The room was silent.
Jiang Mian didn’t speak, and neither did Wan Lian Lian.
The difference: Jiang Mian stared at Wan Lian Lian, while Wan Lian Lian toyed with her phone.
After a long moment, Jiang Mian spoke softly, her tone strained.
“When did I hear about this? Which piece are we talking about?”
Wan Lian Lian finally looked up, smiling more brightly than a rose.
“It’s the one we saw at the show before. Didn’t we say that was the standout piece for this year?”
Yes, the standout.
So why would the brand agree to lend such a dazzling new Spring haute couture to them?
Jiang Mian tried to suppress her overthinking.
The more she tried to suppress it, the more she noticed it.
After a while, she spoke, her voice almost floating. Light, delicate.
Perhaps she really felt as though she were floating in the sky—too light, perhaps, to hold any weight in some people’s eyes.
“Lian Lian, when did they say this, and are there any conditions?”
Wan Lian Lian replied casually:
“No conditions. They’re pretty easygoing. Hey, what do you think of how this piece looks on me? Can I wear it for the Lantern Festival? It looked good when we saw it before, right? Otherwise, I’ll wear this one for the Festival. And maybe pair it with that necklace from before? I think it’ll suit me perfectly!”
That previous necklace?
Jiang Mian slowly stood, towering over Wan Lian Lian, refusing to meet her gaze directly.
Her eyes turned cold, her tone stiff.
“The necklace you’re talking about… the one Mr. Li gave you?”
The one worth millions?
And given by Mr. Li—a nearly fifty-year-old married man with three grown children?
Seeing Wan Lian Lian nod, Jiang Mian’s expression flickered with disappointment.
She knew Wan Lian Lian had long wanted to prove herself on the red carpet.
But Jiang Mian had been working hard on her behalf!
Why…
Jiang Mian took a deep breath, trying one last effort.
“I’ve already arranged for Designer Yao to make a piece for you—it’ll be ready by March. Do you want to give it a try? If so, I can clear your schedule tomorrow afternoon to take your measurements.”
She paused, her tone softening.
“But if you don’t think it’s necessary, I can push it back. What do you think?”
Wan Lian Lian: “I think let’s see how the Lantern Festival goes first. What if I succeed this time? Then in the future, the brand’s haute couture will be open for me to choose freely anyway.”
The last trace of hope in Jiang Mian’s eyes finally died out.
She nodded calmly.
“Alright, I understand what you mean.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
The crisp clicks of her high heels shattered not just the silence, but also all of Jiang Mian’s lingering thoughts.
She had been with Wan Lian Lian for so many years—surely she knew her well.
This time, she had dashed around during the Lunar New Year, even putting aside the holiday, all to reach out to Fan Qing. Was it for herself? Of course not—it was all for Wan Lian Lian.
But if Wan Lian Lian herself chose to give up and compromise, what use was all her effort and struggle?
Jiang Mian returned to her car, stepped on the accelerator, and drove off to buy herself a pack of women’s cigarettes.
The smoke swirled lazily upward, faint and light, but it only made her feel more irritated.
She stared at the faintly burning tip for a while, then stubbed it out and tossed it into the trash.
Pulling out her phone, Jiang Mian efficiently dialed Fan Qing.
Since Wan Lian Lian didn’t want it, she wouldn’t force the issue.
“Are you going to cancel the previous arrangement?”
Fan Qing was a little surprised upon receiving the call.
Previously, Jiang Mian had been so eager to secure this opportunity that it was impossible to miss. Now, what had changed?
Jiang Mian exhaled, wanting to preserve some dignity for Wan Lian Lian.
“Apparently, Lian Lian wanted to give me a surprise. STYLE has already arranged the collaboration with her, and this little girl wanted to keep it from me. I only just found out about it.”
Her explanation sounded logical, yet as a fellow manager, Fan Qing sensed something off.
Wan Lian Lian had contacted the brand on her own—and hadn’t even consulted her manager, Jiang Mian.
Fan Qing considered this carefully.
Jiang Mian had worked so diligently all this time, all for Wan Lian Lian.
But it seemed Wan Lian Lian didn’t regard Jiang Mian as that important after all.
With that in mind… several thoughts flashed through Fan Qing’s mind, though his voice remained calm.
“It certainly is a surprise.”
Jiang Mian, hearing his cool tone, realized immediately that even though she had made excuses, retracting so quickly was bound to offend.
Still, not wanting to trouble Wan Lian Lian, she forced a smile.
“I know it’s entirely our fault for going back on our word. How about this, Fan Qing…”
She bit her lip. “I have a resource for a dating reality show. If you don’t mind, you can take this as compensation. What do you think?”
“A dating show? Which one?”
Fan Qing felt a flicker of interest.
Several popular dating shows flashed through his mind, and he finally settled on one he had known about for a long time—Tomorrow.
If it was that one…
“It’s Tomorrow. What do you think, Fan Qing?”
Jiang Mian took a deep breath.
“You really are generous, Jiang Mian. If it’s that, I really can’t refuse.”
Fan Qing hadn’t expected it to be that show.
Still, this was an excellent resource. Why wouldn’t Jiang Mian keep it for her own artist?
Thinking about the recent events, Fan Qing suddenly guessed: had Jiang Mian fallen out with her artist?
“Flowers for beauties, swords for heroes. I don’t have the right person for this. Better to let Fan Qing use this resource than have it go to waste.”
Jiang Mian spoke with genuine sincerity, though only she knew the full truth.
She had begged for this opportunity, all to help Wan Lian Lian shed the overly dazzling image she had on screen.
Plus, Jiang Mian knew this show had successfully paired several couples in the past.
Wan Lian Lian, after all, was a female star—and she had mentioned several times wanting to find love, preferably with someone in the industry.
Though Jiang Mian often cautioned her against getting involved too soon, she had remembered every word.
But now, it seemed unnecessary.
After offering a few more words of apology to Fan Qing, she hung up.
Looking at the freshly opened pack of cigarettes in her hand, Jiang Mian recalled how, after a few rumors that Wan Lian Lian smelled of smoke, she had quit for a long time. Thinking of this, she forced a faint, bitter smile.
Perhaps, she had misjudged things.
Meanwhile, Fan Qing, having lost the deal, didn’t feel upset at all—in fact, he was unusually pleased.
Originally, Jiang Mian’s opportunity was just icing on the cake. Now that it was gone…
Though he lost the deal, he felt he had glimpsed something else—a bit of potential.
Interesting.
After thinking it over, Fan Qing had someone check on Jiang Mian.
Her taste wasn’t bad, and her ability was strong. Worth keeping an eye on.
As for canceling the arrangement?
Fan Qing glanced at the recent call logs with Yao Ge.
No rush.
There was no need to let Yao Ge know immediately.
It wasn’t a big problem—after all, with a newly established brand, you couldn’t just crush the confidence of the chief designer, right?
Fan Qing calmly set his phone down.
Better to follow up on the order tomorrow—today, he’d give Yao Ge a break.
Not long after Jiang Mian hung up, she bought a hot cocoa by the river and enjoyed the view.
Before long, she received a call from Wan Lian Lian.
A small spark of joy appeared in Jiang Mian’s eyes.
“Lian Lian?”
Wan Lian Lian’s voice came through the line immediately.
“You didn’t cancel that side, right? I was just thinking… although that designer is new, he’s not bad. Maybe we should keep him as a backup. Let’s see what he comes up with first—if it’s good, I’ll use him for the March event.”
You’ve thought it through?
Jiang Mian felt a flicker of relief.
But now, she couldn’t very well admit that she had just told Fan Qing to cancel the collaboration.
Well… she bit her lip.
At worst, she could just shamelessly plead again. She’d done that before.
As she was thinking this, a faint, almost imperceptible sound reached her ears from Wan Lian Lian’s side.
It was very quiet, but Jiang Mian heard it clearly.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She had just left Wan Lian Lian’s villa!
And during the Lunar New Year, with Wan Lian Lian being a single actress, how could there possibly be a man in her villa?
Wan Lian Lian didn’t have any close male relatives!
The more she thought about it, the colder a shiver ran through her.
The question she had deliberately ignored just moments ago now came rushing back—why had Wan Lian Lian suddenly changed her mind in just two hours?
Unless… someone had said something to her.
But who could that person be?
Her plan to shamelessly go back and plead with Fan Qing vanished instantly.
Jiang Mian calmly ended the call and stepped on the accelerator, speeding toward Wan Lian Lian’s villa.
Her car plate was registered in the security system, so entering the community went as smoothly as ever.
Jiang Mian retrieved a pair of sneakers from the trunk and walked around to the villa’s back door.
The door was well-hidden. When Wan Lian Lian bought the villa, Jiang Mian had specially arranged for this entrance—so that when needed, she could enter discreetly.
But Jiang Mian, as Wan Lian Lian’s manager, had always entered through the front in plain sight.
This was the first time she had come around the back.
As she approached, a chill ran through her.
The door looked different from what she had imagined—it showed clear signs of frequent use.
Jiang Mian stood at the door for a moment, then gently unlocked it.
She took off her shoes and tiptoed in, hand in hand with them.
She hadn’t even reached the living room before a series of indecent sounds pierced her ears.
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
After so many years with Wan Lian Lian, there was no way she wouldn’t recognize her voice.
Jiang Mian felt her blood run cold.
Wan Lian Lian… had actually brought a man into her villa?
In that instant, all Jiang Mian could do was pray it was just some boyfriend she didn’t know about.
But the next second, a voice from the living room shattered her last shred of hope.
“Why are you back so soon today? Did you report to your wife last night?”
“Wife.”
The word made Jiang Mian’s ears ache.
Before she could process it, another voice, slightly older yet strangely familiar, came through.
“Why should I care about her? Do you think you can stop me? Look—I got you the SLYE haute couture you wanted, didn’t I?”
Jiang Mian wasn’t surprised at all.
She just stood there quietly, listening.
Wan Lian Lian let out a hum and then laughed.
“I know you treat me well, of course. But remember, I can’t tell my manager yet. She loves to control everything—if she knew, she’d definitely stop me from seeing you.”
Mr. Li squinted, catching his breath.
“Her? Stop you? Please. If she were capable, with that face and body of yours, why wouldn’t brands lend you haute couture? See, I just stepped in and got it for you. Her abilities aren’t worth your concern.”
Wan Lian Lian’s eyebrows arched.
“Exactly. But she just doesn’t have much vision in this area. She’s competent in other ways. But why would I call her to handle some new brand? I already checked—it’s a total newcomer. What could they possibly design?”
Jiang Mian scoffed inwardly and turned to leave.
All the analyses and advice she had painstakingly given Wan Lian Lian—might as well have been thrown to the dogs.
Even the years of friendship she thought they shared—she had been naive.
In this industry, where is there any genuine loyalty?
She had always cared for Wan Lian Lian, yet in the end, reality had dealt her a harsh lesson.
Closing the door, a thought suddenly crossed her mind—maybe not everything was lost.
At least, the Fan Qing she had seen with Jian Fei Yang seemed okay.
Otherwise, why would Jian Fei Yang have been willing to follow Fan Qing to Teng Huang in the first place?
Lost in thought, she made a slightly loud noise while closing the door.
The couple in the living room immediately realized something. Wan Lian Lian, flustered, grabbed Mr. Li’s hand.
“Who’s there?”