Chapter 23: The Mask Slips

Shang Yang looked at Lin Xianxian with a sense of astonishment.

Previously, he had felt somewhat uneasy, thinking that the gift she bought him was paid for with her own card—likely money provided by her family—and had intended to use the pretext of an upcoming banquet to gift her something more substantial in return. He had never expected to stumble upon such a revelation.

Was she truly the mysterious designer known as LIN?

Shang Yang was genuinely surprised; after all, even he, someone who had no involvement in the fashion industry, had heard of this designer. LIN’s designs were daring and remarkably ingenious, unlike anything else in the world, yet they were incredibly flattering and accentuated the wearer's figure perfectly.

Her eponymous brand, LINXIAN, had burst onto the scene three years ago. Its debut was an immediate sensation, sparked when a renowned domestic A-list actress wore a LINXIAN gown to an international film festival, stunning both domestic and foreign media and audiences alike. That night, thanks to that gown, the actress dominated the headlines of countless international media outlets and was hailed by numerous fashion magazines as the most stylish and boldest star on the red carpet. Although she did not win an award that evening, the gown ensured she became the center of attention. Since then, the actress had made LINXIAN her go-to brand.

Many other actresses sought collaborations with the brand, but industry insiders soon discovered that the mysterious designer, LIN, was exceptionally selective. She was not only particular about the figures of the stars or models she worked with but also scrutinized their moral character. It was said that a certain Best Actress had once reached out to LIN, hoping to wear an exclusive design, only to be flatly rejected. Enraged, the actress publicly criticized the brand, calling it a cheap gimmick and a second-rate label.

However, less than a week later, that very actress was exposed for having an affair with a married man and was subsequently blacklisted by the man’s wife. Further scandals followed, including allegations of suppressing newcomers, acting like a diva behind the scenes, and even ruining her best friend’s relationship and disfiguring a junior actress. Evidence for these claims soon surfaced. Ultimately, the actress was relegated to second-tier status, unable to secure any decent scripts. Let alone wearing LIN’s designs, she couldn't even get standard luxury brands to lend her clothes anymore.

If it had been just one actress, it might have been a coincidence, but every artist rejected by LINXIAN was subsequently exposed for having serious flaws. This created a tacit understanding within the industry: LINXIAN was the ultimate filter. If LINXIAN rejected an artist, it was a guarantee that the person had issues. It reached a point where producers and directors began avoiding artists who had been rejected by LINXIAN, fearing that their projects might fall through.

Conversely, the artists accepted by LINXIAN invariably became the focus of every event they attended. The brand became a symbol in the industry, worn only by those with both impeccable character and superior presence. LINXIAN’s status was incredibly high, yet the designer remained a mystery, never once appearing in public. The company was based overseas, and no one knew who the true owner was. Ordinary people adored the brand as well; initially, wealthy socialites wanted to look as beautiful as the stars, but they soon realized that even if they had flaws in their figures, LINXIAN’s clothes would instantly conceal those imperfections and highlight only their best features.

As a result, the brand’s popularity soared. The mysterious designer, LIN, became a legend in the fashion world, having never produced a single unsuccessful design. Renowned designers from across the globe vied to collaborate with her or simply to befriend her. Some even offered eight-figure sums just for a single meeting, yet LIN remained indifferent to it all.

In the three years since LINXIAN was founded, its annual global sales had exceeded ten billion. It was nothing short of a commercial legend, one that even Shang Yang had heard whispers of. Many had guessed from the names "LIN" and "LINXIAN" that the designer was likely of Chinese descent. However, had he not heard it today, Shang Yang would never have imagined that this legendary, mysterious designer was none other than Lin Xianxian.