Old Friends

Song Xia had trouble sleeping . She had tossed and turned and racked her brain .Unknowingly , she had caused so much trouble for her Aunt .Currently there was 8.5 million yuan in her bank account .Should she try her hand at raw jade gambling? In this way she would have plenty of money to support a modeling career, her aunt and herself.

The sun had began to rise dying the sky a brilliant gold, orange and pink when Song Xia fell asleep.

At 10:30 a.m. Shi Qi knocked on Song Xia's door before walking in. There lay a beauty with soft rays of sunshine on her delicate cheek. The only thing disturbing the picture was the dark circle's around the girl's eyes.She didn't want to disturb her but she had plans for the day for them today. It was necessary for them to relax and put all the toxicity and negativity behind them.

"Xiao Xia, time to wake up. We are having a girls' day out. Go shower and get ready."

Song Xia rubbed her eyes sleepily and then went to shower. She choose to wear a white, wrap-around dress with a heart print. She paired it with her white sneakers and left her hair down.

When she walked into the living room to find Shi Qi they both burst into laughter. Shi Qi had chosen to wear a pink summer dress with butterflies and white pumps. They had unintentionally matched their outfits." Xiao Xia,don't we look like twins?" Shi Qi teased.

Shi Qi looked a bit different from her model agent look. Instead of her usually meticulous makeup she only wore a light pink lipstick and some mascara. Her hair was loose in soft waves instead of elegant bun or classy high ponytail. Today she looked more natural, feminine and gentle. Not that her agent look wasn't beautiful but she was now more relaxed and casual.

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The coffee house that Shi Qi chose was known for it's delicious desserts. One food critic wrote that Cloud Coffee House was the a mix of joy, nostalgia and heavenly desserts . There were only two branches in the country D City and G City. Once it opened up here it soon became Shi Qi's favorite dessert place.

The Coffee House was decorated according to a cloud theme. There restaurant had large glass windows ,white seats , light blue table cloths and sky wall paper .At night it must also be as pretty as a picture because of all fairy lights and lamps around the place .

"Yum!" Song Xia's eyes closed in pleasure as she savored her dessert ."Aunt, this Black Forest Chocolate cake is to die for!". The cake was moist and spongy topped with a lightly sweetened, fresh cream. The cherry liquor and chocolate flakes where an added bonus that could possibly make it Song Xia's new favorite cake.

Shi Qi grinned ,"I had a feeling you would like this place. "She enjoyed a lovely blueberry cheesecake that had a crunchy base .

" Song Xia, earlier I got a call from Fu Yingtai. Master Cao wants to collaborate with you for a shampoo commercial and shoot in D city. It is a rather famous shampoo brand so it advertised in many magazine and online." She said straightforwardly then asked Song Xia's opinion.

" Do you want to accept the offer? The shoot is middle of your school term? Will you manage to balance everything?"

"Aunt, I'll manage let's do this!" Then she childishly fist- bumped Shi Qi but her eyes blazed with determination. Shi Qi smiled amused but she had full faith in Song Xia's talent after watching the photoshoot the other day. This little girl had shocked everyone including her aunt. She was a diamond in the rough and with some experience nobody would be able to outshine her.

Shi Qi had made an appointment at Cuifen Salon so they could have a manicure and pedicure .They had just walked in when a pregnant women with delicate features and glasses came up to them and gave Shi Qi a hug.

" Qiqi , it's been so long since I've last seen you!"

Shi Qi also was surprised at seeing her childhood friend.

" Mie Mie, when did you come to G City ? I thought you were still in America. Gosh, I think that I last saw you 2 years ago. How are you doing?" She was so excited to see Qian Mei ! They were good friends in high school and went to the same university . Shi Qi had studied fashion and management on the other hand Qian Mei was a gifted makeup artist.They had always been together until after graduation ;Qian Mei married her boyfriend and moved overseas for his work.

"We just came back 2 weeks ago. I'm so lucky that I saw you today! I wanted to contact you as soon as I settled down and I so happen to see you today."

They realized that they were blocking the foyer when the receptionist cleared her throat.

So they went to their respective nail technicians and sat down . The stations were near each other so they could continue chatting.

" Qiqi, is this one of your new models?" She asked smiling and cheerfully greeted Song Xia.

"Oh , right.Mei Mei , this is Song Xia , my niece.Xiao Xia ,this is my childhood friend Qian Mei- you can call her Aunt Mei."

Qian Mei was confused as far as she knew Jin Yu was Shi Qi's only niece but she was sure that Shi Qi would eventually explain everything . They were once best friend's so she knew her personality well he only reason they drifted apart was because of distance.

The nail technician duly noted Shi Qi and Qian Mei's appearances. They looked too young to be called 'Aunt' - they could be the pretty girl's older sisters.

Song Xia chose a nude pink nail polish and white swirl design. While Shi Qi chose a fuchsia colour and Qian Mei a glittery purple nail polish.

They spoke for a while and Shi Qi discovered that Qian Mei was back in G City for good and was in the process of starting a business . Everything was going well for her but her pregnancy made her tire easily.

Shi Qi was not a vain person so she honestly told her friend what happened at 99 Scenes Agency and that she was currently out of a job.

" That's great!" Qian Mei blurted out before noticing the bewildered looks shot her way.

"Qiqi, you were always too good for them. When you started you were even offered a high position at a second tier agency in C City! I'm on dire need of a fashion consultant and manager at my new boutique. Will you take the job? "

Qian Mei clutched Shi Qi 's hand and widened her eyes- giving her large doe eyed look before begging.

"Please, Qiqi. Think about it. It won't even be full time. You will still have plenty of time to manage Song Xia and you can work per appointment basis."

Shi Qi didn't want to refuse the job offer but still had some reservations. She didn't want to give Qian Mei any trouble with Li Zen or 99 Scenes.

" Ha , what trouble! In front of my hubby they are like farts! "Well that was true...

Tao Xiaowen , the second young master of the Tao Family, was a business prodigy who's innovative ideas had lead one of the most powerful families of G City from strength to strength .There were three things that could provoke this young genial master- incompetent people ;if his family was wronged and if his beloved wife cried.So which idiot would dare make Qian Mei unhappy?