spring bite mark

Chapter 9 Newcomers and Oldcomers

The next morning, Jiang Manman added Sena, a female celebrity client, on WeChat.

As expected, this is a particularly picky customer.

Sena talked for ten minutes straight about her requirements for evening gowns, but the whole thing was just nonsense.

Jiang Manman eventually arranged to meet at a coffee shop.

The meeting place was a high-end coffee shop with excellent privacy, not far from the studio.

After finding out the location of the private room, Jiang Manman pushed open the door and saw an artist wrapped in layers of clothing, wearing sunglasses and sitting arrogantly on the sofa, not touching the black coffee in front of him.

From the moment Jiang Manman stepped into the private room, the artist's gaze began to scrutinize her through his sunglasses.

Jiang Manman wasn't annoyed. She ordered a cup of coffee and slowly drank it.

Only after hearing the artist's somewhat impatient breathing did she smile gently and ask, "Have you seen enough, Miss Sena?"

Sena took off her sunglasses, looked at Jiang Manman carefully for a second, and then took a deep breath: "All the order requirements I told you before are null and void."

Jiang Manman was prepared, and gave a light "hmm." Although she maintained her gentle demeanor, she inexplicably gave off the feeling that she was the one in control.
"Let me remind you, our evening gowns take about a month from design to finished product, and there are only 25 days left until the Hundred Flowers Film Festival, which you will be attending, Ms. Sena. There really isn't much time left for you to consider."

“I don’t need to think about it anymore.” Sena’s gaze was fixed on her. “Just go with your style.”

Today, Jiang Manman wore a retro cheongsam in the blue and white porcelain series. Her waist was slender and the pattern was intricate. It brought out a hazy and charming beauty of Jiangnan in the misty rain, which made her already graceful temperament even more attractive. Not to mention Sena, even Yan Changye, who has extremely picky eyes, lingered with her for a while before he was willing to let go.

Jiang Manman sincerely suggested, "Miss Sena is bright and passionate; a red and black evening gown would suit her better."

“I’ve worn too many red and black outfits. I want the kind you’re wearing. It’s ethereal and beautiful, much better than those outfits that show either your top or bottom.” Sena took a deep breath. “Boss Jiang, have you ever considered debuting? With your aura, you’d definitely be at the peak of your career right from the start.”

“No need.” Jiang Manman changed the subject. “Since Miss Sena likes my style, let’s settle on it for now. I’ll send you the design sketches in the next couple of days. Is it convenient for me to take your measurements now?”

"of course can."

An hour later, Jiang Manman came out of the private room.

There was no way around it. After watching Sena peel away several layers like an onion until only her underwear was left, and even then, Sena still refused to take the test, insisting against her will, "No need to take the test, it's a D."

Jiang Manman: "..."

As I came out of the private room, the next room happened to be open, and the coffee shop's senior staff were coming and going, looking anxious and walking hurriedly.

Jiang Manman glanced casually inside. The entire private room was dark, and she could only vaguely make out a rather imposing figure from behind. Around him, a group of people were running around like headless flies, interspersed with the shouts of a man who seemed to be an assistant.

"Don't you know when to throw yourself at someone! Your husband's favorite business suit is stained with coffee. If you can't fix it perfectly, this coffee shop should just close down."

The coffee shop manager was trembling with fear: "We'll fire that waiter immediately! And rest assured, we've already called in the dry cleaners; they'll handle it properly."

The assistant looked grim. "Sir's cuffs are torn from rubbing them so vigorously."

The manager wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "Please give us a price, and we will refund the full amount."

"You can't afford to pay." Another voice rang out, its tone clear and cold, yet carrying a chilling indifference.

The voice had a vague sense of familiarity, but Jiang Manman couldn't immediately recall any related memories.

She looked at the manager, who was slumped on the floor, his face ashen, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "The cuff part? Or let me try it on?"

A sudden silence fell over the room.

Inside the private room, a clear voice rang out once more: "Li Ke, clear the room."

He didn't say it explicitly, but his assistant immediately understood. Everyone in the room was cleared out. Assistant Li Ke gestured for Jiang Manman to leave, then closed the door to the private room.

Inside the private room, only the breathing of the two people remained, one softly, the other even softer.

Jiang Manman couldn't see the man clearly. Under a dim wall lamp, he sat on the sofa, his face backlit, making it difficult to see clearly. Just sitting there casually, he exuded a cold and intimidating aura, carrying the pressure of a superior.

The air felt suffocating.

Jiang Manman suddenly regretted her rashness.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she spoke softly:
"Sir, could you turn up the light? I need to check the flaw on your cuff."

The lights suddenly turned on!
Under the dazzling art lights, Jiang Manman met the man on the sofa. After a few seconds, she suddenly turned around:

"I'm sorry, I can't handle this."

The man spoke softly, "It's been five years since we last met. I never expected that Manman would avoid me like the plague now."

Jiang Manman said in a cold tone: "Mr. Xie Yuheng is the dream man of countless women, there is no need for him to compare himself to a viper."

"Since that's the case, and considering we're old friends, please help me, Manman." Xie Yuheng looked at her retreating figure, his expression dark and unfathomable.

Jiang Manman turned around and looked at Xie Yuheng.

Under the lights, his imposing aura vanished, leaving him appearing as sculpted as ice and jade, noble and aloof. However, his clothes bore the marks of time; though they appeared meticulously maintained, the style was outdated.

Jiang Manman glanced casually at his cuffs: "If Mr. Xie doesn't mind, you might as well try adding an embroidered cover to the cuffs. The trendy Classic of Mountains and Seas elements would match your outfit very well."

"The trouble is endless."

"Don't bother me, just find any dress design studio." Jiang Manman reached for the door. "I should go now."

"Manman," Xie Yuheng's voice was low and as smooth as jade, "This dress is very important to me, and I only want to give it to you."

Jiang Manman tilted her head and looked at him, her almond-shaped eyes flashing with incomprehension and disdain: "What does it matter to me if it's important to you? I don't care about your feelings."

After saying that, she opened the door and went out.

Xie Yuheng did not follow her out; he simply watched her retreating figure quietly, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Jiang Manman left in a hurry. Li Ke, who was guarding the door, hadn't even reacted before she went downstairs, got into a taxi, and drove away.

Li Ke glanced at Xie Yuheng's cuff: "Boss, should I find someone else to handle this?"

"No need." Xie Yuheng's voice was devoid of emotion.

Li Ke tentatively asked, "Then, this coffee shop?"

Xie Yuheng glanced at him indifferently and said nothing.

As Xie Yuheng's confidant, Li Ke immediately understood: "Then I will prepare for the acquisition now."

Ten minutes later, a low-key yet ultra-luxurious Bugatti Black Nights brazenly pulled up in front of the coffee shop. Yan Changye got out of the car with a nonchalant expression, gestured for his bodyguards to wait downstairs, and went upstairs himself.

When Li Ke saw the person, he opened his mouth, but in the end he said nothing, only silently making a gesture of invitation.

Yan Changye entered Xie Yuheng's private room, glanced at the brightly lit artistic lamps, and scoffed, "Aren't you used to crawling in the dark? Why are the lights so bright?"

(End of this chapter)