Chapter 7 The ugliness of one's eating habits is worse than hunger...
Elias had a habit of handling unimportant matters while waiting for his meal, and he was currently flipping through Wynne Meng's resume.
Parsons School of Design | Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Management | Expected graduation May 2001
*GPA: 3.98/4.0
Elias's gaze lingered on this number; undeniably, it was a near-perfect number, which he quickly dissected into more concrete information: she had almost never faltered in a highly competitive environment like Parsons. High GPAs are never achieved solely through diligent study; for Chinese students, they present an even greater challenge.
This realization made him lean back slightly, a faint, sharp interest, similar to that of someone who had discovered a high-quality investment target, flashing in his blue eyes.
He could imagine that Wynne would use her social skills before choosing courses each semester, just like at last night's party, to find out through various channels how strict the professors were in grading, the amount of homework, and how they would provide feedback, so as to avoid those lousy professors who never gave A's. And, she also used this method to avoid all professors who might be racially discriminatory.
These things were difficult, but she accomplished them all.
Yuan Ning walked through the huge revolving glass doors of Daniel's restaurant, where a waiter took off her coat and scarf, revealing a silk shirt and knee-length skirt underneath.
She never wears stockings all year round; her legs are always bare under her coat. Her legs are very beautiful.
Elias looked away and moved her resume from the computer to the "Rejection" folder.
She was excellent, but unfortunately, she didn't belong to this social class, or rather, she no longer belonged to it. Elias wanted to choose an employee who understood the tastes of the upper class, not a poor girl.
Besides, it's too cruel to let poor girls see the world and then bring them back to their original state. As for those people, it's best to just let them stay in their own social class forever.
Otherwise, look how uneasy this girl is when she comes to this restaurant.
A huge crystal chandelier casts a warm golden light onto the round table covered with a snow-white tablecloth, where silver cutlery and hand-blown glasses complement each other.
The waiter pulled out a chair for Yuan Ning, and she sat down gracefully. Her fair and supple legs were together under the table, slightly tilted, forming a textbook perfect sitting posture for a socialite.
“The white truffle pasta here is a seasonal dish, supposedly just flown in from Alba today,” Jasper said, handing her the wine list. “Or, shall we order a bottle of champagne first?”
Yuan Ning's gaze swept over the gold-embossed French on the menu, the exorbitant prices burning her reason: White Truffle Pasta, $185.
She knew Jasper would be paying for her meal, and she knew a voice inside her was saying, "Don't get rid of Jasper so easily, hey, Wynne, make the men who fawn over you pay a hefty price before they're happy."
However, a look that was somewhere between naivety and aloofness appeared on her face. She gently closed the menu and frowned slightly. "This morning's fashion history lecture was quite a headache," she said, her tone carrying a perfectly appropriate hint of languidness. "I need something refreshing. Just a Nice salad will do, with the dressing on its own."
She could go back to her rented apartment in the evening and cook simple, clean meals to feed herself, instead of relying on Jasper to eat a large meal of meat.
A girl can receive a gentleman's favor with high self-esteem, provided that she can afford it and eat it herself.
It is greedy and impolite to eat a large meal on one's own behalf and rely on a man to pay the bill.
Eating in an unsightly manner is more terrifying than hunger.
Jasper was somewhat surprised: "Wynne, that's too easy. At least try their caviar tart, or..."
“Dear Jasper,” Yuan Ning interrupted him, “have you forgotten that I’m controlling my carb intake?”
She handed the menu back to the waiter, and Jasper smiled helplessly yet indulgently. He ordered pan-fried foie gras and venison tenderloin for himself, and took it upon himself to order a plate of cod for Yuan Ning, which he had heard she liked very much.
“Wynne, this is what I really want.”
Yuan Ning looked into Jasper's sincere eyes, which held a hint of flattery, and smiled with a helpless yet genuine smile: "Then thank you for your kindness, Jasper. I will enjoy it."
Yuan Ning felt that she was growing every day, every moment, while pretending to be someone else and growing rapidly.
She gently adjusted the cutlery in front of her, as if silently preparing for the main course.
Accepting kindness is a form of elegance; being too hasty in rejecting it is an act of belittling one's self-worth.
Elias paused slightly as he cut the red meat with his knife. He put the knife down, picked up a snow-white linen napkin, and wiped his hands. His movements were unhurried, and his blue eyes flashed with a sharp light. He began to formally examine the girl and admitted that he had misjudged her.
He had previously made a rudimentary judgment that she was poor and did not belong to this social class.
Now he can change his tune: she's poor, but it seems she was born to be in this social class, and always has been.
However, Elias still believes that her current high self-esteem is because the boy in front of her is too naive, so she can't lower her head. She still thinks she is using sophisticated methods and charm to seduce the boy in front of her.
If she were sitting across from him, Elias was certain he would make her lose her composure and order an extra steak from the menu, which he would then pay for.
For example: "Poor girl, tell me, is this really enough to fill your stomach?" A statement floated lightly from her arrogant lips, but unfortunately no one heard it.
Yuan Ning was enjoying her pan-fried cod, gently separating the snow-white cod flesh with her fork and putting it into her mouth. The perfect cooking time made the fish melt on her tongue, with the refreshing aroma of lemon and butter.
Jasper sat opposite her, and the two were talking about academic matters.
"Wynne, I heard you've been looking for an internship lately?"
"Yes, let's look for it first. I'm not in a hurry."
She raised her eyes, her gaze inadvertently passing over Jasper's shoulder and landing on a table by the window not far away.
Golden hair, charcoal gray suit...
She recognized him easily; even in Manhattan, men as outstanding as him were rare, though she had only ever seen his back.
But she remembers clearly that he paid their bills that day.
It was him.
Furthermore, Yuan Ning had the privilege of seeing his face today. He was sitting slightly to the side, and his gaze was not in her direction. Perhaps, he had glanced at her briefly and sharply.
He is truly a gentleman.
The thought surfaced uncontrollably. Yuan Ning couldn't help but sigh.
His hair was meticulously combed, making his profile resemble a classical sculpture.
He simply sat there, exuding an aura of refined taste and authority that, even from several tables away, precisely stirred Yuan Ning's senses.
She was completely different from the young man sitting opposite her, who had a student-like air about him and was eager to prove himself.
Yuan Ning has many suitors at Parsons, with Jasper being one of the best, after all, he can be called the "campus prince".
In other words, Yuan Ning has never dated a man like that, never.
Jasper noticed her absent-mindedness and turned to look in the direction she was looking.
Yuan Ning quickly lowered her eyes and turned her attention back to the silver knife and fork in her hand.
"Uncle Elias?"
"Hmm?" Yuan Ning looked up and saw Jasper muttering something.
"I didn't expect Uncle Elias to be here too."
Yuan Ning paused for a moment: "Then do you want to go and say hello? I can go with you."
“No, I’d rather not.” Jasper shrugged. “I can’t let him know I brought a girl here on a date.”
Seeing Yuan Ning's stunned expression, Jasper quickly explained, "Wynne, I absolutely didn't mean that. If you wanted, I would definitely introduce you to my mother right away. But now... not."
Jasper seemed somewhat helpless, but continued to explain to Yuan Ning, "Uncle Elias and my father are somewhat acquainted, practically family friends. He's... well, rather serious." He paused, as if trying to find a more accurate word, "Anyway, it's best for me to behave properly in front of him."
Yuan Ning lowered her eyes and gently poked at the remaining salad on her plate with her fork.
She suddenly looked up and smiled slyly: "Jasper, I didn't expect our 'campus prince' to have someone he's afraid of."
Jasper lowered his voice, his tone slightly annoyed: "Wynne, please don't tease me like that."
But Wynne is always so adorable that Jasper can't do anything about her, yet he also really likes her mischievousness.
After lunch, the two groups of people left without any further interaction.
After returning to his office, Elias called Theodora back, selected his stylist, and briefly mentioned that he had encountered Jasper Winthrop on a date with an Asian girl.
During the afternoon break, just as Yuan Ning was hesitating whether to call the business card Mrs. Stern had given her, she received a message from Professor Miller.
“Wynne Meng, you are my best student. I am very happy for you. The Van der Berg family has appointed you to be their family heir’s dress consultant for a period of time.”
"Professor Miller, are you referring to... the Van der Berg family?"
If she heard correctly, she remembered that it was the man's last name, which several gentlemen at the next table had mentioned many times that day at the Balthazar restaurant.
"Exactly. Perhaps you haven't heard of this family, but that's alright. Nowadays, few young people know about the old aristocracy. But you must believe that if you gain their favor, you will surely reap unexpected rewards."
Yuan Ning could barely hear what Professor Miller said after that. But the phone receiver seemed to be slightly warm in her palm.
"Meng? Are you listening?"
“Yes, Professor!” she replied immediately, trying to keep her voice steady. She had to seize this opportunity no matter what.
"Great. Their assistant will contact you directly to finalize the details."
After hanging up the phone, Yuan Ning stood there, the early winter wind blowing against her bare legs, bringing a shiver of excitement.
Mr. Elias van der Berg, will you be my employer?
A note from the author:
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