C13 Chapter 13

After school that afternoon, Xia Yanyou spotted Xia Bing waiting for him at the gate. He dashed over and threw himself into her arms, calling out with complete affection, “Mom.” He completely left Saang Yuxin, who had just come out with him, behind.

Seeing the gentle smile on Xia Yanyou’s mother’s face, Saang Yuxin felt like his heart was melting. Without even realizing it, he started walking toward them too.

Just saying hello to that pretty lady first wouldn’t be too much, right?

Saang Yuxin’s heart pounded, and it felt like it had jumped straight into his throat. He was nervous, hopeful, and excited all at once.

But just as he was about to reach them, a foot suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

Saang Yuxin stopped and looked up to see Steward Xie standing there with a pleasant smile. “Young Master Saang, please get in the car.”

Saang Yuxin glanced at the luxury van parked by the curb, then looked back at Xia Yanyou and his mother and let out a soft sigh.

Forget it. There would be other chances. Xia Yanyou had already promised to take him to his house someday.

Saang Yuxin handed his backpack to Steward Xie, then turned and headed toward his family’s car.

“Mom, that quiet classmate I told you about yesterday? I invited him to our house sometime soon!”

“Oh? That’s great. I was just thinking we should make sushi together one day. Then when your little friend comes over, we can all make sushi together!”

“Yay! Sushi! I love making sushi! And I love eating it even more!”

Smiling, Xia Bing reached out and gently ruffled Xia Yanyou’s hair, her heart turning soft.

Today was Friday, and the first round of the fashion competition was tomorrow.

That night, Xia Bing stayed busy until well past midnight before finally going to sleep.

This was a great chance for her to make a name for herself, and she was determined to seize it. She took this competition very seriously, checking the sample garment she had designed again and again, perfecting every last detail.

Early the next morning, Xia Bing dropped Xia Yanyou off at a nearby private daycare.

Still half-asleep, Xia Yanyou sleepily planted a kiss on Xia Bing’s cheek and said in a slightly husky voice, “Mom, good luck in the competition!”

Xia Bing smiled, her eyes as gentle as still water. She kissed him on the cheek too. “Thanks for the encouragement, sweetheart. You’ll have to stay here for the day, but if Mom makes it to the next round, I’ll take you to an amusement park tomorrow.”

The moment he heard the words “amusement park,” Xia Yanyou instantly looked much more awake. Grinning from ear to ear, he said, “Okay! I’ll be good, so don’t worry about me. Just focus on the competition. I’ll be waiting for good news!”

Hearing her son’s warm words made Xia Bing’s heart melt.

She truly thanked heaven for blessing her with such a sweet, caring child.

After dropping him off, Xia Bing took her sample garment, hailed a cab, and headed to the audition site for the competition.

The National Fashion Competition was the most prestigious event in the country’s fashion industry. Every year, it brought together designers from all over, so standing out without real talent was nearly impossible.

But Xia Bing was confident. She had come for the championship. Back in London, she had already studied the domestic fashion scene and its trends in detail. She had prepared for this day for a long time, and she was determined to win.

At the audition site, the crowd was buzzing. In addition to designers who had traveled in from everywhere, there were makeup artists, freelance models, staff members, and members of the media.

Carrying her sample garment, Xia Bing picked up her designer badge and her number for the order of appearance, then headed backstage to get busy.

On the main road not far from the entrance, inside a sleek black Maybach, Saang Shijuan glanced at the woman who had just entered the venue, then quickly looked away and asked the woman beside him, “Are you going in by yourself, or do you want me to go with you?”