Song Ya held the camera, gazing at the treasure inside as if it were a precious gem.
“Just like that, beautiful, absolutely stunning!”
“Jiang Shining, you’re doing great… uh, we’re done shooting, no need to keep posing.”
Song Ya turned her head in confusion, only to find the two still holding their previous poses.
Hearing this, they finally snapped back to reality.
Jiang Shining quickly brushed off Qin Wang’s hand, turning away awkwardly and retreating behind the coffee bar.
Jiang Shining asked softly, “Would you like an Americano or a cappuccino?”
Qin Wang looked at her, “Either is fine.”
Americano: twenty-eight yuan.
Cappuccino: thirty-eight yuan.
Jiang Shining did a quick mental calculation.
Better go with the Americano, at least I’ll lose less.
She silently placed an order for an iced Americano.
Just then, Qin Wang’s phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID, then looked at Jiang Shining, “I need to take this call.”
With that, he walked out of the café, phone in hand.
The café was left with just the three of them again.
Song Ya was selecting photos, while Jiang Shining and Lin Momo behind the bar brewed coffee.
Ding-dong.
The café’s wind chime rang.
Hearing footsteps approaching again.
Jiang Shining looked up, “Why are you—”
She was about to say that she hadn’t even finished brewing the coffee, and Qin Wang was back so soon.
But when she raised her head, she saw Gu Yan, dressed in a suit.
Gu Yan!
If she had eaten spinach at that moment, she could have crushed this glass cup.
Jiang Shining forced a smile, “Mr. Gu, what brings you here?”
Oh no!
Her wealthy dad was here too.
Gu Yan looked at Jiang Shining, momentarily stunned, his eyes filled with admiration.
Gu Yan didn’t hesitate to praise, “This outfit suits you very well.”
Although there were no mirrors in the café, everyone said the same thing, so it must indeed look good.
Jiang Shining smiled faintly, “Thank you. It’s a new part-time job—clothing model.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed the wealthy dad across from her furrowing his brows.
A mix of heartache and helplessness.
Jiang Shining was puzzled, “Mr. Gu, what’s wrong?”
Is being a clothing model not good?
But shouldn’t it be much easier compared to being a waitress?
Nearby, Song Ya finally put down the camera.
“Not bad, we got some great shots today.”
Song Ya looked at Jiang Shining with satisfaction, then toward the café bar.
“Four hundred an hour, three hours makes it twelve hundred.”
“I’ll transfer it to you.”
Jiang Shining opened her payment QR code.
Immediately after, the café echoed with the Alipay notification sound.
‘Alipay payment received: twelve hundred yuan!’
Looking at the extra twelve hundred yuan on her phone, Jiang Shining held it as if it were a precious treasure, her beautiful eyes couldn’t help but curve into a smile.
Gu Yan: “Are you that happy?”
Jiang Shining nodded, “Of course.”
“Today, I earned more than a week’s wages in one go. Naturally, I’m happy.”
Seeing Jiang Shining’s ‘struck it rich’ expression, Gu Yan’s brows furrowed even deeper.
Just over a thousand yuan…
Yet Jiang Shining had to work more than a week for it.
This child, what kind of hardships has she endured before?
Jiang Shining looked at Gu Yan beside her, “I almost forgot, Mr. Gu, what would you like to drink? My treat today!”
Freshly paid, Jiang Shining decided to be generous.
“No need.”
Gu Yan had no intention of taking advantage of a younger person.
His gaze fell on the plain-colored qipao Jiang Shining was wearing, “Is this… a qipao from Moon Brocade Atelier?”
Moon Brocade Atelier?
Jiang Shining looked at the qipao she was wearing—it had no logo or markings.
She said uncertainly, “Probably… right?”
Song Ya, who had originally planned to pay the model fee and leave, turned sharply upon hearing “Moon Brocade Atelier,” her gaze landing on Gu Yan.
When it came to brands, Song Ya knew far more than Jiang Shining.
A Patek Philippe jade watch, a BRIONI suit, Dior custom-made leather shoes… No matter how you looked at it, this was undeniably a wealthy man.
Song Ya caught the scent of money and her eyes lit up.
“This… CEO, you know Moon Brocade Atelier?”
Gu Yan replied, “I came across this brand when ordering custom qipaos for the elders in my family.”
An elder from the wealthy father’s family?
Jiang Shining immediately thought of the formidable old lady from the plot, the one who went to great lengths to obstruct the relationship between the male and female leads.
A troublesome old woman.
Gu Yan examined Jiang Shining. “Now that I see it, this qipao suits you quite well. Next time, you could pick out a few more sets.”
What a great model—the photos weren’t even out yet, and business was already coming her way.
Song Ya beamed with enthusiasm. “No need to wait until next time. If you’re interested, we can discuss it right now.”
She invited him to sit by the window, motioned for Jiang Shining to bring two cups of coffee, and took out a pen and paper to jot down his requirements.
“CEO, what kind of custom pieces are you looking for?”
Gu Yan’s gaze lingered on Jiang Shining.
Since Jiang Shining was the model, what she was wearing was naturally just for fitting.
“Just like what she’s wearing.”
“The pearl necklace, earrings, and the qipao as well.”
Song Ya noted it down. “What about the measurements?”
Gu Yan replied, “The model’s measurements.”
Song Ya paused in her writing, surprised. “One-to-one?”
Gu Yan remained expressionless. “One-to-one.”
Noticing their gazes, Jiang Shining, who was pouring the coffee, paused.
It seemed the wealthy father intended to buy the clothes she was wearing today.
Gu Yan thought for a moment and continued.
“Also, pick a few darker colors, shorten the skirt length by two inches, widen the waist by half an inch… and include hairpins. Choose a few in lighter colors, with simpler patterns.”
Shorten the skirt length by two inches, widen the waist by half an inch.
That was exactly her mother’s figure.
Even Jiang Wan’s measurements had been accounted for by the wealthy father.
How could Gu Yan remember the measurements after all these years?
Was it from past memories? Or just from that fleeting glimpse through the car window yesterday?
Jiang Shining couldn’t figure it out.
She carried two cups of coffee over to them.
She handed one to Gu Yan. “Mr. Gu, there’s no need to go to such expense.”
Gu Yan said calmly, “It’s nothing, just a few pieces of clothing.”
Looking at Jiang Shining before him, Gu Yan could already imagine how Jiang Shining’s mother would look in a qipao.
He imagined she would appear gentle and graceful.
Song Ya asked, “This is quite a substantial order. What about the deposit?”
She glanced tentatively at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan replied calmly, “Full payment.”
A few minutes ago, Song Ya had paid Jiang Shining twelve hundred yuan as her modeling fee. A few minutes later, she received an order worth over three hundred thousand yuan.
“Moon Brocade Atelier was founded by my senior. Thank you so much for your support, CEO.”
Over three hundred thousand yuan—that was a massive order.
Gu Yan didn’t respond, instead turning his gaze to Jiang Shining.
Song Ya glanced between Jiang Shining and Gu Yan, suddenly seeming to understand something.
“Right, right, this order is all thanks to Jiang Shining.”
Song Ya pulled out her phone and opened it again.
The next moment, a payment notification from Alipay sounded from Jiang Shining’s pocket.
“Alipay payment received: fifty thousand yuan.”