Page 102 of He Is My Bride

“Aww, Junjun!” Li Ying chuckled on the line. “Anyway, it’s late, I should probably go to sleep. I know I’ll be thinking about this all day tomorrow.”

“Mm. Likewise. Goodnight, Li Ying. Love you.”

“Love you too! Kisses!”

“Kiss.” Hanjun hung up.

No way he would return to that meeting, he didn’t think he was equipped to look anyone in the eyesfor a while.

Chapter 20: Return To Shanghai

“And the next look is what you will wear to the reunion dinner.” Anne took out a hangar, holding a black qipao in black twill with red trim. The cut was classy with short sleeves and mid-thigh length, but at the back, there was a generous cutout that would show off the back.

“And I’m supposed to eat in that?”

“Why do you always have to have such sassy comments!”

“I mean, look how cinched it is, I can’t eat a single dumpling and still fit into that!”

“It’s made to your measures, and trust me: it will fit. It’s a genuine creation and not a costume, so it’s actually comfortable. Just don’t gorge yourself like usual.”

“What else are you supposed to do at a banquet?”

“Look pretty?”

Li Ying groaned. It was gorgeous though. “Can I try it on?” Li Ying got up and started undressing. They were at the back of Anne’s office, and they had long been past the point where they cared if Li Ying stripped down to his undies.

“That was the idea, so I can finish it.”

Li Ying stared at her. “Youmade this?”

“I’m notjusta stylist. I learned both to design and sew clothes at the fashion institute, although this is design by Huang Xiang.”

“What, really?!” Li Ying tossed off his shirt and went to get his hands on the dress.

“We exchanged a few messages, and as I wanted to have a unique qipao for you for the New Year’s but lacked a design, I asked if he had anything for my client, Li Ying.”

Anne had messaged Huang Xiang.

Huang Xiang had answered.

“Of course, we were working on a tight schedule with Lunar New Year just around the corner, but he had something in his portfolio that he could adjust according to my wishes, and I worked off his design.”

“He got paid for that, right?”

“Of course. Ultimately it’s Sir Hanjun who pays him, because he’s still payingmeto dressyou.”

“That’s amazing! I’m excited to wear something made by my two best friends!” Li Ying may have exaggerated, but it was true that Huang Xiang had been the most interesting person at the party, and he wouldn’t mind getting to know him better.

He tried the qipao on, and Anne scrutinized her work all over, placing a few pins here and there to mark where she had yet to take it in.

“I will get this done well before you leave, don’t worry. But I’m going to want this back, because Huang Xiang and I made a deal that I would present this at a fashion event, along with a few other of his designs that I’m going to make, on his behalf.”

“So is he trying to become a professional designer in New York?”

“Seems like he’s willing to try. Everything is only in its conceptual stage, but he’s got the designs, I’ve got the execution and a budding clientele.”

“I hope you two succeed! I will give your work the best possible debut in Shanghai! And you know, Mrs. Qian is dealing out those small business loans, she could help you get started.”