Chapter 19: An Unexpected Client

Lin Sheng shook her head helplessly and said, “Alright, alright, as long as you’re not making us worry. You, honestly.” As she spoke, she tapped Wen Jiu lightly on the forehead.

At this, Wen Jiu added, “Mom, if you’re still worried, why don’t you move in and live with me? You can go out with the other ladies whenever you like—it’s very convenient there.”

The Wen family home was too far from Wen Jiu’s company, and these days she hardly stayed at home. But she could bring Lin Sheng to live with her instead.

“Mom, if we live together there, we could chat every night before bed and sleep in the same bed. Let Dad sleep by himself for a change.”

Lin Sheng chuckled, not refusing her suggestion. “Alright, alright, you little schemer. You really have plenty of ideas.”

Wen Jiu spent the whole day at the Wen house with Lin Sheng. After the family of three had dinner together, Wen Zhan and Lin Sheng drove Wen Jiu back to her apartment.

All three entered the apartment together. Wen Zhan looked around attentively on the way in, and only when he saw how pleasant the neighborhood was did he finally relax.

After staying in the apartment for a while, Wen Zhan was ready to return home. Without giving her a choice, he took Lin Sheng with him. Lin Sheng could only say to Wen Jiu, “Jiu Jiu, I’ll come and stay with you next time. Just look at your father, so clingy.”

Wen Jiu looked at her father and smiled. A short separation rekindles affection between a couple—she understood.

So, being considerate, she nodded and saw them off to the elevator.

Back at home, Wen Jiu prepared the documents and materials she would need for work the next morning, then went into the bathroom to wash up.

The next day, Wen Jiu arrived at the company right on time. After a weekend away, work had piled up a bit, and her colleagues in the design department all looked rather listless, clearly not yet recovered from the weekend.

Seeing this, Wen Jiu didn’t say much. Monday fatigue was normal; as long as everyone adjusted quickly, it would be fine.

At three in the afternoon, an unexpected client arrived.

When her assistant called her to the president’s office, Wen Jiu saw that, aside from Li Lian, the president of Jingyan Design Company, the woman she had just met on Saturday, Xu Xinying, was also sitting on the sofa.

Xu Xinying looked momentarily startled when she saw Wen Jiu, evidently recognizing her as well. But she quickly composed herself, stood up with a smile, and extended her hand to Wen Jiu with poise and grace. “Hello, I’m Xu Xinying. We meet again, Miss Wen.”

Wen Jiu also reached out with her right hand and shook hers.

Before Wen Jiu could make sense of the situation, Li Lian spoke up.

“Wen Jiu, this is Miss Xu Xinying. It seems the two of you know each other, which makes things easier. Miss Xu would like our company to design an evening gown, and I recommended you to her. What do you think?”

Wen Jiu didn’t rush to accept. Instead, she asked Xu Xinying, “Miss Xu, do you have any specific requirements for the gown?”

Xu Xinying replied simply, “I need a cheongsam-style gown—something elegant and understated.”

With a general idea of the requirements, Wen Jiu took on the job.

The two of them added each other on WeChat to facilitate communication about the details. While the request was simple, there weren’t many specifics, so Wen Jiu would have to rely on her own judgment.

After the contract was signed and the deposit paid, Xu Xinying left. Before leaving, she smiled and said to Wen Jiu, “I look forward to your work.”

Wen Jiu nodded, watching Xu Xinying enter the elevator.

Soon, Wen Jiu immersed herself in her design sketches.

Time slipped by, and before she knew it, it was time to get off work. Inspired, Wen Jiu decided to stay late and finish this part of the drawing before going home.

When she finally finished, she turned to look out the window; darkness had already fallen completely. The office outside was deserted.