Chapter 392 - 391: Tailor-made

The fitting didn’t take long. After the female assistant recorded the measurements and had Yun Zijin check them for accuracy, the two of them pulled back the curtain.

Outside the curtain, Xu Su Hua was sitting on the sofa, flipping through a book of design sketches.

Seeing that Yun Zijin’s fitting was finished, she quickly beckoned her over. "Zijin, come here! See if you like any of these designs."

The portfolio in her hands was none other than the one Qiu Baibu had just given her.

When the female assistant saw the portfolio in the matriarch’s hands, a flash of surprise crossed her face. Her cheeks flushed as she remembered what she had just said to Yun Zijin.

’She can pick freely from Master’s own portfolio; why would she ever need to look at designs from a mere apprentice like me?’

Saying nothing more, she silently handed the notepad with the measurements to Qiu Baibu. "Master, these are Miss Yun’s measurements."

Qiu Baibu took the notebook from his assistant, his eyes sweeping over the recorded data. He nodded to himself in approval once more.

’Her proportions are nearly on par with a professional model’s.’

"Keep a copy of this and don’t lose it. From now on, follow up with Miss Yun every two weeks to make sure the clothes we make will fit her perfectly."

With bespoke clothing, the slightest discrepancy can make an outfit uncomfortable to wear. Qiu Baibu had no intention of tarnishing his brand, so following up on a client’s measurements was an absolute necessity.

It was common, for example, for celebrities in the entertainment industry to gain or lose significant weight in a short time for a role.

While Yun Zijin didn’t need to do so for a film, the possibility that her weight might fluctuate significantly in a short time couldn’t be ruled out.

This was part of being responsible to the client, a necessary measure to enhance their reputation and protect their brand.

"Yes, Master."

This was standard procedure for all clients, so the assistant showed no signs of dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, Yun Zijin, who was looking through the portfolio with Xu Su Hua, finally picked out a design she liked from the numerous options.

"This one’s nice."

"Just one? That’s not nearly enough. Pick two more."

...

The voices of Yun Zijin and Xu Su Hua chimed in from time to time, while Qiu Baibu and his two assistants waited patiently to the side without a single word of complaint.

Of course, Qiu Baibu himself had no complaints. As for whether the two assistants—or rather, apprentices—he brought along had any objections, that was anyone’s guess.

In the end, with Xu Su Hua’s encouragement, Yun Zijin selected five complete outfits from the portfolio.

Xu Su Hua picked out a few for herself and, while she was at it, selected several for her daughter-in-law, Huo Yue Lan.

As for the men in the family, they could just go to a department store and buy a couple of suits whenever they had time.

If they weren’t satisfied with that, they could go buy their own clothes.

Qiu Baibu marked the designs the two women had chosen and left with his assistants without lingering.

Since Lu Yunque hadn’t returned, Yun Zijin had dinner at the Lu Family’s Old Mansion with the two elders.

By the time Lu Yunque returned, it was already eight or nine o’clock, and the sky had grown completely dark.

Yun Zijin had been feeling a little resentful, but when she saw the clear exhaustion on Lu Yunque’s face, her annoyance vanished.

"What happened?"

Yun Zijin pulled Lu Yunque outside the living room of the main house to speak privately.

Lu Yunque glanced at Yun Zijin, then stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. "Let me just hold you..."

Lu Yunque didn’t say what had happened, but judging by his behavior, it was definitely something serious.

A flicker of worry crossed Yun Zijin’s face. If Lu Yunque wasn’t talking, she could guess it was probably something he wasn’t at liberty to discuss.

Seeing that Lu Yunque was doing his best to control his emotions, Yun Zijin gently patted his back to comfort him.

"You must have your reasons for not saying anything, but if you ever want to talk, I’ll always be here to listen.

And... if you tell me, maybe I can help you figure something out."

Yun Zijin wasn’t very good at comforting people; she could only say whatever came to mind.

"It’s not that I can’t tell you. Just wait a couple of days. You’ll find out soon enough."

This matter couldn’t be kept secret for long. Lu Yunque was merely cooperating with a temporary confidentiality agreement. Once everything was settled, everyone who needed to know would be informed.

"You’re not in a good state of mind today. Why don’t you get some rest? Zero One and the others can take me home safely."

Seeing the state Lu Yunque was in, Yun Zijin was genuinely worried he might break down on the drive.

"It’s fine. I’ve composed myself. Besides, Mo Bin is driving, so you don’t have to worry about me."

Lu Yunque had called Mo Bin precisely because he knew he wasn’t in any condition to drive.

When he called, Mo Bin had been sound asleep.

However, being used to being on call 24/7, Mo Bin never silenced his phone. It was on his nightstand, right within arm’s reach.

Thus, a single call from Lu Yunque had summoned him from the land of dreams.

"Alright. But if anything’s wrong, you have to tell me right away. I’m going to go say goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma Lu."

Since she was leaving, she naturally had to bid the family elders farewell.

Lu Yunque nodded and took her hand, and together they went to say goodbye to Lu Zhengguo and Xu Su Hua.

When the two elders heard that Yun Zijin was leaving so late, they immediately tried to get her to stay. "It’s so late! Why don’t you just sleep here tonight? You have class tomorrow morning; we can have Little sparrow drive you."

It was rare for Xu Su Hua to grow so fond of someone from the younger generation, and she did her utmost to convince Yun Zijin to stay.

"I can’t. The university is too far from here. To make it in time for class, I’d have to leave extremely early, and I’d never be able to wake up."

Yun Zijin didn’t mention Lu Yunque’s troubles, instead framing it as her own issue.

Since Yun Zijin was insistent, Lu Zhengguo and Xu Su Hua could only relent, instructing Lu Yunque to make absolutely sure he got her home safely.

Only after Lu Yunque had promised repeatedly did the two elders finally let them leave.

Outside the Lu Family’s Old Mansion, Mo Bin and Yun Zijin’s seven bodyguards had been waiting for some time.

Yun Zijin followed Lu Yunque into his Rolls-Royce Phantom.

＊

It was true that Yun Zijin had class the next day, just as she’d told Lu Zhengguo and Xu Su Hua. What she didn’t expect, however, was to find a nearly-unhinged Xia Zhengguang waiting at the university gates.

As if he had a death wish, Xia Zhengguang, who must have been lying in wait, rushed out directly into the path of Yun Zijin’s approaching car.

If it weren’t for Ling Qi’s excellent driving skills and the superior performance of the Randomly Spend van, Xia Zhengguang’s stunt would have sent him flying.

The moment she saw Xia Zhengguang, Yun Zijin’s expression darkened. She stormed out of the van and immediately let him have it.

"Xia Zhengguang! If you don’t want to live, go jump off a building, throw yourself in a river, or swallow a bottle of sleeping pills! Don’t run in front of someone’s car and make them guilty of involuntary manslaughter because of your stupid impulse!"

"That’s right! I don’t want to live anymore! And if I can’t live, I’ll make sure you don’t have it easy either!"

The look Xia Zhengguang gave Yun Zijin was now filled with a deep, seething hatred.

"Don’t tell me you’re trying to get revenge on me just because the Xia family’s company is gone. I wasn’t the one who acquired it from you! Go find whoever did it! What’s the point of coming after me?!"