Shen Qi's English wasn't terrible, and Charles's Chinese was passable. So the two of them, through a mix of words and gestures, somehow managed to communicate smoothly.
Charles looked over a few of Shen Qi's design sketches and realized this student was truly talented. Given that he was nearly seventy, he felt the urge to take on an apprentice. So, they hit it off immediately and formally acknowledged the teacher-student relationship on the spot.
With something to distract her, Shen Qi finally stopped agonizing over who mattered more to He Yining—herself or Lin Xi. For several days in a row, Shen Qi showed up every day. In the evenings, she went home, buried herself in books, and endlessly revised her designs. As a result, He Yining hadn't seen hide nor hair of her for days.
While He Yining and Shen Qi held their composure, Lin Xi and Feng Manlun grew restless.
One day, Shen Qi drove off as usual to meet Charles. Halfway there, she suddenly got a call from Charles's assistant, informing her that Charles had been hospitalized due to an upset stomach. Shen Qi got the hospital's address and immediately rerouted there.
Shen Qi arrived with a bouquet of flowers and a thermos, knocking on the door: "Teacher, are you feeling better?"
Charles smiled when he saw her: "Getting old—the body just isn't what it used to be. Xiao Qi, have a seat."
Shen Qi placed the flowers in a vase by the bedside and handed the thermos to Charles's assistant, saying, "I just asked the doctor. Have you been indulging your cravings again these past few days? Chinese food is delicious, but it's greasy, and eating too much can upset your stomach. I brought you some congee. For the next few days, take it easy on your stomach, and once you're better, I'll cook you a home-style meal."
Charles's eyes lit up: "Oh? As the mistress of the He family, you can cook?"
Shen Qi chuckled: "I learned before I got married! Just because I'm married doesn't mean I should let my skills get rusty."
Charles's eyes sparkled even more: "Great! I love Chinese food!"
Charles's assistant couldn't help but chime in: "Mr. Charles came to China this time claiming it was for work, but really, it's all about the Chinese food! The Chinese food abroad just doesn't taste authentic anymore, so he got frustrated and came straight here."
The septuagenarian Charles's face flushed slightly, and he shot his assistant a glare: "Don't talk nonsense."
Shen Qi poured a bowl of congee and handed it to Charles: "Teacher, try this. It's just congee, but the methods are endless, just like your design philosophy. Change one line, and it becomes a whole new idea. Congee is the same."
Charles eagerly took it, tasted a couple of spoonfuls, and his eyes widened. He nodded approvingly: "Not bad, not bad! You're the most gifted student I've ever had. And you've got a knack for making congee too."
"Then don't go back home, Teacher. Just stay in China forever. I'll make you congee every day," Shen Qi said cheerfully. "I promise you'll have a different kind every day for a whole year."
Charles sighed emotionally: "You little girl, you're trying to trap me!"
"Hahaha..." Shen Qi and the assistant laughed together.
The atmosphere in the hospital room grew lively.
Just then, someone knocked on the door: "Is Mr. Charles in this room?"
Shen Qi turned around and froze when she saw who it was.
Feng Manlun?
What was he doing here?
Charles smiled when he saw Feng Manlun: "Feng, you're here."
"Teacher, feeling better?" Feng Manlun entered with flowers too, and when he spotted Shen Qi in the room, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes: "Miss Shen, you're here too?"
Shen Qi stood there, stunned and at a loss.
Charles laughed heartily: "So you two know each other! What a small world! Let me introduce you. Xiao Qi is my newest student, and Feng is a student of mine from Europe."
Shen Qi looked at Feng Manlun in surprise: "You're also Teacher's student?"
A hint of amusement flashed in Feng Manlun's eyes: "So you're my junior. Nice to meet you."
Shen Qi felt a bit embarrassed: "I only became Teacher's student a few days ago. I didn't expect you to have studied design under him too. Please guide me in the future."
"Don't say that. It seems we're even closer now." Feng Manlun nodded with a smile, then turned to Charles: "Teacher, would you like to stay at my place? I'll make sure you don't upset your stomach again."
Charles waved his hand: "No, no. I don't like staying in big houses. Besides, Xiao Qi promised to cook for me once I'm better."
Feng Manlun deliberately put on a disappointed look: "So Teacher has a new favorite little apprentice and doesn't care about the old one anymore. How jealous that makes me!"
Standing to the side, Shen Qi's mind was racing. Charles was part of the He family, their top designer. Why would Feng Manlun seek him out as a teacher? Was it really, as He Yining said, that Feng Manlun was so desperate to outdo him that he'd leave no stone unturned?
They chatted for a while in the hospital room.
Shen Qi had to admit that Feng Manlun was genuinely charming. He could talk to anyone. Compared to him, He Yining was much more selective—he only engaged with people who interested him, and couldn't be bothered with those who didn't.
On the surface, Feng Manlun seemed to have better people skills than He Yining. But in reality, his achievements never quite matched up.
The reason was simple: Feng Manlun had his priorities backward. In that position, what mattered was vision and decisiveness. Building relationships and goodwill was something the PR team could handle. For someone at the top, the key was strategy and execution.
He Yining, who ran the He Corporation with its countless subsidiaries and branches, would have gotten nothing done if he spent all his time bonding with employees. His success came from knowing how to use talent. With Xiao Chun's steadiness and Xiao Xia's liveliness, He Yining assigned them tasks suited to their strengths. As a result, everyone could flawlessly carry out his orders.
After visiting Charles, Feng Manlun naturally offered to see Shen Qi out.
As they left the room, Feng Manlun said with a hint of emotion: "I never imagined the world could be so small, and that we'd share this connection. Junior, please guide me in the future."
Shen Qi shook his hand politely: "Senior, I look forward to your guidance."
"Since Teacher is in the hospital and can't give you a lesson today, would you like to visit my studio?" Feng Manlun extended an invitation. "See what I've learned from Teacher over the years."
Shen Qi thought it over. She had nothing else to do today—she'd already handed in her homework to Teacher. So she nodded: "Sure."
Feng Manlun opened the car door for her, casually adding, "When you see my designs, don't be too surprised."
Shen Qi blinked. Surprised? Why would she be?
When Shen Qi arrived at Feng Manlun's design studio, she understood exactly what he meant.
She was utterly stunned.
She'd assumed his studio was just a spacious office. But when she saw the four-story building filled with countless models, her jaw dropped.
Moreover, Feng Manlun's designs were nothing like what Shen Qi was used to. She mostly designed clothes, bags, and shoes. But Feng Manlun was designing car models!
"I studied aesthetics and fundamentals with Mr. Charles, then followed other masters for the rest of my training," Feng Manlun explained. "I'm determined to create my own sports car brand."
Shen Qi couldn't help but glance back at him. This man truly had exceptional qualities.
"Is that why you spent all those years in America?" Shen Qi asked, reaching out to touch a semi-finished engine.
"Yes." Feng Manlun's eyes burned with fervent pride. "I hope one day, my cars will race on the track."
Shen Qi looked at him with genuine admiration. Regardless of his rivalry with He Yining, a man with such ambition and vision deserved respect. Setting aside their opposing stances, she appreciated men who poured themselves into their careers.
He Yining and Feng Manlun were like Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu—truly, "Why give birth to Yu when Liang already exists?"
Feng Manlun looked down at Shen Qi. He'd never brought anyone to this studio before, but today, on a whim, he'd invited her. When he saw the respect in her eyes, something stirred in his heart.
Unlike other women who looked at him with worship, envy, or jealousy, Shen Qi offered respect. Yet Feng Manlun felt it was the best compliment he'd ever received. He didn't need admiration or envy. He wanted... recognition and respect—not for his status, but for his dedication to his work.
Why could Shen Qi do what others couldn't?
A flicker of confusion crossed Feng Manlun's eyes.
Shen Qi said sincerely, "I hope when that day comes, I can cheer for you at the racetrack!"
"Thank you, Shen Qi." For once, Feng Manlun was genuine, gazing steadily at her. "If that day comes, I'll send you an invitation."
Shen Qi nodded with a smile.
"So, do you have time now to come with me to pick up a car?" Feng Manlun shook off his thoughts and looked at her with a twinkle in his eye. "I just ordered a new car and need to pick it up. Want to take it for the first drive?"
Shen Qi's eyes widened: "Me? You want me to drive it first?"
"Yeah! Since you love racing so much, I'll let you have the first experience. This is the first time I've ever let someone else take the wheel, so don't miss out!" Feng Manlun laughed cheerfully. He'd already gotten word that He Yining was at the dealership with Lin Xi.