Chapter 2

My parents named me Ye Nuonuo because they wanted me to stay happy and carefree as a child all my life.

While they were alive, they made that wish come true.

Then they died in an accident, and the Ye Group collapsed with them.

That was when Jiang Chenghuai stepped in.

He didn't call off the marriage arranged between our families after my parents' deaths. Instead, he cherished me as though I were something precious and fragile.

I'd never had to worry about food, clothes, or getting around. As a result, I didn't know how to do anything.

I couldn't even put together a basic slide presentation.

Yan Haili, my supervisor, took one look at my disastrous first draft and tore into me.

I ran back to my desk and cried until Qiao Xue, who sat beside me, couldn't stand it anymore. Scowling, she came over to teach me.

One scolded, the other taught. Between them, they forced me to grow up at astonishing speed.

Now Qiao Xue no longer needed to teach me anything. Sometimes I could even help her.

Haili had stopped scolding me, too. These days she praised my eye for design and my creativity.

If I'd found my feet at work, it was entirely thanks to those two.

Qiao Xue leaned closer, eager for gossip.

“Nuonuo, tell me the truth. Did Mr. Jiang really stop you yesterday just to ask for help choosing Xu Yanshuang's birthday present?”

“Of course. You know how much I know about designer brands!”

She believed me immediately.

We'd once had an exceptionally difficult client in the fashion industry.

The company sent one person after another to discuss a new project. He took one look at them and sent them packing.

His message was blunt.

“If your staff dress like that, what business do you have making fashion ads? You might as well shut the place down.”

Our whole project team was furious. Even Haili, who was usually so composed, looked thunderous.

But there was nothing we could do.

He was a major figure in fashion. Winning his contract would cover our sales target for the entire year.

Everyone on the team had tried and failed. With no other options, Haili sent me.

By then, I'd suffered enough for wearing designer clothes. With Jiang Chenghuai having frozen my card as well, I'd switched to affordable outfits.

I was bracing myself for a tongue-lashing followed by the door when the sharp-tongued client looked me up and down, tilted his head, and said, “You look passable. Come in. We'll talk.”

Bewildered, I followed him into his office.

The moment I showed him our proposal, he started tearing it apart.

The concept was wrong. We didn't understand luxury brands.

He went on until my temper finally boiled over.

Fine, then.

04

I'd been a top-tier client of major fashion houses since childhood. Nobody knew this stuff better than I did.

Besides, I'd followed this project from start to finish. I might not be in charge, but Haili had approved every suggestion I'd made.

Dismissing the project meant dismissing me.

So I argued with him.

We argued about fabrics and tailoring, then design and inspiration. We argued all afternoon.

In the end, I won. Just.

Apparently furious with me, he signed the contract.

Somehow, I'd landed a major account.

When work began, he specifically asked for me.

Afraid he'd complain about my behavior, I trailed timidly behind him.

Then he started criticizing our entire project team.

I couldn't help it. We had another argument.

I won that one, too.

Still furious, he approved the design.

That was how I made my name.

Everyone at the company learned that I had an exceptional instinct for fashion—and could get the better of our most difficult client.

Naturally, Qiao Xue had no doubts about my explanation.

“I knew Xu Yanshuang's little crowd was making things up!” she said indignantly. “After you left last night, Mr. Jiang went right after you. She went home by herself.”

“She came in this morning with red eyes. People asked what was wrong, but she wouldn't say. Just made everyone guess.”

“She shook her head at every suggestion. Then someone mentioned you, and suddenly she stopped shaking it and started crying! Talk about putting a target on your back.”

“Now everyone's whispering that you're coming between her and Mr. Jiang. If you ask me, she's jealous because you're prettier and better at your job!”

I held up my ring and gave her an easy smile.

“It's fine. You know I'm married.”

The wedding ring Jiang Chenghuai had given me was one he'd removed himself on my very first day at work.