He had just stepped into the kindergarten gate when a chubby little boy in a white T-shirt and shorts rushed towards him. Gu Xiaotian frowned and stepped back. The little boy fell to the ground, but he didn't cry. He just dusted himself off and got up.
"Xiao Tian, is that your dad? He's so handsome!"
Gu Xiaotian snorted, "Yeah!" and walked straight ahead. The little boy followed him like a shadow. He was a new transfer student who thought Gu Xiaotian was cool and wanted to be friends with him, even if he was rejected.
Only after Xiao Tian disappeared did Ye Lichuan start his car and head to the company. He was late, but no one in the company dared to say anything to him, so they could only pretend they hadn't seen him.
He went to his office, dealt with the urgent documents, glanced at his watch, and realized it was time to meet Zhao Yan. He picked up his coat and headed out of the company.
Seeing his boss arrive late for work and leave early, the assistant quietly went to drink a cup of coffee and wished his boss all the best.
When Ye Lichuan arrived at the bookstore, the meeting place Zhao Yan had suggested, she was already there, wearing a large sun hat and holding a book. She only put the book down after he sat down opposite her.
"Sister Zhao, thank you for waiting."
"I just arrived too. The atmosphere in the bookstore is great; the smell of books is very relaxing." She then picked up her coffee and took a sip.
Time seems to have left no trace on her; her cheeks remain fair, and the crow's feet only appear when she smiles. Her elegant and poised smile instantly eliminates any barriers between them.
"I was quite surprised to hear that it was President Ye who invited me. May I ask what brings you here today?" She was a regular customer of Ye's company, and she had attended so many shows that she couldn't even remember them all.
She later retired from the modeling industry, and it had been two or three years since she last saw him. She regarded Ye Lichuan as her own younger brother.
"I'd like to ask you for a favor." Ye Lichuan beckoned to the waiter to refill her coffee.
"Although I find it hard to refuse your offer of help, I cannot agree to go back to my old profession." Although her eyes were smiling, her tone was unusually firm.
Ye Lichuan did not give up because of these words. In order to make that stubborn little woman less tired, he had to win Zhao Yan over no matter how difficult it was.
He briefly introduced the time and theme of the show, and promised that the clothing designs would not disappoint her.
Although Zhao Yan was looking forward to the show, she still refused to agree. She had been out of the entertainment industry for several years and had no plans to make a comeback, but Ye Lichuan was determined to win her over this time.
"I'm sure Sister Zhao knows that I wouldn't bother you unless I really needed your help. Besides, the lead designer this time is Designer Gu, and the show is also organized by her company." He placed the design drafts he had prepared earlier in front of Zhao Yan.
Zhao Yan flipped through the design drafts; these were all Gu Anran's works. Each design was infused with soul and creativity, making people instantly fond of them. She never expected that this would be Gu Anran's fashion show.
After reviewing all the design drafts, Zhao Yan had her answer: "Designer Gu is a genius in the design world. I watched her competition abroad a couple of days ago. She is excellent. If it's her, then I can give it a try."
She admired Gu Anran's talent; each of her works blended fashion and nature, showcasing the beauty of clothing in multiple ways. Presumably, no woman could resist the clothes she designed.
Although Ye Lichuan's expression did not change, she could still see his joy in his subtle movements. His jade-like fingers tapped lightly on the table. "However, I also have conditions. I hope that my clothes will be designed by Designer Gu himself."
Ye Lichuan was taken aback for a moment, then agreed. He hadn't expected that his reputation was less important than that of the great designer Gu. Sister Zhao, who had refused to agree no matter what, immediately changed her mind after hearing his name. He sighed silently.
The bookstore was filled with the aroma of coffee beans, bitter and astringent. A breeze blew in from outside the window, and the small wind chimes hanging there made a crisp sound. Zhao Yan stared intently at the book in front of her until the vibration sounded.
"I know you're busy. Go ahead if you have something to do at the company. I'll sit here for a while longer." She asked Ye Lichuan to sit with her for a bit, her intention being simply to let him experience a world without the hustle and bustle.
Ye Lichuan refused to leave and insisted on seeing her off. Zhao Yan had no choice but to call her assistant to pick her up. After watching her leave, he also left the bookstore and headed towards the company.
Arriving at the meeting room at the last minute before the partners left, the partners couldn't afford to be emotional. After all, Ye's family was a large company, and they couldn't be happier that they were willing to cooperate with them.
His project was progressing very smoothly, but Gu Anran was having a lot of headaches.
"These are the models we've selected." Big Foot pointed to the tall, beautiful models sitting in the distance.
She was unconsciously flipping through the documents in her hand, looking quite troubled. Da Jiao suggested that they try it out first and choose from the typhoons. Gu Anran agreed and led the group to the empty rehearsal room.
After changing their clothes, the group started walking the runway to the music. They stood on the sidelines and observed. A dozen or so models walked a circle, but Gu Anran still couldn't decide who was suitable to be the finale.
“What do you think of the one at the very front? She won the championship in an international model competition this year. I think she’s great, both in terms of her catwalk and her overall demeanor.” Big Foot pointed at Yan Jun, who had a proud look on her face.
Indeed, judging from the performances of everyone just now, she has a more stable stage presence, but she is still not the final act that Gu Anran wanted.
Seeing her remain silent, Da Jiao knew she was dissatisfied, but then noticed her gaze was fixed on Liu Yao in the corner. "She's a new model. Although her stage presence is a bit lacking, she can handle all kinds of styles. But to be on the safe side, I suggest using Yan Jun."
"If I had to choose, I would pick Liu Yao. She is very talented."
Looking at the still somewhat green Liu Yao, Da Jiao decisively voiced her objection. No matter how talented she was, the company needed a mature model and there was no need to waste extra energy on a newcomer.
Both sides stuck to their own versions of events, and after much back and forth, they couldn't reach a consensus. Yan Jun, who had been observing the two, took the initiative to introduce himself, and other models followed suit, each highlighting their own strengths.
At first, Gu Anran listened attentively, but as the models started mocking each other, she became even more irritated. Just as things were about to erupt into chaos, a loud bang suddenly rang out.
"Bang!" Gu Anran slammed the documents in her hand heavily on the table, and the noisy noise immediately disappeared.
Gu Anran looked at the model in front of her with great disappointment, walked to the door, opened it, and went out.
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