Chapter 987: In Hot Demand

The spacious and vast 69th Regiment Armory was now divided into two relatively independent spaces, one in the front and one in the back. The front part was the runway and the audience seating, while the back part was the chaotic backstage, where the models got dressed. The ample space became the perfect area for preparing the stunning costumes on the runway.

At this moment, the countdown to tonight’s fashion show had entered the 30-minute mark, but the backstage was still a mess, and everyone was in the final rush of preparations.

Candice was also busy.

Following her role as the opening model last year, Candice was once again entrusted with a big responsibility this year. The show would be opened by Adriana Lima, and Candice would be the second one to walk out. She would be wearing a pair of angel wings.

Each year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has several key segments: the opening and closing, and the multi-million dollar Fantasy Bra.

The Fantasy Bra, a priceless piece of lingerie made of diamonds, crystals, gold, and other countless jewels, holds a record for the most expensive in history. The "Red Hot Fantasy Bra" worn by Gisele Bündchen in 2000 was valued at 15 million dollars. Last year, this honor went to Miranda Kerr, whom Lu Ke had met in Philadelphia. Her bra, with 3,400 jewels, was valued at 2.5 million dollars.

Finally, there were the angel wings.

In the segments for the opening, closing, and the Fantasy Bra, only one model usually gets this honor, and on rare occasions, there might be two or three. That’s it. In contrast, the angel wings are a common accessory that appears in every theme of the fashion show and can be seen on multiple models.

However, only models who have reached a certain status and popularity can wear them. Some models have to work for five or six years at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show before they get the chance to wear the wings, which is a sign of their rising status. For example, Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriend, Erin Heatherton, only got to wear the wings in her fourth year.

Simply put, angel wings are a symbol of a model’s status. Not only in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, but even on a global scale, they are considered top models.

Candice, who had only officially joined the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show stage last year, was once again given a heavy responsibility this year. She would be the first model with wings in the entire show. This showed that Candice’s extremely high popularity was on a relentless rise that was almost unstoppable.

Candice was now in the final stages of her makeup. Fifteen minutes before going on stage, she had to start putting on the wings because there were still details to adjust and space to ensure. Otherwise, the wings could become a burden and cause an accident that no one wanted to see.

The other staff members around her were busy gossiping, and rumors were often the best way to pass the time backstage at a fashion show.

"Oh my god, Skywalker really came."

"Is that true?"

"Of course, it is. I saw him with my own eyes. He’s a little taller than I imagined. Before, I only watched his games, and he looked so small on the field. I couldn’t really feel it. I didn’t expect him to be so noticeable in person. He was standing on the side of the stage, and I could see him at a glance from a distance."

"Well, well, well?"

"I think he’s more charming than I imagined!"

Excited and passionate discussions came from her ears. Candice sat in front of the makeup mirror, doing her eye makeup, so she had to close her eyes. But her eyes were moving under her eyelids. Why did things feel a little off? Was the person they were talking about who she thought it was?

"Wait, wait, are you talking about Bambi?" Adriana Lima’s wild and enthusiastic voice came over. She was supposed to be preparing to be the first model on stage, but she still had time to gossip?

But the truth was, Adriana was more excited than anyone else. Even with her eyes closed, Candice could imagine Adriana jumping up and down. The visual impact was powerful.

"Ah, ah, ah, did you see him? I watched one of his games before, against the New York Giants. Oh my god, he’s so charming and full of dominance! What’s he like in person? Why did he come? Hey, didn’t he have a game against the New England Patriots today? During the rehearsal this morning, I don’t know who turned on the radio, and we listened to the live broadcast of the entire game. It was so exciting! Right, Didi, do you remember?"

Adriana patted Candice on the shoulder heavily.

Candice felt a little guilty.

Fortunately, Adriana didn’t expect Candice to answer. She continued, "So, what’s he really like? Is he super handsome? Is he full of explosive charm?"

"Adriana, are you really okay with this? I thought you only watched the NBA," someone next to her immediately complained. Adriana’s husband was Marko Jaric, who had played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies, among other teams.

Adriana didn’t care at all. "Marko doesn’t mind. He knows Bambi too. We even watch Bambi’s games together at home. I think it’s much more exciting than basketball." Before she even finished speaking, things got lively again. "Karlie, Alessandra, come here quickly. They saw Bambi! Bambi really came!"

Karlie Kloss was confused. "Who?"

Alessandra Ambrosio, who was forced to come over half a beat late, looked at Adriana with a helpless expression and shook her head slightly. "He’s the guy that you guys were talking about so passionately during lunch break today."

This year’s Fantasy Bra would be worn by Alessandra. She was the big star tonight.

Karlie immediately reacted. "Oh, oh, oh, I remember now. He’s the super hot handsome guy you were talking about, the one who’s so sexy he’s smoking?" After getting a positive response from Alessandra, Karlie immediately became curious. "What? Did he come here tonight too? Didi, have you met him? What do you think of him?"

"..." Candice couldn’t speak.

Karlie was still chattering. "They all said he’s the hottest new handsome guy, the fresh kind. Have you met him?"

"Don’t you know? He’s friends with Didi. The media reported it once, and he and Didi even talk on the phone sometimes," Adriana said excitedly.

"But Didi probably doesn’t feel anything, right? They’re too familiar with each other. They’re just friends. She probably doesn’t feel anything. But I’ll tell you, you can imagine. He looks thin in clothes and muscular without clothes. He has a well-proportioned and strong body. His waist looks very powerful, and he has charming eyes. Wow!"

Adriana was still describing him vividly. Candice sat on the chair but didn’t dare to open her eyes.

"Didi, what’s wrong? Is it too hot? Your cheeks are a little red. Are you okay?" The makeup artist was busy and asked curiously.

"No, no, no, it’s nothing. I’m fine," Candice said repeatedly, but she almost choked on her own saliva. But to pretend that nothing was wrong, she had to clear her throat and join their conversation. "When did this happen? How did I not know that Bambi suddenly became a public heartthrob?"

She really didn’t know. She didn’t join the gossip during lunch break, and she was unaware of Adriana’s excitement. She knew there was a new handsome guy who had entered everyone’s sight, and they were all talking about him. But... she never thought the person would be Lu Ke.

"It was just last month. It seems that they are the only team that hasn’t lost a game this season. Then ESPN did a special report and entered his training life to do a series of reports. Oh my god, after he took off his helmet, that was the real treat. I’m just imagining now, that waist, it should be very, very powerful in the bedroom! Trust my judgment!"

Adriana’s meaningful words made everyone around her laugh with a knowing look.

Candice felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles. Her cheeks were so hot they could fry an egg.

"Adriana, I just heard that Bambi is attending tonight’s fashion show?" Another voice of surprise came, immediately causing a burst of little girl-like squeals. The discussions started around her.

Although the performers for tonight’s fashion show were not to be underestimated—three top popular singers, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Bruno Mars, would take the stage together—it was clear that Lu Ke’s charm was more attractive than Bieber’s and Mars’.

They chattered on like this for a while, and then some people couldn’t wait and sneaked to the side of the stage, secretly looking for Lu Ke’s location, hoping that when they walked onto the runway later, they could get closer to him and even throw him a flying kiss or something.

It wasn’t until the five-minute countdown that everyone left one after another to prepare for tonight’s show.

Only then could Candice truly calm down. "Why did he come?" It was supposed to be a pleasant surprise, but now, because of everyone’s passion, it lacked that feeling. She just suddenly thought of Lu Ke becoming the charming and sexy man in everyone’s mouth, and Candice couldn’t help but laugh.

Lu Ke and sexy?

These two words didn’t seem to have any connection. Was it really because they were too familiar with each other, so she hadn’t noticed this side of Lu Ke?

Candice seriously thought that she should watch that special report from ESPN.

"Five-minute countdown! Five-minute countdown! Five-minute countdown!"

The assistant for the live show ran quickly backstage, constantly shouting to remind the models to get ready. Candice then took a deep breath, temporarily put all her messy thoughts away, and prepared to throw herself into tonight’s performance.

Since Lu Ke had arrived, the meaning of tonight’s show had naturally become different. Candice, who was already a little nervous, became even more so. What should she do? Lu Ke was about to see her wearing her angel wings!

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