Xu Yi stayed at home for a few more days, idly studying and drawing design sketches.
At first, the supporting female lead decided to learn design without any real passion, driven solely by the desire to compete with Song Yuxi.
But results showed she clearly lacked talent. After drawing a few sketches that she deemed unsatisfactory, Xu Yi quietly tucked her design notebook into a drawer.
Song Yuxi was surprisingly enthusiastic, repeatedly inviting her to join the studio.
"Sister-in-law, you can't want to stay home with the baby forever after giving birth? My mom isn't working—she can take care of Tuantuan. We women should pursue careers too!"
"Are you worried your brother can't support me?"
"Don't say that—my brother can support you more than adequately."
Song Yanming had overcome this crisis and made a good profit. While the family wasn't as prosperous as before, they were far from struggling.
Song Yuxi secretly scooped an ice cream ball for her and sat with her on the sofa. "Sister-in-law, try this. Let me see your designs—I can give you some feedback."
Xu Yi shook her head, unwilling to make a fool of herself, but she was secretly tempted by Song Yuxi's proposal...
"I still owe you 300,000 yuan—that was my startup capital. If you join, consider that money your investment. The studio has grown a lot since Moyu and Zhiyin joined."
"Then why do you need me there?"
"To inject fresh blood, of course! Your designs must be different from ours. Design needs novelty—something that makes people sit up and take notice!"
Xu Yi only said she'd think about it, but she was already imagining herself drawing designs in the studio.
While Jiang Qing chatted with neighborhood aunts downstairs, letting Tuantuan sunbathe, Song Yuxi quickly threw the half-eaten ice cream ball into the trash when they returned.
Xu Yi: ...
To hide it, she even covered it with a whole napkin.
For heaven's sake, this was such a waste.
"Tuantuan, precious Tuantuan, let Auntie hold you."
"Wash your hands first."
"They're clean."
"Spray some disinfectant." Jiang Qing frowned in disgust. "You touch those fabrics all day—do you think they're clean? Workers have stepped on them; they must be full of germs."
Song Yuxi obediently turned to wash her hands before picking up Tuantuan.
Ever since Tuantuan was discharged after treating jaundice, the baby had eaten and slept voraciously... Though formula-fed, Tuantuan was no less robust than breastfed babies—chubby and round.
Wearing a coat in autumn, the baby looked even sturdier.
"Tuantuan, eat and sleep more to grow tall—try to be as tall as Auntie!"
At 168 cm, Song Yuxi was tall for a woman.
Jiang Qing snorted. "Our Tuantuan will definitely be taller than you."
"I'm not short either. Being too tall isn't good unless you become a model."
"Model?!" Jiang Qing immediately scowled, snatching Tuantuan back. "Our Tuantuan will never be a model."
"Mom, give her back!"
"Why? You'll just lead the poor child astray."
Xu Yi never fought to hold Tuantuan. Whenever Song Yanming came home, he always took the baby to their room first.
One day, when Song Yanming returned, Xu Yi was lying in bed playing on her phone. He casually took it away. "Don't stare at that—it's bad for your eyes."
Xu Yi nearly rolled her eyes but held back. "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Fine, she'd stop—listening to the boss was always wise. She couldn't have it all; taking so much money meant following orders.
Surprised by her obedience, Song Yanming whispered in her ear, "I brought you wolf's tooth potatoes."
Xu Yi thought she'd misheard: wolf's tooth potatoes?
"Don't kid me."
"They're outside. I reek of chili—can't you smell it?"
She couldn't, but she'd craved spicy food for ages. She rushed out to check and found real wolf's tooth potatoes.
Standing at the door, Song Yanming watched her gobble them up, delighted. He turned to put his USB drive in the bedside drawer.
After the Han Fei incident, which nearly ruined everything, Song Yanming had grown overly cautious, fearing sabotage and unwilling to take risks.
As he inserted the USB, he saw a design notebook—Xu Yi's sketches.
They were semi-professional at best, amateurish at worst.
Jiang Qing had sponsored her education, but it was a waste. From the mountains, Xu Yi had ranked mid-upper her first year, making Jiang Qing hopeful she'd get into Tsinghua or Peking University.
By the second and third years, her grades plummeted. She obsessed over clothes, indulged in luxury, and competed with classmates—demanding Jiang Qing buy her everything others had, and Jiang Qing spoiled her.
Despite her youth, she was cunning, using coquetry and pity to get her way. Jiang Qing doted on her, fearing she'd feel inferior or wronged.
Xu Yi had everything other little girls did, living no worse than Jiang Qing's other socialite proteges.
When her grades tanked, Jiang Qing didn't scold her, blaming poor foundational education in the mountains. She hired tutors, but results were minimal... Eventually, Jiang Qing accepted it: as long as Xu Yi grew up safely and happily.
The sponsorship wasn't about excellence—just about broadening her horizons and helping her figure out what she wanted...
Poor academic performance was one thing, but her design skills were mediocre at best, chaotic and haphazard.
Song Yanming, though no designer, couldn't help laughing.
Why design bikinis? With her petite frame, her designs looked like they were for preteens.
As Xu Yi ate the spicy potatoes, she lamented her designs—full of flaws she couldn't fix.
Before she knew it, the heat made her face flush. She grabbed a mango from the fridge, peeled it, and took a bite. Midway, her skin itched.
She froze—oh right, the supporting female lead was allergic to mangoes...
Rushing to wash her hands, she called out, "Song Yanming!"
The design notebook slipped from his hands, falling open to a bikini sketch with a comical wing design on the back.
Xu Yi awkwardly scratched her itchy neck.
Why did such a delicious fruit have to be her kryptonite?
"What's wrong?"
"I accidentally ate mango."
Song Yanming frowned at the rash spreading across her skin. "Accidentally?"
"I..."
Truthfully, she'd forgotten about the allergy.
He pulled her toward the door, spotting the mango peels and tools on the table.
"Are you possessed by a starving ghost? You'll eat anything."