Chapter 38: Design — I like this model.
Ye Zhen Zhen looked at the proffered contract, but she did not reach out to take it. Zhou Wen didn’t press her and simply looked at her patiently. Ye Zhen Zhen pursed her lips and said with a voice full of remorse, “I’m sorry, I might need to think this matter over.”
Obviously, Zhou Wen had given her this opportunity because of the former’s friendship with Ye Zhen Zhen. She had accepted it so pretentiously that she inevitably made others feel as if she lacked awareness of her situation. Only…she must discuss this matter with Ji Zhe Yan. She knew he did not want her to prematurely throw herself into work.
Zhou Wen did not get angry at her reply and merely smiled at her. “That’s alright. You’re welcome to think this matter over.”
Instead, this forgiving manner made Ye Zhen Zhen feel even more embarrassed. “Thanks… Can I keep the contract to look over?”
“Of course you can.”
Ye Zhen Zhen smiled and stowed the contract into her bag. Although Zhou Wen was only her senior by three years, she was far more mature and steady, like someone from the older generation that could be depended on.
Because it was early, neither of them were in a rush to leave and chatted idly. Perhaps because of housekeeper Zhou’s influence, Zhou Wen also had a deep interest in cooking, with her room not lacking in cookbooks at all. Ye Zhen Zhen’s admiration of her immediately increased. “What dishes can you make?”
Zhou Wen picked up a cookbook and handed it to Ye Zhen Zhen. “I learnt according to what was written in here, and nothing I make is too inedible. I am different from you. If I cannot cook for myself, then I have no choice but to starve. Over the past few years, my cooking has naturally been somewhat refined.”
Ye Zhen Zhen blushed at her words. Originally, when she had stayed at Ye Mansion, housekeeper Zhou had handled all the cooking. Now at Dr. Ji’s place, Dr. Ji prepared their meals. Both of these people had excellent craftsmanship, so she had not had to worry about her daily meals. She realized, however, that this situation could not continue forever, as Dr. Ji was normally very busy with work. Yet, he still cooked for her after returning home, which was something that always gave her a guilty conscience.
She felt that she really should start learning cooking skills. Even if she wasn’t learning to cook for others but merely to satisfy
her own gluttony, it was still a good course of action. After thinking about it for a while, she earnestly noted down the cookbooks in Zhou Wen’s room. She intended to go and buy a couple of them when she went for a stroll later.
Zhou Wen saw her dirty trick and laughed in spite of herself. This young lady was definitely in love. Although she had not intentionally made some inquiries about Ye Zhen Zhen’s current residence, she would only need two fingers to count the people she could rely on for help from in A City. Moreover, when Ye Zhen Zhen had stayed in the Ye Mansion, she had heard about how the amnesiac girl was very close to the doctor in charge of her case with the surname ‘Ji.’
She selected some cookbooks and handed them to Ye Zhen Zhen. “These dishes are all relatively easy to master, and the recipes are also simple; therefore, they’re suitable for a beginner. You can keep these to practice.”
Realizing she had been exposed, Ye Zhen Zhen felt a bit embarrassed. “There’s no need. I can buy my own copies.”
Zhou Wen looked at her in bemusement. “These are just some cookbooks; it’s nothing much. They aren’t worth more than a couple yuan, so I’ll save you a trip to the bookstore.”
“Then thank you.” Ye Zhen Zhen reluctantly accepted the offer and placed the cookbooks into her bag. Zhou Wen’s room had a lot of books. Apart from cookbooks, most of them were fashion magazines. Ye Zhen Zhen swept her gaze over the bookshelf. She felt that this magazine, 《TOMATO》, sounded very familiar. Oh, right, the original Ye Zhen Zhen’s wardrobe had a lot of clothes that were supposedly from this magazine.
She curiously opened the issue to take a look and became lost in thought the split second she saw the beautiful women’s clothes. Perhaps because a model was wearing them, these clothes looked much better than the ones in her wardrobe and who knew how many times better than what she designed.
Zhou Wen saw her expression and roughly guessed what she was thinking. “《TOMATO》 magazine was originally filled with photos of clothing from famous brands, but they later began to sign on designers of their own, intending to become an independent brand. They are under the banner of Kai Huang magazine, so they naturally have vast resources to use at hand. Therefore, their growth is very good. The clothing in the issue were designed by famous designers, so they naturally became popular instantly upon
upon release.”
Ye Zhen Zhen stared blankly at the magazine in her hand for a while. Clearly, these words were meant to console her. Zhou Wen looked at her, and although her eyes smiled, her expression was absolutely firm. “You have a gift for design. As long as you work hard, your designed clothes will inevitably be published in a magazine like this, with their best models showcasing your work.”
Ye Zhen Zhen had no choice but to concede. In her heart, a small spark was ignited by Zhou Wen’s words. She did not know where her passion for design came from, but she knew that Zhou Wen’s words about the future were very attractive to her.
“I like this model.” Ye Zhen Zhen had always been, from the start, a very enthusiastic young adult. Her despondent self had completely transformed into a person with fighting spirit after those words of comfort. “I plan to have her wear my designs in the future!”
Zhou Wen looked down at the magazine and clearly saw the model she was pointing at. Her expression shifted minutely, becoming mild. “That…might be a little difficult.”
“Why?” Ye Zhen Zhen was displeased; in any case, she had taken a fancy to this model.
“This isn’t a model contracted with 《TOMATO》. She is…Emperor Mo’s wife.”
Ye Zhen Zhen’s expression immediately resembled: Σ( ° △ ° )︴.
She, she had unexpectedly taken a fancy for Emperor Mo’s wife!
“She was originally Emperor Mo’s assistant, although after photos of her and Emperor Mo wearing matching couple outfits were released, she trended instantly. I heard magazines still want to sign her on as a model, but Emperor Mo refuses. Moreover, she is pregnant at the moment and has already hidden herself from the limelight for quite a while.” Zhou Wen looked for the magazine that had created a stir throughout the entire nation as she gave her explanation. “Found it, it’s this issue.”
Ye Zhen Zhen took the magazine Zhou Wen offered and flipped through it. She couldn’t help but admit that these two really were well matched; looking at them was completely heartwarming and pleasing to the eye. In particular, that heady atmosphere—even with her being separated from them by a magazine, she could feel a blush rising as her heart began beating faster. She glanced at the model’s name printed to the side: 「 A’yao」.
Well, this model matches my aesthetic taste. I want to give her babies—no! I want to design clothes for her!
Ye Zhen Zhen secretly vowed to give her utmost effort. After she signed a contract with 《TOMATO》,
with 《TOMATO》, she would marry her and reach the pinnacle of her life alongside this model!
She kept wondering where these strange thoughts came from though.
Ye Zhen Zhen chatted some more with Zhou Wen before returning to the apartment building. Ji Zhe Yan had the day off today, so when Ye Zhen Zhen returned home, an aroma was already permeating from the kitchen. When she saw Ji Zhe Yan bustling in the kitchen, Ye Zhen Zhen walked up to embrace him from behind, snuggling into his back. “Dr. Ji~”
Her rippling tone was as sweet as if one secretly ate a whole jar of honey.
Ji Zhe Yan smiled and set down his spoon. He reached behind him to pat her head. “What’s up? Did you experience something good?”
“Mn, I found a model I really like today. Unfortunately, she is married to Emperor Mo.”
Ji Zhe Yan: “…”
There were too many issues with this sentence that Ji Zhe Yan did not know how to respond.
Therefore, he decided to change the topic. “Alright, go wash your hands. Food will be ready soon.”
“Okies!” Ye Zhen Zhen began to speed off, only to turn her head back to look at him. “Dr. Ji, I brought back many cookbooks today. After I learn how, I’ll cook for you!”
Ji Zhe Yan’s eyes glinted before he turned around and hummed in agreement. Ye Zhen Zhen saw that the outer rims of his ears were slightly red and giggled. She went to wash her hands cheerfully.
After eating, Ye Zhen Zhen cleaned up the dishes and grabbed the contract Zhou Wen gave her. She walked into the living room. “Dr. Ji, Zhou Wen told me that the clothes I had designed are selling very well, so she wants to sign a long-term contract with me.”
Sure enough, Ji Zhe Yan adopted a serious expression. Ye Zhen Zhen promptly handed over the contract. “I haven’t given an answer yet, since I wanted to ask for your opinion first.”
Ji Zhe Yan’s expression cleared up a bit. He skimmed through the contract. It was a standard contract, and although the benefits and salary were not much, Ye Zhen Zhen was a newcomer with no experience or degree. This was already pretty good for her level. The contract was for three years, and after he carefully read through it all, he looked up to ask Ye Zhen Zhen, “What’s your opinion?”
“I…” Ye Zhen Zhen was unsure of what to say. If this was before, she would have been impatient to settle down and pursue a goal; she probably would have probably would have been eager to sign the contract. After seeing the designs in 《TOMATO》 magazine earlier today, however, she felt that she was still quite inexperienced and needed to learn many things.
Ji Zhe Yan saw her remain silent and then said, “Then I’ll express my opinion first. I still disapprove of you joining the workforce too early. People spend only several years studying in school, yet afterward, you’ll spend the rest of your life working. You don’t need to impatiently seek it out. Although many university students work part-time and gain a lot of work experience, they do so on top of all the studies they have to complete.” He paused here before adding, “Of course, this is a good opportunity. If you can do both study and work, I will not oppose.”
He didn’t want to restrict Ye Zhen Zhen’s growth. Instead, he had always believed that if Ye Zhen Zhen regained her memory, a lot of things would change. In particular, her real identity—he always felt…
“Mn, I understand. I’ll talk it over with Zhou Wen and see if I can do part-time.” Ye Zhen Zhen really felt that Ji Zhe Yan’s words were reasonable, especially since her circumstances were still muddled at the moment. Indeed, she might not be able to keep a steady full-time job.
Ji Zhe Yan pulled her to sit down beside him and stroked her head. “I intend to send you to study design, so if you really want to follow this path in the future, this will be helpful. What do you think?”
Ye Zhen Zhen didn’t expect that Ji Zhe Yan was already making plans for her. She hugged him and felt like crying. “Dr. Ji, thank you. But, but, I don’t have an ID card.”
Ye Zhen Zhen had always been mentally troubled about how she was considered undocumented.
Ji Zhe Yan nearly laughed at this. Not having an ID card, as if one could sign a contract without one. He pulled her head to his chest and continued petting it, saying with a smile, “I can seek out a friend and talk to them about your circumstances. You won’t need to go through any formal procedures.”
Ye Zhen Zhen looked at him, touched. “Thank you, Dr. Ji. In order to express my gratitude, I’m going to kiss you.” She leaned up to press a kiss to his lips once she finished speaking. Ji Zhe Yan was stunned, but his gaze gradually softened. He slid his hand behind Ye Zhen Zhen’s head to pull her closer, deepening the kiss.