The reporters held their breaths in anticipation, onlookers anxiously awaited the next big-shot to step out of their car, and fans clutched their phones. Loud chatter filled the air, a combination of chants and shouts from reporters to socialites, asking them to strike a pose.

A black Lincoln Limousine pulled up to the carpet.

Suddenly, time seemed to stop as one long and smooth elegant leg climbed out of the car, followed by another. When the woman clad in gold emerged from the car, an uproar was heard.

"It’s Zhao Lifei, the previous Queen!"

"Oh my goodness, Yang Feng’s woman has arrived to the banquet!"

"Is she here to personally represent Zhao Corporation?"

"That dress...woah...."

"Isn’t that the highly anticipated dress from YQR?! I thought it hasn’t come out yet!"

"As expected, her crown might be taken, but her wealth hasn’t!"

"Why isn’t she here with Yang Feng?" This comment was purposely thrown out to pour dirt onto Zhao Lifei. The woman who made this comment quickly slipped out of the crowd, a cruel smirk on her face.

Her words were the spark that started the fire. Soon, whispers of what happened the previous day could be heard.

"Hah! Of course, it must be because he was furious after discovering she had a side-man the entire time!"

"She still has the guts to show up to this banquet knowing he might also attend! How shameless."

"As expected of a vile socialite."

"Get ready guys, there’s going to be a humiliation scene again tonight! Starring Zhao Lifei as the main heroine, or should I say the villain!"

Zhao Lifei ignored the stares and shouts as she slightly tilted her head to Yang Ruqin who urged her to go first. She would not steal her limelight. It was time for her Feifei to shine brighter than the stars!

When Zhao Lifei took a confident step forward, it was followed by another, until she strutted with poise to the center of the red carpet, her dazzling dress awing the masses.

Donning an off-shoulder A-line dress with laced yellow cuffs hanging low on her shoulders, the dress hugged her body in all of the right places. Threads made from solid gold wrapped itself around the dress, the magnificent lace made her look like royalty.

The actual gown stopped a few inches above her knee, but there was another layer of ingeniously folded silken fabric draping from the left of her waist, and to the right was a see-through fabric with exquisite golden details at the hem. With each sway, it was like a sea of gold was surrounding her. She was a vision to behold and with the flashes, the dress shone and glittered, shining brightly [1].

The people were left speechless upon seeing how well this dress complemented her. Was she truly a fallen Queen? Are you sure she wasn’t the Empress?!

Everyone was left stunned by her impeccable beauty. Long lashes that framed her unbelievably sharp and clear eyes, high bridged nose of royalty, lips as rosy as a freshly fallen petal, and skin as translucent as fair as snow, she was nothing like the humiliated woman that the people once remembered her as.

Even the celebrities sharing the carpet with her were blown away by her appearance. Despite having their spotlight stolen by her, they were not completely aware of it, and instead, concentrated on staring at her, their mouths agape.

A few of the notable female celebrities looked at her with envy. The dress she was wearing was one that many women lined up and begged to attain, but there it was, worn by one of the most infamous women of Shenbei. The bitter ones thought she didn’t do the dress justice, but deep down, they knew there was no one else on this planet more suitable for that dress than Zhao Lifei.

"Miss Zhao, Miss Zhao, any word or comment on the most recent pictures with President Yang of Yang Enterprise?"

"Yes, please comment on your relationship! Is it recent? How long have you guys been dating so far?"

"Who was that man in the photograph posted yesterday? Was he the main or the side?"

historical

"Are you cheating on CEO Yang?"

The questions about her relationship with Yang Feng and Wei Hantao were unstoppable. Reporters fired each question faster than a loaded bullet. They expected her to crack under pressure because, after all, she had experienced a hard fall two years ago. It should not be so easy getting back up, even with the time that has passed.

"Is President Yang your next big-thigh?"

At this insulting question, Zhao Lifei sharply turned around. The reporters were hyped up, expecting to see her throw a tantrum and outrageously insult the person like she would’ve done in the past.

But when they saw her placid face was nonchalantly cold, they shivered. Her eyes were as calm as the lazy clouds in the sky and as clear as an undisturbed crystal pond. Her elegant posture and serene expression was a surprising sight to many.

"Why would I need one, when I am a big-thigh myself?" She revealed a dignified smile, her chic response struck the core of many people, earning her multiple fans instantly.

A lot of people praised her behavior and words.

Everyone understood her meaning.

She was Zhao Lifei.

Her name alone was enough to prove her worth and her overwhelming aura solidified it. It was one thing to buy an ethereal dress, but a decent and impressive presence was hard to come by. She did not need the support of a man for money. The second she was born, there was already enough money in her trust fund to last an entire lifetime and beyond.

A few reporters wanted to naively cause drama as they asked another risky question, "But Miss Zhao, was Zheng Tianyi not your previous big-thigh? Without the previous branding of ’Future Madam Zheng,’ many people thought you would not get to where you were in the past! It was only with this bestowed title that you were Queen—"

Zhao Lifei tilted her head, her serene eyes suddenly shifting into one that was icy and piercing, resembling an eagle staring at its prey.

"Hm, it makes me curious, who exactly was the one clutching the big-thigh." Her eyes connected with the foolish reporter who dared to say such a stupid question.

"Without the Zhaos, I wonder, how exactly Zheng Corporation would climb so high." She hinted, before turning her head and walking off.

Her response left a wave of silence for the slightest second, before it built into a loud mummer. Her few words were precise enough for them to understand the message.

How could the world forget? It was not the Zhao’s who reached out for a marriage contract first, it was the Zheng’s.

There was a rumor in the business industry that consisted of a genius VP that skyrocketed Zheng Corporation’s worth within a short span of two years... and the one behind it was none other than Zhao Lifei.

In the past, there was an image being spread around of a woman resembling her features sitting behind a desk, late at night. Outside the window behind her was the scenery seen from Zheng Corporation’s office.

There had been various reports from ex-employees of multiple sightings of Zhao Lifei signing papers and proposals, working as a fine consultant within the company. On top of it, with the support of Zhao Corporation behind her back, Zheng Corporation’s value skyrocketed.

The words, "Who exactly was the one clutching the big-thigh" echoed in the brains of the people present, their perception of her beginning to change for the better. Did this mean, it was Zheng Tianyi all along who was benefiting from their relationship the most?

Many commended Zhao Lifei for her wise responses. She did not say much, yet, it was these simple words that left the heaviest ripple upon the calm tides.

Yang Ruqin sat inside the car, an impressed expression on her dazzling face. Not only was Zhao Lifei able to fight off the haters, but she even uplifted herself from the dark shadows of the past! She was really restored to her former self. The confidence Feifei had was as blinding as during her glorious days and the glow around her now was amazing, perhaps even outshining that bright woman in the past...