My Virtual Wife From my Phone Has Come to See Me - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: “You’re Willing to Sacrifice Your Dignity for a Few Orders.”

“Hi, A-Ying.” Shi Yu stood behind Qi Ying, smiling brightly. “I brought some friends with me this time. They saw the dress I posted on my social feed and absolutely loved it. I brought them here today specifically to check out the shop. Bring out whatever designs you have; I guarantee they’re big spenders, they won’t let you work for nothing.”

Qi Ying looked over at the group of girls. They were all quite young, looking like recent college graduates, but their makeup was heavy and mature. They wore low-cut tops and crop tops; one girl was even wearing hot pants so short they barely covered her. They were certainly a striking group.

Shi Yu said to Qi Ying, “These are customers, you know. Aren’t you going to greet them?”

Qi Ying turned back to Shi Yu, her brow furrowing slightly. “You didn’t have to do this.”

Shi Yu countered, “I’m not doing this to butter you up. I truly love the dress you made for me, so I wanted to bring my friends here to spend money. Even if that dress had been made by another designer, I would have brought them here if I liked it. So, don’t overthink it.”

As she spoke, Shi Yu stole a glance at Qi Ying, cleared her throat, and took a small step closer. “Though, if you want to thank me, I won’t say no.”

Qi Ying caught the scent of her new perfume—a light, delicate jasmine.

“Miss Shi,” Qi Ying said in a low voice. “We…”

“Didn’t you say last time that if we couldn’t be a couple, we could still be friends?” Shi Yu interrupted, avoiding her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. Just show my friends your autumn collection; don’t keep them waiting.”

Watching Shi Yu walk away, Qi Ying frowned. She could tell that Shi Yu hadn’t given up; in fact, she seemed determined to use every possible method to stay close. This was becoming difficult to handle.

Shi Yu’s friends were indeed from wealthy families, and being at an age where they loved beauty, they were fascinated by Qi Ying’s new autumn line. The shop sold over a dozen outfits in one go, including seven or eight high-ticket items like furs and heavy coats.

Just as Qi Ying was helping a tall girl try on a coat she had just taken off a mannequin, the shop bell chimed.

Xia Ruoxin burst in, shouting, “A-Ying, I’ve come to save you!”

Qi Ying: “…”

The customers in the shop all turned to look at the door.

“Who’s that?” someone asked. “No idea.” “The shopkeeper’s friend?” “Seems like it…”

Xia Ruoxin scanned the seven or eight people standing around, finally spotting Qi Ying’s annoyed expression and Shi Yu sitting on the sofa. She awkwardly adjusted her posture and addressed the crowd: “Hello, hello everyone! I’m the other designer here.”

The crowd continued to stare until someone let out a muffled giggle. The situation was incredibly awkward.

Qi Ying realized she had forgotten to unsend her message to Xia Ruoxin. She hurried over, grabbed her friend, and pulled her behind a clothing rack. “I forgot to tell you it was fine. You didn’t need to come.”

Xia Ruoxin was dying of curiosity. She peered through the racks at the crowd. “Who are all these people? Why are there so many customers?”

“They’re all Shi Yu’s friends,” Qi Ying sighed. “She showed off her dress on her feed and brought her circle over for custom orders. Look, these are their orders and deposits.”

Xia Ruoxin’s eyes lit up at the mention of money. Seeing the influx of deposits on the ledger, she clutched the book and whispered, “Wow… coats… furs… and haute couture gowns! All from Shi Yu’s friends?”

Qi Ying nodded.

“She’s a Goddess of Wealth!” Xia Ruoxin held the ledger to her chest. “Look at this—you refuse to date her, and yet she still sends business your way. What a great person! Why won’t you just agree?”

Qi Ying rolled her eyes and snatched the ledger back, deciding to “unfriend” this money-grubber for the next five minutes.

Xia Ruoxin wasn’t offended. She happily stepped out from behind the racks to assist the customers with their fittings and help coordinate outfits. Qi Ying went back to discussing a design with the girl who wanted a custom piece.

Sitting on the sofa, Shi Yu’s eyes followed Qi Ying’s every move. Today, Qi Ying was wearing a black sleeveless vest and loose black wide-leg trousers. Her long hair fell casually down her back. When she lifted her arms to hang the measuring tape around her neck, her dark hair provided a sharp contrast against the cream-colored tape.

Qi Ying had beautiful shoulders and a lean waist. When she leaned down to speak with a customer, her expression was gentle. The way she nodded and smiled made it impossible for Shi Yu to look away. She watched Qi Ying in a daze, completely unaware of someone sitting down next to her.

“Miss Shi, have some water,” Xia Ruoxin said. “Staring isn’t going to help. She doesn’t like you.”

Shi Yu turned, gave Xia Ruoxin a disdainful look, and turned away. They’re both designers, but this one is so unrefined.

Qi Ying’s style was cool, minimalist, and professional—black on black or solid business wear, the image of an elite designer. Xia Ruoxin’s style was loud, colorful, and chaotic; she didn’t look like a designer at all. Shi Yu didn’t even want to acknowledge her.

Xia Ruoxin didn’t mind being ignored. She set the water on the coffee table and continued, “You can’t force these things. I think it’s better if you move on. You’re young and beautiful; I’m sure people are lining up from one end of the city to the other for you. No need to fixate on Qi Ying.”

Shi Yu frowned and glared at her. “Have you ever been in love? Do you even know what it means to like someone? If I gave up just because A-Ying rejected me once, that wouldn’t be love; it would be fickleness.”

Xia Ruoxin said bluntly, “But I don’t think A-Ying will ever like you. She likes girls who are beautiful and cute. You aren’t her type.”

Shi Yu bristled at the comment.

Xia Ruoxin continued, “A-Ying was very popular back in school. Her suitors used to flock to our dorm every day, bringing gifts and helping with chores. But A-Ying had zero interest. Eventually, she reported one of them to the counselor. That poor girl cried her eyes out.”

“So,” Xia Ruoxin said with a light chuckle, “if the spark isn’t there, it’s not there. Even if you laid in her bed naked, Miss Shi, A-Ying still wouldn’t like you.”

Shi Yu bolted upright from the sofa, her face flushed with rage. “You’re talking nonsense!”

The customers turned their heads at the noise. “Is everything okay, Shi Yu?” someone asked.

Shi Yu’s face was still burning. She looked over at Qi Ying, who was watching with dark, unreadable eyes. Thinking of Xia Ruoxin’s comment about “laying in her bed naked,” she felt a wave of humiliation, as if she were actually exposed right then and there.

In a fit of shame and anger, she kicked Xia Ruoxin in the shin, grabbed her bag, and stormed out of the shop.

Seeing Shi Yu leave, her friends looked at one another and most followed her out. Even the girl being measured hopped off the platform, grabbed her things, and left. The bustling shop was suddenly empty.

Qi Ying frowned and walked over to Xia Ruoxin, who was calmly sipping sparkling water on the sofa.

“What did you just say to her?” Qi Ying asked.

Xia Ruoxin leaned back, legs crossed, and swung the bottle. “I solved a problem for you, obviously.”

Qi Ying sighed. She knew Xia Ruoxin had her back, but her friend could be reckless with her words. She was worried Xia had offended Shi Yu and her circle. It wasn’t just about the people; Qi Ying was worried her afternoon of hard work had just gone down the drain.

She irritably pulled the measuring tape from her neck and whipped it at Xia Ruoxin. “If those customers cancel their orders, you’re the one dealing with it,” she said coldly.

Xia Ruoxin laughed. “And you called me the money-grubber! Look at you—you’re willing to sacrifice your dignity for a few orders. Think about it: who’s the real money-grubber here?”

Offended, Qi Ying lunged at her, and the two began to scuffle playfully.

Fortunately, though Shi Yu had left in a rage, none of her friends canceled their orders. Qi Ying let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Qi Ying had assumed Shi Yu wouldn’t return for a while, but she showed up the very next day. This time, she didn’t go to Qi Ying first; she went straight to Xia Ruoxin.

After a brief, private exchange, Shi Yu hurried over to Qi Ying, beaming with joy, a total 180 from her previous attitude toward Xia Ruoxin.

Shi Yu smiled at Qi Ying, who was sketching. “My birthday ball is in a few days. I’ve reserved a spot for you; you absolutely have to come.”

Qi Ying kept her head down. “I’m sorry, I’ve been quite busy lately and likely won’t be able to make it. But I’ll definitely send a gift. Thank you for the invitation.”

But Shi Yu wouldn’t let it go. “You’re the designer of my dress, so you have to be there. I’m going to introduce you on stage! Besides… I know you won’t want to come alone, so Xia Ruoxin has already agreed to go with you.”

Qi Ying frowned, looking at the smirking Xia Ruoxin and then at the excited Shi Yu.

“Alright then,” Qi Ying said helplessly. “Ruoxin and I will attend. Is there anything specific you’d like as a gift?”

Shi Yu smiled. “Just having you there makes me happy. As for a gift… as long as it’s from you, I’ll love it.”

Before Qi Ying could say another word, Shi Yu chirped, “It’s a deal! You must come to my house that night. I have things to do, so I’ll head out now~”

She waved and ran off, seemingly afraid Qi Ying would change her mind.

Xia Ruoxin walked over and leaned on Qi Ying’s shoulder. “Shi Yu told me that if you still don’t like her by the end of the ball, she won’t bother you about being her girlfriend ever again. She seemed serious. I think it’s a good way to settle this. What do you think?”

Qi Ying was silent for a long moment before nodding her agreement.