The production efficiency is high, and a semi-finished product was produced in just five days.
Su Lingzhi arranged a fitting appointment with Fu Yinli for Friday afternoon.
The person greeting her at the door was still Housekeeper Zhao, "Miss Su, you don't look well."
This week has been busy with both work and studies, almost always working overtime and staying up late. It's no wonder she looks unwell, her head feels a bit dizzy but it's manageable.
"I've just been a bit busy lately, maybe I haven't rested well," Su Lingzhi replied.
"There's been a lot of rainy weather recently, you should still take care of yourself and be careful not to catch a cold."
"Alright, thank you for your concern."
At that moment, Fu Yinli was sitting in a single sofa chair, holding a newspaper, deeply engrossed in reading.
Upon hearing a sound, he slightly raised his eyes to meet those amber ones, "You're here."
Su Lingzhi took the clothes out of the bag, "Mr. Fu, here's the semi-finished suit, please try it on first."
Fu Yinli fixed his gaze directly on her complexion, then took the clothes discreetly to try them on.
Su Lingzhi watched as he walked step by step towards her, her gaze focused on him.
Then, she walked over and carefully adjusted his attire, personally fastening the button that had loosened at the top.
Realizing how ambiguous this action was, she quickly withdrew her hand, moving from the front to behind him, and then helped him put on the suit jacket, checking for any areas that might need alterations.
In fact, his physique was excellent, and the size fitted him perfectly.
The only place that needed adjustment was the waistline of the suit jacket, which shouldn't be taken in so tightly.
As she pondered this, from the corner of her eye she saw a pair of hands reaching out towards her, causing her to instinctively step back.
Immediately after that, the sound of porcelain shattering echoed throughout the living room.
Su Lingzhi stared blankly at the lotus-and-vine blue and white vase she accidentally broke, her eyes frantic as she looked toward the man, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Fu Yinli reassured her, "It's okay."
Next, with a glance, he signaled to the housekeeper and maid, who promptly started clearing the shattered debris quietly.
Feeling uneasy, Su Lingzhi asked, "How much is this porcelain worth? I'll compensate you."
Fu Yinli's voice remained steady, "It's not worth much."
Upon hearing this, both the housekeeper and maid paused their actions in surprise, then hurriedly sped up the cleanup and left the scene quickly.
Fu Yinli's expression remained unchanged as he stared at her pale complexion, raising his hand to her forehead to check her temperature.
Su Lingzhi's long lashes gently trembled as she looked up to meet those deep eyes.
The touch felt like an electrical current, tracing her body's pathway, reaching her heart, tightly encircling it.
"You've got a bit of a fever, have you taken any medicine?" His tone carried concern.
Su Lingzhi's heart thudded a little heavily.
In a week of busyness, she gradually forgot about this man, but now facing him again, he reignited her addiction, penetrating her memory's deepest corners like a sickness, causing her instinctively to want to distance herself from this person.
Su Lingzhi lowered her head, taking a small step back, calmly saying, "Mr. Fu, please change out of the clothes for now; I'll go back and redo the draft."
After changing out of the clothing, Su Lingzhi took her leave with the clothes.
Yet Fu Yinli suddenly called to her, "Didn't you mention wanting to compensate just now?"
Su Lingzhi looked at that proud and noble face, waiting for him to speak.
"Compensate you to me."
As soon as he said that, the string in her heart was suddenly plucked hard, triggering a series of physiological reactions that made her mind go blank.
As her reason returned, Su Lingzhi looked at him coolly, "Am I that worthless?"
...
As night fell, the air was infused with a light floral scent, wall lights reflected on the tabletop, and the clock ticked in echo.
In the quiet room, Su Lingzhi hugged a pumpkin pillow sitting on the sofa, still feeling a heavy weight in her heart, as if bound by a fine net, making it hard to breathe.
Finally, she found Fu Yinli's WeChat and asked: [How much for the porcelain I broke? I'll transfer the money to you]
Throughout the prolonged wait, she never received his response.
The doorbell rang, and Su Lingzhi got up, walked over, and through the peephole took a glance outside before opening the door.
"Surprise~"
Su Lingzhi was startled for a moment, looking dazed at Zhuang Xiaoxi who appeared in front of her.
"Xiaoxi, why did you come over?"
Zhuang Xiaoxi raised the thermal box in her hand, walking inside she said, "My mom made a pot of soup all afternoon, brought it over to nourish you. Have you had dinner yet?"
"I've eaten."
After Su Lingzhi shut the door, she sat cross-legged on the carpet, opening the thermal box, and steaming hot air along with a rich aroma of chicken soup wafted out.
"Smells so nice."
Zhuang Xiaoxi cautioned, "Careful, it's still hot; don't burn yourself."
Su Lingzhi said to her, "Please thank Aunt for me, for always thinking of me. And thank you for coming such a long way to bring the soup."
Zhuang Xiaoxi's family had settled in England, and in the two years since Su Lingzhi had been studying abroad there, they'd often come by to check on her and bring items to supplement her nutrition.
Zhuang Xiaoxi said, "No need for pleasantries; what's your plan for tomorrow? I'll take you out for a walk."
Su Lingzhi struggled, "Sorry, Xiaoxi, I've been really busy lately. I haven't finished my tasks; next week is my thesis defense, and I still need to prepare the required materials."
Zhuang Xiaoxi's expression sank; helplessly she said, "Nevermind, it's not the first time you've refused me; I'm already used to it."
Then she couldn't help but complain, "A proper heiress of the Su family, going to be a workhorse for Lyrae; I find it stifling just watching. You've overdone yourself with the hard work."
Su Lingzhi drank her soup without speaking.
Seeing she didn't look well, Zhuang Xiaoxi asked with concern, "You don't look good, are you feeling unwell?"
"It's nothing, just a low fever, I've already taken medicine."
Zhuang Xiaoxi couldn't help but frown, "You're really worrying; I'll stay tonight to take care of you."
"No need."
"Why? Are you afraid I'll cause trouble?"
Su Lingzhi shook her head, "It's just a minor illness, I don't need anyone to take care of me right now."
After a moment's silence, Zhuang Xiaoxi insistently said, "Anyway, whether you welcome me or not, I'll be staying here over the weekend."
Su Lingzhi eventually acquiesced.
After finishing the soup, Su Lingzhi went into the bedroom.
Zhuang Xiaoxi casually glanced at a scrap left on the sofa, picked it up and examined it closely.
A piece of black fabric, with a pattern embroidered in golden thread, the end on the right resembling a heartbeat wave sign, and a dot below.
However, this pattern looked like... a signature.
When Su Lingzhi came out, she asked: "Zhizhi, is this your name embroidered on it?"
"Hmm."
"It looks so nice," Zhuang Xiaoxi praised, "Our Zhizhi truly is exceptional, not only ballet dancing beautifully but also having a strong hold on fashion and art."
"Stop flattering me," Su Lingzhi handed her sleepwear to her, "Go shower first."
"Alright."
Once she entered the bathroom, Su Lingzhi sat back on the sofa, staring at the embroidery lost in thought, then couldn't help but pick up her phone and glance at it.
So much time had passed, yet he still hadn't responded to her message.
What exactly did he mean by those words...
...