Chapter 12  

From within Golden Sunflower Studio which had always offered their best quality service, the sounds of wailing and screams could be heard from time to time.

"Wa! It hurts! Don't pull my hair........!"

"Aiya! Don't pull the skin on my face.......!"

"Hey! What are you putting on my eyelashes?!......."

Zhen Lang lowered his head and flipped through the book in his hand. He did not seem perturbed by the terrible screams. In the room, the person was gripping onto the table with an expression full of determination to complete the task, yet she was still struggling in protest.

"Don't brush my lashes into fly-legs!"

"Don't give me a pale face like a corpse!"

"Don't make me into a black-eyed monster!"

The elegant expression on Fang Qing Kui's face finally changed into a fierce expression under her constant wailing. Gnashing her teeth, she glared at her and said. "Are my skills that bad?! One more sound from you, I'll turn you into a Japanese geisha!! "

Finally, Jia Shao did not dare to shout or wail again. She could only whine and groan in a small voice to show her dissatisfaction. Helplessly she let the powder puff sweep over her face and although she felt uncomfortable, she did not dare to move.

It is well-known that Jia Shao is a dynamite barrel and Fang Qing Kui is notoriously famous for her good-temper. All the employees of 'Golden Sunflower' Studio knew that their Jia Great Photographer is a fearless person but only in front of their Lady Boss, she does not dare to glare at their Boss or be angry at their Boss. And for what reason, they were unclear.

Fang Qing Kui was humming a relaxing tune while Jia Shao in front of her had a brave and solemn expression on her face but she did not dare to look at herself in the mirror.

The powder puff made her face itched and the mascara on her eyelashes made her feel very heavy. Jia Shao gingerly took a step forward. Then after a long while, she stretched her toes and raised her head without moving her neck.

"What are you doing?" Fang Qing Kui turned around from the piles of clothes she was looking through and saw her sneaking like a thief. She rolled her eyes and gave Jia Shao a helpless expression.

Lifting up her face, Jia Shao said in a whisper. "I'm afraid the powder will drop off!"

A piece of clothing smashed on her face. "You think that is flour?! Quickly, change into the dress!"

Holding the light and thin dress in her hand, Jia Shao reluctantly walked into the changing room. Fang Qing Kui's face showed a weird smile and picked up the camera that Jia Shao had left at the side.

Sure enough, not long after, a strange scream could be heard coming from the changing room. When the door opened, Jia Shao was clutching her chest. "How do you wear this?!"

Fang Qing Kui leisurely answered. "Take off everything and wear it."

"Oh........" She gave a dull reply. Fang Qing Kui pulled at her clothes and said. "I will help you."

Not doubting her, Jia Shao was like a puppet and allowed Fang Qing Kui a free hand.

"Is this alright?" Jia Shao touched her cool thigh, then looked at the hem of the skirt that just managed to cover her buttocks and then touched her bare shoulders. Her back felt even more chilly. "The back is so bare. What if the dress accidentally slides down?"

"It won't fall as long as you don't fight." Fang Qing Kui responded as she raked through the big waves of curly hair on Jia Shao's wig that was sitting on her head. Then she pulled out a pair of stilettos and said. "Put these on."

"Wear this?!" Jia Shao's big eyes looked more beautiful when her long eyelashes fluttered. She looked at the high heels innocently. "I haven't worn these before!"

"You will get used to it." Fang Qing Kui's stern expression made Jia Shao keep quiet and sullenly she put them on. Swaying, she slowly began to walk.

Her slender legs shone like the luster of pearls and the stilettos brought out the perfect curves of her calves. The tight-fitting short skirt barely hid the view of her delicate upper thighs and it wrapped snugly around her firm curvy bottom which showed off her slender waist that could be encircled with an arm. Her snow-white shoulders meandered to her collarbone which showed her nervous breathing. The long wavy curls were gathered to the front of her chest covering the view of her beautiful skin. Her big eyes were misty showing her uneasiness and her red lips were slightly opened while her eyebrows knitted in a slight frown.

"Bingo!!" Fang Qing Kui gave a cheerful shout. "I have said you are a beautiful woman. Now I finally get to see you with makeup. This is great......."

The elegant beauty slid her fingers along the white railing as she slowly descended the stairs. She looked elegant and dignified which is pleasing to the eye and her gaze rested on the handsome man under the dim yellow light, then.........

"Aiya!!"

The beauty stumbled over two remaining steps, let out a painful cry and fell headlong down the stairs. Fortunately, her skills were excellent and curving her body, she extended both hands to break the fall. To prevent from falling flat on her face, she used her hands to give herself a push and maneuvered a neat flip in mid-air before making a perfect landing.

But it seems she had forgotten, at this moment, she was stepping on her feet......not in her usual soft-soled casual sneakers but the 10 centimeters high heeled shoes.

When she landed on her feet, she fell forward two steps with both her hands outstretched but she still fell straight down.......and landed at Zhen Lang's feet.

Everything happened so fast that Fang Qing Kui did not even have time to scream and Zhen Lang did not even have time to hold out his hands, the beauty had heroically fallen down.

Beside her fingers was Zhen Lang's pants and she could vaguely feel the softness of the texture of the material shaking at the back of her hand. Jia Shao covered her chest with her hands and was groaning in pain on the floor with her head raised up. "Damn! This is the first time in my life, I had such a bad fall!"

Zhen Lang's mouth twitched......then his mouth widened......then widened a bit more and finally, he could not control himself and burst into loud laughter. His magnetic voice then vibrated throughout the room.

He lowered his head to look at the high heeled shoe with sparkling rhinestones near his foot and stretched out his hand to pick it up. The heel had already split from the miserable shoe and after a few tugs, it finally came apart, falling on the floor.

"10 centimeters!" He exclaimed and held the damaged shoe in front of Jia Shao. "You are already 173 centimeters tall and adding another 10 centimeters you will be 183 centimeters tall......and you are going to wear this on a blind date. In case the other party is not so tall, what will you do?"

Jia Shao felt angry and biting her lip, she glared fiercely at Zhen Lang.

The floor is carpeted and her sharp instinct had protected her from a bad fall but this time, she had hurt her self-esteem because it happened in front of Zhen Lang.

"Beloved Subject, it is unnecessary for such great etiquette, you may rise!*" Zhen Lang reached out his hand but Jia Shao fiercely swatted his hand away. With a twist of her bottom, she had sat up.

('Beloved Subject, it is unnecessary for such great etiquette, you may rise' are the words the Emperor will say to his Ministers when they kneel in front of him in greeting and/or seek an audience with him. ZL is laughing at JS for falling and kneeling in front of him.)

"Take care of your back." The cool words came from behind and Jia Shao who had sat up suddenly froze. Both her arms were folded with her hands under her armpit and she did not dare to make any movement.

Just as she was being reserved and composed, just as she was elegantly supporting herself to get up slowly, again the calm voice floated over coolly. "Your wig is crooked."

Finally, she could not control herself any longer. Disregarding that she might be exposed and might be shamed, she jumped up. With both hands on her waist, she lowered her face and pointed her finger at his sharp nose and said. "You are a jinx! Shut up!!!"

With a faint smile, he nodded his head slightly and obediently kept his silence.

Clutching her crooked wig, she ferociously tugged it in place and put on a pair of wedge heels that Fang Qing Kui handed to her before walking away towards the door.

She took two steps forward and felt a silky texture cover her shoulders. Jia Shao looked down and saw an elegant silk shawl draped over her drifting down to her elbows. It covered most of her exposed back and shoulders and she could finally relax her taut arms.

Involuntarily, she let out a faint sigh and turning her head sideways, she looked at Zhen Lang who was a step behind her. Subconsciously, she speeded up her footsteps. Being unlucky is what she had always believed herself to be.

The figure that was keeping his distance gave her tremendous pressure. She pulled the shawl tightly around her shoulders and bravely stepped into the café in front of her.

It was dinner time and in the café, there was a mixture of aromas. Jia Shao's stomach suddenly gave out a loud sound. She pressed her belly, put on a fake smile and swept her eyes to the table that was earlier agreed on.

A man was already seated at the table and his fingers were boringly knocking on the table top. He looked impatient and from time to time he looked at his watch.

Just as he stood up and was ready to leave, Jia Shao greeted him. "Excuse me, you are......"

What? What is his surname? Damn, she actually forgot!

"I am.....I am!" The man's eyes showed admiration and appreciation for the beauty and fiercely nodded his head. "You must be Miss Jia."

While she was nodding politely in agreement, Jia Shao had thoroughly looked him over.

Height......just normal......not as tall and straight as Zhen Lang.

Looks......just normal......not as handsome as Zhen Lang.

Temperament......dull......not as elegant as Zhen Lang.

This man cannot be any more ordinary than the ordinary. He is not as handsome as Zhen Lang and does not possess Zhen Lang's uniqueness that can make him stand out in a crowd of people with just a glance.

Damn! Why should she be comparing that jinx with other people?

Forget it. For so many years, that man had always been by her side and he is the only one who had made an impression on her and so if she compares him with others, it was unavoidable.

Anyway, no matter how she compares, as long as the other person will not jinx her as he is doing, it will be alright!

Controlling herself, she showed a reserved smile. As she smiled, she sat down on the chair and out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly caught sight of a tall and upright figure sitting down diagonally in front of her.

Her smile almost slipped and she became angry.

If he wants to wait he can wait but why is he sitting so close?

Her eyes twitched and squeezed. She tried hard to maintain her grace and at the same time, wanted to warn him to stay away from her. But that man lowered his head to look at the menu and actually did not sense her gloomy little universe.

"Miss Jia, you must not have had your dinner yet. Do you need to order something?" The man sitting opposite her looked very attentive and repeatedly pushed the menu towards her.

Jia Shao looked at the menu and in her mind, the images of those wonderful food flew pass alternatively before her eyes.

Italian pasta, seafood risotto, T-bone steak medium rare, and an additional basket of shrimp dumplings, then that would be most perfect.

(Shrimp dumplings are small lumps of minced or whole shrimp meat wrapped in a thin layer of skin and steamed in bamboo baskets.)

"Remember, you are not allowed to eat during the blind date. You are not allowed to let him see the terrible image of you eating. You are only allowed to drink water......drink water!!!"

Just at this time, the threatening image of Fang Qing Kui with both hands on her waist and her eyebrows lifted flashed across her mind. Jia Shao's smile and the light in her eyes gradually disappeared and her happiness suddenly flew over the horizon.

"I'll.......drink water." The last two words were spoken in grief.

"No, you must eat something." The man took the menu from her with great enthusiasm. "Don't be polite with me. I'll treat you to this meal."

The man browsed through the menu, turning one page after the other until he reached the end and then from the last page, he turned over again until he reached the first page.

Jia Shao's eyes once again at this moment, shifted to the table that was diagonally in front of her at a 45-degree angle. The mist floated into the air, a burst of aroma drifted over and that was exactly what flashed across her mind a moment ago.

Italian pasta, seafood risotto, T-bone steak!

Look at that color! Certainly, it is medium-rare!

And there are also two baskets of shrimp dumplings!

She groaned. He ordered so much, how is he going to finish?

He must have done it on purpose, he did this intentionally!

The killing aura rising from her back flew directly towards that man.

Someone gracefully picked up the knife and slid it over the steak, cutting a small piece and straight away put it into his mouth.

Jia Shao swallowed a big mouthful of water and mourned for the pitiful steak as it grew smaller and smaller until it will eventually completely disappear.

In her ear, finally, she could hear the voice of the 'bold and forthright' man. "Give me a plate of banana chips and two glasses of ice water! That's all."