. She’s definitely going to be the belle of the ball.”

Gasping in awe, the media, armed with cameras, immediately turned to her direction, and thus began a flash fiesta.

With her head up and chest out, Li Jingran carried herself with elegance while showcasing her proudest asset – her swan neck – on full display. Having practiced her smile countless times, she curled the perfect beautiful smile.

Li Jingran was pleased and delighted.

Look. Regardless of time and place, she should be in the spotlight.

The other celebrities on the red carpet were merely accessories next to her.

Li Jingran’s look was impressive and with the help of the “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress”, she was absolutely gorgeous.

Shen Xi observed Li Jingran walked the red carpet before gracefully emerging from the car herself. She removed the heavy down jacket and effortlessly revealed the red gown underneath.

The reporters still had their cameras pointed at Li Jingran at this point.

The next second.

Looking at the girl standing at the end of the red carpet, everyone widened their eyes in shock, unable to hide the amazement in their eyes.

The girl in red with a cold presence to her was a head-tuner, like the brightest star in the sky overshadowing all the beauty in the world and stealing away all the attention. The camera lens seemed to have a mind of its own as they were turned in her direction instead.

Goodness!

The girl was so beautiful, like a fairy descending upon the earth and appearing before them. Posh and preppy, she had an other-worldly presence to her that could send butterflies to their stomach with every little move she made.

No one knew who she was, nor did anyone know why she was here. She was a mystery, a mystery that people could not help but revel and be lost in.

Hearing the commotion, Li Jingran turned back and could just blackout. A wave of tremendous rage came crashing down on her, churning every single cell and drop of blood in her.

Shen Xi!

It was Shen Xi!

Li Jingran was outdone by Gong Zhi in the last red-carpet event which robbed her of her pride and dignity.

This time, the brat was going to ruin it for her too.

She probably would not be as annoyed right now if it were someone else, but why did it have to be Shen Xi, the daughter she cast away from the Su family?

With a straight face and commanding presence, Shen Xi strutted straight onto the red carpet without glancing at the reporters, like a noble queen inspecting the land while conducting herself with such elegance. People could not help but kneel before her presence.

Li He turned white as a sheet after seeing Shen Xi and taking notice of the “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress” on her. He could only pray that Li Jingran would not lose her sh*t and make a fool of herself in front of the media.

It was not as though he was unaware that Shen Xi shared a resemblance to Jingran or appeared rather beautiful, but seeing the girl before his eyes, his breath was taken away.

The girl in red was ethereally and mind-blowingly beautiful. Her fine facial features were similar to Jingran, yet more refined than the latter.

Chapter 237: Which Is Real and Which Is Fake

“She’s wearing the ‘Feathered Prism Illusion Dress’!”

“How could there be two ‘Feathered Prism Illusion Dress’?”

“OMG! This is a fairy, alright. I’ve never seen such a beautiful girl. Which company is she from? Why hadn’t I seen her before?”

The media realized that the gown the unfamiliar fairy had on was identical to the one Li Jingran was wearing. It was Ms. Cai Ni’s winning work, “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress”.

It was widely known that there was only one piece to Ms. Cai Ni’s winning work. Through i-Fashion interview, she expressed that there would only ever be one in the world and no other.

The question about who was wearing the original and the fake on the red carpet provided much food for thought.

The reporters were more inclined to believe Li Jingran since she was the Film Empress after all. There were rumors that Ms. Cai Ni had sold “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress” to her.

As for the fairy who appeared out of nowhere that no one knew about, her good looks and noble bearings gave them an impression that she would not wear a fake.

However, there was only one “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress” and between them, one of them was wearing a knockout.

Feeling the veins bulging on her forehead, Li Jingran stopped and hissed at Shen Xi as she approached. “So you’re not going to stop until you enrage me to my grave? Where did you get the counterfeit dress?”

What was she trying to pull?

Did she really want to drive her six feet under?

Was her ultimate goal to embarrass her in a huge event?

“How can you tell I’m wearing a counterfeit?” Amused, Shen Xi looked at her and curled a taunting smile.

Li Jingran sure a smart*ss to wear a knockoff in front of the actual designer and brazenly say she was wearing the fake instead.

“Don’t you want to be a celebrity? People will only look down on you to debut in such a way.” Feeling a rush of blood to her head, Li Jingran tried to get ahold of herself. “I’m giving you a piece of sincere advice so that you don’t embarrass yourself in front of the whole nation. Know your place and take a hint. Get off the carpet now.”

To think this unsightly thing would go to lengths to be a star and make her debut this way.

Li Jingran clearly remembered that Shen Xi expressed her wishes to join National Idol in tears to become a celebrity like her husband and her.

“Ms. Li, let me give you a word of advice as well. Don’t resort to whatever means and dirty tricks to defeat others. Many go out for wool and come home shorn.” Shen Xi grinned chillingly.

Li Jingran was about to lose it but continued with the question. “It was Gong Zhi, right? She taught you to do so. She gave you the clothes. You better keep a distance from her if you wish to make it into showbiz with a clean slate.”

The knockoff on Shen Xi must be provided by Gong Zhi.

Gong Zhi, that b*tch, loved to fall into heresy. She made her debut and appeared in the public limelight because of an exposé of her affair with some international director.

Fans nowadays supported unsoiled celebrities in entertainment and detested those involved in scandals, especially newcomers. Once associated with a scandal, the person would find themselves getting chewed out by the public, let alone make their debut.

In other words, Gong Zhi was unable to beat Li Jingran, so she moved to another tactic and taught Shen Xi, the brat, to put on a knockout version of her dress to clout-chase her while at the same time, getting on her nerves and putting her down?

Chapter 238: Liar Liar Pants on Fire

“You keep talking about a counterfeit, but no one knows better than you about who’s wearing the knockoff!” Shen Xi curled her lips into a bloodthirsty smile.

Li Jingran felt a sense of guilt creeping in under Shen Xi’s watchful eye. “Ms. Cai Ni sold me the gown I’m wearing. If you really care for your adoptive parents, you should not embarrass them. Now get off the carpet.”

She knew that the brat really cared about her god*mn idiotic adoptive parents.

“Even if it’s embarrassing, it’s my own embarrassment.” Shen Xi chuckled. “Moreover, they won’t ever think I’m an embarrassment. I will always be their pride.”

Li Jingran hissed through her clenched teeth as she was about to lose it. “Do you think Gong Zhi is doing you any good and helping you? She’s lying to you and using you.”

Gong Zhi was a scheming little b*tch and the brat was probably being taken advantage of without even realizing it.

Did she know what kind of person Gong Zhi was? Shen Xi was completely taken for a ride by working together with Gong Zhi.

“I’m willing to be deceived by her.” Shen Xi smiled brightly. “Wholeheartedly.”

Swallowing her anger, Li Jingran gnashed her teeth and pulled her trump card. “Get off right now. I can help you to realize your dreams to be a star.”

Shen Xi shrugged. “However, my dreams have changed!”

Li Jingran was speechless.

The reporters and fans behind the security perimeters watched as the two ladies in the “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress” walked and shared a conversation. They were so anxious they wished they could fly over and listened to their conversation.

There was a famous line in showbiz – clashing outfits was not a nightmare but it was awkward for whoever did not wear it best.

The ladies were not ugly and were beautiful in their own way. However, the girl was a lot prettier than Li Jingran. Her bearings, charm, youth, and face full of natural youthful collagen put Li Jingran in the shade.

“Don’t you think that the girl has an uncanny resemblance to Ms. Li?”

“Do you think so too? I was about to say how alike they look. They’re like mother and daughter.”

“There’s no way they’re mother and daughter. Isn’t Ms. Li’s daughter the one named Su Ruowan?”

“Oh, you mean the one who’s hyped up? She’s so ugly and I actually thought she’s not Ms. Li and Mr. Su the Movie Star’s biological daughter!”

The reporters wanted in on the gossip of two things. Apart from the question about who was wearing the real deal and the fake, the media was interested to know whether Li Jingran and Shen Xi were sisters or mother and daughter because they looked so alike.

With the security so tight, the reporters could not barge into the red carpet and question them about who was wearing the real “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress” even if they wanted to.

“What are you really after?” Li Jingran could not be more soft-spoken.

She was not going to let anyone ruin her plans. Li Jingran could not lose and fail here and now.

Shen Xi smiled sweetly with her kind and innocent eyes before uttering, “Go to hell.”

Li Jingran almost lost to the urge to give Shen Xi a slap and teach her a thing or two about talking to her elders. Since there was no talking sense to her, Li Jingran resorted to using threats. “Do you think the reporters will trust you or me?”

“Whatever.” Shen Xi smiled nonchalantly. “A clean hand needs no washing. Don’t you think so, Ms. Li?”

In one corner, two reporters slid past the security line and crashed the red carpet.

Chapter 239: Determine The Real From The Fake

Soon, more reporters followed suit.

The security guards let the reporters push ahead to get first-hand news since they could not stop them.

Shen Xi and Li Jingran were swarmed by the reporters who were jamming microphones up their faces.

“Can we ask who is wearing the fake?”

“Ms. Li, are you wearing a knockoff?”

“Madam, are you wearing the original or fake?”

Cutting the cr*p, the reporters went straight to the point with these blunt questions.

Shen Xi laughed. “I can guarantee that mine is the original.”

Li Jingran remained graceful and calm. “I’m definitely wearing the original.”

Hers was a knockoff.

However, the evil brat could not be wearing the original as well.

The “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress” was lent to the Y Nation’s royals. The aristocrat was wearing it to a royal ceremony in Y nation right now! The dress could not possibly be here!

The reporters could not tell which was the real deal and which was the knockoff as the dresses looked the same to the tee. Even if Ms. Cai Ni was here, she probably would not be able to tell the dress apart.

“Ms. Li, you say that you’re wearing the original. Do you have anything to prove for it?” The reporter questioned Li Jingran.

Li Jingran looked upset. “You can make the conclusion whether it’s black or white. Have I ever made a mistake in such trivial matters over the years?”

Despite wearing a counterfeit, the brat sure was unapologetic. Did Gong Zhi give her the courage?

Did Shen Xi not know that this scandal will throw her into eternal oblivion that would take away her opportunity to make a debut, let alone be a popular star?

“Miss, how can you prove that yours is the real thing?” A reporter asked Shen Xi.

Shen Xi grinned. “I’m the proof itself.”

Li Jingran was hyperventilating with Shen Xi getting on her nerves. Shen Xi must have picked up the audacity and shamelessness from her adoptive parents. Well, only the uncultured and uneducated could have taught the cheek of that girl.

She wanted to see how Li Jingran was going to prove and who the reporters would choose between them both!

A short distance away, Gong Zhi and Fu Qingye got out of the car one after another and walked the red carpet.

The media’s attention swiftly switched to them. Who would not look at a fine couple? It was a feast to the eyes when both of them made an appearance together.

Everyone knew that Ms. Cai Ni was Mr. Fu the Movie Star’s stylist. Ms. Gong’s look on the red carpet also came from the hands of Ms. Cai Ni. They wondered if the two could tell the real deal from the fake.

“Mr. Fu, someone made a knockoff of Ms. Cai Ni’s work. What do you think about this?”

“Ms. Gong Zhi, rumor has it that your look today is by Ms. Cai Ni. Are you able to determine which is the real “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress”?”

“Mr. Fu, can you identify which is the real thing and which is the fake?”

Like bees, the reporters swarmed around the pair.

It was pure chaos on the scene. God knows what was going on with the organizers for not even trying to maintain order or reprimand the reporters. The media did as they pleased with the interview.

“Of course, I do. Ms. Cai Ni is someone I respect a lot. I will go easy on the person trying to pass off her work as the original. This is too much! What does this person take Ms. Cai Ni for? This is blatantly taking advantage of her!” Gong Zhi was furious.

Chapter 240: I Am Cai Ni

The reporters were skeptical to hear Gong Zhi’s statement.

Fu Qingye remained silent throughout but when looking at Shen Xi, his cold eyes would soften, and his lips would curl as a form of comfort to her.

The pair continued walking as they were interviewed and soon, they arrived near Shen Xi and Li Jingran.

The reporters threw a prying and expectant look at Gong Zhi. “Ms. Gong, tell us. Which of them is wearing the real “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress”?”

Gong Zhi grinned at Li Jingran before pointing at Shen Xi. “This is the original.”

Li Jingran knew it. For Shen Xi to brazenly put on the knockoff dress, it must be as Gong Zhi’s instructions. She thought so. Li Jingran scoffed and put on a sour look. “Ms. Gong, why are you so sure? You could have participated in the making of the fake dress to try and slander me!”

These nosy entertainment reporters were all the same. Hearing this, they really wanted in on the gossip.

It was no secret in showbiz that Ms. Gong and Ms. Li were rivals who never saw eye to eye.

Oh, the media wanted to cheer them on for a bigger catfight so that they had more drama to write about. They loved artists who were confronting and threw dirt upon encounters.

“Ms. Li, what do you mean? I don’t get you. I’m only speaking of the truth.” Gong Zhi gave a provocative smile. “Is it weird for Ms. Cai Ni to wear her own work instead of putting it on you?”

Li Jingran’s mind went blank. What Ms. Cai Ni? Who was Ms. Cai Ni?

These entertainment reporters were quick to catch and could sniff gossip a mile away. Once they got the picture of what was going on, the reporters stared at Shen Xi and gathered around her in disbelief.

“Miss, are you the Ms. Cai Ni?”

“Ms. Cai Ni, what are your thoughts about someone wearing a knockoff of your work on the red carpet?”

“Ms. Cai Ni, in Ms. Li’s words, she said you sold the dress to her. What do you have to say about this?”

…

“There’s only one “Feathered Prism Illusion Dress” in the world.” Shen Xi turned to Li Jingran and smirked disdainfully. “I never sold the dress to Ms. Li. Not only has Ms. Li insulted me with lies, but she also coughed up some stories as well. Bravo.”

Li Jingran’s head was buzzing as she blanked out and lost sight of everything. The reporters swarmed onto her like flies while she froze there.

Impossible!

How could this be?

How could Shen Xi, the brat, be Cai Ni!

Li Jingran could not believe it and refused to believe it. It could not be her! She was lying!

The reporters looked at Li Jingran with eyes of mockery, contempt, and cynicism. Their forte was aggravating the situation and rubbing salt in the wound.

“Ms. Li, why must you wear a counterfeit gown?”

“Ms. Li, did you put on the knockoff to outdo Ms. Gong Zhi?”

“Ms. Li, I hope you’re able to give me a straight answer. You’re a well-respected veteran in showbiz. Don’t you find it embarrassing to do so?”

…

While feeling a rush of emotions, Li Jingran caught a glimpse of Shen Xi’s scornful smile by the corner of her eye. She felt a lump in her throat and spat out a mouthful of blood before losing consciousness in a sea of blackness and falling heavily onto the ground.

“Ah!”

“Ms. Li!”

“Call the medic! Ms. Li is unconscious!”

The reporters were stunned and flustered to watch the back of her head hit the ground and bleed out. Sure, they wanted firsthand gossip but not at a cost of a life.