Seeing that Meng Ruozhao remained rather calm, Shen Xinyin paused for a moment and then added, "Besides, I'd like to apologize for what happened last night."
"I was too impulsive. Maybe, maybe I caused some misunderstandings and unpleasantness between you and Brother Qiubai. I'm really sorry."
This speech sounded quite "sincere" and was well - presented, leaving no room for criticism.
However, Meng Ruozhao could clearly see the inquisitiveness, unwillingness, and a hint of venom hidden in Shen Xinyin's eyes. She knew exactly what was going on.
Those who come with ill intentions are not kind, and the kind do not come with ill intentions.
How could Shen Xinyin really come to apologize and order clothes? She just came in a different way to pick a fight and find out the situation.
Nevertheless, when doing business, there is no reason to drive customers away.
Moreover, Meng Ruozhao didn't want to fall out with Shen Xinyin. No matter what kind of past Shen Xinyin had with Yan Qiubai, it had nothing to do with her.
So, Meng Ruozhao stepped aside, her tone remaining professionally calm. "Ms. Shen, you're joking. We welcome all customers here when doing business."
"What happened yesterday is in the past. There's no need to mention it again."
"Since you're here to look at clothes today, the store naturally welcomes you. Please come in."
She slightly emphasized the words "today" and "look at clothes", making her attitude quite clear.
She's quite sensible. Shen Xinyin sneered inwardly and walked in on her high - heels.
After sizing up this small store unobtrusively, she felt even more bitter.
A woman who could only open such a small store could actually be protected by Yan Qiubai like that.
He even said such hurtful words regardless of their years of affection!
Moreover, how did they get to know each other?
"Although Ms. Meng's store isn't big, it's quite unique," Shen Xinyin commented indifferently. It was hard to tell whether it was praise or criticism.
"Thank you." Meng Ruozhao had no intention of chatting with her.
"I wonder what kind of clothes Ms. Shen wants to order? For daily wear or for a specific occasion?"
Shen Xinyin idly flipped through the ready - made clothes hanging on the rack, not really paying attention.
All her clothes were from world - class luxury brands. How could she wear the junk from this small store?
However, it wouldn't hurt to spend a little money for some fun.
"Just make me a dress, something suitable for a dinner party."
Suddenly, she turned to look at Meng Ruozhao, her eyes full of provocation.
"However, I hope you, Ms. Meng, can serve me personally. Is that okay?"
For an ordinary customer, this would be a very normal request. After all, Meng Ruozhao was the backbone of this store, and anyone who spent money would want more professional service.
But Shen Xinyin's request was obviously a deliberate attempt to make things difficult. There was a blatant sense of malicious fun in her eyes. She just wanted to order Meng Ruozhao around, to make her seem inferior.
Meng Ruozhao understood this well, but her expression remained unchanged. She nodded. "Sure. It's my job to provide professional service and advice to customers."
She walked to the fabric rack and began to introduce the fabrics seriously.
"For a dinner - party dress, these silk satin and crepe fabrics have better textures. Their drape and luster are suitable for a grand occasion."
"In terms of color, since Ms. Shen has fair skin, royal blue, dark green, or the classic champagne color will all look great."
She introduced them professionally and in detail, as if Shen Xinyin were just an ordinary customer.
Shen Xinyin listened absent - mindedly, but her eyes were always fixed on Meng Ruozhao.
She tried to find the slightest hint of reluctance, annoyance, or guilt on her face. But she was disappointed.
Meng Ruozhao's expression remained calm. Her eyes were focused on the fabrics.
She seemed to be completely immersed in her work and was not affected at all by the presence of this "rival in love".
This kind of indifference made Shen Xinyin feel more frustrated and uneasy than direct anger and counter - attacks.
Was she looking down on her? Did she think that her relationship with Yan Qiubai was so deep that it couldn't be affected by others?
Hehe, it was really ridiculous.
She frowned and casually pointed. "Just the royal - blue satin."
"Okay." Meng Ruozhao took down the roll of fabric and spread a part of it on the workbench so that Shen Xinyin could feel it more intuitively.
"This satin has a high density, a soft luster, and is not easy to snag..."
"Alright, that's it," Shen Xinyin interrupted her impatiently. She didn't really come to listen to these things. "Take my measurements."
"Please come over here." Meng Ruozhao picked up the measuring tape and motioned for Shen Xinyin to stand on the empty space in front of the dressing mirror.
Shen Xinyin cooperated and stood there. She watched as Meng Ruozhao approached her with the measuring tape, looking calm. She started to measure Shen Xinyin's shoulder width, bust, waist...
The cold measuring tape touched her skin, and Meng Ruozhao's fingers would inevitably brush against her from time to time. But her movements were professional and fast, without any extra emotions, as if she were measuring a mannequin.
Shen Xinyin's body stiffened a little.
She looked closely at Meng Ruozhao's lowered eyebrows, that focused look, those skilled movements, and that calmness that was completely undisturbed...
All these made Shen Xinyin feel an inexplicable pressure.
Finally, she couldn't help but speak in a low voice when Meng Ruozhao was measuring her waist. Her tone was full of suppressed curiosity and jealousy.
"Ms. Meng, have you and Brother Qiubai been together for a long time?"
Meng Ruozhao's measuring movements didn't pause at all. She didn't even raise her head, and her voice was steady.
"Ms. Shen, today we're only talking about clothes, not personal matters."
The measuring tape moved to her hip.
Shen Xinyin was not willing to give up and continued to ask.
"I'm just curious. No one, not even me, has heard a single word about your relationship. How come?"
She had asked a lot of people last night, and many said they had never heard of it.
But some were hesitant and said they had heard something, but no one dared to ask Yan Qiubai.
Only a friend who had just opened a private equestrian club said that Yan Qiubai had brought Meng Ruozhao to his opening. But at that time, there was no introduction, and everyone didn't think much of it.
However, this was enough to show that they had been together for at least three months.
How could this be? Her first love with Yan Qiubai had only lasted less than a month!
But since no one knew about their relationship, she felt more confident.
If it were true love, why would they be so secretive?
She wanted to see Meng Ruozhao's expression when she heard this.
But Meng Ruozhao just silently recorded the data and started to measure the length of the dress. She still didn't respond to Shen Xinyin's probing.
Seeing Meng Ruozhao's unyielding attitude, Shen Xinyin's anger flared up again.
She was almost certain that this woman was deep - minded and highly skilled! Otherwise, how could she have stayed by Yan Qiubai's side for so long?
And how could she be so calm when facing her?
She could yield and be tough, be soft and be hard, and act as if nothing had happened!
She took a deep breath and stopped talking. She just stared at Meng Ruozhao with a scrutinizing and hostile look.
Meng Ruozhao ignored her gaze throughout and efficiently completed all the measurements and recorded them.
"The measurements are done. Do you have any specific ideas about the style, Ms. Shen? Or I can draw a few sketches for you to take a look at first?"
Meng Ruozhao took a step back to keep a distance. Her tone remained professionally polite, as if she hadn't noticed Shen Xinyin's hidden probes at all.