Chapter 26: Angel’s Broken Wings

Have you ever seen an angel with broken wings that can still fly? Sister Mu’s words and that draft sketch both caught the eyes of Su Ziceng. The red dress is called "Angel’s Broken Wings." Su Ziceng watched as Sister Mu sketched a frail wing at the end of the drawing. Sister Mu was frail compared to ordinary people, and her blood circulation was poor, so she normally used a large amount of alcohol to stimulate circulation. Half an hour of kneeling, trivial for most, was her limit. When she stood up, it took a lot of effort, but no matter what, she wouldn’t let Su Ziceng help her up. Looking at that frail wing and then at those trembling steel legs, Su Ziceng held back tears and said, "Thank you." This sketch by Sister Mu was of a one-shoulder short red dress, stitched entirely from Z Nation’s embroidery. The dress’s main color was passionate red, and the one hundred and eight small petal roses scattered across it were in a slightly lighter sunset red. While the dress was still a draft, Su Ziceng couldn’t yet see the cleverness of her design, but five days later, when she received the finished dress, she knew that simple words could no longer describe her feelings at that moment. Fine Suzhou silk felt silky smooth on the body, indescribably skin-friendly. Roses of various shapes clustered on her body, each stem and petal showing off its posture as she walked, vying for attention around her waist and chest. Sister Mu didn’t pair it with any additional jewelry but let down her hair and mysteriously told her, "I guess Mai Xue would choose a high-collared, modified cheongsam-style dress, so she must have her hair up. What a pity for her beautiful hair." As for hair accessories, Sister Mu recommended choosing two budding red roses, tucked into her hair. The not-too-strong makeup brought out the subtle beauty unique to Eastern people, but Su Ziceng’s sparkling eyes and lips, richer than the roses, gave the barely eighteen-year-old Su Ziceng the confidence to stand in front of the Eve Hotel. Su Ziceng hadn’t noticed that, after her rebirth, she carried a complex beauty. Every woman is a rose of different colors, exuding different fragrances at different stages. Having experienced her naive teens, wild twenties, and faded thirties, her beauty was dazzling, so much so that even the worldly-wise Lady Eve couldn’t decipher the meaning hidden behind her fiery red lips and blooming facial expression. "Who is this?" The young ladies were speaking several different languages at the entrance, some whispering to their male companions, others to servers. Amid countless bright camera flashes, Su Ziceng, who had faced her most awkward moments alone, walked into the hotel, where a memorable adult feast awaited her. "Su Ziceng?" Lady Eve and the old woman stood high on the podium, watching couples enter or young ladies escorted by family, each with the proudest smile on their faces. These young elites, who in ten or so years would dominate international social events, provided not just a visual spectacle for the audience but would also expand her network immensely. "It’s the girl who was added to the list last, the one I once told you about, who spoke of 'proper personal style.'" Miss Annie hesitated after the fact, worried that her impulsive decision that day might bring trouble to the traditionally meticulous "Eve Ball," but today’s Su Ziceng was completely different from that naive young girl. "See, she hasn’t worn specially tailored attire, nor any jewelry," a golden-haired, blue-eyed European noblewoman commented, picking at her caretaker flippantly. "She’s wearing New’s creation, didn’t you see?" said a passing teenage girl, rather reluctantly reminding. Among the over one hundred roses on Su Ziceng’s body, there was a tiny caption that read "New"; these three letters carried significant meaning. "A gown personally designed by New?" Even Wen Maixue was shocked; she could now see the letters on Su Ziceng’s attire. She was desperately controlling her emotions, as jealousy can be a contagious feeling. Su Ziceng’s fiery red rose dress instantly made all the young girls’ eyes red with envy. New is a mysterious model whose style is both masculine and feminine. Some say she is the most legendary model internationally, wild yet full of talent, making it hard to distinguish between her male and female identities. Whether it’s women’s clothing or men’s wear, she could handle it effortlessly. After a car accident, New disappeared from public view. It’s rumored that in the accident, her face was disfigured. Others say she lost her legs in the crash. In any case, New never appeared before the public again. Just when the whole world was about to forget New, the first piece signed as New’s work appeared on the market; it was a wedding dress said to be designed for her friend, but some also say it was a wedding dress New designed for herself. A year later, another masterpiece emerged, year after year, each piece a unique yet exquisite creation. New’s works, like the person herself, are solitary. The entirely unknown Su Ziceng suddenly became the focus of everyone, with reporters flocking to her as well as groups of young girls surrounding her. Languages from various countries merged into a symphony, buzzing in Su Ziceng’s ears. She kept hearing the word "new" and was caught off guard. Su Ziceng shook her head in confusion, also being careful about the "Red Love" she held in her hands. She made her way out of the crowd, regretting her minimal English skills, realizing people who only know ‘yes’ and ‘no’ really shouldn’t attend international events. The onlooking crowd, speaking unintelligibly to one another, took her silence for mystique. All the media tomorrow would publish headlines about the mysterious girl from Country Z, wearing a gown personally designed by New, with a... giant red diamond? "My God, that’s Mussen’s Blessing," even Lady Eve, used to seeing bustling scenes, was somewhat taken aback. The red-colored diamond, stunning in size, made everyone perceive Su Ziceng as a young, flashy, rich girl. Miss Annie could foresee tomorrow’s headlines on the front page, saying, "The Eve Ball Loses Its Standards; Flashy Nouveau Rich Shocks Everyone." "I’m sorry, madam," Miss Annie said apologetically, "I chose the wrong person." "Annie, what are you talking about?" Lady Eve carefully took out a hand mirror, checking her makeup. In a flurry of flashlights, the mirror turned snow-white, obscuring the face but adding a special beauty. "Compared to those big-name custom-designed Barbie dolls, I prefer the powerful make of Country Z." "Besides, the ball has just started." Lady Eve closed her mirror, and music started playing in the hotel lobby: "The knights are about to make their entrance.