The RV's space was limited, and the lighting dim.
Fu Bing, however, blossomed inside the vehicle like a delicate lily—bright and dazzling.
Suddenly, the flower language of lilies flashed through Wu Shi's mind. Frank, innocent, self-disciplined, adept at resisting external temptations. It suited Fu Bing well.
Fu Bing's expression was pained. She struggled to pull up the zipper on her back, but it was firmly stuck and wouldn't budge.
Wu Shi stepped into the vehicle. Silently, he moved behind her.
Fu Bing felt herself enveloped by a vast shadow. She looked up. Her eyes met Wu Shi's.
Wu Shi's Adam's apple bobbed twice. Fu Bing, her cheeks faintly flushed, turned around. "The zipper is stuck; I can't pull it up."
Wordlessly, he gathered her long hair and draped it over one shoulder, exposing a large expanse of her bare back. He was tall, yet his movements were delicate; he didn't pull a single strand of her hair.
Her back was fair and smooth. For the first time, Wu Shi truly understood what 'skin as smooth as fine cream' meant.
The zipper was caught in the fabric; no wonder she couldn't pull it up. Wu Shi pinched the small zipper tab and gently pulled it upward. His rough fingertips brushed against her delicate skin.
Fu Bing shivered slightly, asking uncomfortably, "Is it done?"
Wu Shi pursed his lips and slowly pulled the zipper to the very top, concealing that enticing view.
Fu Bing sensed him retracting his hand. She turned to face him, a radiant smile on her face. "I'll go by myself tonight; you don't need to accompany me."
Wu Shi's face was disfigured; he probably wouldn't want to show himself in public. Besides, she didn't want him to be subjected to scrutiny and gossip because of her.
Wu Shi seemed to ponder, standing still. After a long moment, he took out his cell phone. He typed slowly. It took him a while to type out just three words: "Be careful."
"I will."
Su Junling saw Wu Shi disappear into the darkness, then he boarded the vehicle.
Fu Bing moved slightly, and the fabric of her dress caught the light, shimmering differently with every movement. Su Junling was so stunned by her beauty that it took him a long moment to regain his composure and find his voice.
"You and Master Ya Rui are truly close. It's been several years since she's made haute couture for anyone, yet you got to wear one as soon as you got out of prison."
"Perhaps I just caught her eye."
Su Junling didn't deny it. The first time Fu Bing appeared on the red carpet, she was dressed in an outfit by Master Ya Rui. Later, even when a plethora of other top designers' garments were at her disposal, she always prioritized Master Ya Rui's creations.
The car slowly pulled up to the end of the red carpet. Fu Bing glanced nervously at the media lining both sides.
Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in her field of vision: Qin Jinhai! Her gaze shifted. Indeed, she saw Li Qing next to him.
One was handsome with sharp features, like a newly unsheathed sword. The other, sweet and endearingly innocent. One in black, the other in light blue—his strong presence complemented her gentle beauty, making them a striking pair.
Fu Bing's eyes trembled, and she withdrew her gaze.
Su Junling rolled his eyes, his tone unreadable, making it hard to tell if he was pleased or annoyed. "You and Qin Jinhai certainly are fated to meet; you bump into him everywhere."
Su Junling wasn't fond of Qin Jinhai. He couldn't quite say why; he simply thought the man was blind. After having a girlfriend of Fu Bing's caliber, how could his aesthetic standards plummet to choosing Li Qing? That woman couldn't even convincingly feign innocence. All affectation and pretentiousness. Utterly nauseating.
Qin Jinhai and Li Qing's turn on the red carpet was just before Fu Bing and Su Junling's. As the host introduced them, Qin Jinhai and Li Qing walked onto the red carpet.
Qin Jinhai had a lean figure, broad shoulders, and a narrow waist. He wore a black suit with a white shirt underneath. He seemed to have dressed in a hurry; his hair wasn't styled, and even his shirt wasn't fully buttoned. His long neck, sexy Adam's apple, and collarbone were tantalizingly glimpsed with his movements. His hair, falling naturally, softened his sharp features, lending him an unexpected touch of gentleness.
Fu Bing also watched Qin Jinhai on the big screen. Even if she despised this despicable man, she had to admit he was extremely handsome. Black and white on him epitomized pure sex appeal and temptation; no one else could compare.
"Let's go." Su Junling's voice brought Fu Bing back to her senses.
Qin Jinhai and Li Qing stood near the host, but their gazes were fixed on the end of the red carpet.
Su Junling was the first to exit the car, positioning himself to assist the person still inside.
The media's intuition screamed 'big news.' Su Junling sharing a car? And judging by his attentive posture, the other occupant had to be a lady. All cameras immediately swiveled towards the vehicle at the end of the red carpet.
A pair of delicately embroidered high heels and long, fair legs came into view. Just by seeing those legs, one could tell how stunningly beautiful their owner must be. Following that was the blossoming skirt of a lily-white dress.
Li Qing's face turned pale. Shocked, she looked at Qin Jinhai. "How could it be her?"
"Why can't it be her?" Qin Jinhai retorted coldly. He didn't even glance at Li Qing, his gaze lingering on Fu Bing's face.
At the same moment, Fu Bing's face appeared on the giant screen.
The entire venue went silent. Then, it erupted into thunderous applause.
Fu Ying was back!
A few days ago, there had been vague rumors that Fu Ying had been released from prison, but there was no confirmation. Unexpectedly, she truly was out.
Seeing the host frozen in surprise, Qin Jinhai reminded her coldly, "The introduction?"
"Ah? Oh." The host suddenly realized.
As Fu Bing and Su Junling approached, she began her commentary: "Walking towards us now are Director Su and Empress Fu Ying. Director Su entered the industry three years ago, and every one of his works has been a masterpiece, setting a new benchmark for hit directors. Empress Fu Ying..."
The host didn't dare continue. Even though she adored Fu Bing, she couldn't openly praise her. Fu Bing wasn't officially banned, but she had just been released from jail…
Fu Bing was unconcerned. On the red carpet, she was like a blooming lily sprite—enchanting and dazzling. Her makeup-free face perfectly complemented her dress, each enhancing the other's beauty.
Fu Bing took a pen from the hostess and intentionally found an inconspicuous spot to sign. Just as she paused, ready to sign, a pair of shiny black leather shoes entered her lowered line of sight. They were Qin Jinhai's.
Fu Bing looked up, meeting his meaningful dark eyes.
Qin Jinhai taunted, "That was quick. It only took you a few days to secure the third son of the Su Family."
"One has to work harder when starting from a disadvantage," Fu Bing responded flatly. She neatly signed her name in a corner.
Qin Jinhai snorted coldly and signed his name with flair right next to hers.
Fu Bing glanced at it. What was wrong with this man? Was he trying to make her a target?
Seeing this, Su Junling also purposefully came over and signed his name beside theirs.
The crowd at the scene and the viewers of the live broadcast were stunned. Empress Fu Ying truly lived up to her name. Her mere appearance dazzled everyone and made two top-tier men bow down to her.
Li Qing stood behind the trio, her gaze fixed on Fu Bing's delicate figure, venomous. Her fans, on the other hand, looked as if they wanted to strangle Fu Bing.
After Fu Bing was imprisoned, Li Qing had been slandered by Fu Bing's fans, who claimed Li Qing had stolen Fu Bing's boyfriend. Now, immediately after Fu Bing's release, Su Junling—who was never seen with a female companion—was by her side.
The Qin and Su families were of comparable influence. Yet, these two men openly snubbed Li Qing on camera to lavish attention on Fu Bing. Li Qing was the only one left humiliated. The rumors from years ago about her stealing Fu Bing's man were now, in front of everyone, virtually undeniable.
Li Qing awkwardly moved forward, attempting to defuse the tension. "Bingbing, it's really great that you could come."
Fu Bing replied with a faint smile, then turned to Su Junling and said, "Director Su, let's go."
Su Junling, showing no interest in interacting with the host, took Fu Bing's hand and led her into the venue.
Qin Jinhai's gaze lingered on their clasped hands, his expression darkening.
The Golden Cauldron Award was highly prestigious, unlike other awards where accolades were handed out like spoils by investors. This award was a solid recognition of genuine achievement.
Fu Bing sat next to Su Junling. No sooner had she taken her seat than someone sat down beside her.