"Little Bingbing, what's the situation with Miss Aya over there?"
Liu Shanhe's voice crackled through Nie Bing's earpiece.
She watched in astonishment as a model donned Aya's modified gown, her entire aura transformed—as if she had undergone a complete metamorphosis. Simultaneously, she replied, "Master, no anomalies detected. She's been assisting the other models the whole time... But I must say, she's truly a remarkable seamstress—no, a master of fashion styling."
"...Hmm, that's good. Tell her Lu Yue's interrogation is over, so hers won't be needed. Have her and the Starry staff come out to prepare for the Starry Light handover."
"Any issues with Lu Yue?"
As if anticipating Liu Shanhe's decision, Nie Bing skipped any questions and immediately inquired about Lu Yue. This woman had been their prime suspect all along.
"Yes, we've essentially confirmed it's Lu Yue herself."
"Based on what evidence?"
"...I can't disclose that yet."
"What did you do to Lu Yue? This is a live broadcast!"
"??? Just asking normal questions, okay? Do you think I'm stupid?"
Viewers watching Liu Shanhe and Nie Bing's exchange on the live stream couldn't contain themselves:
[Ha ha! Little Bingbing is probably imagining all sorts of terrible things.]
[Old Liu is going to great lengths to protect his granddaughter's "crossdressing master" secret!]
[As expected, Sister Aya didn't even need an interrogation. Just a "bold idea" was enough to prove her innocence.]
[So, not only can the granddaughter not compete with Cifera, she can't even compare to Sister Aya!]
[Well, those two are exceptional women! The granddaughter needs to take them as role models and work hard to become an equally remarkable "woman"!]
[Alright, alright! Now we're all calling her "Little Granddaughter," right? I never thought Night Shadow's goofy style could evolve even further!]
Soon after, Liu Shanhe, Lei Gang, and the others backstage were still waiting for Cifera to emerge when the excited, bespectacled Show Director rushed in.
The Show Director had barely arrived when she tried to snatch the Starry Light safe. If Liu Shanhe hadn't stopped her, the Pursuers and Security Personnel would have pounced on her, mistaking her for a suspect.
"Wait, Madam Director, what's going on?" Liu Shanhe asked, puzzled.
"Ah! My apologies! I got too eager. I just wanted to finish the handover quickly so I could rush back and witness Miss Aya's divine performance!" the Show Director explained, her initial shock quickly replaced by fervent excitement.
"Let me tell you, Miss Aya is practically a goddess! Her understanding of fashion and styling is absolutely world-class! No, she's unequivocally the best in the world—beyond any doubt!
"Once you see the adjusted results, you'll understand exactly what I mean!"
"..." Liu Shanhe had a hunch about what was happening.
Though Nie Bing had mentioned something similar on the phone earlier, Liu Shanhe hadn't fully grasped the weight of her words. Now, seeing the professional Show Director so visibly shaken and beside herself with enthusiasm, he understood the true significance of Nie Bing's description: "Master of Fashion and Styling."
In the eyes of these Starry employees, even the "Starry Light" had to take a backseat to prioritizing Aya's overall quality improvement.
"I understand. Miss Aya hasn't emerged because she's completely tied up with her work, right? In that case, let's postpone the Starry Light handover. We'll wait until Miss Aya finishes her work. Is that acceptable?"
"Absolutely!"
The Spectacled Show Director finished speaking and rushed over to Lu Yue, shoving her toward the costume workshop:
"Miss Lu Yue, stop gawking and come with me! I guarantee you'll be amazed!"
"Oh... oh, okay!"
As the Show Director practically dragged Lu Yue away in her frantic haste, the Pursuit Team and Security Personnel stood dumbfounded.
Why does this scene feel so... off?
It's like protecting the Starry Light has suddenly become completely unnecessary...
Liu Shanhe shook his head and sighed:
"For a true artistic creator like Aya, the Starry Light pales in comparison to the joy of crafting a masterpiece that meets her own standards."
"Someone like her would dedicate their entire life to mastering a single, chosen field. It seems she truly isn't the Cifera who covets the Starry Light... That girl doesn't strike me as someone who could endure such solitude."
[Ha ha ha! Cifera's not even here, and Old Liu is still badmouthing her behind her back!]
[Cifera: Not me? I'm an all-rounder! So what if I get bored easily and want to try everything?]
[True, Old Liu's being a bit unfair. Cifera isn't just an all-rounder—she's the kind of once-in-a-millennium genius who can master anything she sets her mind to! Aya can't even compare.]
[Can we stop the "praise one, trash the other" routine? They're both amazing!]
[That's just how those brainless Cat Fans are. They genuinely believe Cifera is omnipotent and knows everything! I bet she's already exhausted her tricks and won't even bother trying to steal the Starry Light tonight!]
[Actually, that's a real possibility. Since the Pursuit Team knows all her methods now, why risk getting caught trying to steal the Starry Light? It'd be far simpler to follow Inspector Nie's suggestion: use a diversionary tactic to easily snatch some less-guarded targets.]
-
Next,
"Aya" continued to modify gowns for model after model with remarkable efficiency.
Each model, after putting on the jewelry and standing before her, immediately received the perfect, customized solution.
The transition from conceptualizing the design to beginning the alterations was seamless. The only wasted time occurred when models had to change out of their original gowns before the modifications could begin.
Viewers in the live stream, all the models and staff on-site, and even the members of the Expert Team who couldn't resist gathering to watch, were all captivated by Aya's seemingly endless creative inspiration and her divine sewing skills.
Many fashion industry titans who hadn't originally planned to attend tonight's Charity Auction began pulling strings and exhausting every means to secure an invitation.
Those unable to attend personally leveraged their connections to implore attendees or Starry employees to obtain Aya's contact information on their behalf.
No one had anticipated that after Cifera's afternoon theft announcement, the top trending topic online before tonight's auction wouldn't be her, but rather the suddenly emerged legendary seamstress "Aya"!
In essence, Aya completely overshadowed Cifera, stealing her spotlight.
This phenomenon aligns perfectly with the nature of the internet, where trends surge rapidly and fade just as quickly. Without consistent output, one's relevance is easily eclipsed by the next viral sensation.
Thanks to Aya's remarkable efficiency, all twenty-plus models' gowns were adjusted with half an hour to spare for rehearsal.
In thirty minutes, the venue would officially open, allowing attendees to enter an hour early.
Guests could then freely enjoy a variety of gourmet dishes while browsing information about the showcased jewelry, preparing for the auction.
On stage, the models radiated brilliant smiles. They had never dreamed they could perform with such flawless poise.
Everyone unanimously agreed: tonight's styling was the pinnacle of their professional careers!
All thanks to Aya's masterful touch.
To these models, Aya was nothing short of a divine being.
The same sentiment resonated among the Starry costume staff, including the Plump Costume Designer. Their eyes lit up as they gazed at Aya, desperately wishing she would take them as apprentices and reveal the true secrets of garment creation!
Even the Plump Costume Designer had made up her mind: if Starry couldn't recruit Aya, she would rather resign, even if it meant paying for her apprenticeship out of her own pocket. She would pester "Aya" to take her as a disciple, tending to her every need, all for the chance to continue stealing her techniques.
As the most skilled garment maker at Starry Headquarters besides Aya, she had learned an astonishing amount from Aya during the recent alteration process. Several long-standing creative blocks that had plagued her for years had shattered one after another right before her eyes.
It felt like being rocketed into the stratosphere—absolutely exhilarating!
In short, "Aya" had become the most coveted treasure in everyone's eyes.
Just like Cifera had been before her.
The rehearsal had already begun, and around "Aya's" neck, the Starry Light shimmered brilliantly.
A flawless beauty, a perfect gown, and exquisite jewelry—the combination was breathtaking.
In an instant, the other models on stage faded into obscurity, their color drained away, leaving "Aya" as the sole source of vibrancy.
Even Lu Yue was completely overshadowed.
Not long ago, the two had each donned the Starry Light for a comparison that everyone had long considered settled.
As expected, "Aya" won by an overwhelming margin, leaving Lu Yue without a single vote.
At this point, voting for Lu Yue out of pity would only be an insult to her.
After losing the competition for the Starry Light, Lu Yue accepted defeat gracefully.
Deep down, he had long abandoned any ambition of seizing the center stage. Instead, he began plotting various ways to steal the Starry Light.
However, the Pursuit Team's and Security Personnel's arrangements proved far more meticulous than he had anticipated, leaving him unable to find a suitable opportunity.
He could only wait for the Charity Auction to begin and devise new strategies then.
This frustrated viewers in the live stream, who had been eagerly anticipating his move.
Bullet Comments flooded the screen with mocking remarks: "This Little Granddaughter is such a loser!" "Incompetent MAN! No wonder he looks so good in drag!" "Grandchild of the Phantom Thief? More like Grandchild of the Phantom Thief's Failure!"
The entire live stream buzzed with lively mockery.
Finally, as the minutes ticked by, the dress rehearsal for the opening performance concluded.
Inside the Starry Headquarters' top-floor auction hall, the atmosphere was already buzzing with chatter and excitement.
It was nearly 8:00 PM, and the highly anticipated Starry Charity Auction was about to officially begin!
Would Cifera keep her promise and claim the Starry Light as hers?