Chapter 68

Cai Qingyuan showed a look of surprise—her refusal was clearly beyond his expectations.

“Why?”

She hadn’t even asked about the price he was offering. For a young and poor girl like her, it was rare to see someone resist such temptation.

“I don’t have any special talents, and because of my body shape, I’ve been targeted everywhere I go. But I have never belittled myself.

Every person born into this world is unique, and I am no exception. Although I’ve lived a plain and ordinary life for the past eighteen years, I believe that one day, I will find my rightful place.

And this design is a birthday gift I gave myself for my eighteenth birthday.

It holds extraordinary significance to me—this design represents my dreams. How could I sell my dreams so easily?”

Ye Yao spoke smoothly and with deep emotion, almost moving herself with her words.

After finishing, she carefully observed Cai Qingyuan’s reaction—she had planned this in advance.

Cai Qingyuan’s expression became serious. “I see… It seems I was being too presumptuous.”

He had thought it was just a simple transaction—money in exchange for a product—but he hadn’t expected this design to be the embodiment of the young woman’s dreams. Clearly, it wouldn’t be easy to obtain it now.

Ye Yao’s lips twitched slightly. Had she made it sound too grand and lofty? What if he actually gave up? Wouldn’t she end up with nothing?

She could easily draw dozens of designs like this, but to him, this was undoubtedly something worth a fortune.

So, when he spoke again, she had already decided to sell it. But of course, she couldn’t agree too easily—otherwise, how would she negotiate a good price?

“Ahem, how can I blame you for this, Boss Cai? Sigh, it’s just that fate has been unkind to me. I have a brilliant mind, yet no opportunities to put it to use.”

She quickly pulled the conversation back on track, sighing dramatically while keeping a close eye on Cai Qingyuan’s reaction.

Cai Qingyuan looked at her with a face full of regret.

“Sigh, forget it. Let’s not talk about such disheartening things. Boss Cai, please return my design and the clothes to me. It’s time for me to go back.”

Ye Yao appeared calm on the surface, but inside, she was already feeling anxious.

Hearing her ask for the design, Cai Qingyuan’s heart tightened—he was truly reluctant to let it go.

“Ye Yao, I know you’re a girl with dreams. But as you said, dreams alone aren’t enough. Rather than holding onto this design, wouldn’t you be better off improving your current life first? Only then will you have the opportunity to pursue the things you truly want to learn.

I think you should reconsider my offer. The price I’m willing to pay is beyond anything you could imagine.”

Ye Yao’s tense expression wavered, as if torn between choices. “Boss Cai, what you’re saying does make sense…”

Seeing her hesitation, Cai Qingyuan’s expression grew expectant. It looked like she was beginning to waver.

“Alright, Boss Cai. I can agree to sell my first dream to you. But please promise me that you will make this design shine and reach its full potential.”

Ye Yao deliberately used the words “shine and reach its full potential,” and even added a reluctant, sentimental touch to her expression.

Cai Qingyuan was overjoyed, already planning how to get this sportswear design onto his store’s shelves as soon as possible.

“Boss Cai, you mentioned earlier that you’d offer me a great price. So, how much exactly are we talking about?”

After all, this was her dream—the first gift she had given herself for her eighteenth birthday.

And the price of a dream? She would certainly negotiate it well.