Wei Ming saw through the situation at a glance. “Are those the clothes you won from the challenge?”
Before Zhan Zhiqing could respond, Cao Yan chimed in. “I will have them cleaned for you after the show. If you like, I can give you other clothes from this series or anything else you want.”
Aside from Zhou Xing and Shen Lin, everyone else was secretly amazed. This was the first time Cao Yan had shown any goodwill toward Zhan Zhiqing.
In truth, this matter was not catastrophic, but publicly damaging another contestant’s clothing was nearly unforgivable for anyone in the fashion industry. If this segment aired, the audience’s scores for him would plummet. Viewers might not care about verbal belittlement, but destroying another person’s property proved a lack of character. They would wonder if such a petty and immature model could truly represent the fashion industry.
Zhan Zhiqing smiled. “There is no need, Cao Yan. Even though you were the one who got them dirty, they just need to be cleaned. Perhaps I should apologize to you. I am sorry that I did not return in time to pack my things because I was sick, which caused you to become so angry that you threw my things directly onto the floor.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. The suite belongs to Le Xin now. I should apologize to Le Xin as well.”
Zhan Zhiqing’s tone was kind and his attitude sincere, but he effectively dragged Le Xin into the line of fire as well. The other models watched the confrontation like spectators at a play.
Wei Ming detested such bullying. He frowned and asked Cao Yan, “Is it really as Zhan Zhiqing said?”
Cao Yan, lacking any real wit, opened his mouth to retort but was pulled back by Le Xin. She put on a look of apology and said sincerely to Zhan Zhiqing, “I am sorry. When Cao Yan was helping me pack, he might have been in too much of a hurry. He put all your clothes in a bag and left them outside the door without folding them properly. It was our fault.”
Zhan Zhiqing tilted his head. “Then could you return the garment covers for those three outfits? I cherish them very much.”
Because the clothes were expensive, Zhan Zhiqing did not intend to wear them during the program. The brands had sent them with protective garment covers, yet when Zhou Xing packed them for him, they were bare. This meant Cao Yan had deliberately torn the covers to ruin the clothes.
While these three brands were considered light luxury compared to old fashion houses, they were pillars of the industry. They sponsored the show for exposure. A contestant publicly destroying these garments out of spite was absolutely unacceptable. Moreover, the one destroying the clothes was a model!
If these segments aired, Cao Yan might not only lose the championship but his entire career. Brand managers would remember him as the model who destroyed high end garments on a show.
Le Xin realized this instantly, and her face turned pale. Cao Yan staggered, finally realizing the weight of the situation, but he was speechless. He had torn the garment covers to shreds, and they could not return them.
Le Xin remained calm despite her pale face. “We will return them to you when we get back to the villa.” She hoped to settle this in a place without cameras.
However, hearing their excuse, Zhan Zhiqing only gave a crooked smile. “There is no need. I saw them in the trash can this morning and took photos. As a model, your attitude toward high end fashion is so poor that I have to doubt your professional integrity.”
Zhan Zhiqing had observed Cao Yan’s daily wear; it was all from two specific high end brands. Before returning to China, he had researched local brands. Combined with Cao Yan’s surname, he had long guessed his background: the heir to the Cao Group. A certain menswear brand under the Cao Group was a direct competitor to Ying Cheng’s brand. If the MA Group or Ying Cheng were smart enough, they could use this segment to strike a heavy blow against their competitor’s reputation.
Zhan Zhiqing was deliberately provoking Cao Yan.
To his surprise, Cao Yan stopped being anxious once he heard these words. In front of the camera, he looked at Zhan Zhiqing and sneered. “So, you are really going to make things difficult for me?”
Zhan Zhiqing frowned with a look of confusion. “I am just offering a reminder. It is not easy for everyone to get this far, and I do not want your future to be affected by this.”
Cao Yan admitted he had not been thinking clearly last night. After hearing Le Xin complain that they should have moved into the suite last week, he had acted on impulse when he saw those three outfits. But that did not mean he felt threatened by Zhan Zhiqing’s words.
Cao Yan let out a cold laugh. “You think these segments will air? Even top male models have to beg me for work. I am telling you, my name is Cao. Who do you think you are?”
Silence fell over the room. Everyone realized he was referring to the Cao Group. Although the company was not a giant, it owned two high end menswear brands and held significant sway in the fashion world. They wondered if He Yu, a former supermodel turned producer, could withstand their pressure.
Seeing his threats work, Cao Yan’s tension vanished. In his world, money meant power. He turned to Wei Ming, his true face exposed, and dropped all pretense of respect. “Call He Yu over. I will let my father and mother talk to her.”
Wei Ming was fuming with his eyes burning with rage. Just as he was about to explode, he heard the sharp click of heels on the floor.
“I am right here. What did you want to talk to me about?” It was He Yu! She walked toward the contestants in a tight short skirt, her hair perfect and her aura commanding.
Zhan Zhiqing stepped aside while leaving the battlefield to Cao Yan. He had originally wanted to take Le Xin down as well, but he had not expected Cao Yan to be so brainless as to take all the responsibility himself. What a waste.
Perhaps because He Yu was too intimidating, Cao Yan’s arrogance was instantly extinguished. He smiled somewhat subserviently. “It is nothing. I just wanted to ask you to cut the previous segment. Do not air it.”
“Heh. You mean the part where you destroyed Zhan Zhiqing’s clothes and threatened him by flaunting your family status? I will certainly talk to you about that. Now, please get on the bus with the staff. I have already called your parents.” He Yu spoke coldly to Cao Yan, then turned to the other students with a kind expression.
“Rest assured, contestants. We will investigate this thoroughly to ensure the competition remains fair and just. Now, please return to the house.”
Zhan Zhiqing glanced at Le Xin and found her acting as if nothing had happened while packing her things to leave. She did not spare a single thought for Cao Yan’s fate, completely distancing herself. He felt a flicker of pity for Cao Yan. It was obvious that without Le Xin’s instigation, Cao Yan would not have done such a stupid thing.
Regardless, Cao Yan was gone. Le Xin’s abilities were limited and she would not be able to cause much of a stir on her own. He only hoped the house would be quiet and peaceful for the rest of the filming.
The group returned to the house, but Cao Yan was never sent back. While eating, Zhou Xing and Shen Lin discussed the possible punishment, but Zhan Zhiqing knew Cao Yan had likely been disqualified.
As the son of the Cao Group, Cao Yan had joined the show and publicly boasted about his identity while thinking his status would grant him privileges over He Yu. It was laughable. Then again, perhaps it was because he lacked wit that he was used as a tool by Le Xin.