Chapter 8 — Turns Out You Were Always Waiting

The atmosphere between them was one of effortless harmony. I could not hear the words they exchanged, but the woman smiled brightly and gave Gu Shi Ye a light, affectionate pat on the shoulder. No wonder he had always politely declined my advances. It turned out there was already someone else pursuing him, someone so perfectly matched to his world. A heavy, quiet wave of disappointment settled deep within my chest. Yet, it made complete sense. Even back in our high school days, I knew well that many girls harbored secret crushes on Gu Shi Ye. Now, years later, he had grown into a man of striking elegance and considerable wealth; surely, the number of admirers trailing after him had only multiplied. Unwilling to linger and watch any longer, I turned on my heel and walked away.

Ten minutes later, my phone chimed persistently in my hand. It was Gu Shi Ye. The moment I answered, his voice came through, thick with unexpected urgency.

Where are you?

I blinked, thoroughly bewildered.

I am almost back at the company.

My assistant mentioned that you came by the office just now to see me?

Ah, yes, I did. But seeing that you were occupied with someone, I did not want to intrude, so I left.

Silence stretched from the other end of the line for a heartbeat. Then, his voice dropped, turning sharp and anxious.

Were you planning to just give up like that?

Because you saw a woman in my office, your imagination started running wild again.

Qin Jian Wei, you promised to take this seriously, that you would not quit halfway through.

How can you break your word so casually? Where is your sense of contractual obligation?

I stood there, completely dumbfounded by his accusations.

I... I did nothing of the sort...

And indeed, I hadn’t! I confessed to myself that seeing a woman visibly superior to me standing by his side had briefly stung. But I was hardly petty enough to turn every attractive female stranger into a romantic rival. The truth was, the moment I laid eyes on her, a brilliant spark of inspiration had struck me, unlocking a far superior design concept. I had rushed back to the studio purely to execute that vision. Unconvinced, he hurried to clarify the misunderstanding.

She is Si Wen Fei, the ultimate muse of Song Qi Zhu, and a remarkably accomplished actress.

She happened to see some of your design drafts when she came to discuss business with me earlier, and she fell in love with your style.

She specifically asked to meet you, hoping to discuss the possibility of you crafting a custom red-carpet gown for her, which is why I arranged for her to come by.

My heart skipped a beat, leaping straight into my throat.

You mean me?

I have time! I always have time!

At first, I had assumed Si Wen Fei was merely another celebrity hungry for the flashbulbs and transient glamour of the red carpet. But as we sat and talked, I discovered she possessed a profound and discerning perspective on fashion. Many of her aesthetic visions echoed my own. What began as a simple afternoon tea stretched effortlessly into a conversation that spanned seven full hours. By the time we parted ways, Si Wen Fei looked at me intently and posed a question that changed everything.

Have you ever considered becoming an independent designer?

The pieces you are currently creating for others are exquisite, but they ultimately cage your imagination.

Why not establish your own studio and build a brand entirely your own?

Such a venture was the ultimate, unspoken dream of every designer. Yet, the harsh reality remained: I lacked the capital, and I lacked the connections. Surviving independently in this ruthless industry felt harder than scaling the heavens.

What are you afraid of? Old Gu has the money, and I have the connections.

I cannot guarantee much else, but the moment your studio opens, my agency can sign a partnership agreement with you immediately.

Over the years, I had lived frugally, managing to squirrel away a modest savings account. As it turned out, it was just enough to serve as seed capital. Furthermore, while working under Tan Yu had been a wonderful experience, my room for professional ascent there had indeed reached a plateau. On the ride back, Gu Shi Ye turned his gaze toward me.

What are your thoughts on this?

I am deeply tempted. But if I do this, I am afraid I will be entirely consumed by work, leaving me no time to continue pursuing you.

To my utter astonishment, Gu Shi Ye froze at my words. Then, slowly, the corners of his lips curved upward into a genuine, soft smile.

I never imagined I would actually factor into your career decisions.

Naturally. After all, I did promise that I would pursue you with all my heart.

If that is the only consequence, then I am entirely fine with it.

I turned my head to look at him. Gu Shi Ye pressed his lips together, his eyes warm.

Rest assured. As a mature person being pursued, while my pursuer is busy conquering her dreams, I will simply focus on conquering myself.

Preparing to launch an independent studio was by no means a simple endeavor. In the days that followed, I was swept up in a whirlwind of responsibilities, busy to the point of dizziness. To show his full support, Tan Yu willingly renegotiated our employment contract into a formal business partnership. The upcoming designs for the Gu Shi Ye project would still remain under my direct supervision, but the promotional phase would proudly feature my personal studio’s name in a joint credit. This gesture did not merely secure my livelihood; it gifted me invaluable exposure. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I looked at him.

Senior brother...

Stop right there. I am not doing this for your sake.

Tan Yu preemptively cut off my sentimentality.

It is entirely because you are pursuing Gu Shi Ye, and I am merely seizing the opportunity to curry favor with him, securing a smoother path for our future collaborations.

Besides, I know your capabilities all too well. Your studio is bound to succeed. When you have resources in the future, you can throw a few my way. By sharing a joint name on a credit, I am standing to gain far more than I lose.

I was left speechless. Did the man truly have to be so brutally practical?