Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 97 - 097 A necklace worth 18 million! [1 more update]

Chapter 97: 097 A necklace worth 18 million! [1 more update]

"Now you have no necklace to wear," Yeh Jialing’s smile widened. "Better not wear one, since you never wore jewelry before. Suddenly wearing it might get you on the trending searches, you know."

Last time, her team had refused the clothes provided by Pulling the Sky Company, which resulted in her being suppressed by Quan Zhaoning and severely reprimanded by the company.

But this was a matter Yeh Jialing could only bear silently. How could she possibly have the strength to confront Quan Zhaoning?

Was it just Nie Shuangyi’s bad luck to run into her guns at this time?

Yeh Jialing was well aware that the necklace Nie Shuangyi was wearing was from no major brand. She recognized all the season’s new products from world luxury brands.

Yet, she could sense that this necklace was no ordinary piece, and if Nie Shuangyi really wore this necklace to the press conference, it might overshadow her own presence.

This was something she would never allow to happen.

"Alright, the press conference is about to begin. Let’s go," Yeh Jialing signaled the bodyguard to let go of Nie Shuangyi and left first with her assistant.

She carelessly kicked the pearls and jade stones scattered on the ground, several pearls rolling further away, gathering dust.

In the distance, the producer of "Annus Mirabilis" was leading Ye Wanlan inside.

"Miss Ye, this way, please." He was very respectful. "President Quan has given instructions that your orders are her orders."

While speaking, the producer was also secretly sizing up Ye Wanlan.

The girl wore a hat and mask, her face concealed, but it was clear she was extremely young.

Only a pair of deep, profound eyes were visible, sweeping a look that seemed to penetrate one’s soul.

The producer’s heart skipped a beat.

Ye Wanlan suddenly stopped.

"Miss Ye?" The producer didn’t understand the reason but then saw the girl bend down.

She picked up a pearl that had rolled onto the ground.

Cheng Qingli was startled and blurted out, "Sister Lan, isn’t that our..."

"Yes," Ye Wanlan said calmly. "Keep looking to see if there are any more on the ground."

Yan Tingfeng glanced at Bing He and Tie Ma before squatting down himself.

The producer still had no clue but joined in the search anyway.

In the end, they found eight pearls and one piece of jade.

"What in the world," Rong Yu exclaimed in fear, "Student Ye, how did the necklace you sent over get destroyed like this?"

Hearing this, the producer’s expression drastically changed, and he anxiously looked at Ye Wanlan: "Miss Ye..."

"I’ll go find Miss Nie first," Ye Wanlan said indifferently. "We can talk about other matters later."

Cheng Qingli quickly followed.

At that moment, Nie Shuangyi had returned to the dressing room, her eyes red-rimmed, but she hadn’t cried.

After eight years in the entertainment industry, playing bit parts for eight years, she had endured more than just this.

She no longer had the right to cry.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

The knock on the door sounded, and Ye Wanlan walked in: "Miss Nie."

Seeing her, Nie Shuangyi clenched her hands: "I’m sorry, Miss Ye, I couldn’t take good care of the necklace you sent. I’ll compensate you."

She was helpless. In the entertainment industry, she had no backing whatsoever.

On top of that, with the deliberate suppression by Yeh Jialing and the talent agency, all the pain could only be crushed and swallowed.

Ye Wanlan hummed: "I already know. Who did it?"

Nie Shuangyi hesitated, and after biting her lip, she said, "It was Yeh Jialing. She... because of the clothing incident last time. It’s my fault. She has always disliked me. If you hadn’t chosen me, the necklace would not have been destroyed."

"Miss Nie, you should not blame yourself," Ye Wanlan shook her head slightly. "This has nothing to do with you. You are the victim."

"It’s Yeh Jialing again!" Cheng Qingli was obviously more aware of the stars in the entertainment industry. "I used to like the dramas she acted in, and she always seemed so kind and friendly in public."

On the big screen, Yeh Jialing was not arrogant, greeting fans kindly whenever she encountered them.

Plus, among her peers, her acting was mediocre, not terrible, which was why she had quite a following.

Nie Shuangyi scoffed: "Even if what’s on stage is different from what’s backstage, who would know?"

Cheng Qingli was indignant: "We should expose her!"

"Expose? Miss Cheng, you think too simply of the entertainment industry," Nie Shuangyi said with a bitter smile. "Just, this necklace... must be very expensive, right?"

She wondered if she could afford the compensation.

"It’s alright," Ye Wanlan said nonchalantly. "Including the labor cost, it’s about eighteen million."

Nie Shuangyi’s expression changed.

She knew the number Ye Wanlan mentioned was the cost price because the jewelry market had such high brand markups.

For example, with pearl necklaces, regular brands sold strands for eight thousand, but luxury brands could charge upwards of forty thousand.

"Why panic," Ye Wanlan said as she took a box out of a canvas bag. "Try this one."

Nie Shuangyi was startled, and by the time she regained her senses, the box in front of her had already been opened.

It was still a necklace, considerably simpler than the previous one, but obviously made using Shenzhou ancient techniques, the gold fashioned into the shape of a phoenix, elegant and grand.

The phoenix pendant was embellished with a green jade, making the skin appear even whiter.

"Miss Nie, turn around." Ye Wanlan picked up the necklace, gesturing for Nie Shuangyi to turn her back to her.

"Ah? Oh." Nie Shuangyi turned around, somewhat dazed.

After Ye Wanlan put the necklace on her, she stepped back and smiled slightly, "You look very nice like this."

Today, Nie Shuangyi was wearing a new style qipao with Chinese elements, which was also from Pulling the Sky Company, and the necklace matched perfectly.

Cheng Qingli stammered, "Sister Lan, did you anticipate that something like this would happen?"

"No," Ye Wanlan responded in a light voice, "but I always like to be prepared. If Miss Nie had walked out wearing that necklace, then we would have rolled out the company’s high-end line first."

Nie Shuangyi also understood, "So, if I wear this spare necklace, does that mean, Miss Ye, you can focus on entering the mid to low-end markets first?"

"Correct," Ye Wanlan nodded, "Currently, our company has planned two lines. One is called ’Dragon Sing,’ which intends to compete with the world’s top three luxury brands in the future, and the other is named ’Shenzhou,’ designed specifically for regular customers."

One day, when Pulling the Sky Company stands firm in the forest of the world, then—

Let the Dragon’s Chorus herald Shenzhou’s dominion far and wide!

Nie Shuangyi was profoundly moved, murmuring to herself, "Miss Ye has grand ambitions. I’ve been in the circle for so long and have never heard of any company wanting to take on the world’s top three luxury brands."

Catika, Freya Yinnide, and Seres, esteemed as the top three global luxury brands, have been around for a hundred years.

Last year, these three brands’ combined revenue in Shenzhou amounted to 62 billion, but the brand premium was indeed very steep.

Take handbags, for example; some are even less practical than the canvas bag she bought.

Yet luxury brands are indispensable, sometimes symbolizing status.

Shenzhou has never been short of luxury goods; what it lacks is a brand.

From that moment, Nie Shuangyi could already remotely envision a future where the world hears the sonorous call of the Dragon.

"The press conference is about to begin; you should go," Ye Wanlan smiled again, "I still have things to do. We’ll meet again after the conference is over."

Nie Shuangyi nodded, "Okay."

The passion in her chest was ignited, surging incessantly.

When she arrived at the reception of the press conference, there were only five minutes until the start.

"Nie Shuangyi, we were just waiting for you," the staff member was frantic, "Where have you been? Hurry up and get on stage!"

"I’m here." Nie Shuangyi took the stage and exchanged a cool gaze with Yeh Jialing.

As expected, Yeh Jialing’s expression changed upon seeing the new necklace around Nie Shuangyi’s neck.

Although the press conference hadn’t started yet, the live streaming equipment was already set up, and she couldn’t lay a hand on Nie Shuangyi in public.

Yeh Jialing had to forcibly swallow her anger.

Where did Nie Shuangyi get this necklace from?! She hadn’t expected Nie Shuangyi to have a backup plan, and she could already foresee that this press event’s popularity could be stolen by Nie Shuangyi.

Nie Shuangyi’s physical attributes were exceptional.

Even if she was blacklisted by the entire internet, there were still die-hard fans loyal to her looks.

"Shuangyi, you look really pretty today," Yeh Jialing offered a smile, "You could almost upstage me."

Nie Shuangyi’s temper on stage was just as explosive, "If you know it, then shut your mouth and keep your distance. Don’t stand too close to me, or you’ll look like a maid in comparison."

The dialogue between the two was captured by the live streaming equipment, and Yeh Jialing’s fans were infuriated.

[What the hell! What is Nie Shuangyi saying? Has she lost her mind?]

[Hilarious, a maid? Does Nie Shuangyi not know she’s not even fit to carry shoes for my Sister Yeh in the industry? Let’s see her act as a lead in a drama.]

[With Nie Shuangyi’s stature, just mentioning her name alongside Sister Yeh’s is an insult to Sister Yeh.]

Yeh Jialing’s fans were furiously lashing out at Nie Shuangyi, but many others took notice of the necklace around Nie Shuangyi’s neck.

[Where did Nie Shuangyi get that necklace she’s wearing? It’s so beautiful! I remember ancient goldsmithing techniques are almost lost.]

[Really beautiful, it’s just like the exhibits in the museum.]

[Visiting museums always makes me feel sad; so many intangible cultural heritage crafts are being lost...]

[Although it’s been three hundred years, I still have to say it, the mastermind behind the Battle of Ten Thousand Armies deserves no peace!]

[Her clothes are also really nice, which shop? Share it fast!]

The director, able to see the live chat, realized this was a hot topic and immediately instructed the cameraman to focus more on Nie Shuangyi.

By the end of the press conference, the director even kept Nie Shuangyi back for a special shoot.

Seeing this, Yeh Jialing was vexed, her resentment hard to vent.

She was upstaged by Nie Shuangyi!

What would Yeh Jialing do if Nie Shuangyi actually gained popularity?

Yeh Jialing left with a cold face to the rest area, but was stopped at the pavilion.

She frowned upon seeing a young girl with a hat and mask, instinctively thinking it was one of her fans, "Right now—"

Before she could finish speaking, she was restrained by Bing He and Tie Ma.

"What was that about removing the necklace just now?" Ye Wanlan’s gaze was lowered, her tone cool, "Take it off."