Chapter 403: Chapter 403: The Band Was Stolen
The evening gala Rong Yan was attending today had been specially organized by the satellite TV station, a grand affair that had gathered numerous top-tier celebrities. With so many people present, the styling for each artist was essentially left up to them.

As soon as Rong Yan arrived at KT Entertainment, Estelle immediately took her to the brand’s location to pick up the clothes she would use for her performance. After that, she took her to a specialized celebrity styling studio, confidently requesting the head supervisor there to handle her look.

Today, Rong Yan was going for an ethereal aesthetic, with both her performing outfit and style developing in a fairy-like direction, with her makeup also embracing a subtle fairy vibe.

The makeup artist affixed rhinestones to the corners of Rong Yan’s eyes, using them to outline a uniquely flavored eye makeup. After the entire styling process was completed, she felt like her back was breaking from sitting so long, and the time to leave for the venue started to press.

Originally, the TV station had also arranged a red carpet segment for the gala, but Rong Yan just wanted to focus on performing her new song well, so she had Estelle decline the red carpet process for her, allowing her to head straight to backstage instead.

Half an hour later.

Rong Yan arrived backstage.

The backstage area of the gala was a hive of activity, teeming with bustling crew members and other stars’ assistants.

Since she hadn’t gone through any rehearsal, Rong Yan wanted to find the band and have a brief rehearsal with them before her performance. However, when Estelle went to locate the director in charge of the stage, he revealed a troubled expression and said, “Um, Estelle, I’m sorry. The band we originally arranged for you may have to be changed last minute. Could you have someone from your company quickly bring the original recording that you’ve made? Then, your artist can just go on stage and perform with the backup dancers.”

To be told to just go on stage and perform with the backup dancers basically translated to not letting Rong Yan sing live last minute, but instead to play the original tracks backstage and lip-sync.

Rong Yan frowned upon hearing this news.

Estelle also frowned in dissatisfaction, challenging the stage director, “Didn’t we agree previously that the live band would accompany Rong Yan for her live singing? Why are you suddenly telling us that the arranged band has to be changed? What’s the meaning of this?”

The stage director grew a bit uneasy under her questioning, hesitantly said, “Well, a senior artist suddenly said they needed the band. Her show is right before yours, so the TV station had no choice but to give the band to her.”

As he was explaining to Rong Yan and her team, he suddenly looked up towards the diagonally front direction, his expression easing as he greeted the person approaching, “Hong.”

A large entourage was making its way over, and the woman in the middle, dressed in a fiery red performance costume, commanded attention like a queen, exuding tremendous presence.

Turning back to Estelle, the stage director said, “The senior I’m talking about is Hong.”

Estelle’s expression grew serious, a flash of helplessness crossing her eyes.

Yan Hong could be considered a top-tier celebrity in the singing world, having made her debut early and rising to fame quickly. She had long been enshrined as an icon due to her era’s halo effect.

When someone of her rank and seniority competes with Rong Yan, all they could do was acquiesce. That’s how the entertainment industry works; if someone has a higher status or seniority than you, they can bully you if they wish.

She knew how long Rong Yan had been preparing for this live performance, but now, given the situation, all she could do was sigh and tug at the sleeve of the person next to her, lowering her voice to say, “Rong Yan, let’s just let it go this time. There will be more opportunities in the future.”