A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

“Ah…yeah.”

The assistant nodded with a puzzled look on his face before taking the sketch and heading back to the office not far away...

……

[Another meaningless draft! ]

On the other side of the microphone, the young man's voice was full of irritation and confusion.

Is that guy really a top designer? Can't he even draw a basic picture?!

"...Mr. Jean said he would only draw detailed sketches and instructions before actually making the product."

The assistant said truthfully:

"So...all I can offer you right now are these sketches."

[…Tsk, what a hassle.]

Di Yeqing clicked his tongue impatiently:

If only all designers could be like that top student and draw everything on the blueprint... Never mind. Anyway, next time you have line drawings like this, don't send me any more. I want blueprints that can be used right away... Eh? Yeah!

Halfway through his speech, he seemed to suddenly remember something.

"Since this is going to be used right away, why don't you just take a picture of the sample garment for me? If I release the same design as his earlier, maybe I can use the same trick again! Yeah, it's settled!"

"Just...shoot samples?"

The assistant's expression instantly became extremely conflicted.

"During the sample production process, there will definitely be a lot of people in the studio... It will be quite difficult to film it without exposing myself..."

"That's not something I should worry about. I'll pay, you'll do the work. That's what we agreed on in black and white."

Di Yeqing said:

"Don't even think about going back on your word. You've already accepted my deposit and paid it to the Toyokawa family. If you dare to break your promise, or fight to the death with me... you going to jail is a small matter, but what about your daughter?"

"..."

Hearing Di Yeqing's threat, the assistant...who is also Toyokawa Shoko's father, immediately showed a very painful expression.

As Di Yeqing said, if he was the only one arrested, it would be fine, but he did not want his daughter Xiangzi to bear the burdens that did not belong to her. For this reason, on the day he received the deposit, he immediately returned to the Fengchuan family and tried his best to use that almost impossible condition to buy back Xiangzi's freedom...

Now that he has made a mistake, he has no intention of turning back.

"...I understand. I will do as you say."

【That's right.】

Di Yeqing immediately made a satisfied sound.

[Then, let us all look forward to Mr. Rang's performance.]

After that, the call was immediately disconnected, leaving Toyokawa Shoko's father putting down the phone with a gloomy face.

Then, as his phone vibrated slightly, he looked at the screen again—

[Leaving the Toyokawa family was my own choice. I don't need you to take this responsibility for me.]

If you still intend to acknowledge me as your daughter, please reply immediately.

“…I’m sorry, Xiangzi, I’m sorry, Jean.”

Toyokawa Shoko's father first confirmed the recorded call, then sighed deeply and turned off the phone again.

"Mr. Assistant, come here! I have a new idea and need your opinion as a local!"

"……Yes!"

After hearing Rang's call, Toyokawa Shoko's father first put the phone in his pocket, then immediately turned around -

"When everything is over, I will definitely apologize to you and take responsibility..."

As if to convince himself, he murmured softly in a voice only he could hear, and slowly walked towards the door...

118

Chapter 118 is Xiangzi’s final test.

"Yeah...very good."

Toyokawa Shoko took her hands off the keyboard and said to the people around her:

"It's now complete enough to start recording, so that's all for today. Thank you all for your hard work."

“Phew, that’s great!”

After hearing this, Yutenji Wakamu immediately put down the drumstick as if he had been pardoned, and then stretched his body.

"Not only did we finish work early, but we didn't even get any lectures from Xiangzi the whole day!"

"You should thank Hachiman-san more."

Toyokawa Shoko said expressionlessly:

"Ever since you got her bass, your mistakes have obviously decreased a lot... And as expected of Hachiman-san, even though you've only just joined the band, you've already completely adapted to our style."

"After all, Xiangzi's choreography is very clever and easy to understand. You can get the hang of it after just a few practice sessions."

As Hachiman Kailing spoke, she put the bass in her hand back into the bass case.

"Compared to this... Xiangzi-san's state today seems a little different from usual. I feel like there's an inexplicable sense of oppression mixed in with the music..."

"Ah...I feel the same way!"

After hearing this, Yutenji Wakamushi quickly nodded in response with deep feeling.

It was clearly just an ordinary practice session, but even though she didn't have a strong musical sense, she could still feel a chill that made her scalp tingle from Xiangzi's performance today...

"Xiangzi's piano sounded much colder today than usual! I even got goosebumps a few times!"

“…Is it that serious?”

She subconsciously looked at Chuhua in front of her, but Chuhua just shrugged slightly and did not comment.

"...Maybe it's because I'm not in a good mood today."

Shoko Toyokawa took out her cell phone and looked at the window where there was still no reply. Her already calm expression suddenly became even colder.

"It's just a personal matter, don't worry about it. As for the specific recording time, I will inform you later. Until then, please maintain the state you are in today... Miss Yutenji."

"Yes?"

"In addition to your work as a drummer, please don't forget your basic modeling training."

"Oh, I see..."

After hearing this, Yutenji Wakamugi could only nod helplessly.

"I've been doing yoga and posture training with Chuhua every night before bed lately."

"Don't worry, Miao Meng has a good foundation. He just needs a little training."

Sankaku Hatsuka also joined in and said something good for Yutenji Wakamu:

"More than that, do you really want to go back to that place with me today?"

"Well, after all, something like this happened. No matter how much I don't want to admit it, I still have to go back."

As Toyokawa Shoko spoke, she came to Wakaba Mutsu's side.

"It's almost time, let's go, Mu."

"……kindness."

Wakaba Mutsu, who had just packed up his guitar, stood up and walked out of the recording studio with Toyokawa Shoko...

"Compared to the boss, Chihaya-san, Shoko-san definitely gives off a stronger sense of oppression."

Looking at the closed recording studio door, Yutenji Wakamugi couldn't help but sigh:

"Is she really the same age as you?"

"We are the same age, but her experiences and experiences are far more complicated than ours."

Sanjiao Chuhua sighed slightly.

"Besides that, has Tetsuya-kun ever mentioned anything about modeling to you again since then?"

"not at all."

"...Is that so? Then, when he gives you more details, you can contact me anytime."

“Ah…yeah.”

Rather than saying "you can contact", it would be better to say "you must contact", right?

Add to that Hoshino Ai, who seems to be even more jealous than Chuhua... Oh, the more I think about it, the more troublesome my interpersonal relationships become.

"By the way, you said before that you wanted to take a photo with me in the recording studio? Why not take it now? I have to go to class soon."

"Eh? Really? Thank you so much!"

Wow~ Chuhua is indeed a gentle, considerate and understanding child!

Isn't it just about discussing work matters with her? No problem at all!

Without hesitation, he cut off his Yutenji Wakamugi who was only a second away from him, thinking so with joy.

……

"..."

Looking at the extremely familiar mansion in front of her, Shoko Toyokawa's expression was one of both nostalgia and resistance.

Just seeing the lights in the house, she felt an indescribable urge... to turn around and leave immediately.

"Is this place still being managed by the previous housekeeper?"

"probably."

Wakaba Mu replied in an uncertain tone:

"At least I haven't heard of any other Toyokawa family moving here."

"Huh...that's good."

Because she hadn't yet achieved enough concrete results to back up her confidence, Toyokawa Shoko really didn't want to negotiate with people she didn't even know...

Immediately afterwards, Toyokawa Shoko patted her collar, then used her fingers to tidy up her bangs. After exchanging a glance with Wakaba Mutsu, she finally slowly pressed the doorbell.

And then, the sound from the call bell made her expression freeze instantly——

"The door is not locked, just come in."

This opening speech without any greetings made Toyokawa Shoko recall the long-lost memories of the time when she had not left this place.

Although she had informed him that she had to come back for something beforehand, she had never expected that she would be the one to communicate directly with her...

Immediately afterwards, Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath and calmed the wavering expression on her face. Even though the doorbell didn't have a video function, she still maintained an impeccable posture and said to the call bell:

"Yes, Mother."

Then, she pushed open the door in front of her as she did in the past, and slowly walked into the house in front of her that contained all her past and memories...her former home.

……

"Long time no see, mother."

"It's been a long time since I last saw you, Aunt."

In the reception room, Toyokawa Shoko and Wakaba Mutsu bowed to the woman in front of them.

Judging from her facial features, she and Toyokawa Shoko have many obvious similarities.

Whether it is the handsome and beautiful face, or the figure and demeanor comparable to that of a fashion model, they are enough to give us a glimpse of what Toyokawa Shoko will look like in the future.

However, in addition to these similarities stemming from their blood relationship, there are also essential differences between the two people -

"sit down."

That is the temperament of a superior that is very similar to Minami Mori, but a little more mysterious than her.

Even though they were blood relatives, Shoko Toyokawa and Mutsu Wakaba still subconsciously felt a sense of tension that was enough to make their breathing speed up.