Qiao Xi was a little confused.
She had no idea what was going on in front of her.
In her memory, Ji Yunxiao was just an uneducated troublemaker, and now Eilene was suddenly telling her that Ji Yunxiao was really good at fashion design and alterations.
How was she supposed to believe that?
“And besides, Ji Yunxiao has no sense of style,” Qiao Xi tried to make one last argument.
But Eilene immediately snapped, “You can question my taste, but you can’t question Xiao Xiao’s.”
Qiao Xi quickly said, “How could I ever question you?” Eilene was famous, internationally renowned, one of the most influential stylists in the fashion world.
Her resume was impressive, her achievements remarkable, and she’d recently made two top models famous with her incredible styling.
The industry had nothing but praise for her, saying she had hands that could turn the ordinary into magic.
Qiao Xi was even more confused.
She couldn’t figure out why someone as outstanding as Eilene would go out of her way to defend Ji Yunxiao.
Wasn’t Ji Yunxiao just a malicious airhead? Was her understanding of Ji Yunxiao all wrong?
As Eilene started to get angry, Ji Yunxiao tried to calm her down, but this time Qiao Xi didn’t understand what she was saying.
Because Ji Yunxiao was speaking another language.
Qiao Xi was completely lost, so she pulled Eilene’s assistant over and asked, “What are they talking about?”
The assistant translated for her, “Still talking about your dress alterations.”
Qiao Xi remembered Eilene grew up in Italy, so she guessed, “Are they speaking Italian?”
The assistant nodded, “Yeah.”
Qiao Xi couldn’t believe it, “Ji Yunxiao can speak Italian?”
The assistant kept nodding, “Of course, Miss Ji’s Italian is fluent, standard, and really pleasant to listen to.”
Qiao Xi felt like the world was upside down.
She questioned, “Does Ji Yunxiao really have a talent for languages? You know she didn’t even pass CET-4 in English…”
Now even the assistant looked annoyed.
She pouted, “Miss Ji’s English is actually really good.
Why do you always want to put her down?”
Qiao Xi felt bitter inside, “I’m putting her down?”
Qiao Xi was in the middle of an existential crisis when she suddenly heard Ji Yunxiao call her.
“Qiao Xi, come here for a second.”
Qiao Xi walked over, not very willingly.
Eilene had already had someone bring out that high-end, solid-colored gift box.
When it was opened, an elegant princess dress lay quietly inside.
Qiao Xi picked it up to look at it, her eyes full of delight.
“This is gorgeous! What needs to be changed? I think it’s already perfect.”
“This dress really is flawless,” Ji Yunxiao said, then calmly reminded her, “But don’t forget, Cheng Zhiyi is wearing the same one today.”
Eilene added from the side, “Same color, same style as yours.”
Qiao Xi’s face changed instantly.
She did have a grudge with Cheng Zhiyi, and Cheng Zhiyi was a celebrity after all.
To be fair, that woman’s figure was much better than hers.
If they really showed up in the same dress, she’d be the one embarrassed.
Just thinking about it made Qiao Xi feel like she couldn’t breathe.
“Maybe I should just wear something else?” Qiao Xi asked.
“There’s nothing else that suits you better right now,” Ji Yunxiao coaxed.
“Besides, don’t you want to outshine Cheng Zhiyi head-on? With this same dress, just a few tweaks to the details, and you’ll completely outdo her.”
Ji Yunxiao smiled, “Are you sure you don’t want to try?”
Qiao Xi’s heart started to race, “Of course I want to, but can it really work? Cheng Zhiyi is taller than me…”
Eilene snorted, “So in the end, you still don’t trust Xiao Xiao.”
Eilene spoke up for Ji Yunxiao, “If you ask me, Xiao Xiao, you shouldn’t bother with her.”
Ji Yunxiao shook her head, her voice a little sweet, “Qiao Xi is my wife’s good friend, and anything related to my wife, I can’t ignore.”
Qiao Xi: “…”
Fine.
Even though she still didn’t really trust Ji Yunxiao, Eilene had already made her position clear, so Qiao Xi had to give her some respect.
There were only a few hours left before the banquet.
Time was tight, but Ji Yunxiao was still calm and unhurried.
She held the dress up to Qiao Xi, then decisively took out the lining from the back of the dress.
Qiao Xi couldn’t help but say, “Is this really okay?”
But before she could finish, she got a sharp look from Eilene.
Qiao Xi had to shut up.
But honestly, even now, she was still skeptical of Ji Yunxiao.
But soon, Ji Yunxiao’s actions would prove her wrong.
The original dress was beautiful, but too conservative.
Ji Yunxiao skillfully turned the fully covered back into a cutout design, then changed the skirt to be shorter in the front and longer in the back, breaking up the stiff symmetry and layering the pleats in a romantic, delicate way.
A proper princess dress, after all her adjustments, became alluring and seductive, perfectly blending innocence and desire, tempting without being obvious.
And under the sheer fabric at the back of the skirt, a few flowers were hidden, their colors beautifully blended into the dress as a whole—flowers Ji Yunxiao had just painted with dye.
Qiao Xi was amazed to find that Ji Yunxiao’s painting skills were also incredible, every stroke showing her mastery.
Eilene personally designed the hairstyle, and when it came time for makeup, Eilene excitedly asked Ji Yunxiao if she wanted to give it a try.
Qiao Xi had already seen what Ji Yunxiao could do, so she didn’t question it anymore.
But when Ji Yunxiao bent down, lifted her chin, and started applying makeup seriously, Qiao Xi couldn’t help but get nervous.
For the first time, she realized that Ji Yunxiao’s beauty was actually so aggressive.
Qiao Xi was a little dazed, unconsciously fidgeting a bit, and then her chin was pinched tight.
Ji Yunxiao’s face was expressionless, her voice a little impatient, “Don’t move.”
Qiao Xi held her breath.
Can someone please tell her why this Ji Yunxiao in front of her suddenly had a completely different, indescribable kind of charm? What was going on?
Qiao Xi was about to lose it, screaming at herself in her head: Get a grip! This is Ji Yunxiao! This is your good friend Lin Qianwei’s wife!
Ji Yunxiao clicked her tongue, let go, and asked, “Are you okay, Qiao Xi?”
Qiao Xi: “I, I, I…”
“It’s just makeup, no need to be so nervous,” Ji Yunxiao said, a little speechless.
“Besides, you’re acting like I’m cheating on Qianqian or something.”
Qiao Xi didn’t react, “Who’s Qianqian?”
Ji Yunxiao said, “My wife, Lin Qianwei.”
Qiao Xi was confused, “You call her Qianqian? But we all call her Weiwei.”
Ji Yunxiao raised her eyebrows, “Ah, Qianqian is a pet name, just for me.”
Qiao Xi: “…”
Because of this conversation, Qiao Xi completely calmed down.
After her makeup was done, Qiao Xi stood up and looked at herself in the mirror, almost not recognizing herself.
The effect was just stunning.
Once she put on the altered dress, all her little flaws were perfectly hidden, while her strengths were highlighted to the max.
And the makeup matched her dress perfectly.
Qiao Xi was very satisfied, so she happily took a bunch of photos and sent them to Lin Qianwei.
Now she had to admit, this Ji Yunxiao really was nothing like before.
She couldn’t help but tease, “Hey, Ji Yunxiao, did you get possessed or something?”
Ji Yunxiao admitted openly and straightforwardly, “Yeah, I really did get possessed.”
But seeing her like this, Qiao Xi actually didn’t believe it.
Even if it was true, if something like that happened, you’d definitely keep it hidden so outsiders wouldn’t find out, right? Besides, where would you find possession in real life! That’s just something that happens in novels, anime, and TV dramas.
Right before getting in the car, Qiao Xi seriously thanked Ji Yunxiao again.
She hadn’t forgotten what Ji Yunxiao wanted her help with, so she asked, “What exactly do you want me to help with?”
Ji Yunxiao smiled, “No rush.”
No rush? It was already getting late, and Qiao Xi’s gaze slid from Ji Yunxiao’s stunning face down to the bit of waist she was showing, and she felt like it was blindingly white.
Qiao Xi didn’t dare look anymore, quickly pulled out her phone, and confessed to Lin Qianwei: [Weiwei, I was wrong, I almost got seduced by Ji Yunxiao today.]
[Good thing I remembered at the last minute that she’s your wife, and I’m totally straight.]
Lin Qianwei sent three dots.
Qiao Xi kept typing, but before she was even halfway done, Lin Qianwei called her.
From her tone, she didn’t sound very happy.
Lin Qianwei asked, “What exactly happened?”
There was still some time before the banquet, the driver was driving up front, and Qiao Xi sat in the back and gave her a quick rundown of what happened.
“I got it.” Lin Qianwei’s voice was a bit muffled.
The car was almost at the destination, so Qiao Xi hung up.
With her look today, she was the center of attention at the banquet, even Cheng Zhiyi, who usually didn’t get along with her, came over to make peace and said, “You look prettier than me today.”
Qiao Xi felt great and smiled openly at Cheng Zhiyi, “Glad you know it.”
Cheng Zhiyi looked at her deeply and smiled.
But Qiao Xi didn’t see it.
Because she didn’t have her phone, Qiao Xi also didn’t see the messages Lin Qianwei sent her.
When the banquet was over and she picked up her phone, she realized Lin Qianwei had sent her a bunch of messages, which was rare.
[Xixi, I want to talk to you, are you there?]
[Not there?]
[The banquet isn’t over yet?]
[When does it end?]
[Reply when you see this.]
[Is it over?]
Lin Qianwei never acted like this before, and Qiao Xi was startled, quickly calling her back.
“Weiwei?”
“Yeah.”
Qiao Xi asked worriedly, “Why do you sound off? And what did you want to tell me?”
Lin Qianwei: “I just wanted to say…”
Qiao Xi: “Go ahead.”
Lin Qianwei was silent for a while, then said, “Forget it.”
Qiao Xi was left hanging, “No way, babe, you have to say it.”
Lin Qianwei paused, but finally spoke in a hoarse, downcast voice, “Xixi, can you… not like Ji Yunxiao?”
Qiao Xi couldn’t help but laugh, “I won’t like her, how could I like your wife? I’m not that kind of person, and I’m really straight.
Sure, I was a little tempted by Ji Yunxiao for a second, but that was just appreciating something beautiful.
You know me, I get moved even when I see a pretty dog on the street.”
Lin Qianwei said quietly, “But Ji Yunxiao isn’t a dog.”
“Okay, okay,” Qiao Xi laughed, “Ji Yunxiao is your wife.
Honestly, I didn’t get it before, but if it’s this Ji Yunxiao today, then it’s totally normal for you to like her…”
Lin Qianwei hurriedly cut her off, “I don’t like her.”
Lin Qianwei retorted righteously, “I really don’t like Ji Yunxiao.”
“Alright, alright,” Qiao Xi remembered what happened at the studio and added, “But Weiwei, this Ji Yunxiao now really is pretty attractive.
You know Eilene, right? That master-level stylist who did your styling before? She was totally fangirling over Ji Yunxiao today, I just don’t get it.”
Lin Qianwei’s voice turned cold, “What happened with her and Eilene? Tell me in detail.”
The next morning, Ji Yunxiao went for her usual run, but when she came back, she saw a familiar figure downstairs.
“President Lin?”
Lin Qianwei turned around, pursed her lips, her face cold, but with a hint of barely noticeable grievance.
Ji Yunxiao quickly wiped the sweat from her face and ran over to ask, “Why are you here? Did you come to see me?”
Lin Qianwei glared at her, not admitting it, “Don’t flatter yourself, I was just passing by.”
Ji Yunxiao smiled indulgently, bending down a little, “Then why would President Lin be passing by here?”
Lin Qianwei said coldly, “Taking a walk.”
Ji Yunxiao couldn’t help but laugh, “You walked twelve miles and just happened to end up in our neighborhood? What are the odds?”
Exposed, Lin Qianwei got angry out of embarrassment and turned to leave, but Ji Yunxiao quickly grabbed her wrist, her voice low and soft, “Don’t go, let me look at you a little longer.”
