Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
On the second day, escorted by Liu Yanhua, Wen Xinya would be boarding a plane bound for Italy, heading for the grand finals of the Milan World Expo International Jewelry Design Competition. This type of international jewelry design competition had ignited a lot of attention within the jewelry industry and the media. As a result, Wen Xinya was immediately surrounded by waiting reporters the moment she arrived at the airport in Tianjing City.
In the end, Liu Yanhua had to contact the manager of the airport’s VIP lounge to have security intervene so that Wen Xinya could break through the tight barrier of reporters.
Wen Xinya’s booking was for a direct flight from Tianjing City Airport to Milan, Italy. Si Yiyan had booked the most premium first-class seat for her.
It was already 3 PM by the time Wen Xinya arrived at the Milan International Airport after a long ten and a half hours flight.
Wen Xinya finally stepped on Italian soil.
Milan was the most densely populated and developed area in Europe, famous for its tourist sights, fashion, and architecture.
More than half of the world’s top fashion brands had their headquarters in Milan, with many of the clothes being designed right here. For example: Armani, Versace, D&G, Valentino, etc. All these major brands had their major operations stationed right in Milan. This city was undeniably one of the “Big Four” fashion capitals of the world.
Jewelry would forever be the complement to clothing fashion. As a result, nearly all of the most renowned jewelry designers were based in Milan. At the same time, it was the most sought-after destination by many jewelry designers.
This was why the Milan World Expo International Jewelry Design Competition had attracted such widespread attention.
The organizers of the Milan World Expo Association had sent a representative, Mr. Ronda, to the airport to welcome them.
A smile spread across Mr. Ronda’s face the moment he saw Wen Xinya. “Hi, Miss Wen. Welcome to Milan!”
His fluent English held a note of passion. It was the quintessential Italian’s exaggerated way of expressing themselves.
Smiling in return, Wen Xinya exchanged pleasantries with him. She responded appropriately, without being overly-eager nor distant. “How do you do, Mr. Ronda. Thank you for taking time off your busy schedule to welcome me at the airport.”
This Mr. Ronda was in his mid-thirties and radiated with a passion and dynamism that was unique to Italians. It made Wen Xinya feel very amenable toward him.
Mr. Ronda’s sincere gaze was appreciative as he took in Wen Xinya with his eyes. “Miss Wen is too polite. This is part of my job.”
Wen Xinya exuded an exotic and mysterious grace and beauty distinct to the orient. Due to her long years apprenticing under Grampy, she was also admirably erudite and self-possessed, giving off the characteristic air of a learned and cultured person.
Wen Xinya’s tone was extremely polite while maintaining that typical Country Z’s manner of smiling. “I will have to trouble Mr. Ronda in the following days, then.”
Wen Xinya knew that for the next ten days over the duration of the Milan World Expo International Jewelry Design Competition, this Mr. Ronda would be responsible for her daily living requirements, her itinerary, as well as all the details and arrangements for the competition. They would have to spend a long period together, so it was very important for Wen Xinya to make a good impression on Mr. Ronda.
However, Mr. Ronda was part of the competition organization team, while she was a competitor. As a result, it was not appropriate for her to behave too fervently toward him. Otherwise, she would appear to have ulterior motives and end up doing a disservice to her own status. Of course, she couldn’t be overly aloof either. The success of the matter remained in the details.
Being genial and polite was the best strategy.
Wen Xinya’s experience from her previous life had her behaving extremely cautiously in this life.
This resulted in the big difference in her manner—when she met with this Mr. Ronda versus when she interacted with the previous representative, Teacher Jill!
“Miss Wen, have you been to Milan before?” Italians were full of zeal but also rather smart. All smart people possessed a hidden sense of pride, and Wen Xinya’s appropriate behavior had increased Mr. Ronda’s regard for her.
Wen Xinya shook her head. “This is my first time in Milan. Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world, and all women have a strong inclination to this place. I am no exception. Not only am I keen on all the top fashion brands gathered here, but I am also very interested in the luxury jewelry houses here. I never imagined that my first visit to Milan would be as a competitor.”
A look of gratitude crossed Wen Xinya’s face as she said that.
Wen Xinya’s words were very apt. They sounded casual but contained a high evaluation of Milan and praises for the city. Mr. Ronda was born and bred here and was naturally full of intense pride for his hometown.
However, as Milan was a major tourist spot, he would have heard such flattering remarks many times and be immune to them. As a result, Wen Xinya was very smart to present her interest in the city from her own personal angle, making it easier for others to relate.
Mr. Ronda replied in all sincerity, “I believe Miss Wen will definitely love this city.”
Mr. Ronda’s tone was full of pride as he looked extremely confident in his own words. No one had ever not liked this fashion capital of the world after visiting it.
To a man, Milan was a city full of exciting opportunities. To a woman, it was an intoxicating paradise.
Wen Xinya nodded. She gazed at the architecture on the other side of the car window. “I think I will. My boyfriend is an Italian-born Chinese, so this place fills me with a magical allure.”
Her words were no lie as Xiasi Group was based in Italy, with many of its businesses in Milan. She truly wished to see the place where Si Yiyan lived for his first seven years.
Mr. Ronda couldn’t help feeling rather surprised, and he appeared even more sincere. “Since that is so, why isn’t he accompanying you on this trip?”
Europeans had high respect for individual privacy and seldom queried about the private affairs of others. The fact that Mr. Ronda was asking about Wen Xinya’s personal matters showed that his relationship with Wen Xinya had progressed to yet another level.
Wen Xinya smiled regretfully. “He is very busy with his work and doesn’t have the time to accompany me.”
When Europeans admired a person, they were quick to become friends with them. Wen Xinya knew this and so was able to quickly form a close bond with Mr. Ronda.
Mr. Ronda also expressed his regrets.
Mr. Ronda was very interesting and humorous, as well as a great conversationalist. For the next part of the trip, he specially instructed the driver to take a more scenic route around Milan while enthusiastically pointing out some of the more iconic architecture and places of arts and culture to Wen Xinya.
Although Wen Xinya was not exceptionally gifted in foreign languages, she was very hardworking and had that language genius Si Yiyan as a practice partner. As a result, her English had improved tremendously over the years. Carrying on a fluent conversation in English was no problem for her, and the two of them chatted on happily.
