The group of people entered the venue with different expressions. Lin Shuangshuang kept turning back to look at Song Wei from time to time, seemingly trying to figure out what she meant.
However, Song Wei didn't even give her an unnecessary glance.
Not long after, the evening banquet officially began. After the host went on stage to commence with the event—as the chief designer, Lin Shuangshuang went on stage to give her speech.
She was wearing a pure white dress, and her smile was light and gentle. Her eyes looked innocent and harmless while her voice carried the shyness and sweetness of a young girl's.
"Thank you all for coming to the charity dinner at PARADISES. I feel especially honored. It all feels like a dream. This season's new products contain all my heart and soul. The theme is love and eternity.
"I explore the shape and expression of love in these designs. It is not limited to romantic love… It can also express friendship."
"Right here, I'm most grateful to my friend—Song Wei—who bestowed this opportunity upon me. It was her affirmation and encouragement that allowed me to reach the top."
Song Wei stood below the stage and folded her arms. As she was listening, the corners of her lips lifted sarcastically.
This woman really knew how to stick gold onto her own face. Around 80% of 'her' designs for this season were non-commercial commemorative designs that Song Wei had left behind when she was still at PARADISES.
Lin Shuangshuang had actually used her name to launch the new season's new products so shamelessly.
Ha. This was probably the real reason why she did not dare send Song Wei an invitation letter.
When Lin Shuangshuang's hypocritical speech ended, Song Wei suddenly raised her voice from below the stage, "Wait a minute. As the founder of PARADISES, I have a few words to say."
Lin Shuangshuang was obviously a little flustered. "Weiwei, we didn't arrange for this segment. Why don't we change the venue for that to another day?"
However, Song Wei was already walking towards the stage. Although the sprain in her ankle still hurt a little, she forced herself to walk with the aura of a king. The whole crowd unconsciously made way for her.
Lin Shuangshuang was in a difficult position. She had only just expressed her gratitude to Song Wei herself. If she stopped Song Wei from going on stage now, it would be a slap in her face.
Song Wei walked onto the stage and smiled. She said to Lin Shuangshuang, "Shuangshuang, you don't have to be so nervous. PARADISES is my child. I definitely won't harm it."
Lin Shuangshuang wiped cold sweat off her forehead skeptically. "I-I'm not nervous. Weiwei, just say what you want to say. As your friend, I support you!"
Song Wei retracted her gaze coldly and contemptuously. She took the microphone and faced the audience. Her lofty aura made Lin Shuangshuang look like a Cinderella who had only just learned how to wear crystal shoes.
Completely lacking in nobility…
Song Wei said, "Because I know that there will be a lot of the media present today, I need to use this opportunity to clear up some misunderstandings about me on the Internet."
There was an uproar below the stage. All the reporters had their equipment ready.
Lin Shuangshuang said a little worriedly, "Weiwei, why don't we talk about this at another press conference? It's not too good to talk about personal matters in this type of venue…"
Song Wei narrowed her eyes and smiled. She stated in a low voice, "A press conference wouldn't be as effective as publicizing it here."
With that, she clapped her hands lightly, and the lights in the entire venue dimmed. The big screen behind the stage started to play a set of photos.
They were the photos circulating online—about the before-and-after process of her and Yan Zhixing 'embracing' each other.
From the entire set of photos, it was obvious that Yan Zhixing was the one who had hugged her directly but was quickly pushed away by her. Subsequently, the two of them maintained a distance of indifference and alienation as they chatted.
Moreover, not the slightest bit of ambiguous intimacy could be perceived from Song Wei's expression at all. Instead, there was a hint of annoyance.
Song Wei smiled after the photos finished playing. "My explanation lies in these photos. I think anyone with eyes can see my attitude towards Mr Yan. I think that he showed this kind of behavior only because he was drunk that day. Then, someone with ulterior motives took these photos and used them to attack my relationship with my husband, Jiang Mingxu."
Voices of discussions broke out below the stage. One of the reporters reacted the fastest. He raised his microphone and asked, "Then, may I ask if you have a contract marriage with Director Jiang or if you really have feelings for him? Why do you and Miss Lin Shuangshuang have different opinions?"
"My relationship with Director Jiang is stronger than gold," Song Wei lied without skipping a beat.