"If I don't participate in that competition, my situation will be even more difficult."
Huo Rou's eyes were clear, without the slightest hesitation. "Of two evils, choose the lesser."
"You've clearly worked so hard, studying and learning every day! Don't lie to me, it's not a matter of two evils at all."
Zhou Wu retorted, "Is it because you've fallen for a man here and don't want to leave, don't want to come with me?"
He pointed at Qin Ningyi, his pale blue eyes wide open, like a turbulent blue lake.
Although Qin Ningyi didn't want Huo Rou to give up anything because of him, he couldn't hide his inner joy upon hearing Zhou Wu's guess, and the corners of his lips curled up.
Yes, for him.
Huo Rou glanced at Qin Ningyi. Fine, she hadn't considered this factor, but...
She was lost in Qin Ningyi's smile and suddenly felt that this should be one of the reasons too.
"It really is because of him! Rose, you don't..." Zhou Wu looked at the affectionate gaze she cast on Qin Ningyi, angrily accused her, words spilling out like they were free, the mix of two languages making it particularly uncomfortable to listen to.
Huo Rou rubbed her temples, truly thinking it was a miracle that this person had remained so popular for so many years.
Time had not only failed to teach him composure, but had made him even more garrulous.
Qin Feiwǎn, standing nearby, watched Zhou Wu as if she had seen it all. Was this the same Zhou Wu rumored to be cold, indifferent, and taciturn?
If nothing else, he wasn't like this when she went to pick him up!
Zhou Wu's accusations continued. Huo Rou calmly spoke up to interrupt him, "It wasn't exactly hard work. I just hadn't been exposed to fashion design before, so I learned a little on the fly."
"?" Qin Feiwǎn's head was filled with question marks. She hadn't learned it?
"You may have misunderstood. I never intended to pursue fashion design. I have more important things to do."
Zhou Wu understood the first part of Huo Rou's explanation. He froze. Rose, the once famous designer, had never studied fashion design?
Huo Rou reached out. "Give me your phone. I'll explain to everyone, so they don't harass you and then you end up harassing me."
Zhou Wu wanted Huo Rou to fight alongside him, and he was very reluctant to hear her say she wasn't pursuing this industry.
Huo Rou's words also struck Qin Feiwǎn. She, too, had been called talented, but she still studied diligently for many years to reach her current level, while Huo Rou...
It was a dimensional knockdown, nothing less.
"No, you have this talent, how can you waste it?" Zhou Wu righteously protected his phone.
"What could be more exciting and rewarding than being admired by everyone and leading a brand new era of fashion?"
Zhou Wu didn't understand. He had been in the industry for many years, walked countless runways, and collaborated with over a hundred designers. Huo Rou was the most spirited and talented designer he had ever seen.
Huo Rou's work had an indescribable quality – confident and proud, yet humble and restrained.
Complex yet clear.
Qin Feiwǎn also couldn't comprehend it. Huo Rou was the only one who had ever successfully integrated national culture into her designs and gained recognition from international designers.
She had always wanted to be a designer who promoted cultural spirit, but unfortunately, integrating cultural core into works had always been a great challenge for domestic designers.
Trying to draw a tiger might result in a dog. If not careful, not only would it fail to gain international traction, but it could also be criticized by domestic consumers.
Everyone was waiting for the appearance of a second Rose. For over a decade, no one else had achieved such success or caused such a sensation.
"I don't need everyone's admiration," Huo Rou said faintly, her eyes holding something unreadable. "Fashion design was just an accident. I will eventually return to my own path."
"There will be people who truly love it."
Compared to the cultural output of the fashion design circle, she had a bigger battlefield to rush towards.
The phone rang. It was Xiao Yuda.
"Xiao Rou, the internet is going crazy. You went back then..."
Zhou Wu's words were defiant, showing no fear of revealing his "naive" core.
Qin Ningyi, however, narrowed his eyes slightly. "What do you mean, 'covered in blood'?"
Huo Rou didn't want him to worry. "It's nothing, just a minor injury."
If it weren't for that competition, she would have had nowhere to hide. And it was precisely because of Zhou Wu's help that she had escaped the searches time and again.
She was grateful in her heart, so she endured his chatter, helped him win first place, and secured a future for him.
"Mr. Qin, there are many people outside the building, wanting to see what Rose is up to. They're getting more numerous." The security guard shouted from the entrance.
Qin Ningyi looked at Huo Rou, seeking her opinion. He saw the refusal in her eyes.
"Stop them. Don't let them in."
Huo Rou looked at the culprit. "Your phone."
"No," Zhou Wu dragged out the word.
Huo Rou picked up her phone and took a picture of him in his current state. She then registered a Weibo account on the spot and posted a Weibo with Zhou Wu's silly photo.
Qin Ningyi blocked Zhou Wu, preventing him from getting closer. Soon, Huo Rou's new account was discovered.
[I apologize for reappearing unintentionally. I didn't expect to run into him. Our acquaintance was an accident, but our departure was destined. I believe better designers will emerge in China, and they will create a fashion era belonging to our country.]
The photo showed Zhou Wu in a different image than usual, looking vigilant while holding his phone. This made many netizens eagerly save the picture, convincing them that this was indeed the real Rose.
Only the Rose who helped him ascend to godhood could see Zhou Wu in this light.
[No way, Rose doesn't want to return to the stage?]
[Without her, we'll be many years behind in entering the international arena.]
[To pass up such an opportunity, how foolish.]
[Maybe she's lost her inspiration and is just pretending. I've seen her in person, she's very vulgar, all hype.]
A comment, different from the others, broke through the noise. This statement made everyone begin to suspect that Rose's sudden disappearance might have been due to a lack of inspiration.
The more they thought about it, the more they felt this was the truth!
In the hotel, Wang Wanrou looked at the explosive information on the account and smiled. Today she was like a stray dog, but tomorrow it might not be Huo Rou.
What Rose, it was all hype. She didn't believe it. Was it truly a legend?