Chapter 328 The call from the dance troupe
The next morning, the morning light streamed into the garment workshop through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Mu Nanyan was concentrating on sewing the latest sample garments.
The fine stitches moved between her fingertips, and the fabric made a slight rustling sound as she moved.
“Dongdongdong——”
A restrained knock on the door broke the silence in the room.
Mu Nanyan looked up and saw Shangguan Jiuze leaning against the door frame, the sunlight casting shadows of varying shades on his well-defined profile.
He wore a dark grey suit today, which made him look even more upright.
"Jiu Ze, you're here."
Mu Nanyan put down the needle and thread in her hand and raised a professional smile.
"Are you busy now?"
Shangguan Jiuze's voice was low and gentle, and his eyes swept over the unfinished sample garment in front of her.
"It's okay. Wait a moment. I'll get you your dress."
Mu Nanyan tucked the scattered hair behind her ears.
"No rush, can I come in?"
Shangguan Jiuze pointed his slender finger at the ground, and Mu Nanyan nodded.
"certainly."
After he got a positive answer, he walked in with steady steps.
Shangguan Jiuze sat down on the sofa not far from the workbench, folded his hands on his knees, and made a gesture for Mu Nanyan to continue.
Seeing this, Mu Nanyan ignored him and continued to work.
Shangguan Jiuze's gaze unconsciously lingered on Mu Nanyan's profile.
The sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains, casting a soft light on her delicate features. Her slightly furrowed brows and focused eyes formed a picture that was hard to look away from.
In fact, he had been standing outside the door for a full ten minutes.
Through the half-open door, he saw Mu Nanyan's slender fingers moving through the fabric, and the needle and thread seemed to come alive in her hands.
He, who had always had little patience, hesitated for the first time, fearing that his presence would interrupt his concentration.
It was not until Zhou Ruxuan passed by and reminded him in surprise that he woke up as if from a dream, straightened his tie, and gently knocked on the door.
This was very unlike him.
Shangguan Jiuze would never go in person for such a small matter as picking up a dress. At most, he would ask his assistant to pick it up.
But every time he faced Mu Nanyan, those principles that he was proud of would inexplicably become ineffective.
He found a perfect excuse for himself, which was Su Muyang's instructions before he left.
But deep down, he knew that this reason couldn't even convince himself.
"Just think of it as looking after her for Mu Yang."
Shangguan Jiuze muttered to himself, but deliberately ignored the strange throbbing in his heart every time he saw Mu Nanyan.
Twenty minutes later, she cut the last thread and smoothed out the wrinkles in the fabric with satisfaction.
She looked at Shangguan Jiuze and said apologetically:
"Wait a moment, I'll get the dress."
She stood up and walked into the inner room, her high heels making crisp sounds on the floor.
The dresses in the inner room were neatly arranged according to the customers' names, each covered with a dust cover.
Mu Nanyan quickly found the one marked "Shangguan Jiuze". The pink tulle shone like pearls under the light.
She returned to the dressmaking room with her dress in her hand and saw Shangguan Jiuze flipping through a fashion magazine on the table.
"Sorry for the wait, I'll go wrap it up for you."
"Thank you for your help."
He closed the magazine and followed her figure with his eyes.
Mu Nanyan skillfully took the dress out of the dust cover, and the pink skirt bloomed like petals in her hands.
She carefully folded the dress and placed it in a gift box printed with the gold-plated logo of Grace Studio. Every movement she made was professional and meticulous.
"alright."
She handed the beautifully wrapped gift box to Shangguan Jiuze, and her fingertips accidentally touched the back of his hand. The slightly cool touch made her subconsciously retract her fingers.
Shangguan Jiuze took the gift box and suddenly took out a gold-stamped invitation from his suit pocket and handed it to Mu Nanyan:
"This is for you."
"This is?"
Mu Nanyan took it doubtfully, the faint scent of perfume on the invitation lingering on her nose.
"Fuling asked me to pass on the birthday party invitation. The girl specifically asked me to hand it to you personally, saying that she was looking forward to your coming."
Shangguan Fuling's sparkling eyes appeared in Mu Nanyan's mind, and her heart softened:
"Then please tell Fuling that I will be there on time tomorrow."
"If she knew, she would be very happy."
Shangguan Jiuze raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and his gaze stayed on her face for a few seconds before moving away.
After seeing off Shangguan Jiuze, the garment workshop returned to peace.
Mu Nanyan stood in front of the workbench, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the invitation.
She has always kept her distance from such social occasions, and the world of fame and fortune with its drinking and socializing has always disgusted her.
But at this moment, Shangguan Fuling's bright eyes seemed to be right in front of her, and her innocent smile could always easily melt her defenses.
"Then let's treat it as a surprise for Fuling."
Mu Nanyan whispered to herself, the corners of her mouth unconsciously raised.
Mu Nanyan checked the sample clothes and made sure there were no problems before leaving the garment room and walking towards her office.
After she returned to the office, she gently opened the drawer and carefully placed the exquisite invitation inside.
Just as the drawer was about to close, there was a knock on the office door.
“Dongdongdong——”
The crisp knock on the door made Mu Nanyan look up. Through the glass door, she saw Zhou Ruxuan standing at the door with a cell phone in her hand.
The corners of her mouth rose slightly, revealing a gentle smile:
"Ruxuan, what's wrong?"
Zhou Ruxuan walked in quickly, handed the phone to her, and said in a low voice:
"It's a call from the dance troupe."
Mu Nanyan nodded, and her fingertips accidentally touched the screen when she took the phone.
She put the phone close to her ear, and her voice instantly became professional and steady:
"Hello, I'm Grace."
Zhou Ruxuan tactfully left the office and closed the door gently.
While talking on the phone, Mu Nanyan walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the scenery outside.
"Grace, the dress you designed is breathtaking! The design alone has wowed our entire team!"
The enthusiastic voice of Emma, the dance troupe's director, came from the phone. Although her Chinese was not fluent and she had a thick accent, every word she spoke was sincere.
Mu Nanyan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her face:
"Thank you for your recognition. It is my honor to design costumes for your group."
"I'm calling today to invite you to Washington. Our dance troupe still has a lot of details to discuss with you. If you can stay here longer, you must come and see our performance at the Kennedy Center!"
Her slender fingers unconsciously stroked the window frame and she thought for a moment:
"Okay, I'll arrange time to go there as soon as possible."
Mu Nanyan's eyes fell on the design draft on the desk, and the unfinished lines seemed to be waving at her.
"Thank you so much! I look forward to working with you."
After hanging up the phone, Mu Nanyan still stood in front of the window.
The outline of the city in the distance was looming in the sunset, but her eyes seemed to penetrate it all.
There are still a few final dresses in this series that have yet to be finalized. Perhaps watching their rehearsals will bring some new inspiration.
After all, the previous designs were all based on the text materials sent by the dance troupe, which was far less real than seeing the dancers' movements on the stage with one's own eyes.
This is her first time designing costumes for a professional dance troupe. Every detail is related to the dancers' performance, which is also a challenge for her.
She bit her lip lightly, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes. As her first dance work, it must be perfect.
Mu Nanyan breathed a sigh of relief. Since she had decided to go to Country M, the next itinerary had to be finalized as soon as possible.
She walked back to her desk and pressed the button of the intercom with her slender fingers.
"Ruxuan, please come again."
After a while, there was a gentle knock on the office door.
When Zhou Ruxuan pushed the door open and walked in, her eyes scanned Mu Nanyan's face, and she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that she looked normal.
"Why did they call suddenly? Did something happen?"
Mu Nanyan handed her her phone and said with a smile:
"Nothing. They wanted me to go to Washington, and I had that idea before, so I agreed."
Zhou Ruxuan's tense shoulders finally relaxed after hearing this:
"That's good. There's only a month left until their official performance. If they make any new requests, our studio will probably have to work overtime."
She said this half-jokingly, but still couldn't help but sigh.
"Please help me check the upcoming schedule. If there is nothing important, I would like to leave in two days."
As Mu Nanyan spoke, she had already opened the diary on the table.
"I'll go sort it out right away."
Zhou Ruxuan nodded, and suddenly added as if remembering something:
"By the way, do you need me to help you book your flight and hotel?"
Mu Nanyan thought for a moment before saying:
"No need for now. I'm considering whether to let Chenchen go with me. If he doesn't go, I'll have to send him back to his great-grandmother."
"I understand. I'll go make the arrangements first. Call me if you need anything."
After the office door was closed again, Mu Nanyan leaned back in her chair and gently rubbed her temples with her fingertips.
Although this long journey was sudden, it was also a rare opportunity.
She looked at the design draft spread out on the table, her eyes gradually becoming focused and determined.
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