After Transmigrating, I Married the Male Lead’s Sister (GL) - Chapter 44
Li Suimei returned to her room, washed up and didn’t bother with breakfast. She went downstairs and asked the butler to call a car, only to find out that the cars in Qin Bay were in short supply.
Qin Bay usually had three to five drivers, and at least two of them would be on duty at Qin Bay.
However, recently, Grandma Qin was often away from home, so one of the drivers was exclusively used for her, and another was with Qin Yaohua.
Since there couldn’t be no driver at home, one was left on duty, and Qin Zhan had taken a car with him. Another one, hearing that the young master and young miss didn’t often return to Qin Bay, had gone on vacation. Suddenly, the manpower became very tight.
The butler told Li Suimei the situation, “…Miss, that’s the situation.”
Li Suimei was surprised, “…There are actually five drivers in Qin Bay?”
The butler replied apologetically, “Not counting Ms. Qin’s personal drivers… I’ll hire two more immediately, but it will take some time to find someone reliable and trustworthy.”
Li Suimei: “… I understand. I’ll just take a taxi.”
The butler said, “It rained heavily last night, and the mountain roads might be slippery. It’s better to have one of our own drivers who is more experienced.”
Li Suimei: “……”
At the dining table, Qin Qing finished her breakfast, took a tissue to wipe her mouth, and stood up. Li Suimei’s gaze followed her. Qin Qing passed by her, looked at her, closed her eyes slightly, and then smiled gently, “What’s wrong?”
Li Suimei felt uneasy, “…The driver is on leave, can I borrow your car?”
Qin Qing looked at her for a moment, then pressed her lips together and said, “Yes.”
Li Suimei breathed a sigh of relief, “Then wait for me! I’ll be right there!”
The sound of her footsteps faded away. Qin Qing glanced at her watch and asked the butler casually, “Has Miss Li eaten?”
The butler replied, “Not yet.”
“Pack some for her, she can eat it on the road,” Qin Qing said, her back straight as she watched Li Suimei run downstairs as fast as she could.
Qin Qing subconsciously wanted to go up to her and say something like “be careful”, but she swallowed the words back. In the end, she only said in a low voice, “Don’t make so much noise on the floor.”
Li Suimei stared blankly at her, and mumbled a noncommittal “oh,” her head lowered, looking a little lost.
Qin Qing couldn’t say anything else.
Leaving Qin Bay, the car parked outside. Li Suimei sat in the back and saw that Qin Qing had actually opened the passenger seat.
She glanced at her own seat. She was sitting in the legendary “boss’s seat”! Wasn’t that Qin Qing’s seat?
Li Suimei slowly moved her butt to the other side.
Qin Qing: “…….”
When getting out of the car, Li Suimei’s mood was completely different from the depressed atmosphere in the car. She waved goodbye to Qin Qing cheerfully through the car window.
Qin Qing narrowed her eyes and clearly realized once again that Li Suimei didn’t have that kind of romantic feelings for her.
Li Suimei changed cars at the intersection. Mr. Yan’s car picked her up.
The driver asked doubtfully, “Miss?”
Qin Qing rolled up the car window, “Let’s go.”
Mr. Yan lived in a small two-story villa. The row house was not as big as a standalone house, and the environment and conditions were not as good as Qin Bay, but it was closer to the city center, and Li Suimei arrived at her destination in less than 15 minutes.
“Teacher Yan?” Li Suimei called out.
A response came from upstairs. Li Suimei went upstairs and found that the entire upstairs was a large open space, filled with sketches and unfinished clothes, looking like a large studio.
“You’re here?” Mr. Yan emerged from a pile of sketches, “What have you been busy with lately?”
Li Suimei: “I’ve been busy designing an exhibition hall for a zoo.”
Mr. Yan nodded, seemingly satisfied that Li Suimei hadn’t been slacking off, “A craftsman can’t neglect their craft.”
Li Suimei nodded and craned her neck to see what Mr. Yan was doing.
“The Victoria Show was a success, and the investors are planning to hold another commercial competition, with participants mostly being designers who participated in Victoria.”
“The sponsors plan to use an auction format, with the winner being determined by the highest price of the goods sold.”
Li Suimei was stunned, “Do you need me to do anything?”
Mr. Yan nodded, “This competition is still more than a month away. I hope you can participate in the design of this dress yourself.”
Li Suimei: “I have to participate in the competition too?”
Mr. Yan nodded and took out the design draft of the “Moonlight” dress that Li Suimei had worn in Country Y.
While looking at it, Li Suimei listened to Mr. Yan. His assistant also brought her some ice cream.
“……..”
“You go and try it out. If you can have a dress enter the competition, you can pass your graduation design.”
“I understand,” Li Suimei said.
She couldn’t avoid this competition. In the original book, the original character would participate in this competition, and it was also related to Qin Zhan. After the original character and Qin Zhan got married, the Li family received support from the Qin family, their family’s financial situation improved, and they received more invitations to banquets.
The original character had the chance to participate in the fashion show held in Haishi.
“The auction price of the dress after the competition can be used to supplement your dowry,” Mr. Yan said.
Li Suimei smiled and refused, a white cream spot on her lips, “My family has already arranged for it. I know my own work, and I can’t put it out there yet.”
Mr. Yan snorted and pointed to the room next door, “The Moonlight was once displayed there.”
Li Suimei followed his finger and looked over. The door to the open room, and an empty cabinet on the clean white wall inside.
Mr. Yan said, “Someone paid a high price to buy this dress anonymously.”
Li Suimei nodded, feeling a pang of regret. “Moonlight” was indeed the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.
“That dress looked great on you, and it’s hard to find someone else who could wear it as well,” Mr. Yan sighed, “It’s just that the other party offered an incredibly high price.”
Li Suimei casually asked how high, and Mr. Yan gestured with his hand.
Li Suimei: “… I’ll participate in the competition!”
Mr. Yan readily accepted, then arranged the registration procedures for Li Suimei. “You come here twice a week, bring your design drafts and homework. I remember you majored in Chinese painting?”
That was the original character’s major, and Li Suimei didn’t deny it. “I’ve also learned about commercial designs.”
Mr. Yan shook his head, “This kind of competition doesn’t focus much on commerciality anymore. The dresses that are auctioned off are unique, each one is worth a fortune. The capital’s purpose is just to build their own reputation, win the naming rights, and then repackage their own brand. As long as the clothes can be sold, they won’t lose.”
Li Suimei was momentarily caught in a dilemma about whether anyone would buy the clothes she designed.
“Don’t be nervous,” Mr. Yan patted her shoulder.
“I don’t have any inspiration,” Li Suimei said.
Mr. Yan comforted her, “Find a woman and design a stunning dress for her, or when you find someone you like, it will become easier.”
*
*
Leaving Mr. Yan’s place, Li Suimei returned to the Qin Corporation’s building. Li Minglang had been calling her incessantly these past few days, asking her to discuss the office decoration plan. Qin Corporation’s building had a large floor area, and Li Minglang was being extremely frugal after starting his business. He insisted that Li Suimei design it for him to save the cost of a designer.
On her way back, Li Suimei thought about Mr. Yan’s words. Find someone you like, and you’ll naturally want to design clothes for them. But where could she find such a person?
She thought for a long time, and besides the original character’s circle of friends and acquaintances, she hadn’t even had a slightly flirtatious relationship since she transmigrated.
Li Suimei sighed, “…Ah.”
She sighed and quickly cheered up again. Forget it, don’t think about it.
The elevator descended, and Li Suimei went upstairs.
“President Qin…”
Li Suimei bumped into Qin Qing in the elevator. Qin Qing was accompanied by a handsome and gentle-looking boy.
Author’s note: I’ve been busy with team-building activities all day…