"That works too." Mr. Charles nodded and said, "This designer was once a friend of mine, and her design philosophy actually suits you better. She's a leader in international women's fashion, and her skills are evident to all. I was planning to take you to meet her myself, but since Feng has already given you an invitation, this old man won't drag down your image."
Shen Qi laughed through her tears: "Teacher, you're joking with me again."
Mr. Charles said, "Xiao Qi, what direction do you plan to specialize in for the future? Will you continue as a stylist, or do you intend to become a designer?"
Shen Qi was silent for a moment before replying, "I've been a stylist for two years now, but I actually prefer design. So, I'll probably focus on design in the future."
Mr. Charles nodded: "Mm, there's no rush to decide on a specific direction. During the few days you're staying with me, make sure to finish the books I've picked out for you. I just compiled a few books recently that are deeply helpful for the design profession."
"Okay." Shen Qi perked up at the mention of studying: "I won't let you down!"
At that moment, at Jinghua Manor.
After examining Cui Yuelan, Dr. Qin found that she had no issues at all. Seeing the girl's restless, darting eyes, he knew she was faking illness.
Dr. Qin was a bit annoyed.
He was the exclusive doctor for the He family's matriarch, not someone to be toyed with like this!
This girl, though pretty, was far inferior to the second young mistress!
Not only was she rude, but she also lied!
Dr. Qin's expression had already turned sour.
He Yining asked urgently, "Dr. Qin, is the situation bad?"
"It seems my knowledge is too shallow to diagnose such a difficult and rare condition." Dr. Qin packed up his things, handed them to his assistant, and stood up, saying, "Yining, I really can't find anything wrong with her. Why not have another doctor take a look?"
He Yining instantly understood Dr. Qin's meaning.
Cui Yuelan was faking illness!
He Yining politely saw Dr. Qin out, then his expression darkened slightly: "Why are you pretending to be sick?"
Seeing that her act had been exposed, Cui Yuelan immediately got up and clung to He Yining, acting coy: "Yining gege, I know lying is wrong, but I was afraid Miss Shen would scold me, so I pretended to be sick. After all, I accidentally tore up her design drawings. Yining gege, I know I was wrong, please don't be mad at me anymore, okay?"
Cui Yuelan put on her most pitiful look, constantly shaking He Yining's arm: "If you're still angry, I'll go find Miss Shen right now and apologize. I'll let her scold me or hit me to vent her anger. I don't mind, even if she beats me up, I won't complain!"
Seeing Cui Yuelan on the verge of tears, He Yining couldn't bring himself to stay angry.
After all, she was the little sister he had doted on since childhood.
Seeing He Yining's expression soften, Cui Yuelan knew her scheme had worked. She immediately hugged his arm and said, "Yining gege, I heard that in a few days, there's going to be a big brand's winter new product launch in H City. I want to go too! Can I be your date?"
"My date can only be my wife." He Yining refused without a second thought.
Cui Yuelan immediately pouted, "But she's run away from home now! How can she be your date? Besides, I finally get to see you, and you're ignoring me! How did you promise Mom and Dad you'd take care of me? I don't like you anymore!"
Seeing Cui Yuelan throw another tantrum, He Yining felt helpless.
If it weren't for the fact that Cui Yuelan's parents had sacrificed themselves to save his father, He Yining wouldn't be so tolerant of her.
Seeing He Yining silent, Cui Yuelan immediately said with teary eyes, "Yining gege, you weren't like this when we were kids! You always spoiled me! Is it because you have a wife now that you don't want a sister anymore?"
He Yining's heart softened again. He tapped Cui Yuelan's forehead: "Fine, just this once."
Having gotten what she wanted, Cui Yuelan smiled contentedly.
Shen Qi stayed at Mr. Charles's home for three full days.
During these three days, Shen Qi forced herself to study hard.
With Mr. Charles constantly shifting her mindset, Shen Qi kept busy and gradually faded the pain brought by He Yining.
For three consecutive days, Shen Qi's schedule was packed.
Mr. Charles also set aside other matters to focus on teaching Shen Qi.
Feng Manlun came twice during this time.
Each time, he brought a bunch of ingredients, stayed for a meal, and then left.
Three days later, when Feng Manlun came again, he brought Shen Qi a lot of daily necessities, including several evening gowns and essential jewelry and accessories.
Seeing these things, Shen Qi knew the launch party was approaching.
Sure enough, during dinner, Feng Manlun said to Shen Qi, "The launch is tomorrow. If you need anything else, just call me. If I can't make it, I'll have someone else deliver it. You're a stylist yourself, so I won't send anyone over. Just ask for whatever you need."
Shen Qi nodded.
She really didn't need anyone's help.
Even if she still had shortcomings in design, her teacher was right here.
As for makeup, she was an expert herself, so she didn't need anyone else to do her styling.
She just needed to dress up and show up.
On the day of the launch, Shen Qi drove out for some self-care, getting a full treatment from head to toe.
Attending the launch with Feng Manlun, she couldn't embarrass him.
Even more so, she couldn't embarrass her teacher!
While getting a massage, Shen Qi heard a voice from the next room: "Of course, I'm Yining gege's date! His date will only ever be me! Right, so what if Yining gege is married? My position won't be shaken. That day, I saw Yining gege soften toward that woman. I just pretended to be sick, and he came right over! Hahaha... What? Afraid I'll overdo it? Hmph, no way! You don't know our family. At home, if I'm unhappy, both brothers will find ways to cheer me up."
Shen Qi recognized it as Cui Yuelan's voice.
She was here for a treatment too?
Shen Qi didn't want to hear Cui Yuelan's voice, but it still seeped in relentlessly.
"Let me tell you, Yining gege doesn't have real feelings for that woman. Think about it—if he did, why didn't he scold me when I pretended to be sick that day? Why didn't he go explain to her? That clearly shows he doesn't care about her at all!" Cui Yuelan boasted smugly.
Shen Qi's heart sank.
So that night...
It seemed she had guessed right.
She really meant nothing.
Shen Qi couldn't bear to listen anymore. After finishing her massage, she left in a hurry.
Back at Mr. Charles's place, Shen Qi carefully tried on each outfit.
She picked the one that best suited her and the occasion, matching it with accessories and makeup.
The several outfits Feng Manlun had brought were all exquisitely beautiful.
Mr. Charles personally made some small adjustments to the gowns to better fit Shen Qi's temperament.
To highlight the gown, Shen Qi decided to keep her neck bare, focusing on the fabric's texture and design.
Just as Shen Qi finished preparing, Feng Manlun arrived to pick her up.
Seeing him in a formal suit, he looked spirited and in good shape.
Mr. Charles sat in his rocking chair, smiling meaningfully.
"Teacher, I'll take Xiao Qi over first." Feng Manlun said cheerfully to Mr. Charles.
As a VIP, Mr. Charles had his own special entrance.
Charles nodded: "Mm, she's in your hands."
Shen Qi picked up her clutch, stood beside Feng Manlun in nine-centimeter heels, waved goodbye to Charles, and left the house.
Watching their backs, Charles muttered to himself, "Love can get lost..."
His assistant looked at him puzzled: "Sir, what are you saying?"
"Nothing. I should get ready and head out too." Charles stood up from the chair: "Let's go, don't be late for the main event."
Shen Qi and Feng Manlun drove quickly to the venue's outskirts.
By then, many reporters were already aiming their cameras at the arriving crowd, clicking away.
Shen Qi noticed quite a few celebrities present.
Some third- and fourth-tier stars, and even some indistinguishable internet celebrities, were all there to steal the spotlight.
Well, she couldn't keep track of those internet celebrities anyway.
She still wondered if a certain Mr. Wang could really tell his girlfriends apart?
When Shen Qi and Feng Manlun appeared, the reporters who had been filming the celebrities immediately turned their lenses toward them.
Everyone was curious!
Shen Qi, as the second young mistress of the He family, had Feng Manlun, the heir of the Feng family, as her date instead of He Yining?
So who was He Yining's date?
Hadn't this couple been showing off their love on Weibo just a few days ago?
Now, in just a few days, something had gone wrong?
Just then, someone in the crowd shouted, "President He is here! Let's go shoot President He!"
Shen Qi couldn't help but follow the reporters' gaze.
Not far away, a Rolls-Royce slowly pulled up.
The door opened, and He Yining stepped out in a dark suit, handsome and unparalleled.
Unsurprisingly, Cui Yuelan, as He Yining's date, appeared at the venue in full regalia.
He Yining also spotted Shen Qi. He seemed to have known that Feng Manlun's date was her, his phoenix eyes hiding an indescribable emotion.
Shen Qi glanced at them only once, then immediately turned back, holding Feng Manlun's arm as she walked forward.
This was Cui Yuelan's first time attending a domestic fashion show, and she found it fascinating, chattering and waving at the reporters.
Just then, a bold reporter asked, "President He, why isn't your wife your date?"
He Yining's phoenix eyes darkened. He was about to stop the question, but Cui Yuelan quickly answered, "Oh, Shen Qi? She's not as important as me, so of course, I'm the date!"