Chapter 213: It’s Great to Be Rich

Mu Nanyan put down her paintbrush and rubbed her sore neck. Outside the window was a rare sunny day in Haicheng. The sunlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the design table, illuminating the unfinished sketches and scattered fabric samples.

She had been working for sixteen days straight, and her brain was like a drained lemon, no more creativity could be squeezed out.

"Stuck again?"

Zhou Ruxuan walked in with coffee and saw the tenth sketch crumpled in front of Mu Nanyan.

“I felt like I was painting the same thing over and over again, like I was stuck in a cycle and couldn’t get out.”

Mu Nanyan threw the pencil on the table, leaned back in the chair, and looked like she was about to give up.

Zhou Ruxuan pushed the coffee in front of her:

"It's really hard to get orders from the dance troupe. You're just trying to hold on like this, which is not a solution."

Mu Nanyan looked out the window, where a few birds flew across the blue sky. Zhou Ruxuan tilted her gaze to look outside, but saw nothing.

Zhou Ruxuan suddenly said:

"Why don't you go out for a walk? Maybe nature can give you some inspiration."

"That makes sense. I haven't been out for a walk in a long time."

Mu Nanyan said as she began to pack up her tablet and sketchbook, organizing everything and putting them directly into her bag.

"Then I'll go out for a walk. I'll leave the studio to you."

As Mu Nanyan spoke, she stood up and walked outside.

"Okay, go ahead."

————

The reeds in Haicheng Wetland Park sway in the October breeze, forming a golden ocean.

Mu Nanyan sat on the bench, taking a deep breath of the air filled with moisture and the fragrance of plants.

In the distance, a group of migratory birds glided gracefully over the water, their wings creating tiny splashes as they skimmed the surface.

She suddenly felt something loosen in her chest, her fingers involuntarily opened the sketchbook, and the pencil began to fly on the paper. It was not a design draft, but just casual lines, the posture of birds, the curvature of reeds, and the reflection of light on the water.

Gradually, these elements began to combine in her mind, turning into flowing fabrics, pleats of skirts, neckline designs...

"I finally feel alive again, it's so good..."

Mu Nanyan sat alone on a bench, feeling the coolness of the autumn breeze, looking at the scenery and drawing pictures. Time passed quickly...

By the time she returned to the studio building, it was almost time to get off work.

As soon as the elevator door opened, Zhou Ruxuan rushed over, her face full of anxiety.

"Nan Yan! Where have you been? Why is your phone turned off?"

Zhou Ruxuan grabbed her arm. Upon hearing this, Mu Nanyan took out her phone from her bag and pressed the power button several times without any response. She said helplessly:

"The power is out. What happened?"

"There's a Ms. Song who's been waiting since 2 p.m., insisting she'll see you no matter what. We told her we're not accepting new orders, but she won't leave."

Then Zhou Ruxuan deliberately lowered her voice and continued in Mu Nanyan's ear:

"I suspect she's some wealthy lady, dressed in designer clothes and speaking in such a domineering manner."

Mu Nanyan frowned subconsciously when she heard that. Mu Nanyan has received many clients over the years. Clients like these have a common problem. They think money is omnipotent and there is nothing that cannot be solved with money. If they disagree, it means that the money given is not enough.

"Where is she?"

"The reception room. I've poured her tea six times, and she's never satisfied. She wants Mingqian Longjing. We only have ordinary green tea."

Zhou Ruxuan couldn't help but rolled her eyes as she spoke.

Mu Nanyan handed the bag and sketchbook to Zhou Ruxuan:

"Please tidy up the office for me. I'm going to meet this distinguished guest."

The door of the reception room was half-open, and Mu Nanyan knocked on the door:

“Dongdongdong——”

"Come in."

A female voice came with obvious impatience.

Pushing open the door, Mu Nanyan saw a woman in her fifties sitting upright on the sofa. She was wearing a perfectly tailored dark green cheongsam, a pearl necklace gleaming softly around her neck, and a surprisingly large jade ring on her left ring finger.

When Mu Nanyan walked in, the woman's critical eyes scanned her from head to toe like an X-ray.

"Hello, I'm Grace." Mu Nanyan maintained a professional smile.

The woman did not stand up, but just nodded slightly:

"Song Yajun."

She pointed to the seat opposite, looked at Mu Nanyan and said:

"Please sit down. I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Mu Nanyan suppressed her unhappiness and sat down and asked directly:

"I heard that Ms. Song wants me to do the design?"

"My daughter is turning 20 next month and I want to have a custom dress made for her."

Song Yajun took out a bank card from her Hermès bag and pushed it over.

"There's 500,000 yuan in this card. Consider it a deposit."

Mu Nanyan didn't touch the card, but looked at Song Yajun and said apologetically:

"I'm sorry, Ms. Song. Our studio is currently busy with other orders and cannot accept new projects in the short term. My assistant should have informed you."

The corner of Song Yajun's mouth twitched:

"Money is not a problem. If it's not enough, I can add more."

Mu Nanyan looked at her neither servile nor arrogant, and said calmly:

"It's not a matter of money. I've already promised someone else and don't have time to do a new design. I suggest you contact other excellent designers. Haicheng has quite a few..."

Song Yajun interrupted Mu Nanyan before she finished speaking:

"My daughter only likes the dress you designed! Do you know how long I've been waiting for you here? I took the time to come here, not to hear your rejection!"

Mu Nanyan took a deep breath, suppressed her inner anger, and said to Song Yajun:

"Ms. Song, I understand your feelings as a mother, but my work schedule is already full. Even if I accept your order, I can't guarantee the quality, which is unfair to your daughter."

"Unfair? You're just a little-known designer, and you dare to act so arrogantly? Do you know how many people are lining up to beg for my patronage?"

Mu Nanyan felt a surge of blood rushing to her head, and she stood up:

"In that case, Ms. Song should find a designer who is willing to serve you. I'm sorry that my ability is limited and I can't meet your requirements."

Song Yajun stood up suddenly, her face ashen.

"You! Do you know who I am? Believe it or not, I can make you have no chance of survival in Haicheng with just one word!"

Mu Nanyan walked to the door and opened it:

"Ms. Song, threats are useless to me. My work relies on my strength, not on currying favor with the powerful. Please."

Song Yajun grabbed her bag and angrily took back the bank card:

"You'll regret this! You ignorant girl!"

She strode towards the door and bumped into Mu Nanyan as she passed by. Mu Nanyan held onto the door frame and watched Song Yajun's angry back disappear into the elevator. Zhou Ruxuan poked her head out from the corner:

"Oh my god, I've never seen you look so mad."

Mu Nanyan rubbed her hurt shoulder: "This is a matter of principle. It's not a big deal to be rich!"