Crazy (Lily ABO) - Chapter 36

Teng Lin’s seat was in the first row on the left side of the runway. Around her were mostly well-known magazine editors-in-chief, media personalities, and celebrities. As an outsider, she seemed a little out of place sitting there. However, today Teng Lin wore a pure white suit, paired with brand-new gold-rimmed half-frame retro glasses. Her cool, pale skin, under the lights, made her appear dignified and elegant, yet also exuded a hint of sophisticated villainy. She sat quietly alone, her striking beauty and aloof Alpha aura instantly attracting the attention of many media and photographers.

Teng Lin paid no mind to their gazes; her heart was overflowing with anticipation for Xin Ruofan. As the venue gradually filled, her excitement and nervousness became uncontrollable. In a trance, it was as if she had returned to a Paris fashion show many years ago, holding an expensive media ticket bought from a scalper, squeezed into a corner by a throng of reporters, watching the woman on stage from afar. Back then, the distance between them was vast; the woman on stage was a dazzling light she dared not touch.

“Teacher Teng Lin, long time no see.”

A soft voice called from behind, and Teng Lin suddenly snapped back to reality, turning to look. Xiao Yuan wore a pink, off-the-shoulder cocktail dress, her makeup exquisite, maintaining a proper smile. The last time, leveraging the buzz from the Teng Lin incident, Xiao Yuan, a new photographer, gained significant fame in the industry, subsequently securing several high-profile celebrity photography jobs and becoming a highly sought-after photographer. Teng Lin and Xin Ruofan could be considered invaluable benefactors to her career.

Meeting an acquaintance in an unfamiliar environment, Teng Lin’s nervousness was somewhat eased, and the tense expression on her face gradually relaxed. She slightly turned her body, leaning her head to chat with Xiao Yuan.

“Teacher Teng Lin, after the show, would you like to go backstage with me?”

Teng Lin was momentarily stunned. “Is that allowed?”

“The designer is a friend of mine. Usually, friends can go backstage to say hello after the show. If Teacher Teng Lin doesn’t mind, come with me. You can see Ruofan backstage.”

“That would be wonderful, thank you.” Teng Lin nodded. She did want to see Ruofan, who would have just finished the show.

••••

As the crowd settled, the surroundings gradually darkened, and all lights converged on the stage. Upbeat music began to play. The screen in the center of the stage lit up with the clothing brand’s logo. A model wearing a vibrant red gown emerged from behind the screen, her straight, long legs faintly visible beneath the sheer skirt, stepping out in rhythm with the music. Teng Lin’s gaze didn’t linger long on the model. While beautiful things always invite a second look, today she only wanted to focus her eyes on Xin Ruofan.

Ten minutes later, as the music drew to a close, the stage lights softened and brightened. Teng Lin, sensing something, looked up, her attention instantly captivated.

Xin Ruofan wore a pure white off-the-shoulder gown, her lightly curled long hair cascading freely, inadvertently revealing her exquisite collarbones as she moved. Across her chest was a crisscross-designed tie, and faintly visible beneath the sheer fabric were defined abdominal muscles. Her exceptionally long, well-proportioned legs were particularly striking beneath the flowing skirt. She wore pointed high heels, her steps light and precise, each one landing perfectly on the beat of the music.

Her makeup was more vibrant than usual, her light gray pupils reflecting dazzling light. Her slightly upturned red lips seemed to subtly entice, as if graciously inviting everyone’s attention.

Teng Lin’s gaze followed closely, her eyes filled with an undeniable infatuation. Her heart pounded wildly and uncontrollably. With every step the woman on stage took, she stole a little more of Teng Lin’s breath. She raised a hand to her chest, her fingertips clutching her clothes slowly turning white, and the gland hidden beneath the inhibitor patch ached. She wanted to permanently engrave every single frame of the woman on stage into her mind.

It wasn’t until the woman’s figure disappeared behind the screen that Teng Lin reluctantly withdrew her gaze, her rapid breathing gradually calming. Suddenly, the music swelled again, and all the models reappeared on the runway in order. When Xin Ruofan’s figure emerged once more, Teng Lin’s breathing became erratic again, her eyes sparkling with scattered light. Humans are fascinated by beautiful things; she was only fascinated by the Omega before her. At this moment, Teng Lin seemed to have become a mere shell, her soul captivated, hearing only the drumming noise of her own heart.

Perhaps it was too much excitement, but after the show, Teng Lin’s typically serene face was tinged with a faint blush. Xiao Yuan observed her with interest.

••••

The backstage area of the fashion show was even more crowded than the main venue. Models, makeup artists, stylists, staff, and a constant influx of media personnel crammed the already small space. The air was saturated with various pheromones, and the continuously running air purifiers couldn’t disperse the mingled scents.

Xiao Yuan led Teng Lin through the crowd, finding a temporarily set-up small room in a corner, where Xin Ruofan’s assistant stood outside the door. Most of the models participating in the show were newcomers or less famous, relegated to resting in public spaces and using shared changing rooms, even enduring certain purposeful gazes. Only models of Xin Ruofan’s stature had the privilege of an independent small space. Teng Lin looked around, a pang of sadness in her heart. Was Ruofan also like these models, feeling wronged and squeezed together with others when she wasn’t yet famous?

“I’ve safely delivered her.” Xiao Yuan winked at Teng Lin, tactfully leaving the space for them to be alone. Teng Lin politely said “thank you,” and after watching Xiao Yuan leave, followed the assistant into the lounge.

Upon seeing Teng Lin, Xin Ruofan immediately stopped her conversation with the makeup artist, her eyes filled with undisguised surprise. “Sister Lin, why are you here?”

Teng Lin’s hand, hanging by her side, was taken. The Omega’s soft fingertips slowly caressed her palm, tracing over the already scabbed wound. It felt ticklish, gently stirring the Alpha’s heart.

“Xiao Yuan brought me.” Xin Ruofan silently gave Xiao Yuan a mental thumbs-up. “I was planning to have my assistant look for you in the venue.”

Teng Lin leaned against a nearby vanity, watching the makeup artist apply makeup to the Omega, while also carefully observing the Omega’s attire. Xin Ruofan had already changed out of her runway outfit, now wearing a similarly pure white strapless mini-dress. However, this dress was more form-fitting, her two alluringly soft, rounded breasts creating a deep cleavage. The skirt’s hem only reached her thighs, revealing her long, perfectly proportioned legs.

Teng Lin felt parched, her throat unconsciously bobbing. She recalled the soft touch of those long legs, and the strength with which they had tightly wrapped around her waist… Suddenly, the web of her hand was pinched, and Teng Lin finally snapped back to attention, meeting the Omega’s meaningful gaze. A faint blush immediately rose to her face.

“Did I look good on stage tonight?”

Teng Lin nodded. “Very good, very beautiful.”

“Did you like it?”

“I liked it…”

Xin Ruofan stood up and slowly leaned closer, her full breasts pressing against Teng Lin’s body, her hot breath puffing against her neck.

“Then… are you ready?”

Ready for what? Are we going to do it here? Teng Lin’s cheeks flushed with a suspicious red, her gaze frantically sweeping over everyone in the room.

Xin Ruofan teasingly satisfied herself, then tightened her grip on Teng Lin’s hand. “What are you thinking? The media are waiting outside. Are you ready to face them with me?”

Since the Xin Corporation announced the arranged marriage, many media outlets had already dug up the identity of the Xin family’s Omega miss. Xin Ruofan had remained silent, waiting for this day with a throng of media, to publicly respond to the news online.

She was going to announce to everyone, in front of all the media cameras, that the Xin family’s Omega already had her one and only Alpha. Xin Ruofan would only be Teng Lin’s lover.

“To hell with the Xin Corporation’s arranged marriage!”

Teng Lin awkwardly cleared her throat a few times, then immediately put on a serious expression. She gazed intently into those light gray eyes.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

They were both ready to face any tactics Xin Deming might employ.