Chapter 50: So Gentle, So Reassuring...
Ron suddenly leaned in, startling Lin Nanxun, who instinctively edged closer to Shen Hanzhi. Seeing this, Zhou Bei hurried over to explain to Ron.
“Mr. Ron, Miss Lin is my cousin. She’s not very good at socializing.”
Hearing Zhou Bei’s explanation, Ron shot him a disdainful glance, then replied indifferently, “No need to lie to me. I’m not interested in her identity.”
What interested him was her talent and innate ability. That almost divine gift, which, with just a bit of guidance, could produce astonishing results. This was precisely why he was so determined to take this girl as his apprentice.
At that moment, Shen Hanzhi, who had been gazing down at Lin Nanxun for a while, suddenly lifted his hand.
“Give it to me,” he said to her in a low voice.
At the sound of his words, Lin Nanxun hesitated for a moment, then obediently nodded, retrieving the simple design sketch she had hidden in her pocket and handing it to his large hand.
Shen Hanzhi unfolded the folded paper to reveal the draft drawn upon it—a necklace of very simple style. His gaze fixed on the smooth pearl set in the pendant, and he couldn’t help but ask her, “Why use a pearl?”
It was well known that KS was a high-end luxury brand, with expensive prices and premium materials. Usually, for such major collections, precious gems were the norm.
After his question, Lin Nanxun looked at the necklace on the paper, lost in thought.
“Because it reminds me of my mother,” she replied.
Like her mother? Shen Hanzhi was momentarily taken aback. The feeling of a mother was something he could not comprehend, for he had never experienced it.
At that moment, her gentle, soft voice sounded again in his ear.
“It feels very gentle, very safe.”
He glanced down and saw a smile blooming on her face.
Gentle, safe…
Lowering his gaze once more to the necklace she had designed, his eyes narrowed.
“I see. I have to admit, it’s truly fitting.” Ron, listening to Lin Nanxun’s explanation, could not help but show an expression of understanding. Though this girl appeared a bit dazed, her heart was remarkably sensitive.
Thinking so, Ron added, “President Shen, I believe the jewelry market is becoming younger. Ostentatious designs that appeal to nouveau riche sensibilities no longer move them.”
“What do you have in mind?” Shen Hanzhi looked him over and asked.
Ron glanced at Lin Nanxun before continuing, “I want this girl to participate in the design, to be my assistant—of course, under the title of my apprentice.” At this, he paused. “However, there’s a bit of a problem at present.”
“What problem?” Shen Hanzhi asked, puzzled.
“She’s unwilling.” Ron sighed; this was the greatest obstacle at present.
Shen Hanzhi lowered his eyes to Lin Nanxun’s pale face beside him.
“Bad man, I don’t want to be an apprentice,” she hurriedly shook her head, as if afraid he might assign her to Ron as a pupil.
Her flustered expression amused Shen Hanzhi, and his usually stern face relaxed considerably.
“Then what would you like to do?” he asked, raising his brows, his voice uncharacteristically gentle.
“I…” Lin Nanxun thought carefully, then mumbled, pouting, “I want to stay by your side… always…”