Chapter 451: What If I Have a Way to Treat Your Leg?
One could tell with a glance that Chi Yang was an adult man in his twenties. It was obvious that he was past the best age to learn martial arts.
Through Li Mobai's gaze, Chi Yang seemed to understand what he meant. He immediately extended two fingers and pointed at Jian Ai and Si Yuehan. "The two of them!"
Li Mobai paused for a moment before slowly opening the door. "Follow me first."
They stepped in one after another, and the vermillion door closed again, blocking those who initially planned to laugh at Longxing Martial Arts School.
What entered their eyes was a very spacious and clean yard. In an empty space, there were wooden dummy stumps that were necessary for traditional martial arts in China. On the weapons rack at the side were knives, spears, sticks, axes, hooks, and forks.
There were also plum blossom stakes, stone casting arrays, and other martial arts facilities she had only seen on television.
Jian Ai and the rest followed Li Mobai. As they sized up their surroundings, they were secretly shocked. They didn't expect that although the martial arts school's doors were closed; the yard was completely different. There was a shockingly vast area.
However, apart from them, Jian Ai didn't see anyone else.
The voices she heard outside were real. Was this martial arts school going to close?
They also decorated the interior of the martial arts school was also decoratyle. It was not only Longxing Martial Arts School, but all the martial arts schools nearby had this style. This was because these schools were all traditional Chinese martial arts schools before. Their internal structures and renovation styles were similar.
After passing through the front hall, there was an extremely wide martial arts arena in the backyard. It could accommodate dozens of people.
They built a flowerbed around the martial arts arena. It was early summer, and the flowerbed was red and green, filled with vitality.
A middle-aged man in a rough robe was standing in front of the flowerbed. He held a water spray and focused on watering the flowers.
"Master."
Li Mobai called out to the man respectfully.
The man slowly turned around, and Jian Ai and the rest looked up.
Yang Jie was forty-two years old this year and was the twelfth owner of Longxing Martial Arts School.
His skin was fair, and he wore a pair of black-framed glasses. He had a refined temperament and looked scholarly, but he did not seem to be a martial artist.
When he walked towards them, Jian Ai couldn't help but frown because Master Yang Jie was limping.
When they came closer, Yang Jie looked at Jian Ai and the rest. He wasn't as careful and guarded as Li Mobai. Instead, he smiled like the spring wind. "They are?"
When Li Mobai heard that, he quickly said, "Master, they're here to be disciples."
When Yang Jie heard this, his expression froze.
His gaze landed on Jian Ai and the rest, as if he was sizing them up.
After a while, he finally drawled, "Please leave. My Longxing Martial Arts School doesn't accept new disciples anymore."
As he spoke, he turned around and was about to leave.
Seeing this, Jian Ai quickly said, "Master, wait."
Yang Jie stopped in his tracks and looked at Jian Ai. "Young lady, there's no need to say anything. There are over ten martial arts schools around here, and each of them is more prosperous than my Longxing Martial Arts School. That's where you should go."
Jian Ai replied, "But we only want to learn traditional Chinese martial arts."
"That's right." Si Yuehan also said, "We came because of your reputation to teach traditional Chinese martial arts."
A trace of emotion flashed across Yang Jie's face as he stared at the two of them with a complicated expression for a long time.
In the end, he shook his head. "Please leave!"
"What if I have a way to treat your leg?" Jian Ai suddenly said.
Chapter 452: I'll Rent This Martial Arts School!
Li Mobai was stunned when he heard that. Anger flashed in his eyes.
His master's leg had been suffering for over two years. Because he had injured his muscles and bones, it was impossible for him to recover. There was even a steel plate nailed to his knee.
No one dared to mention his leg in front of their master anymore. However, this girl was so rash and said what she said just now.
Treat his master's leg?
Even he would have some doubts if the best doctor in China said this, let alone a young lady.
Yang Jie smiled needlessly and thought that this girl was joking in her hurry.
It seemed that this child was very sincere in learning martial arts, but...
Yang Jie was not angry at Jian Ai for mentioning his leg condition. Two years had passed, and he had long accepted this reality.
Slowing his tone, Yang Jie explained earnestly, "I didn't mean to deliberately refuse you, but my Longxing Martial Arts School is no longer the same as before. It won't be long before it closes down."
"Master!"
Without waiting for Jian Ai and the rest to react, Li Mobai hurriedly said, "Don't say these things anymore. With us disciples around, we definitely won't let the martial arts school close!"
Jian Ai and the rest frowned but looked at each other.
This martial arts school was indeed a little cold. Could it be that it had already reached the point of closing down?
Yang Jie looked at Li Mobai, and his eyes looked relieved. He said calmly, "How can I let you fork out money to maintain the livelihood of the martial arts school? Besides, the rental is ending next month. We have rented this huge martial arts school for almost a hundred thousand yuan a year. How can you afford it?"
"But..." Li Mobai's handsome face was filled with anxiety. However, when he heard the rental price of one hundred thousand yuan, he felt like a fishbone was stuck in his throat. He didn't know how to persuade him.
Jian Ai finally understood.
The most direct reason for this martial arts school's closure was none other than the most direct financial problem.
This was not Longxing Martial Arts School's owned yard. Instead, it was rented!
It was not only Longxing Martial Arts School. All the surrounding houses had landlords. Each year, just the rent of these martial arts schools could be charged up to a million yuan.
The total area was a few hundred square meters, and it was the origin of Baiyun City's martial arts schools. The rent naturally increased year by year.
"Master Yang!" Jian Ai immediately said, "I can rent this martial arts school!"
Jian Ai knew it was a little presumptuous of her to say this, but this was her instinctive thought, or the only way.
Yang Jie was a proud person, so he naturally wouldn't agree to Jian Ai's words, even if Jian Ai and the rest looked like they had financial strength from their dressing.
He immediately shook his head and wanted to refuse. However, before he could say anything, Jian Ai interrupted him and said, "Since Longxing Martial Arts School has reached the point where it has no choice but to close, I think any room for maneuver is better than the current situation."
"I know that Master Yang won't accept my suggestion easily. After all, I'm not from Longxing Martial Arts School, and I have no relation with you or the martial arts school. It doesn't seem reasonable to do so."
"But I am such a person. I did this for no one else but myself."
"Think about it. Will you watch helplessly as the martial arts school with a hundred years of history closes down in your hands in the end, or will you gamble again?"
Chapter 453: Not Funding, But Lending!
Jian Ai stared at Yang Jie's eyes and observed his every move.
His eyes flickered a few times before calming down.
Seeing this, Jian Ai knew her words did not provoke him, let alone convince him.
As expected, Yang Jie revealed a relieved smile and said faintly, "I can feel your sincerity, but I'm not even willing to accept the funding of my disciples. How can I accept yours?"
Jian Ai smiled. "It's not funding, but lending!"
Her words finally cause Yang Jie to have an obvious reaction on his face.
Jian Ai knew that most martial arts practitioners were noble. A blatant funding would cause a rebound in the other party's self-esteem. However, lending money had another meaning.
Although his status would be lowered as well, it was much easier to accept than taking the money directly.
Jian Ai continued, "We'll pay the rent for the next year. Master Yang only needs to care about management and teaching. If the martial arts school business doesn't improve in a year, Master Yang will have to return the rent to me within three years."
"If we include interest, this means we don't have to pay our school fees."
To put it bluntly, this was Jian Ai's temporary solution. Her idea then was very simple, and it was not as noble as helping Longxing Martial Arts School revive. She only wanted to practice martial arts here and help her break through her cultivation bottleneck as soon as possible. After all, in the entire Baiyun City, this was the only traditional Chinese martial arts school.
That was all.
She could not possibly go to a Taekwondo school to practice martial arts. Although she could strengthen her body, the core of her cultivation was different from her mental cultivation techniques. It was useless.
A hundred thousand yuan rent was just a small sum to Jian Ai.
Yang Jie's heart thumped, as if he was weighing Jian Ai's words.
She had lent him a hundred thousand yuan for rental, but it also indirectly gave him a chance to work hard for a year. If they could revive the martial arts school, his efforts would not be in vain.
However, if the martial arts school did not improve, he would return the money borrowed to her in three years. In the end, he owed this girl a favor for giving him timely help, but he did not take advantage of her.
With this thought in mind, Yang Jie felt much better.
"Then let's make a written statement," Yang Jie said.
Li Mobai, who was worried, immediately smiled in relief. He was afraid that his master would refuse again and destroy the martial arts school's last chance.
Jian Ai nodded.
In the guest room in the main hall, there were pure wooden sofas and tables. Jian Ai and the rest sat in a row. Li Mobai brewed a pot of fragrant tea and served it.
"My name is Li Mobai. From now on, when you enter the martial arts school, we will be fellow disciples. You can call me Second Senior Brother," Li Mobai said softly, having already let down his guard against them.
Jian Ai smiled at Li Mobai and nodded. "Thank you, Second Senior Brother."
At this moment, Yang Jie came out of the room after writing the statement. Jian Ai took it and saw that Yang Jie's seal was printed on it. This style was indeed from the previous era.
Picking up the fountain pen, Jian Ai jotted down her name. This 'IOU' was effective.
"The school's final examinations are taking place soon, so the other disciples won't be coming before the summer break. You're the same. You can come after the examination."
Yang Jie looked at Jian Ai and Si Yuehan.
Jian Ai nodded and looked at Yang Jie's leg.
Chapter 454: Eldest Senior Brother, Xiao Wenjie
Yang Jie noticed Jian Ai's gaze and said calmly, "It's been over two years. My injuries were very severe at that time, and the doctor said that there was no possibility of recovery."
Li Mobai's expression was gloomy. When he thought of the situation, he couldn't help but clench his fists.
Jian Ai did not plan to pursue the details. Although Yang Jie's reaction seemed to have accepted reality, this was not a reason for her to expose someone's scar.
She immediately looked up at Chi Yang with a questioning look in her eyes.
Chi Yang understood Jian Ai's meaning and immediately smiled and nodded.
Such a limp was easy for Lord Xiao Zhen.
Jian Ai thought so too. After all, Xiao Zhen even cured her mother's cancer.
"Whether or not you believe it, I can treat your leg," Jian Ai looked at Yang Jie and said with certainty and without hesitation.
Yang Jie was stunned. This girl said in the yard that she could treat his leg, but he thought she had said it in a moment of desperation to enter the martial arts school.
Now that they had reached a consensus and they both successfully entered the martial arts school, it was obvious that Jian Ai was not joking now that she said it again.
Yang Jie hesitated, not knowing how to respond to Jian Ai or if he should believe her.
Jian Ai knew it wouldn't be convincing for a girl like her to say this. She blurted, "Don't misunderstand. I won't be treating you. It's someone else."
"If you can treat my father's leg, I'll agree to any condition."
Before Yang Jie could say anything, a deep and powerful voice suddenly came from outside the main hall.
Everyone looked over and saw a tall and burly man quickly enter the main hall.
The man was about twenty-one years old. His name was Yang Xiaowen, and he was Yang Jie's only son and the eldest senior brother of Longxing Martial Arts School.
Yang Xiaowen was tall. He had sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and slightly tanned skin. His muscles were bulging, and he had the aura of a powerful man. He was worlds apart from his father, Yang Jie.
"Eldest Senior Brother, you're back!"
When Li Mobai saw the person, he hurried forward. "Our martial arts school has two new disciples. It's them!"
As he spoke, Li Mobai's gaze landed on Jian Ai and Si Yuehan.
Yang Jie immediately introduced, "This is my son, Yang Xiaowen. He's also your Eldest Senior Brother!"
When Jian Ai and Si Yuehan heard this, they stood up and nodded. Si Yuehan didn't say much, so Jian Ai took the initiative to call out, "Eldest Senior Brother!"
Yang Xiaowen nodded slightly, but he was thinking about what he had heard outside the door. He couldn't wait to ask, "Do you really have a way to treat my father's leg?"
Jian Ai smiled and said confidently, "I have a way."
Yang Xiaowen was delighted and said agitatedly, "As long as you can treat my father's leg, I'll agree to any condition."
As a son, his father was naturally the most important.
As a martial artist, a pair of well-built legs was the same.
Compared to Yang Xiaowen's agitated reaction, Yang Jie was much calmer. Not that he did not believe Jian Ai's words, but this leg had already been sentenced to death by the best doctor in China. He no longer held any hope.
Jian Ai explained nothing else. She knew that Master Yang was worried, so it was better to see for himself than to say anything else.
She only knew that the next time she came over, she would bring the person who would treat his leg along.
Chapter 455: Where's the Gift? Hurry, Take It Out!
Yang Xiaowen and Li Mobai sent Jian Ai and the rest out of the martial arts school. After saying goodbye, they watched the black Mercedes-Benz drive away until it disappeared at the intersection.
"It's a good sign that we have new disciples." Li Mobai's eyes flickered as if he was excited.
When Yang Xiaowen heard that, he only looked up and rubbed Li Mobai's soft hair. However, he was more concerned about whether his father's leg could be treated.
...
In the car, Chi Yang asked, "Sect Master, are we going back to South City?"
Jian Ai sat in the backseat and looked at the time. It was almost noon. She looked up and said, "Let's go to the Huading Building."
Jian Ai was treating everyone to a meal today because Qinghuan, Lin Yi, and the rest wanted to celebrate her birthday.
Jian Ai had booked the revolving restaurant on the top floor of Huading Building early in the morning at noon. Because Qinghuan had a night scene today, she specially informed Jian Ai first.
The car entered Haicheng District. After passing by two intersections in Baiyun Square, it stopped steadily in front of Baiyun City's landmark Huading Building.
Luxury cars were gathered in the parking space in front of the building. People were moving around through the bright revolving door. Huading Building was originally the headquarters of Huading Group. In 2000, the top floor was built into the first 360-degree revolving restaurant in Baiyun City. It quickly became a high-class dining place that rich people often visited.
The reason Jian Ai booked the gathering with her classmates there was that she had never been there in her previous life.
After getting out of the car, seeing that Si Yuehan was sitting indifferently in the front passenger seat, Jian Ai went forward to open the door and said, "Get out?"
Si Yuehan looked up when he heard this, and there was some reluctance on his cold face. "I'm not hungry."
Jian Ai knew that Si Yuehan didn't like crowds, and he had nothing in common with Qinghuan and the rest. He was someone who didn't get along well with others.
However, if he wanted to stay by her side, he would inevitably have to interact with her friends.
"It's my birthday today," Jian Ai looked at Si Yuehan and said.
A trace of hesitation flashed across Si Yuehan's eyes. In the end, he nodded, unbuckled his seatbelt, and got out of the car.
When Chi Yang saw this, he couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. With Lord Si's character, even a cow wouldn't be able to move him. He could only soften in front of the Sect Master.
Chi Yang had just driven away when a high-class nanny van suddenly stopped in front of them.
"Xiao Ai!"
The car door opened, and Qinghuan's head reached out.
Behind her were Chen Jin and Yan Tian!
"Brother Jin!"
Seeing Chen Jin, Jian Ai went forward to greet him. It had been a while since the two of them had met.
Chen Jin carried an exquisite shopping bag in one hand. It was obvious that he had bought Jian Ai a birthday gift. As he looked at Jian Ai, he smiled and said, "Happy birthday."
"Thank you!" Jian Ai reached out to take the gift and didn't stand on ceremony.
"Here, this is mine!" Yan Tian also walked forward and handed the gift over. "Happy birthday!"
Jian Ai accepted it without hesitation and thanked him.
Xia Qinghuan watched from the side and couldn't help but widen her eyes. "Hey, hey. What's wrong with the two of you? Who gives gifts the moment they meet? Doesn't everyone only give them together when everyone is present?"
Yan Tian shrugged indifferently. "I saw Brother Jin give Jian Ai his gift, so I did the same."
When Chen Jin heard this, he rubbed his nose in embarrassment. This was the first time he had given someone a birthday gift. How would he know when to give it?
Jian Ai smiled and said, "Let's not have so many rules. Where's your gift? Hurry, take it out too!"
Chapter 456: Huading Revolving Restaurant
Xia Qinghuan quickly hid the exquisite gift box in her hand behind her back and said proudly, "No, I'll give it to you later!"
In her eyes, there had to be a ceremony when giving gifts on one's birthday. How could she give it out on the streets so casually?
Jian Ai smiled and called for them to enter first.
Xia Qinghuan and Yan Tian naturally saw Si Yuehan as well. Over the past two days, Si Yuehan had been going to school with Jian Ai every day. The two of them also knew that they had become friends now, but Jian Ai did not say that Si Yuehan would come to this birthday party.
Moreover, he was a strange person. Previously, she took the initiative to greet him, but did not receive a response. This time, she did not have the intention of greeting him.
The boys walked in front while Xia Qinghuan held Jian Ai's arm from behind. She lowered her voice and asked, "Why is he here too?"
Jian Ai looked at Si Yuehan's back and whispered, "I invited him. He's my friend now."
Xia Qinghuan had a meaningful look on her face, and her gossipy heart was about to burn again. However, thinking that it was Jian Ai's birthday today, she suppressed it and didn't pursue the matter.
The birthday girl had all the rights. Even if Jian Ai invited Jian Yiyi, she wouldn't say anything!
Of course, Xia Qinghuan knew that this was impossible.
The elevator reached the thirty-second floor, the top floor. As soon as the elevator door opened, a server in charge of receiving guests at the elevator door came forward.
"Welcome to Huading Revolving Restaurant. Do you have a reservation?"
Jian Ai nodded. "Yes, Jian Ai!"
The server said, "Alright, please follow me!"
The revolving restaurant had floor-to-ceiling windows at a 360-degree angle. One could see the bustling cityscape of Baiyun City at a glance.
Every ninety minutes, the restaurant would rotate once. It was probably the time for a proper meal. Because it was slow, if the angle of the scenery outside the window was not changing, one would not feel the restaurant rotating.
The server confirmed Jian Ai's reservation information at the front desk and led them to a long table with a good view.
This was Jian Ai's first time here, and she was quite satisfied with the high-end and tidy dining environment.
As soon as everyone sat down, Guan Tao arrived. To their surprise, she didn't come alone but appeared with Gao Yang.
Without waiting for them to reveal their gossipy radar, Guan Tao rushed to explain, "I bumped into Gao Yang downstairs. Otherwise, I wouldn't know which floor this restaurant was on."
Gao Yang didn't say a word. He wasn't someone who liked to explain things like this. Even if others misunderstood, he couldn't be bothered to say anything.
Guan Tao was holding an enormous box. She had prepared a gift for Jian Ai.
The box attracted Xia Qinghuan's gaze at a glance. She couldn't help but ask, "Oh my, Guan Tao, your gift is too big. Is there a person inside?"
Yan Tian smiled and said, "Maybe when we open it, Lin Yi will jump out from inside!"
Everyone laughed when they heard this, but Guan Tao couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She stuffed the gift under the chair and didn't give it to Jian Ai immediately.
"Can we serve the dishes now?" The server walked over and asked Jian Ai.
Jian Ai had already ordered the dishes when she made the reservation. When she heard this, she looked at the time. It was just past noon.
However, Lin Yi had not arrived yet. As such, she said, "Let's open the wine bottles first. We still have people who haven't arrived yet. We'll serve the dishes later."
The server nodded and retreated.
When Yan Tian heard this, he couldn't help but ask Jian Ai, "You still want to drink?"
Jian Ai raised her eyebrows. "Of course. It's my birthday. I have to drink a little!"
Chapter 457: Opening Gifts
As she spoke, Jian Ai deliberately looked at Yan Tian with disdain. "Don't tell me you don't know how to drink?"
When Yan Tian heard that, he couldn't help but glare at her. "Who said that? I was just afraid that you girls wouldn't be able to drink. I was just concerned about you."
"You don't have to worry!" Jian Ai smiled. "Don't go down to the table after drinking a glass."
"That's not necessary!" Xia Qinghuan understood Yan Tian and immediately covered her mouth to speak up for him.
Yan Tian raised his eyebrows proudly.
They chatted and laughed for a while before Lin Yi finally arrived.
"Lin Yi, what's wrong with you? You're late for Jian Ai's birthday!"
As soon as they met, Xia Qinghuan pretended to be dissatisfied and looked at Lin Yi.
Lin Yi looked around and saw that everyone had arrived. He was the last to arrive, so he quickly apologized to Jian Ai in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. The car got stuck on the road, so there was some delay. I didn't think it would clear up in a short time, so I called a taxi here!"
"Is everyone okay?" Jian Ai quickly asked.
Lin Yi nodded. "It's fine. It's just that something happened in the downtown area and blocked the traffic!"
Si Yuehan was sitting on Jian Ai's left, and everyone deliberately left the seat on her right to Lin Yi. Lin Yi didn't back away. Anyway, everyone knew he liked Jian Ai, so he walked over and sat down.
After sitting down, Lin Yi looked around the restaurant and then at them. "I saw Jian Yiyi downstairs. She seemed to be eating with her father. There was also a boy. He should be her brother."
"Huh?"
They frowned and looked around instinctively. This was the only top restaurant in the Huading Building. If Jian Yiyi came for a meal, she could only come here.
However, they didn't see Jian Yiyi.
"The restaurant is so big, so we might not cross paths with her," Gao Yang said indifferently.
Xia Qinghuan didn't want Jian Yiyi to dampen their spirits. This was a beautiful moment where they had finally gathered together on Jian Ai's birthday.
"Come, it's the gift-giving segment!" Xia Qinghuan put her hands together and revealed an impatient expression. Her gaze landed on Lin Yi beside Jian Ai. "Lin Yi, you're the finale. Guan Tao first!"
Guan Tao, who was sitting beside Lin Yi, blushed and blinked in embarrassment.
Everyone present was from a rich family. Even though she had become good friends with them and Guan Tao did not feel as inferior as before, she was still a little afraid at such a moment.
Moreover, her gift...
Seeing Guan Tao's submissive appearance, Xia Qinghuan couldn't help but say, "Hurry Guan Tao. We're waiting to see!"
Everyone's gaze landed on Guan Tao, making her feel like someone had pushed her to the front.
After a while, she slowly took out the enormous box from under the chair. The box was a big red hard cardboard box. There was no obvious brand logo on it, only a colorful ribbon knot.
"Xiao Ai, happy birthday!"
Guan Tao said softly and handed the gift box that was almost as big as her upper body to Jian Ai.
Jian Ai thanked her and gladly received it.
"Hurry and look!" Xia Qinghuan had been curious about what was in such a big box from the moment she saw it. She could not help but ask anxiously.
"Open it and see if you like it!" Guan Tao let Jian Ai open it.
Jian Ai untied the ribbon knot and slowly opened the lid.
Chapter 458: Guan Tao's Customized Dress
Everyone looked into the box at the same time. Xia Qinghuan stood up and craned her neck.
What entered her eyes was a dark blue item. It looked like gauze, but also like silk.
Jian Ai was stunned, and her eyes were filled with shock.
She reached into the box and carefully took it out. Jian Ai stood up from her seat and opened the piece of a blue item in front of everyone. A dark blue evening gown was revealed in front of everyone.
It was an off-shoulder design with exquisite creases. The waist was tight, and the back was made of a translucent blue muslin material. A ten-centimeter silk mesh was used to hold up the skirt, making the bottom of the dress appear fluffy and elegant. The gown was so long that it reached Jian Ai's ankles. At the bottom of the skirt were hand-stitched gold and silver sequins. It served as the finishing touch for the skirt, making it even lighter.
The entire gown was dark blue, and the material had a good texture. Coupled with the sparkling highlights at the bottom of the skirt and the translucent gauze design on the back, the entire skirt was elegant and generous, dignified but not heavy. Most importantly, the dark blue highlighted that it was high class and not old-fashioned. Everything was perfectly balanced, like the long gowns that celebrities would wear on the red carpet.
Everyone's eyes widened, especially Jian Ai and Xia Qinghuan. They sighed in their hearts. This dress was too beautiful!
After a while, Qinghuan retracted her half-open mouth and looked at Guan Tao in surprise. "Guan Tao, did you win the lottery? This dress is expensive, right?"
It was not Xia Qinghuan's fault for saying that. Everyone knew Guan Tao's family's situation, and this was not an ordinary dress. It was the design of an evening gown.
The dark blue material was exceptionally smooth and textured. One could tell at a glance that the bright sequins sewn at the bottom of the skirt were handmade. This was not a casual evening gown worth a few thousand yuan. It was definitely not cheap.
Jian Ai was also shocked. She looked up at Guan Tao and asked, "Guan Tao, tell me the truth. How much did you spend on this dress?!"
It was naturally impolite to ask others about the value of a gift, but their relationship had long exceeded these taboos.
At this moment, Jian Ai's heart ached, and she was angry. With her relationship with Guan Tao, even if she didn't give her anything, she wouldn't have any other thoughts. However, it was the opposite. One could tell that this dress was expensive. Most importantly, it was a custom-made evening dress. It was likely that she wouldn't even have the chance to wear it.
It was too wasteful!
However, just as everyone thought that this dress would be worth thousands of yuan, Guan Tao shrunk her neck in embarrassment and said, "This... I made it myself..."
Everyone was shocked!
Huh?
Did Guan Tao make this herself?
"Guan Tao, you made this?" Yan Tian's eyeballs were about to fly out. After asking, he even looked at Guan Tao with emphasis. "You? You yourself?"
"How is that possible?" Xia Qinghuan's shock was not inferior to Yan Tian's. "This outfit is a high-end custom-made one!"
The design, the material of the clothes, the creases on the collar, and the handmade sequins on the hemline were all perfect, just like the ones models in the display window wore.
Everyone's reaction was too intense, making Guan Tao shrink her neck shyly before explaining, "My mother works at the clothing factory and often takes home some fabrics that were abandoned in the factory. I saw that this dark blue silk was beautiful, so I made a dress for Xiao Ai."
Chapter 459: Guan Tao's Hidden Skill
"I initially wanted to make an ordinary one-piece dress, but this color is too solemn. It's not suitable for children to wear, so I made it into a more formal evening dress. With a light muslin and sequins, it will make the dress look much lighter."
Stretching out five fingers, Guan Tao stuck her tongue out at Jian Ai in embarrassment. "I spent five yuan to buy a bag of sequins, but I made this dress for a month!"
Guan Tao would never lie. Besides, if she didn't make this dress, she wouldn't be able to afford it.
At this moment, Jian Ai suddenly remembered that recently, when the two of them passed by the newspaper stand outside the school, Guan Tao was staring at a fashion magazine. In the end, she bought it for her.
If she remembered correctly, that magazine was a fashion magazine.
At that time, Jian Ai did not think too much about it. Now that it suddenly coincided with what was happening in front of her, Jian Ai realized that Guan Tao had long been interested in fashion design and could even make such a perfect and high-end evening dress.
She was touched. Guan Tao had little money, so she could not take out a gift worth tens of thousands of yuan like others.
However, she spent a month making such a beautiful dress for her. This was the best gift Jian Ai had received this year.
Although she was still a student and had little chances to wear such a gown, and Bai Zhou had bought two sets of evening gowns which were still lying in the box in the closet, this did not affect Jian Ai.
She looked at Guan Tao with pursed lips and a smile, but her eyes could not help but turn red. "Thank you, Guan Tao. This is my favorite gift."
The two of them had grown up together, so there was no need to talk about their friendship. Guan Tao's face turned red, and she smiled in embarrassment. She didn't forget to remind her, "Go and try it. If there's anything that's not fitting well, I can help you fix it."
"If someone told me that this dress costs ten thousand yuan, I would buy it without hesitation!" Xia Qinghuan said.
"When it's your birthday, I can also make a dress for you. You're suitable for a lighter color. White, yellow, light orange, all of them are fine," Guan Tao said.
"Really, Guan Tao? I'm looking forward to it." Xia Qinghuan acted spoiled. "I wish it was my birthday tomorrow!"
The others also felt that it was as if this was the first time they had met Guan Tao. Although she belonged to their group, she seemed to be a transparent girl at all times. However, today, she seemed to glow. It was as if everyone had suddenly discovered her hidden skill.
Gao Yang sat beside Guan Tao and looked at her light smile and slightly red face. His eyes couldn't help but flash.
Talented people would always make him pay more attention.
After that, Xia Qinghuan took out her gift. It was a girl's watch from a luxury brand, and it was as exaggerated as she was. There was even a diamond embedded in the dial.
Gao Yang, on the other hand, displayed the true colors of a straightforward man. He had an imported portable PSP game console with five limited edition game cards, shocking everyone present.
However, Jian Ai liked it.
In the end, under everyone's expectant gazes, it was finally Lin Yi's turn. Yan Tian and Gao Yang had long heard that Lin Yi had been preparing a gift for Jian Ai for the past few days. He had even called abroad, but they didn't know what he had ordered!
Chapter 460: Thank You, It's Beautiful
Lin Yi's gift box was exquisite and small, but the logo on it was the most striking.
With just a look, Yan Tian could not help but make a commotion. "Oh, it's Tiffany. Could it be a proposal ring?"
Xia Qinghuan rebuked Yan Tian and glared at him. "Don't talk nonsense."
Jian Ai was no stranger to this brand. In her previous life, one of her necklaces belonged to Tiffany. However, in this era, Tiffany, as an international jewelry luxury brand on par with Cartier, had yet to completely infiltrate the Chinese market.
At least in Baiyun City, Jian Ai had not seen Tiffany's and Cartier's flagship stores.
"Happy birthday!"
Lin Yi pushed the gift to Jian Ai and smiled warmly.
She had accepted everyone else's gifts, so she naturally wouldn't treat Lin Yi differently. Jian Ai thanked him and calmly reached out to take it.
Then, under their curious and gossipy gazes, she slowly opened the exquisite and luxurious box and saw a shiny and gorgeous bracelet lying inside.
The style of the bracelet was neither exaggerated nor grand. Instead, it was exquisite and slender, suitable for teenage girls.
At the end of the buckle was a small heart-shaped piece of platinum. The word 'Jian' was engraved on the front, and the word 'Ai' was engraved on the back.
It was obvious that the bracelet was not customized in such a short time, even Lin Yi had Tiffany engrave the words on it.
He responded to the fountain pen she had given him.
Jian Ai smiled and looked at Lin Yi. "Thank you. It's beautiful."
Lin Yi spent some time and effort to acquire such a bracelet, and this particular one was not available in any Tiffany flagship stores in the world at the moment. Hence, he asked his father to contact Tiffany through a foreign business partner. The bracelet he acquired was one that would yet be listed in the market and was set for an autumn release—he even had Jian Ai's name on it.
Compared to the others, Lin Yi's gift was the most sincere. However, everyone, including Lin Yi, knew that the best gift came from Guan Tao.
The ostentatious segment of opening gifts had finally ended. This was the year Jian Ai received a number of gifts and the most expensive gifts on her birthday. She liked every gift very much.
Soon, the servers served the dishes one after another. They served exquisite dishes to them.
The average consumption per person here was about two hundred yuan. With this table of dishes and a bottle of red wine, Jian Ai's three thousand yuan bonus from the Olympiad was barely enough.
The atmosphere was lively and harmonious. From time to time, the cheerful chatter of youths could be heard. They were lively, but not noisy. It even infected the surrounding people who were eating. From time to time, they would look at their table and smile.
Knowing that Jian Ai was celebrating her birthday today, the restaurant specially gave her an exquisite mini cake. A group of servers sang the happy birthday song for her.
Jian Yiyi, who was eating at the other end of the restaurant, couldn't help but look up curiously when she heard the song. However, there was a round pillar between them, so she couldn't see the scene from where she was.
Jian Changsheng and Jian Yichen were sitting opposite Jian Yiyi.
Jian Changsheng looked at his daughter eating spaghetti with a gentle expression. He said softly, "Do you want to order something else?"
Jian Yiyi narrowed her eyes and smiled. She shook her head. "It's enough, Dad."
It was rare for the company to have leisure time today, so Jian Changsheng brought the two children out to play. Qiao Shuyi had fallen ill a few days ago and hadn't recovered yet, so she didn't go out together.
Jian Changsheng looked at the time and said, "Shall I accompany you to the amusement park in the afternoon?"
Jian Yiyi's eyes lit up. "Alright!"
Jian Yichen frowned in disdain and thought to himself, 'Childish!'