Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Also Chinese?
Shi Mengwan was a little interested. Up until now, she was the only one who was from the mainland.
She had been chatting with the Hong Kong beauty who ranked third for a long time, and she kept asking her to go to Hong Kong for a visit.
She was already very happy to see a Chinese person, but now there was actually another Chinese person? Were they manufacturers from China? Or —
As she spoke, Dickson took half a step to the side and looked behind her. “Zhan, let me introduce you. This Miss Shi is also from Lin City. Her design was very good, very abstract.”
“Shi, this is Zhan. He is also from Lin City, China. According to your people’s customs, he would be considered a fellow countryman.”
Dickson smiled brightly, but Shi Mengwan’s expression instantly stiffened.
Shi Mengwan looked at Zhan Haoze, who had suddenly appeared in front of her. For a moment, she thought that there was something wrong with her eyes.
Why was he here?
Seeing that she didn’t speak, Dickson thought that she didn’t know Zhan Haoze’s identity, so he further explained.
“Shi, although Zhan is Chinese, he also has his own business in France, including some fashion brands.”
Dickson said two names, and Shi Mengwan looked at Zhan Haoze in surprise. He was wearing a white suit with a dark red pattern on the collar to the shoulder. The close-fitting cut and the design made him look more suauve.
She could even feel his gaze on her when Zhan Haoze stood up.
However, she wasn’t just paying attention to Zhan Haoze’s current appearance. Her mind was filled with the two names Dickson had mentioned.
Those were two emerging fashion brands. Although their designs were small, they were already quite famous in China, Europe, and the United States.
Were these two fashion brands Zhan Haoze’s?
She lowered her eyes and thought of something from a long time ago. It wasn’t long after she went to school. It was one day after she found out that her Dear Brother was still fighting outside and was injured.
She suddenly had an inspiration and drew a design when she was still young at that time.
At that time, she took the design and ran to show it to Qiao Ze. The young man looked at her with gentle eyes.
“Dear Brother, what do you think of this dress?”
“Not bad. It’s very beautiful.” The young man wasn’t stingy with his praise. “If Wanwan wears it, it’ll be even more beautiful.”
“Really? Dear Brother, you’re not lying to me, are you?”
“No, I’m serious. “As the young man spoke, he pulled her body to sit beside him. His gaze fell on the painting in the young woman’s hand, but his hand wrapped around her shoulder to allow her to come closer to him.
He liked her to be close to him, and he also liked to be close to her.
Shi Mengwan leaned on his shoulder and looked at the design as well. Finally, she turned to look at the youth.
“Dear Brother, can you help me in the future?”
“Help you?”
“That’s right. I draw clothes and design clothes. You make clothes, open a large factory, and sell the clothes I design to more people.”
The youth looked into her eyes and didn’t think that it was a rather difficult goal for them to achieve now. Instead, he nodded lightly. “Okay.”
What Shi Mengwan didn’t say was that when that time came, Dear Brother would have something to do and wouldn’t fight outside anymore.
She knew that although he was very good at fighting now, he was rarely injured, but she was still very worried about him and didn’t want him to be like that in the future.
“Dear Brother.”
“Yes?”
“In the future, I will definitely draw many beautiful pictures. When that time comes, there will definitely be many people coming to buy the clothes I design. When that time comes, you must help me, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Dear Brother.”
“Yes?”
“In the future, when we earn money, we can change into a big house, or we can travel around the world. We don’t have to stay here. At that time, can you not fight with others anymore?”
“Okay.” The young man pressed her body into his arms. He was a little too strong. He smelled the girl’s scent and his eyes were resolute.
“Dear Brother. Every time you go out, I’m worried about you. I don’t like you fighting with others. Next time, don’t fight with others, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Dear Brother. You’re so nice.”
The girl smiled happily. The young man looked at her face and forced himself to calm down. Then, he looked at her and said firmly.
“I won’t fight with others. When you grow up and become a fashion designer, I’ll open a fashion company that specializes in selling clothes designed by you.”
“Okay. Then I’ll wait for you.”
The young girl smiled brightly. At that moment, the shabby bungalow seemed to be full of starlight.
Dickson’s voice brought her back to her senses. “Sorry, I was a little distracted.”
Shi Mengwan looked at that handsome face and forced herself to look away.
Did Zhan Haoze create those two clothing brands for her? Could she think of it that way?
But looking at him, she couldn’t connect the two things together at all. Dickson didn’t seem to notice the loss of composure on her face as he continued to talk excitedly about Zhan Haoze’s identity.
“These are all Zhan Haoze’s brands. You’re all Chinese. I think you two will have something to talk about.”
After Dickson finished speaking, someone happened to be looking for her. She excused herself and left.
Only Zhan Haoze and Shi Mengwan were left standing there.
Thinking about Dickson’s words just now, Shi Mengwan stood still. Zhan Haoze actually had a business in France? Wasn’t he in charge of a technology company?
What had he done outside all these years? What had he experienced?
She couldn’t help but feel a trace of curiosity. However, she forced herself to avert her gaze and not look at Zhan Haoze.
“Congratulations.” Zhan Haoze stood beside her. Coincidentally, a waiter passed by. He picked up two glasses of champagne from the tray and placed one of them into Shi Mengwan’s hand.
Shi Mengwan looked at him for a while and finally reached out to take it. “There’s nothing to congratulate me about.”
She didn’t enter the top three. Zhan Haoze’s gaze fell on her. The extremely fresh green color made her skin look like snow. The top one-shoulder design was tailored to fit her body. A leaf extended over her shoulder and the gauze underneath was layered.
Zhan Haoze lightly clinked the wine glass with her. “In my heart, you’re number one.”
Shi Mengwan was stunned by his words. With her hand holding the wine glass, she just stood there while looking at him.
Realizing that she had been influenced by him again, Shi Mengwan turned her face away. She didn’t allow herself to sink further.
She casually drank a mouthful of champagne. Standing beside Zhan Haoze made her feel uncomfortable. She put the wine glass aside and turned around to leave.
Zhan Haoze put down the glass and held her hand.
Shi Mengwan looked at that hand and then looked at the others in the banquet hall. She lowered her voice and was a little anxious.
“Let go.”
The music in the hall changed at that moment. Zhan Haoze looked at Shi Mengwan and reached out his hand.
Shi Mengwan understood what he meant and took a step back. “You –”
“Let’s go, dance with me.”
As Zhan Haoze spoke, he held her hand and led her to the dance floor in the middle of the hall.
Shi Mengwan wanted to step back, but his hand was already around her waist. He took her and spun around the edge of the dance floor. Bit by bit, they slid into the middle of the dance floor.
Being led like this, even if Shi Mengwan didn’t want to, she could only dance and spin with his dance steps.
After a few steps, she realized that Zhan Haoze’s dancing skills were pretty good. She was a little surprised. Her dancing wasn’t very good. After all, she wasn’t some rich young lady, so there weren’t many opportunities for her to attend banquets.
Now that Zhan Haoze was leading her, she looked at Zhan Haoze in front of her.
He had more and more secrets that she couldn’t figure out or see through. However, these secrets not only couldn’t make her let go, but they also made her want to get closer and want to know more.
Shi Mengwan’s turned in circles. This kind of thinking was very dangerous, and she had to suppress it.
Zhan Haoze was very dangerous, and she had to stay far away.
Her sense of reason kept reminding her, but when she looked into Zhan Haoze’s deep eyes, she could only dance to his footsteps.
“You’re very beautiful today.”
Zhan Haoze moved his face closer to Shi Mengwan’s ear. He spoke in a low voice, and the hot air that he blew out was right beside her ear. Her ears turned red and she instinctively shrunk her neck.
She wanted to move to the side, but she was already dancing with Zhan Haoze, so where could she move to?
Zhan Haoze’s hand on her waist slightly tightened, and she moved closer to him instead.
Shi Mengwan had already made up her mind to stay away from him. His actions made her want to escape from his embrace.
“Have you ever thought of partnering with these big European and American brands? To promote your designs to the whole world?”
The voice that suddenly sounded above her head made Shi Mengwan stunned. She looked up at him with a hint of shock in her eyes.
“Zhan Haoze, you…”
“Haven’t you thought about it?” Zhan Haoze looked at her and said indifferently, “If you want, you can think about it whether it’s Dickson or other companies.”
The information revealed by these words was too big. Shi Mengwan furrowed her brows. She looked up at Zhan Haoze’s face, as if it was the first time she met him.
“Zhan Haoze, who are you?”
Her Dear Brother was 15 when he met her, and he was 16 when they were separated. The two of them had been separated for 12 years.
What exactly did Zhan Haoze do during these 12 years? What did he experience? Was he really her Dear Brother?
With his situation back then, it was a little scary for him to have such achievements in 12 years.
Disregarding the two clothing brands that Dickson had mentioned, it was definitely not easy for them to reach their current level overseas.
After she got to know Xiao Qi, she specially went to look up the technology company that she mentioned. She also looked up Zhan Haoze.
Although their company’s website didn’t show Zhan Haoze’s photo, the introduction on it was very clear.
The technology company that Xiao Qi mentioned was founded by Zhan Haoze alone, and its market value was many times more than when it was founded.
With such abilities and methods, she thought of the youth who only knew how to fight back then. She really couldn’t connect the person in front of her to that youth.
Zhan Haoze looked at her eyes, tilted his head slightly, and a kiss landed on her lips. His voice was very soft.
“I’m your man.”
Shi Mengwan’s face suddenly turned red. She wanted to push Zhan Haoze away, but she realized that he had brought her to the edge of the dance floor.
At this moment, the music changed. Zhan Haoze let go of her hand and brought her to a corner of the hall.
As one of the invited guests, Zhan Haoze also had a room in the castle. He brought Shi Mengwan upstairs.
Shi Mengwan tried to break free of his hand several times, but she didn’t get what she wanted. When they reached the second floor, she was surprised to find that Zhan Haoze’s room was next to hers.
He brought her in, and she held the door handle. “Zhan Haoze, don’t do anything stupid.”
There were still so many guests downstairs, and Dickson was there. He couldn’t be thinking —
Zhan Haoze looked at the resistance on her face and easily carried her up. With a tap of his toes, the door was closed.
He pushed her against the door and gently caressed her collarbone with his big hand. “I wanted to do this just now.”
As he spoke, he lowered his head and planted a kiss wherever his fingertips touched…
Zhan Haoze barely managed to remain rational and didn’t tear her skirt apart. However, the slow process of taking it off made Shi Mengwan’s face turn red.
Her body was no longer like her own. She could only move up or down with his movements.
He was like a sharp sword as he evaded her. Containing his every attack, she was like the sea.
The moment he got off her, he didn’t let go of her. Instead, he pulled her into his arms.
Shi Mengwan couldn’t move. Not quite understanding how things had turned out this way, she looked at the ceiling above her head.
She turned around to look at him. He was also looking at her. Shi Mengwan felt a little uncomfortable under his overly passionate gaze. When she moved her gaze away, she saw his bare upper body.
There was a scar on his abdomen that could be seen very clearly. This was the wound from a few days ago.
The stitches had been removed, but the scar was still there. Shi Mengwan had previously forced herself not to care about him and not to care about him because of his engagement to Chen Feifei.
Now that she saw this wound, she couldn’t help but reach out and caress it. “How did you get it?”
It was so long. She didn’t know if it was deep or not. It must have been very painful at that time, right?
“Are you concerned about me?” Zhan Haoze’s voice seemed to carry a hint of mirth.
“No.”
Shi Mengwan wanted to take her hand back, but Zhan Haoze grabbed her hand and pressed it on the wound.
She couldn’t pull her hand back, so he held her hand and caressed the wound bit by bit. The feeling there wasn’t smooth. Shi Mengwan felt it from the beginning to the end and suddenly pulled her hand back.
She turned around and didn’t stop looking at him.
Zhan Haoze didn’t understand what was wrong with her. He wanted to turn her body back, but she stubbornly refused to let him.
He was very strong. In the end, she was still turned around by him. Only then did he realize that her eyes were red and there was faint mist in them.
“Wanwan?”
Shi Mengwan lowered her head and didn’t look at him. She remembered that the youth had promised her that he wouldn’t fight with anyone again.
But whether it was when she met him in the alley in the bungalow district or this time… In short, he had broken his promise.
He forgot about his promise. It was as if he had forgotten that he once promised himself that he would take care of her and protect her for the rest of her life.
“Wanwan?”
Zhan Haoze called her again. Compared to the rudeness and viciousness he showed when he was entangled with her on the bed just now, he was calling her name extremely gently.
Shi Mengwan wanted to cry, but she didn’t want him to see her like this. She pushed him and got up to leave.
But she forgot that her body was still weak from the intense exercise. She wanted to sit up, but fell back again. This time, she fell into his arms.
He just remembered to stop her, so her jaw hit his head.
Shi Mengwan was in pain. The tears she were holding back a moment ago flowed out.
Her tears provoked Zhan Haoze. He got up and pulled her into his embrace.
“Wanwan?”
Shi Mengwan rarely had such a fragile moment. She suddenly felt like crying and felt uncomfortable. The emotions that she had been suppressing ever since she reunited with Zhan Haoze seemed to finally be vented.
She raised her hand and suddenly pounded Zhan Haoze’s chest.
“Bastard, you bastard.”
As she spoke, she pounded a few more times. Her strength was nothing more than a tickle to him. Zhan Haoze didn’t stop her and let her pound him.
Shi Mengwan pounded several times until her hands ran out of strength. She finally stopped and leaned her face against Zhan Haoze. Her voice was very soft.
“Zhan Haoze, you’re a bastard.” All this time, he only knew how to bully her.
“Zhan Haoze, you’re a liar.” He had promised her, but he couldn’t do anything. If he wasn’t a liar, then what was he?
“Zhan Haoze, you’re still a thief.” He stole her heart, but he didn’t want to take responsibility. He was really a hooligan.
“You bastard, you’re a liar, you’re a hooligan.”
Shi Mengwan didn’t want to scold him any further. She only used these three words back and forth. In the end, she was tired from hitting him and scolding him. In addition, she had been exhausted mentally and physically for the last few days for the finals.
By the time Zhan Haoze reacted, she had already closed her eyes and was sleeping on his chest.
Even though she was asleep, her lips seemed to be moving. She got closer and listened carefully. He heard the word ‘b*stard’.
Zhan Haoze gently picked her up and laid her flat on the bed. He looked at her and gently caressed her cheek. There were still traces of tears there.
He wiped away those tears one by one. Finally, he planted a kiss on her forehead.
He wanted to lie down with her. Ever since Shi Mengwan left that day, he hadn’t been idle for the past few days. He had a lot of things to do, but now he just wanted to hug this woman and sleep for a while.
However, as soon as he laid down, his phone rang.
Before he woke Shi Mengwan up, Zhan Haoze quickly turned off the phone and then went to the bathroom to answer the call.
The news from the other side made his expression grave. He seemed to have thought of something and spoke very calmly.
“I’ll be back soon. Prepare the plane.”
Shi Mengwan was sleeping soundly when he went out of the bathroom. Zhan Haoze put on his clothes, picked up his phone, stood by the bed, and stared at her sleeping face for a long time. Finally, he turned around and left resolutely.
..
After Shi Mengwan returned from France, the workload of the studio increased by quite a lot.
Although she didn’t get into the top three, the two keywords of the most special design award and the fourth place in the competition were still very useful.
Especially the Weibo post that Xiao Ji sent with her phone that day. She was called the most beautiful designer by people.
Now, in addition to the high order, there were also many clothing companies that came over to ask if she was interested in mass production. Shi Mengwan was too busy and temporarily rejected them all.
More importantly, she remembered what Zhan Haoze said that day.
Speaking of Zhan Haoze, when she woke up the next day, it was no longer strange when she didn’t see Zhan Haoze’s figure.
He seemed to have always been like this, coming and going whenever he wanted. What exactly did she mean to him?
Did this count as breaking up with her?
She didn’t return to her room for the whole night, and her phone was left at Xiao Ji’s place. The next day, Xiao Ji and Tong Yan were looking for her like crazy.
Shi Mengwan could only say that she was drunk yesterday and randomly found a room to sleep in.
If it weren’t for the fact that they were in Dickson’s castle, Xiao Ji and Tong Yan wouldn’t have trusted her so easily.
After returning to Lin City, Shi Mengwan had been following the news of the Chen family in Lin City. She realized that other than the news of the engagement last time, there was no other information.
Shi Mengwan couldn’t tell how she felt. She really wanted to look for Zhan Haoze, but she wanted to use this opportunity to end it.
Soon, she didn’t have the mood to worry about Zhan Haoze anymore.
When Su Qingsang went on an exchange as a doctor, there was an earthquake. Then, she lost contact with Su Qingsang.
Shi Mengwan couldn’t sit still anymore. She went to the Su family to find Li Qianxue. She also went to Rong City and found out that Su Qingsang wasn’t Xiang Caiping’s daughter, but Li Qianxue’s daughter.
She really couldn’t have imagined such a thing. Now that Su Qingsang was in trouble, she wouldn’t be able to go to the disaster area even if she wanted to, but the Su family had a way, right?
Li Qianxue was also worried, but she received a call from Huo Jinyao. Huo Jinyao comforted her by saying that he had already brought the supplies to the disaster area and told her not to be anxious.
No matter how anxious she was, she knew that going to the disaster area in her physical and mental state would only cause more trouble. No matter how worried she was, she could only trust Huo Jinyao now.
Shi Mengwan couldn’t be as calm as Li Qianxue was. She had known Su Qingsang for so many years now, and Su Qingsang was like a sister to her.
She also wanted to go to the disaster area to look for Su Qingsang.
But not everyone could go to the disaster area now. If Huo Jinyao hadn’t donated a large amount of resources, then gone to the disaster area with those resources, and he himself was connected to Su Qingsang, it wouldn’t have been so easy.
She thought about it, but she didn’t know how to go to the disaster area and participate in the search for Su Qingsang.
Finally, she thought of Zhan Haoze. She took out her phone and called Zhan Haoze, but no one answered.
After staring at the phone for a long time, she decided to make a trip herself.
The car stopped at the building where Zhan Haoze’s technology company was located. Shi Mengwan wasn’t sure if she could find him upstairs. Perhaps, he wasn’t in the company?
She wanted to leave, but her worry for Su Qingsang overwhelmed everything.
When she entered the building, she wasn’t in the mood to admire the super-modern facilities and some equipment that could only be seen in movies.
She walked straight to the front desk and told the front desk that she wanted to see Zhan Haoze.
“You want to see President Zhan? Sorry. We can’t let you go up without an appointment.”
“Can you ask?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. You really can’t see President Zhan without an appointment.”
Shi Mengwan gritted her teeth. She was still thinking about how she could go up to see Zhan Haoze when she heard someone calling her.
“Eh? Mengwan?”
