The man was a beautiful mix. His curly hair coupled with his sapphire blue eyes, snow-white skin, and pronounced facial features made him look like a living statue.
He looked like he was in his mid-20s. His silk shirt softly fluttered in the breeze and wrapped his body tightly, showing off his perfect physique.
He smiled and looked at Ning Li in delight and astonishment. Then, he stepped out of his car and opened his arms to welcome her with a hug.
“George.”
Ning Li was shocked. She heard that G&S would send someone to pick her up, but she did not expect the son of the owner. She nodded and reached out to him for a handshake instead.
“Nice to meet you.”
George noticed her reaction. He smiled and changed his hug to a handshake. “I heard from Edmond that girls here are all pretty conservative, so I guess it’s true.”
Despite his looks, he was able to command fluent Mandarin.
Ning Li shook his hand for less than a second. “Thank you for picking me up.”
George whistled. “Aside from your sketches, you alone are worthy for me to come here myself.”
He had seen countless beautiful women, but Ning Li stood out from the rest. His frank attitude and enthusiasm would make a lot of girls giggle in bashfulness, but Ning Li had heard of him before, so she did not take him seriously.
George was the son of the owner of G&S. He had the best resources in the fashion world, and his wealth was immeasurable. With that beautiful face of his, he was able to shuttle his way around many beautiful women.
Rumor had it that he changed his girlfriend every three months and was a regular name in the gossip column of newspapers or magazines.
He was extremely charming with his words, especially with a mix of sincerity in between the lines. He was able to win trust easily which became one of his specialties.
He lifted his chin at his car and said, “Hop in.”
…
The yellow sports car sped through the highway and the scenery on both sides became a blur.
Ning Li tried to sightsee as much as she could.
The night view of Jingcheng was astonishing as it was prosperous and lively. Lights were everywhere and everything seemed extra vivid. It has been a while since she saw such a lively and beautiful scene.
“I didn’t send my picture over, so how did you recognize me?” she asked George.
George smiled brightly. “I don’t need a picture to know it’s you.”
Before he came, he had her sketches for a long time. A person’s temperament was usually reflected in his or her work. It was a strange and indescribable feeling, but he had known that it was her.
“But—”
He smiled and winked at Ning Li. “You are a lot shorter than I expected.”
Then, he saw the bag in Ning Li’s hand. “Is that all you brought?”
“I will be only staying for the weekend,” Ning Li replied succinctly.
George was shocked. “Two days? That’s too short. The press conference is next Saturday. Are you not going to wait for that?”
Ning Li nodded. “I still have classes to attend.”
The look on George’s beautiful face froze for a moment. Since when did G&S’s influence become so weak?
“There’s also a prize-giving ceremony. Aren’t you attending that either? I’m already planning how to introduce you to the press in the grandest way possible.”
“I’m not here for the press conference or the prize-giving ceremony,” Ning Li said, “I’m here to talk to you about a business deal.”
George stepped on the brakes. He turned to her and put his hand around the seat while sizing her up with an intrigued gaze.
“A business deal? You and me? You knew I was coming?”
He had come for Ning Li, but no one else knew about it. Judging from Ning Li’s tone, however, it seemed like she knew he was coming to the event.
Ning Li nodded.
“Due to personal reasons, I cannot be officially under G&S, and G&S has to make sure that they won’t reveal any of my information to the public. I don’t need fixed pay. All the profits will be shared. I want commissions from all the products that I design. On top of that, I will have the right to end the collaboration any time unconditionally.”
George stared at her for a moment and smiled. “Ning, no one negotiates terms with G&S like that.”
Ning Li smiled. “Well, I’m not no one.”
She then looked down at her watch. “If you can’t agree to my terms, maybe I can still make it back on the next flight.”
He did not say a word while cars were whizzing past them at every moment.
“You have to show me that you are sincere,” he finally said.
Ning Li replied evenly, “Me being here is the biggest form of sincerity.”
A long while later, George laughed. “Great. I’ll tell them to draft up a contract and show it to you tomorrow. I suppose by then, I can have whatever’s inside your bag, right?”
Ning Li reached out for a handshake. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”
…
“This is my first time sealing a deal on the road,” George admitted as he drove.
It was a huge gamble. If he was not fascinated by Ning Li’s design, he would never have agreed to Ning Li’s terms.
Ning Li smiled. “Me too.”
George sent her directly to the Aqua Front Hotel.
…
The event continued, but Xu Yini lost interest in staying.
Since George was not around, no one could decide on the upcoming fashion show, and staying back would be a waste of time. However, leaving like that would hurt her image, and it was still a great chance to win some favors from Edmond.
Edmond was quite influential among the executives of G&S, and winning his favor would definitely help her future development.
“I heard that you used to study in the States, I didn’t expect you to command such a high level of German,” Edmond said with praise.
Xu Yini looked at the man. “My secondary subject back at university was German. It was purely out of personal interest.”
Edmond looked at her with a ridiculing gaze. “It’s because of someone, wasn’t it?”
Xu Yini was shocked.
Edmond’s eyes were as clear as crystals as if he saw through the girl’s thoughts. He leaned forward and said softly, “Speaking of which, the way your eyes sparkle is exactly the same as when you confessed on camera the other day.”
She knew what Edmond was referring to. Everyone thought that she was talking to her fans, but in fact…
She smiled helplessly and blushed.
“I really can’t keep secrets from you,” she indirectly admitted.
Edmond knew it and was not surprised. He exclaimed, “I wonder which lucky b*stard that is.”
Xu Yini smiled. She did not go along with his topic and changed it instead.
The two of them continued chatting and they attracted people’s attention.
“It seems like Xu Yini is getting the spot.”
“You can’t say for sure. George isn’t here tonight, and Edmond can’t make the decision by himself.”
“I know, but Edmond is a strange guy as well and Xu Yini was able to have a good chat with him which proves how good she is. Besides, Edmond’s opinion is also important. I think the chances for the others are slim…”
Half an hour later, Xu Yini excused herself from the event with Edmond sending her off himself.
When she was in the corridor about to leave for the parking lot, she caught a side glance of something that shocked her.
