Chapter 363: Take the job
He straightened properly and offered a polite nod. "My name is Mark. I am the director of Indigo Beauty."
Hua Jing blinked.
Mark.
Director of Indigo Beauty.
Though his appearance leaned more Western, his Mandarin was fluent and refined, with only the faintest trace of an accent. She quickly recalled the name Indigo Beauty. She had attended their gala a few weeks ago after receiving an invitation. It had been one of her first public appearances after regaining consciousness.
But she had never expected someone from Indigo Beauty to personally seek her out — and certainly not at her private residence.
"You were looking for me?" she asked, studying him carefully. "For what reason?"
She gestured politely toward the sitting area. "Please, have a seat."
A servant quickly brought tea and withdrew discreetly.
Mark accepted the cup but did not waste time on small talk. His gaze was direct, professional, yet still friendly.
"I’ll get straight to the point," he said.
He set the teacup down gently.
"I want you to be Indigo Beauty’s new global brand ambassador."
The words landed calmly, but their weight was undeniable.
Hua Jing did not immediately respond. She watched him in silence, her expression unreadable. After everything that had happened — the scandal, the court trial, the resurfacing of her past — she knew aligning with her publicly right now was not a light decision for any company.
"Why me?" she asked evenly.
Mark’s smile softened, but his tone grew serious.
"Because your name carries influence — not just fame," he said. "There’s a difference."
He leaned back slightly, folding his hands together. "We’ve been observing you for some time. Even before the recent events. Your comeback, your resilience, the public sympathy, the strength you showed in court — these things cannot be manufactured by marketing teams."
He paused, then added, "Indigo Beauty is entering a new phase. We want to rebrand — to focus on authenticity, strength, and elegance born from experience. Not just glamour."
His eyes met hers meaningfully.
"You embody that."
Hua Jing’s fingers rested lightly on the armrest of the sofa. She remained calm, but internally, she was processing every word. Indigo Beauty was not a small company. It was internationally recognized, with massive influence in both Eastern and Western markets.
"For you to approach me at this timing," she said slowly, "means you are prepared for potential backlash."
Mark did not hesitate.
"We are," he replied firmly. "We’ve already conducted risk assessments. Public sentiment toward you is overwhelmingly positive. If anything, partnering with you now strengthens our new direction."
He smiled faintly. "Besides, controversy fades. Character doesn’t."
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Outside, the yellow flowers swayed again in the breeze.
Hua Jing thought about the past year — the betrayal, the coma, the courtroom, the truth finally surfacing. She had not fought her way back simply to hide forever. She had fought to reclaim her life.
Still, she did not give an immediate answer.
"This is sudden," she said honestly. "I would need time to consider it."
"Of course," Mark responded smoothly. "I didn’t expect an answer today."
He reached into his briefcase and placed a neatly prepared proposal folder on the table. "This contains the contract draft, projected campaigns, and creative direction. Take your time reviewing it."
He stood up, adjusting his suit jacket.
"One more thing," he added gently. "This isn’t charity. It’s business. We believe in your value."
His words were deliberate — respectful.
As he prepared to leave, Hua Jing walked him toward the entrance. The sunlight illuminated the hallway, casting soft reflections along the polished floor.
"I truly hope we can work together," Mark said before stepping out.
Hua Jing watched as his car disappeared beyond the gates of Yellow Garden.
The sound of the engine gradually faded, leaving behind only the whisper of wind brushing against the flowers.
Her gaze lowered slowly to the proposal in her hands.
Indigo Beauty.
It was not some small, struggling brand looking for a lucky breakthrough. It was a powerhouse. An international empire in the beauty industry. When she had attended their gala weeks ago, the entire venue had glittered like a field of stars. Male and female celebrities from every corner of the industry had gathered there, dressed impeccably, smiling flawlessly, each hoping to be chosen.
Because Indigo Beauty was not looking for a regional ambassador.
They were looking for a global face.
Not just someone to represent the Eastern market, not just someone to grace a few domestic campaigns — but someone whose image would be plastered across billboards in Paris, New York, Seoul, Shanghai, Milan. Someone whose face would be synonymous with their new era.
That kind of opportunity did not come often.
And she had not expected it to come to her.
As she slowly walked back toward the garden, the proposal resting lightly against her chest, her thoughts tangled together. If she intended to return to the entertainment industry — and she did — choosing Indigo Beauty as her first major collaboration would be a powerful statement. It would signal not just a comeback, but a rise.
Yet she could not ignore the risks.
Many of the artists who had attended the gala had loyal, aggressive fan bases. Those fans had already built expectations in their hearts. If Indigo Beauty announced her as the ambassador, disappointment would quickly turn into hostility.
And although public opinion had largely shifted in her favor after the trial, there were still pockets of vicious voices online — anonymous accounts that clung to old grudges, twisting narratives, spreading malice.
If those voices redirected their anger toward Indigo Beauty, the company would inevitably face backlash.
She did not want to become someone else’s burden.
Reaching the swing, she sat down once more, letting the gentle rocking motion calm her restless mind. The late afternoon sun painted everything in warm gold. She opened the proposal and began reading carefully.
The package was generous — more than generous. The compensation was impressive, but what truly caught her attention was the creative direction. The rebranding strategy aligned with strength, rebirth, resilience. Campaign themes like "Unbroken," "Emerge," and "Light After the Storm."
It felt... intentional.
