Gown and Red Roses
Mo Ling was Lu Zetian’s ex-wife, and also the female supporting character in that book.
Qin Shi opened the door for her, curiosity in her eyes. She wondered whether Mo Ling had escaped the plot.
But the proper storyline hadn’t started yet, so nothing could be seen for now. Besides, she had already married Lu Zetian, so Li Qianqian probably had no role left to play. Mo Ling shouldn’t become a foil character anymore, right?
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Qin Shi’s mind. She pushed them all down and smilingly invited Mo Ling inside.
Qin Shi poured her a cup of flower tea and asked, “Are you here to ask me to make clothes too?”
Mo Ling withdrew her gaze from the room, accepted the tea, and thanked her. “Exactly. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t want to come here. This place is full of painful memories.”
Qin Shi burst out laughing. She hadn’t expected Mo Ling to be so amusing.
Mo Ling lifted the tea, smelled it, and let out a long breath. “Back then, my brain must’ve short-circuited. I actually married Lu Zetian, who already had a child. After the divorce, I felt like I’d never loved him at all. It was truly strange.”
“Don’t mind me. I absolutely don’t have any thoughts about him. I came to you purely to get clothes made.” Afraid Qin Shi would misunderstand, Mo Ling made it clear directly.
Qin Shi smiled at her. “I believe you.”
Mo Ling was only someone controlled by the plot.
Mo Ling studied Qin Shi’s expression carefully, then smiled brightly. “That’s good. By the way, are you still taking orders recently? Mine is a little urgent.”
“What happened?” Qin Shi asked.
Mo Ling felt annoyed just thinking about it. “National Day is coming soon, isn’t it? The army is holding a gala, and I was selected to perform. I’ll be playing piano.”
“There’s an old rival of mine in the art troupe. She’ll also be playing piano. I heard she went to Shenzhen and bought an evening gown.” Mo Ling looked irritated. “I ran into her yesterday, and she showed off so much. She was practically glowing with smugness!”
“It’s too late for me to go to Shenzhen and buy one. But you’ve been very famous recently, haven’t you? So I came to ask whether you can make gowns. There are only a few days left. Can you make it in time?” Mo Ling looked at her expectantly.
“Money and fabric aren’t a problem. I have a friend who runs a clothing shop in the city. I can ask her for fabric, and it’ll arrive tomorrow.”
Although they had only met twice, Qin Shi quite liked Mo Ling. Helping her out wasn’t impossible.
“I can make gowns, but it depends on what kind you want. If it’s too complicated, there might not be enough time. After all, National Day is only four days away,” Qin Shi said.
Mo Ling was overjoyed. “That’s fine. Let’s try! If it can’t be made, I’ll wear my military uniform. Losing once is just losing once. Anyway, I’ve always beaten her before.”
Qin Shi laughed again, finding Mo Ling very cute. “Then let’s try. What piece are you playing that day? What colour is the piano? Do you know what colour your rival’s dress is?”
Mo Ling answered, “I’m playing Teacher Li Xuhao’s *Steel Torrent March*. She reported *Ballade pour Adeline*. My friend said her gown is white, and the piano is black.”
Qin Shi raised her brow. “Those are completely different styles.”
Mo Ling nodded, then said disdainfully, “It’s National Day. What kind of piece did she choose? I’m not saying the piece is bad, but it just doesn’t fit the occasion. I feel like she just wants to show off.”
Although the organisers didn’t restrict what could be performed, for a holiday like National Day, shouldn’t one dedicate a song to the motherland? Mo Ling couldn’t understand it.
The two chatted for a while, and the atmosphere grew lively.
The more Qin Shi talked with her, the more she liked her. After spending time with Mo Ling, she realised that although Mo Ling was a little spoiled and childish, her values were especially upright, her personality was cheerful, and she was very straightforward.
If Li Qianqian was the white lily in the original book, then Mo Ling was the red rose—the complete opposite type.
Qin Shi inwardly spat at the rubbish author. What kind of mess had they written? They had ruined such a fine rose until she withered. Why force a comparison character? Couldn’t the female lead shine on her own? Why drag someone else in to serve as her foil?
Qin Shi carefully thought over the plot but couldn’t remember any related descriptions, so she gave up.
Forget it. If she could help, she would. She quite liked Mo Ling.
Looking at Mo Ling’s short hair and heroic, valiant aura, inspiration rushed into Qin Shi’s mind. She stood up to get a notebook and quickly sketched a woman sitting beside a piano.
“Take a look at this rough design?” Qin Shi handed the notebook to Mo Ling. “How about a pure red gown? A fluffy style with a large train. When you sit down, your side profile will show, and the skirt will completely cover the chair as it spreads out. From below the stage, the visual impact will be stronger.”
“When the lights hit, the contrast of red and black will definitely look beautiful!”
Mo Ling looked at the rough but clearly outlined drawing, and her eyes lit up. “What a brilliant idea!”
The more Mo Ling looked, the more she liked it. She turned to Qin Shi excitedly. “Qin Shi, you’re amazing! You came up with the design so quickly!”
Qin Shi smiled. “I’ve seen something like this on TV. I’m only borrowing from others.”
“That’s still amazing!” Mo Ling returned the notebook, stood up, and raised her arms impatiently. “Quick, take my measurements. I’m going to contact my fabric supplier right away!”
Qin Shi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She found a measuring tape and measured her, saying, “Try to find good-quality red fabric, and get plenty of it so we don’t run out.”
“Mm-hm!” Mo Ling agreed immediately.
“But red fabric isn’t easy to buy, is it?” Qin Shi asked. “Your friend runs a clothing business. Where does she get her stock? A local textile factory or Shenzhen?”
“Shenzhen. She’s also the one who told me my rival got her gown from Shenzhen.” Mo Ling laughed. “My friend was the first person here to open a shop. She has lots of connections and resources. I’ll call her later. The red fabric will definitely arrive tomorrow!”
Qin Shi’s heart stirred.
“Then I’ll stay up tonight to finish the design. Hopefully, we’ll both make it in time.” Qin Shi smiled while noting down Mo Ling’s measurements. “Are you okay with a slightly more open style? For example, completely bare arms?”
Mo Ling lifted her chin slightly. “Of course. I wear dresses like that in summer too. I’m not afraid of people gossiping. As long as I look beautiful!”
Qin Shi nodded with a smile. “That’s good.”
Mo Ling asked, “I heard you charge more than twenty yuan for trench coats. A gown definitely won’t be cheap either. How much do you want for this one?”
“I’ll have to rush it, and gowns are more complicated…” Qin Shi began thinking. She wasn’t sure what price would be suitable.
Before she could decide, Mo Ling said, “Is eighty enough? Or should I give you one hundred? I heard Zuo Yao’s gown cost over a hundred.”
Qin Shi was stunned. She hadn’t expected Mo Ling to be so generous. Even though Mo Ling was in the army and received decent salary and allowances, that was still several months’ wages. She was really willing to spend.
But then Qin Shi thought about how Mo Ling lived at home now and didn’t have many expenses, so it made sense that she could save money.
“Eighty,” Qin Shi said with a smile. “A friendship price.”
“Then I won’t be polite with you,” Mo Ling said, smiling too.
The two looked at each other and both felt the other suited their eye.
“You get busy. I need to hurry and find fabric.” Mo Ling didn’t let Qin Shi see her off. She shoved forty yuan into her hand as a deposit, turned, and left.
Mo Ling rushed out energetically and happened to bump into Gu Qinghai, who was coming home from school. He widened his eyes at her, unable to react for a moment.
Out of politeness, Gu Qinghai instinctively called, “Auntie.”
Mo Ling smiled, ruffled his head, responded, and quickly walked away.
Belatedly, Gu Qinghai covered his head and stared at Mo Ling’s back, feeling extremely unsettled. Then he suddenly thought of something, widened his eyes, and ran home.
“Mom? Mom!”
“Mom, you…” Gu Qinghai looked at Qin Shi, who was smiling warmly, and blinked. “Are you alright?”
At first, Qin Shi didn’t understand why Gu Qinghai was so startled. But she quickly realised he must have bumped into Mo Ling as she left, which was why he was acting like this.
The smile on Qin Shi’s face grew deeper. “I’m fine. What’s wrong? Did you run into Auntie Mo just now?”
Gu Qinghai looked a little dazed. “Yeah.”
Auntie Mo came to their house? What for? To trouble Mom? But both of them had been smiling, so it didn’t look like they had a conflict. They didn’t argue? That couldn’t be, right? Countless thoughts flew through Gu Qinghai’s mind.
Qin Shi patted his head and asked him to help her. The delay had been quite long, and she hadn’t even cooked the vegetables yet.
Seeing that Qin Shi didn’t explain, Gu Qinghai felt terribly restless. When Lu Zetian came home later, he immediately hurried to his side and whispered, “Dad! I have something to tell you!”
Seeing Gu Qinghai acting sneakily, Lu Zetian found it funny. “What is it?”
Gu Qinghai looked solemn. “When I came home just now, I ran into Auntie Mo. She came to our house!”
Lu Zetian paused while washing his hands. “Hm? How did your mom react?”
Gu Qinghai scratched his head in distress. “She was smiling. Auntie Mo was smiling too.”
Hearing this, Lu Zetian continued washing his hands. “Then it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Go call your younger brother and sister over to wash their hands. We’re about to eat.”
Gu Qinghai nodded and obediently went to call the twins. Since Dad knew now, he would definitely handle it.
On the surface, Lu Zetian looked calm, but inwardly, he felt inexplicably guilty. He shook the water from his hands and quickly walked into the kitchen, helping Qin Shi set out the bowls and chopsticks.
“Mo Ling came just now?” he asked.
Qin Shi glanced at him. “Your news travels fast.”
Lu Zetian coughed lightly. “Why did she come looking for you?” You two didn’t argue, did you?
“She came to ask me to make clothes,” Qin Shi said, looking at him. “She needs them for National Day. I have to rush them, so I won’t be cooking for the next few days. Bring food back from the canteen.”
Lu Zetian froze. He hadn’t expected that not only had they not argued, but judging from Qin Shi’s tone, their relationship seemed quite good?
He probed, “Did she pay an urgent fee?”
“No.” Qin Shi filled the bowls with rice.
No special rush fee, but the labour cost was high—two months of Qin Shi’s salary.
Lu Zetian was completely dumbfounded. He couldn’t understand what exactly had happened between them.
Qin Shi never did business at a loss. If Mo Ling hadn’t paid a rush fee, would Qin Shi really push back other orders and make hers first?
Impossible!
Lu Zetian frowned and stood there thinking. Seeing his dazed look, Qin Shi burst out laughing. She stopped teasing him and explained, “For this gown, she’s paying me eighty.”
Lu Zetian was surprised. “That much?”
Qin Shi hummed proudly.
Understanding what had happened, Lu Zetian smiled. “You’re making money very quickly. At this rate, in a few years, you’ll become a ten-thousand-yuan household.”
Qin Shi glanced at him and said half-jokingly, half-seriously, “By then, our contract will have expired. Maybe I won’t renew it.”
The smile on Lu Zetian’s face suddenly froze.
He remembered the contract they had signed. It ran for three years at a time. Once it expired, both sides could renegotiate, choose whether to renew, and change the terms.
The children came in, cheering at the new dishes. Lu Zetian looked at Qin Shi, who had lowered her head to talk to the children, and an indescribable feeling suddenly rose in his heart.
It was uncomfortable.
He couldn’t quite describe what kind of feeling it was.
—
**Author’s Note:**
The composer of *Steel Torrent March* is a post-90s composer named Li Xuhao. He composed this piece in 2019. I brought it forward in time here—this is a fictional setting!
It’s very stirring. Listening to it makes your blood boil. I love it so much!
I made it in the last minute!
Girls’ friendships really do sometimes arrive in such inexplicable ways. It was like that with me and my best friend. When we first met, I just felt she suited my eye for no clear reason.
Regiment Commander Lu is showing the tiniest sprout of feelings, but our female lead still has no emotions~
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