Upon hearing President asking about Madam, Zhu Rui smiled and said, “In response to the President’s question, Miss Ning has a dinner appointment today, so she is not the office now.”
Dinner appointment?
Lu Shaoming’s left hand, which held a pen, did not pause. He raised his eyebrows and asked carelessly, “What appointment?”
“Miss Ning has her heart set on designs done by the top costume designer in the country, Fan Chengsi. She has an appointment with him today because she wants him to custom design the costumes for her.” Lu Shaoming knew Fan Chengsi; he’s known in the corporate world for being the famous descendant of a rich family, a star on Weibo. His father had a chain of department stores and was a man of outstanding talent, on the list of the nation’s billionaires. He himself has a strong flair for fashion design and was often known as the CEO of Fashion Design.
Only to pity, Fan Chengsi has an unconventional lifestyle. He likes to surround himself with women daily, and once held a grand party with young models when he was 20 years old. He was surrounded by a group of beauties who were wearing bunny headbands dressed in bikinis, deeming himself the emperor and the girls his concubines. He is daring and stubborn.
Those that wanted him to design could line up to the Huangpu River; he was only willing to throw a few sketches after he played around enough and was satisfied with the person before him before he’d move forward. Stubbornness was part of his personality, but whenever he designed an article, it was an extraordinary piece of work.
Lu Shaoming’s delicate features were tight, and the tone of his voice lowered. “Don’t we already have a brand working with us on the production?”
“Yes, we are working with an international brand with a huge presence, but unfortunately, Miss Ning said that their designs do not suit the content of the production. Miss Ning also said that Fan Chengsi’s designs are elegant and graceful, and have the touch of a fairy. She says that his clothing is well suited for someone like Xia Xiaofu. On top of that, it’s important to note that Fan Chengsi has a huge following on Weibo; if she could work with him, it would only be a boon to our efforts.”
Lu Shaoming sneered coldly in his heart. Ning Qing was reluctant to cut any corners. This is her first directorial effort. She is standing at the height of popularity in the entertainment industry. Many in her position would be afraid of failure, and they would choose to keep their heads low as they gain experience. Whenever she is in the limelight, she rides that momentum. She signed two actors that were at the height of popularity now, Ou Luoxi and Xia Xiaofu. She enlisted the help of director Wang An, and even for the costumes, she daringly wanted to use the creations of Fan Chengsi.
She was only 21. She did not fear climbing even further. If the stage play did not succeed this time, wouldn’t falling from such a great peak cause even more pain?
Lu Shaoming felt his breathing become unsteady. He closed his eyes. He forgot that the girl who could think of such an idea of having a stage play advertisement is daring and intelligent enough to take it on. Looking at it now, it seems like her abilities did not concede to a man’s. Lu Shaoming pursed his thin lips, and could not help but snort, “Isn’t she afraid that Fan Chengsi would not bother with her?”
Fan Chengsi’s designs aren’t just available to whoever wants them.
Zhu Rui was surprised that his President would say this. He kind of felt that President was acting jealous. Zhu Rui laughed and said, “President, whether he chooses to bother with her, she needs to try before she knows. Based on hearsay, Fan Chengsi asked Miss Ning to meet at a bar for a few drinks. A man asking a woman to drink with him says something. The chances of success are already around 50%, the other half would be dependent on whether Miss Ning is willing to put in her effort.” Lu Shaoming’s right hand stopped writing when he heard this. He understood what Zhu Rui was trying to express.
He directed his sharp gaze like a hawk to glance at Zhu Rui.
Zhu Rui did not look at him. “President, why did you sign twice on the document?”
Upon hearing Zhu Rui’s words, Lu Shaoming looked down at the document. He actually had signed twice on the bottom of the document. There were two “Lu Shaoming” there. Lu Shaoming instantly became furious, and he slammed the document shut on the table and threw it into Zhu Rui’s arms saying, “You, get out!”
“Yes, President.” Zhu Rui accepted the document and secretly had a smile while he went out. His president was really too much, if he was jealous then so be it, if Madam knew about it, she would be even happier.
Lu Shaoming left the office at 6. The Bentley was cruising down the road and went in the direction of the condominium. At this moment, his phone rang. It was a call from his mother, Song Yajing.
“Hello, Mum.”
“Shaoming, are you done with work? Are you returning home to the villa for dinner? I say you are really something. What are you doing alone in the condominium, why don’t you move over to stay with us? Zhilei is coming over tonight. You should return to the villa to have dinner.”
Lu Shaoming was silent for 3 seconds. He looked slightly irritated as he said, “Mum, I am doing overtime in the office tonight, I don’t have time.”
“Why do you always say that you don’t have time? Zhilei has waited for you for so long; she’s already 26! You can’t just leave her on the backburner. Why don’t you date her to see how it goes?”
Lu Shaoming frowned in frustration. Who wanted Zhilei to wait for him? He did not lead her to this at all. He made it pretty clear early on, but no one seemed to be paying attention. He knew that in his mom’s eyes, his marriage was simply a material arrangement. What dinner? His mom made dinner for him? For as long as he could remember, his mother had never given him warmth. Every time he fell down, every time got ill, his mom would tell him repeatedly that he needed to learn how to be brave by himself. He was the only grandchild of the Lu family, he was the future successor of the family, and he should not be entitled to have an ordinary life like an ordinary person.
It was nothing. He was used to it by now.
“Okay, I will consider the matter. I will ask her out on a date tomorrow night. I’ll have dinner with her,” Lu Shaoming said.
“Really? Shaoming, you have finally considered dating Zhilei? Okay, Mom will tell Zhilei now.” Song Yajing ended the call.
Lu Shaoming lowered his gaze to look at the red sunset outside the window, it was around 6 or 7 now. It was slowly approaching the busiest time in the city. People were walking in groups, everyone merrily entered into restaurants, people walked into hotels…
But he was sitting alone.
He’d always been used to being alone, but now, for some reason, he felt extra lonely. That empty feeling in his heart out came out again, and he felt uncomfortable. As if a long time ago, he once had a warm small family of his own. After that, he lost it again. Lu Shaoming suddenly hit the brakes and turned the steering wheel. The Bentley made a sudden turn and went towards the direction of the bar Zhu Rui had mentioned.
Lu Shaoming walked into the bar. At his first glance, he saw Ning Qing seated in a corner on a sofa. She and Xiao Zhou were seated on one end of the sofa. Fan Chengsi wore a short leather jacket and sat at the other end. Two of Fan Chengsi’s male friends had come along as well. He was far off, so he could not hear what they were talking about, but they seemed to be having a good time chatting; everyone was laughing. The scene was in no way ambiguous; they were enjoying each other’s company. Lu Shaoming sat the bar some distance away. His spot was inconspicuous enough that he wouldn’t be noticed.
At this moment, he heard Fan Chengsi laugh and say, “Ning Qing, you want to discuss the matter of my fashion designs. Then you must first drink! After we have drunk and happy, then the Young Master will be in the mood to talk.”
“Sure, Young Master Fan, drinking alcohol right? This is what I do best, but after I drink, Young Master Fan has to discuss the matters of design with me,” Ning Qing said coolly. “Okay, I will promise you.” Fan Chengsi agreed immediately.
Xiao Zhou raised her hand to flag down a waiter. Very quickly, the waiter came over. Lu Shaoming looked sideways, his dark shimmering eyes shone with amusement. This Ning Qing, she actually asked the waiter to send a cocktail that had barely any alcohol. The man wanted to drink with her, and she was pretending not to understand.
Fan Chengsi and his two friends looked at the cocktail and their expressions froze. Ning Qing held the glass up and drank the cocktail in one shot. “Look, Young Master Fan. I drank it all. We can talk about the design now, right?” Ning Qing flipped the glass, making it clear that there was nothing left in it. Young Master Fan frowned, got close to Ning Qing’s face, and said dangerously, “Ning Qing, are you playing with me?” Ning Qing took the cocktail glass with her white hands to lazily to place it at the side of her face. She welcomed Fan Chengsi’s gaze with her white teeth and red lips. She acted coy and said, “Young Master Fan, you said to drink but you did not say what kind of alcohol or how many glasses. I made a condition that you would discuss the matters regarding the design after I finish my drink, and you agreed to it. Could you be backing out of the deal now? Young Master Fan, don’t be so fussy, if you made me get drunk, how would I discuss official matters with you then?”
“Ha.” Fan Chengsi laid back into the sofa lazily, he shook the red wine glass in his hands. His eyes scanned Ning Qing’s sexy figure, and he said, “Sure then, then we will start to discuss the design now. How about this: Ning Qing, you start to remove your clothes now. The amount of clothing you remove… I will help you to design whichever articles lay on the floor.”
Xiao Zhou’s expression froze. Ning Qing had merely 4 pieces of clothes on her, and this Fan Chengsi was obviously trying to take advantage of her. Those two friends instantly had a spark in their eyes and immediately came to a silent agreement. “That’s right Goddess Ning, you want our Young Master Fan to discuss the matter with you. Then you must also show your sincerity first.” Lu Shaoming heard these words and looked towards Ning Qing. He was taking the role of a bystander; how would this little woman deal with this predicament?
There were many times that people could not be rash. Some people could not be overcome with small tricks. Everyone has to look clearly at their abilities and then do what is within their means. He saw Ning Qing calmly stand up. She looked towards Fan Chengsi and asked, “Young Master Fan, you really don’t take into account our past relationship?”
Past relationship? Lu Shaoming frowned slightly.
She and Fan Chengsi…
At this moment, Ning Qing lifted her gaze to look at the figure that had just walked through the door. She waved and said, “Shuiling, over here.”
Yin Shuiling wore a light purple crystal shirt adorned with lotus leaves. The shirt was tucked into her white shorts. It was early spring and she wore nude stockings and a pair of white high heel shoes. Her long legs had a beautiful and mesmerizing air with every step she took, attracting a wave of attention.
Yin Shuiling walked towards them. “Shuiling…” Fan Chengsi looked at her and said in shock. He’d forgotten how to react. “Shuiling, you are here.” Ning Qing intimately hugged Yin Shuiling’s slim arms. Yin Shuiling lifted her gaze to look at Fan Chengsi, who was seated on the sofa in a daze. She raised her high heels to kick the bottoms of his pants, and said with a smile on her cherry lips, “Hello, Fan Chengsi. How come you didn’t have any response when you saw me? Why, don’t you welcome me?”
“No, it’s not the case Shui Ling. I’m just too excited seeing you here. Shui Ling, quick come and have a seat here.” Fan Chengsi swiftly stood up, he pointed towards the sofa beside him. But he was also afraid that Yin Shuiling deemed the place to be dirty, he speedily took the leather jacket off himself and laid it on the sofa, “Shui Ling, you have a seat.”
“Okay, thank you.” Yin Shuiling accepted his offer graciously.
At this moment, Fan Chengsi’s friends’ jaws dropped to the ground. Oh my god, was it still their frivolous friend Young Master Fan? How come he’s taken such an air of servility? They examined Yin Shuiling carefully, then they both drew in a gasp of cold air. After looking at each other in the eye, they realized something. This…this is the same Young Madam Miss Yin from 3 years ago…
In those days, Young Madam Miss Yin and Young Master Fan were subject to a host of rumors regarding an underage pregnancy. It was all over the entire city, and it was only suppressed when Yun Muchen, who was making headlines for himself in the finance sector, came out to settle this matter. They did not think they would meet again today, or that they’d meet again like this.
“Shuiling, how would Young Master Fan not welcome you? We were just talking about you a bit ago… We just talked about…” Ning Qing did not continue speaking, and looked at Fan Chengsi with her beautiful eyes. “Talked about what?” Yin Shuiling asked.
Fan Chengsi immediately cupped both of his palms together, and gave an indication to Ning Qing meaning, “Please let me off the hook.” He did not want Ning Qing to mention what he had just suggested, about removing her clothes. Ning Qing smiled sweetly and said, “Oh, nothing. Shuiling, haven’t I told you I am going to film a stage play? I want Young Master Fan to design some costumes for me…”
“Isn’t this just settled with a simple sentence?” Yin Shuiling’s small hand popped a peanut into her small mouth. She looked sideways at Fan Chengsi and said, “Ay Fan Chengsi. I have heard that you have been infatuated with girls and acted free and unfettered. If you keep distracting yourself from designing clothes, you’ll get rusty. Ning Qing wants you to be her designer. I haven’t seen your designs in a long time. I will also be there on 21st. Don’t let me be disappointed.”
Fan Chengsi’s eyes brightened up and he immediately nodded his head and patted his chest saying, “Shui Ling, don’t worry. Leave the matter of Ning Qing’s design to me. From the leading actors to the side casts, I will settle them all. I will definitely make you satisfied. “Yin Shuiling nodded her head. Ning Qing was then satisfied and said, “Young Master Fan, Shui Ling, you guys chat slowly. I will be leaving first, my mum called me to let me go home to have dinner.””Sure Ning Qing be careful on your way home.””Sure, bye bye.” Ning Qing brought Xiao Zhou along with her and waved to the group.
Xiao Zhou walked by Ning Qing’s side, and she was so excited that she could jump for joy. “Wow, Ning Qing, this is great! Fan Chengsi has actually agreed to design all the costumes for the cast. Oh my god, I don’t even dare believe it myself. Why didn’t you tell me beforehand that he and Yin Shuiling were old pals. I was almost certain that you wouldn’t strike a deal with Fan Chengsi just now.”
Ning Qing laughed and said, “Xiao Zhou, why would I go into a battle that I have no confidence in winning? If Fan Chengsi and Shuiling were not old pals, I would not have been able to get what I wanted from Fan Chengsi. I know my abilities. If I take a step back, if Fan Chengsi and Shui Ling were not old pals, I would not have chosen Fan Chengsi. Although he is able to start a trend on Weibo, he is too rash and beyond control. Regarding every person you deal with – you must know both yourself and your enemy. We don’t have to choose the best person; we simply must choose the one who best suits our ambitions.”
Xiao Zhou could not stop admiring Ning Qing. She could not help but tug Ning Qing’s slim arm and say, “Ning Qing, I have profited more from one consultation with you than from ten years of study. Please accept me as your mentee.”
Ning Qing used her fist to pretend to hit her. “Xiao Zhou, if you dare to be talkative with me again, look at how I would deal with you!”
“Ah, help me, Ning Qing wants to hit people now.” The two girls laughed and chatted merrily and left the bar while hitting each other playfully.