"I called for you to come in, but he came in instead," Janelle stated plainly, not hiding anything.
"Erik looks like the type with a really strong libido! Can your little frame handle it?" Sara hadn't been in a relationship, but she loved reading intense novels. No practical experience, but plenty of theory.
"..." Janelle truly didn't know how to respond. Sara always came out with the most startling things.
"Janelle, the books all say it feels amazing. How does it feel for you? I'm in my twenties now, I kind of want to find someone to try it with too." At a certain age, desires arise, even for women.
"Have you met someone you like?" Janelle asked, seeing Sara's bashful expression and suspecting she might have a crush.
"Yeah, I have. But he doesn't know I like him." Mentioning the person she liked made Sara a bit shy. She feared him knowing, yet also feared him not knowing; it was a contradiction.
"Who? Do I know him?" Janelle hadn't been around for the last five years; she didn't know who had entered Sara's life. Sara was a wonderful girl; Janelle wanted her to be happy.
"You don't know him. He's a senior from my university. Really handsome. I liked him the first time I saw him. But... it's like I don't exist in his eyes. He just sees me as an ordinary junior."
"Anyway, forget about him. It's just a crush. And most crushes end up going nowhere." That bittersweet ache was something only those who experienced it would understand. For now, she needed to focus on her career. After all, if she didn't start drawing properly, her graduation show would be ruined.
"Hmm." The two went out together.
Seeing Erik and Jiang Chao sitting on the sofa, Sara got excited. These two were walking clothes hangers!
"How do you need them to help?" Janelle asked directly. It was the weekend; everyone was free.
"I need to take their measurements."
"Okay." Janelle got Erik and Jiang Chao to stand up. Sara brought out two measuring tapes, handing one to Janelle.
"I'll measure my senior brother. You measure Erik, okay?"
"Okay." Sara called Jiang Chao over and told him to stand straight. She was shorter, making measuring a bit awkward.
Meanwhile, Janelle started with Erik. It was unfamiliar territory; she'd never taken measurements before. Thankfully, Erik cooperated fully.
During the process, their bodies inevitably made contact. Just taking measurements, and Erik felt like the girl was deliberately teasing him.
Soon, they were done. Sara brought out two sets of men's clothes.
"Could you please try these on? The clothes are made, but I've never been satisfied with them. I couldn't find the problem. After you wear them, could you give me some feedback?"
"No problem." Jiang Chao took the clothes directly.
Erik, however, didn't move. He had a cleanliness hang-up. These clothes hadn't been washed. He didn't want to wear them.
Seeing his reluctance, Sara looked pleadingly at Janelle. Janelle took the clothes from Sara and held them out to him.
Erik felt a visceral resistance, but under Janelle's gaze, he finally went to try them on.
Seeing Erik so... pliant... in front of Janelle, Sara couldn't help but laugh. "Janelle, he really dotes on you." Clearly something he resisted, but if Janelle wanted it, he did it anyway, even unwillingly.
Janelle didn't comment. When a man wanted you, he was willing to do anything. But what did that prove? Didn't Westin love Amber? Look how that turned out! He could betray his wife for his 'white moonlight,' and then abandon that 'white moonlight' for another woman. Perhaps the essence of men was simply fickleness.
Sara knew Janelle didn't believe in feelings. Being betrayed by both her biological father and Nelson was indeed cruel. But some things could only be left to time. Time would tell. Until the final curtain fell, no one knew the true outcome. Life was like that.
Erik and Jiang Chao changed and came out. The two walking clothes hangers wore her designs, instantly elevating the perceived quality of the clothes.
Erik walked over to Janelle.
"How is it?" This was his first time wearing this style; he usually preferred black shirts. Today, he wore a green shirt under a well-tailored suit. The green looked unexpectedly good on him, giving off a different vibe.
"Looks good," Janelle stated honestly.
Hearing her compliment him, Erik's lips curved into a slight smile.
"I meant the clothes look good."
"..." Erik was truly speechless. This woman was ruthless! Wasn't he good-looking too?
Sara took several photos with her phone. The men enhanced the clothes. She knew her designs still had issues, but seeing them worn, she already knew how to fix them.
Erik disliked having his picture taken, but because it was Janelle's friend, he endured it. Jiang Chao didn't mind.
"Sara, photos are fine, but these can't be leaked, okay?" Jiang Chao also emphasized.
Sara nodded vigorously. "Mhm, mhm, mhm! Don't worry! I absolutely won't let them get out." Jiang Chao and Erik had special statuses; she wouldn't dare leak their photos.
After the photos, Erik and Jiang Chao changed back. Sara was already revising her designs, her inspiration flowing. However, it was mealtime. Regardless, Erik and Jiang Chao had helped her; she naturally needed to treat them to a meal.
Erik wanted to eat with Janelle, but he didn't want Jiang Chao tagging along.
"Didn't Senior Brother say he had something else to do later?" Erik stated bluntly.
"What? I don't understand. When did I have something? Come on! Let's go eat at that super popular private kitchen place online. I heard it's amazing." Jiang Chao was already eager.
Erik and Jiang Chao had both driven. Now, they simultaneously opened their passenger-side doors.
Seeing this, Sara couldn't hold back a laugh. Jiang Chao was definitely here to annoy Erik! The two were in their ambiguous phase; why was he butting in?
"Senior Brother, you don't mind if I ride with you, do you?" Sara walked towards Jiang Chao's car.
"Having a beauty in my passenger seat is an honor." Jiang Chao closed the door for her after she got in. "See you soon, Junior Sister!" He waved at Janelle before driving off.
Janelle had arrived by taxi; she hadn't picked up her car yet. Erik was waiting. She didn't make a fuss and simply got into the passenger seat of his car.
Erik thought: Sara's a good kid. I can invest in her studio. She has good awareness.