CHAPTER 15 (PART 2)

That day, Qin Yangyang couldn’t help but start researching how to set up a design studio.

She didn’t have much spare cash on hand. It was more than enough to open a small studio, but if she wanted to integrate into the production chain, the costs would skyrocket.

There was the registered capital, basic expenses, and all the upfront investment required for product manufacturing—it would take a lot of money.

Previously, she thought she’d made a small fortune from designing the system and the mascot, and had half a foot into “rich lady” territory. But looking at things now, she was clearly stretched thin. It still wasn’t enough.

If only that deal with Yu Yuezhi had gone through—three million in the bank, and she wouldn’t be worrying now.

The more she thought about it, the more Qin Yangyang regretted it.

How was she going to fill such a huge funding gap?

Qin Heping was currently preparing to open his fifth supermarket and had no extra money to spare.

And recently, Ji Jingxiu had built up his tolerance. He’d become immune to her antics. Every time she tried to get under his skin, his reaction was calm and indifferent. The system could only trickle in a few thousand yuan in pocket money.

A drop in the ocean.

After thinking it over, Qin Yangyang decided to go back to that rich lady—Yu Yuezhi.

If she was going to do it, she might as well go big!

The next day, Qin Yangyang went straight to the Yu residence to pay a visit.

Since their meeting at the birch tree restaurant, Yu Yuezhi had been so spooked she went completely off the radar for days.

The moment she opened the door and saw who was outside, her expression changed drastically. She immediately tried to shut the door—but Qin Yangyang was faster and blocked it with her hand.

“Do you still want Ji Jingxiu?”

At the mention of that name, Yu Yuezhi shook her head like crazy, as if he were some plague. She looked absolutely horrified.

“Can you please stop looking for me? I’m scared.”

Qin Yangyang wasn’t about to give up her dream of starting a studio. She tried to negotiate. “Really don’t want him? Last time was a misunderstanding. Ji Jingxiu’s got great looks, a solid build, and no weird health problems.”

Other than not being able to be in the sun.

She added silently in her heart.

But Yu Yuezhi narrowed her eyes slightly, as if she’d picked up on something.

“I smell a lie.”

Qin Yangyang smiled and boldly stepped into the house. Using her gift of gab, she tried to reopen the deal they had discussed earlier.

But this time, no matter what she said, Yu Yuezhi wasn’t buying it.

“Why are you so determined to sell Ji Jingxiu to me?”

She was completely baffled. Who in the world tries to sell off their own husband?

Wasn’t Qin Yangyang supposed to be madly in love with Ji Jingxiu?

Qin Yangyang was honest. “I need money.”

“How much?”

Qin Yangyang did a quick mental calculation. “I want to open a studio, but I’m still short about ten million.”

Yu Yuezhi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You came to me just for ten million?”

Just?

Qin Yangyang: You rich people… It’s been half a month and I still don’t get your world.

Yu Yuezhi, on the other hand, looked visibly relieved. She turned around, pulled out her checkbook from her bag, and said, “If all you want is ten million, I can help you. But don’t try to shove Ji Jingxiu at me again. My place is not a garbage recycling station.”

Qin Yangyang was stunned by how casually she said that.

How could ten million sound like ten bucks coming from her mouth?

She’d rather give away money than take Ji Jingxiu?

“I thought you had a crush on Ji Jingxiu for years?”

Now he’s garbage?

Yu Yuezhi gave an indifferent shrug.

“I don’t know why, but ever since I realized you weren’t competing with me anymore, he suddenly lost all appeal. I just don’t like him that much now.”

“…”

Woman, you sure change your heart fast.

Yu Yuezhi was a bona fide little rich lady.

The Yu family’s assets ranked just below the Ji family’s. As the only daughter, her parents doted on her endlessly. She’d had more money than she could spend since she was a child.

Once she gave her word, she quickly filled in the amount and name on the check and handed it to Qin Yangyang.

“Ten million. It’s yours.”

Qin Yangyang’s hand trembled slightly.

“Aren’t you afraid I might scam you?”

Yu Yuezhi didn’t care in the least. “Money is just material. Since I gave it to you, it doesn’t matter if you pay me back or not. My life motto is: people can cheat me out of money, but not out of love. Love is priceless.”

What a powerful life motto!

Qin Yangyang grabbed her hand like she’d found a soulmate.

“Yu Yuezhi, I just realized—we’re meant to be best friends.”

Yu Yuezhi’s eyes lit up.

“Wait, is your life motto the same as mine?”

Qin Yangyang shook her head.

“Nope, the opposite. People can lie to me about love, but they can’t lie about money. We’re a perfect match—sisters!”

Yu Yuezhi: …

Qin Yangyang carefully tucked the check into her wallet and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back as soon as possible. Once the studio gets up and running and the Communication Device is in production, we’ll have income, and I’ll return the money right away.”

She was suddenly grabbed by the arm.

“Wait!”

Yu Yuezhi’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Qin Yangyang.

“Did you just say… the Communication Device? You designed that?”

“I did.”

Yu Yuezhi was stunned. She immediately pulled out her phone and pointed to the “Fenghe” account homepage.

“This person is you?”

Qin Yangyang nodded.

Wasn’t it obvious?

Then she remembered—at the last rich wives’ gathering, Yu Yuezhi had left halfway and didn’t get to see the mascot she presented.

No wonder she didn’t know she was “Fenghe.”

At that moment, Yu Yuezhi looked at Qin Yangyang with disbelief, as if having an inner meltdown.

After a long while, excitement finally won out. Her expression turned odd—delighted, embarrassed, even a little shy.

She glanced nervously at Qin Yangyang, then whispered, “Actually, I’ve seen every video you posted. I love all your designs! Look, this comment right here, I posted it.”

Qin Yangyang followed her finger and looked over. It turned out to be a comment she was incredibly familiar with.

[This product is so fun! Sis, don’t you want to register a trademark? I’ll be the first to wait for your next release!]

That was the very comment that had planted the idea of opening a studio in her mind.

And it was actually posted by Yu Yuezhi!

Qin Yangyang was still holding her hand when she saw Yu Yuezhi’s cheeks flush bright red, like a fangirl finally meeting her idol—shy and starstruck.

The first time she saw the mascot for the Dream Amusement Park, she’d instantly fallen in love. She followed the entire publicity and production process from beginning to end.

The park refused to reveal the designer’s identity, only saying the name was “Feng He.” So she tracked down the person’s Weibo.

One look, and she realized all the recent posts were by the same designer—and they were all her favorites.

“I can’t believe you’re Feng He! If I’d known earlier, you wouldn’t even need to ask. I’d pay anything! Is ten million enough? Here, let me give you a bit more.”

As she spoke, she pulled out her checkbook again.

Qin Yangyang was once again stunned.

Seriously, who wouldn’t want a rich fangirl like this?

She quickly stopped her.

“There’s no need. Ten million is already more than enough.”

Yu Yuezhi beamed. Qin Yangyang didn’t know if it was the “rich lady filter” she had on, but she actually found her round face kind of cute.

“Can I call you Yangyang? Yangyang, you don’t need to pay back the ten million. Just think of it as my investment—I want to open a studio with you.”

She looped her arm through Qin Yangyang’s, closing the distance between them instantly.

“I won’t interfere with your designs. I just want to be the first to get my hands on the products once they’re ready.”

“Sure.”

That wasn’t a problem at all.

Qin Yangyang nodded and agreed. After a pause, she asked again, “What about Ji Jingxiu? Do you still—”

Before she could finish, Yu Yuezhi cut her off.

Her round little face turned serious. “I want to open a studio with you because I love your designs. Don’t mention men—men would only taint the friendship between us.”

Qin Yangyang: …

“Alright.”

This rich bestie? She was definitely keeping her!

—

With the most important issue—funding—resolved, Qin Yangyang immediately began preparing to launch her studio.

She planned to name it directly after “Feng He” to carry on the recognition she’d already built.

Although Yu Yuezhi said she wanted to partner up, she honestly had zero experience in running a studio. Most of the time, she just followed Qin Yangyang around, caught up in the excitement.

Every time Qin Yangyang turned around, there she was, checkbook at the ready, eyes shining.

“Yangyang, how much do you need?”

Qin Yangyang would silently press her hand down.

“That’s enough. Just stick with me.”

Once the basic procedures were done, the next crucial step was finding a factory.

The “Communication Wonder Tool” needed a rented production line that could be customized, and they also needed to hire workers to operate it. These factors determined the final product’s quality—there was no room for carelessness.

Qin Yangyang didn’t have experience, and Yu Yuezhi was a sweet, clueless rich girl, so they approached every step cautiously, screening and researching again and again to find the most suitable factory.

Because of that, the two of them started meeting more and more often.

After a few meetups, Qin Yangyang found it too much trouble to keep going to cafés, so she simply invited Yu Yuezhi to meet in her bedroom at the Ji residence.

She still had a lot of materials related to the Communication Wonder Tool’s development process in there, so they could look at them and discuss as they went.

It was Yu Yuezhi’s first time at the Ji residence.

She lived nearby. Back when she had a crush on Ji Jingxiu, she used to come by under various pretexts just to hang around, but since she was never granted entry, she’d never actually been inside.

Now, as soon as she walked in, she saw Zhaocai sitting on the sofa. She and the cat stared at each other, big eyes glaring at small ones.

After a long moment, she chose her words carefully. “Is this the cat that fought with you? Feels like one slap from it could send three of me flying.”

“I think it’s insulting me with its face.”

Since being adopted, Zhaocai had fattened up and grown jowls, now looking like a walking gas canister. It patrolled the Ji residence daily, acknowledged no one but Qin Yangyang, and would even pick fights with Ji Jingxiu if they crossed paths. It was extremely arrogant.

It stood up calmly, swayed its hips, and sauntered off.

Yu Yuezhi had no interest in the house itself—she excitedly ran straight into Qin Yangyang’s room.

As soon as she stepped in, she gasped at the simple workspace.

“So this is where the mascot was designed!”

“Yangyang, you’re amazing! Every single one of your works hits me right in the feels!”

“Ji Jingxiu seriously doesn’t deserve a wife like you.”

Sweet-talker, this one.

Ever since marrying Ji Jingxiu, plenty of people had tried flattering Qin Yangyang, but she’d always been unmoved.

Yet somehow, with Yu Yuezhi’s sugary tone, she found she just couldn’t resist.

“You can rest here for now. I’ll ask someone to bring us food.”

With that, Qin Yangyang stepped out of the bedroom, only to see the butler standing outside looking troubled.

“Madam, you two didn’t fight… did you?”

“Why would we fight?”

The butler frowned but said nothing.

He’d been managing the Ji residence for years and often saw a young woman loitering around the property, sneaking glances inside. Every time Ji Jingxiu showed up, she looked excited.

Being an old hand, he knew exactly what was going on. But since President Ji told him to ignore her, he always pretended not to see.

Who could’ve guessed that today, Madam would actually bring her into the house?

The butler had imagined a whole scene of jealous rivals meeting, sparks flying—and ever since earlier, his heart had been stuck in his throat.

Qin Yangyang explained, “You don’t have to worry. Yu Yuezhi’s here to discuss the studio with me. It has nothing to do with Ji Jingxiu.”