Chapter 33: I'll Give You One Chance

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To be honest, the place looked like a small exhibition hall.

Two rows of display stands had been arranged on the white table in the center, each holding a finished piece based on one of the designs she had drawn.

What Jiang Mian had not expected was to find someone else here.

Wen Jinhua.

A week had passed since she had last seen him at the engagement banquet.

She was slightly distracted, uncertain whether Wen Jinhua happened to be here by chance or had come specifically to wait for her.

After Qi Su had led them to their seats, he immediately withdrew, even considerately closing the door behind him.

Jiang Mian glanced around. There were now only three people left in the exhibition hall.

A row of sofas stood beside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Wen Jinhua sat in one of the single armchairs, his legs crossed, his features lowered and expression subdued, making it difficult to discern the emotions in his eyes.

Jiang Zhi Mu acted as though he had seen nothing. He continued examining the displayed pieces on his own, occasionally turning his head to give Jiang Mian a faint smile.

“Miss Jiang, which material do you think brings out the best result?”

The question brought her back to herself. She tried her best to ignore Wen Jinhua’s presence and turned her attention to the pieces.

Several different materials had been used, and each produced a distinct texture.

To an outsider, every material might seem equally beautiful. But to a designer, only certain materials could convey the true meaning one wished to express.

For example, one necklace featured a falling droplet at its center, enclosed between two vine-like extensions that reached inward from either side.

It suggested protection, while the overall design resembled a broken heart.

Her original idea had been to set the droplet with pink calcite.

Under ultraviolet light, a single drop would still emit a red glow from the center of the broken heart.

It symbolized the vitality hidden in the deepest part of one’s heart.

Clearly, Jiang Zhi Mu had used the material she had specified. She spotted an ultraviolet lamp beside one of the display stands.

She did not pick it up, but continued examining the same design made with several other materials.

The Jiang family’s influence in the jewelry industry was not to be underestimated. Nearly every one of these pieces was exquisitely crafted, flawless in every respect.

“President Jiang, are you planning to produce all of these materials?”

She asked casually, but Jiang Zhi Mu still answered with complete seriousness.

“No. We’ll choose two materials for market production, then decide whether to retain only one based on the sales results.”

In that case, the other material would effectively become limited edition.

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He really was a businessman.

Throughout this time, Wen Jinhua had remained silent on the sofa, his eyes lowered to his phone as though replying to messages.

Although Jiang Mian was trying her best to ignore him, he was a tall, broad-shouldered man. Even sitting there without moving, his presence was overwhelming.

Several times, Jiang Mian wanted to say something, but each time she forced herself to swallow the words.

It did not take long to look over the pieces.

But Jiang Zhi Mu gave no indication that she could leave, so she could only remain beside him and continue looking.

Perhaps this was one of the privileges of being in a position of power.

Given her current circumstances, offending either Jiang Zhi Mu or Wen Jinhua would bring her no benefit whatsoever.

After a long while, Wen Jinhua put down his phone. Jiang Zhi Mu was still admiring the jewelry.

Wen Jinhua raised his eyes and swept them calmly across the room. Jiang Mian stood obediently at Jiang Zhi Mu’s side, looking nothing like the aloof young heiress she was supposed to be.

“Miss Jiang.”

His sudden voice startled her, and she looked over in surprise.

Jiang Zhi Mu rolled his shoulders, then abruptly relaxed.

“You two talk. I’m going out to take a break.”

He truly had no idea how to broach the subject with Jiang Mian. In truth, it was Wen Jinhua who wanted to see her, which was why he had invited her here.

As for the reason, perhaps only Wen Jinhua himself knew.

Jiang Zhi Mu had already been accompanying them as they examined jewelry for quite some time. If he stayed any longer, he was afraid he would lose patience and ask Wen Jinhua outright whether he was finished yet.

“President Wen, you wanted to see me. Is something wrong?”

If she still could not tell who had brought her here by now, then all the experience she had gained struggling through society these past years would have been wasted.

“Have you given proper consideration to what we discussed last time?”

He was referring to the one-month deadline he had given her, though it had not yet expired.

Jiang Mian lowered her eyes. After returning home, she had seriously considered the matter. For her present situation, Wen Jinhua’s offer would not merely solve her immediate crisis.

A partnership with the Wen family could even make Jiang Zhouyi somewhat wary.

If he still wanted to maintain genuine business ties with the Wen family, he might need Jiang Mian to act as the intermediary. In that case, he would have no choice but to show her a certain degree of deference.

But accepting the offer would also amount to handing over what belonged to her.

Once the studio became affiliated with the Wen family, it could be absorbed into Wen Jinhua’s hands at any time, should he wish it.

“President Wen, I’ve thought it over, but thank you for your kindness.”

She already possessed very little. If the studio came under the Wen family, she would truly have nothing left to rely on in the future.

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Wen Jinhua gave a faint smile. It was exactly as he had expected.

He had guessed that Jiang Mian would not surrender so easily, and it made him take a closer look at the woman before him.

Though she was now entirely on her own, she was still managing to hold the studio together through sheer effort. He could not help admiring her a little.

But reality might eventually force her to bow her head.

Pride could be a fine thing, but more often than not, it could also be one’s undoing.

After all, there was an old saying: As long as the green hills remain, one need not fear running out of firewood.

Wen Jinhua rose from the sofa. His long fingers brushed a speck from the hem of his clothes, and his eyes darkened.

“Miss Jiang, although I’m admittedly displeased at being refused, I will always leave an opportunity open to you.”

“If you ever change your mind, you can come to me first.”

Jiang Mian might have had little talent for finance—she could even be called woefully lacking in that regard—but her designs had once earned praise from many renowned designers.

Someone with talent like hers was best kept by his side.

Wen Jinhua was a businessman, and businessmen did not do anything that offered them no benefit.

Jiang Mian nodded, her heart stirred.

Since the deaths of her parents, Wen Jinhua was probably the only person who had ever said such a thing to her.

He was merely offering her an opportunity, yet even that was enough to make her heart tremble.

“Thank you, President Wen.”

Wen Jinhua walked ahead and pushed open the door. He glanced back at her before stepping outside.

Jiang Zhi Mu was seated in the lounge outside. He had just brewed himself a cup of coffee and had not yet had the chance to taste it when the two of them emerged, one after the other.

“You’re finished already?”

“Mm.” Wen Jinhua nodded, then looked at him. “The old master wants you to come over for dinner tonight. Remember not to be late.”

“Oh!” Jiang Zhi Mu nodded, then shifted his gaze to Jiang Mian. “Miss Jiang, would you like me to have someone drive you home?”

She hurriedly waved her hands. “No need. I parked nearby. Thank you.”

After taking her leave of the two men, she quickly descended in the elevator.

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