Chapter 180: Truly a strong woman

Xiao Jingrou smiled and replied: "No way, no way, how could that be?"

Afterwards, Xie Mengke's staff, being tactful, moved to a spot farther away, leaving space for Xie Mengke and Xiao Jingrou.

"Jingrou sis, we haven't seen each other for two years, right? I think you're even prettier than before, and you also have a special aura." Xie Mengke meant this seriously, with no flattery at all.

Since Xiao Jingrou reunited with Xiao Ming, her life, her confidence, her aura—everything has been changing rapidly; now she is truly a strong woman.

"You're exaggerating, there's no such thing; on the contrary, you, being a fashion designer, are becoming more and more refined." The two girls, upon seeing each other, were overjoyed.

They used to be like-minded close friends; now that they've met, they are naturally overjoyed.

While Xiao Jingrou was happy, she also felt puzzled, not knowing why she always sensed that the staff Xie Mengke brought were gloomy, as if each carried worries; the heavy atmosphere made her somewhat uncomfortable.

When Xie Mengke's staff saw Xiao Jingrou, they were instantly drawn to her unique aura; this woman was too beautiful, and very refined, making people unable to help but glance at her a second time.

After leaving space for Xie Mengke and Xiao Jingrou, the staff went to a farther spot, sat down, and gathered together to whisper.

"Everyone thinks, will Xie Mengke's senior schoolmate take over our studio?"

"Who knows? Xiang Nai'er's background is huge, and Xie Mengke is genuinely preparing to tell everything; I think the chance of her taking over is low, unless she has a screw loose, or her background is also big enough."

"Both possibilities are not likely."

Everyone looking at Xie Mengke's senior schoolmate sees she seems formidable; the first possibility can basically be ruled out, the chance of her taking over impulsively is not impossible, but very low.

As for the second possibility, with Xiang Nai'er's background so huge, the chance of it being even greater or comparable is extremely low.

Xiao Jingrou observed the staff's reactions and faintly understood something.

"Mengke, they seem unhappy; is it related to your studio? Are you facing difficulties?"

Xie Mengke sighed: "Ah, this is a long story; come, sit down and have some coffee, I'll tell you slowly."

Xie Mengke originally had no intention to hide anything; seeing how concerned everyone was, she brought the staff along.

"Jingrou, before I tell you my situation, I need to confirm: you said you want to buy my studio—are you serious?" Xie Mengke asked seriously.

If she were serious, she naturally couldn't hide it; if not, she wouldn't want to let Xiao Jingrou see her embarrassment.

"Naturally I'm serious." Xiao Jingrou nodded firmly: "This is my dream; you're the one who understands me best."

"Your passion for this field, how could I doubt it?" Xie Mengke nodded, hesitated a moment, then continued: "Jingrou, although we're close sisters, business is business; the price I negotiated with my former company is eight million."

"Hmm, I understand, Mengke; you don't need to worry about the money for me—I have it." Xiao Jingrou nodded.

She appeared calm.

"Eh, Jingrou, what's this situation? I said don't mind; I know your previous circumstances… how could you have that much money to buy my studio?" Xie Mengke was purely curious, but also worried she might accidentally touch Xiao Jingrou's sore spot, so she spoke cautiously.

"Yes, I didn't have it before, but now I do, because I've found the most important man in my life." Xiao Jingrou said with a beaming face.

Seeing Xiao Jingrou's blissful face, Xie Mengke assumed she guessed right and exclaimed: "Good heavens, Jingrou, you… you really married into a wealthy family? Look at your happy expression—your husband must be wonderful to you."

"I said before that a kind girl like you is destined for a happy life."

"I am indeed happy, but not by marrying into a wealthy family; I found my father, and everything I have comes from him."

"You… your father?" Xie Mengke was shocked; Xiao Jingrou is an orphan, which she knew, but she never expected that after years apart, Xiao Jingrou had actually found her father.

"Exactly!" Afterwards, Xiao Jingrou told Xie Mengke the whole story of how she reunited with Xiao Ming.

"Goodness, Jingrou sis, I'm truly happy for you—you now have a father who loves you!" Xie Mengke rejoiced from the heart for Xiao Jingrou.

"Exactly, so Mengke, you don't need to worry about money!" Xiao Jingrou said with a smile: "My dad knows I want to start a business; he gave me enough startup funds, and if it's not enough, I'll just ask him for more!"

"Mengke, before, when we participated in activities together, we were so in sync; therefore, this time we'll surely be just like before—I'll buy your studio, you stay and we'll work hard together, okay?"

"Jingrou sis, since you've put it that way, I'll be frank: the reason I have to sell my studio is that I offended a big shot, and they're maliciously suppressing me—I have no choice but to sell!"

"A big shot? What big shot?" Xiao Jingrou asked, puzzled.

"I once entered a competition…" After Xie Mengke explained to Xiao Jingrou how she offended those companies, she smiled wryly: "Besides that, among those companies, the most formidable one, Xiang Nai'er, is something my tiny studio can't withstand."

"There's no way; I can only sell the studio, otherwise if this continues I'll likely lose everything and be ruined."

Upon hearing how the other side was throwing their weight around, Xiao Jingrou flared up: "How can there be such shameless people? If they can't win openly, they resort to underhanded tactics—just because their designers aren't as skilled, even if they covet your design ability, this should be consensual; destroying what they can't get is despicable!"

"Ah! Who says it isn't? But who made my strength inferior to theirs?" Xie Mengke smiled bitterly: "He knows they've left me powerless to resist, so he tries this way to make me yield, but they're mistaken."

"Making me yield and work for them as designers would be an insult to my craft; I'd rather leave this industry entirely than ever submit to them!" Xie Mengke's attitude was extremely resolute.