C17 The Inspiration of Fashion Design

"That's what you're entitled to!" Zhan Yeling's gaze fixed on her, his presence enveloped by a chilling aura.

Xiong Miao couldn't fathom his anger. "It's normal for a tea girl at a nightclub to fulfill small requests from customers and receive tips for it."

"I stick to serving tea and pouring water. Pouring wine is fine too. But anything beyond that, I won't do, and I won't accept money for it," Xiong Miao explained her principles to him.

She didn't even understand why she felt compelled to share this with him.

"Ha..." Zhan Yeling chuckled, his strikingly handsome face betraying no emotion.

Her words sounded nice, but he probably thought she was lying through her teeth.

What did his scornful smile mean?

He didn't believe her?

She should have known better than to tell others about herself. No one else cared about her situation, after all. Sharing would only give them more to mock.

The car pulled over by the side of a shopping mall.

Zhan Yeling exited first, with Xiong Miao following suit.

She watched him approach a clothing store window, and she joined him.

By then, the mall had closed, and the store's lights were out. Yet, the streetlights still illuminated the clothes on the mannequins inside.

It was a collection in various shades of green, each piece featuring trendy European and American elements.

Her own designs were similar, though hers leaned more towards domestic tastes, while these catered to an international audience.

"Take a good look and see where your designs fall short," he said in a voice as rich and commanding as a cello's notes.

Xiong Miao turned to face him, the faint light casting shadows over his chiseled features, obscuring his expression and the depths of his inscrutable eyes.

But Xiong Miao understood that he was discussing work with her, and his previous comment was a critique of her recent designs.

"I get it now. My designs are still trapped in conventional thinking, too similar and lacking innovation. It was naive to think I could impress at the new product launch with such designs," Xiong Miao's mind raced as she quickly grasped her deficiencies.

"You have some really creative ideas, particularly with the use of traditional domestic elements," Zhan Yeling acknowledged, not entirely dismissing Xiong Miao's design but showing a keen interest in the red string knot she had incorporated.

The red string knot has always been a symbol of celebration and happy endings since ancient times.

Incorporating the red string knot into this design was also fitting for the theme.

"Alright, I'll keep refining it," Xiong Miao said, taking the feedback to heart.

Zhan Yeling got back into his car, while Xiong Miao remained standing, intending to watch him drive away.

"Get in the car!" His command left no room for refusal.

Xiong Miao climbed into the car, bewildered and anxious, wondering where he was taking her this time.

They came to a halt in a vast, open field.

The place was desolate and eerily quiet, devoid of any human presence.

The night wind was chilling to the bone, brushing against the skin with a sinister touch.

Xiong Miao instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, shivering from both the cold and fear.

Having seen too many crime films, she couldn't help but think such a location was perfect for foul play.

If Zhan Yeling harbored any sinister intentions, she would be utterly helpless, her cries unheard by heaven or earth.

"Youth doesn't have to be vibrant and animated; it can be serene and otherworldly," Zhan Yeling mused, standing at the edge of the open space, hands casually tucked into his pockets. His tall figure cut a striking silhouette against the wind as he gazed into the distance.

The breeze played with his impeccably smooth trousers, the fabric rustling softly, bringing a whisper of life to the still night.

Xiong Miao glanced at him, his dark eyes blending with the darkness, exuding mystery and depth.

The melding of profound and ethereal seemed perfectly harmonious.

Suddenly, Xiong Miao was struck by a burst of inspiration, her mind teeming with ideas.

She knew exactly how to proceed with her design.

"Let's go," the man said abruptly, turning to leave.

Watching his retreating figure, Xiong Miao experienced, for the first time, a sense of desolation.

She shook her head in disbelief. A man as imperious as Zhan Yeling, desolate? Impossible.

Lost in her thoughts, Xiong Miao was snapped back to reality when Zhan Yeling spoke to the driver, "Take us to New City Hua Manor District."

That was her neighborhood. Was Zhan Yeling planning to drop her off at home?

"No need. Just head to the downtown area. I can catch a taxi back from there," Xiong Miao interjected promptly.

The thought of Zhan Yeling seeing the children if he took her all the way home was too much of a risk to consider.

She hadn't thought it through before. Zhan Yeling had visited her place once; he knew where she lived. A surprise visit could lead to a chaotic encounter with her six little ones. The idea of him discovering the children was unsettling.

Having already paid three months' rent, moving wasn't an easy option either.

Zhan Yeling threw a casual glance her way, causing Xiong Miao's heart to race. She wondered if he had overheard her earlier refusal.

His piercing gaze prevented her from repeating her request.

Nevertheless, the car continued to New City Hua Manor.

She breathed a sigh of relief when it stopped just inside the complex. She stepped out, and the car pulled away.

Watching the black vehicle disappear into the distance, Xiong Miao's shoulders finally relaxed.

Thankfully, he hadn't insisted on accompanying her upstairs.

With a self-deprecating smack to her forehead, she muttered, "What's with all the wild thoughts? Zhan Yeling dropping you off at the neighborhood is as far as he'll go. Did you really think he'd walk you to your door? He probably just passed by on his way."

Comforted by this reasoning, the weight on Xiong Miao's shoulders lightened considerably.

Upon arriving home, the sweet smell of milk greeted her, and her travel-weary spirit found solace.

She leaned down to plant a tender kiss on each of the little ones' soft, fragrant cheeks before heading off to shower.

That night, her mind brimming with inspiration, she decided against sleep, opting instead to work on her blueprints throughout the night in the living room.

The next morning, after preparing breakfast and dressing the little ones, she urged them to eat quickly. Su Mumu arrived shortly after.

Xiong Miao tidied up and hurried off to the company.

"Manager Xiong, Director Zhan has rejected your design. You're aware of this, aren't you?"

Chen cornered her as soon as she arrived, wearing a look of anticipation for drama. "There's only a week left before the new product launch. Unless you can produce a polished design today that catches Director Zhan's eye, you're going to lose. Honestly, I don't think a single day is enough for you. You might as well start planning how to release the video and confess that you're the other woman who stole someone's man!"

Xiong Miao was itching to wipe that smirk off Chen's face.

"There's no need for you to concern yourself with my affairs. I'll handle my own business," Xiong Miao retorted with a glance and walked past her, unfazed by her taunts.

"We'll see how you handle losing when the time comes!" Chen fumed, shooting a glare at Xiong Miao's retreating figure before storming back to her desk.

Xiong Miao organized her documents, grabbed her laptop and USB drive, and headed out.

Chen was right; she had only today to submit her design proposal.

If Director Zhan wouldn't come to the Design Department for a meeting, then she'd take the proposal to him at headquarters!