The Yun family villa, a prominent name in the wine industry. Servants pushed two clothing racks into Yun Shu's walk-in closet, which spanned nearly two hundred square meters.
Her mother, Yong Cuirong, surveyed the clothes on the racks. Finally, she selected a goose-yellow qipao. "How about this one? It's a new spring collection from top global designer Fidi, a limited edition. It also complements your skin tone."
Yun Shu glanced at it, her brow furrowing in displeasure. "How can something like this be considered suitable for me? A hundred pieces isn't limited at all. I want to wear clothes from Yun Lan Ge. The beige qipao with plum blossom embroidery from their summer collection."
Yong Cuirong put on a helpless expression. "My dear, your mother has asked everyone she can. What can we do if we can't get it? I can't exactly tie up their pavilion master and force them to make one for you."
"I don't care, I don't care, I just want that dress." Yun Shu's eyes welled up as she threw a tantrum. "Go find out who bought it, and then pay double the price to buy it back for me."
Seeing her daughter's distress, Yong Cuirong's heart ached. She stepped forward, cupping her daughter's face, and coaxed her gently. "Mom already inquired. They said their pavilion master kept it. Even many embroiderers at Yun Lan Ge haven't seen their pavilion master. If their own employees don't know her, where am I supposed to find her for you?"
"I don't care. Tomorrow, I absolutely must let Brother Chu see my beauty. I heard he likes traditional Chinese embroidery, and many things in our home are made by embroiderers. I want to wear handmade embroidered clothes too."
She then frowned and said resentfully, "I heard before that Brother Chu already has a woman. I never believed it. Then it was rumored he was bringing that woman home. Mom, aren't you worried? Marrying into a family like the Chu family would be a good thing for you. For me, for our Yun family, can't you even manage one piece of clothing?"
Yong Cuirong continued to coax her. "Alright, alright, don't be angry. It's just handmade embroidery. Mom will have someone buy it for you right away. Do you know Fang Tian Embroidery House? The owner, Fang Tian, is a fellow disciple of Master Bai Jing. Her clothes are also very classy."
After speaking, she gave a signal to the butler waiting by the side. The butler understood and quickly instructed someone to make arrangements. Within half an hour, a rack of handmade embroidered qipaos was wheeled into Yun Shu's room.
Accompanying the clothes was Fang Tian herself.
Yun Shu's expression improved slightly upon seeing the clothes. She got up and went to the clothing rack, casually flipping through them. Finally, her gaze fell on a beige qipao.
"Huh? Why is there a 'Treading Snow' here too?" She took out the dress. "Isn't this exactly the same as the 'Treading Snow' from Yun Lan Ge?"
The off-white qipao was adorned with plum blossom embroidery. The plum branches were intricately intertwined, and the plum blossoms were scattered about in a novel and unique way.
Fang Tian smiled and explained, "Miss Yun has excellent taste. I spent three years personally embroidering this dress, and even the fabric was woven by me. It's my most proud work in recent years.
While I don't know what the 'Treading Snow' you mentioned looks like, this dress is not called 'Treading Snow.' I named it 'Mirror Image.' Look closely, and you'll see there's actually a layer of shadow beneath these plum blossoms, like a reflection. That's why I named it 'Mirror Image.'"
Yun Shu looked closely and indeed, it was as she said. She exclaimed in surprise, "As expected of Master Fang Tian. I'll take this one. Tomorrow, I'll wear this dress and be the most beautiful person there."
Fang Tian smiled obsequiously. "Miss Yun Shu is naturally beautiful and graceful; you will surely be the center of attention."
Seeing her daughter happy, Yong Cuirong also felt relieved. However, she thought of her daughter's earlier words. Since that Chu Rong liked traditional Chinese embroidery, wasn't this a good opportunity? She said,
"I wonder if Boss Fang is free tomorrow? We're attending the birthday celebration of Old Master Chu of the Chu Group. All the prominent families will be there. You've solved my daughter's clothing problem. In return, I can take you to the banquet and help make introductions for you."
Fang Tian was overjoyed upon hearing this. This might be her chance to officially enter high society. She quickly expressed her gratitude. "I am immensely honored and grateful. If Madam invites me, I will make time even if I'm busy."
Yong Cuirong smiled, clearly accustomed to such flattery and not paying much heed. "But I have a condition. My daughter likes embroidery. Tomorrow, you will accompany her and, when necessary, speak up for her."
Fang Tian immediately understood. "Miss Yun Shu is clearly elegant and intelligent, a lady of refinement. I understand, Madam, please rest assured."
As for Yun Shu, she happily went to change. However, she soon came out with a frown. "Mom, the waist is a bit small, and the chest is a bit large. It doesn't fit at all."
Yong Cuirong glanced at Fang Tian.
Fang Tian quickly said, "Miss Yun Shu, don't worry. I'll alter it for you right away."
...
The next day, Quan Jiu woke up early to get ready. Considering she had already made plans with Lin Zhongren three times but had never met him, and it was for his grandfather's birthday, she couldn't dress too casually.
"Mom, where are we going today?" Tu Tu asked curiously while changing.
"Mom doesn't know either, but we definitely won't be kidnapped and sold," Quan Jiu replied. Since he had offered to pick her up, she felt that asking too many details would seem untrusting. She would know where they were going when they got there anyway.
Mi Mi, holding her favorite hair tie, asked, "Mom, I want to tie my hair into two buns."
"Okay, and tie a red string, step on the wind-fire wheels, and our Mimi will be Nezha," Quan Jiu said, hugging Mimi onto her lap and combing her hair.
Tu Tu tidied his hair. "It's good to be a boy. No need to tie hair, it's so convenient. I'm done getting ready. I'm going to play next door." Before he finished speaking, he had already slipped away.
Chu Rong was on the phone with his mother. "...I told you to come back last night, but you didn't. Have you taken root elsewhere? You dare to be late for your grandfather's birthday. Believe it or not, if you anger me, I'll go to your company with a stick and beat you."
"I'll be back shortly," Chu Rong replied calmly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened. Tu Tu shouted, "Gu Lu, I'm here!" Ignoring Chu Rong, he dived straight into the cat's house.
Yuan Zijun, hearing a boy's voice on the phone, became agitated like a startled cat. "...I'm telling you, if you dare to bring a wild woman home on an occasion like today, I will publicly disown you in front of all the guests.
Also, if you have even a shred of consideration for Jiu'er in your heart, don't bring the child home today. I've already sent Jiu'er an invitation. She's the most filial, and she might attend. If she comes and sees you with a child by your side, how will you let Jiu'er save face?"
Chu Rong's usually calm expression showed a slight tremor. "You found her?"
Yuan Zijun snorted. "I'm not telling you." When Chu Xin Culture hit the trending searches, she had Old Li investigate after learning the boss's name was Quan Jiu. It had been confirmed; she was indeed her Jiu'er.
She knew Jiu'er had been wronged, so she didn't rush to acknowledge her. Instead, she sent an invitation. With the Old Master's birthday approaching, as long as Jiu'er was willing to attend, it would mean Jiu'er hadn't cut ties with the Chu family, and there was still a chance.
Chu Rong's lips curved slightly. "I'll get ready and be there."
After hanging up the phone, Chu Rong opened his email and sent a message to the painter Mi Tu: "The luncheon starts at twelve. Shall I pick you up at eleven?"
Quan Jiu, who was doing her makeup, heard the email notification and opened it. It was indeed from Lin Zhongren.
She replied, "My time is flexible, but won't eleven be too late?"
Attending a birthday banquet meant having to greet the hosts and present gifts. If she arrived just in time for the luncheon, wouldn't that be impolite?
"It's okay, not too late. It's the weekend, you and the children can sleep in a bit longer."
Quan Jiu stared blankly at the message, feeling a strange sensation. She had a feeling that Lin Zhongren was treating her like an old acquaintance.