“Okay, you can take your time choosing more slowly than I thought. What about looking at what’s trending these days?”
Rosana swiftly took out the catalog and spread it on the table. They varied in size and thickness, and when the Viscountess picked up one of them and opened the first page, Maiana understood the reason for the different sizes of the catalogs.
Not only that, there were catalogs categorized by types, ranging from dresses to accessories, fans, and shoes. Moreover, all these items were combined together, showing in advance how they would look when worn.
‘If I had seen something like this in the past, I would have probably been fascinated.’
Maiana thought. Suddenly, she missed the sound of the sewing machine. The smells emanating from the fabrics, the various textures…
“Mrs. Dawson.”
Maiana snapped out of her thoughts upon hearing Lady Alt Viscountess’s voice.
“Yes, madam. I’m sorry, for a moment…”
“Is your mind not here at all? It’s understandable. I often find myself dazed all day after choosing a new dress. But it’s your first dress, right? You should choose one that fits your heart. Look.”
Maiana nodded, looking down at the illustration in the catalog that the Viscountess pointed to. It was a very delicate drawing. It was so detailed that it was believable as a photograph from a distance, and it was so intricately drawn that admiration came naturally.
“It’s very beautiful.”
Maiana murmured without realizing. Rosana took a piece of fabric from her bag and opened a thick leather case where overlapping fabric pieces were stored.
“If we go with this dress design, this fabric would be suitable. It’s a fabric woven with silk imported from abroad, mixed with gold threads. The color is very subtle. It looks slightly different every time it catches the light.”
“Wouldn’t it be too conspicuous?”
At Maiana’s worried question, Rosana and Lady Alt Viscountess glanced at each other’s faces for a moment. Then, without anyone saying anything first, they burst into laughter. Fortunately, there was no intention of mockery, but Maiana, feeling a bit perplexed, alternately looked at the two.
Rosana spoke.
“Goodness! A dress should stand out! Unless it’s a dress for a funeral, who would want to wear a dress buried among people?” She shook her hands as if finding it amusing, and then continued.
“Even if I think about it again, it’s funny. Nobles attending parties and balls every day would be astonished if they knew how their dresses are. They come up with all sorts of thoughts just to be conspicuous and attract attention.”
Maiana smiled vaguely. “Well, I’m different from those people.”
Lady Alt Viscountess gently clasped Maiana’s hand. “Mrs. Dawson, it’s okay to set aside such thoughts for now. We’re just fitting a dress, right?”
“Madam, as I mentioned before… I find it hard to understand this situation as me. So…”
“I’ll explain that. For now, it’s essential whether the fabric suits Mrs. Dawson or not. It’s about the fabric.”
Rosana intervened. “If you don’t know what’s different or how, I’ll explain it.”
There was no need for that. Maiana knew most of the fabrics Rosana had. Of course, there were some she had never heard of, but they were just different in name. Touching or hearing a bit of explanation, she could quickly understand.
Not only that, Maiana could quickly identify the fabric that would best suit each design. What would be the most voluminous when pleated, what would go best with the finest vertically woven lace… Alt Viscountess didn’t know well, but Rosana seemed to have noticed that Maiana knew a lot about fabrics and sewing. While observing Maiana carefully comparing fabrics, Rosana jokingly said,
“If you ever decide not to work here anymore, do you have any thoughts about becoming my assistant?”
Maiana chuckled quietly. “It’s a grateful offer.”
Once determined and started looking through the catalog, it didn’t take long. Maiana imagined the finished look of each dress that Rosana would create, choosing fabrics and designs. As for accessories, she needed the help of the Viscountess since it wasn’t easy to choose them alone.
“Isn’t this enough, Rosana? It would be good to match the shoes with the dress. You don’t need to attach too flashy decorations… something mature would suit Mrs. Dawson.”
“I agree with Madam’s words.”
Both of them looked at Maiana simultaneously. It was a questioning gaze.
Maiana nodded. “I have no objections to both of your thoughts.”
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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