#china brand day gala

[heymeowmao]

Liu Yu x 2023 China Brand Day Gala (中国品牌日晚会)

[9w1ft]

9-

I was looking through old jewelry stuff and found a necklace Karlie wore for about 6 months, from about Sept 2019-April 2020. It was a gold disk that was engraved with “I can and I will” on it. As our resident jewelry expert, any theories on what that may have been about?

hello hello

thank you for your inquiry 😌

so this necklace is something that i assume was bought along with two other pieces from the same brand because they appeared around the same time and she wore them often interchangeably, and frequently together. the necklace is by Zoe Chicco.

in addition to this disc with the mantra “I Can and I Will” inscribed on it, the necklaces i associate it with are a strand of graduated gold disks and a ‘sunbeam medallion’ which she actually wore a ton on its own.

the mantra necklace was most frequently worn within the set of these three and at the time it felt very much like just, idk, a trendy layered look, and she wore them so often that honestly i did not keep track of the necklaces well. so i had to do a little bit of poking around.

so, for your perusal, here is an incomplete list of times she has worn at least one of the three pieces, based on an account that was documenting her looks at the time (link) and StarStyle (link):

~~

she starts out wearing either the graduates discs or the sunbeam necklace, from september 2019

9/5/2019 in china for the world cup

9/8/2019 to the US open

9/18/2019 papped outside in nyc

9/21/2019 papped in rome (scooter was around)

10/10/2019 on her instagram outside in nyc

10/21/2019 papped outside in nyc

10/30/2019 papped outside in nyc

then the mantra necklace appeared and there was a period where she started wearing the three as a layered look more often, sometimes two together, and sometimes just the mantra necklace:

11/1/2019 promoing adidas on her insta

11/15/2019 papped outside in nyc

11/26/2019 at the elk in nyc

12/8/2019 papped outside in nyc

12/21/2019 yachting in st. barthelemy

1/27/2020 when karlie was in LA

2/18/2020 amex valentine’s day dinner

4/23/2020 instagram live w katie couric

4/28/2020 the today show

4/30/2020 met gala bts video

5/1/2020 exercising on instagram

5/1/2020 on wes gordon’s instagram

5/5/2020 the tonight show

5/17/2020 instagram from her nyc place

5/19/2020 klossy video about how falling on the runway can help your career

from this point forward she started wearing the necklaces separately instead of all three at once (not the mantra medallion though as far as i could tell) from mid 2020 up through mid 2021. for the sake of brevity i won’t list everything up, but you can check StarStyle from the above link.

~~~

as for what the mantra means, you know, this is just a loosely formed thing but… i will offer a quick thought

in retrospect, she wore the necklace along with the other two during a very specific time period, right? a little after taylor’s masters were bought by scooter, all the way up until she headed for LA a few months into quarantine. so if you think about late 2019-early 2020 as being this time where everyone thought karlie further betrayed taylor and where karlie went to places or events where scooter was and such… and how following this period of time scooter’s infidelity was eventually exposed and he divorced and a lot of his business dealings soured, and we got songs like mad woman, vigilante shit, and karma —songs that i do believe show that karlie stuck around scooter and got dirt on him for taylor— then, within that context, i think that the mantra “i can and i will” is pretty… badass 🙈 like, if the amulette de cartier was for dark seasons of life that require courage, this mantra feels much more something suitable for… playing offense 😏

[bizarrequazar]

GJ and ZZH Updates — January 22-28

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This is part of a weekly series collecting updates from and relating to Gong Jun and Zhang Zhehan.

This post is not wholly comprehensive and is intended as an overview, links provided lead to further details. Dates are in accordance with China Standard Time, the organization is chronological. My own biases on some things are reflected here. Anything I include that is not concretely known is indicated as such, and you’re welcome to do your own research and draw your own conclusions as you see fit. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or additions. :)

[Glossary of names and terms] [Masterlist of my posts about the situation with Zhang Zhehan]

01-22 → Zhang Su posted a douyin a few minutes before midnight, leaving the comment on it, “New Year's Eve~ Those who spit at me are really meaningless, I have never hurt him, so you can spit whatever you want~ If you still support him, go support his new songs and trendy brand~ As his friend of 18 years, it’s not that you make friends just for show, there are some things you can’t help if you don’t believe it, time will prove it” [screenshot] (I’m not linking the douyin itself because I don’t want to give him traffic, DM me if you want the link) This was well timed, as Flora finished the wiki page for him the following day, which outlines exactly what a good “friend of 18 years” he’s been. 

→ #GongJun and #HappyJunZhe2023 trended on Twitter.

→ Gong Jun’s studio posted three photos of him from 12-31 holding Lunar New Year’s items. Caption: “At the beginning of the new year, window stenciles are posted, the red envelopes are full of blessings, and spring comes. Chinese New Year's Day is destined to be the beginning of good luck, remember to turn on the TV today and watch the boss @ Gong Jun Simon!” 

→ The Weibo account for Fox Spirit Matchmaker posted a new poster for the show featuring Gong Jun and the female lead Yang Mi.

→ Gong Jun posted a promotional image for the Youth Exhibition program he would appear in on 01-24. Caption: “In the new year, I hope to jump out of my comfort zone and see more scenery that I’ve never seen before.  In the brand-new Year of the Rabbit, I also wish you a bright future and to not to shrink back. On January 24th at 20:00 on the third day of the Chinese New Year, I will take you into a special ‘Youth Exhibition’, remember to come and see it!”

→ 361° posted two photo ads [here] and [here] featuring Gong Jun.

→ The Instagram posted a video of “Zhang Zhehan”, “Zhang Mama”, and “Zhang Zhehan’s nephew” sending New Year’s greetings.

→ Gong Jun’s studio reposted a video by People’s Daily of Gong Jun’s Dragon TV appearance that would air later (full videos linked below) with the added caption: “Fighting with swords in the jianghu, living a bold life, watch boss @ Gong Jun Simon's chivalrous transformation tonight! In the coming year, I wish everyone good luck and a happy New Year!”

→ Gong Jun’s studio posted sixteen photos from his Dragon TV appearance. Caption: “The whirling chivalrous man, willful and dashing, boss @ Gong Jun Simon is free and unrestrained, happily singing a song of the jianghu.”

→ Gong Jun posted a douyin of himself in his outfit from his later Beijing TV performance. Caption: “There are a lot of ‘skins’ in the New Year!🤓” BGM is Rollin by Calvin Harris.

→ Gong Jun appeared on Dragon TV’s Spring Festival Gala, where he performed 刀剑如梦 originally by Wakin Chau and did some magic tricks. [performance] [translated lyrics] [subbed magic tricks] (cw a bunny falls, no obvious signs that it was hurt) Fan Observations:   -  The hanfu worn by some of the backup dancers (below) is the same one that Zhang Zhehan wore on 2021-07-14. At that time, fans of another artist whom I will refrain from naming slandered Zhang Zhehan online, claiming that the outfit had been made exclusively for that artist who had worn it previously. The use of the hanfu here—and for multiple backup dancers nonetheless—is pretty much spitting in the faces of those people.  -  During the first part of the performance, there’s an illustrated cherry tree with a single white blossom.

→ Gong Jun’s studio posted nine photos of Gong Jun in the outfit from his later Beijing TV performance. Caption: “The green shirt welcomes the spring, smelling the snow on the branches. Boss @ Gong Jun Simon is going to the Chinese New Year appointment at the #Beijing TV Spring Festival Gala# tonight!”

→ Gong Jun’s studio posted a douyin of him from the above photoshoot. Caption: “Snow is falling, green shirts are fluttering, and boss @ Gong Jun Simon starts the first work diary of the lunar calendar 🐰 year!” BGM is 探窗 (钢琴版) by 汐音社.

→ Gong Jun appeared on Beijing TV’s Spring Festival Gala, performing the song Blood Actor originally by HITA. [performance] [lyric video with contextual info] Fan Observations:   -  Some drew parallels between the lyrics of this song and those of the song Zhang Zhehan recited part of on 2021-07-26.  -  As mentioned in last week’s post, HITA is openly and actively a CPF. [Here] is a song she wrote specifically for them. 😊

→ Gong Jun’s studio posted nine photos from his Beijing TV performance. Caption: “The rhyme of the opera is melodious, and the music and shadow overlap. Boss @ Gong Jun Simon's green shirt appeared, tasting the meaning of rhythm and leading the elegance of the country.”

→ #Gong Jun sings beautifully# trended at #9 on Weibo hotsearch, and #GongJun, #龚俊Simon, and Junjun trended on Twitter.

01-23 → Hsu Fu Chi posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun.

→ Fresh posted four gifs of Gong Jun.

01-24 → Hsu Fu Chi posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun. Fan Observation: Someone mentioned that they’ve been using these same photos for ages, so I checked and they've been using this specific one since literally the first day of their endorsement on 2021-10-29. 🤡 Judging by hairstyles, I would guess he hasn’t done more than MAYBE three photoshoots for them, if I’m being generous.

→ Fresh posted four more gifs of Gong Jun.

→ Gong Jun’s studio posted two photos of him from the 2023 Online Audio-Visual Ceremony he would appear in that evening. Caption: “Firm and proud, hard-blooded. Tonight at 20:00 boss @ Gong Jun Simon stars in ‘Youth History’, recalling the heroic years of the past and expressing the spirit of the times.”

→ Gong Jun appeared in the 2023 Online Audio-Visual Ceremony, performing in a group song and acting in a skit. [full performance] (no subs yet)

01-25 → The Instagram posted a video of a clip from a fourth stolen song that would be released the following day. This was 洪荒剧场, the same song mentioned above that the real Zhang Zhehan had recited some of during his livestream on 2021-07-26, which was intended to debut it at the cancelled concert. (Quite coincidental timing, if you ask me.) Fan Observation: The photos used were leaked by August 2022, and the song demo was leaked in October 2021.

Also, the Instagram’s pfp was changed again, now to one of the most recent white haired photos. This might have happened a day or two earlier before I noticed.

→ Gong Jun made a post promoting the new drama Turn on the Right Way of Life. Caption: “Support Bo-ge's new drama! ... Catch up tonight!”​​

01-26 → The fourth stolen song was released. In the credits, it lists only Zhang Zhehan as the lyricist despite the real Zhang Zhehan having mentioned that it was written by Tang Tian.

→ Hsu Fu Chi posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun.

→ Gong Jun posted nine illustrations of the God of Wealth. Caption: “God of Wealth, God of Wealth, look at me! ! !” Fan Observation: The eighth picture was used by Zhang Zhehan as a pfp when he first made the Super3 Instagram account.

→ #ZhangZhehan trended on Twitter.

01-27 → #ZhangZhehan continued to trend on Twitter, #TheRealZhangZhehan also trended.

→ Wang Yixu, the CEO of STELLAR Pictures responded to a question on Weibo, saying that both Rising with the Wind and Fox Spirit Matchmaker will include songs performed by Gong Jun.

→ The Instagram posted a video of “Zhang Zhehan” playing basketball. 

01-28 → #TheRealZhangZhehan continued to trend on Twitter.

→ MARRSGREEN posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun.

→ Kangshifu posted three photo ads featuring Gong Jun.

→ Addition 01-29: The Instagram posted a video of “Zhang Zhehan” playing with fireworks; this video had been posted to Weibo the previous day. [Here] is a video highlighting a glitch in the deepfake.

Additional Reading: → Flora’s daily fan news  → Flora also finished the wiki page for Xie Yihua this week.

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This post was last edited 2023-01-29.

[j77m]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Long Formal V-Neck Wrap Ruffle Elegant Gown Evening Party Cocktail Dress Sz Med.

[chinemagazine]

Wuliangye, fabricant chinois de baijiu, élu pour la marque chinoise la plus appréciée

Le baijiu de Wuliangye, élu pour la troisième fois comme l'une des marques chinoises les plus appréciées par les consommateurs étrangers

Wuliangye, le principal fabricant chinois de baijiu, a été élu pour la troisième fois comme l’une des marques chinoises les plus appréciées par les consommateurs étrangers, selon les résultats dévoilés lors du gala du China Brand Day 2024 qui s’est tenu le 10 mai à Shanghai. En tant que représentant typique des marques nationales chinoises et leader de l’industrie chinoise du baijiu, Wuliangye a…

[frontporchconsign]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: CAbi Gala Sweatshirt Tunic Top Womens Black Long Sleeve Pullover Size M.

[lacetulle]

Hey there! Aspiring fashion designer here! I'm getting more and more into fashion and designing/ planning more and more outfits and I was wondering if you have any tips to get more into haute contour and fashion in general. Your blog has really helped me get a grasp of what I like and I all around love it!

I’m happy this blog could help in figuring out what styles you like! There are a ton of different mediums to get into fashion! I’ve compiled a list of options via videos, websites, and books. So strap in, this is a long post.

Since you already have an idea of who you like, I always suggest reading up on that brand/label/designer and going through their archives. For me, when I realized how much I loved Dior and knew I wanted to learn more, it was overwhelming at times because the label has such a long history. If you really like newer labels, like Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab, Iris van Herpen, etc., it’s a little more manageable to read up on the history and designers just because they were founded in the ‘90s/‘00s.

In terms of websites, I have a few to talk about.

Vogue. This is the easiest avenue to get into fashion. I’m not knocking it, because I use it the most for photos, but as far as websites go, it’s the most dumbed-down. But I mean that in the best way! The features, trend reports, and runway news appeals to even the most casual fashion fan. Vogue focuses mainly on big name/commercialized brands (Dior, Valentino, Gucci, etc.) rather than smaller ones (like Guo Pei and Ralph & Russo, two big couture names these days, get minimal coverage with Vogue). Vogue is a great resource for runway looks...it was my gateway into studying older runway collections. All in all, in terms of websites, Vogue is the tip of the fashion media iceberg.  If you want to get into the more meatier parts of fashion, there are better sites.

Harper’s Bazaar. Like Vogue, it’s easy to navigate and leans more towards the more well-known fashion brands. Pre-covid, they always had a weekly street style recap as well. They have great lists but stay away from the business side of fashion. I typically use Harper’s Bazaar for the street style/every day fashion inspiration and news.

Who What Wear. A great site for following trends. They don’t focus so much on brands, but it’s a great resource for seeing what’s trending and options to buy said trends. For example, Who What Wear is the first place I went when I wanted to find a list of brands who were starting to sell masks.

WWD. Supposedly most designers prefer WWD to Vogue coverage.  And it shows, since parts of the site require a subscription. WWD is one of the more technical sites and could be overwhelming for someone who doesn’t really understand the industry. They talk about the comings-and-goings of creative directors, financial news, and general fashion trends/news. It also has runway recaps and photos, which is typically what I use it for. If you’re really want to be in the know with breaking fashion news, they do offer email newsletters as well for a more condensed version of the site. Also, a super helpful page I’ve had bookmarked, their fashion dictionary.

Business of Fashion.  The name is pretty self-explanatory.  BoF is another one of those meatier sites that could be overwhelming at first. It’s also one that has a subscription service. BoF has great profiles of designers, so I’ve used the site as my starting point when learning about someone new. The BoF500 also showcases anyone and everyone who has a hand in shaping the industry.

The Impression. The cheapest of the subscription sites and the one I had until I cancelled a few months ago (not because it sucked, but, you know…corona). I mainly used them for their runway pictures. They were so fast to upload them, with details and backstage footage. The big draw is the fashion week/runway photography, but the talk about street style, short films and ads from brands, as well as fashion trends. At the end of every fashion week (New York, Milan, Paris, etc.) the put together a recap list of biggest trends, top shows, top models, and break down the numbers. I love the site for its minimalism and whenever the industry decides to have fashion weeks again, I’ll renew my subscription.

Magazines:  Most people would say Vogue is the holy grail for fashion magazines, but I don’t think it’s that great (at least the US version).  Vogue Paris, Italia, and UK are better in my opinion. And just because I don’t think the print version of US Vogue is the holy grail, doesn’t mean I don’t like it.  I have a subscription and read it every month. Other options I really like are Harper’s Bazaar (any country’s version), Elle, InStyle, and W.

Videos: Other than the first one listed (which can be found on Netflix or Hulu, depending where you live), everything can be found on youtube. And now i’m constantly getting fashion recommendations on youtube, so it’s an easy rabbit hole to fall into.

First Monday in May. I’ve talked about this documentary before, but it bears repeating.  It’s a gorgeous journey of how the Met Gala and Costume Institute Exhibit was put together. It’s about the ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’ exhibit in 2015. They interview big designers about how China has influenced some of their collections, and takes on the debate of whether fashion should even be in a museum. It was the first fashion documentary I ever watched and only made me fall more in love with fashion (and want to see every fashion exhibition).

The September Issue. Vogue’s September issues are always the biggest of the year.  This documentary follows the process of designing the famous September issue of Vogue. I believe it was filmed in 2007 or 2008 so it’s dated, and digital media has changed the game, but it’s a good watch to see just how influential and important the September issue is in terms of forecasting fashion trends for the following year.

Savoir Faire: Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011. A 50 minute video on how one, just one, piece from the couture collection was designed.  It’s a great insight on just how much work goes in to creating a couture collection.

7 Days Out with Karl Lagerfeld. Another great showcase of the week leading up to a couture show, this time with Chanel. The documentary follows the 2018 show, which is one of Lagerfeld’s last few couture shows before his death.

Battle At Versailles: The Competition that Shook the Fashion Industry. It’s no secret that Paris is the epicenter of fashion.  The couture houses are all based there, so France is typically where you needed to be to be a world renowned designer. In 1973 French and American designers competed against each other and brought American designers into the spotlight. There’s an hour long documentary on youtube and there’s a book that I’ve linked below. I’ve seen the video and I’m currently reading the book, so you have options here.

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams. A good look at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs exhibit for the 70th anniversary of Dior. This documentary gives a nice, condensed look at each of the artistic directors of Dior and showcases some of the most iconic Dior looks. I knew about it, but didn’t go see it. I only saw pictures, which were beautiful…but to see it all come together on video was a dream.  They talk to Celine Dion for a minute at the end, and her words sum up my feelings best about Dior, “I would love to wear one of these dresses one day, maybe in one of my lifetimes, or every night in my dreams.”

Books:

Inside Haute Couture: Behinds the Scenes at the Paris Ateliers. A gorgeous book with tons of photos about the intricacies that go in to a couture collection.

Kate Spade New York: All in Good Taste. I originally bought it for my coffee table collection, but it has some great style tips.

The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History. Just in case you’d rather read about this legendary fashion show than watch. I’m currently reading it, so I can’t give you my final take on it. But I’m loving it so far.

Dior by Dior: Christian Dior’s autobiography. Who better to tell you about the history of Christian Dior, than Dior himself.

Elsa Schiaparelli: A Biography. I’m a big fan of Schiaparelli and would love for her legacy to be more widely known. She was a very private person, so when this biography dropped I was excited to read more about her. Elsa Schiaparelli was Coco Chanel’s biggest rival and was a household name in her time, but most people know Coco’s name over Elsa’s today. This is a nice dive into Schiaparelli’s life, since most people focus on Chanel’s legacy (and let’s be honest, Chanel is very idolized, which is so unfortunate, given her Nazi ties, but I digress.)

Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. I tend to rave about the designs by these two, so it’s a good look into their journey in fashion.

The Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genuis, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris. If you’re interested in Lagerfeld (pre-Chanel days) or Yves Saint Laurent, it’s a great retrospective look at their rivalry.

Champagne Supernovas. If ‘90s fashion is something of interest, this book is a great read on how some big name rebels (McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Kate Moss, etc.) in the industry remade fashion as we know it.

Any of the Met Gala books: Camp: Notes on Fashion, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, Manus x Machina, Heavenly Bodies, etc.  My first one was the McQueen book, and at the time I didn’t know it was the official book from the Costume Institute Exhibit.  They’re not all hardcover coffee table-esque books, but if you can’t attend an exhibit it’s the next best thing. They’re all great in-depth resources for learning about a certain area of fashion. They can be expensive, so I wouldn’t suggest investing in them unless you’re truly interested in that specific aspect of the industry. This year’s exhibit - whenever it opens - is About Time: Fashion and Duration.  The exhibition book is already available and I think it’ll be an incredible exhibit of how current designers pull from older designers and trends.

The Fashion Book.  It’s expensive. It’s massive. And it gives you a wealth of information. It’s essentially an encyclopedia for fashion. It’s not just designers; it highlights models, high profile photographers, style icons, and all those who influenced fashion.

I know this was long, but these have been the resources I’ve used over the years. I hope this can help you along your journey and if anyone has other things to add, please do!

[yungidreamer]

Aesthetic tag game

tagged by @seoultraveller 

rules: bold the aesthetics you relate to and add twenty of your own aesthetic qualities for others to bold.

(soft!) baby pink | iridescent | glitter is always a good option | no bra | minimalistic tattoos | cherry patterns | sweet scented perfumes | wearing generous amounts of blush | doodling hearts | getting excited to pet an animal | fun nails | rewatching old barbie movies | hair sticking to glossed lips | heart shaped sunglasses | taking pictures of the sunset or sunrise | stuffed animals | protecting nature | stickers everywhere | teen movies | the light rain that falls from a clear sky at the beginning of the night |

(dark academia!) neutral tones | masculine outfits | studying languages | worn down copy of books | grey skies | turtleneck sweaters | loose fitting pants | hair tied with a silk ribbon | trying to remember a cool difficult word you read somewhere to use in a convo | thick belts | minimal makeup | windows fogged by rain | vintage jewelry | blouses with cuffed sleeves | reading a murder mystery and trying to solve it | oxford style shoes | sweater vests | subtitled old movies in a language you don’t speak | leaves crackling as you walk | annotating books to express your emotions about the story |

(edgy!) closet full of dark clothes | fishnet tights | makeup sweating off | neon signs | searching for unknown songs | chokers | band tees | doodling on old converses | finding smoking aesthetically pleasing but not doing it | weird humour | accidentally very dramatic | dim lights | layered outfits | chain belts | chipped nail polish | messy hair | low quality pics | piercings | combat boots | scribbling on desks |

(seventies!) colourful wardrobe | doodling flowers | wearing short shorts | using a bikini top or bra as a normal top | listening to ABBA | flowers in your hair | DIYing everything | jamming to songs alone in your room | drunkenly telling your friends you love them | patterned bandanas | mid heeled shoes | messy braids | flared sleeves | walking barefoot on grass or sand | bold sunglasses | the good kind of tired you get after doing something you enjoy for hours | feeding stray animals | fun patterned socks | room decorated with succulents and other plants | likes to go roller skating or skateboarding |

(preppy casual!) collared clothes | drinking juice out of a champagne glass | getting excited to see the met gala looks | thick headbands | small pastel cardigans | making your friends take your ootd pics | plaid mini skirts | tweed two pieces | watching reality tv to pass time | frilly tops | watching old hollywood movies | academically driven | long manicured nails | new year’s eve fireworks | colorful tights | layered golden jewelry | yearns for luxury brand items | decorating your room with fairy-lights | cursive and neat handwriting | lace details

(by @masterninjacow!) rainy mornings | sweet steaming tea | cats’ purrs | daydreaming about fantasies | back hugs | glinting necklaces | loud video games | grumbling thunder | constantly chewing gum | wearing nothing but a t-shirt and underwear to bed | watching horror movies at night | nibbling on chocolates | talking to yourself | short hair | sad lofi music | messy sketches | sweet-scented body wash | spicy noodles at midnight | hating physical affection but craving it at the same time | ending all texts with lmao or rip

(by @cherriigguk!) dried flowers | painting at 2 am in oversized sweater | up until sunrise | abundance of blankets and plushies | minimalistic colours | writing when you can’t sleep | warm banana bread on a winters day | stroking a sleepy dog | big eyeliner | butterfly clips | lo-fi hip hop | glossy lips and rose tinted cheeks | afternoon tea with old friends | oversized cardigans | herbal tea | dainty jewellery | self-care evenings | messy low bun or ponytails | dark hair | too many sketchbooks |

(by @iniquitouspoppy!) cuddling with pets | collecting art | journaling at night | flower dresses | raccoon eyes | thunderstorms | listening to music in bed | gaming | anything (pastel) rainbow | jumpsuits | taking pictures with an old camera | pictures everywhere | spending time with friends until the sun goes down | being alone and loving it | being alone and hating it | reading in the train or bus | just reading all the time | biking everywhere | buying flowers | biting your lip | blue skies, white clouds | big tattoos | piercings | stargazing |

(by @sweetae-tae) zoning out when talking to someone | travelling with friends | concerts and music festivals | doing something just because it makes others happy | being happy when loved ones are happy | mom-friending everyone | buying new flowers you know nothing about | baking for others | trying out new things | listening to one song on repeat for hours | not being able to find one specific song to listen to | doing things to keep your mind busy | a cool breeze during warm days | staying up for “just one more episode” | wishing on dandelions | collecting four-leaf-clovers | dimples | contagious laughter | decorating your room with photos and postcards and posters | winter nights when it snows heavily

(by @actuallythatwaspromise) bookstores | pearl necklaces | wishing on the first star at night | messy room | tall lace up leather boots | never breaking the rules | thigh high socks | peppermint-mocha frappes year round | no jackets in winter | standing outside in the rain | the scent of pine | watch documentaries for fun | navy blue room | knitted Blankets | eyes that are multi-colored | cool morning mist | perfectly formed sentences | reading poetry to learn new words | swords with golden hilts | wish anklets on so long that you forgot what you wished for

(by @kodabodaa) all black everything | vampire-esque | sitting outside on quiet nights | winged eyeliner | fucked up sleep schedule | standing outside during a downpour | meme photo folder | tattoos | piercings | loves to make people flustered through flirting | first meal not till after midnight | looks like could kill | laying in bed all day | majorly independent | playlists for everything | prince zuko trash | could read you to filth | lack of emotions | once i love, i love hard | not afraid of really anything |

(by @seoultraveller) intense eye contact | deep discussion about passions | naked dance sessions alone in the bedroom | learning foreign language through poetry, song, and history | studying historical dynasties | not studying out of pure disinterest | nervous lip biting | patience | having one drink alone at a hotel bar | pancakes or waffles on a weekend morning | driving down an empty road towards a roadtrip destination | a tryst over the summer that turns into a romantic storytime | traveling to put your school knowledge to use | mellifluous speech | does not speak unless spoken to first | peppermint hot chocolate by the fireplace | wine on the balcony | unknown intensity | crying in bed at night |

(by @yungidreamer) a shining cityscape at night after rain | mist on spiderwebs  | a summer night sauna by the lake | scorecore playlists | the silence after a night of snowfall | art nouveau anything | coffee table books from museums | writing by candlelight | bone china tea sets | everyday antiques | hot water bottles under the covers | memories tied to little objects | running fingernails over your partners scalp | an awe for nature | a vivid internal dialogue | political podcasts | fancy stationery and pens | anything medieval | learning how to do do things the old way | inside jokes

i’m tagging @uncommoncold @twancingyunhoe @luthenia and whoever else wants to do it. if you like this, i think you should just totally jump in and do it!! (NO OBLIGATION TO DO THIS!)

[sweetsourtaste]

K-Pop and Their Influences on Gender-fluid Fashion

Compared to other cultures, Asian cultures are usually more conservatives towards gender-issue. However, in modern days, we can see how Asian men are more keen to experiment with fashion and make-up.

Way before Jaden Smith appeared with a skirt on LV’s campaign or Harry Styles’s sheer Gucci top at Met Gala 2019, K-Pop stars have been rocking the stage with their gender-fluid outfit.

Back in 2011, Bigbang's members G-dragon, Seungri, and TOP performed in music shows wearing pleated skirts.

In 2012, Jo Kwon debuted as a solo singer and performed his song dancing in Jeffrey Campbell heels. Breaking the stereotype that only female idols can dance in high heels.

NCT, a 23-members group posing for their video teasers in shining jewelries. Layering necklaces and piercings on silk suits with various length. Some are cropped, asymmetrical, or trimmed with frills.

We also have Amber Liu, former member of f(x). Since her debut in 2009, Amber stood out with her distinct tomboyish look. Completely different from the cutesy concept that K-pop girl-groups usually come up with.

It is common for the K-pop stars to wear heavy make-up, nail polish and have extensive skincare routine.

Not just on stage, they also smashed gender norms in editorials and ad campaign. Their fluid aesthetics have attracted luxury fashion houses to take them as their brand ambassador.

In 2019, Louis Vuitton signed Kang Daniel to endorse their iconic twist handbag that originally designed for women. The campaign titled ‘New Masculinity’ presented Kang Daniel dressed up in women’s Spring Summer 2019 collection.

Known for his androgynous charm, G-Dragon is one of Chanel brand ambassador. Chanel never officially produced menswear but G-Dragon proves the duality of the brand items by nailing their signature tweed jacket, pearl, and brooch.

BTS for their Map of The Soul: Persona album concept photo are styled in women’s collection from Gucci and Chanel.

These stars have influenced a bigger mass and show the younger generation that fashion has no boundaries. That it is okay for boys to wear make up, skincare, nail polish, and skirts. That girls can cut their hair as short as they want and wear boy’s clothes.

If we look into street fashion in Asia, especially cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing, we can spot how the youngster actually living those gender-fluid fashion. 

On a recent viral TikTok video taken in China, people are seen dressed up in various kind of styles, from punk to traditional Hanfu. It is interesting to see how people in Asia are totally rocking their outfit on the street.

[cocomaxley]

Kinky Cards - CGW Edition Part 2 - Rashad x Genevieve

This is a part of a TRR A/U called Cordonians Gone Wild, a collaborative effort by @ao719 @speedyoperarascalparty @leelee10898 and yours truly. Catch up HERE.

Summary: Kinky Cards rides again, this time the CGW squad tries their hand again!

Kinky Cards Part 2 introduction post HERE

Rating: NSFW

Tag List: @hopefulmoonobject @fullbeaumonty @brightpinkpeppercorn @katurrade @krsnlove @alj4890 @zaffrenotes @annekebbphotography @carabeth @moneyfordiamonds @give-me-ernest-sinclaire @3pawandme @indiacater @ooo-barff-ooo @ownworldresident @tornbetween2loves @perfectprofessorherokid @stopforamoment @editboutique @wannabemc2 @enmchoices @lauradowning29 @lodberg @smalltalk88 @gibbles82 @heatherfilliez

Genevieve was standing in her closet deciding on what to wear. Her phone chirped, she picked it up and saw a message from Rashad, I’ll be in back to back meetings all day. See you at dinner. Love you.

She had taken the day off of work and hoped they would be able to eat lunch together. Feeling slightly disappointed, she started responding to the text when she got an idea. “Seems like a good day to use Kinky Card number two…” She said to herself. She stripped off her bra and panties and walked to her dresser, picking out matching black lace bra, thong, garter belt, and thigh highs. She slipped on a pair of black heels and grabbed her tan knee length trench coat from a hanger.

After she threw on the jacket, Genevieve walked the familiar route to Rashad’s study. She knocked on the door and poked her head in. His face immediately broke out into a smile. He pushed the mute button on his desk phone and waved her in. “This is a lovely surprise. What are you up to?” Smiling mischievously, she sauntered over to him and sat on his lap, “Well I had the day off and was hoping we could spend some time together. So, I thought I’d join you for some of your meetings today. Quietly, of course.”

“Sweetheart, you don’t want to listen to these conference calls. I would never subject you to that,” he replied, kissing her cheek. “Rashad, it sounds like we have some follow ups that need to be completed before our next checkpoint call. I’ll have my assistant email the meeting minutes and we can touch base next week.” Genevieve recognized his business partner’s voice on the other end of the line. He unmuted the phone, “Sounds good, William. We’ll talk soon. Bye.” He disconnected the call shortly after.

She leaned down and softly kissed his lips, he immediately deepened it. The laptop on his desk started to ding, indicating another meeting was about to start. “I have about 5 minutes before I need to log onto this video call, Gen. I’m sorry.” With her still in his lap, he took one hand and moved the mouse on his computer. He was about to click the start button on the web conference when she slipped the card out of her pocket and placed it on the desk in front of him. His eyes widened with shock, “Oh sweetie, not today. I’m going to be live with Liam and other nobles.”

“That’s too bad, honey. I don’t think you have much choice.” She stood up and slowly unbuttoned the trench coat. Once he saw what she was wearing underneath, he swallowed hard and couldn't talk. She dropped the jacket on the floor, walked over to him and sat back down on his lap. In a seductive tone, she whispered in his ear, “Now, what was I saying? Oh that's right, your only job is to concentrate, my love. I'll do everything else.” She leaned down and kissed his neck, just below his ear. He closed his eyes completely lost in the feeling of her lips directly on the spot that drove him crazy. His phone and computer both rang and chimed, which fell on deaf ears.

“Shit, Gen. I have to get on this call.” She stood up facing him, bent down and kissed him hard, while palming his already hard cock through his pants. She knelt down between his legs, popped the button and lowered the zipper on his pants. He lifted his hips slightly from the chair allowing her to pull his pants and boxers down. “Don't worry, no one will know that I'm here.”

“This is a horrible idea,” he said making her giggle. He clicked the start button on the video chat link. The screen was full of nobles’ faces in individual boxes. Liam’s face right in the center of the screen. “Ah, Rashad, there you are. I was afraid you weren't going to make it,” Liam said. “I'm sorry, your majesty, I had an unscheduled meeting that required my, um, immediate attention.” Genevieve looked up from between his legs and smiled. She stroked his hard length with her hand before swirling her tongue around his tip. He cursed under his breath as she lowered her head, taking his long length into her mouth. She bobbed her head up and down on his cock, causing him to groan.

Liam started with a summary and agenda for the meeting. One of the topics for discussion was how to increase tourism, which Rashad was leading. He prayed that Liam would pick a different topic to kick off the meeting. Liam cleared his throat and started talking, “Let's start with the animal sanctuary, Lord Beaumont.”

“Oh thank you, Jesus,” Rashad whispered. “What was that, Rashad?” Liam inquired. “Nothing, I'm eager to what hear what Maxwell…” he closed his eyes, unable to complete his sentence as she moved her mouth from his shaft to his sack. Her hand continued to stroke his length, every once in a while increasing speed in her movements, bringing him close to the edge and then stopping.

As Liam continued, he noticed Rashad’s shallow breathing and flushed face. Liam addressed him, “Rashad, are you alright?” Rashad cleared his throat, his voice an octave higher than normal, "I'm fine, Liam. Could you repeat the, uh, the question?" Liam gave a curious look as he stared at the screen. He knew something was off, he just couldn’t pinpoint what it was. “I was saying that-“ Just then Rashad cleared his throat, his hand rubbing over his forehead as he looked down, and Liam quirked a brow. Then, it dawned on him and a smirk played across his lips as he tried stifling a laugh. “I was saying that we’ve got a lot to discuss in this meeting, so it may go longer than normal. Is that going to be an issue?”

“Oh shit that's good...no, I mean no. It won't be a prob-problem," he stammered as his voice cracked. Liam covered his mouth trying his best not to let the laugh that was building in his chest come out. “Good, I’m glad. I really need your input on these matters. So I need your full undivided attention. Now, Maxwell, please go ahead.”

Maxwell eagerly started talking, "Well, I'm very happy to announce that we've finally reached an agreement with our friends in China. Next week, we will be welcoming our brand new baby pandas over at the sanctuary." Liam replied, "That's great news, Maxwell! Are there any events you have planned that the crown can help with?"

Genevieve stopped pleasuring him and made eye contact. She whispered with a smile, “Baby pandas!” Maxwell looked at Rashad’s image on his computer monitor and saw him looking down towards his lap. Maxwell cocked his head at the screen and asked, "Uuuuh, Rashad? Freaking Pandas, bro. Are you even listening?!" Rashad looked up as a bead of sweat dripped down his forehead, "Uh right. Pandas. Awesome. Oh my god!” Genevieve had resumed licking his stiff cock, the sensation taking him by surprise. He managed to finish his thought, “Great job, Maxwell. Ohhh. Really good.” Maxwell stared at the screen confused.

Liam cleared his throat catching Maxwell’s attention. His head snapped back to Liam, "Events! Yes! My wife and I were planning a fundraising gala tomorrow night to help with the cost of the new habitat as well as the actual shipment of the cubs to Cordonia. The queen has graciously allowed us to hold the event in Valtoria so any support from the crown and council would be appreciated." Liam smirked, "I'm sure you'll have Domvallier's support as well, right Rashad?"

Rashad gripped the desk tightly with both hands, "Right. Absolutely. Next topic please." Maxwell chimed in, "Actually, Liam. If I may, I'd like to take this time to mention that the pandas are not only a big deal for the sanctuary, but they may also be able to help with our tourism boost initiative, right, Rashad?"

"Yes, Maxwell. That's correct. Please stop talking to me,” he replied trying his hardest to form coherent sentences. Maxwell’s face fell, looking hurt. Genevieve stopped again and glared at him. Shaking his head, Rashad said, “I'm sorry, Maxwell. I didn't mean that.” That earned a smile from him, “It’s alright, buddy. Don't worry.”

“The next topic I’d like to bring up is increasing tourism. Rashad, you have had some really good ideas about this in the past. So if you wouldn’t mind, can you share with the others and bring them up to speed.” Rashad looked towards the webcam, trying to keep his facial expression even. “Liam, perhaps Mr. Walker would like to go next,” he held his breath to keep from moaning. His right hand moved to the back of her head grasping a fist full of her long black hair. “He...he...fuu…he had an idea about charter fishing trips. Drake, for the love of god, go ahead.”

Drake’s face lit up, “Yeah, so charter fishing is a really great untapped resource. I mean, who doesn't love to fish, right? And did you know that the waters around Cordonia are so much cleaner than surrounding areas? The current seems to pull the polluted water away from our bays. Cleaner water means cleaner fish plus....”

Rashad let out a sigh of relief, enjoying his girlfriend’s mouth wrapped around his cock. All of a sudden, Liam interjected, “Excuse me, Drake. Rashad, you and Drake have both fished in Portavira before. Would you agree that Cordonia’s bays are pretty clean?” Rashad grumbled under his breath, "Yep. Sure are." Drake looked affronted as he replied, "Of course they are clean. I just said they're clean. Whoa...Rashad...buddy, you okay?"

Liam asked a follow up question directed at Rashad, “How much cleaner? Because Portavira is known for their crystal clear waters.” Drake started to respond, but Liam cut him off, “I'd like Rashad’s opinion please, Drake.” He couldn't hide the irritation in his voice, “Liam, I really think I am capable of speaking about the water clarity…” Hoping to divert the attention away from him, Rashad agreed, "Drake is the...he's the expert, Liam. Let him...oh...let him answer. Sweet Jesus."

“Rashad, seriously, you don't look so good. You look like your about to…” Drake stopped talking once he realized what was happening. Rashad tapped Genevieve’s shoulder hoping she'd slow down, but she ignored him and kept bobbing her head up and down. Liam argued, “Well I like having the opinions of people who aren’t experts, to see how well our experts do at passing along their knowledge.”

"They're pretty damn clear, Liam!" Rashad said, pounding his fist on the desk. Liam chuckled, “No need to get hostile, Rashad. Are you sure you’re feeling alright? You seem awfully....tense.” Rashad glared at him but nodded his head, "Mmhmm. I'm fine. Let's just keep this meeting moving. Please."

“Sure thing,” Liam snorted. Pam came into view behind Drake, “What's wrong with Rashad?” Rashad covered his beet red face with his hands. “Oh my God!” Pam gasped, her hand over her mouth. Rashad didn't think he could handle anymore teasing from both his girlfriend and friends. "Hey, I gotta drop off the call, Liam. I'll call you later and catch up...oohhhh.”

Liam looked at Rashad's image on his computer screen and coughed to cover up the laugh that escaped his throat, “Drake, it sounds like you have a good plan in place. Thank you. Rashad, we’re almost done. Just hang on for a little bit longer. Let's talk about your idea. I know how excited you are to present this to the group.”

Rashad tried his best to regain his composure, "Right. Ahem, one thing to consider would be...oh god...the, um, golf course on Cormery Isle. If..." Rashad bit the inside of his cheek and took a deep breath. Genevieve grasped his cock in her hand and pumped him as her tongue continued to stroke and lick his swollen tip. He tried his best to continue, "excuse me...if Lord Neville and his family could talk to the PGA and have an exhibitionnnn. Lord Neville, why don't you continue." He dropped his fist and it fell with a thump on top of the desk. His head fell forward when Genevieve let out a quiet moan which sent a vibration through him.

Liam tried to gather himself as he rubbed his hand over his mouth to hide his laugh. “Actually, Rashad. Since you’ve held these types of exhibitions before in Domvallier and have the experience needed to make it a success, I think that it would be better for you and Neville to do this one together. What do you say?”

"Yes! God, yes! Ooohhh..." He closed his eyes, and his head fell back as he found his release, spilling himself into her mouth. Genevieve swallowed everything and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She looked up and smiled at him, holding back a giggle as the look on his face went from relaxed to sheer horror. The realization of what just happened dawned on him. He looked at the screen and saw Liam's grin grow bigger and bigger before he burst out laughing. “Hey, Gen! Hope you enjoyed the meeting,” Leo snorted. Genevieve covered her mouth, barely able to contain her laughter.

“Lord Rashad, make sure to get your golf shorts ready for the exhibition. It'll showcase your legs. Well, my Lords and Ladies, that's all I have for today. Let's follow up in a couple of weeks,” Liam said through his laughter before ending the video chat.

Rashad closed his laptop and pulled Genevieve up from underneath the desk. She stood in front of him, his hands gripping her waist. He chuckled as he said, “You enjoyed making me squirm way too much, Gen.” She leaned down and kissed him, “It seemed like you enjoyed yourself.”

He dialed a number on his desk phone and spoke to his assistant, “Please cancel the rest of my meetings for today. I have something urgent that needs to be addressed. It's going to take the rest of the afternoon to resolve it.” He hung up the phone and turned his attention back to her.

He stood up and pushed her back against the desk. He kicked of his shoes, his pants and boxers quickly followed. She removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it off of his shoulders. Then she pulled his undershirt over his head adding it to the pile of clothing on the floor. “Turn around, sweetheart,” he commanded. He pushed the items on his desk out of her way as she turned her body and bent over his desk. She felt his hands caress her ass, before settling between her legs. His fingers stroked her through her lace thong. “You're so wet, Gen,” he said in a low tone before he pulled her thong down her legs. He kissed the backs of her thighs, his hands going back to her throbbing core. His fingers stroked her slit. “Oh, Rashad,” she moaned. His cock hardened and he pumped himself a few times before he teased her wet entrance. “Please, Rashad. I need you,” she whimpered. He thrust into her slowly, enjoying the feeling of her around him. He gripped her hips and set a steady pace plunging into her over and over again. Sensing she was close, he brought his hand around and traced tight circles around her sensitive nub. “Oh god! Don't stop!” She cried out. She quickly came undone as waves of pleasure coursed through her body. Feeling her walls flutter and clench around him, he found his own release spilling inside her. He leaned over her and kissed her shoulders while trying to catch his breath.

Just then, his cell phone rang. He saw Liam's name flash across the screen and groaned, “Dammit, he's calling to give me shit.” He answered the call, “What can I do for you, Liam?” She could hear Liam laughing on the other end. “Do you even realize what you agreed to in that meeting?” Rashad's eyes went wide, “What fresh hell did I sign up for? You know damn well I wasn't paying attention.” This made Liam laugh even harder, “You agreed to help Neville set up a PGA exhibition at Cormery Isle.” Genevieve could no longer hold back and doubled over into a fit of giggles. He quirked his brow at her, “Oh you think this is funny? You have to come with me and play hostess alongside Neville's mother.” She immediately stopped laughing as her mouth fell open, which made Rashad chuckle. By then Liam had lost all control. He was laughing so hard that he dropped his phone and the call disconnected.

He turned to her, “Next time we pick the card together. All of the nobles think I'm either crazy or dying.” She laughed, “Oh I don't know. I like seeing my cool and calm boyfriend lose control.” She ran her hands up his chest, then wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled him into a heated kiss. “Now I believe you said it would take all afternoon to ‘resolve’ this issue…” She pulled him by the arm towards the sofa.

[idolizerp]

LOADING INFORMATION ON OLYMPUS’ LEAD VOCAL, LEAD DANCE  HUANG ZHANGHAN...

IDOL DETAILS

STAGENAME: Luke CURRENT AGE: 26 DEBUT AGE: 18 TRAINEE SINCE AGE: 15 COMPANY: Midas SECONDARY SKILL: Fashion

IDOL PROFILE

NICKNAME(S): trainer luke because of his love for sports and living a healthy life, angel luke because of his good behavior INSPIRATION: watching idol groups perform and seeing the fascination people had for them as well as how they could connect with so much people at the same time inspired luke to become a performer too. SPECIAL TALENTS:

his stamina, luke can do over 120 pushups without getting tired

he can hold a handstand for over three minutes and a plank for two

he can customize any piece of clothing on demand

NOTABLE FACTS:

luke started taking judo classes when he was six, developing his aptitude for it until almost reaching youth olympic level. he gave up judo to become an idol, but still practices it on his spare time. he is currently a blue belt.

he was appointed as an ambassador to the 2014 summer youth olympics in namjing, china, and was one of the torch bearers.

he is known for his charity work and constantly asks fans to donate money instead of giving him expensive gifts on his birthday. he recently joined an unicef campaign against school violence.

voted by other idols as the most friendly sunbae/the idol they would like to be friends with.

IDOL GOALS

SHORT-TERM GOALS:

his short goal is to maintain the status olympus already has, keep their brand as the most powerful amongst idol groups and secure successful comebacks during the year as well as awards at the end of the year.

LONG-TERM GOALS:

for the future he wants to solidify himself as a household name in the fashion industry, have more partnerships with different brands and design his own clothing and accessory line, as well as transition from an idol to a more laid back career in the smoothest way possible.here

IDOL IMAGE

the key to be an idol for a long term career – and you want that, don’t you? everyone wants that – is to be likeable, to be relatable. no one likes celebrities who look too posh, too full of luxury. they like the guy who is seen out at 3am to buy food at the corner store because he wanted to go for a walk, they like the guy who laughs too loud and who has a weird laugh. who is good looking as all idols are, but who doesn’t flaunt it, who is good looking in a way that doesn’t scary the ugly girls who idolize him.

this person? luke huang.

he is not a god, he is your average joe, your good son who does things for his family, who is known for treating his mother like a queen because it’s what she deserves, who pays for staff’s meals and gives nice wedding gifts. more than just likeable and relatable, luke is charitable. he is seen supporting comfort women despite not being korean, he visits orphanages and bring the kids toys, he goes to charity galas and gives one of his stage outfits for auction, visits hospitals and meets make-a-wish kids.

he is an idols’ idol too. the supportive senior, the ones who is seen watching the trainees practicing and who takes his time to give them advice, who listens to his juniors on variety and tells them about how they can improve, how they can reach the same status as olympus.

luke is the one who takes his time talking to fans be it online, be it on fan meetings. who never looks angry or bored when they crowd him at airports, who stops security from reaching the girls and help them up when they fall from trying to walk along him. he is always helping the other members with what he can, lets them talk over him on tv, never tells embarrassing stories about them, only heartwarming ones.

he is marketed as good and chic, always dressed in nice clothes that don’t look expensive, always telling the fans to not worry about the price of what they wear, but if it fits their style. he shops at fast fashion stores too, just like your average person would. tells girls to wear whatever they want and are comfortable with, don’t mind society’s stupid rules. he is the guy who posts #BLM, #metoo, who tells men to do better.

truly a good guy, luke huang, truly an angel sent to make life bearable to his fans, one song at time.

IDOL HISTORY

huang.

mother is a preschool teacher, father works for the government, their life is good. they are not rich, not by far, but they are not struggling, and that is better than what can be said about most of the country. so it’s a count your blessings type of situation in their family, they live well and they have a good, average life. they marry for love, not for commodity, but their story is not a romeo and juliet type of scenario, there are no fights or crying in your pillow at late night. it’s boy meets girl, they fall in love, they marry, a baby boy is born. it’s fine, everything is a long, long line of fine.

zhanghan.

he grows up a loved child.

mother takes care of him well, father takes him to judo classes that they can afford just fine, everything is good. but maybe the mistake is here, in this simple word: good. because mother is good, father is good, they come from two families of good people, so one would expect zhanghan would be good too. except he isn’t, not at all. zhanghan is born with something wrong in the way he sees the world, in the way he counts his blessings; he is born hungry, he doesn’t know what for, but there is a hunger inside him that nothing can stop. not doing well in school, not doing well in judo, nothing.

his childhood is easy, he ignores the hunger, focus on being a good son, on making his parents and his country proud. he has talent for judo, they tell him, maybe one day he can reach olympic level if he trains hard enough, puts enough effort into it. maybe that’s it, zhanghan thinks, the thing that he misses: a goal.

he grows up, but the talent doesn’t grow with him, not in the way everyone expects. he was good for a child, but he isn’t in the same level as the other teenagers, can’t even cut the team for the youth olympics. mother and father don’t complain, they tell him that he will find a better passion, something he is good at. he is young, he has time.

time seems to drag for zhanghan, seconds passing by like centuries in the mediocrity that is his life, trapped in what seems like an endless loop of school, casual training and going back home. it’s a good life, everyone tells him, he has parents who support him and friends who like him, a girlfriend or two, who would complain about it?

it’s still not enough, not nearly enough for someone who starves for so much more, for more opportunities than maybe college, maybe a good job. he doesn’t want good, he wants spectacular, he wants extraordinary. he wants a life he can only dream of, a life he has no idea of how to achieve now that he is a kid without a talent or special ability, but zhanghao is hungry and determined, and he will not live a life like he his parents; his future will not be of boy meets girl, gets married and has a family in some shitty part of town with some shitty job and shitty salary. his life will not, by any means, be just good.

the opportunity presents itself on a summer day when zhanghao is almost 15, limbs all lean and awkward, hair always messy and face always serious. it comes to him in the most innocuous of the conversations, a classmate talking about how her sister has spent the past days listening to the same awful korean song because she will audition for midas to be an idol. zhanghan turns to girl and smiles – he was always told he had a pretty smile, boyish and innocent – and asks her to tell him more. she does.

from that moment zhanghan knows what he wants to do.

mother and father are shocked, but supportive. you never liked music, they tell him, you don’t know a word of korean, they watch as he borrows korean dictionaries from the school library, already writing down some words.

everyone likes music to different degrees, he tells them, people say chinese is the hardest language to speak and he already knows that, korean can’t be that much harder. it will be easy, but first he has to come up with some ability, something that would make them want to sign him. mother and father don’t say a word, if this is what he wants to do he can do it, he can at least try. try and succeed, zhanghan tells them.

the audition happens at some tall building cramped in the middle of the city. blink and you mistake it by one of the many others, nothing special about it at all. midas rants a large room where they sit all the kids, tell them to fill some forms, for the parents to sign and for all of them to wait. zhanghan watches the competition, sizes up every other boy who take his spot, decides they may be more talented and more prepared, but he is more determined. he is hungry.

his is a very average performance and they tell it to his face, but he has charisma. i couldn’t take my eyes from you, a woman tells him in english, and zhanghan smiles. are you willing to work hard? he is. are you willing to leave your house, your family and friends and everything for a chance? he is.

he is willing to do whatever it takes, just please take him away from a life of mediocrity, of fines and goods.

mother and father are more than happy to sign the authorization if that is what he really wants. their little boy is about to become an artist, they say, hugging zhanghan.

maybe not an artist, he wants to tell them, but he sure as hell will become a star.

luke.

when asked for his birth date zhanghan says october 28th, but when asked for the day he was born the answer is different. because zhanghan was born the day he first entered the midas building. it’s a monday and he spent the worst weekend of his life getting used to the life in seoul and at a dorm where he knows most of the other trainees dislike him already – another mouth to feed, another person to get in the line when it’s time to shower, more competition for whatever spot midas sees him fit.

he knows enough english to get by with the coaches, but not nearly enough korean to understand the other boys – it’s fine, zhanghan is here to build something for himself, not to make friends – so midas throws him on classes all day long. korean classes, high school classes, singing, rapping, dancing, acting, they throw him towards all directions and see where he lands.

truth is, he is not particularly good at anything, but he has something, a sparkle, a magnetism, something that makes people want to look at him. it goes beyond the looks he is growing into, beyond the body he continues to train, there is something special about him, they say, star quality. we are not making artists here, kiddo, says a coach once, we are building idols. you don’t need to be good, you need to be likeable.

and that zhanghan is.

training is not easy, it’s days and nights learning the same steps, trying to reach the same notes, doing this and that and this and that again because it wasn’t good enough the first time. the other boys are mean, evil creatures ready to take each other apart if it means a chance at success. zhanghan is mean too, hungry for fame, for a life of money and power, and he will be damned if anyone tries to take it from him with empty words and fake smiles.

mother calls, asks if maybe he doesn’t want to give up, maybe this, like judo, isn’t for him. but zhanghan is set on making it happen because he won’t go back home and live a mediocre life like his parents, he won’t settle for a comfortable marriage and a good job just because. he wants more, he needs more, he needs the excitement of being on stage, of millions of people knowing his name, of having power his family and friends would never dream of.

so he doesn’t give up, stubborn and prideful, and three years later zhanghan is called to a room, told to sit down and wait. he needs a new name, zhanghan won’t stick to the korean audience, and they are courteous enough to give him a list of pre-approved names and tell him to pick one. he picks luke, like in the bible, not because he is a believer, but because it’s short, simple, easy to remember. people won’t have a problem telling him apart from the other boys, or that’s what he thinks.

the problem with debuting in a group is that you’re not a star, you are a part of a whole, a piece of a puzzle called olympus, each boy bringing something that in theory makes them all shine bright together. in practice it means fights and more fights about screen time, about who is the most popular, about who gets which line and who is in the forefront of the group. everything about their lives has always been a battle, luke guesses this wouldn’t be different.

it’s when they go to variety shows that he learns he needs to be more, do more. his korean is good now, but it’s not native level and so when he is asked about his life luke does what he does best: he fakes. he tells a story of struggle, of poor parents who lived from charity of their family members, of barely paying the bills on time and his judo classes being paid by an uncle because he really wanted to do it but his parents could afford it. he says he wanted to be an idol to help his family, that he sacrificed his own olympic dreams ( “i didn’t get to the olympics but i got into olympus, hahaha” he says ) because being an idol is more profitable and he couldn’t let his parents starve anymore, he needed to take action and help despite his parents being against it.

the result is instantaneous – articles written about him, people commending his bravery, picturing him as the best son ever, someone all parents would be proud of. how many kids can’t even study to their sats and here is this boy, this boy from another land, who gave up everything, who sacrificed everything to help his family, who was selfless and a hero. if only my child was like you, someone writes.

when mother calls, her voice trembling from crying, and asks why he said that, why he lied like this. we always supported you, we never struggled, we didn’t have the best life but we had a good life. why, she asks, why did you lie. because good is not enough, luke wants to say, because good is just that, just middle of the road. i want excellent, i want extraordinary.

“i’m sorry mother, the company forced me to.” it’s what he says, and the words come so naturally they sound like the truth.

he goes from the filler olympus member to the good boy, to the one everyone fights for because he is fighting for his family. give him more lines, his fans say at every new comeback, give him more screen time, give him something to do when olympus is not promoting, look at all the sacrifices he made for this, look at how much he is suffering. please, they beg and beg, please give him a chance, give him a chance to show his talent.

life is so much easier when you have other people fighting your battles for you.

olympus grows, award after award, accolade after accolade. the name is justified, they are gods. people know their names, people buy everything they put their faces on, they reign supreme, sitting above and looking at the others struggling. for luke it means the life he wanted, of money on his account, of brands giving them expensive clothes, of fans giving them expensive gifts.

opportunity comes for him to go back home and he goes. olympus is on down time anyway, he can be part of a show in china. mother and father visit him and the show caughts them on camera, luke crying like a child when he sees his mother. it’s only half pretending this time, he did miss her. he missed her embrace, her encouraging words. he trends on weibo for a whole day.

maybe he will leave, some people say. it’s been three months, why is he taking so long to return? he may be shooting a variety show, but it shouldn’t take so long, he shouldn’t be allowed to be there for so long. maybe he should leave, father says. but father doesn’t understand, he signed a contract, he is bonded for life – or something close to it. people start to be wary, his fans start to worry. they are all like this, these chinese members, they come, take our money and leave, people say online. his fans still blindly defend him, shield him from everything, every attack, every rude word.

this is what power feels like, luke thinks.

but luke comes back, midas already pulling at his shackles, reminding him of who he belongs to. he had a nice stunt back home, but olympus is his home now, this is his life. and truth be told, luke hates it a bit. the lack of privacy, the crazy fans, the working schedule, it’s all suffocating, not as glamorous as he thought it would be.

and yet, it’s better than whatever life he would be living at home, it’s better than good. olympus grows beyond everyone’s expectations; they become bigger, better, their fights escalate to impossible levels too. there is no brotherhood, their personalities clash, they already went through too much together to properly love one another. they are a collection of resentment and anger and tiredness, but they stick together because they have to. what’s mount olympus without its gods?

singing was never his dream and as time goes by luke grows tired of it. the songs are boring, the choreographies are not interesting, they have a formula and stick to it because it’s what brings them money and luke can’t care enough to ask for a change. he goes with the motions, but his heart is not there, it never was.

he does have a pretty face and a good eye for shiny things, a good taste in everything he buys, so midas goes with this, puts his face on magazines and tells him to express his love for fashion, make him attend seoul and beijing fashion week, throws him at fashion industry parties and tells him to make connections, and surprisingly luke likes it more than he likes judo, more than he likes singing. he is good at it, at understanding how the industry works, at ass kissing the right people so he has exclusive contracts.

it takes him long enough, but luke finds something that is not good, it’s excellent, exciting and interesting, something that definitely sets him apart from the others, something that will still give him the life he wanted when he was a boy. when he looks back, thinks of the struggles, the years of living in cramped dorms and sharing cheap meals with other kids he knows it was worth it. for his name known worldwide, for his luxurious penthouse and car, for the comfortable life he gives to his parents now.

and the best part? he didn’t have to fake a lot. just a little, just enough.

the ends always justify the means, after all.

[strang-news]

Dear H.R.

How Should I Respond The Next Time My Coworker Asks To Borrow My Clothes?

My co-worker of about a year, “Jill,” frequently compliments my work outfits and inquires about the brand or where I got them. They are not designer, usually resale. At first, the comments were nice, but it’s become an overreach when she’s said things like, “I like it so much I want to rip it off you.” Our employer is having a big gala fundraiser and has been asking for volunteers to be at the event. The other day in passing, Jill said, “Oh, I want to borrow that blue lace dress you wore to XYZ event from a few months ago!” I was a little surprised and didn’t respond in the moment. I’m not going to be volunteering for the upcoming event. I would like your opinion on how to respond when she gets wind that I won’t be there because I have a strong sense that she’ll bring up the dress again.

[The Washington Post]

Karla L. Miller urges the letter to politely, directly tell Jill they don’t lend out their clothes and to see if Jill’s behavior escalates. “If that seems plausible, you might want to keep track of your conversations and bystanders who overhear them in case you need to establish a clear behavioral pattern for HR,” she writes. Read the rest of her answer.

How Should I Handle My Colleagues' Near-Daily Conversations About Soybeans?

I graduated in the middle of the pandemic and got my first real job working remotely, only recently getting to the office as people started getting vaccinated. It was the first time I had to interact with my co-workers face to face. Generally, it's pretty good, but I have two particular co-workers, "Todd" and "Evan," and I'm not sure how to deal with them. Todd believes some weird conspiracy about soybeans. Yeah, the plant. Apparently, they're part of some 3,000-year-old plan from China to take over the world through the power of phytoestrogens or some nonsense. It's crazy, but at least Todd has enough self-awareness to not bring it up unless someone shows interest. Unfortunately, Evan has quickly realized he can bait Todd pretty easily and asks about this almost every day. It drives me nuts overhearing them in the cube farm, but I'm not really sure if it's worth raising it with management and possibly getting one or both in trouble. Can you help me with some perspective?

[Slate] Elizabeth Spiers encourages the letter writer to buy noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. "I'm afraid there's not much you can do here, other than lobby Evan to stop baiting Todd because it's driving you nuts," she writes. Read the rest of her answer.

How Can I Tell My Employee Never To Deliver A Status Update In Song Ever Again?

I am a newly promoted manager and am stumped on how to handle something bizarre that happened in a meeting today, primarily because my sense of humor is getting in the way. I asked one of my employees to explain the progress he’s made in the assignment he’s been working on, and he said, “I would love to tell you…in song.” He proceeded to pull out a harmonica and “find his note,” before erupting into a musical ditty explaining everything in detail. It was so weird…that I did not know how to respond in the moment. Making it worse is that I find this hysterical, and I could not stop smirking the rest of the meeting. Whenever I think about the occurrence, I start to laugh again. However, that doesn’t mean I find it acceptable, and intend to have a serious discussion with him tomorrow. But I’m curious to know how you would address it, particularly since my potential laughter and smiling will not convey how unacceptable I find his behavior. I do not want this to seem like a suggestion. Am I immature in not being able to hide these emotions? Am I making too big a deal about the situation? I never thought I would have to deal with this as a manager.

[Ask A Manager]

Alison Green asks whether the employee’s behavior really requires a serious discussion. “I mean, obviously you don’t want all status updates being delivered in song, but unless it becomes a pattern, I’d just assume it was an amusing one-off from someone having a good time (which is not a terrible thing if it doesn’t impede people’s work) and leave it at that,” she writes. Read the rest of her answer.

Did I Deserve A Write-Up At Work For Informing My Coworker That Chocolate Milk Does Not Come From Brown Cows?

So about two weeks ago, me and another co-worker was talking about the topic of chocolate milk, and well… she’s one of the 10% of Americans that actually believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows … I admit that I guffawed a bit, to which she took offense to, but I ended up apologizing BUT telling her that I thought she was a bit silly and told her that chocolate milk is actually just regular milk with chocolate syrup. To which, she got defensive and said that she didn’t believe me. So I asked her if I can show her proof that she was wrong and she dared me to do so; so I bought regular milk and chocolate syrup from a nearby store during my lunch, mix it up, and give it to her to drink. She ended up drinking it, and just left in a huff, and apparently just told our shift manager that she was leaving for the day because “she felt attacked by me,” and demands she needed a mental day. To which the shift manager didn’t approve of, but she left anyways, so whatever. But apparently, this whole thing got everyone else attention (because my co-worker made such a big scene about it) that it apparently attracted enough attention that my store manager had to personally call me to his office yesterday and tell me about what happened that day. I didn’t know at the time, but I really offended that poor co-worker of mine SO much that she told my store manager about how she couldn’t work with me anymore and that she even reported me to HR for “discriminating against her beliefs” and that I apparently caused enough mental damage that she couldn’t even go back to work due to how much I humiliated her… over chocolate milk. My store manager even wrote me up and warned me that the next time I acted in such an offensive manner like that, I would be fired. I mean, I’m already quitting and starting a new job anyways, but I worry about whether or not I’m actually the AH for this and if I should be more careful for my next job.

[Reddit via Twitter]

The commenters on the r/AmItheAsshole subreddit take the letter writer’s side. “Yeah it's a cow-ardly move, but some people just can't handle being wrong, even when they know what they've herd is bull,” one of them writes. “I'd try to steer clear in the future.” Read the rest of their answers.

[weddingplannercolumbiasc-blog]

Want To know extra approximately wedding ceremony Planners?

today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel and Bookpleasures is pleased to have as a guest Judy Allen. Judy is the author of Your pressure unfastened wedding Planner (Sourcebooks, Inc.), in addition to 5 expert books on occasion planning (John Wiley and Sons).

Judy has created-produced-orchestrated special occasions in over 30 nations for as much as 2,000 guests.

precise day Judy and thank you for agreeing to our interview.

Norm:

Judy, may want to you tell us something approximately your self and how you became worried in wedding planning?

Judy:

I started out in travel and handling one of the maximum producing offices for a countrywide chain. As a part of my office's boom, I developed company commercial enterprise, which evolved into managing all of their corporate occasions together with incentives, conferences, conventions, product launches and social company branding occasions. sooner or later, I joined one of the main incentive homes to design custom one- of- a type activities round the world for company clients.

Over ten years ago, I opened my own unique occasions company. As a end result, i have created-produced-orchestrated company and social special occasions round the world for over fifteen years, including the gala theatrical establishing for Disney's beauty and the Beast and the co-ordination of Oscar prevailing director Norman Jewison's twenty fifth Anniversary birthday celebration of Fiddler on the Roof.

further, i am also the author of five great-selling professional books on event planning which are getting used around the world through enterprise and commercial enterprise specialists, and as coaching equipment by way of Universities and colleges.

The overseas rights for my 2nd book, The enterprise of event planning, were sold to China and Russia, and Harvard has deemed my 0.33 e book, occasion planning Ethics and Etiquette, a "must examine" for occasion planning and small enterprise experts.

The occasion making plans collection Wedding Planner Columbia SC of books happened due to my being known as "to run and rescue" non-profit gala activities days earlier than an event changed into scheduled to take region.

I noticed that many charitable establishments were clueless as to what to be aware of and cautious of whilst planning events. i discovered this maximum traumatic.

The same scenario occurred with wedding ceremony planning. clients or their friends started out to seek advice from me regarding their private wedding plan desires. I stored hearing from them as to how demanding they located the manner to be- the hidden charges and surprises they kept encountering alongside the manner. because of the path i am taking my agency, I do restriction the variety of weddings that I in my view come to be worried in.

I wrote Your pressure free wedding Planner as a method to provide couples with what they want to know from a layout, budget, implementation (logistics) and orchestration attitude - now not etiquette - when they move to devise their wedding ceremony. I wanted to provide them a wedding planning tool that could held them experience the method, lessen the strain and display them how to create a wedding day this is significant, memorable and magical.

Norm:

should you inform us something approximately your book Your pressure free wedding Planner?

Judy:

i've shared with readers the ten key planning steps, that after observed in sequential order, will permit the bride and groom-to-be to create and co-ordinate a marriage with a view to exceed their expectations and stay inside their wedding ceremony price range recommendations. It does now not remember if a pair has six weeks to plot their wedding ceremony or a yr or more, the occasion making plans standards i have designed and the order of the steps which be accompanied for max consequences, remain the equal.

[accio-victuuri]

What little-known things did Wang Yibo do for the promotion of Chinese street dance?

In 2020, Wang Yibo participated in Street Dance of China season 3. After the airing, there have been several evening shows one after another. Attentive people may find that on these stages, Wang Yibo's supporting dancers are all Chinese faces.

Many of the supporting dancers in large-scale shows are contracted by large-scale dance companies. Among these dance companies, the "made in V" and "DT dance studios" are relatively large. Foreign Dancers also account for a larger proportion.

In the past, Wang Yibo's two evening shows had many foreign dancers and choreographers of foreign nationalities.

The choreographer on these three stages was Quan Zhejun, and Wang Yibo worked with him when he was a trainee. Kwon Cheol Joon is the choreographer of YG Entertainment in South Korea.

In 2020, Wang Yibo will participate in the SDC captain show, and the choreographer will be upgraded and replaced: Salvador Banuelos.

With the end of the third season, Team Yibo won the championship, and Wang Yibo roared "Chinese street dance is awesome!" After that, what kind of breakthrough his stage will have has always been what fans are looking forward to.

In the 2020 818 Mango Channel Gala, Wang Yibo’s new stage "Dragon Fist" was refreshing. This kind of perfect combination of national style and hip-hop performance was impressive. However, the choreographer was a little unexpected and saw one. Relatively fresh face: Ma Xiaolong

Ma Xiaolong is an excellent choreographer. He has participated in the second season and now the fourth season of SDC, and has been behind the scenes in the third season, helping Wang Yibo’s group to choreograph the dance.

2020 10.31 Mango Shopping Festival Gala - Choreographer Yu Yanlin, Chunlin, JF (Dance Choreographer).

Chunlin and Yu Yanlin used to be an impressive piece of SDC. Their move was seen in Yibo’s Versace on the floor performance.

The cooperation is not over yet. In the 2021 Mango New Year's Eve concert, Wang Yibo’s new song "My World Code" once again appeared on the stage of Yu Yanlin:

Most recently, his Yuehua Family concert Remix performance of Wugan. The choreographer were also from SDC— Jing Wei and Ye Yin.

After the end of SDC 3 , the members of the Yibo Wang Zha also got business performance opportunities because of the exposure of the show. Coincidentally, many of them are from brands endorsed by Wang Yibo.

• Da-ting participated in g-shock commercial and danced live during a Shu Uemura Event.

• Gongsun Wuming and Ping-An life.

• Keven in an Audi Event.

• Tao Tao and Cici for Swarovski.

• Guesting Bouboo in Day Day Up.

Most of these brands have not done the marketing with hip-hop elements. After 2020, they gradually invited members of Yibo Wang Zha.

Doing more and talking less has always been Wang Yibo's style of doing things. He started with himself first, started by appointing Chinese choreographers and dance groups— and promoted the street dance culture step by step.

src: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/411186275?utm_source=weibo&utm_medium=social&utm_oi=37659338604544&utm_content=snapshot

[halloweennut]

I fic’d for my DuckTales ocs. I, personally, blame @musekicker and @raidenraccoon , but it's mostly myself and the godforsaken heat. So I wrote some exploratory stuff. I'm not really all that pleased with the bit for Felicity, so I'm gonna reread it later and tack on here, but here's the one for Penelope I like under a read more. Granted, I have no clue how to write Scrooge and it McFreakin’ shows

His former secretary had retired, citing being too old to handle any and all shenanigans that happened in the Money Bin or in connection to McDuck Enterprises, LLCs, and etc. So unfortunately, Scrooge had been forced to hire a new secretary, Fortunately, there were always plenty in Duckburg, and businesses new and old were always hiring, so finding one that was available at a reasonable hourly wage was easy enough.

The new one was a young hen with brown feathers and a sharp, short bob that made her face look severe and older. Scrooge was glad she was young, and with a business degree to boot - it meant that she could work there as indefinitely like his former one, and at the same price but she wouldn’t need that much training. She was efficient, quick, and followed orders similarly, if not a bit aloof and cold at times, but at least she smiled at the triplets and Webby when they came to visit.

Granted her eyes were a little unsettling. Sharp like her haircut and constantly calculating, never resting for more than a minute unless she had to. It made him think of Gyro to the point he asked if they were related - he would have to insure the Money Bank twice as much if he had two Gearloose’s under his employ. But no, she only knew of him through her employer. It was like anyone in Duckburg with some brand of aspiration to reach ever higher and higher.

But she was quick and efficient and took a low pay, remembered how he liked his tea and smiled at his nephews and niece. And strangely enough, she never acted on the look in her eyes. She took to antics from unleashed magickal items and Gyro easily, tiptoeing over incidents and spills without taking her eyes off of her schedule and paperwork.  Gyro liked her because she was prompt, Fenton liked her because she would sometimes listen to him infodump when she had a moment to delay, the Board liked her because she was cheap, and the kids liked her because she snuck them treats with a smile and a raised finger that said “our secret.” Scrooge liked her for those reasons as well and after a while some worries dispelled.  

Until, that is, one day when his schedule was empty between 2pm and 3.

The secretary walked into his office at 2:05, tea, schedule and paperwork in hand, bob sharp, shirt and skirt pressed, and heels polished and pointed with sharp clicks on polished marble floors. Perfectly timed to when he would have wanted tea and updated paperwork and schedule for the rest of the day.

“Ah, Penelope, right on time,” Scrooge said, barely looking up from his paperwork consolidating his properties up north, glancing to the side with the familiar click of china on his desk. “Thank you, Penelope.”

Usually she left after that unless there was something that required his attention. But she stood in front of his desk, calculating and hungry eyes staring at him. Scrooge paused, hand stilled in the middle of his signature. He shifted to look behind her.

“Is there someone here to see me?” he asked. She shook her head.

“No, Mr. McDuck. Your schedule is free until 3,” Penelope said, tapping the appointment on the schedule with a finger.

“Then...well? What is it?”

“I wish to speak with you, sir. May I sit?”

He stared at her and nodded. The secretary sat on the edge of one of the stools in front of his desk, ankles crossed and paperwork carefully and almost purposefully arranged on her lap.

“If this is about a raise, as stated in your contract, you can’t ask for one until you’ve worked here for ten years,” Scrooge warned, ready to pull out his copy of it, along with magnifying glass, as it was in the fine print, but she shook her head.

“No,” Penelope said. “I’ve come to make you an offer.”

“Oh blazes, not this again.” Scrooge groaned, slapping a hand over his eyes. “Listen, you are very lovely, and a very fine secretary, but I really don’t need-”

“Oh god, no I am not offering that. I have morals, Mr. McDuck,” she interrupted. “Well they’re loose in some regards but not like...that. I’m offering something different that will actually interest you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You have one minute to either impress me or go back to your desk and we both pretend none of this happened.”

She smiled thinly with a matter of fact kind of look. “You see Mr. McDuck, companies like yours are always looking for secretaries. There are plenty, you know, some with dreams of climbing a corporate ladder to the top, or into a lap of some wealthy mogul.”

Penelope pulled a small file from the paperstack on her lap.

“I’m not interested in doing either. I’m just a very, very good secretary.”

The folder slid onto his desk, and she flipped open, revealing the Glomgold logo.

“Compiled here is all Glomgold attacks on your life and all attempts to out-do, copy and what have you,” she continued.”In chronological order, for convenience.”

Scrooge flipped through them absentmindedly, remembering all quite clearly until the he reached the last three forms. He didn’t recognize the events listed at all - following him on a lumber mill survey, splashy charity gala, an uncomfortable red wedding scenario in potentia -, so unless he had been drugged, knocked out, or he repressed the memories, she was wrong.

“I think you mixed up some files, Ms. Glider,” Scrooge deadpanned, pushing the stack nearly over the edge. “I don’t think these have happened at all.”

Penelope caught them with a slap, which made him tense for a moment, and pushed them back.

“Not yet.”

Scrooge raised an eyebrow, and her mouth raised into a light, rare smile.

“May I suggest, sir, looking at the dates of those three?”

He flipped back open to the last forms. They were dated from three months from then up to two years. Scrooge squinted and reread them. He repeated the lines again, this time with an added frown.  Before he could even ask, she continued.

“Secretaries compile schedules, take notes, organize files and paperwork. Contact contractors. Set up appointments and meetings. Take care of their employer’s agenda,” she said. “But they go wildly unnoticed, don’t they, Mr. McDuck? As such, no one really notices or questions them, making it very easy to compile data. And when you’re good with computers to boot - well, it just makes you a very good secretary.”

He blinked. “That’s how you got these three?”

Penelope nodded. “Glomgold is a monologuer, but he is also strangely very meticulous with his agenda involving beating you. He has plenty more if you’re interested.”

“And if I was, why should I believe you don’t work for him?”

“Oh, I do. He needs a night secretary after 5pm. How do you think I got most of my data on him?”

“Then how should I believe that you aren’t spying on me for him?” Scrooge stood, voice starting to raise, and half-ready to end this nonsense and fire her. After confiscating any and all information on him, of course.

“I don’t use the word spy. I prefer…,” she paused for a moment. “Corporate espionage. And I only do it for myself. I like the challenge. And McDuck Enterprises? The most challenging company I’ve ever come across. That’s why I’m offering to spy for you. On Glomgold. Beaks. Rockerduck. Whoever. They are always hiring.”

“So you jump from secretary position to secretary position, for the challenge?” he said with a raised brow.

“Usually.” Penelope shrugged. “But you know? I like working here. There’s the challenge, of course, but I’m not treated like an idiot here either. No one has ever called me sweetheart.”

“So exactly why,” Scrooge asked, sitting back down and steepling his fingers. “Would keeping you be beneficial, other than being a competent secretary?”

“By keeping me as a secretary and corporate espionage associate-”

“Just say spy.”

“Fine. And spy,” she deadpanned, “you’ll not only have a better competitive edge on some of your rivals but you’ll have something they never had or will have.”

“And what could that be, Penelope?”

“My loyalty to you and the company, and keeping other corporate espionage associates- ahem, spies, out of your business.”

“Before I answer, how much do you have on me?” Scrooge asked, wary.

“A dossier twice the size of this one compiled from both public and private records. I make one of all my employers. Like I said, I’m very good at my work.”

“Why does this keep happening,” Scrooge muttered under his breath, pinching the bridge of his beak. First his spy housekeeper, now his spy secretary. He looked up at her again. “Your contract  stays the same, Penelope.”

She smiled another rare smile and nodded, slipping back to her normal seriousness and slipping the Glomgold dossier off his desk, replacing it with another. “Thank you, Mr. McDuck. Here is the information on your three o’clock appointment along with your notes from the previous meeting. Do you require anything else?”

He shook his head. Penelope nodded and stood, heading back to the door. Before she exited and faced him again with a finger to her beak. Their secret. Scrooge shook his head once the door clicked, and finished his half-scrawled signature. Maybe he would have to get more insurance after all.

But he had to wonder: why tell him any of this at all?