Chapter 18: Snatched Again

Shen Xingman had just finished putting on a star‑sky princess dress, and today she was already racing nonstop to craft a celestial‑woman persona for herself.

Qiao Yun couldn't help but laugh, "She's taking you as an imagined rival, huh."

"So young, yet she loves to dream," Shen Xingman propped her chin, looking a bit bored.

That evening, Qiao Yun led Shen Xingman to a renowned upscale club, handed the invitation to the doorman, and then pulled her inside.

"Honey, don't be nervous; this mission isn't about flattering anyone—just put on a good face, dazzle the capitalists, and they'll gladly give you the endorsement."

Shen Xingman nodded and quipped, "That sounds a bit ambiguous, doesn't it?"

"I don't care; just radiate charm later, and leave the rest to me," Qiao Yun said confidently.

Two minutes later, a waiter approached and courteously escorted them into a private suite.

The place was sparsely populated, almost eerily quiet.

After Shen Xingman greeted them, she casually found a seat, and then watched Qiao Yun engage the others in friendly small talk.

Her effortless demeanor made Shen Xingman suspect she had a severe case of social dominance, and it seemed advanced.

"General Manager Huang, hello, hello, it's been ages,"

"Yes, yes, I'm Xiao Qiao, hope you've been well."

"Honestly, I feel a bit ashamed—it's been half a year since we last met. Sigh, there's nothing I can do; I've been too busy lately and truly can't spare the time. When you're free, remember to have a drink together~"

"..."

Shen Xingman's mind switched to rant mode: *#×%#？@×#**#×%？×%#? ×#%*×#%#？×#*

"I don't usually see you this gentle with me."

"Flatterer."

And then—

"Shen Xingman, is it? You're so beautiful," a voice suddenly came from nearby.

Someone's eyes instantly curved as they improvised a Sichuan opera face‑change, "Ah, hello, hello, I'm Shen Xingman."

After feeling smug, she realized the person looked somewhat familiar.

Oh, it turned out to be General Manager Huang Yi of Lanrun Group, today's headline act.

Qiao Yun had said the endorsement would be tackled directly via this person.

"Yo, sis."

"The real person looks better than the photos."

Before arriving, while preparing the endorsement meeting, they had looked at many of her photo shoots.

Oh, indeed—beauty like a fairy, astonishingly divine.

In ancient terms: as if light clouds veil the moon, drifting like wind‑blown snow, bright eyes, splendid and radiant.

Three years into her career, thanks to her breathtaking looks and a divinely gifted figure, she became the undisputed red‑carpet queen, and almost every appearance allowed her to dominate with beauty and charisma.

In recent years, "style trending" has become a basic tactic for stars at events, and breaking out of the sea of homogeneous trends isn't easy. Yet this Shen Xingman occupies the trending list nine days out of ten, with a level of heat and discussion hard to surpass.

Because she truly is beautiful, she single‑handedly raises the nation's aesthetic standards.

But they just can't figure out why such a beautiful person doesn't even have a high‑end luxury brand.

"Xiao Qiao," Huang Yi sat upright beside them, gently slid the document toward Qiao Yun, very professional, "Take a look first; if you have no objections, we'll sign it."

Qiao Yun was stunned: "?"

Shen Xingman also gave an ellipsis.

"What, that fast? The dishes aren't even all served yet and they're already signing a contract?"

"Gee, gee, gee, are they on triple speed?"

"Hey, Huang, get it straight—this is high‑end luxury, not a cabbage that costs five yuan per kilo."

"Um, is there anything wrong?" he asked.

"..."

"Nothing wrong, it's just that the progress is a bit too smooth."

Qiao Yun, half‑dazed, picked up the document and leafed through it, then nodded at him: "Of course not, General Manager Huang, what are you talking about?"

She reached for a pen in her bag to sign the contract, but before she could touch it, she heard a clang as the door was pushed!

"Uncle Huang~"

A person entered the suite, wearing a pretty short skirt, like a little yellow oriole, and walked toward Huang Yi.

It's Jiang Xiaoyan!

"Xiaoyan, why are you here?"

"Ah, it's Dad who brought me here~" Her eyes landed on a middle‑aged man in a suit.

After taking his seat, he didn't say a word to curb Jiang Xiaoyan's behavior, but smiled kindly, his face full of indulgence, as if in his eyes Jiang Xiaoyan were still a cute child.

Thus, the once‑quiet suite instantly became lively.

Seeing the familiar yet loathsome face, Shen Xingman instantly frowned.

Qiao Yun also sensed an ominous premonition, quickly produced a pen, and moved first.

"Ew, what is this?!"

She tilted her head, and with swift eyes and hands snatched the contract from Qiao Yun's hand.

"You..." Qiao Yun's face darkened halfway in an instant.

"Wow, it's an endorsement contract," she chirped like a little sprite, completely oblivious to Qiao Yun's dark expression, innocently cooing to the man beside her, "Dad, I want one too."

Qiao Yun's fingertips trembled, and she tightened her grip.

"And who is this..." Jiang's father's gaze turned to Shen Xingman.

—It was a look of contempt and disdain, with a hint of…

Huang Yi saw Jiang father's arrogance and disdain, stepped in to defuse the situation: "Oh, this is Shen Xingman, the new spokesperson for Lan Run."

"Huh?" he said in a calm voice, deliberately drawing out the ending, carrying an aloof, domineering aura.

In other words, I'm giving you another chance to answer my question.

"General Manager Jiang... this..."

Huang Yi is a shrewd person; he understood the meaning behind Jiang father's words.

Although he was fully in charge of the endorsement project, this brand also had shares held by Jiang father, meaning—Jiang Xiaoyan's father is the company's biggest boss.

Him getting an endorsement for his own daughter—what's the problem? No problem at all.

But...

Jiang Xiaoyan's image is nowhere near as good as Shen Xingman's!

"Uncle Huang, I really like it." She pouted her little lips, a bit unhappy, feeling wronged.

Huang Yi glanced at Shen Xingman, then at Jiang Xiaoyan, torn between the two, anxious enough to break into a sweat.

"Dad, I've been using Lan Run's perfume for a long time, I've always liked it, and I also want to endorse our family's brand~" She linked arms with Jiang father, swaying back and forth, "Dad, you'll definitely be proud of me, right?"

"Just imagine, the daughter of the Jiang Family is a beloved big star—saying that out there gives you face, and people might even come asking for my autograph~"

"..." Shen Xingman almost vomited from hearing that.

"Shen Xingman, right?" Jiang father looked at her, "You give up this endorsement, and I'll send someone to redo..."

"No need." Shen Xingman stood up.

"Miss Shen..." Huang Yi spoke helplessly, wanting to say something to persuade her to stay, but Jiang father's threatening gaze was too obvious, leaving him speechless.

Does he still have decision-making power now?

No, he doesn't.

Jiang Xiaoyan became spoiled and willful, to the point that even her father had to indulge her.