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墨書 Inktalez
The day of the show.
The backstage was more chaotic and electrifying than in previous days. An air of tension and anticipation hung thickly in the atmosphere. I was dressed in a sleek black jumpsuit, weaving through the crowd to make final confirmations.
Makeup? Check.
Accessories? Check.
Order of appearance? Check.
Lighting and music? Check.
Everything was ready. I took a deep breath and walked over to the monitor at the side stage, staring intently at the screen. My palms were slightly sweaty.
Ke Lin approached, handing me a bottle of water, his rare encouraging smile breaking through the usual seriousness. "Xia Wan, don’t be nervous. Your designs are fantastic; you’re going to do great!"
I nodded and took a sip of water. It was impossible not to feel nervous. This wasn’t just a show; it was everything I had worked for.
I spotted Ran already dressed in a fiery red shirt for the opening, engaged in conversation with his assistant. He seemed to sense my gaze and glanced my way.
Across the bustling crowd, our eyes met briefly. No words were exchanged, but somehow, I felt I understood the meaning behind his look. It was encouragement. It was trust. And there was… something complex that I couldn’t quite describe.
My heartbeat inexplicably steadied a little.
The voice of the Show Director crackled through the intercom: "Five minutes to countdown! All departments, please pay attention!"
The backstage fell silent instantly. All the models lined up in order, waiting for their cue. The lights dimmed. The music began to play.
The electronic music pulsed with a strong rhythm, like a heartbeat, like the beating of war drums. The screen began to play the opening video I created for show, featuring flames burning, ashes drifting, and then tender sprouts breaking through the earth… symbolizing destruction and rebirth.
As the video concluded, Runway was instantly illuminated. The first beam of light fell at the entrance. The figure of Ran emerged from the halo. In that moment, I felt my breath catch in my throat. He strode forward with long legs, like a blazing flame, exuding an unmatched aura as he walked onto the Runway. A low murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
Flashes from cameras erupted like a storm. He walked steadily, each step in time with the beat, his gaze defiant, as if the entire world lay beneath his feet. The fiery red silk shirt clung to him as if it had come alive, flowing with his movements and radiating a scorching brilliance.
"Burn!" This was the "burn" I wanted to convey! It was an all-consuming blaze, a cry for liberation! He embodied it perfectly.
The following models appeared one after another, wearing my designs. The primary color palette of black, white, and gray featured sharp cuts and powerful structures, occasionally accented by bright colors and metallic elements. Each piece told a story of fragmentation, struggle, resistance, and ultimately finding oneself.
The atmosphere grew increasingly fervent. I could hear gasps of admiration and applause from the front rows. My heart raced in sync with the rhythm of the show. Time flew by swiftly.
Before I knew it, we had reached the final segment. The music softened into an ethereal melody. Ran reemerged from the darkness clad in a pure white velvet suit. This time, he resembled a prince stripped of all extravagance—cool, serene, embodying a clarity born from experience.
His gaze was no longer defiant but gentle and profound, as if it held the vastness of stars and oceans within it. He slowly walked to the center of the Runway, bathed in gentle light.
Pure white, representing rebirth and infinite possibilities.
This is the essence after the "burning," the hope of rebirth in Nirvana.
He slightly lifted his chin, closed his eyes, as if he were sensing something.
In that moment, he was as beautiful as a sculpture.
The scene was enveloped in silence.
Everyone was captivated by the serene yet powerful aura radiating from him.
A few seconds later, he opened his eyes and slowly turned around.
At that instant, his gaze precisely captured mine, hidden in the shadows at the side of the stage.
This time, it was not just a fleeting glance.
His eyes were focused and affectionate, as if they transcended time and space, looking directly into the depths of my soul.
In those eyes, there was so much—apology, relief, admiration, encouragement...
And a sense of... something lost and then found... cherished?
My heart felt as if it were gripped tightly by an invisible hand, nearly unable to breathe.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
The entire world blurred into the background.
In my eyes, there was only him.
And those eyes that seemed to speak.
It wasn’t until he turned away and disappeared into the backstage entrance that I snapped back to reality.
My face... was surprisingly warm.
During the final curtain call, I walked onto the runway with all the models.
The applause thundered.
The flashes of light were blinding.
I stood at the front of the line, striving to maintain my smile as I bowed to the audience.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Ran standing not far behind me.
He was smiling too, looking at me.
The smile was no longer the distant politeness from before; it carried a genuine warmth. Like the winter sun, it dispelled the last trace of chill in my heart.
The show had ended. It was a resounding success.
Backstage, everyone was buzzing with excitement. Hugs, screams, champagne...
Ke Lin excitedly embraced me, "Xia Wan! You were amazing! We did it!"
Xiao Ya and the other assistants gathered around, chattering away with congratulatory words.
I smiled in response, but inside, I felt a bit empty. My gaze searched the crowd for that familiar figure.
He was not there.
Ran... where did he go?
I pushed through the crowd, trying to find him. Just as I took a couple of steps, someone grabbed my wrist.
Turning around, I saw Linda. She wore a professional smile. "Miss Xia, congratulations."
"Thank you," I replied. "May I ask... where is Lance?"
Linda pointed to another exit backstage. "The brand executives needed him for something; he just went over."
"Oh..." I felt a pang of disappointment.
"Lance asked me to tell you," Linda looked at me with a meaningful glance, "See you at the celebration party."
With that, she winked at me and turned to leave.
See you at the celebration party?
I watched her retreating figure, and the sense of loss in my heart was replaced by an indescribable anticipation.
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