When they returned to Lanxi Garden, Yu Zhiwan sat on the sofa in the living room, holding a glass of water with both hands. She took small sips while occasionally sneaking glances at Xie Jingmo.
His words from earlier in the car kept replaying in her mind.
The warmth those words had stirred in her heart still hadn’t faded.
He really is a good person.
A very, very good person.
There was something she was hesitating over—something she wasn’t sure whether she should tell Xie Jingmo.
Just as she was debating it, she suddenly saw Xie Jingmo pull out that little notebook and a pen again.
???
What was he writing this time?!
Yu Zhiwan’s face darkened. She couldn’t resist leaning closer.
Then she saw:
[September 23, evening — Wanwan secretly looked at me several times~]
Yu Zhiwan immediately flushed.
“I wasn’t secretly looking at you! I just have something I want to tell you.”
Xie Jingmo glanced at her and calmly wrote another line:
[She secretly looked at me and still refuses to admit it. Adorable.]
Yu Zhiwan’s face instantly turned bright red.
Adorable?!
What’s adorable about that?!
She hurriedly said, “Xie Jingmo! I really have something to tell you!”
After getting scolded by his wife, Xie Jingmo happily put away his little notebook.
He actually liked it when Wanwan wasn’t overly polite with him.
“I’m listening. Madam can tell me anything.”
Yu Zhiwan took a sip of water to calm herself down before asking,
“The white qipao Yuntang was wearing today was designed by Wan Yan. Do you know that designer?”
Xie Jingmo raised an eyebrow, a faintly amused look appearing in his peach-blossom eyes.
“Of course I do. Wan Yan is very famous and very mysterious. Her design skills are outstanding, and I like her very much.”
Yu Zhiwan was startled.
The water in her glass almost spilled.
“You like Wan Yan?”
“Yes.”
The man lazily leaned against the sofa. Two buttons of his white shirt were undone, revealing his collarbone and the elegant line of his throat, making him look effortlessly seductive.
His lazy, smiling eyes stared directly at Yu Zhiwan, the curve of his lips carrying an ambiguous meaning.
“I like Wan Yan very, very much.”
“I’m one of her most loyal fans.”
“If I ever get the chance to meet her, I’ll definitely ask for her autograph, a photo together, and a hug~”
Yu Zhiwan was completely stunned.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
She never expected Xie Jingmo to be a fan of Wan Yan too—and not just a casual fan. He sounded like the kind who wanted an autograph and a hug!
That was completely unexpected.
“You also think Wan Yan’s designs are really good?”
The man nodded without hesitation.
“Of course. I’ve followed every single one of Wan Yan’s designs. Her work is far beyond that of most other designers. She has incredible talent and creativity.”
Yu Zhiwan’s eyes widened again.
He had followed every single one of her designs?
This wasn’t just a loyal fan anymore.
He was practically a superfan!
She was already accustomed to people liking her work and was grateful for their support.
But for some reason, hearing Xie Jingmo say that he liked Wan Yan felt strangely different.
Yu Zhiwan awkwardly touched her earlobe, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
“Um… earlier today at the old residence, I told Yuntang that Wan Yan wouldn’t be working with the Yu Corporation anymore.”
“Do you know why I know that?”
“Oh? Why?”
Yu Zhiwan looked up at him, her eyes bright and sparkling.
“Everyone has always been curious. Whenever Wan Yan participated in design competitions, Teacher Liang Yulan accepted the awards on her behalf, but Wan Yan herself never appeared in public.”
“Actually, Teacher Liang was accepting the awards for me.”
“I’m Wan Yan.”
Xie Jingmo looked genuinely shocked, even straightening his body.
“Wanwan is Wan Yan?”
Yu Zhiwan puffed out her cheeks.
“…Why does your surprise look so fake?”
Xie Jingmo: “?”
Fake?
He rubbed his brow and laughed helplessly.
“No. I’m genuinely surprised.”
Two years ago, when he first discovered that Yu Zhiwan was Wan Yan, he really had been surprised.
When he first saw Wan Yan’s work at a newcomer design competition, the style had immediately felt familiar.
It reminded him of Yu Zhiwan.
After secretly investigating, he discovered that he was right.
It really was her.
After that, he quietly attended every competition Wan Yan participated in.
Only the wind knew how many of her victories he’d witnessed and how many important moments he’d watched from the sidelines.
Every design she released, he followed and collected.
More than anyone else, he believed that no matter what circumstances she faced, nothing could conceal the light within her.
She herself was already something dazzling.
Xie Jingmo looked at the girl before him, his eyes dark and deep.
“Why did you tell me something this important?”
Yu Zhiwan pursed her lips before answering honestly.
“You’re the first person I’ve ever voluntarily told about Wan Yan.”
Xie Jingmo’s gaze deepened almost instantly.
Yu Zhiwan continued,
“I’ve completely cut ties with the Yu family, and I won’t help them anymore.”
“I want to open my own fashion design studio.”
“I’ll also be drawing designs every day. Since we’re living under the same roof, you’ll eventually notice something anyway.”
“So I thought I might as well tell you myself.”
Xie Jingmo narrowed his peach-blossom eyes.
“You want to open your own studio?”
“Yes.”
It had been her goal for a long time.
She had been saving money for it as well.
For the past two years, she had designed clothing for the Yu Corporation under the name Wan Yan, mainly because she wanted to help the Yu family. She had deliberately charged them relatively low fees, so she hadn’t managed to save very much.
On top of that, she had recently paid for her aunt’s daughter’s medical expenses and surgery.
Her savings weren’t quite enough to start her own studio yet.
But she was close.
If she took on a few more design projects for other companies, she should have enough money to establish her own fashion studio.
Just as Yu Zhiwan was thinking about her plans, Xie Jingmo suddenly spoke.
His dark eyes looked at her, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
“I’ll invest in you.”
Yu Zhiwan froze.
“You’ll invest in me?”
She frowned.
“Are you investing because we’re married and you want to take care of me?”
The man’s features were impossibly handsome. He leaned lazily against the sofa, his slender fingers lightly tapping the armrest. His relaxed demeanor carried an unmistakable air of elegance and nobility.
“Don’t worry, Madam. I never make losing investments.”
“I told you just now that I’m a loyal fan of Wan Yan. I like her very much, and I understand her work.”
“So I believe that with Wanwan’s ability and reputation, if I invest a sum of money now, she’ll make many times that amount back in the future.”
Yu Zhiwan sucked in a breath.
“You really have that much confidence in me?”
“Of course.”
“The Yu Corporation is the best proof.”
The Yu Corporation’s fashion brand had managed to come back from the brink of collapse because of Wan Yan’s designs.
That alone showed just how powerful Wan Yan’s talent and influence were.
Yu Zhiwan hesitated.
“But… what if the studio loses money in the future?”
The man raised an eyebrow.
“What’s there to be afraid of? I’m here to cover the losses. If you lose money, I’ll take responsibility.”
Yu Zhiwan blinked.
Then blinked again.
“But you just said you never make losing investments.”
The air suddenly fell silent.
Xie Jingmo was quiet for two seconds before suddenly laughing.
His laughter was helpless yet indulgent.
“Wanwan, I believe in your ability, and I believe in my own judgment.”
“More importantly, I believe your studio won’t lose money.”
“So go ahead and boldly do what you want to do.”
Hearing the certainty in his voice, Yu Zhiwan’s heart stirred.
All the worries in her chest seemed to disappear, replaced by renewed determination.
Even a top businessman like Xie Jingmo believed in her.
How could she not believe in herself?
After all, every industry and field the Xie Group entered had tremendous growth potential. Everything was aimed at expanding the group’s business empire and generating profits.
That had a lot to do with Xie Jingmo’s leadership and decision-making.
Of course she trusted his judgment.
“So…”
The man tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a lazy smile.
Then he extended his right hand toward her.
“Boss Yu, will you accept my investment?”