The deathly silence lasted only a moment before being shattered by an even more thunderous roar!
"Oh my God—!"
"Am I dreaming? This... this is too beautiful!"
"Did she really... make this live?!"
The exclamations swept through the backstage like a tidal wave.
These models, accustomed to extravagant gowns and dazzling jewelry, and radiating their own radiant auras, completely abandoned their usual composure and restraint.
Their eyes widened to saucer-like proportions, their mouths hung slightly open, and their faces were etched with disbelief, awe, and pure, unconcealable wonder!
Xiao Wen was the first to rush forward, her bun threatening to unravel:
"Sister Aya! Did you... did you really make this just now?! It's unbelievable!"
She reached out to touch the skirt's flowing, molten-gold hem, but hesitated, fearing she might defile its sacred beauty. Her fingers hovered in mid-air, trembling slightly.
As if awakening from a dream, the other models surged forward, surrounding Aya like pilgrims venerating a divine artifact.
"The waistline! The cut! Perfect, absolutely perfect!"
"Look at this golden corset! The patterns seem to breathe and glow!"
"The fabric's luster... the gradient from white to gold... is the Milky Way flowing across her?"
"Sister Aya! Can I touch the fabric? Just for a second!"
The models' faces were openly brimming with envy, nearly overflowing.
As seasoned professionals, they were acutely aware of the significance of this gown.
This was no mass-produced haute couture dress. It possessed a unique soul and a palpable life force, as if it were a second skin custom-tailored for "Aya," elevating her noble elegance and starry mystique to unprecedented heights.
Just moments ago, this "newcomer," sidelined by staff due to her height and lack of a suitable gown, now stood radiant at the center of attention.
The stark contrast stirred complex emotions in the models' hearts, but above all, it evoked a near-worshipful awe—
So, true beauty can transcend physical limitations, descending with such breathtaking impact.
If only I could persuade Aya, the master tailor, to create a custom gown for me... The thought ignited like wildfire in several models' minds.
The daring Xiao Wen even leaned close to the Show Director, whispering urgently:
"Sister Dao'er! Sister Dao'er! Look at Sister Aya's craftsmanship! It's divine!
"Could... could we ask her to take a look at our gowns too? Even just a few pointers, a little adjustment to the details? It would elevate tonight's show by several levels!"
Her eyes shone with an astonishing intensity, brimming with fervent desire.
The Show Director was stunned by this audacious proposal. She instinctively glanced at the slightly plump Costume Designer beside her.
While the suggestion was tempting, it would essentially be a slap in the face to their own Costume Designer!
Yet, to her surprise, the Costume Designer showed no trace of offense. Instead, her eyes lit up as she grabbed the Show Director by the arm and pulled her into a secluded corner, whispering excitedly:
"I was just about to suggest this myself! Xiao Wen's idea is brilliant!
"You think I'd be worried about losing face? Nonsense! What does pride matter in the face of true art?
"I'd be thrilled for Miss Aya to lend her expertise—it's a chance for me to learn from a master! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! But..."
She rubbed her hands together, looking a little embarrassed:
"With the tight deadline and heavy workload—especially since she just finished her own gown and is also modeling—I hesitate to bother her..."
The Show Director clearly hadn't anticipated this reaction. Her eyes widened with sudden enthusiasm:
"You're right! This is an extraordinary opportunity! We'll offer her top-tier compensation—Starry has the resources! Should I go sound Miss Aya out right now? At least test the waters?"
The Costume Designer nodded enthusiastically.
"Right, right, right! Go now! No, wait!"
She grabbed the arm of the bespectacled Show Director, who had just taken a step forward, pointed to "Aya" surrounded by models, and Lu Yue forcing a smile at the edge of the crowd. In a low voice, she said:
"Don't rush. We need to wait until she and Lu Yue finalize the Starry Light's ownership first."
The bespectacled Show Director glanced at Lu Yue standing alone nearby, a confident smirk curving her lips.
"Is there really any need to wait? The answer is written on everyone's faces. Miss Lu Yue's gown is beautiful, but compared to Miss Aya's... they exist in entirely different dimensions."
At that moment, Lu Yue struggled to maintain a smile, but his heart was churning like a stormy sea.
He had to admit it: her gown... it was practically a work of art!
From its design and craftsmanship to how perfectly it complemented "Aya" herself, it reached heights he had never imagined.
His own once-praised dark gown now appeared dull and lifeless under the other gown's radiant glow, even... clumsy.
He was being utterly crushed!
Damn it! Is this woman some kind of monster?!
Lu Yue cursed inwardly, his gut twisting with frustration.
"Where the hell did that little brat Little Ya find such godlike relatives?! A seamstress? This is a freaking divine artisan!"
Since joining the show, this was only the second woman, after Cifera, who had left him feeling utterly powerless.
At that moment, his pride in his cross-dressing skills and the confidence his status as a top model had given him crumbled before this magnificent gown, as if it had been woven from starlight itself.
A chilling sense of dread gripped his heart—his chances of securing the right to wear the Starry Light were hanging by a thread.
If he lost the coveted center position, stealing the Starry Light would become exponentially more difficult.
But the situation was now beyond his control. He couldn't simply sabotage her gown, could he?
Even if he did, the woman was a master tailor; she could likely repair it quickly.
More importantly, Lu Yue, heir to the Phantom Thief Family's "Night Shadow" legacy, would never stoop to such a crude and dishonorable act.
"Looks like I'll have to resort to Plan B..."
It was clear that even Lu Yue herself didn't believe she could defeat "Aya."
Just like the backstage area, the live stream's bullet comments had already exploded, nearly flooding the screen:
[AHHHHHHHHH! I declare! Sister Aya is my goddess! !!!]
[So beautiful I'm crying! Seriously, I'm crying tears of beauty! This outfit must have been woven by the gods themselves! ! !]
[Little Grandchild: Who am I? Where am I? Where's my center stage spot? (Staring blankly.jpg)]
[It's over, it's over! Little Grandchild is definitely losing! What's the point of even competing?! It would be an injustice if the Starry Light necklace isn't placed around Sister Aya's neck!]
[This craftsmanship... I'm on my knees! Sister Aya, please start classes! I'll pay whatever the tuition is!]
[Starry, hurry up and offer her a contract! Sign Sister Aya as your chief designer! This is a guaranteed win-win!]
[OMG, family, can you believe this? I'm watching a variety show and I've fallen for two goddess-level women at once! Cifera is adorable, nimble, and a master of trickery! Sister Aya is gentle, elegant, and weaves romantic golden dreams!]
[Wow! The commenter upstairs really nailed it with that summary! I feel exactly the same way!]
[Me too!]
[+1]
[Cifera! Where are you, Cifera?! If you don't show up soon, Sister Aya will steal the headlines tonight!]
[Don't worry. I'm sure Cifera will make an appearance. Tonight's headlines might even feature her and Aya together!]
[Wow! I can't wait to see Cifera and Sister Aya in the same frame! The "CatAya Ship" is about to explode onto the scene!]
[The "CatIce Ship" supporters are smiling quietly and staying silent.]
[Am I the only one shipping "CatShadow"?]
[Cifera: Don't fight over me, kittens! I want them all!]
[Upstairs trashy cat—you're so bad!]
Unnoticed, the Bullet Comments had drifted into an abstract debate about who Cifera should be paired with. Little did they know, Cifera herself was already side-by-side with Aya.
In fact, the two were now one and inseparable, their bodies and souls intertwined beyond distinction~