“What a fortunate life you lead, Miss Mu—spending your days either ordering jewelry or attending fashion shows. Unlike us, who have to juggle work even while trying to better ourselves at these events.”
“…”
Shi Na’s words were nothing more than an attempt to elevate herself while mocking Mu Ci as a useless, idle good-for-nothing.
Qin Qiqi was already fuming, and hearing this made her fists clench. She stood up, ready to fire back.
Mu Ci reached out to stop her, then slowly turned around and shot a disdainful glance.
Shi Na felt deeply uncomfortable under her gaze.
“This kind of fortune is something you’ll never have, so don’t bother being envious.”
Mu Ci spoke unhurriedly, “Since you’re here to better yourself, you should keep your mouth shut and stop spewing nonsense. Otherwise, after all these years of ‘bettering yourself,’ I haven’t seen any actual improvement.”
Shi Na’s face darkened.
Design had always been her sore spot.
She was the type who poured money into it, sought out famous mentors, but simply lacked talent. Her designs were nothing but tacky, over and over again.
Looking back, in all her years as a designer, she hadn’t produced a single noteworthy piece.
“I may not be great, but I’m still better than some people who just leech off their families and spend their days eating, drinking, and having fun!”
After a long pause, Shi Na finally managed to spit out this retort.
Mu Ci remained completely unruffled, even covering her mouth with a light laugh. She nudged Qin Qiqi beside her.
“My family has the means, so they don’t need me to earn money—they’re happy to let me spend it. I don’t know why some people are so bitter about it.”
Qin Qiqi added, “Some people have decent necks, but they’re just carrying around pig heads, always poking their noses into other people’s business.”
Mu Ci’s comebacks were already infuriating enough on their own, but with Qin Qiqi joining in, Shi Na was practically seething with rage.
“Qin Qiqi, if you think you can land this project, you’re dreaming! I’ll say it right here—if you manage to secure this project, I’ll get down on all fours and bark like a dog!”
Her words might have felt satisfying in the moment, but as soon as Shi Na left, Qin Qiqi deflated.
Judging by Shi Na’s furious reaction, the project was definitely doomed.
And so was her bar.
“Don’t look so gloomy. There’s still a chance. Come with me.”
Before the fashion show even began, Mu Ci stood up, the hem of her dress swaying gracefully.
Qin Qiqi followed suit. “Where are we going?”
“The backstage lounge.”
“What for?”
Mu Ci turned and tapped her head. “I saw the lounge number on the work pass in Shi Na’s pocket. We’ll follow the trail and go meet the lead designer.”
Qin Qiqi’s eyes instantly lit up. “You’re truly my treasure! You’re something else!”
The two of them lifted their skirts and headed backstage, only to be stopped by a staff member who said they couldn’t enter without work passes.
Shi Na happened to be passing by and laughed mockingly.
“Here to see me, aren’t you? Realizing you’ve crossed me and there’s no good outcome? Isn’t it a bit late to come apologize now?”
“…”
“Even though I’m beautiful and magnanimous, I won’t forgive someone like you who can’t say anything decent.”
Qin Qiqi: “…”
Who gave her the nerve!
Qin Qiqi, with her fiery temper, was about to charge forward.
So what if the bar and the male models were gone? She could always go somewhere else to see male models.
Mu Ci pulled her back, stopping her with a look.
There were cameras and staff around. If a fight broke out, whoever threw the first punch would be in the wrong.
“Let’s go. Since we can’t get in, there’s no point staying here listening to a dog bark.”
Mu Ci decided not to press the issue and linked arms with Qin Qiqi to leave.
Even as they were leaving, Shi Na couldn’t let it go. Spotting the trailing hem of Qin Qiqi’s dress, she took two steps forward and deliberately stepped on it.
“Ah…”
Shi Na quickly pulled her foot back and retreated.
Qin Qiqi lunged forward, then instantly remembered that Mu Ci was pregnant and quickly let go, pulling her away.
Even so, Mu Ci stumbled a few steps from the momentum, while Qin Qiqi fell heavily to the ground, looking rather disheveled.
Shi Na couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Mu Ci leaned against the wall, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her stunning face instantly turning pale.
Thankfully, she hadn’t fallen too—otherwise, the baby in her belly…
She slowly straightened up, bit the hair tie off her wrist, tied her hair back, and strode over.
Slap—
The strike was swift and precise. Shi Na’s smile was still frozen at the corner of her lips when she was slapped hard across the face.
“You dare hit me?” She was stunned, glaring at Mu Ci.
Among the wealthy second-generation crowd, no matter how fiercely they clashed openly or behind the scenes, they usually didn’t resort to physical violence.
And especially not in front of so many people, with her own hands.
Mu Ci looked at her coldly.
She’d hit her—what was there to dare or not dare about it?
She hadn’t wanted to make a scene and give others leverage, but Shi Na was just too damn despicable!
Shi Na gritted her teeth in anger, raising her hand to strike back.
“Mu Ci?”
A magnetic male voice called out.
Shi Na froze, quickly withdrawing her hand at the sound.
Mu Ci looked up and saw Ku Nan walking toward them, his striking misty blue hair standing out.
Such a demanding hair color suited him perfectly, paired with his impeccably stylish clothing, exuding a sense of high fashion.
“C-Chief Designer,” Shi Na took a step back, clearly afraid of him.
Chief Designer?
Mu Ci’s gaze shifted between them, understanding dawning on her. She suddenly felt like laughing. “You’re the lead designer of the Xuan brand?”
Ku Nan raised an eyebrow. “Do I not look the part?”
It wasn’t that he didn’t—it was just too coincidental.
Mu Ci pulled over Qin Qiqi, who was still angrily smoothing her skirt. “Let me introduce you to a friend. She wants to collaborate with your brand.”
“Sure, let’s talk in my lounge.”
Shi Na’s face twisted in shock.
Mu Ci knew Chief Designer Ku?
She… she actually knew Ku Nan, the globally top-tier fashion designer!
Realizing the situation, Shi Na stepped forward to block them. “Chief Designer, they…”
Ku Nan shot her a cold glare, and Shi Na’s words caught in her throat. She weakly withdrew her hand.
If she wanted to stay in the design world, she couldn’t afford to offend Ku Nan.
Mu Ci took two steps forward, then turned back, giving Shi Na a radiant smile.
“I’ll go handle business first. I’ll come back later to listen to your barking.”
Shi Na’s face darkened. “…”
The three of them entered the lounge. As soon as the door closed, Ku Nan turned and pinched Mu Ci’s fair, delicate cheek, exasperated.
“Little Cici! You heartless scoundrel, you never call me, and you don’t even reply to my messages!”
Qin Qiqi’s mouth dropped open in shock.
Where was that dazzling designer who radiated a cold, imposing aura just moments ago?
How had he transformed into someone completely different in the blink of an eye!
Mu Ci swatted his hand away, rubbing her cheek. “I just forgot to reply, that’s all.”
“I think you just don’t care about me, hmph!”
Mu Ci turned and saw Qin Qiqi’s stunned expression, explaining, “Don’t be surprised. He’s a total goofball in private.”
Ku Nan smirked roguishly. “It’s for work—I have to maintain a tougher persona. Please play along when there are outsiders around.”
Qin Qiqi: “…”
Is that how personas work?
With Mu Ci’s introduction, Qin Qiqi successfully secured the collaboration with the Xuan brand.
Ku Nan walked them to the lounge door.
Reluctantly, he spread his arms. “Little Ci’er, come give your big brother a hug.”
“It’s not like we won’t see each other again. So cheesy.”
Despite her words, Mu Ci obediently gave him a hug.
Ku Nan sighed, “It’s hard to find a true friend in life, and the only one I have is a heartless scoundrel.”
At the corner of the hallway, a tall and upright figure suddenly stopped.
Ke Chao, following behind, also halted. “Brother Yan, what’s wrong?”
Qin Yan’s brown eyes fixed on that graceful silhouette, and he sneered.
Hug.
They hugged for eight seconds.
His little girl really had some skills.
Either flirting with male models or dallying with others.
It seemed he needed to go home and teach her a lesson.