The woman looked up at Princess.
Princess also looked down at this unfamiliar woman.
“This is…real?” The woman was stunned.
“Miss Quinn.” Zola seemed to know her. “What makes you think it’s fake?”
Quinn Charlie jumped aside in fear and pointed at Princess, terrified. “It’s real? Aren’t you all scared? That’s a bear!”
“Miss Quinn, its name is Princess. Just like you, it’s a performing guest tonight.”
“What? That? It’s a bear…”
“We have so many people here, but it’s still sitting there obediently. This means that it’s safe. Plus, you came over to hug it. It didn’t attack you, right?”
“Can I touch it again?”
Argh—
“What is it doing?” Quinn stepped back in fear after hearing Princess.
“It says sure.”
“You’re not lying, right?”
Quinn reached out. She cautiously got close and touched.
Princess had shaken hands with countless people today, so she knew what to do. She reached out a paw. Quinn finally grasped Princess’ paw.
“Wow, it really feels nice.” Quinn turned around in excitement. “Zola, sell it to me. I don’t care how expensive.”
“Sorry, I can’t make the decision. It’s not mine.”
“No problem. You can decide for the owner. I’m sure the owner won’t reject my price.”
“Oh, what price do you offer?” Chen Zhao asked.
Everyone looked meaningfully at Quinn, who was still jovial.
“You look familiar.” Quinn stared at Chen Zhao. She finally realized that Chen Zhao was the one who gave her money when she sang on the street today.
Chen Zhao didn’t recognize her though, or maybe he didn’t know her at all.
“You didn’t tell me what price you’d offer.”
“What is it to you? It’s not yours.”
“Quinn, sorry,” Zola said, smiling. “Princess is his.”
“His?” Quinn looked at Chen Zhao. “Sell Princess to me. How’s $100,000?”
“Sorry, she’s not for sale.”
“Quinn, are you broke recently? You probably can’t get $100,000 for a bear from a zoo, let alone Princess.”
“All my money went to my album,” Quinn said, embarrassed.
“How are your album sales?”
“It hasn’t come out yet,” Quinn said, expression pained. “How about this, I’ll write an IOU for $1,000,000. When my album is released, I’ll return the money.”
“Miss, the door is that way.”
“You—”
“Quinn, stop. This isn’t your home. Other than me, no one else will tolerate you.” Zola grabbed Quinn who was about to throw a tantrum.
“I won’t give up!” Quinn stomped away.
“Sorry, Chen. Quinn is like that. She doesn’t mean any harm.”
“She’s a singer?”
“She calls herself a singer, but no label has signed her yet. She uses her allowance to produce an album but still hasn’t succeeded yet.”
“Is her family rich?”
“Very rich.” Zola nodded.
…
By six, more and more people had come to the Baron Mansion. Many of them were top figures of different fields, including celebrities.
Chen Zhao didn’t pay attention to showbiz, but he still saw familiar faces.
He walked in with Fali and instantly, Fali became the center of attention. Her features, dress, and that red stone on her chest made people unable to look away.
Graceful and relaxing classical music rang throughout the room. Chen Zhao wasn’t a musician, but that kind of music was indeed calming.
Just then, a man with slicked-back hair walked to Chen Zhao and Fali. “Miss, may I have this dance?”
“Sorry, I have a partner,” Fali rejected directly.
The man wouldn’t give up. He turned to Chen Zhao. “Can I borrow her for a bit?”
“No.” Chen Zhao rejected him as well.
The man’s expression darkened. “Sir, this is my card. Let’s get to know each other.”
At events like this, it was basic manners to take out a business card if the other did so. But Chen Zhao was an illegal doctor. How would he have a card?
“I’m not interested in knowing you.”
“Uncultured.” The man turned and left.
Chen Zhao grabbed Fali. “Don’t get impulsive. This isn’t our home.”
Fali looked pleasant, but she really wasn’t an upper-class lady.
“Whatever, let’s go in.” Fali truly didn’t like these kinds of events. It looked fancy, but everyone wore fake smiles.
Leonardo’s party was much better. They played around and were comfortable.
Chen Zhao chuckled wryly. They were family because they were similar. He also disliked this kind of event. It felt suffocating.
When they entered the venue, the lights had already dimmed. Chen Zhao and Fali found their seats in the first row before the stage.
There were no VIP boxes for shows like this. The best positions were closest to the stage.
The stage was also different from other T stages. It was O-shaped instead.
The audience grew gradually quiet. Chen Zhao discovered that Quinn sat beside him.
“Hi, I heard you’re Chen, right?”
“How can I help you?”
“What do you think about my suggestion earlier? If you’re not satisfied with one million, how about two million dollars?”
“Miss Quinn, the show is about to start. Let’s just watch the show. Plus, aren’t you a performing guest? Why are you sitting here?”
As a performer, Lucy had gone backstage long ago to prepare.
“I’m just singing a song at the end,” Quinn said. “Also, miss, your necklace is really pretty.”
Fali looked over Chen Zhao to Quinn. “Thank you.”
“Can you sell it to me?”
Fali glanced at her and stopped talking. Chen Zhao rolled his eyes without holding back. How come this girl was so annoying?
Just then, all the lights dimmed. Everyone quieted down too. Next, a spotlight shone at the end of the stage.
Princess and Lucy stood before the curtains. It was a beauty and the beast unit.
As the music sounded, this strange unit started walking to the center of the ring-shaped stage under everyone’s eyes. Princess stood up. Her giant figure set off stunned ripples through the audience.
Under the dazzling lights, Princess reached out her arms and picked up Lucy bridal style. Lucy’s dress complimented her beauty today. Under the graceful music, Princess spun around with Lucy in her arms and then put her down softly. Finally, the beauty and the beast walked to the other end of the stage. The lights dimmed gradually as well.
It was only a fashion show, but the guests and audience all felt like they’d watched a stage play.
Applause sounded. Chen Zhao heard Quinn murmur, “I must have it.”
