Stop There, Daddy

When Wen Shuyue recalled that she still had to go to work, He Siming had already snuggled up to her. He nestled his chin against her neck and, breathing slowly, told her that he had sent a message to Xiaolu with her phone.

Wen Shuyue rolled her eyes at him in spite of herself.

He had been much more well-behaved since she had started giving him the silent treatment. He had also become much smarter. Wen Shuyue was astonished that he had sent a message to ask for leave of absence on behalf of her.

Wen Baobao was sent to the preschool by the nanny, so the two of them spent the whole morning languidly staying at home. In the afternoon, they went out to do what they were supposed to do.

Wen Shuyue had just arrived at the company when she suddenly thought of Chang Ning. She recalled that she had not compensated Chang Ning for her torn clothes.

A smile touched Wen Shuyue’s lips, and with that she grabbed her handbag and made for the door. She chanced upon Xiaolu who was walking over with some documents in her arms. She said to her, “Xiaolu, postpone everything on my schedule for this afternoon. I have an errand to run this afternoon. I won’t be in my office.”

Having finished speaking, Wen Shuyue walked into the elevator before Xiaolu could say anything.

Xiaolu scratched her head in confusion and looked in the direction that Wen Shuyue had just gone. She thought, ‘Miss Wen has only just gotten here. Is there an emergency?’

This time around, Xiaolu’s speculation was wrong. Wen Shuyue had nothing urgent to deal with. She just went to Chang Ning’s studio.

“How did you find this place?” Chang Ning looked at Wen Shuyue who was sitting opposite her.

Wen Shuyue’s rosy lips curved in a faint smile as she said, “You’re a celebrity in the fashion industry. How hard could it be for me to find this place?”

“Ha.” Chang Ning crossed her legs and placed her interlocked fingers on her lap, her face mutinous. “If you’re here to strike up a relationship with me or something like that, then I’m afraid your trip is wasted. I don’t like making friends.”

Though having learned something new about her on the Internet last night, Wen Shuyue was still momentarily surprised by Chang Ning’s arrogant and brooding air, but she soon recovered herself.

Wen Shuyue maintained her polite smile. “Ms. Chang, I’m here to compensate you for the damage I caused yesterday. Of course, your speculation is right. My intention to make friends with you is also part of the reason for my visit.”

As if having anticipated it, Chang Ning gave a cold snort but made no response.

Wen Shuyue didn’t mind. She continued, “To be honest, I’m a fashion designer as well. I believe you’ve heard of MK. I’m an employee of it.”

With that Wen Shuyue pulled a business card from her handbag and pushed it up to Chang Ning. “Wen Shuyue, the president of MK’s subsidiary in this country.”

Chang Ning glanced at the business card and then pushed it back to Wen Shuyue and said coldly, “Sorry, I’m not interested.”

Wen Shuyue had heard that Chang Ning was unsociable and maverick. This time Wen Shuyue distinctly felt it.

“I think fashion design is about keeping up with the tide. We have to make our every design cater to the mass-market and add some novel quality to it so as to get our design popular.”

Wen Shuyue paused momentarily before she looked Chang Ning in the eye. “And I think innovation and novelty both require a collision between different types of ingenuity or different elements. Ms. Chang, don’t you think there’s a chance that s&k and MK might collaborate?”

“I don’t think so,” Ming Ning answered coldly. “Firstly, I don’t want to make clothes that ‘cater to the mass-market’ you just mentioned. I want the attire I design to be what I like. I don’t need anybody to judge my works. Secondly, the creativity of s&k is not about trying to innovation unaided, but we don’t need any changes brought by elements that don’t suit us. Last but not least, although MK cooperated with Mannis twice in a row, in my eyes, all the clothes you guys manufactured are virtually trash except for those displayed in the fashion show.”

Wen Shuyue lowered her head and took a sip of her coffee as a ghost of smile touched her lips.

She put down her coffee cup and leaned forward a little. “You can’t deny that MK’s designs have their own uniquely fashionable elements, Ms. Chang.”

Chang Ning made no response.

Wen Shuyue gave a faint smile and said unhurriedly, “We sell clothes to customers so they can wear them. To popularize clothes of the same style more quickly, manufacturing them is inevitable, but it doesn’t make them trash.

“Also, I think you’ve seen a lot of fashion shows before. You should know that most of those clothes are slick. They’re just a promotional gimmick. They take advantage of people’s appetite for pretty clothes to leave a favorable first impression on them, so I’m afraid I don’t agree with you.”

Chang Ning stiffened momentarily. It surprised her that Wen Shuyue was not an eye candy who had slept her way up the hierarchy. Her interest was piqued.

She gave a smile and, looking at Wen Shuyue, pointed at her clothes and said, “Do you know how long it took to make this set of clothes of mine? Do you know how clothes are made in my studio?”

Not expecting to hear an answer from Wen Shuyue, she replied, “On average, it takes 12 hours to make a piece of clothing in my studio, and we have five tailors working on a piece of clothing at the same time…”

As minutes ticked away, Chang Ning went deeper and deeper into the topic. During the process, Wen Shuyue was amazed. It had never occurred to her that most of s&k’s clothes were handmade. They could compare with the most famous brand in the world.

The two of them chatted for almost two hours. Only then did Chang Ning realize that Wen Shuyue had tricked her into leaking a lot of information. She was annoyed.

She asked, “Have you been worming information out of me?”

She had long eyes, and when she narrowed them, there was a dangerous gleam in them. Wen Shuyue was scared by the look in her eyes, but she managed to compose herself. “You misunderstood, Ms. Chang. I’m just here to exchange opinions with you. Besides, I thought we had a good time talking with each other.”

Wen Shuyue smiled and handed the compensation to Chang Ning. “Allow me to compensate for the clothes I ruined yesterday.”

Chang Ning slid her a sideways glance and said coldly, “No need.”

Then she stood up and walked off.

Wen Shuyue’s lips curved in a big smile. She found Chang Ning very interesting. If she became friends with Chang Ning, they would have a lot to talk about.

Wen Shuyue returned to the company only to find that Gu Ning was also present. At the sight of Xiaolu who looked flustered, Wen Shuyue came to know that her boss had found out that she had skipped work.

Her dark eyes roved and with that she smiled apologetically, “To what do I owe this pleasure, boss? You’re a rare visitor here.”

“Stop it.” Gu Ning slid her a sidelong glance. “Wen Shuyue, have I not assigned you enough tasks? Was that why you missed work?”

His tone of voice was calm but cold.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Wen Shuyue stopped smiling and her face became serious. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s too late to apologize!” Gu Ning smacked his hand down on the desk and sprang to his feet, staring fixedly at her with his long eyes.

Wen Shuyue gave a shudder of fear. This was Gu Ning’s first time dressing her down. Frowning, she tentatively asked, “What do you want me to do?”

“Enter the National Fashion Design Contest on behalf of our company and win it.”

“What?” Wen Shuyue suddenly raised her voice after hearing that. “Boss, are you kidding? The National Fashion Design Contest? I’m not a superwoman!”

“I’m not asking.” Gu Ning, heading for the door, said leisurely, “But if you resign, I’ll allow it.”

With that he left.

Wen Shuyue stamped her foot in anger, feeling that Gu Ning was treating her like a draught horse.