That is indeed a problem. Chu Mu was stumped by this question for a moment.
"...Isn't there one that's even slightly better?"
Shu Yi'an thought to herself, "How could I dare bring clothes that you think are acceptable when I'm negotiating a contract with someone as shameless and unscrupulous as Brian?!"
After thinking carefully for a while, Chu Mu came up with a solution. "How about this, I'll call Yuan Yuan. Wait for my call."
As a shopper editor for an international fashion magazine, finding a dress shouldn't be a problem for Chu Weiyuan.
As it turned out, Chu Mu was indeed very efficient.
Following the address Chu Weiyuan had sent her, Shu Yi'an finally found the studio named Harperdaff. As soon as she pushed open the door, a blue-eyed man with blond hair, a small braid, and a pink scarf tied at the back greeted her.
"Oh, my dear sister-in-law, you've finally arrived! We've all been waiting here for a long time on the orders of our princess! We cleared the place for you as soon as we got the call, and we're all here to serve you!" After saying that, she didn't forget to nod to the designers behind her with her pinky finger raised.
Shu Yi'an felt her blood rushing to her head, and she was a little dazed. She really couldn't understand how this man, who clearly looked like a Westerner, could speak fluent Mandarin and look so charming.
The words she had prepared beforehand silently swirled in her throat. Shu Yi'an awkwardly scratched her head, tentatively trying to engage the blond man in conversation. "Actually, it doesn't have to be so...formal."
"Oh, that won't do! Who are you! You're the princess's sister-in-law, that's the queen, you have to serve her well. Don't worry, sister, this is Miss Chu's private studio, the dress and everything are ready, we'll start in a few hours." As she spoke, she grabbed Shu Yi'an's arm and pulled her inside.
Shu Yi'an never expected her sister-in-law to have such unique tastes, and so she was led upstairs by the blond guy.
The entire second floor was lined with wardrobes and clothes racks, and some of the items on them surprised even someone as composed as Shu Yi'an.
The blond man clapped his hands with a hint of pride as he looked at the pieces, and explained softly, "These were all designed by her and me, some of them are classic designs that we went to great lengths to acquire."
Looking at his sacred and sincere demeanor, Shu Yi'an suddenly felt a surge of respect for this blond guy, a respect that had initially seemed inexplicable. It was because his eyes were completely focused as he looked at the clothes.
Actually, the blond guy's name is Daff. He was a classmate Chu Weiyuan met while studying in France. After graduation, Chu Weiyuan suddenly had the idea to start a studio, and Daff, who came from a single-parent family in China, simply agreed to start the studio with her. Because he admired foreign genes so much, he had undergone cosmetic surgery to become blond and blue-eyed the year he went abroad. This led Shu Yi'an to mistakenly believe he was a foreigner.
Duff carefully pulled open the curtained wardrobe and took out a black dress, handing it to Shu Yi'an. "This is our most prized piece. The princess specifically asked me to give it to you, saying it would suit you perfectly."
"Thank you." Shu Yi'an took the clothes and politely thanked Duff, then turned to her female assistant and asked, "Where is the fitting room?"
It must be said that this dress, which Chu Weiyuan specifically instructed her to wear, really suits Shu Yi'an.
Looking at herself in the full-length mirror and listening to the applause and praise from the crowd behind her, Shu Yi'an could hardly believe that it was her.
She had never tried such intense, almost obsessive black before, but now, this color was applied in large swaths to her body, echoing her smooth, fair skin and creating an indescribable alluring charm. The V-shaped open back clung tightly to her slender, shapely curves, adding a touch of noble elegance to her already gentle and beautiful features.
This made Duff, who was used to seeing countless beauties behind him, cover his face and exclaim, "It's amazing!! How did a glass of water turn into strong liquor after just one change?!"
Looking at herself in the mirror, a reflection she'd never seen before, Shu Yi'an nervously clutched the hem of her skirt, turned, and pointed to her back. "This... isn't it a bit too revealing?"
"What's the big deal!" Duff ignored her concerns and led her directly to the dressing table. "This is already a small amount, okay?"
Shu Yi'an nodded affirmatively, "Yes, there's too little fabric."
Duff shook his head helplessly, turned around and went to the shoe rack to pick out shoes, seemingly not intending to pay any more attention to her.
The female makeup artist who did her makeup smiled and explained to Shu Yi'an in English, "He meant that you're already showing very little skin."
"…………"
After a series of makeup and styling sessions, it was almost six o'clock when everything was finished. Dafu looked at Shu Yi'an's finished look with immense pride. Her originally shoulder-length, smooth hair was now intricately and neatly styled into a bun at the back of her head, and every part of it was perfect.
“The final step.” Duff raised an eyebrow and pointed to the pair of shoes being held behind him. “Chu Weiyuan has kept them with me for several years, and I’ve never seen her wear them, but they suit you quite well.”
The Jimmy Choo logo gleamed on the crystal-encrusted heels.
When Shu Yi'an had finished everything, Chu Mu was staring blankly out the window, his mind replaying the conversation he had with Chu Weiyuan that afternoon.
Let's rewind to a few hours earlier.
Chu Weiyuan was at the airport immigration gate when she saw the caller ID on her phone, and her eyes widened in horror. Standing beside her, Pang Zexun's handsome, thin lips curled into a mocking smile. "Don't dare answer?"
Pang Zexun was very tall, and Chu Weiyuan was quite petite; she had to tilt her head slightly to meet his thick, dark, and handsome eyes. Almost defiantly, she pressed the green call button, "What wouldn't I dare to do?"
"elder brother?"
“I remember you and Duff had a studio in Germany.”
Chu Weiyuan slowly walked forward with the long queue. "Yeah, you found that location for me. What's wrong?"
Chu Mu succinctly stated the main point: "I have a banquet tonight, but Yi'an didn't bring any clothes to wear."
Both brothers were highly intelligent and could understand each other without any complicated explanations. Chu Weiyuan immediately agreed, "No problem, I guarantee I'll complete the mission."
Chu Mu casually hummed in agreement, intending to hang up. However, hearing the excessive noise in the background, as if sensing something or perhaps knowing all too well, he subconsciously asked, "Where are you?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Weiyuan's hand holding the passport twitched, and she was greatly alarmed. She glanced at Pang Zexun beside her before trying to compose herself and speaking. "Airport."
"And Pang Zexun." Chu Mu said this almost calmly, sitting behind his large desk, his eyes devoid of any warmth. "Chu Weiyuan, you're really bold."
They're incredibly bold to associate with the Pang family.
Chu Weiyuan feared Chu Mu most when he was like this: not in a fit of rage, not in agitation, but in a narration almost devoid of emotion. That represented his greatest helplessness and disappointment.
Hearing her brother's voice on the other end, Chu Weiyuan's eyes instantly reddened, and large tears fell onto the back of her hand.
The airport was bustling with pedestrians, long queues, and bags of luggage. Suddenly, Chu Weiyuan knelt down and hugged herself, her voice choked with sobs. "Brother...but I love him...I want to be with him."
"You can't stop me from loving others just because you're unhappy yourself..."
Chu Weiyuan is good in every way, except that she is too stubborn. Her stubbornness can even hurt others.
Hearing her almost pleading sobs, Chu Mu suddenly closed his eyes, a subtle ache stirring in his heart. However, he couldn't reveal even a trace of these tender emotions; when he spoke again, his voice was as clear and distinct as ever. "Chu Weiyuan, I'll give you time. Think it through."