"I can provide a recommendation letter for your friend to the London Fashion Week," Miss Bao Qin said, already signing her name on the letter.
"London?" This outcome was far better than Su Ziceng had expected. The London Fashion Week, known as one of the top five fashion shows in the world, was a big leap considering Lin Ying didn’t have any remarkable experience before this.
"Yes, although your friend has limited experience. This is an opportunity for her, as the New York Fashion Show coincided with London Fashion Week, and many models rushed to New York, giving up on London. For a newcomer, starting in London is a good step," Miss Bao Qin analyzed sensibly, showing little doubt in Su Ziceng’s recommendation.
"I’ll go back right away, tell my friend, and have her head to London immediately," Su Ziceng was so excited she was almost disoriented, as if the English Channel that lies between France and Britain was just as simple as crossing a road.
"Miss Su, I also have a suggestion for you," Miss Bao Qin caught a glimpse of her ZARA clothes and, despite being in contact with renowned fashion designers, she did not shun affordable brands. Instead, she spoke in the tone of an elder guiding a clueless junior: "Success often starts with imitation. Times have changed, and I hope you can find your own niche in the metropolis of Paris."
This profound statement didn’t immediately resonate with Su Ziceng; she was too eager to share the good news with Lin Ying and hurried into a ZARA store.
The spacious store, similar to a garage, had no dazzling logos or lavish decorations. This Spanish brand, handling everything from production to logistics domestically, was situated away from the hustle of Champs Elysees, peacefully nestled there.
The store was crowded, with each salesperson responsible for a specific area, most of them around Lin Ying’s age. These salespeople were neither aloof like those in LV nor overly solicitous like in ordinary clothing stores.
There was lively music playing, heaps of customers each carrying a basket similar to a supermarket shopping basket, selecting clothes on their own. Only when they couldn’t find the right size or style would they ask the salespersons waiting at fixed positions.
"This job doesn’t seem tiring," Su Ziceng noticed at a glance Lin Ying chatting with a black saleswoman with braided hair.
Seeing Su Ziceng, Lin Ying was somewhat surprised, as from previous conversations, Lin Ying realized that Su Ziceng didn’t know much about ZARA nor had much fondness for it.
When Su Ziceng took out the recommendation letter, Lin Ying was at a loss for words. She was skeptical of its legitimacy, but after a moment of ecstasy, she fell silent.
A customer handed a pile of clothes to Lin Ying, who took them and walked to the cashier, tapping on the keyboard. Such actions were familiar to Su Ziceng, as she had often repeated these procedures at "Admiration."
"Better not," Lin Ying offered a kind smile as she saw off the customer, "I’ve never walked such a grand show, only small ones like cocktail parties before."
Lin Ying had often imagined herself like New, standing on the runway, exuding confidence and elegance with every gesture: "After all, it’s just a dream. I don’t have the elegance and charisma of New, and New wouldn’t be like me, dealing with dirty coins every day, selling false smiles."
"God knows if she is doing the same thing now." When Sister Mu put on a hypocritically kind smile while slicing people without drawing blood, counting the bills, there was certainly no elegance or charisma involved.
"New comes from a prestigious family, and I... I am too far behind," Lin Ying sighed, her self-confidence draining gradually.
"Please help out," another customer came by, and Su Ziceng snatched the pile of clothes and handed it to the black saleswoman, pulling Lin Ying out. She ran forward, dragging Lin Ying along.
The two figures from the East, one taller and the other shorter, ran quickly across the plaza, startling a flock of doves, their black hair mingling in the sunshine, sparking unusually bright.
They stopped next to Mrs. Bao Qin’s billboard, pointing to the tall, disdainful looking female model on it, "You said that New exhibited a kind of elegance and charisma. Then show the other side, interpret the rich’s life to the poor in the guise of a poor person. That is your style, uniquely yours, utterly different from New’s way of living."