Victoria's Secret Night

As Irene sat in a limousine on its way to Victoria's Secret Night, wearing a sleek black velvet gown, beside Britney in a crystal-studded pink minidress, Britney leaned close to her ear, still unable to believe it. "Shelly arranged everything, right? We really were invited to tour backstage? They're not going to kick us out later, are they?"

After all, neither of them had ever done anything like this before, and Shelly still hadn't told them exactly what was on the agenda tonight. They had no idea how he'd pulled it off.

"That's right," Irene confirmed calmly. "We were invited. The official line is, 'Hollywood's most promising up-and-coming director and a rising pop star explore the cutting edge of fashion.' Shelly and Victoria's Secret's PR team have coordinated everything. We'll get a backstage tour, and our accompanying photographer will document it for behind-the-scenes footage to promote us."

The pitch was airtight. It elevated their profiles while bringing Victoria's Secret Show some cross-industry buzz—a win-win.

At six o'clock sharp, the limousine arrived at the Lexington Avenue Armory in New York, the venue for the Victoria's Secret Show.

Dusk had fallen outside. Since it was still too early for the doors to open, only a handful of models' fans were there, sitting around and chatting.

Victoria's Secret models weren't nearly as famous as they would be in later years. The best-known model, Gisele Bündchen, was still just a breakout star in the modeling world. She'd won over plenty of top designers and brands and appeared on the covers of leading fashion magazines, but she was still a long way from being called the number-one model in the world.

And tonight, Gisele had been given the opening spot—the first model to stride onto the runway. Millions of viewers would see her for the first time through the show's nationwide broadcast in the United States, sending her fame soaring and ultimately making her the world's number-one model.

Irene gave her head a slight shake. The show was so far in the past that she'd never actually watched it, so she was looking forward to everything tonight.

The two of them stayed in the car a little longer. They only opened the door and got out when Shelly approached with the relevant staff.

There were no fans cheering and no flashes going off. They quietly made their way toward the Victoria's Secret Night backstage area.

Just before they went in, Irene caught sight of the camera beside them. It was already rolling, and a staff member stood by the entrance.

The staff member stepped forward with a microphone and asked to do a brief interview.

Britney readily agreed. Following the prepared script, she said excitedly, "I'm so happy to have been invited by Victoria's Secret. It feels like a dream! And we even get to watch the models change backstage later—I can't believe it!"

Irene added, "This isn't just a fashion extravaganza; it's a visual spectacle of the highest caliber. I'm honored to witness it, and I can't wait to find inspiration here."

As soon as the brief interview ended, the doors opened. They stepped inside, and, guided by Shelly and the staff, soon found themselves in the fabled backstage area, bustling and full of glamour.

It was just as Irene remembered from what she'd seen online in her previous life. Supermodels who'd just finished their hair and makeup were everywhere, hurrying about with serious expressions. They swept past in a rush, while luxurious lingerie and enormous angel wings lay casually along the sides of the passageways, ready for the models to change into at a moment's notice.

Irene and Britney looked around curiously. Models tried to relax before going onstage, while staff members constantly checked the looks. Since this was the first show to be broadcast nationwide, a faint tension hung in the air.

Britney went over to hug and take photos with several models she knew. Irene chatted with the stylists and hairstylists about their sources of inspiration, while their accompanying photographer faithfully captured it all.

Some of the footage would soon be edited into behind-the-scenes clips for their videotape, reaching fashion lovers across the country.

The challenge of guiding online discussion in a positive direction and further cementing Britney and Irene's public image as darlings of the fashion world fell to Chen Shiyu. It would be his first test.

He'd already secured the first sponsorship payment and assembled a small team of fewer than ten people to post online. It was their first campaign, and he wouldn't let the boss down.

At seven that evening, the glittering venue buzzed with anticipation. Irene and Britney sat in the front row near the middle of the stage, a seat that was a statement of status in itself. Those seated beside them included well-known musicians, actors, and business magnates.

Irene could even make out the expression on Anna Wintour's face. They hadn't formally met yet, but Irene wouldn't pass up the chance to make that film, and she was sure they'd have plenty of opportunities to talk in the future.

The film had supposedly faced opposition from Anna Wintour's camp when it came out, but Anna had never said a single bad word about it in public. The claim was likely a publicity tactic deliberately put out by the film's side.

After all, Irene had already made two films. She might not have Hollywood's tricks down perfectly, but she was at least well acquainted with them.

The lights abruptly went out, plunging the venue into darkness and silence.

Then a spotlight fell on the beginning of the runway, where Gisele Bündchen stood.

The rousing music thundered through the venue. As the audience gasped and applauded, she strode forward.

Her steps were bold and decisive, unlike the catwalks then in fashion or the overly swaying gait some models favored. Each one seemed to land on the pulse of the world, exuding a healthy, almost aggressive confidence.

Even in lingerie, she looked like a female warrior clad in golden armor. Her gaze was deep and focused, with a hint of cool scrutiny, as if she were telling the whole world, "I'm not here to please you. I'm here to conquer you." Her presence was unlike any other supermodel's—a bombshell that shook the audience.

What an incredible reinvention, Irene thought. It was even more breathtaking to witness in person. No wonder Gisele Bündchen had risen so quickly to become the world's number-one model after this runway show. Her walk was truly world-class.

Beside her, Britney didn't notice what made Gisele different. She had her eyes fixed on the gorgeous lingerie, swaying lightly to the music as she followed each model with her gaze. Every so often, she exclaimed, "Oh my God, her wings are so beautiful!" "That lingerie design is so daring—isn't it basically sexy underwear?" "I like that outfit!"

After one themed segment ended and the stage was being reset, Britney leaned over and whispered excitedly in Irene's ear, "It really is Victoria's Secret—the show is unbelievably amazing! I've got my eye on several sets of lingerie. Do you like any of them? I'll buy one for you!"

Irene nodded. "There are other themes, too. No rush. Let's keep watching."