Of course, Ning Anmiao had no idea what Lu Yan was thinking. She simply turned her head to look out of the window, her eyes slightly lowering, and her fingers unconsciously curling up.
If she could win first place in design at the Jiang family's event this time, Uncle Jiang would surely get the news.
Uncle Jiang and Ning Zhijing were drinking buddies who "could talk for a thousand cups when meeting a kindred spirit". They would gather from time to time, drinking and chatting.
Maybe Uncle Jiang would mention her in front of her father.
Even if it was just a few words.
Deep down in her heart, she still held on to that last glimmer of hope.
Where was there a daughter who truly had a grudge against her relatives?
Moreover, Ning Zhijing was well - known for doting on his daughters. Even people outside the circle knew that the Ning family had been raising such a delicate rose.
However, to Ning Zhijing's disappointment, the rose he had raised had grown thorns when it matured.
Ning Anmiao worked so hard to prove herself just in the hope that a tiny bit of news about her would reach her father's ears.
Lu Yan's eyes were deep as he stared at Ning Anmiao, observing every subtle expression on her face. A sense of pity gradually welled up in his heart.
He had plucked this rose with his own hands, and he should let her bloom in love.
──
When they arrived in Jiangzhou, the two of them went to the hotel they had booked before.
Just as they had finished the check - in procedures at the front desk and were about to go to their rooms, a surprised voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Lu Yan, Miaomiao, why are you here too?"
Jiang Qiwei's eyes only paused on "Ning Anmiao" for a second before she quickly walked up to the two of them.
It should be said that she walked up to "Lu Yan".
Today, "Lu Yan" was dressed as stylishly as ever. A striped shirt was paired with light - gray dress pants, and the cufflinks were slightly undone, revealing his well - defined arms.
Every move of his exuded elegance and gentleness.
It was the style that Jiang Qiwei liked.
Ning Anmiao reacted quickly too. When she saw Jiang Qiwei, she was just about to put on a polite smile when "Ning Anmiao" beside her silently tugged at her sleeve.
Oh right, they had agreed not to get too close to her.
Realizing this, Ning Anmiao's smile faded a bit, but her tone remained gentle: "Weiwei, I didn't expect to run into you here. What a coincidence."
Weiwei?
Lu Yan's mouth twitched, and he was almost furious.
Was she doing this on purpose to annoy him?
Lu Yan frowned slightly, leaned close to her ear, and whispered to Ning Anmiao, "Call her by her full name."
Ning Anmiao:?
She was confused, thinking that Lu Yan usually addressed Jiang Qiwei like this too.
Had she misunderstood?
Lu Yan helplessly rubbed his temples and couldn't help but put his hand on his forehead.
His Miaomiao was cutely oblivious in some aspects.
Sure enough, upon hearing Lu Yan's affectionate address, Jiang Qiwei's eyes immediately lit up, and her heart involuntarily raced.
However, soon, when she saw "Ning Anmiao" and "Lu Yan" whispering to each other, a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes, but it was not very obvious.
She put on a proper smile and looked natural and amiable: "Well, I'm here to attend an event."
The hotel that Ning Anmiao and Lu Yan had booked was the one closest to the venue for tomorrow's event, and there was naturally only one event being held here.
"Your design was also short - listed?" Ning Anmiao guessed and couldn't help but sigh, "It seems that this Jiangzhou Design Competition is really gathering a lot of talents."
Also short - listed?
Jiang Qiwei keenly caught the word "also" and quietly smiled, "The two of you came to Jiangzhou for..."
"Um, my de...," halfway through the sentence, "Lu Yan" immediately changed his words, "Miaomiao's design was short - listed in the top ten. I'm here with her for the competition."
What? Ning Anmiao knew about design too?
So, was it because Ning Anmiao also understood fashion design that Lu Yan had been able to talk so much about design with her last time?
Jiang Qiwei was stunned, and the sense of desolation in her heart gradually spread.
However, soon, she consoled herself.
They were husband and wife. It was perfectly normal for Lu Yan, as a husband, to care about his wife's career.
But how could it be such a coincidence?
Why did Miaomiao also study fashion design and happen to be in the same field as her?
Was she imitating her?
Jiang Qiwei took a few more meaningful looks at Ning Anmiao.
Since Lu Yan didn't know how to put on makeup, "Ning Anmiao" hadn't worn any makeup since they swapped bodies and had always had a plain face.
Although she looked fair - skinned, her temperament was cold. She didn't seem like an innocent young girl, but rather had a somewhat deep look in her eyes.
Ning Anmiao was three years younger than her and Lu Yan. In terms of seniority, Jiang Qiwei was her senior in the design field and had entered the industry much earlier.
Over the years in the industry, she had heard of many well - known designers, but had never heard of Ning Anmiao.
Thinking of this, Jiang Qiwei felt a bit better.
"Miaomiao is still young, but she's so talented in design. She's obviously very outstanding."
Jiang Qiwei politely complimented her a few words but didn't really take Ning Anmiao seriously in her heart.
A newbie in the design industry was probably just a novice and not worth paying attention to.
Hearing Jiang Qiwei's compliment, Ning Anmiao found it funny and didn't comment.
Talent? Only she knew how much effort and hard work she had put in to make her beloved career perfect.
Of course, she wouldn't say much about these things.
There was no need to.
——
After they returned to the presidential suite, Lu Yan watched Ning Anmiao bustling around. He originally planned to go up and help, but instead, she stuffed a report manuscript into his hand.
"I've revised it again. Take another look."
Lu Yan lowered his head and glanced at the name on the manuscript. It wasn't Ning Anmiao.
It was YAN.
The moment he saw the name, his eyes instantly darkened and deepened. "Why this name?"
Ning Anmiao stopped what she was doing, pursed her lips tightly for a few seconds, and finally replied vaguely, "I just came up with it randomly. It doesn't mean anything."
It was an obvious cover - up.
Actually, it wasn't randomly chosen at all.
When she was in school, she had always used the name "YAN" as the signature for all her designs.
Previously, it was because of Lu Yan that every time she wrote the signature, she would use a very nice font and write it very carefully, so every signature was beautifully written.
Now, it was just a code name.
She put away her thoughts and replied casually, "The Ning family doesn't allow me to show myself in the design field, so I had to come up with an alias."
"So, your alias is my name?" Lu Yan looked at her with a half - smile, "Miaomiao, why have you never mentioned this to me?"
"It's not a big deal."
Ning Anmiao replied calmly, and a flash of impatience crossed her eyes. She obviously didn't want to continue this topic.
Who hadn't done a few foolish things when they were young?
Lu Yan smiled but said nothing. While Ning Anmiao was going to wash up, his eyes darkened, and he sent a message to his assistant.
"Do an in - depth investigation on the designer 'YAN'."