Chapter Twenty-Nine: Pregnant Before Marriage

Why did that Liu fellow have to set his sights on her daughter? There were so many people out there—had he not had enough fun already? Not really paying attention, she gave a perfunctory response.

Yuan Yao’er, oblivious as ever, failed to notice anything amiss and continued scrolling through her phone, insisting Zhang Xi take a look at the news with her.

“Mom, look at this! Yuan Xiangdie has been dumped—pregnant before marriage, then a miscarriage, and now abandoned in the end. I’d like to see how she shows her face around after this.”

Zhang Xi, who had been laughing foolishly beside her, immediately snatched the phone away, her eyes wide, all traces of her usual poise as a lady of status gone.

“What?” Her voice was shrill, so sharp that sitting so close, Yuan Yao’er’s ears hurt.

“What’s the matter? Are you really surprised?” Yuan Yao’er, as if she had already expected all this, didn’t care in the least. She looked at her mother, full of indifference and ridicule.

“A woman like that, even someone who’s been in prison like her wants nothing to do with her. She’ll be lucky if she can get a job sweeping the streets—what a pity.”

Her eyes gleamed with contempt, a scorn that never faded. Someone like her, dreaming of marrying up, was truly delusional. When Yuan Yao’er first heard that she’d managed to snag Jin Junming, she thought it was a stroke of luck—even if the man didn’t love her, at least she’d live in comfort.

“I always said, even marrying into that family would be an easy life. As for all those mistresses, that’s a separate matter. Not having to bear your own children is the best—there are so many, just pick one to raise, who cares?”

She reached for an orange on the table and began to peel it. Zhang Xi was stunned, taking a long time to recover.

“No, absolutely not, I can’t let this end like this.” Zhang Xi began to panic. She’d worked so hard to make that wretched girl suffer, to keep her from appearing before her, and now things had changed?

All at once, she jumped up from the sofa, her phone clattering onto the floor with a crisp sound. Yuan Yao’er nearly leaped up herself, “My phone!” She woke abruptly from her stupor, then shifted lazily to lie on the bed, finally getting a full rest without worrying about the world.

Julie, meanwhile, slept on like a silly little pig, lost in dreams, smacking her lips and moving as if feasting on something delicious.

“Big pork knuckle… giant lobster, scallops!…”

“What a foodie,” Yuan Xiangdie muttered, her frustration easing as she watched the girl sleep. Earlier, she’d cried for half an hour in the police station, her eyes swollen from tears.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Yuan Xiangdie covered her face with both hands and crouched by the sink.

“Help, how embarrassing—I actually cried in front of so many people, I’ve lost all dignity.”

Her ears flushed red, but she was grateful for the release. If she kept suppressing her feelings, she didn’t know how much longer she could have endured.

It was still early—just after six—so with nothing else to do, she looked over the basic information of the ladies who had placed orders at her shop.

She reviewed them one by one, noting the unique traits of each. Yuan Xiangdie’s goal was to create garments perfectly suited to every individual’s features.

Her little shop had been closed for a long time, but the entertainment industry was abuzz with big news. Previously, Shao Qiuyu, the main subject of scandal, had lost her chance at the film awards’ Best Actress nomination because of the rumors.

She had been in low spirits for a long time, but as an award presenter at this year’s ceremony, she shone brilliantly.

A classic Chinese-style gown accentuated her swan-like neck, and the tailored design highlighted her already graceful figure. Simple yet thoughtful, she stood out among a sea of women in revealing, sensual dresses.

No haute couture from any famous house could compare to this ensemble. Among the audience sat a man in glasses, playing the role of bodyguard tonight.

His eyes, hidden behind sunglasses, glittered—this woman was becoming ever more dazzling.

“Thank you all, but tonight, the focus should be on the Best Actress crown. I doubt it will concern me, as I’ve been resting for some time and don’t have anything worth discussing tonight.”

Her warm smile contrasted with her words, which stung nonetheless.

But her fans loved her for this honesty, which was why they remained so loyal.

The livestream chat was ablaze with gifts and comments.

“Oh my god, Qiuyu is so cute—always so blunt.”

“Guys, let’s go, send gifts for Qiuyu, don’t let those other flashy women outshine her tonight!”

Many viewers clamored for the link to her dress, having watched for a long time and knowing that no couture house offered anything like it.

It didn’t resemble any foreign designer’s essence, nor did it look like any classic piece.

“I really want to ask Qiuyu where she got that dress—it’s stunning. I’m so jealous! I have to ask if I can get one myself.”

The female host, ever attentive to the live comments, had noticed the dress since Qiuyu stepped on stage.

Jokingly, she asked if Qiuyu would respond.

“Haha, you really do know how to ask. This dress isn’t haute couture, but it is a custom piece I had made at a private boutique. It’s a new shop, but their craft is excellent. If you like, I’ll take you there next time.”

With that invitation, it was clear this “super rookie” designer had made a splash. In the fashion world, opinions vary, but when it comes to a dress so elegant and distinctive, everyone agreed on its brilliance.

Yet, her words set off a flurry of whispers below the stage.

The manager backstage was sweating with anxiety—what was this girl saying now?

Yuan Xiangdie had always been a devoted fan of Shao Qiuyu, following her ever since her first period drama. She sketched designs while watching the livestream.

Seeing the dress on her idol, and recognizing it as one she’d sent from her own shop, she understood instantly.

“Oh my god, Julie, wake up! That’s my idol—no, my goddess—wearing our custom design! Why didn’t you tell me?”

Yuan Xiangdie was nearly delirious with excitement. Shao Qiuyu had been her only solace during her darkest days.

Back in prison, the TV played the same period drama on a loop—a story of a maid who rose to become an imperial concubine.

But Yuan Xiangdie’s favorite wasn’t the maid; it was the lady official who always made things difficult for her.

From then on, she was hopelessly devoted to Shao Qiuyu.

“Oh, young miss, can’t you let me sleep a bit longer? I’m so tired. That’s the dress I asked you to redesign last time, satisfied now? Your goddess wore your creation to the film ceremony…”

Julie’s eyes drooped as she mumbled, too sleepy to finish her sentence.

But nothing could dampen Yuan Xiangdie’s exhilaration—her goddess was the best!

After the ceremony’s festivities ended, every celebrity—male or female—dragged their weary bodies back to their vans.

Some rejoiced, others despaired, but this time, Yuan Yao’er had landed herself in real trouble.

Gao Yan, a newly famous online influencer, had bought a custom Xunfang gown to elevate her status and compete with the “old women” from TV.

But who could have foreseen that her dress would have a knock-off?

No sooner had she entered the car than she ripped off the suit and hurled it to the floor, sitting in just a black tank top as she launched into a tirade.

“What is this garbage? Even the greeters at the door looked better than me. Xunfang—what a brand! Even my dog’s clothes look better. Look, even the streamer next door in a fake version looks better than mine.”

Honestly, it was true. Her assistant quickly picked up the dress—after all, it cost over a million when they bought it. But her boss, unconcerned with money, insisted on buying it outright just for appearances.

“Oh, just calm down. It’s all money. If you don’t care, I do.” Thanks to Situ’s publicity, and a certain man’s whim, Yuan Xiangdie suddenly became the darling of the scene. But for that reason, she had to stay composed.

“Congratulations, you’ve finally made it. I remember you telling me how much you loved being a designer.”

Yuan Xiangdie was at an institute, looking for her teacher. When she was young, it was this teacher who introduced her to the world of design, fueling her passion for drawing so she could someday create the clothes she envisioned.

“Teacher, you’re too kind. Even if I have achieved a little, I’m here to see you. To me, you’ll always be my guide.”

Her teacher, an older woman who looked about fifty or sixty but was actually sixty-six, sat quietly by the flowerbeds, sipping water from a thermos.

“So, why have you come? I’ve seen your shop’s designs—they’re inspired, but compared to your earliest work, something is still missing.”

Yuan Xiangdie nodded. She’d felt the same.

“Ms. Gao, that’s exactly it. I knew you’d have a solution.”

As Yuan Xiangdie’s life returned to normal and she cut ties with those from her past, Xiao Wei started kindergarten. With time on her hands, she strolled about, broadening her horizons.