As a clerk in a bespoke clothing store, she had been on the job for a while, yet this was the first time she had encountered such a peculiar customer request. Attempting to cover up her earlier "Huh?" with more professional language, she responded with poise.
"Miss, even if the person isn't present, you can still provide us with their measurements, and we offer minor adjustments afterward. Please rest assured that our tailor shop is very professional."
However, her customer was unyielding: "No measurements. Just make it in a standard size."
The clerk felt herself faltering. She glanced at Assistant Wu for help, hoping he would intervene, but Wu simply pretended not to notice. She had tried to voice an opinion to her boss earlier and was promptly warned off. Knowing better, she wouldn't dare cross her boss again.
With no other option, the clerk tearfully accepted the order. This was, after all, the first time she had seen someone order a standard-sized dress from a bespoke clothing store. Still, the customer is always right; whatever they say goes.
After leaving the tailor shop, Qin Ran headed straight to a custom jewelry store. She picked out a large, dazzling gemstone, but when the clerk handed her the latest design drafts and display list, she pushed them back. "It's a gift for a woman around fifty years old. The design should be simple and mature, but most importantly, it shouldn't look too valuable."
The clerk thought he misheard: "You don't want it to look valuable?" Surely she meant she wanted it to look very valuable? For a moment, the clerk thought he was going deaf. With a slight tremor and a deep sense of confusion, he repeated Qin Ran's words.
Qin Ran nodded.
In all his years of service, this was the first time the clerk had received such a request. His smile remained fixed as he quickly recommended more styles to Qin Ran, fearing she would be dissatisfied with the final product: "Actually, we have many styles that would suit the lady. Would you like to take a look?"
But Qin Ran rejected all of them, insisting on her original request. She even showed him some pictures she had saved. The designs were indeed tacky, old-fashioned, and cheap-looking. The clerk was at a loss—had the fashion trends in the capital changed so drastically?
Qin Ran was very strict about the delivery time, which made the clerk uneasy until Qin Ran said, "I'll pay extra."
"No problem, Miss. Our designer will contact you for further..."
"No need to communicate with me. Just follow my instructions. I trust you." In truth, Qin Ran didn't necessarily trust them, as this was her first time dealing with this shop, but this was the standard line to say. Besides, it was a simple piece of jewelry, and given the size and reputation of this custom jewelry store, they were unlikely to mess it up.
After paying the deposit and the rush fee, Qin Ran ignored the system's frantic warnings in her head and left the store with Assistant Wu.
Joking aside, there was no way she would buy a gift for Yu Shuman's mother using the system's account. It had to come from her own.
After this, things became much simpler. Qin Ran planned to buy a box of milk and some fruit after returning, which would complete the gift for Yu Shuman's mother. She counted the days as they passed. After finally finishing her exams, she found herself bored at home, so she absorbed knowledge by reading, while Yu Shuman had already started her group activities.
When Yu Shuman saw Ling Miaohan, she still called her "Sister Ling" and waved warmly, saying, "Hello." However, Ling Miaohan seemed colder, and for some reason, she didn't seem to like Yu Shuman as much as before. Sometimes, she would even snort coldly and walk away.
The top underground idol quickly pulled Yu Shuman aside: "You're still greeting her? She probably hates you now."
"Why? Is it because of the company?"
The underground idol was shocked: "You know? If you know, why do you keep greeting her? Shuman, you're enthusiastic, but sometimes you shouldn't waste your warmth on those who don't appreciate it." She added mockingly, "She's not like us. She probably already has connections with her company's president..."
Yu Shuman quickly covered the underground idol's mouth: "Okay, don't say things like that. It's not nice."
Their five-member group actually had many issues. The underground idol had strong professional skills and looked down on someone like Ling Miaohan, who relied on a big company but couldn't even dance properly. She also didn't like Yu Shuman, but she could begrudgingly acknowledge her efforts.
Now, besides Yu Shuman, the other three members didn't like Ling Miaohan. The animosity stemmed from the fact that someone behind Ling Miaohan had stirred trouble by exposing that their company had bought fake followers, which led to a chaotic situation. There was also resentment over the rearrangement of performance orders during their first concert.
Although they appeared friendly in public, their private interactions were just short of openly hostile.
The underground idol realized that Yu Shuman was preventing her from badmouthing Ling Miaohan, and she also noticed the crowded backstage. Someone with ill intentions might overhear them. After Yu Shuman lowered her hand, the idol stuck out her tongue. "I get it. By the way, Shuman, what are your plans? Doesn't your company have a lot of resources?"
"I've been studying recently. I want to pursue an acting career."
The young idol made a jealous sound. "That's great. But studying is so tiring. I don't like it at all." After Yu Shuman said this, her relationship with the other three members improved even more. Since Yu Shuman wanted to be an actress, she wouldn't be competing for idol group resources.
Yu Shuman was diligent, and even though she had no prior experience, she believed that with hard work, she could catch up. Moreover, with the financial backing of 99 Entertainment, if they really wanted to promote Yu Shuman, the rest of the group could only serve as her supporting cast.
Now that Yu Shuman was no longer a threat, of course, everyone was all smiles. However, Yu Shuman began to wonder if she had done something wrong. She thought about it for a long time and eventually realized what the issue was. During a break, she specifically called Ling Miaohan aside when no one else was around. Ling Miaohan turned around, her expression cold.
"Um... Do you not like being called Sister Ling?" Yu Shuman thought about this for a long time before realizing it. She felt a bit embarrassed and even brought a bottle of water to apologize: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean any harm. I just talk fast and get familiar with people easily. You didn't object when I called you Sister Ling before, so I didn't realize you might not like the nickname."
Ling Miaohan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, perhaps feeling displeased that her thoughts had been noticed by someone else. She pursed her lips and responded with a curt "hmm," then added, "It's fine. It's my fault for not telling you."
Yu Shuman wanted to smile upon hearing this. She was a very warm and friendly person, quick to speak, and with some time left to spend with Ling Miaohan, she naturally wanted to improve their relationship, or at least make it less tense.
But before Yu Shuman could say anything, Ling Miaohan quickly added, "But I hope you don't get too friendly. You should be able to tell that I'm not someone who likes getting close to others. Besides, this team won't last long. We'll go our separate ways soon enough, so there's no need to try to get along."
After hearing this, Yu Shuman could no longer keep forcing her friendliness on Ling Miaohan. She could only smile awkwardly and say, "Okay." After speaking, she placed the bottled water on a stack of wooden crates nearby. "Well... if you're thirsty, you can drink this water."
Yu Shuman left the area, feeling unusually deflated, but she quickly pulled herself together. By the time Sister Li came to pick her up, there was no sign of anything wrong. Although she felt dejected after being rejected by Ling Miaohan, Yu Shuman understood that not everyone would like her, and it was normal to be disliked.
Even though Yu Shuman didn't know why Ling Miaohan disliked her, perhaps it was just because she called her by a different name. People need to grow and improve. Yu Shuman sighed, realizing she had been wrong. She shouldn't have called Ling Miaohan by a nickname without her permission. It's normal for someone to dislike being given a nickname, and she would avoid doing it in the future.
From the beginning, the five-member group had never really gelled, and it was only a matter of time before they fell apart. Yu Shuman took her team activities and subsequent studies very seriously. Even if the group were to disband the next second, she would still give her best effort at every moment.
Before long, it was time for the New Year holiday, and Sister Li gave Yu Shuman some time off. She even upgraded Yu Shuman's train ticket from a regular seat to first class. Yu Shuman was a little overwhelmed, but Sister Li explained, "There's no need to save money on this. Don't cause yourself trouble. First class may be expensive, but it offers privacy. If someone takes your photo in a regular seat, the gossip sites might accuse 99 Entertainment of mistreating its artists."
Normally, Sister Li wouldn't handle such matters, and the assistant would book Yu Shuman's tickets. However, Xiao An always listened to Yu Shuman's instructions without question. It wasn't until Qin Ran contacted her that Sister Li realized what was happening.
That was how Sister Li found out that the big boss was planning to spend the New Year with Yu Shuman at her home...
She even found the energy to tease the boss: "Oh, are you going home to meet the parents?"
Qin Ran gave Sister Li a seemingly casual glance, but inside, her heart was pounding like a drum. When the day finally came, she stood at the school gate with her suitcase, waiting for Yu Shuman. Yu Shuman hurried over, dragging a large suitcase behind her.
Qin Ran wanted to be helpful, so she offered to take the suitcase, but Yu Shuman waved her off. "No need, no need. Let's just go." In the first-class waiting room at the train station, Qin Ran was still determined to help with Yu Shuman's suitcase, only to find she couldn't budge it.
Feeling defeated, Qin Ran realized that not only was Yu Shuman physically stronger than her, but she was also stronger in terms of strength. Yu Shuman laughed at her: "Junior, you're too weak! You really need to work out, or you won't even be able to lift a suitcase."
Qin Ran, frustrated, replied, "I know. I'll start exercising soon." The idea of setting up a dedicated gym at home was now a priority for Qin Ran, and she planned to get Assistant Wu to take care of it right after the New Year.
Bespoke clothing store: She wants to order a standard-sized dress from a bespoke store...
Custom jewelry store: She wants us to make a gemstone look like a cheap piece of jewelry...