Chapter 9: Chapter Eight
Yang Chao-Xing wasn't going to lie, when her right foot first stepped onto the brightly lit stage her heart began beating at an incredible rate like that of rabbits. Although she talks big, she had only been in the spotlight a few times and even then it was only Ayling in-game interviews. Learning from her past experiences though plus her many years being forced to control her expression in front of her family members, the girl calms her spinning mind and took a deep breath before fully walking out. Unconsciously she steels her heart as many eyes spot her walking on the catwalk with her head held up high but not high enough to appear arrogant. It was only enough for the cameras and crowd to see her face clearly as well as her nonchalant facial expression.
Remembering what Wen Xia had said about placing her brother in the back seats her eyes slightly shift around the back row to search for the familiar face to help give her moral strength and calm her racing heart. When she does her eyes brighten before she could stop herself, but just as quick remembering where she was Chao-Xing fixed her attitude before the grin wanting to sprout on her lips form. Ge Ge really came!! Seeing the proud look in her brother's eyes the nervousness she felt before faded like the wind, Chao-Xing finally calms down the nerves in her mind having seen the approving smile she had. Deep down she felt touched and felt her throat clog up, this was the first time she had ever seen him look so proud of her... I will give you more reasons to be proud of me Ge Ge. I promise. This time, it will be different!
As she spins around to walk back her eyes land on something that almost causes her to stumble, luckily as if noticing her unsteadiness, one of the models quickly catches her elbow to steady her with a straight face. Chao-Xing doesn't thank her or look at her, instead, she quickly finds her balance and kept walking as if nothing happened. Mentally thanking the person who helped her Chao-Xing made her escape backstage and was rushed back into the dressing room for her next dress without time to waste. Wen Xia nowhere to be seen as she was also busy running around to make sure nothing happens or was making repairs to some outfits. Although she had no time to think about much her thoughts couldn't help but become confused when it came to the eyes of amber that followed her.
Through the crowd and lights, she had only meant to find her Ge Ge but to think next to him would be that guy, she felt rather nervous. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts Chao-Xing hurriedly stops herself from overthinking it. He and Ge Ge are at least friends and he is the best friend of that Wu Cai so it wasn't completely out of the question for him to attend out of support. But she could have sworn their eyes had met just then... Though the next few dresses and walks were just as complexed and demanding of her attention and efforts to not mess up Chao-Xing refused to look over at her brother in case of accidentally meeting the guy's gaze again. Last time she had a little protection through her veil so she had a bit more freedom to look where she pleased, but she knew she couldn't always rely on her brother and steels her nerves.
Although the show couldn't have been more than twenty or so minutes, by the end of it Chao-Xing still couldn't help but feel exhausted and wanted to find a place to lay down for a long time and sleep. After her last walk, Chao-Xing was pushed back into her normal clothes despite her wanting to rest for a bit, Wen Xia's assistant had finished the last of the touch-ups and was instructed to help Chao-Xing out of the clothes and into more comfortable ones. The assistant went off somewhere when she saw Chao-Xing to a seat as the makeup artist helps Chao-Xing out of the makeup that stuck to her skin and made her grimace. Seeing her look, the makeup artist sent her a tired smile to try and lighten the girl's mood. Only after it was all removed did the girl's pale face fully come to light so her tired smile quickly was replaced by concern. "Is Miss Yang alright? Perhaps I should call your sister?"
Chao-Xing waves the woman's concern away and leans into her chair closing her eyes to get a bit of shut-eye before Wen Xia got back. "No, I'm fine don't say anything that would make her worry for no reason." Seeing the conversation being closed like this the make-up artist had no choice but to leave with one last fleeting glance of worrying. Chao-Xing could sense many gazes on herself as she leans back with her eyes closed, she knew the models were looking at her with either scorn or smug arrogance. But she couldn't be bothered to pick a fight right now, she didn't have the energy nor the guts to try and test the director's patience by causing a show in the backstage while the show upfront was coming to a close.
"Miss Yang?" Opening her eyes Chao-Xing saw Wen Xia's assistant holding a water bottle that was emitting cold air, Chao-Xing hesitates but eventually couldn't help but give in in the end. She really was thirsty and she felt rather hot after being under the spotlight in heavy dresses for so long without much break. But as she reaches for the drink her hand was slapped away by a huffing and puffing Wen Xia. The woman was giving her a hard glare, which made Chao-Xing feel guilty but at the same time, she felt somewhat upset from her overreaction. "Why did you hit me?!" Wen Xia went from a put-together woman to an exhausted and worn out looking beauty, her hair was in loosely tied in a rushed manner. Her bangs stuck to her face and her body language was stiff, her nerves seemed to still be on the high.
Wen Xia scowls at her and pushes back her bangs to get them out of her face, "You know why you can't have this!" Chao-Xing knew too but she still felt Wen Xia was overreacting a bit, as she opens her mouth to argue back the girl saw the fear in Wen Xia's eyes and swallows her words. "...." In the end, instead of complaining or fighting back, she bit her lip to prevent herself from pouting. The assistant looks between the stubborn looking girl and her furious older sister, she had been stunned to see Wen Xia angry, this woman would always keep herself composed and dignified. But she supposes even women like Wen Xia knew how to be angry and frustrated. Chao-Xing was too proud to apologize and Wen Xia didn't regret stopping her from touching the cold drink, at a standstill the air became frosty. The tension from before was still running high making it even worse for the two who would have usually made up by then.
The assistant was nervous and shuffles her feet attracting Wen Xia's attention, she relaxes her expression a bit in consideration of the woman and spoke to her tiredly. "Next time don't give her anything too cold, something lukewarm or room temperature will do." She nods and walks away hurriedly to avoid the growing tension. Chao-Xing scowls, but she still didn't say anything feeling somewhat aggravated as Wen Xia seemed to be pretending not to see her foul mood. Chao-Xing felt tired, she was thirsty, she was hot and uncomfortable, she wanted to go home. Her bottom lip quivers feeling her grievances pile up, but knowing that Wen Xia was also feeling stressed and tired, most likely even more so than her, the girl kept quiet with her head down. A lightweight on top of her head along with a gentle and loving voice causes the grievances in her heart to spill out, "Who bullied our little Chao'er?"
Chao-Xing didn't even have to look up and buries her face into his arms, her arms wrapped around him tightly. Seeing his koala like little sister Xing-Fu patiently pats her back to comfort her, he also sends Wen Xia a questioning look. Wen Xia sighs explaining the situation. "I just stopped her from taking a cold drink, it was my fault for not telling my assistant before." Xing-Fu, understanding Chao-Xing a bit better than Wen Xia felt his little sister shake her head lightly against his coat denying it. The bitterness in his heart seeing his little sister suffer due to the past once more makes the man sigh, to reassure Chao-Xing that he wasn't mad he gives her more pats. His voice even more low and gentle, "Are you tired?"
The girl's head bobs up and down once, "Thirsty?" The head bobs again, his hand lovingly pats her head again. Eyes full of patience and love, "Hungry?" Chao-Xing felt her nose sour and nods again burying her face into his chest further. He smiles, turning back to Wen Xia he saw his stepsister looked rather tired too. The woman was only trying to keep her dignity and refused to admit it also having grievances of her own. Xing-Fu felt helpless and pats Wen Xia's head much to the shock of the people watching and to Wen Xia herself not expecting Xing-Fu to treat her like a child in front of so many people. Xing-Fu's handsome face gave her a comforting smile to ease her nerves a bit, "Let's go out to eat, Kang, and the other two are waiting for us at the restaurant to celebrate your successful show and Chao'er's first show."
The beauty was still in a daze staring at Xing-Fu with wide eyes, it was only when he messes up her hair lightly does she snap out of it turning bright red. Although her inner emotions were cooled down now and she no longer felt aggravated she still felt embarrassed due to his actions. Flushing and feeling flustered Wen Xia pushes his hand away with a glare. "Don't pat my head! I'm not a kid!" Xing-Fu grins at her teasingly, "Are you sure? You look act like one to me." The beauty turns redder and sent him one last glower before turning around to leave. "I have to go bid goodbye to my superiors and put some stuff away. It won't be long just wait in the car for me." Chao-Xing peeks out of the corner of her eyes, seeing Wen Xia walking away the girl hesitates and glances at Xing-Fu who gave her an encouraging smile before calling out to the woman.
"Jie Jie you can't take long or else Ge and I will go on a date and leave you behind!!" Wen Xia felt the knot in her heart unwind and smiles to herself, she doesn't grace Chao-Xing's taunt with an answer since that would only embarrass her more. So she dismissively waves at them without turning back. "Tsk, acting cool for who?" Her forehead is poked by Xing-Fu who chuckles at her pout that she gave him. "Good girl." Hearing his praise for her Chao-Xing felt warm inside and grins, hugging him tightly. In the car, Chao-Xing was given a water bottle full of warm water which she quickly drank to quench her thirst. Xing-Fu took out a few things from the trunk of his car and brought it to the back seat to set up for her. A thin blanket was laid on top of the seats and a pillow was placed at one end with another thin blanket placed over Chao-Xing who had already shamelessly laid down.
As soon as her head hit the pillow the girl fell asleep, he laughs softly, and from behind him Wen Xia's asks him curiously and somewhat hopefully. "Do you have a spare?" His answer was casual and light-hearted, "Make your own." Her expression sours as she purses her lips with annoyance. This guy!! "Just because I make clothes doesn't mean I can make pillows and blankets too!" Xing-Fu sent her a tiny smirk before entering the driver's seat. Wen Xia follows him with a huff feeling targeted for no reason and enters the car shutting it a bit harder than necessary. She looks out the window refusing to acknowledge his presence. But hearing some shuffling from the driver seat like Xing-Fu was moving around, she was about to subtly glance over at him but her vision was suddenly blocked by a folded blanket. He also gently tosses a pillow at her head making her complain. "That hurt!"
To this Xing-Fu only smiles lightly and ruffles her hair to make her complain even more before starting up the car and focusing on the road wordlessly. Wen Xia glares at him and her gaze is brought to the blanket and pillow in her hands, her heart that had been feeling hurt and left out felt better. She felt warm and sweet inside and mumbles under her breath even as the smile on her lips grew. "You could have just given it to me...." He only shot her a glance full of mirth that she huffs at smilingly, "Get some sleep, I'll wake you and Chao'er when we arrive." Wen Xia wraps herself in the blanket and hid her smile while closing her eyes to do as he says. Xing-Fu looks at his troublesome pair of sisters who both fell into a deep sleep due to the eventful day and chuckled. Looking down at his watch to check the time, he takes the long route towards the restaurant without much thought.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone