Lu Yan didn't shy away and said frankly, "Yes, she's a very outstanding fashion designer."
Ning Anmiao pursed her lips. Her feelings were rather complicated.
It was the first time she had heard Lu Yan praise her without reservation.
After a few conversations, Ning Anmiao more or less understood the relationship and origin between them.
It turned out that Irene used to be an excellent European fashion designer. Then she met her husband, Wilson, fell in love, and married into the royal family.
The reason why Lu Yan knew Irene and had such a close relationship with her was due to an accidental encounter.
As for the details of this encounter, Ning Anmiao was not clear.
However, it was really rare for them to maintain such a good cross - national friendship.
During the conversation, Irene constantly praised Miaomiao. She expressed her admiration and love for the temperament and gentle, calm demeanor that Miaomiao exuded from within.
Miaomiao quickly adapted. She smiled and chatted with Irene, feeling completely relaxed. She didn't act obsequiously just because the other person was from the royal family.
She was natural, generous, neither overbearing nor humble.
Irene was quite surprised to meet such an intellectual and gentle Oriental woman. She couldn't help but hold Miaomiao's hand and talk to her for a long time.
Ning Anmiao didn't get annoyed. She just kept smiling and chatting with her.
Lu Yan stood beside them, showing not the slightest bit of impatience. Instead, he seemed quite happy about it.
Then the topic turned to design.
"Miaomiao, I used to be a designer too. Meeting you makes me both surprised and regretful," Irene said excitedly.
Ning Anmiao smiled faintly. "I understand. In our country, we call this feeling 'regretting not having met earlier'."
"Yes, that's exactly what it means," Irene said happily, her eyes shining with joy. "If I had met you earlier, maybe I wouldn't have gotten married so early."
"I love design very much, and I love my works even more."
Ning Anmiao could definitely understand this. She nodded in agreement. "Me too."
At this point, Irene felt a bit regretful. "It's a pity that once I married into the royal family, I had to give up some things."
Ning Anmiao deeply agreed.
Hadn't she been in the same situation?
Because of the scholarly background of the Ning family, she had been suppressed by her father for so many years. She even had to do her design work secretly.
Moreover, she had broken off relations with her family for a full three years.
"I chose love over my career," Irene said with a bit of regret, but she didn't seem to regret it. "In life, we have to make sacrifices."
"I envy you. You have both love and a successful career. Yan is a very outstanding man. You two are a perfect match."
Hearing this, Ning Anmiao didn't say a word. Her expression darkened slightly.
She really wanted to tell Irene that she and Lu Yan were already divorced, and there was no more love between them.
But facing Irene's envious eyes, she just couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Irene," at this moment, Lu Yan, who had been standing quietly by the side for a long time, suddenly spoke. "You've been here for too long."
"Today, you're the main character."
Lu Yan's reminder made Irene immediately understand. She bowed her head politely to show her gratitude, and her eyes kept falling on Ning Anmiao.
"I'll go and meet some of my other friends. Yan, Miaomiao, I hope you have a great time."
"Happy wedding anniversary," Ning Anmiao nodded with a big smile on her face.
After seeing Irene off, Ning Anmiao's tense nerves relaxed a bit.
Although Irene was easy to get along with, after all, she was from the royal family. Ning Anmiao had to maintain all the proper etiquette and manners.
Lu Yan noticed all this. He gently leaned towards her and whispered in her ear, "You've worked hard. Do you want to go and eat something?"
His tone was affectionate and considerate, just like a caring husband.
His sudden approach made Ning Anmiao take a small step back. She looked up at him. "Mr. Lu, you're too close."
Her mind was still on what Irene had just said.
"Miaomiao, if we're acting, we should act the whole way," Lu Yan noticed her wariness and said casually. "Irene can see us."
He said it seriously, his tone so calm that it seemed she was overthinking. "Explaining to the people here that we're divorced would be more troublesome than pretending to be a couple."
Ning Anmiao's face flushed, and her heart raced. She wanted to argue, but before she could say anything, the man had already taken her slender hand with his big one and walked towards the banquet table.
Their Oriental faces stood out in an environment full of Europeans.
Especially Ning Anmiao. Almost everyone noticed her.
She always held her back straight. Her movements were slow, but her expression was as gentle as water. When she took the dessert Lu Yan handed her, she even gave a sweet smile.
That smile went straight to people's hearts.
The unique beauty of this Oriental woman was truly a stunning sight.
The grace and self - cultivation that radiated from her bones unconsciously attracted people's eyes.
It was also the first time for Lu Yan to bring Miaomiao to such an occasion where they would be noticed by so many people.
He had long known that his Miaomiao was a shining star.
Even if he had never brought her to such an environment, he knew how attractive his Miaomiao was.
She was a phoenix rising from the ashes, a white lotus growing proudly on a high mountain. She would never be trapped anywhere, unless she was willing to.
...
After the dinner, the two of them walked out slowly. Standing in front of the castle wall, Lu Yan took the initiative to say, "Do you want to take a stroll?"
After all, the chance to come to a royal castle was rare.
The castle at night seemed to have a touch of fairy - tale flavor. The city towers under the moonlight looked so dreamy and sacred.
Ning Anmiao paused for a moment.
"Okay."
She didn't refuse.
The two of them started to take a walk around the outside of the castle.
Ning Anmiao was still wearing that red cheongsam, which glowed with a beautiful color under the dim light.
Her fair little face was full of excitement at the moment. Looking at the Gothic - style buildings and the unique fountain at the exit of the castle, her eyes sparkled.
Lu Yan turned his head to look at her, and his breathing became a bit heavy.
The moonlight was hazy. Looking at the faint silver light covering her body and those twinkling eyes, his Adam's apple rolled slightly.
"Have you had enough fun?"
Ning Anmiao clearly wasn't satisfied with just staying for such a short time. She complained, "Let's stay a bit longer. It would be so boring to go back to the hotel so early."
Ning Anmiao's voice had always been very pleasant, soft and gentle. Unconsciously, her tone was a bit coquettish, which was quite appealing to the man.
Lu Yan's eyes held a deep meaning. He tried his best to hold back his last bit of calm and self - restraint. His voice was hoarse. "Okay, let's stay a bit longer."
The two of them walked around the huge castle for another circle.
Suddenly, Ning Anmiao asked, "You still haven't told me what happened during these three months."