"Miss Lu, please forgive Chu Ting. I'm sure she said it out of anger," Yao Zhelan said calmly. There was something in her eyes that made Lu Xinyi wary of her motive. Yao Zhelan was surely different from women who held a grudge against her. Whatever Yao Zhelan's reason was, Lu Xinyi knew that she could not let her guard down.
"Oh, I suppose you are right." She gave a curt nod to Yao Zhelan before changing the topic. "What brings you here then?"
Looking around, Yao Zhelan ran her fingers at the rack of clothes closest to her and picked up a white dress from it. Her well-manicured hands felt the cloth while her eyes scrutinized the intricate detail of the embroidery.
"I've heard that Zheng Yue and Wang Zhuyi have become the recent faces of Flair Apparel, which made me wonder how Flair Apparel was able to convince the aloof Zheng Yue to represent their brand."
Within the showbiz circle, it was known that Zheng Yue was very picky with her endorsements. She'd declined several projects and proposals before, no matter how much the company was willing to pay her. To be able to convince her, Flair Apparel must have given Zheng Yue something she could never decline.
"Indeed, Miss Zheng and Miss Wang are good additions to our brand. Unlike some cheap clothes that pretend to be classy, Flair Apparel has several selections suited for women regardless of their size and skin color," Lu Xinyi boasted.
If there was something she was proud of Xia Yuhan, it was her ability to come up with designs that not only could be worn by models on a runway but by commoners.
"What a promising idea," Yao Zhelan commented but didn't say more. It was as if she was treading thin ice by talking with Lu Xinyi.
"What do you think of these trendy dresses? Of course, you are free to try them on if you want." Lu Xinyi plastered a smile on her lips, her eyes glinting with mischief at Yao Zhelan. If this woman thought she could play her like a fool, she was greatly mistaken.
"Promising? You must be joking Sis Zhelan. Just look at these clothes… it is so outdated. You call this trendy?" Chu Ting sneered beside Yao Zhelan.
Lu Xinyi's right eye twitched. She kept reminding herself that she should watch what she say in public. Not only would she embarrass herself, but she would cause trouble to Flair Apparel. However, it was too late to stop her sharp tongue.
"It's alright, Miss Chu. I understand that you couldn't appreciate what matters to most people. Why don't you check Taobao and see if they sell a brain for you to use? I don't want to talk like an idiot, but how else could you understand me?"
Chu Ting had enough of Lu Xinyi's insults and called an attendant.
"Go call your manager. Is this how a brand ambassador should talk to your customers? How rude of you, Lu Xinyi!" she yelled, gaining more attention their way.
The little devil rubbed her temple as she felt another migraine coming as Chu Ting continued to yell at her poor store attendant.
"Please, Miss Chu. We all know you represent Starlight Collections so how come you have the guts to step inside your competitors' place. Are you going to buy, or are you here to make a scene?" She challenged Chu Ting.
Hearing that there was a commotion inside the store, the manager quickly rushed in and pulled Lu Xinyi to the side.
"Miss Lu! What are you doing? Don't you know who are you talking to?" She hissed at Lu Xinyi, her grip tightening on the latter's arm as she scolded her. "I know you are friends with Miss Xia and related to President Shen," the manager continued nervously, "but you can't act arrogantly in front of our customers."
Lu Xinyi eyed the manager for a moment, thinking how foolish this woman was. Wasn't it obvious that Chu Ting and Yao Zhelan weren't here to buy but to cause them trouble? Not only Chu Ting dared to make fun of Xia Yuhan's designs, but she also insulted her brand. There must be something wrong with this manager's head.
A mere manager talking back to the brand owner like this? Ahh… some people just don't understand who were they trying to piss off.
"Miss Lu, make an apology! Quick! We can't let them leave the store like this."
However, in Lu Xinyi's mind, she thought. They had the guts to enter her lair; they should also bear the consequence of their actions.
"I'm sorry for my attitude, Miss Yao, but I'll insist for you to take Miss Chu away. Flair Apparel doesn't make clothes for mad dogs. Please tell her to stop barking. Not only did she dare to hit Shen Yuyan but also insulted Flair Apparel with her presence."
Upon hearing Lu Xinyi's words, the manager's face lost all its colors. She kept saying 'it's over' to herself over and over again.
In response, Chu Ting took a step forward and slapped Lu Xinyi's face with all her strength. The rage in her face was replaced with a smirk when she saw the red mark of her hand over Lu Xinyi's skin. She was really satisfied that she finally got a chance to get even with Lu Xinyi.
Lu Xinyi's head was whipped to her right, her long hair covering half of her face from the impact. Slowly, she lowered her head, hiding the murderous glint in her eyes. This was the third time she was hit by someone in public. She ran her right hand on her hair to smoothen it before facing Chu Ting with her RBF in place.
"Miss Lu." Fu Rui appeared at the doorway, ready to drag the woman who dared to hit their mistress; but Lu Xinyi only lifted a hand to stop him.
Instead, Lu Xinyi took out her phone from her handbag and dialed her husband's number. When Shen Yi picked up her call, the words that came out from her mouth were enough to freeze the smile on Chu Ting and Yao Zhelan's faces.
"Darling, someone slapped me. What should I do?" Lu Xinyi said, without breaking her gaze at the woman who slapped her. She then put the call on loud-speak to let everyone hear whom she was talking to.
"Who is it?" When Lu Xinyi called him, Shen Yi was in the middle of a meeting. He then held up his hand to silence everyone in the conference room. Those in the meeting looked at each other confusedly, not understanding what was happening to President Shen.
Qiao He alone understood what came up and who called his boss. He then led everyone out of the room, telling them that Shen Yi had an emergency to deal with. There could be no one else that could change Shen Yi's mind or make him out of character unless his wife was involved.
Meanwhile, the two actresses and the customers shopping inside Flair Apparel were stupefied upon hearing Shen Yi's voice. Chu Ting's knees trembled. She could distinguish that voice anywhere! It was really President Shen!
"Chu Ting."
"Wait for me. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
After disconnecting the call, Shen Yi walked out of the conference room, telling Qiao He to cancel his remaining schedule for the day. His wife needed him, and that was more important than anything.