Chapter One: Unfulfilled Ambition

  In China Interactive Media Group, Hong Huang sits in front of a spacious office desk. She is 39 years old this year, but looks like she's only in her early 30s due to good maintenance. Not only is she the CEO of Interactive Media Group, but also serves as the editor-in-chief of ILOOK magazine.

  She rarely frowned, and could decide on something with a smile, but today her brow was deeply furrowed, staring intently at the five photos on the table for over ten minutes.

  As a first-line figure in China's fashion circle, she smelled the taste of new trends from the moment she saw the photos. Her keen sense of touch told her that these five photos might be the key to creating a Chinese fashion trend.

  Around her, three or four people were also seated, all of whom were editors-in-chief level at ILOOK magazine. At this moment, they too were solemnly looking at the copied photos in their hands, silent and speechless.

  More than ten minutes passed, Hong Huan raised his head, pushed his glasses and said "How is it?"

  "Classic. Comparable to the cover of a foreign 'fashion' magazine, I think even fashionable Sarah couldn't find any fault with it." A woman in her 30s wearing red clothes said "In Asia, male stars who dare to wear this kind of makeup are few and far between, and even in Europe and America, they are absolutely not many. At least for now, I haven't seen a photo of this type that is so unified and natural."

  "The key is not the perfect uniform style of the entire photo, but the emergence of this style in China, which is a signal." A nearly 30-year-old man also spoke up "To be honest, there is still no concept of 'fashion' in China at present, and this is also the reason why those top brands are more inclined to Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as mainland top stars."

  "And this photo can very well interpret the meaning of the word 'fashion'."

  Several people spoke one after another, and Hong Huang, China's fashion mentor, fell into deep thought.

  Having been in the fashion industry for so many years, she has come into contact with dozens of big and small, domestic and foreign famous designers, how can't she see what this photo can bring.

  "I've decided to use this photo as the cover for the next issue of ILOOK." She finally spoke up in a low voice after considering it for a long time.

  "Hong Jie!" "Think it over again!" Unexpectedly, several high-ranking executives who had just been unanimously praising him immediately raised different opinions.

  Hong furrowed his brow and said discontentedly, "Just now you all praised it unanimously, how come when I mentioned making it the cover, you all changed your minds?"

  The woman in red hesitated and said, "Hong Jie, it's not that this photo is bad. It's just that this photo is too good! It has exceeded the fashion concept defined by this era itself, even Hong Kong and Taiwan are absolutely top-notch."

  "Why don't you agree?"

  "It's precisely because of this that I worry domestic audiences won't be able to accept it." The man also spoke regretfully, "Currently, the domestic fashion world doesn't have a clear understanding. Such an avant-garde photo will encounter what kind of criticism, no one can say for sure. Yes, I cannot deny that this is indeed a perfect set of photos, but whether or not ILOOK's readers can accept it remains to be seen."

  Hong Huang's eyes narrowed as he thought for a long time, then suddenly said "Use!"

  Firm and resolute, cutting through iron and nails.

  "Older sister Hong!" The three of them exclaimed in unison, but Hong Huan waved her hand.

  "I know what you're going to say, now ILOOK is a fashion magazine with no small influence in the country, second only to Cai Weijie's fashion, Ruili. Using this set of photos as the cover, it represents our stance, we affirm this style. However, are you afraid that this style will be out of touch with current aesthetics?"

  Several people did not speak, they thought so in their hearts.

  Hong sighed, "I know you're worried about ILOOK's sales, but don't forget, we founded ILOOK to bring the domestic fashion world in line with the rest of the world quickly. The old-fashioned view must be broken by new ideas. This is why I decided to use this set of photos."

  "Go ahead and arrange it." She waved her hand and said "Get in touch with this person, and be sure to invite him to be the cover of this issue of ILOOK."

  The three people all fell silent, looking at each other in dismay, wanting to speak but hesitating.

  "What? Didn't I make myself clear?" Hong Huang was slightly displeased.

  "No, Hong Jie..." The woman in red moved her lips, and finally gritted her teeth to say "But, Cai Weijie's Ying Shang Broadcasting Group has already sent someone to contact us... we thought you wouldn't use these photos..."

  "What?!?" Hong Huan slammed the table, his dissatisfaction earlier now turned into real anger. "How do you guys work?! You can't even tell if a set of photos is good or bad! What's the point of having you guys?!"

  "You guys! The more fashionable you are, the more timid you become! I think it's time to consider introducing some new people with courage!"

  Three people were as silent as cicadas in winter, no one dared to make a sound.

  Hong Huan didn't let them leave, and they didn't dare to leave either. After a long time, the red-clothed woman saw that Hong Huan's anger seemed to have subsided a bit, and she stammered, "Sister Hong... although ILOOK has a great influence, but... domestically, the dominant fashion is still Ying Shang and Rui Li, since President Cai has already contacted them, I think..."

  "I think you can change units tomorrow!" Hong Huan's face, which had just calmed down, was again shrouded in a layer of frost. "Don't underestimate any photo, every one of them can stir up a storm! How many times have I told you guys?!"

  "Yes, yes." The three of them hastily replied.

  Hong Huang furrowed her brow in thought. The influence of iLOOK is great, mostly coming from her, but the overall influence cannot be compared to that of Vogue and Elle. If two magazines publish the same person, it means they are promoting that person to the forefront of fashion, making them the new darling of the fashion world!

  At that time, not only will big brands notice him, but even international top brands, such as LV, Gucci, Chanel and the like, will probably stretch out an olive branch. After all, China's market is too large and too fat, they won't let go of any breakthrough opportunity.

  Hong sighed, if this person was a superstar it would be fine, but I heard he's just a newcomer, being published in the two most influential magazines at the same time, not only will they "crash", but also whether the influence can reach that level is unknown.

  She shook her head and motioned for the three people to leave first. After thinking in the office for a long time, she picked up her phone and dialed several numbers.

  "Vijay? I am Hong Huan."

  "Right, you went to find that newcomer? Had a great conversation? What?!"

  The last sentence made her scream out loud despite her usual calm nature!

  "Is Rui Li also planning to use those photos for the cover?!"

  "Vijay! Think carefully, three of the most influential magazines promoting a trend at the same time, what does that represent! Everyone knows! If the promotion fails, we're all sinners!"

  Next, Cai Weijie explained in detail on the phone, but Hong Huang frowned and listened, unknowingly getting up and pacing back and forth restlessly in the room.

  "Hehe......" After more than ten minutes, her gloomy expression dissipated, replaced by a repressed excitement. "This is the rhythm to quickly align foreign fashion with domestic pace... No problem, no problem... Next year's entry into the world is said to have great hopes..."

  "By the way, I wanted to ask, has that new person been up to anything lately? ...Oh, there's promotion, that's not bad..."

  "My idea is that the three magazines will join hands for the first time to promote this wave. This title needs to be pushed out, and each magazine will conduct an in-depth interview with him, divided into three parts, and published in the three magazines."

  "Alright, okay, let's just leave it like this."

  She hung up the phone and finally burst out laughing.

  Cai Weijie's words were beyond her expectation, and the other party took the lead in proposing to take this opportunity to carry out a wave of "reform", with three magazines joining forces to strongly promote this set of photos.

  The reason why they are so determined about this idea is that it's not a semi-finished product, from every step of makeup to style, all are exceptionally mature, this is a person who has already refined their mature style!

  "Is this the new trend in fashion?" Hong Huan felt his blood boiling beneath his skin. "The domestic fashion industry should 'open its eyes and look at the world'!"

  She picked up the photo again and muttered "What kind of little guy could have such a wonderful idea, I really want to see it..."

  The little guy who was called a genius by her, Lin Xiao, was unusually busy today.

  First, it was Zhao Mosheng from Ying Shang Chuanbo who came to talk to Lin Xiao on behalf of Cai Weijie. CAMI also went along. When they heard that the magazine "Fashion" wanted to use Lin Xiao's photo as the cover, he agreed without hesitation.

  Fashion magazine, but now it is the pinnacle of China's fashion circle.

  Right after that, in the evening, CAMI received another cover application from "Rayli" "ILOOK" magazine, and she was so happy that her mouth couldn't close.

  But when she heard that three magazines were jointly preparing a special issue, she was completely shocked.

  "Do you know or not? Such a thing would absolutely never happen in the US! They take their professional courtesy very seriously and would never gang up to promote an artist. Only in China, which is about to enter the world stage, can such a possibility exist!" CAMI excitedly said to Lin Xiao "Such an opportunity, let alone for newcomers, even artists at Chen Daoming's level, are extremely rare!"

  Lin Xiao nodded, this was the result he wanted.

  "With this to match the propaganda of the Kangxi dynasty, it's absolutely perfect. By the way, they'll be doing an exclusive interview with you tomorrow! You must pay attention to dressing up properly! The eyes of the fashion world are on you, and if a single hair is out of place, it will become their laughing stock."

  Cami paced back and forth in the room, suddenly saying "No way, I'll supervise you personally. Tomorrow there absolutely can't be a single mistake!"

  Lin Xiao couldn't help but laugh "Cami jie, your taste..."

  "What's wrong with my taste!" CAMI exclaimed, her face slightly flushed "Just because I don't dress up myself doesn't mean I don't understand! Do you get it?"

  "I just understand, and maybe I won't need to borrow Chu's clothes again in the future." Lin Xiao said with a smile.