Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shi Mengwan sat there with her hand tightly gripping her phone. Her heart was beating very fast.
She tried her best to maintain her calm, but it was very difficult. Love made one mesmerized, love made one dizzy.
She was blinded by love. She trusted Zhan Haoze completely and blindly.
Her heart felt as if it had been lightly stabbed by someone, and it hurt slightly. She felt a little uncomfortable. She put down her phone and covered her heart.
Every scene and every moment after she reunited with Zhan Haoze appeared in her mind one by one.
She pressed on the place of her heart to calm herself down and told herself: Shi Mengwan, youâre going to participate in the competition now.
These matters of love and love will be discussed when she csme back.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
The plane landed. Assistant Xiao Ji and designer Tong Yan came over to pick her up.
This time, she was participating in the competition i the name of the studio. Apart from herself, she let Xiao Ji and Tong Yan come over to serve as the vanguards.
âSister Shi, are you too tired from flying?â
Xiao Ji had arrived the day before. She had come early and arranged the car. Now that she saw Shi Mengwanâs pale face, she thought that she was too tired from the long-distance flight.
âNot bad. How have you guys been these two days?â
âNot bad.â It was Tong Yan who spoke. She had been here for two days and toured around. âItâs really a fashion capital. Itâs still very rewarding.â
âEn, as long as itâs rewarding. Letâs go back to the hotel first.â
Shi Mengwan composed herself in a few sentences. She wasnât alone. She had more important things to do now.
After getting into the car, Shi Mengwan and Tong Yan talked about the competition again. This time, the venue of the fashion design competition was set in Paris, the fashion capital.
When Tong Yan arrived, there were already many participants. Designers from more than a dozen countries had gathered. Among the people who came, they had already gone through the preliminary competition.
Next was the semi-final and the final. Every competition had a theme. To complete the work, it had to fit the theme of the competition.
Then, among the works that fit the theme, the judges would pick the ten best. Then, the finals would be held among these ten people. The semi-finals and the finals would last for half a month. In other words, they would have to stay in France for half a month.
Shi Mengwan knew about this before. Although she didnât know what the next two themes were, she was confident in herself.
Little Ji was booked in a hotel near the competition venue. Little Ji and Tong Yan were in the same room. Shi Mengwanâs room was next to theirs.
After entering the room, she signaled for them to rest for a while. She wanted to take a shower and change her clothes.
When the room door closed, Shi Mengwan was left alone. She finally didnât have to hide her emotions anymore.
After throwing herself on the bed, Shi Mengwanâs mood became extremely low.
..
The afternoon of the second day Shi Mengwan arrived was the time to announce the theme of the semi-finals. After the announcement, all the contestants would be given three days to submit their competition works.
After three days, the judges would use one day to vote before announcing the names of the people who passed the semi-finals. After that, the time to submit their works for the finals was seven days.
The time given to the designers was considered short. Therefore, the organizing committee of the semi-finals didnât require the participants to design a finished product. Instead, they only needed to draw a design sketch.
However, the final competition required the submission of the design sketch, the source of the design, and the finished product.
Of course, all the materials needed for the final competition were provided by the organizing committee.
When Shi Mengwan appeared in front of Little Ji and Tong Yan again, she was practically glowing.
She put on makeup and went to the organizing committee to fill out a form to retrieve the theme. This seasonâs theme was âsweetâ.
When she saw this theme, Shi Mengwan felt a little dizzy. Right now, she couldnât be sweet at all.
After she came to France, it wasnât that she hadnât thought of calling Zhan Haoze. She wanted to question him. What exactly was going on? How could he get engaged to another woman?
But her dignity didnât allow her to ask.
She retracted her thoughts and looked at the requirements on the design theme. Shi Mengwan bit her lip.
Was it sweet?
Three oâclock was very tight, so tight that Shi Mengwan didnât have time to think about why Zhan Haoze was engaged to another woman.
For the past three days, she almost never left her room. She spent every day drawing, drawing, and drawing.
Three days passed, and Shi Mengwan submitted her design draft.
Before the judgesâ vote, Shi Mengwan, who was extremely tired, told Tong Yan and Xiao Ji not to disturb her. After that, she slept for the entire day.
Later, she was woken up by the sound of knocking on the door. She got up and looked at the time. It was already night.
She slept for a while, and her spirit recovered quite well. It was just that she felt hungry after sleeping for too long.
She thought that she would go downstairs and have something to eat later, but there was a knock on the door again.
She thought it was Little Ji or Tong Yan. She didnât expect that when she opened the door, the person standing outside was Wan Xianyang.
âItâs you?â
Shi Mengwan had just woken up. Her hair was messy and her clothes were a little wrinkled. In such a state, it was completely inappropriate to meet guests.
She resisted the urge to close the door and took a small step back.
âGood evening, Mengwan.â
âHello.â Shi Mengwanâs expression didnât look so good. âWhatâs the matter?â
Wan Xianyang stood at the door. âArenât you going to invite me in for a while?â
âItâs not very convenient.â
Shi Mengwanâs words were a little rude, but from Wan Xianyangâs expression, it was obvious that he had specifically come to find her.
âOK. Itâs fine.â
Wan Xianyang wasnât angry. He put his hand behind his back and put it forward.
There was a beautiful heart-shaped batch of roses. Shi Mengwan felt a little awkward.
âWan Xianyang, I...â
âFlowers for a beauty.â Wan Xianyang forcefully handed the flower to Shi Mengwan. âYou havenât eaten yet, right? If you donât mind, how about having dinner with me?â
Shi Mengwan wanted to refuse, but Wan Xianyang said slyly.
âI asked the waiter, and they said that you havenât come downstairs all day. You havenât ordered food, so you should be hungry, right?â
Shi Mengwan frowned, but Wan Xianyang seemed to know what she was thinking.
âIâm sorry, Iâm a bit presumptuous, but the owner of this hotel is a friend of mine, so he gave me some convenience.â
His attitude was quite sincere. Shi Mengwan couldnât even find a reason to refuse him.
âNo rush.â Wan Xianyang was quite gentlemanly. âIâll wait for you.â
As he spoke, he took a step back. Indicating for Shi Mengwan to help herself, he gently raised his hand with a faint smile on his face.
Shi Mengwan closed the door with some hesitation. She looked at the large bouquet of roses in her hand and placed it on the coffee table.
After staring at the bouquet for almost a minute, Shi Mengwan suddenly smiled.
Forget it, it was just a meal. Moreover, Wan Xianyang was Huo Jinyaoâs childhood friend. She would have a meal with him and explain things clearly.
Even if she wasnât with Zhan Haoze, she didnât have the intention to start a new relationship for the time being.
She cleaned herself up as quickly as possible and changed her clothes.
When Shi Mengwan came out of the room, she wasnât surprised to see Wan Xianyangâs amazed gaze.
âHow about a French meal?â
Wan Xianyang suggested. Shi Mengwan felt that it would be too long, but Wan Xianyang smiled. âYou came to France to participate in the competition. I think you havenât tried the authentic French food during this period of time, right?â
Shi Mengwan didnât. She found that Wan Xianyang was indeed a businessman. His flawless mannerism was even better than Xiao Qiâs.
âLetâs go. I know a Michelin restaurant that tastes pretty good. Itâs nearby.â
Half an hour later, Shi Mengwan and Wan Xianyang sat in the restaurant.
The environment in front of them was pretty good. Shi Mengwan had been nervous these days, but because of the elegant environment, she had relaxed somewhat.
âI accidentally found this restaurant when I came to France before. Later on, whenever I came to France, I would definitely come.â
Shi Mengwan heard Wan Xianyang speak French to the waiter quite fluently. Her French wasnât very good and she could only understand some simple greetings.
âDo you often come to France?â He spoke French so fluently.
âOften.â Wan Xianyang nodded and leaned closer. âDo you know why?â
Shi Mengwan shook her head. She knew that Huo Jinyao had a high net worth. His friends werenât simple people either.
âI told you last time that our family is in the antique business. You know that our country has lost a lot of treasures over the years, so every time thereâs an auction, Iâll come over.â
Shi Mengwan looked at Wan Xianyang and changed her opinion. âI didnât know that you were so patriotic.â
âHow should I put it? Those patriotic overseas Chinese are very dedicated to these things. So Iâll do my best.â
Shi Mengwan nodded. She wasnât familiar with Wan Xianyang, and he didnât mention anything about the past. He only mentioned some things that he had encountered at the auction.
This was a field that Shi Mengwan had never come into contact with before, so it was quite new to her. For a moment, she actually felt that listening to Wan Xianyangâs words was quite interesting.
French cuisine had been famous for a long time. During the meal, Shi Mengwan didnât feel bored.
And because she hadnât been able to relax her nerves from rushing to sketch pictures, she felt much more relaxed because of this delicious meal.
Coming out of the restaurant, Shi Mengwan looked at Wan Xianyang and thanked him very seriously, âWan Xianyang, thank you.â
âThank me for what?â Wan Xianyang looked at her with a mischievous smile in his eyes. âThank me for treating you to a meal? Thereâs no need to thank me. You can treat me tomorrow.â
âSure.â Shi Mengwan didnât reject him. She should have invited him back.
âThe weather is pretty good today. Do you want to go for a walk?â
Shi Mengwan wanted to reject him, but Wan Xianyang made a gesture of inviting her. She thought about it for a moment and followed him.
âOkay.â
The temperature in Paris was still very low at this season. It was only a little over ten degrees Celsius.
It was already over thirty degrees Celsius in Lin City, yet Paris was so cold. Shi Mengwan really wasnât used to it.
Tightening the jacket on her body, Shi Mengwan thought about how she would have to stay here for a few more days, and her mood became unhappy.
âMengwan.â Wan Xianyang took off his trench coat and was about to put it on her.
Shi Mengwan was shocked, and her body instinctively took a step back.
Wan Xianyang stopped in mid-air with his clothes in his hands. He looked at Shi Mengwan, as if he knew that what he did was out of the blue.
âSorry, I just thought you might be cold.â
âIâm not cold.â Shi Mengwan felt that it was time for her to clarify things with Wan Xianyang.
âWan Xianyang.â She stood at the intersection and looked at Wan Xianyangâs face under the streetlights.
Seriously speaking, Wan Xianyang wasnât bad-looking, he was well-off, and he was a good person.
But feelings were something that couldnât be explained clearly sometimes.
âWan Xianyang, I know that itâs not appropriate for me to say this. Maybe youâll think that Iâm overthinking things, but I really want to say that the two of us arenât suitable.â
Wan Xianyang didnât expect her to be so direct, so he was a little surprised. After the surprise, a faint smile appeared on his face.
âAre you rejecting me?â
âI guess so.â Shi Mengwan nodded. âI just donât want you to waste your time on me.â
âYouâre not me. How do you know that Iâm wasting my time?â
âBut I donât like you.â Shi Mengwan said it directly. Her personality was like this. She was blunt and got straight to the point.
Wan Xianyang took a step forward and looked at Shi Mengwanâs face.
Before he came, he specially looked for Su Qingsang and asked a lot of other people. For everything that happened today, whether it was what flowers he sent or where they went to eat, he had carefully arranged everything.
But he didnât expect such an outcome.
âYou donât like me, but I like you. I think thatâs enough. Maybe one day, you will like me?â
âThatâs impossible.â Shi Mengwan said it with absolute certainty.
Wan Xianyang looked at her. âYou have someone you like?â
âYes.â
âDo I know him?â
âNo.â
Wan Xianyang looked at her and suddenly said, âDonât tell me you deliberately made up such a person just to make me give up?â
âNo.â Shi Mengwan didnât want to say more. âNo matter what, I have someone I like. I canât forget him in a short time, so donât waste your time on me.â
âThereâs a problem with your reasoning.â Wan Xianyang waved his hand. He didnât take her words to heart at all. âIf I donât succeed with you in the end, that would be a waste of time. But what if I moved you in the end and you end up with me? That would be worth it. How could it be a waste of time?â
âWan Xianyang?â Shi Mengwan was rendered speechless by his words.
âAlright, itâs getting late. Iâll send you back to rest.â
âWan Xianyang.â
âLetâs go.â Wan Xianyang obviously didnât want to listen to her, so Shi Mengwan didnât say anything else.
The two of them walked back along the road. Wan Xianyang looked at the hotel building not far in front of them. His attitude was much better than yesterday, when they were about to reach the hotel. Shi Mengwan suddenly tripped over something and looked like she was about to fall.
Wan Xianyang caught her in time.
âAre you okay?â
âIâm fine.â Shi Mengwan steadied herself. She was glad that she didnât wear high heels today.
âThank you.â
âMengwan, you donât have to be so polite towards me.â
Wan Xianyang was serious for a while, then he started to act casual again.
Shi Mengwan seemed to be used to him like this, so she wasnât surprised.
She stood properly and didnât reject Wan Xianyang when he said he wanted to send her back to her room.
âMengwan, can I still come to see you tomorrow?â
âI have something to do tomorrow.â
Tomorrow was the announcement of the shortlist. Only ten people could be shortlisted.
And a week after they were shortlisted, she could bring two assistants to the specially arranged venue for the final contestants.
Whether she could be nominated or not, she wouldnât know until tomorrow. If she could, then she would naturally be busy.
If she couldnât, then she would really be free.
âItâs okay, I know youâre here for the competition. I can wait for you to finish the competition.â
Shi Mengwan didnât reply. After saying goodbye to Wan Xianyang, she entered the room.
She walked to the sofa and sat down. Looking at the large bouquet of roses, her emotions were very complicated.
She couldnât help but think of Zhan Haoze again. During the time she had been with him, Zhan Haoze had never given her roses.
She sighed in her heart. In fact, it didnât matter what he gave her. It was only at this time that she could tell that Zhan Haoze really didnât have her in his heart.
Otherwise, why would he be engaged to another woman?
She got up to take a shower and rest. There was a knock on the door. She thought it was Wan Xianyang who had returned. Without much hesitation, she went forward and opened the door.
When she saw the tall figure outside the door, she closed the door without thinking.
However, she was still a little slow. Zhan Haoze entered the door before she closed it.
Trying to push him out, Shi Mengwan pushed hIM without saying anything. Zhan Haoze pulled her hands into his arms with ease and turned around.
When the door was closed, her body was pressed against the door.
Shi Mengwan was anxious. She raised her foot and kicked Zhan Haoze. Zhan Haoze held her hand and tried to block her foot. She struggled so hard that he was caught off guard and was kicked by her.
After the kick, Shi Mengwan exerted more strength and raised her other foot to kick him.
Although she wasnât wearing high heels, she was wearing a pair of pointy shoes today. It was very painful to the kick.
Zhan Haoze was kicked twice by her. When she was about to kick him for the third time, he lifted her body up.
He took three steps and carried her body to the side of the bed before throwing her down again.
The soft bed made Shi Mengwanâs body bounce a few times. Just as she stabilized herself, she raised her foot and kicked at his body again.
âShi Mengwan, what are you doing?â
Even Zhan Haoze couldnât help it and pressed down on her body. He pressed her tightly and didnât let her move.
He held her hands together and staring into her eyes, he raised them above his head.
âWhat are you doing?â
He had been very busy recently. When he had some time to look for her, he realized that Shi Mengwan wasnât at home.
She had gone abroad to participate in some competition.
âAm I making a scene? Yes, if I make a scene, you can go look for that person who doesnât make a scene.â
Shi Mengwan stared at him with a gloomy expression in her gaze. âZhan Haoze, get lost. I donât want to see you.â
Zhan Haozeâs brows were tightly knitted together. He saw the anger on Shi Mengwanâs face and seemed to be a little puzzled. âYouâre angry that I havenât come to see you during this period of time?â
âWhoâs angry?â Shi Mengwan didnât want to say more to him. âI donât have time to be angry with you. Move aside. I said I donât want to see you.â
âShi Mengwan?â
Shi Mengwan closed her eyes. Yes, she should have understood long ago, from how Zhan Haoze called her by her full name. He always called her by her full name.
Did he really have feelings for her? Did he really like her? Did he really love her?
âIâll say it again. Zhan Haoze, get out of here.â
As she spoke, she struggled to get one of her hands out and she took the cell phone from her pocket. âIf you donât leave now, Iâll call the police.â