Chapter 51 Exclusive Release Chapter 51 "I do, ba..."
Before returning to New York, Yuan Ning accompanied Qiao Yiya to a large shopping mall in Lake City and bought a lot of things.
In early 2001, the pulse of economic take-off in Huzhou City was most clearly felt in its most upscale shopping malls.
The newly completed "Lakeside International Shopping Center" has glass curtain walls that gleam beautifully in the winter sun. The plaza in front of the center is already filled with Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles, and even occasionally you can see a Porsche with its sleek lines.
Qiao Yiya was clearly dressed up carefully today. She wore a well-tailored MaxMara camel cashmere coat, a champagne-colored silk shirt underneath, a classic Hermès scarf around her neck, and carried her Louis Vuitton Speedy. Her makeup was exquisite, her hair was newly styled in curls, and she walked on the gleaming marble floor.
Yuan Ning followed behind, swiping her card repeatedly. Never before had she felt the significance of earning money as she did now.
Not long after the New Year, Yuan Ning received an email from Gao Ran informing her that she could go back to pick up her dress.
The email was brief, as is typical of Gao Ran, but the attachment included several before-and-after comparison photos, as well as a scanned copy of a professional testing report with a densely packed text stamped with the research institute's red seal.
The formal attire was of great importance, and Yuan Ning couldn't afford to delay; she had to go and receive it herself.
This was not only fulfilling her responsibility to Mrs. Olivia and Marta, but also a crucial step in whether the Casanova project could truly take root. She quickly booked a flight from Nancheng to Dunhuang. The trip was tight, with only two days planned: one day for acceptance and handover, and one day for handling transportation and donation procedures.
When I set foot on the land of Dunhuang again, it was already early spring.
Li Hang still picked her up in that beat-up Jeep, but this time, Li Xiaohui was also sitting in the passenger seat.
"Yuan Ning! Welcome back!" Li Xiaohui jumped out of the car and gave her a big hug. The smell of engine oil and paint mixed together on her body, a familiar smell that belonged to the research institute to Yuan Ning.
I miss you all so much.
"Professor Gao and Zhang Qing have asked them to wait for you in the lab. The ceremony is all ready!" Li Hang said with a grin as he stuffed her suitcase into the back seat.
"A ceremony?" Yuan Ning asked, somewhat surprised.
"Of course! This is our institute's first major external project successfully completed this year!" Li Xiaohui said excitedly. "Professor Gao said that we must have a sense of ceremony to set a good precedent for subsequent investment attraction!"
The jeep bumped along the way to the research institute. Along the way, Li Xiaohui chattered about the interesting things that had happened in the backyard after she left, what new equipment Zhang Qingrang had tinkered with, and how Chef Wang in the canteen had developed a new dish, although it was still mainly potatoes.
The restoration center seemed unusually quiet today. Stepping into the familiar, temperature- and humidity-controlled studio, Yuan Ning immediately spotted the dress displayed in a transparent glass case.
The 1947 silk crepe dress hung quietly, like a sleeping silver lake, its luster understated and its texture gentle as water. The once glaring red wine stains were now merely a soft, even, pale beige mark, perfectly blending with the overall color scheme, like the gentle brushstrokes of time. The hand-painted wisteria pattern on the dress was exquisitely detailed; even the edges of the petals showed the subtle tremors of the artisan's brushstrokes. The entire dress exuded a serene beauty, a beauty that had been reborn after hardship, yet possessed a greater depth and weight than when it was brand new.
"You're here?" Gao Ran saw her, nodded, and pointed to it. "Take a look for yourself. All the data, process records, and before-and-after comparisons are in the report. Everything we could do is here."
Yuan Ning stepped forward and examined it carefully, inch by inch.
Perfect.
It was even more perfect than the best result she had expected.
"Teacher Gao, Engineer Zhang, and all the teachers, thank you so much."
“I have already prepared the donation paperwork,” Yuan Ning said, taking a folder from her briefcase and handing it to Gao Ran. “As agreed, one million RMB. In addition…” she paused, her gaze sweeping over the somewhat outdated equipment in the laboratory, “I would also like to add another 500,000 RMB in my personal capacity, specifically for upgrading your laboratory’s equipment and facilitating exchanges for young researchers.”
Gao Ran took the document, and for the first time in many days, he smiled excitedly: "This is great, but have you thought it through? Investing money here is not like investing on Wall Street, where you can get excess returns."
"I've thought it through," Yuan Ning said with a smile.
She was once like a rootless vine, desperately climbing upwards to absorb all visible light and nourishment. Now, for the first time, she feels her roots touching something more solid and more eternal.
Three days later, Yuan Ning landed in New York. She had sent Elias her flight information beforehand, but she wasn't sure if he would come to pick her up.
Before she left New York City last time, he was her employer, and despite some other relationship, the two remained distinctly hierarchical.
But that's not the case now. If you ask her what their relationship is, she can't say.
She returns with her fully restored dress, about to face Marta's final review and the crucial leap of the Casanova project. She needs a clear head, not a tangled mess of emotions.
Pulling the small cart containing the custom-made dress's shipping case, Yuan Ning followed the flow of people out of the customs channel, the hustle and bustle of the arrival hall hitting her head. She subconsciously looked up, her gaze quickly sweeping across the crowd of people waiting to pick up passengers. Drivers holding signs, eagerly awaiting relatives and friends, ground staff in uniforms… then, her gaze fixed on something.
He stood there.
Today he wore a high-quality cashmere coat, open to reveal a simple black turtleneck sweater underneath. He wore dark trousers and lace-up leather shoes, the brand of which was indistinguishable but clearly custom-made. His blond hair was neatly combed compared to when he was in Dunhuang, and his eyes were simply gazing calmly in the direction she had walked.
The moment Yuan Ning saw him, he also saw her.
Their eyes met in the air, separated by a distance and the surging crowd.
Yuan Ning was nervous at first, but then a sense of excitement quietly spread.
She pushed the cart and walked towards him.
They stopped at the edge of the surging crowd, face to face.
"Looks like the flight is on time." Elias glanced at his watch and spoke first, his voice as deep and steady as ever, revealing little emotion.
“Yes, everything went smoothly.” Yuan Ning nodded, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the trolley handle. “The dress is also intact, and the shipping records are all in the box.”
“Very good.” His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as if confirming something. “Let’s go, Marta and Mrs. Olivia are already waiting for you at the Van der Berg mansion.”
"So, you were asked by them to pick up this dress today, and you picked me up on the way?" Yuan Ning blinked at him, her expression defiant, as if she was determined to hear what she wanted to hear from him.
Today she wore an oatmeal-colored oversized wool coat over a light gray cashmere dress, her long hair was loosely tied up, and she wore a pair of small pearl earrings.
At this moment, she tilted her head back, her dark eyes flashing with a clear and undisguised probing, and that cunning and sharpness that she had long suppressed was once again leaping in her eyes.
Elias looked at her, did not answer immediately, but reached out and took the handrail of the cart from her hand.
“Ms. Marta did call to inquire about the exact time the dress would arrive,” he said, pushing the cart and gesturing for her to follow, his voice still steady. “Mrs. Olivia wishes to conduct the preliminary trial in a more private and familiar setting, so that the dress doesn’t move around too much in public. They are currently waiting in the sunroom of the mansion.”
He stated the facts.
Yuan Ning had no desire to play that tacit, probing game anymore.
“So,” she quickened her pace slightly, almost standing shoulder to shoulder with him, her voice low but clear, “you’re here to fulfill their request and ensure the dress arrives safely? Mr. Van der Berg?”
She even reverted to using that slightly distant form of address.
Elias finally stopped and looked at her seriously: "No."
That's all.
He continued pushing the cart through the automatic doors toward the waiting vehicle.
Charles opened the trunk and carefully placed the transport box inside.
Yuan Ning suppressed a smile and got into the car.
The car started smoothly, drove away from the airport, and merged into the evening traffic in New York.
The carriage was quiet, with only the low hum of the engine and the faint sound of air from the air conditioning vents.
Elias was looking at the documents in his hand, while Yuan Ning also had her own work to do.
I opened my phone and a flood of information that I couldn't access on the plane came in.
First, there was the matter of graduating from the academy, and then there was the final confirmation from Ms. Claire regarding her start date; Eleanor also sent her a long string of messages.
As the car crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River shimmered in the twilight, and the Manhattan skyline on the opposite bank shone brilliantly. Yuan Ning's gaze swept over the familiar skyscrapers, finally settling on the approaching, tree-lined Brooklyn Heights.
The car slowly drove into Willow Street, where ancient oak trees stretched their branches in the night, casting dappled shadows. The Van der Berg mansion lay ahead, brightly lit, like a silent yet warm fortress.
When the car came to a stop in front of the mansion, Dorotha was already waiting on the porch.
As Yuan Ning stepped out of the car, the slightly cool air of the early spring night invigorated her.
"Long time no see, Miss Wynne."
Upon seeing Dorota's familiar face, Yuan Ning immediately felt a surge of warmth and affection.
She gave him a hug: "Long time no see, Dorotha."
Dorotha would never know how far she had ever been from this world, from the Van der Berg mansion.
Elias walked to her side, without urging her, but simply stood beside her.
Are you ready?
Yuan Ning straightened her skirt: "Of course."
They stepped onto the steps together, and the heavy oak doors opened silently inward, letting out warm light and the faint sounds of conversation.
“The ladies are having tea and refreshments in the greenhouse,” Dorotha said, taking the coats they had taken off.
The last time Yuan Ning came here, she spent a whole night in the sunroom, and the comfort and warmth she felt there is still unforgettable.
As the two walked to the door, through the half-open glass door, they could see Martha von Wright and Mrs. Olivia sitting on a wicker sofa, with Theodora entertaining them.
Elias stopped at the doorway, not pushing it open immediately. He turned and whispered to Charles, who was standing not far away, "Go and fetch the guarantee agreement signed by Miss Wynne from my study."
Yuan Ning stopped in her tracks. Elias gave her a deep look, then nodded: "Go in."
Warm light, delicate floral fragrance, and the sweet aroma of black tea and pastries waft towards you.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Yuan Ning said as she walked in, greeting everyone with a smile.
Theodora turned to her first, giving her a gentle smile: "Wynne, you're back. Was the journey smooth?"
“It went very smoothly, thank you, Theodora.” Yuan Ning bowed in response, then turned to the other two key figures, “Ms. von Wright, Mrs. Olivia, good evening. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Charles returned quickly, carrying a dark brown leather folder.
All three parties were present at this time.
Marta put down her teacup and her gaze fell directly on the shipping box. She got straight to the point: "The timing is perfect. Let's see the results first."
Mrs. Olivia stood up almost immediately, her hands clasped unconsciously, her eyes fixed on the suitcase, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation in her gaze. "Yes, yes," she said urgently, "Miss Wynne, is it... alright along the way?"
“Please rest assured, Madam.” Yuan Ning walked to the long table, her tone calm and confident.
Elias walked slowly to the other side of the long table, facing Yuan Ning across the table. He looked at Marta and Mrs. Olivia, his voice clear and steady: "This document is a guarantee agreement signed personally by Miss Wynne and me. It uses her professional services for the next ten years as collateral in exchange for my support and risk-taking in the early stages of the project."
Mrs. Olivia then made a "please" gesture.
Yuan Ning put on the prepared white cotton gloves, and with the assistance of Dorota and another male servant, the multiple locks on the transport box were carefully opened, and the protective cover was removed. Layers of specially made acid-free cotton paper were gently peeled off.
Finally, that serene silver hue gradually revealed its true form under the warm, bright lights of the greenhouse.
The first thing to be seen is the shoulders and part of the front of the dress. The fabric has a unique, soft, moon-halo-like silver-gray sheen, a result of years of refinement, and the delicate texture of silk crepe flows under the light. The heartbreaking dark red wine stains that once clung to it have vanished without a trace, replaced by an extremely even, naturally transitioning pale beige area that blends seamlessly with the overall color scheme. If one were not familiar with the details, one would almost mistake it for a subtle change in the fabric itself or part of a classic design.
Mrs. Olivia gasped and gently covered her lips with her fingers.
She didn't go forward immediately, but just stood there, staring at it with an almost greedy gaze, as if to confirm that the scene before her was not an illusion.
Marta had already stood up and walked to the long table. Her gaze swept calmly over the fabric, focusing on its smoothness, the consistency of its sheen, and the almost imperceptible edges of the repairs.
"Can it be completely removed?" Marta asked.
“Of course,” Yuan Ning replied, working with the maid to carefully remove the entire dress from the trunk and hang it on a pre-prepared hanger covered with soft velvet.
When the gown was fully revealed, the greenhouse fell into an almost sacred silence.
It's breathtakingly beautiful. The flowing cut outlines a classic and elegant silhouette, while the hand-painted wisteria pattern meanders down from the shoulders and neck. The vines are graceful and delicate, the flowers are layered and distinct, and the colors transition softly and naturally, as if they were just picked from the branches, still carrying the morning dew and vitality.
The repaired parts blended perfectly into the overall design, without compromising the continuity and artistry of the pattern.
The entire dress exudes a serene and profound beauty, a beauty that has been reborn after suffering hardships, carrying the weight of time, memories, and inexpressible emotions.
Mrs. Olivia's tears finally fell silently. She didn't sob, but simply let the tears flow.
Her fingertips trembled slightly as she lifted them, tracing the outline of the fabric a few centimeters away, before finally landing gently and with utmost care beside a wisteria blossom on the cuff.
“Mom…” she murmured softly, her voice choked with emotion, yet filled with a relieved smile, “It’s still here…it’s even more beautiful than before…”
Marta's scrutiny lasted much longer. Her expression remained serious, her lips tightly pressed together, until she slowly straightened up after putting away the magnifying glass.
She first looked at Mrs. Olivia, whose face was streaked with tears but whose smile was genuine. The two exchanged a glance, and Mrs. Olivia nodded gently.
Then, Marta turned to Yuan Ning. The usual sharp, slightly aloof look on her face disappeared, replaced by a formal, weighty solemnity.
"Based on our firsthand observation and the complete technical documentation you have provided, on behalf of Mrs. Olivia and based on my own professional judgment, I hereby formally confirm that the restoration of this 1947 silk crepe dress has fully met the agreed standards and has achieved an outstanding level in terms of aesthetic integrity and preservation of emotional value. Therefore, this commission has been a complete success."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Elias and Theodora, who had been silently observing with calm expressions, before finally settling on Yuan Ning's face.
“Therefore, your previous invitation to join the ‘Founding Twelve’ of the Casanova Workshop—” Marta’s lips curved into a very slight, restrained smile, “I, along with Mrs. Olivia, accept.”
It was a success.
Yuan Ning felt her heart pounding steadily and powerfully in her chest, a warm current flowing through her body along with a great sense of accomplishment. She maintained her posture, nodded slightly, and said in a clear and sincere voice, "Thank you both very much for your trust. Casanova will certainly live up to your expectations."
Only then did Elias step forward. He took the dark brown leather folder from Charles, which had remained unopened.
“Now that the main matters have been successfully completed,” he said calmly, “then, in accordance with Article 7 of Section 3 of the guarantee agreement, once the principals (Martha von Wright and Mrs. Olivia) have provided written confirmation that the repair work has met the standards, the guarantee relationship can proceed to liquidation.”
He opened the folder, quickly flipped to a specific page, and then turned it toward Marta and Mrs. Olivia, his fingertip precisely pointing to the relevant clauses.
"This is the agreement previously signed by Ms. Wynne. Based on your formal confirmation, the guarantee liability undertaken by our company in the agreement has now been released. The subsequent details of cooperation and fee payment regarding Casanova members will be clarified directly between Ms. Wynne and you two, and our company will no longer be involved."
His words were concise and clear, devoid of any superfluous emotions or symbolic gestures; they were simply the rigorous process of fulfilling a business contract.
Mrs. Olivia wiped away her tears, regaining some composure, and politely thanked Elias: "Thank you for your support throughout this process, Mr. van der Berg."
Elias closed the folder, handed it to Charles, and nodded slightly: "It's my duty."
His gaze then turned to Yuan Ning, revealing a barely perceptible trace of investor approval that indicated the project was progressing smoothly.
With the three founding members—Prince, Marta, and Lady Olivia—Yuan Ning can now add Elias, bringing the total to four, which is enough to represent the social class and prestige of Casanova members.
So, for the remaining eight spots, Yuan Ning plans to offer a starting price of one million US dollars, with the highest bidder winning. It's time for her to reap the rewards from the project.
Next, all she needs to do is talk to Elias, and she's sure he'll agree soon.
Inside the greenhouse, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the solemnity and sadness of the moment were gradually replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere of conversation imbued with personal warmth.
Mrs. Olivia's emotions had calmed down considerably, but faint red marks remained at the corners of her eyes, adding a touch of captivating gentleness to her already elegant appearance.
Her gaze lingered on the dress, as if she couldn't get enough of looking at it, but at this moment, it was more of a feeling of cherishing what she had lost and finding again, and a sense of relief.
“Miss Wynne,” Mrs. Olivia suddenly turned to Yuan Ning, her voice even softer and warmer than before, “a simple ‘thank you’ is simply not enough to express how I feel right now. You have done something incredibly precious for me and for my mother.”
Yuan Ning smiled modestly: "Madam, you are too kind. Seeing it restored to its original state and seeing your satisfaction is the greatest affirmation of my work."
Mrs. Olivia shook her head. She reached into a small velvet handbag and took out an equally small, antique enamel cigarette case, which was clearly a finely crafted object that had been around for quite some time.
“My mother, Grace… she was more than just a rebellious rich girl, a lady of taste.” Madame Olivia’s voice carried a distant memory. “During her years in Paris, she met many talented artists, designers, and even some… radical cultural salon owners who were not yet famous at the time. Her wardrobe contained not only haute couture but also many pieces from unknown workshops, full of whimsy and the warmth of handcraftsmanship.”
She took two items from her enamel cigarette case and handed them to Yuan Ning: a yellowed card with the address of a private bookstore on the Left Bank of Paris that had been closed for thirty years, and a brass key to the storage room of an old house on Long Island, New York.
“The bookstore was opened by an old friend of my mother’s, and perhaps some of her old belongings or materials on handicrafts remain; the storage room contains some of her previously unpublished, unique collections.” Mrs. Olivia spoke gently but solemnly, “They have been dormant for too long, and perhaps you can help them regain their value. This is just a small token of my personal appreciation.”
Yuan Ning accepted the card and key: "Thank you, this will be very helpful for my future work."
"You deserve it."
As night deepened, Marta and Mrs. Olivia left by car under Charles's arrangement, while Theodora returned to her bedroom, feeling weary.
Only Yuan Ning and Elias remained in the greenhouse.
Yuan Ning stood beside the long table, her fingers brushing across the surface, and slowly walked towards him.
"How was it? Did I do a good job this time?"
She walked up to him, and Elias was sitting in a wicker chair.
“I know,” he said softly, raising his hand to take hers.
"Before you left, you said that if I messed up, you wouldn't clean up the mess for me. Tsk, you sounded really fierce back then."
Elias looked at her with a half-smile: "You've grown up quickly, Wynne."
Yuan Ning was a little angry: "I mean, do you really have to be so clear about things with me?"
She looked down at him, and he stood between her legs, his posture domineering.
Elias let her have her way, opening his knees and letting her be ungrateful.
She looked slightly annoyed, but she raised her knee and knelt on his lap.
Despite the immense pressure on his knees, Elias leaned back more easily against the chair, looking up at her with unfathomable eyes: "For a daring girl, it should be..."
Yuan Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, accidentally applying a little too much force to her knee.
Elias snorted softly. He looked very approachable now, with no aggression on his face and even a smile in his eyes.
He pulled Yuan Ning into his arms, closed his legs around her, and clamped them together, making her unable to move.
"I've taken such a big risk for you, and you still think I'm being too calculating?"
Yuan Ning shifted in his arms, moving her bottom to a more comfortable position, causing his trousers to become wrinkled from her wriggling.
"Hmm, how can it not count? Do you think that I'm not worth you paying such a large sum of money for me after working for you for free for ten years?"
Elias moved his hand to her lower back and pressed down on her heavily.
He pinched the flesh below her waist, his eyebrows drooping, his eyes seemingly only on her, and said in a gentle yet magnetic tone, "I do, baby. I was wrong, I won't do it again."
Yuan Ning nestled in his arms, and in a coquettish tone, she softly hummed, "Help me take it off."
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