She Lost Memory Before the Divorce Chapter 251

Chapter 251: Chapter 0251: Many Troubles Disturb My Heart (1) Chapter 251: Chapter 0251: Many Troubles Disturb My Heart (1) Mu Lan had no choice but to return to her seat, looking at Luo Ning, whose eyes were like reflective pools of autumn water as she stared back, yet without a hint of a smile.

“Miss Luo, please speak.”

Luo Ning reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“It's not a big deal, but if convenient, could you finish the draft by tomorrow?”

Tomorrow? Mu Lan bit her lip, knowing it was a difficult request, but as this was the studio's first business deal and the client was such a high-profile actress, she didn't want to lose the opportunity from any perspective.

After pondering for a moment, Mu Lan gave a definite answer.

“Okay.”

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting her to agree and had thought… but it was good, she wanted to see just how capable she was.

After Mu Lan left, Pei Zhao's expression could no longer hide his true feelings.

“What do you mean by intentionally having her come here?”

Luo Ning looked innocently at Pei Zhao.

“What, feeling pity? Do you like her that much?”

Pei Zhao narrowed his eyes.

“Remember your place, and don't always indulge in fantasies about things you shouldn't.

Whatever is going on between Mu Lan and me is none of your business.”

Luo Ning hadn't expected him to be so blunt, and she dropped her compliant facade.

“You say it's none of my business just like that? Pei Zhao, ever since you allowed me to stay, your affairs have involved me.

Someone else already owns her heart, you should face reality.”

Pei Zhao stopped talking and merely silently maneuvered his wheelchair to turn away, but as he turned his back on Luo Ning, the corners of his mouth curled into a sinister smile.

—–
Upon returning to Maple Forest Garden, Mu Lan locked herself away and began frantically working on the drafts, while Huo Tingxiao was busy with company matters, talking less with her over the past few days.

He had thought this would give Mu Lan some relief, but the side effect was that Tingxiao found himself becoming increasingly irritable.

He simply couldn't maintain peace of mind and found it impossible to keep his emotions neither hot nor cold.

Huo Tingxiao waited in the living room for Mu Lan, intending to have a good conversation after she finished work, but she hadn't emerged even by midnight.

Unable to contain his impatience, Huo Tingxiao got up and went to the studio.

He first gently knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside, which made Tingxiao, on instinct, feel a bit panicky as he pushed the door open.

Engrossed, Mu Lan was working with her brush on paper, her strokes creating rasping sounds. The floor was littered with discarded drafts, and the lines she was creating were wild and conspicuous like a night rose; they looked like a splash of black ink, with a wave-like one-shoulder design that revealed the woman's collarbone, and a high-waisted design that not only enhanced the waistline but also made the proportions look more perfect. The waist was embellished with a subtle design element also inspired by waves, perfectly suiting Luo Ning's temperament.

When she finally put down the brush after her last few strokes, she let out a deep sigh, leaving only the details to be refined. In two more hours the storyboard would be ready; it seemed she might get some sleep after all. While thinking this, Tingxiao's voice came from behind her.

“Planning to pull an all-nighter?”

Startled by his sudden utterance, she turned around with a reproachful look in her eyes.

“How come you're so quiet?”

Huo Tingxiao looked innocent.

“I knocked, but you didn't answer.”

His gaze fell on the hand-drawn sketch, a look of undisguised admiration in his eyes.

“Did you receive an order?”

Mu Lan put down the pencil in her hand.

“Yes, I'm designing a custom gown for Luo Ning.”

Her tone was slightly weary, evidently, the sketch had drained quite a lot of her mental energy, and it was, of course, just a first draft, with many areas still imperfect.

Suddenly feeling a rough touch at her temples, Mu Lan was startled, but the next moment, she experienced a soothing massage technique that made her want to hum in comfort.

She hadn't expected Huo Tingxiao to have such a skill.

Huo Tingxiao was actually somewhat afraid she might dislike his unconsented actions, but seeing that she seemed not to mind, he was relieved.

It seemed she really was too tired.

“Luo Ning seems to be quite famous now.”

It surprised Mu Lan that Huo Tingxiao would remember a female celebrity.

“Hmm? You know her?”

Huo Tingxiao told the truth.

“Previously when looking for a spokesperson, both Marketing and Public Relations recommended her.”

Mu Lan hesitated, wondering whether to tell Huo Tingxiao about the relationship between Luo Ning and Pei Zhao. If he found out, he would likely oppose her taking this business.

But if she didn't say… somehow, Mu Lan just didn't want to lie to Huo Tingxiao.

“Today I went to Luo Ning's home to discuss the matter of the gown, guess who I saw?”

Huo Tingxiao's massaging hands paused momentarily, then quickly resumed the action.

“Pei Zhao really is omnipresent.”

Mu Lan couldn't help but laugh. He really was too sensitive where Pei Zhao was concerned.

“It looks like they have been dating for a while now, Luo Ning seemed very much the mistress of the house.”

Huo Tingxiao stopped his massaging, suddenly turned his chair around 180 degrees to face Mu Lan.

His arms propped on the chair handles, he bent forward to look at Mu Lan.

“Why tell me?”

His dark eyes looked at her, emotions swirling within them.

Mu Lan didn't expect him to ask so directly, she was momentarily at a loss, not knowing what to say.

“It's not something that can't be said.”

Mu Lan's tone was calm, seemingly without any ulterior motive, but the slight moisture in her palms inadvertently revealed her true feelings.

She was nervous because Huo Tingxiao was too close, and she couldn't help feeling anxious.

And because… she knew she was lying just now.

Huo Tingxiao watched her intently, trying to discern something from her eyes, but those eyes revealed no other emotions, and the small flame of expectation in his heart gradually extinguished.

Alas, one really shouldn't be too greedy. He should be very content that she was willing to speak to him about it, how could he hope it was because…

“Aren't you afraid she will make things difficult for you?”

Mu Lan instinctively swallowed. He was too close, his breath could spray on her face.

The night was especially sensitive, it made ignoring them impossible.

“What's there to worry about, it's just straightforward business. She pays the money, I provide the design; it's that simple.”

Hearing her reply like that, Huo Tingxiao felt the woman before him was really different now, much more mature.

“She's Pei Zhao's woman; she certainly won't be harboring any good intentions. Be careful.”

She knew he would say something like that, Mu Lan was not surprised at all.

“I know.”

Huo Tingxiao looked at her, his mind wrestling with innumerable wild thoughts, but still he strained to restrain himself, not daring to act recklessly.

But when he spoke again, his voice was huskier than usual.

“Mu Lan…”

Mu Lan averted her gaze and remained silent. Huo Tingxiao sighed softly and stood up, saying:
“Don't stay up too late.”

A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, and when she thought to say something, Huo Tingxiao had already left her studio.

Mu Lan sat dejectedly in her chair, lightly biting her lip, her mind somewhat in turmoil.

Chapter end

Report