Chapter 178: Partner

After Xie Mengke opened her studio, she became quite busy, and the two of them gradually kept in touch less often.

"Mengke, you're probably even more capable than before by now, right? It's been a while since we last contacted each other—perfect time to get in touch with her; maybe I can even ask her for advice on running a studio."

Thinking that, Xiao Jingrou looked up Xie Mengke's phone number and gave her a call.

"Mengke."

"Jingrou sis?" After receiving Xiao Jingrou's call, Xie Mengke was overjoyed: "Jingrou sis, how have you been lately? Since you graduated, we've been in touch less and less—I thought you were about to forget me."

"How could I forget you? I was just afraid of bothering you," Xiao Jingrou said with an embarrassed smile.

She didn't keep in touch; first, because both were busy, and second, because back then she and Xie Mengke weren't in the same world.

She was a small figure in society's lower strata, not on the same level as Xie Mengke, who could independently run a studio, and she hadn't kept in touch that much.

"Hmph, I don't believe it—you must have forgotten me, Jingrou sis. If you're contacting me for a reason, just say it; if I can help, I'll definitely do so." Xie Mengke said this sincerely; although they rarely keep in touch now, the old affection remains.

"Mengke, you still understand me so well—haha, I really do have something to ask you this time." Xiao Jingrou then said: "Mengke, I want to ask you a few questions—you opened your own studio, right? How's it going these days? I'm really envious."

Unexpectedly, as soon as Xiao Jingrou finished speaking, Xie Mengke sighed: "Ah, don't mention it—I'm stressed out over the studio; my head's about to explode."

Xiao Jingrou was bewildered: "Mengke, you're joking, right? I know how strong you are—why are you being modest in front of me?"

"Ah, I used to think I was strong too, but I overestimated myself; I lost to reality, and I'm preparing to sell my studio—I'll sign the contract in a couple of days."

"What? You… you're serious?" Xiao Jingrou couldn't believe what she heard and hurriedly asked for the reason.

Xie Mengke had also been feeling quite depressed lately; coincidentally, Xiao Jingrou, who understands her, asked, and she poured out all her grievances.

"Ah, Jingrou sis, I was too naive before—I thought that with design talent and enough passion, I could overcome any difficulty and succeed, but I realized I was wrong."

"Having just those isn't enough; you also need sufficient financial backing and a strong patron—otherwise, success is extremely hard to achieve." Xie Mengke sighed helplessly.

Those words left a deep impression on Xiao Jingrou.

Someone as capable as Xie Mengke was actually defeated by reality.

That's just how reality is—survival of the fittest; thus, for people at the bottom of society to change their fate is a very difficult thing.

While sighing to herself, she suddenly had an idea and hurriedly asked: "Mengke, you said you're going to sell your studio, and you're signing the contract in a couple of days?"

"Yeah, I can't keep going—I have to sell it; otherwise, if I continue, I'll run out of money to cover losses, and if I end up in debt, turning my life around will be nearly impossible." Xie Mengke said helplessly.

"Then Mengke, sell your studio to me." Xiao Jingrou said seriously.

"Huh? Sell it to you?" Xie Mengke exclaimed in disbelief: "Jingrou sis, you're not joking, are you?"

Knowing Xiao Jingrou's situation, she thought: Could it be that after a year apart, Xiao Jingrou has become successful? Actually suggesting that Xie Mengke sell her studio to her?

Although her studio is failing, its foundation remains solid—it's worth at least a few hundred thousand, not something just anyone can buy.

"Jingrou, to be honest, although I can't keep the studio going, I still have the ability; with enough financial backing, I could give it a shot—but…" Jingrou, do you have that much money to buy it? Even if you bought it, do you have Cui support funds?"

"Jingrou, we're like sisters—I can't drag you into this; the entrepreneurial path isn't easy to walk. I've already talked with a company; they have enough money and a strong patron. If I give it to them, I won't lose so badly, and the studio can continue to do well under their hands." Xie Mengke said this with regret and reluctance.

"Mengke, I understand what you mean—don't worry so much; just sell it to me, you name the price." Xiao Jingrou continued seriously: "Besides, I'd like to invite you to join my team; you can decide the compensation, or I can give you shares."

Xie Mengke understood that Xiao Jingrou wasn't joking; at that moment she was so surprised she couldn't speak.

Doesn't that mean I've brought in a partner?

Although the studio is no longer solely hers, it's still better than selling it off or continuing to operate and ending in a miserable failure, right?

Ten minutes after ending the call with Xiao Jingrou, Xie Mengke still hadn't recovered from the shock.

Ten minutes earlier, she and Xiao Jingrou had agreed to meet at a coffee shop shortly to discuss the details of purchasing her fashion design studio.

Just then, Xiao Jingrou's message came again, telling her the coffee shop's location had been set.

"She, she's really serious!" At this point she had completely believed that Xiao Jingrou intended to buy her studio.

But where does Xiao Jingrou get such confidence?

Xiao Jingrou's background, she knew: three siblings depending on each other, poor economic conditions—thus, whenever Xiao Jingrou does something, she always weighs the pros and cons, afraid of making a mistake she couldn't bear the consequences of.

She had often regretted this in private, sighing that if Xiao Jingrou's family circumstances were a bit better, Xiao Jingrou would surely be someone of great accomplishment.

"Could it be…?" Xiao Jingrou had landed a wealthy patron?

Back in school, they used to joke that a woman can change her fate twice in life: once by birth, which isn't up to her, and once by marriage.

Xiao Jingrou was famous as a great beauty—could she have married a wealthy tycoon?

Otherwise, Xie Mengke didn't think much of it; she knew what kind of person Xiao Jingrou was—if she wanted to change her fate by other means, she would have done so long ago.

"No more guessing—what's going on will be clear when I see her." She let out a long breath, preparing to go out and meet Xiao Jingrou.

When she arrived at the hall, she glanced at this hall of about a hundred square meters; at that moment, everyone was sitting at their own computers, all with worried frowns.