Hearing several exclamations coming from the backstage entrance, Yun Chan handed the disposable paper cup in her hand to Jiang Lingxi, who had helped her a lot today, and then turned her head to look.
At a glance, she couldn’t help but be amazed, quickly lifting her feet to greet them.
"Mr. Carlo, what brings you here?"
Carlo’s gaze passed over her and landed on Jiang Lingxi, who was sitting in front of the makeup mirror drinking water.
Even in this noisy and busy backstage, that figure remained serene and composed, regal and imposing.
Even if someone walked by, when they reached that area, they would instinctively lighten their steps, afraid of disturbing that person.
Carlo was reluctant to look away. Read complete version only at novel✦fire.net
In the country he was from, the royal family still existed.
But as time passed, the once-powerful aura of the royals had faded as their power slipped away, and now they had become more like mascots.
People still greet them, following the etiquette passed down through the ages.
Rather than saluting the person, they are saluting the royal status that person holds.
With his current status and fame, he had met no shortage of royals and had even designed many dresses for the reigning Queen, the Prince, and various princesses and duchesses for major events.
Their royal etiquette was impeccable, but even face-to-face, he had never felt an ingrained sense of nobility.
The kind that even in tattered clothes, still commanded awe and respect.
An ineffable presence that no grand attire could enhance.
Until today, until just now, he realized the world was not devoid of people with such a presence; he had just never encountered one before.
"I’d like to have a few words with Miss Jiang alone."
Yun Chan, seeing the direction of Mr. Carlo’s gaze, guessed his purpose for coming backstage.
Hearing him say this, she showed no surprise, did not ask more questions, just stepped aside and made a ’please’ gesture, "Mr. Carlo, this way, please."
Carlo nodded at her, took a couple of steps with his cane, then suddenly paused.
Yun Chan was momentarily puzzled, but before she could speak, she saw this gentleman walk to a nearby makeup mirror, first tidying the few strands of white hair the wind had tousled at the fashion show, then adjusting the lapel chain and the handkerchief in his pocket, and lastly, putting down his cane to straighten his cuffs. Only then did he resume his journey towards where Jiang Lingxi was seated.
She was so stunned by his respectful demeanor that she didn’t know if she should follow him.
Yun Ping quietly walked over to Yun Chan, following her sister’s gaze, and asked softly, "Why did Mr. Carlo come backstage?"
Yun Ping couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows and boldly speculate, "Lingxi’s performance at the show was indeed stunning. Could it be that this gentleman is also taken with her? If that’s true, it would certainly be a great thing for Lingxi."
Yun Chan nodded in agreement.
At the same time, she silently added in her heart: Perhaps it’s more than that.
The scene of the gentleman solemnly fixing his hair and attire in front of the makeup mirror lingered in her mind.
It was just like preparing for a royal audience!
As they spoke, they saw Mr. Carlo already walking to Jiang Lingxi’s right, a little over a meter away, and stopping.
Jiang Lingxi also put down the empty paper cup in her hand and turned to look at him.
The elder, holding the cane in his left hand, raised his right hand to his chest with a slight bend of the fingers, performing a standard and flawless etiquette. "Miss Jiang."
The Yun sisters who were not far off, seeing this salute, couldn’t help but inhale sharply together.
"Sis, you’ve been in the international scene longer than I have. What does this etiquette stand for?"
"I..." Yun Chan paused, then replied softly, "I once attended a very high-level international banquet where even princes and princesses from imperial nations attended. I’ve seen something similar. But I’m not sure if it’s the same."
At this moment, Jiang Lingxi had already stood up.
Although she didn’t understand what the etiquette symbolized, she could sense Mr. Carlo’s attitude at this moment.
It was different from the appreciation an elder would show to a younger person in the fashion show stands, a gaze from above.
But now, it held more respect, and the gaze was level.
"Mr. Carlo, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I came to have a few words with you. I hope I haven’t disturbed your rest."
Seeing the young lady in front of him unaffected by surprise and calmly receiving his sudden visit, gracefully responding, Carlo beamed with delight. He hadn’t misjudged her after all.
"Just walking around the runway doesn’t tire me out." Jiang Lingxi moved a chair over with one hand, "Please have a seat."
Once Carlo was seated, she too sat down again, quietly waiting for the elderly gentleman to speak.
Carlo, rarely, deliberated over his words before slowly beginning, "I have been researching the culture of your country for several years. The more I study it, the more fascinated I become. This is also the reason I accepted Yun Chan’s invitation to watch the show today. Three years ago, I saw a fragmentary Dragon Robe in a museum. In that moment, it felt alive, granting me a surge of inspiration. I captured that inspiration and designed an outfit that I consider the pinnacle of my career."
Jiang Lingxi listened intently, noting the fervor on Mr. Carlo’s face, "Congratulations on that."
"Thank you," Carlo continued, "But I’ve yet to find someone who can embody it perfectly. After all, a garment remains just fabric until worn by the right person."
Jiang Lingxi, hearing this, began to form a guess.
Such words wouldn’t lead him just to share his design process.
"Until I saw you on the runway. Miss Jiang, your aura on stage perfectly embodies the person I envisioned."
"I wish to formally invite you to an international fashion event a month from now, as my esteemed guest. I wonder if Miss Jiang has the time?"
Jiang Lingxi slightly lowered her eyes.
She recalled the international fashion celebration, as it hadn’t been long since it was mentioned.
It seemed Jing Huai’s manager, Li Yuwen, had promised that if she helped Jing Huai appear on "Inheritance," he would grant her a guest spot at the international event.
But she had flatly refused, and Tong Yue even regretted it a little.
Unexpectedly, the situation took a surprising turn.
If Tong Yue knew, she’d probably be thrilled and make time for her, no matter how busy she was.
Moreover, she remembered that Chong Yin and Mei Shuiqing had their base where the event was being held.
Seizing this opportunity, she might pay them a visit.
"It would be my honor!"