Qin Xiaoyu had just finished her postpartum confinement period, and A Lei didn't allow her to drive. Today, she didn't let A Lei come with her either, so she called a driver.
"I heard you also did a fashion show in Hong Kong, and it got good reviews," Miranda said casually.
"The reputation is good, but there are significant problems; it's not as ideal as it seems," Qin Xiaoyu said without any hesitation. This surprised Miranda, who gave her a surprised look.
Upon arriving at the store, looking from downstairs to upstairs, Miranda nodded at Xu Jingye's "Unseen Series," but frowned at everything else.
"That's the problem I was talking about. These designs are fine domestically, given the current environment, but they can't go international, they can't even get out of Asia," Qin Xiaoyu said frankly.
"Your understanding of your product is quite accurate. But knowing its shortcomings, why not make changes?" Miranda truly lived up to her reputation as a woman of action, a quality that earned Qin Xiaoyu's respect.
"This isn't something that can be changed overnight. I've been trying, but with little success. Do you have any good suggestions?" Qin Xiaoyu gave a wry smile.
“Your designers need to go out and see the world, and not just them, but you too. You’re a leader, but if you can’t even stand at a high level, how can you give directions?” Miranda was now speaking with an air of authority, and Qin Xiaoyu’s act of swallowing her pride to ask for help pleased Miranda.
“I’m planning to do that too. When the child is a little older, A Lei and I will go out for a trip.”
“Alxe is very happy. You can tell he enjoys his life.” Miranda’s voice was a little hoarse when she mentioned Alxe’s name. Qin Xiaoyu could tell that she was still bothered by the estrangement between mother and son.
“A few days ago, my birth mother came to visit me from out of town.” Qin Xiaoyu suddenly changed the subject. Miranda was a little surprised. She didn’t seem interested in these things. She took a step forward, picked up the sleeve of a dress, and examined the stitching at the armpit repeatedly.
"She told me that she had never abandoned me," Qin Xiaoyu continued to probe.
“No mother would abandon her child unless absolutely necessary. There’s nothing to discuss here,” Miranda interrupted abruptly, refusing to continue.
Qin Xiaoyu had no choice but to lead her out of the store.
“I want to move. To be honest, I’ve been living alone for years, and I feel very uncomfortable around large groups of people,” Miranda said bluntly.
"My brother owns a hotel, if you'd like..."
"I think."
And so, that afternoon, Qin Xiaoyu took Miranda to Qi Si's hotel. The scene she had envisioned—mother and son reconciling and weeping in each other's arms—may never happen; she had been too naive.
"It's okay, at least this way there won't be any conflict. We can just invite her over for a meal occasionally," A Lei comforted her.
The next time Zhou Xing's mother invited Miranda to dinner, she was more careful and had Zhou Yue take a group of children back to her house. The house became much quieter, and Miranda's expression was less unpleasant.
She genuinely dislikes children.
“I don’t have the patience to take care of children, especially babies. They don’t understand anything, there’s no reasoning with them, and they just cry and whine. I really break down.” Miranda said this without any regard for Are’s feelings. He was holding little Jiajia on the sofa not far away, his face as dark as water, and he didn’t say a word.
"Actually, I don't have much patience either," Qin Xiaoyu suddenly sighed, which was her true feeling.
"Which mother is born that way? You all think being a mother is too simple." Zhou Xing's mother's tone was harsh, and she even hurt Qin Xiaoyu and Miranda.
“Mom, you’re right. No one is born a mother. So I’ve been raising myself. I haven’t been a good mother to Hanhan and my little sister. Work takes up most of my time. I don’t know what they would have become without you. Thank you for letting them grow up healthy and happy.” Qin Xiaoyu had never said these words before. It was the first time she had said them in front of everyone. Zhou Xing’s mother was also surprised and couldn’t help but tear up.
“There is no fairness to women in this society. Children, family, and work are simply irreconcilable.” Miranda found resonance in Qin Xiaoyu’s words and made an exception by not contradicting her.
"Yes, my busiest time was at the beginning of my business. A Lei was furious."
"I'm so angry! She's like she doesn't care about her life. She's never home, and when she does come home, she sleeps like a log." Zhou Xing's mother glared at her.
"Now that I've made it through, no matter what, I have time to have a baby, hahaha." Qin Xiaoyu laughed carefree. Miranda gave her a deep look, as if she had just realized that she was still the same Qin Xiaoyu.
"Feed him, our son is hungry," A Lei reminded her. Qin Xiaoyu quickly jumped up and ran over.
“My darling, Mommy’s here, your little cow is here.”
Zhou Xing's mother chuckled at her words and explained to Miranda somewhat embarrassedly, "That's just how this child is; sometimes she's silly and endearingly naive."
“Fools are often blessed. Look at our little fish, she has everything, and so many people love her.” The wife, now more sober, quickly added.
"Madam, don't just sleep in the house every day. Let's go for a walk tomorrow. The sun is shining these days, and I get bored walking by myself." Mrs. Fang tapped the table to remind her wife.
"Okay, come and call me." The wife was also feeling bored staying in the house.
"Should we bring Hanhan's grandfather over?" Zhou Xing's mother thought of this again. Last time, Hanhan's grandfather didn't come to Guangzhou; he went straight back to his hometown and didn't even come back for the Chinese New Year. His wife missed her son and was willing to bring him over, but there wasn't enough room.
“Take it over. I still have an empty house there. What’s the use of letting those people live there for free?” Madam Fang was angry just thinking about the house for the servants.
“Then take it. I’ll have company too,” Commander Zhou said after hearing what Madam Fang said.
"I'll call tomorrow and ask my dad to come over after the New Year." Qin Xiaoyu and her husband were talking side by side when they heard that the other side had reached a decision, so they joined in.
Miranda remained silent, quietly eating her meal, seemingly oblivious to what was happening around her.
They had just finished eating when Zhou Yue arrived with a group of children.
She and Deng Jianyan each held one, the other was in Xiao Jin's arms, and Hanhan and Lisheng were rushing ahead.
The room suddenly became crowded and steamy.
The younger sister followed behind Zhou Xing's mother, chattering incessantly. Hanhan ran over and sat next to Qin Xiaoyu to look at her younger brother. Lisheng sat on Qin Xiaoyu's other side, asking her for advice on business matters.
A Lei learned how to pat a baby's back from Deng Jianyan, demonstrating while holding a chubby little boy. Commander Zhou took one from Xiao Jin and played with it. One of these three is surnamed Zhou, but unfortunately they look exactly alike, and now it's a little hard to tell them apart.
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