Free Web NovelChapter 368: Why is President Fu accompanying you?
The hunger in his eyes was unmistakable.
Not uncontrolled.
But deeply, fiercely possessive.
Hua Jing froze for half a second.
Her breath caught.
She had worn countless gowns before.
But never one that made him look at her like that.
Looking at her expression, Fu Jingrong only smiled faintly, satisfied with her reaction, before reaching for her hand.
"Let’s go," he said softly.
...
The gala was, as Indigo Beauty had promised, elegant without being excessive. There were no blinding LED tunnels or theatrical smoke machines, no over-the-top spectacle meant to overwhelm the senses.
Instead, the venue was draped in warm golden lighting, soft floral installations arranged in sweeping arcs along the entrance, and subtle notes of saffron and white rose perfuming the air. It was refined. Intentional. Every detail carefully curated to reflect the theme of the evening—Eternal Bloom.
Yet simple did not mean small.
The red carpet was lined with photographers shoulder to shoulder, their lenses already poised, flashes sparking in restless anticipation. Reporters stood behind velvet ropes, microphones branded with media logos lifted high, voices overlapping as they rehearsed their questions. Indigo Beauty was a global powerhouse; any move they made stirred attention. And tonight, with the announcement of an Eastern actress as one of their global ambassadors, the industry was watching closely.
Invited guests continued to arrive—ambassadors of boutique makeup lines, niche haircare brands, luxury fragrance labels. Each paused briefly for photos before moving inside, but the atmosphere shifted palpably when Mark stepped onto the carpet.
He looked almost understated compared to the glamour around him. A tailored charcoal suit, worn with relaxed confidence, and instead of the expected crisp white dress shirt, he had chosen a simple white T-shirt beneath. The look was effortless, modern, almost rebellious in its quiet confidence. On his lapel, however, was a golden rose pin, crafted delicately from brushed metal, catching the light each time he turned.
The symbolism was not lost on anyone.
"Director Mark! Over here!"
"Why did Indigo Beauty choose Hua Jing?"
"Is this a strategic expansion into the Eastern market?"
"Do you believe she can carry a global campaign?"
Questions fired in rapid succession, flashes bursting like miniature fireworks around him. Mark maintained his composure, offering a polite, controlled smile.
"We chose Hua Jing because she embodies the essence of Eternal Bloom," he replied smoothly. "Strength, grace, and quiet resilience. I believe her work will speak far louder than I ever could. Give it time, and you’ll understand."
He declined further elaboration with a courteous nod, excusing himself before the barrage could continue. The reporters, undeterred, continued shouting questions as he disappeared inside, cameras still clicking even at his retreating back.
But the real storm had yet to arrive.
A sleek black Bentley rolled to a stop at the edge of the carpet, its polished surface reflecting the golden lights overhead. For a split second, there was confusion—this arrival had not been listed on the official guest schedule circulated to media earlier in the day.
The driver stepped out first.
Then the rear door opened.
Fu Jingrong emerged.
For two full seconds, the entire red carpet seemed to freeze.
Then chaos erupted.
"Fu Jingrong?!"
"Is that really him?"
"Why is he here?"
Flashes exploded like lightning. Reporters abandoned their assigned positions, surging toward the vehicle in a frenzy. The top star of the industry, notoriously selective about public appearances, had arrived unannounced at a brand gala that had never listed him as an attendee.
Fans behind the barricades began screaming.
"Oh my God! It’s him!"
"Jingrong! Jingrong! Look here!"
"My husband is here, pinch me, I’m dreaming!"
Within moments, photos flooded social media. Livestreams began. Trending tags climbed at alarming speed.
#FuJingrongAtIndigoGala
#TopStarSurpriseAppearance
#EternalBloomExplodes
Online comments began pouring in at breakneck pace:
@JingEmpire:
"WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE WASN’T ON THE GUEST LIST?"
@GoldenPetals:
"He looks unreal in ivory. Who approved this level of handsomeness??"
@DramaWatcher:
"Wait. Indigo Beauty didn’t announce him. Something is happening."
@TeaSpiller101:
"Either he invested in Indigo or—hold on—WHAT IF HE’S HERE FOR HUA JING?"
The speculation intensified in seconds.
On the carpet, Fu Jingrong stood tall and composed, his ivory suit luminous beneath the lights. He acknowledged no one immediately. Instead, he turned slightly toward the car.
The reporters expected him to close the door and proceed alone.
He did not.
Instead, he stepped aside.
Extended his hand.
The movement was deliberate.
Measured.
And unmistakably intimate.
A slender, fair hand appeared from inside the car and slipped into his.
There was a pause.
A breathless, suspended second.
Then Hua Jing stepped out.
The golden embroidery of her gown shimmered as she rose, the soft train following in a cascade of light. The asymmetrical neckline revealed the elegant curve of her collarbone, and the hand-stitched blossoms seemed to glow beneath the flashes. Her hair was styled in soft waves pinned to one side, revealing delicate earrings shaped like tiny dewdrops.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then the collective gasp rippled outward like a shockwave.
"What—"
"They came together?"
"That’s impossible!"
"Weren’t they—"
The rumors of rivalry, of cold war tension, of silent hostility between the two had circulated for years. Interviews had been dissected. Glances analyzed. Words taken apart and reassembled into narratives of enmity.
And now—
They stood hand in hand.
The cameras went wild. The sound of shutters became deafening.
Online, the reaction was immediate and explosive.
@BreakingBuzz:
"THEY ARRIVED TOGETHER. HOLDING HANDS. I REPEAT—HOLDING HANDS."
@IndustryInsider:
"Enemies? Are we sure about that?"
@LinQianForever:
"WAIT. WAIT. WAIT. I NEED OXYGEN."
@ConspiracyCorner: ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"All those years of tension... was it flirting???"
Fu Jingrong and Hua Jing ignored the frenzy. They moved forward together, steps synchronized, expressions calm. The golden carpet seemed almost made for them, reflecting the tones of their outfits like an extension of the Eternal Bloom theme itself.
Reporters shouted over one another.
"Are you two collaborating?"
"President Fu, are you investing in Indigo Beauty?"
"Miss Hua, what is your relationship with President Fu?"
"Are the rumors of rivalry false?"
"Is this a publicity stunt?"
They did not stop immediately. They walked with quiet confidence, fingers still intertwined. Hua Jing’s gown swayed with each step, the embroidered petals catching light like living blossoms.
Finally, near the center of the carpet, they paused.
Microphones thrust forward.
"Miss Hua, why did President Fu accompany you tonight?"
