Xue Qiandai arrived late, only to be greeted by a half-scolding, half-reproachful remark from her investor and best friend: "Ah Xue, you're an hour late."
In the past, Xue Qiandai was often late, but everyone would always laugh it off and probably make a joke like, "Important people always make their grand entrance last."
She is no longer an important figure.
"Sigh, on the way..." Xue Qiandai used to disdain explaining, but now she wanted to explain, but she had no chance.
Hua Se glanced at her watch again, looking troubled, and interrupted her, "I have a lunch appointment with a friend. Let's get straight to the point; you only have fifteen minutes left."
Jian Yan didn't think the other party had gone too far, after all, they were the ones who were late.
But a dark cloud had already settled over Xue Qiandai's fair face. She restrained herself, introducing, "This is my…" She carefully chose her words, "My partner, Jian Yan; Jian Yan, this is the angel I told you about…"
Hua Se, an angel investor, seemed quite interested in the word "angel." She smiled and replied, "So you call me an angel in private, Hua Se, the 'Hua' in 'flower' and the 'Se' in 'brocade'."
The first line is addressed to Xue Qiandai, and the second line is addressed to Jian Yan.
Since he was the big spender, Jian Yan was respectful and polite, extending her little hand.
Coincidentally, Hua Se brushed aside her voluminous waves on her shoulder, inadvertently missing Jian Yan's hand. She calmly gazed at the two people in front of her.
Are you planning to talk right at the door? Even Jian Yan could sense an unfriendly mood and atmosphere.
Xue Qiandai's face was covered in dark clouds, almost dripping with tears. "Let's go inside and talk."
Fasse looked at his watch for the third time, his expression saying, "This is your own waste of time."
Upscale community clubhouses typically include leisure facilities such as coffee bars, swimming pools, tea bars, and card rooms. This particular community, Huase, also features a wine bar, cigar bar, and private banquet hall. They chose the tea bar, a very elegant four-seater.
Beside the seat stood a tall money tree. The table was a solid brown color. On it sat a small bronze incense burner, adorned with small decorations depicting the blessings of fortune, prosperity, wealth, and longevity, creating a serene and Zen-like atmosphere.
The waiters, dressed in white shirts, black trousers, and white gloves, somehow resembled butlers. Jian Yan suddenly thought the uniforms at Lightyear Coffee Shop were incredibly ugly.
"Ladies, what would you like to order?"
Hua Se didn't answer. Xue Qiandai was very irritable and casually ordered three cups of green tea. Summer, to cool down.
"Ah Xue, we all know about your uncle's situation. You have no idea how worried we were about you," Hua Se said, her expression filled with sorrow and compassion.
Xue Qiandai lowered her eyes, calm and composed, "I'm fine, I'm doing very well."
Hua Se's voice was soft and gentle, graceful and elegant, still sighing, yet seemingly earnest and heartfelt.
"What some people pursue their whole lives is what others are born with. But as time goes by, some people get what they've been pursuing, while others lose what they were born with. Ah Xue, I just hope that you can be more open-minded and optimistic, not dwell on the past, and have a more peaceful mindset."
Jian Yan cautiously observed Xue Qiandai. Having experienced the decline of her family's fortunes, she must be very sad to hear these hurtful words. She nudged Xue Qiandai with her leg.
Xue Qiandai sat upright, smiling calmly, "Sese, complaining isn't in my nature. You know, after I transferred schools, I studied fashion design, which you also like. Now I'm going to open a small shop and I need some... start-up capital. You can invest capital, and Jian Yan and I will invest our expertise. We can all do it together."
Hua Se covered her mouth and giggled, her body trembling. The sound was particularly jarring to the two girls.
"Ah Xue, you've only been studying fashion design for a few days, and you're already trying to open a shop like everyone else?"
"Yes, I said I liked it, but that was just because I didn't want to discourage you; it was a well-intentioned comfort and encouragement."
"It didn't matter if you acted recklessly before, because the Xue family was backing you up. But now, with your garbage design, I... I don't even know how to comment on it... You should just give up."
Not to mention Xue Qiandai, even Jian Yan didn't feel any kindness; she used the sarcastic term "trash."
Xue Qiandai suddenly stood up.
The waiter arrived, carrying three cups of tea. The tea glasses were filled with a light mist, the leaves a clear, emerald green, and each tea bud was clearly visible—a truly delightful cup of tea. "Please enjoy."
Xue Qiandai picked up her cup, gently blew on it, and took a small sip. She had made a bold promise, guaranteeing Jian Yan's initial investment for her shop; she couldn't give up halfway. She smiled again, "Sese, I only have one question. Would you be willing to help me this once?"
The once arrogant Xue Qiandai had never uttered the word "help"! Hua Se scrutinized her intently, "How much do you need?"
A longing rekindled in her eyes. Xue Qiandai didn't know how much it would cost to open a shop. But she wanted at least a decent studio, enough to afford a year's rent. "One hundred thousand."
Hua Se took out five red banknotes from her bag and pushed them towards Xue Qiandai, saying, "This is for your taxi fare and food."
Five hundred yuan? Did she really think Xue Qiandai was a beggar? The coldness in Xue Qiandai's eyes was almost tangible, about to burst forth.
"Ah Xue, is what you're wearing something you designed yourself? I remember you hated these kinds of basic, mass-produced styles that have no design sense whatsoever."
She said it herself, she said it just yesterday, and Jian Yan is my witness.
"The path to fashion requires money. Look at those designers in China, which one of them isn't well-known and has a powerful background? And in your fashion school's parking lot, aren't all the cars luxury supercars?"
Xue Qiandai clenched her fists, the veins on them barely visible. Her eyes turned red, like a villain about to turn evil in a novel.
Jian Yan took her hand and mouthed, "Let's go."
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