Rebirth to Save Myself

After the group dinner, Su Xia spent her time either teaching or helping out in the studio, keeping herself very busy every day. On the weekend, she was at Lu Jingnian's rented apartment, sitting between the sofa and coffee table reading a book Professor Lin had given her, when her phone rang:

"Hello."

"Hello, Ms. Su. I am a designer from XX company. We sent someone to measure the room before."

"Oh, I remember. Is there something you need?"

"Here's the thing, our initial design draft is ready. We'd like to ask when you'd be available to come to our company and take a look at the drawings."

"Yes, you can send me a PDF copy of the first draft. I can go over there once I think it's okay."

"Yes, I understand your concerns. But we can communicate more clearly in person than on WeChat, and you can also take a look at our materials and processes."

“I’m not in the provincial capital right now, so it’s too much trouble to travel back and forth. I think it’s better to go to the site once the design drawings are almost finalized.”

"Oh, okay. Would it be convenient for me to add you on WeChat so I can send you the design?"

"It's convenient, my phone number is my WeChat ID."

"Okay, I've sent the application. Please approve it on your end."

"Ok."

"Then I won't bother you any longer, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Su Xia hung up the phone, opened WeChat and accepted the friend request. A short while later, the other party sent her a PDF file.

Coffee to keep you going: [OK]

AAA Interior Designer: If you need any changes, just take a screenshot.

Coffee to keep me going: Okay.

Su Xia opened the file on her computer; the designer had created floor plans for each floor. Her villa comprised five floors, including three above ground and two below. The designer had planned a sauna and storage room for the second basement level, a fitness area and home theater for the first basement level, a living room, dining room, and kitchen for the first floor, two bedrooms and two balconies for the second floor, and two guest rooms and an open-air terrace for the third floor.

"It's a standard design, but I don't think it suits you." Lu Jingnian carried a plate of cut fruit to Su Xia's side, sat down with her on the carpet, and gave his evaluation of the designer's drawings.

“Yes, but before that we just arranged for them to measure the rooms, which is normal.” Su Xia took a bite of her apple and then started typing.

Coffee for Life: You didn't contact me beforehand to discuss your needs, so this design is most likely something you made according to your own ideas, and it doesn't meet my expectations at all.

AAA Interior Designer: Excuse me, is there anything you're not satisfied with?

Coffee to keep you going: Let me explain step by step, and then you can modify it according to my requirements.

AAA Interior Designer: Okay.

Coffee to keep me going: First, I want an open kitchen with an island, ideally with a dishwasher. Then, there should be electrical outlets above the island, and the oven and refrigerator should be built-in.

Coffee to keep me going: The second floor is intended for my sole use. Besides leaving a hallway for going upstairs, I only need one door. The two bathrooms are connected, and then one of the bathrooms has a door leading to the walk-in closet.

AAA Interior Designer: Then could we keep the other door so that we don't have to go through the bathroom to get to the walk-in closet?

Coffee to keep me going: That works too, as long as the bedroom, bathroom, and dressing room can be connected.

AAA Interior Designer: Okay.

Coffee to keep me going: On the third floor, aside from the guest bedroom near the walk-in closet, I want to tear down all the walls on the master bedroom side except for the load-bearing walls, and create an open-plan study. Also, I want the terrace waterproofed so I can grow plants.

AAA Interior Designer: All of this is included in the quote. Once it's finalized, I'll provide you with a detailed quote.

Coffee to keep me going: Mm, okay.

Coffee to keep me going: The home theater on basement level will remain in its original location, but could be made larger. The gym will be moved to basement level two, and the sauna will be removed. Install cabinets wherever possible in the remaining space; I need plenty of storage.

AAA Interior Designer: Okay, so on the second floor, where your master bedroom is located, do you need to leave space for a water bar in the hallway?

Coffee for a Lifeline: Right, if there's space, let's leave one for me. I'll get a coffee dispenser.

AAA Interior Designer: Okay, there's also the issue of electrical wiring. Do we need to implement whole-house smart home technology?

Coffee to keep me going: Yes.

AAA Interior Designer: Okay, I'll go revise the design drawings and send them to you when they're done.

Coffee for a Breakup: Okay. Do you have any mockups?

AAA Interior Designer: Yes, it hasn't been made yet because you haven't finalized the design drawings. Once you have, it will be made for you, and it can be rotated 360 degrees.

Coffee for a Lifeline: It's official! What more could I want in terms of renderings? [laughing and crying emoji]

AAA Interior Designer: If you want to determine the style, I can send you some real-life examples for reference.

Coffee to keep me going: Okay.

AAA Interior Designer: I'll pack it up and send it to you in a bit.

Coffee to keep me going: Hmm.

Lu Jingnian watched the two chat while feeding them fruit. After Su Xia finished, he commented, "This designer isn't very good. Want me to introduce you to someone?"

"No, not yet. My dad introduced us, so I have to give him face."

"Sure, just let me know if you need anything."

"Hmm. I'm tired, I want to rest for a bit."

"Would you like to take a nap?"

"No need, let me lean on your shoulder for a bit."

"it is good."

A few days later, Su Xia received another design draft from the designer, and was really dissatisfied with it, so she called Chen Jianguo to explain the situation:

Su Xia asked cautiously, "Hello, Dad, are you busy?"

"No, why did you suddenly decide to call me today? How are things at school and with the teachers?" Chen Jianguo was in his office approving documents when his daughter called, so he immediately stopped what he was doing.

“Everything is great. My advisor is also a really nice person. He often invites me to his house for meals,” Su Xia said to Chen Jianguo, picking out the good things.

"That's good, that's good." Chen Jianguo was worried that Su Xia might not adapt well over there, or that the teachers might not be good. He had seen news online about teachers mistreating students, which had worried him for a while.

"What I wanted to say was that the renovation company you recommended isn't quite right for me, and I'd like to switch," Su Xia said after a moment's hesitation.

Chen Jianguo thought it was something serious, but it turned out to be just this, so he replied, "Just change it. It doesn't have to be the one Dad recommends. You young people have your own aesthetic sense. Besides, it's a good thing to want to decorate your home nicely."

Su Xia gratefully said, "Thank you, Dad."

Chen Jianguo felt that his daughter was being too distant. After all these years, she was still acting like this, so he wanted to teach her a lesson: "What are you thanking me for? I'm your father. Do you think I'm blaming you for not choosing the company I recommended?"

Su Xia scratched her head and said shyly, "Hehe, I just wanted to give you a call."

Chen Jianguo glanced at the calendar and asked, "National Day is coming soon, will Dad pick you up then?"

Su Xia waved her hand hurriedly, but Chen Jianguo couldn't see it, so she said, "No need, Uncle Lu's son is also in Xiamen. I'll just ride back in his car."

"Old Lu, you mentioned before that his son wasn't staying at head office, but going to the branch office in Xiamen. The reason was something like..." Chen Jianguo seemed to have a little trouble remembering, but he remembered that Old Lu had joked about it with him back then.

"Dad, didn't you take Mom out for a trip during the National Day holiday?" Su Xia was afraid he would remember that Lu Jingnian's previous excuse was too suggestive.

“If your mom wants to go out, I’m always happy to go with her. Why would I specifically choose a crowded time like National Day?” Chen Jianguo replied without thinking further after being interrupted by Su Xia.

"That's right, no wonder he's my dad, such a domineering CEO." Su Xia quickly added a compliment.

"Stop being so glib. Your Uncle Lu is here too, so it's fine if you're going the same way. But remember to buy him a bottle of water and give him some money for gas." Although Chen Jianguo knew that Su Xia was good at social etiquette, he still wanted to teach his daughter a lesson so that she wouldn't be criticized for not knowing how to behave when she was out in the world.

"Okay, I got it." Su Xia readily agreed, and then chatted about some other things before hanging up.

Then Su Xia called Lu Jingnian again:

"Hey, are you busy?"

“I’m busy, but I can pause.” Lu Jingnian said, pausing his work and gesturing for his secretary to leave.

"Then I'll get straight to the point and recommend the designer you mentioned last time," Su Xia said immediately, afraid of keeping him from getting to work.

"Okay, I'll create a group chat so my baby won't get bullied." Lu Jingnian smiled and offered a solution.

"Haha, I'm the one who bullies others." Su Xia laughed, but still agreed to Lu Jingnian's plan.

"Then I have to protect you too. Okay, I've created the group chat." Lu Jingnian didn't care about Su Xia's tough stance, so he immediately created the group chat.

Lu Jingnian: @Lin Xiuyuan, this is my future wife, treat her well. @CoffeeLife, this is my buddy, do as you please.

Lin Xiuyuan: Hello, sister-in-law. Jingnian said you have a villa that needs renovation. [Handshake]

Su Xia: Hello, yes. The address is in Cloud Top Garden. I can provide the password if you need a room measurement.

Lin Xiuyuan: Cloud Top Garden, we have several construction sites there. What are the apartment layouts? I might have floor plans.

Su Xia: Type A apartment.

Lin Xiuyuan: Yes, I've done two sets before. What style do you want to create? Do you have any ideas?

Su Xia: Medieval style.

Lin Xiuyuan: Hmm, the place is big, a vintage style would be great. Are you planning to have wood flooring throughout the house?

Lu Jingnian: Yes, she likes to go barefoot, and wooden floors are better than tiles.

Lin Xiuyuan: Wooden floors are also quite suitable for a vintage style. What are your plans for each floor?

Su Xia: [Chat Log]

Su Xia: These are my current thoughts, but some of them are just my thoughts and can be changed if they are inconvenient.

Lin Xiuyuan: Okay, let me take a look first.

A short while later, Lin Xiuyuan added someone to the group chat and then tagged Lu Jingnian and Su Xia:

Lin Xiuyuan: This is a designer in our studio who specializes in vintage style, and of course I will assist them as well. Feel free to ask us any questions.

Lu Jingnian: Just don't mess with my girlfriend.

Lin Xiuyuan: Of course not! By the way, do your aunt and uncle know? [Smirking]

Lu Jingnian: Of course, this is none of your business as a single dog.

Su Xia: Okay, we can discuss it.

Lin Xiuyuan: Ah Yang, come out and show yourself. @Cheng Yang

Cheng Yang: Be normal. [Eye roll]

Cheng Yang: Hello, I've reviewed the requirements. Do you currently have CAD floor plans or dimensional drawings?

Su Xia: The renovation company had designed the blueprints before, but I only have the PDF version.

Cheng Yang: That works too, but I'm worried about the size.

Su Xia: I'll be going back home for National Day, and we can come to your home to take measurements then. If you're in a hurry, I can give you the password.

Cheng Yang: Okay, we can go and measure first, and then design the draft according to your ideas.

Su Xia: Okay, I'll give you a temporary password later.

Cheng Yang: [OK]

With the communication going well, Su Xia had resolved one issue. To be able to return home for National Day, she needed to complete the tasks assigned by her advisor and then choose a research topic. Fortunately, she was going back with Lu Jingnian for National Day, saving her the trouble of buying train tickets. They could leave on New Year's Eve to avoid the crowds on National Day.

Lu Jingnian: Should we go buy some snacks later to eat on the way back to the provincial capital?

Su Xia: I was just about to say that, I also want to go buy some snacks.

Lu Jingnian: Then I'll pick you up after get off work.

Su Xia: Our CEO Lu is very busy. I have some free time now, so I'll come to your company to find you.

Lu Jingnian: Okay, come and show your face. [Smirking]

Su Xia: Show your face? Why?

Lu Jingnian: Come over here and assert your ownership. You are President Lu's girlfriend.

Su Xia: Hahaha, you're so handsome, all the girls in the company are smitten!

Lu Jingnian: Yes, so hurry up and show your face to help me get rid of these unwanted suitors.

Su Xia: Okay, I'll definitely show up with full makeup.

Lu Jingnian: [Secretly pleased]

Su Xia put on a full face of makeup, paired it with her modified three-piece Hanfu outfit, grabbed her bag, and headed out. Thinking that she'd gone to so much trouble, she worried about the bus being too crowded. So she took a taxi directly to Lu Jingnian's company; thankfully, it wasn't far.

Lu Jingnian's company is located in the software park, which is a government-developed area where many companies have moved. Lu Jingnian's father bought a building there years ago, so Su Xia went directly to the reception desk on the first floor and said softly, "Hello, I'm looking for your CEO, Mr. Lu."

The receptionist looked up, understood immediately, and then asked rather rudely, "Do you have an appointment? If not, you can't see me."

"Do I need to make an appointment? Let me call and ask." After saying that, Su Xia took out her phone and called Lu Jingnian, asking, "Your front desk said I need to make an appointment to see you."

"What appointment? Didn't you give your name? I told my secretary and the receptionist that as long as you give your name, you can come in directly." Lu Jingnian said, glancing at his secretary standing to the side, his eyes asking if he hadn't done things properly.

"Oh, I'll try again then."

"No need, find a place to sit, I'll come down to get you."

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Jingnian didn't care what his secretary wanted to say and got up to go downstairs to pick up his girlfriend.

The secretary stood in the empty office, somewhat regretting not having made the importance of the matter clear to the receptionist. She thought she would have to talk to HR later to tell them that the receptionist could be replaced.