RAHHSFL - Chapter 83
Chapter 83
After the midterms, the workload eased considerably. The remaining two courses shifted to a format of essays and practical projects.
Third-year students were required to do internships. Several of Huang Ying’s friends from other departments, wanting to join Qin Juran’s company, asked if she could put in a good word for them. Qin Juran said that all applications had to go through the formal HR process; Ju Nan didn't have room for freeloaders.
The results of their previous advertising campaign were becoming evident. Ju Nan’s performance in brand sponsorship and promotion for a recent fashion event was on par with established companies. Their youthful energy and willingness to be relatable helped them quickly gain traction, and one of their influencers even briefly trended online.
This was a win both for the influencer and the company.
More and more event organizers started contacting Ju Nan. Qin Juran didn't accept every offer. If time allowed, she would first assess the event and the organizers. One event coordinator joked that they had never heard of a vendor vetting a client so thoroughly.
Ruan Nan’s workload was steadily increasing. After the initial language adjustment period, she was now fully participating in class projects and discussions, just like the other students. Every time she video chatted with Qin Juran, she would ask if Qin Juran noticed any changes in her appearance. Qin Juran would scrutinize her for a while, then say no.
Ruan Nan would pout, pulling at the hair on the sides of her forehead. "Look, it’s thinner."
Qin Juran narrowed her eyes, looking closely. "No, it isn't."
"It really is thinner."
"It really isn't."
"It is! Qin Juran, are you even paying attention?" Ruan Nan, wearing a tight nightgown and a bunny ear headband, slapped the bed in mock frustration, her body bouncing slightly on the soft mattress.
A certain prominent part of her body bounced quite noticeably.
Qin Juran’s throat tightened.
Ah, so she was just being cute.
Qin Juran smiled, playing along. "Yes, it is thinner."
"Qin Juran! You're saying I'm going bald! You don't love me anymore! Waaah!"
"..."
Perhaps now she understood the true extent of Ruan Nan's academic pressure.
Qin Juran's smile deepened. She patiently listened to her little darling’s complaints, her eyes lingering on certain parts of Ruan Nan's body, and after the tantrum subsided, after coaxing a sweet "Jiejie" out of her, Qin Juran said, "Ah Ruan, send me your assignments.”
Ruan Nan's eyes lit up. "What for?" she asked, even though she already knew.
Qin Juran glanced at her. "What for? To help my wifey with her homework, of course! After all that fuss, isn't that what you wanted?"
Ruan Nan beamed. "You're the best, Ju Ju!"
"Just saying 'you’re the best' and that's it?"
Ruan Nan propped up her phone, knelt on the bed in a mock "maid" pose, put on a pair of fluffy wristbands she’d somehow acquired, and meowed softly at the camera, extending her hand as if to playfully scratch Qin Juran.
Qin Juran, whose mind had already been wandering in a certain direction, was now even more affected by the teasing, her breathing quickening despite the distance.
Ah, the joys of having a younger, playful wife.
Qin Juran hung up the phone, the image lingering in her mind.
When they were together, Ruan Nan always dressed modestly in her usual pajamas. Now, alone abroad, she was resorting to such tactics to tease her.
Time for a counter-offensive.
President Qin took a cold shower to cool down.
It was already quite hot in S City in June, while the weather in Los Angeles was milder, even cooler on rainy days. Ruan Nan’s photos always seemed to be from a different season.
Zuo Yanzhen knew about Ruan Nan’s exchange program and, unable to send her homemade meals, had carefully chosen a pair of thermal underwear and flesh-colored knee braces for Qin Juran to give to her. They had actually come in handy.
Qin Juran sent Zuo Yanzhen a photo of Ruan Nan wearing the thermal underwear, and Zuo Yanzhen was delighted, praising Ruan Nan for being so sensible, much better than Qin Juran.
Qin Juran didn't argue. Seeing Zuo Yanzhen's gradually softening attitude towards Ruan Nan was incredibly gratifying.
Qin Juran casually mentioned her company to her family, downplaying any difficulties, not wanting them to worry. She only said things were going well.
Her parents didn't understand the intricacies of running a business, but Qin Julai did. Knowing how challenging it was for his sister to start a company while still in university, he vowed to get into a university in S City so he could help her on weekends and during his free time, no matter how hard the work.
Qin Juran, while teasing him that she hadn’t started a rickshaw business, was secretly touched by his support.
In this world, regardless of relationships, age, or gender, there would always be malicious and even hateful people, but there were also those who stood firmly behind you, offering support and a safe haven, no matter how small their contribution.
In July, there was a major fashion event in D City, organized by the same company as before. Qin Juran contacted them. They said they had enjoyed their previous collaboration, but this event was larger in scale, with each participating company responsible for a major segment. Whether Ju Nan was capable of handling such a responsibility remained to be seen.
Qin Juran understood completely. In July, she and Feng Qing attended one of the organizer's fashion shows. Models in high-end designer clothes walked the runway. Several fashion influencers and even a few celebrities were in attendance.
Feng Qing was there to assess the event logistics, not particularly interested in the fashion itself. Qin Juran, however, watched with keen interest.
The clothes on display were generally bright and youthful, not quite Qin Juran's usual CEO style.
After the show, Qin Juran went backstage. The organizers were surprised, asking if she had any feedback. Qin Juran shook her head and pointed to a sweet, pink shirt and skirt ensemble. "Mr. Ji, would you be willing to part with this?"
Fashion show pieces were rarely sold through regular channels. Acquiring them usually required connections or pre-orders from VIP clients. Qin Juran hadn’t bought anything like this before, so her request was unusual.
Mr. Ji paused, then smiled. "Excellent taste, President Qin. That outfit was our designer's original main piece, but we decided to go with another one to maintain exclusivity. I’m surprised you noticed it.”
Qin Juran, seeing his evasiveness, smiled. "It's Mr. Ji and your designer who have impeccable taste. A unique design like this is priceless. I'll owe you a favor, Mr. Ji."
Mr. Ji, realizing Qin Juran wasn’t concerned about the price, only about acquiring the outfit, was even more intrigued. "Although a beautiful woman looks good in anything, that outfit's style doesn't quite match your usual image, President Qin, and the occasions to wear it are limited. Are you sure you don't want to consider other pieces from our collection?"
Qin Juran shook her head. "It's not for me."
"Then...?"
"For my girlfriend," she replied simply.
Leaving the venue, Feng Qing carefully carried the garment bag containing the five-figure outfit, afraid of damaging it, her annual salary flashing before her eyes.
Qin Juran sat in the passenger seat. Feng Qing gently placed the bag on the back seat, wanting to fasten a seatbelt around it but worried about wrinkling the clothes. Seeing her hesitation, Qin Juran turned around. "Is it really that precious?"
"Of course it is! This outfit is worth more than me, President Qin!"
"..."
Feng Qing got into the driver's seat. Qin Juran glanced at her. "Focus on driving. I'm worth more than that outfit.”
Feng Qing quickly nodded and started the car. As they drove, she couldn't help but ask, "President Qin, that outfit is really for Director Ruan, right?"
Qin Juran raised an eyebrow. "Who else would it be for?"
"That's good, that's good," Feng Qing said, relieved.
"..."
"Feng Qing, what are you thinking about all day?"
Feng Qing, after making a turn, said with a slightly worried expression, "President Qin, it's not my fault for overthinking! It's just… that outfit, it's not your style, and it’s definitely not Director Ruan's style either. If she wears it, she might look a little too..."
"Too what?" Qin Juran raised an eyebrow.
Feng Qing hesitated, the word stuck in her throat, unsure whether to say it. Qin Juran, seeing her face turning red, said, "Speak."
"Cute."
"Excessively... cute."
Silence filled the car. Feng Qing gripped the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, fearing Qin Juran would tell her to get out.
After a moment, Qin Juran leaned back in her seat, a smile playing on her lips as she imagined Ruan Nan wearing the outfit with a pair of bunny ears.
"Yes," she said, "that's the idea."
kyaaaaaa
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