Chapter 400 - Beyond Her Understanding

"Lillie… do you know that I am Clifford's ex-fiancee?"

There was a brief moment of silence when Olive asked that question to Zhen-Zhen. Olive was all eyes on her. She was assessing Zhen-Zhen's reaction.

On the other hand, Zhen-Zhen was wondering why Olive brought up her relationship with Clifford. 'Does it have to do with her offer?'

After a while, Zhen-Zhen nodded her head. "Hmm, yes. I know you are his ex-fiancee. He mentioned it to me. Why?"

'So she already knew… and she's still acting very friendly, not intimidated at all. Others would hate or feel threatened and jealous after seeing their boyfriend's exes and knowing how they are successful in their career compared to them. But she's acting differently.' Olive was still trying to figure her out.

Olive gave her a faint smile and said, "Nothing… I am just afraid that you might reject my offer because of my past relationship with Clifford.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't mind. But I have to know your offer first before I could say yes or no." Zhen-Zhen let out a soft giggle after saying that.

"Hmm, alright. As I said, I am a fashion designer. If you will allow me, I would like to work with you. Can you be my muse? A model of my designs?"

In order to get to know her more, Olive wanted to work with Zhen-Zhen and make her a model of her creation. Olive was also thinking that this was also one way to find out if Zhen-Zhen was just after Clifford's money.

Meanwhile, Zhen-Zhen paused for a moment just looking at Olive with amus.e.m.e.nt in her blue eyes. Seeing her reaction, Olive continued telling her the benefits of becoming her muse. 

"I will assure you that once you become my muse, you will be well-compensated. We are paying high salaries to our model, either she's new or not. You can do it during your free time. Your studies will not be affected. There's also a big chance that you will become a famous supermodel."

"I'm sorry, Miss Patterson but I can't accept your offer." Zhen-Zhen refused her offer right away.

Olive couldn't believe it. She thought she would never refuse her offer especially once she learned the benefits she could get after being a model.

"But why?" Olive asked her in disbelief. 

"You don't have to give me an answer right away. You can think it over for a week before deciding. I am willing to wait," Olive added, still not giving up.

But Zhen-Zhen shook her head again. "Thank you for this generous offer, Miss Patterson. But I am afraid I have to refuse you."

Olive's face contorted as she arched her eyebrows. "Is it because of Clifford?"

"No. No. Don't get me wrong, Miss Patterson. It's not because of him. I have my personal reason and Clifford has nothing to do with it."

Zhen-Zhen had to admit that her offer was tempting. She also wanted to earn money by working. She didn't want to rely on Tristan's money alone.

However, she became conflicted after hearing that she might become famous and supermodel. 

She didn't wish to be famous. It would be troublesome when that happened. In an instant, she made up her mind to refuse her offer.

She recalled her last conversation with Tristan after she won the title of being a Campus Belle. They had a pillow talk at home after the celebration dinner.

¥ Flashback ¥

"Wifey, don't become a model just like one of the participants. What's her name again? Oh, right, it's Athena. Don't be like her." Tristan said to her while hugging her tightly.

"Why, hubby?" Zhen-Zhen gazed up to see his face.

"Because I don't want others to take your pictures while asking you to wear different s.e.xy and revealing clothes. You and your body are for my eyes only!" Tristan's possessiveness was acting up again.

Zhen-Zhen's giggle bubbled up in their room.

"Ok. For my hubby only."

"Thank you, wifey. Sorry if I am being selfish again. But I want to be your one and only official photographer. And you will become my most favorite muse, my only model starting today."

"You can be a model of our company and our products but I will be the one who will take the pictures," Tristan added.

Zhen-Zhen smiled at him while nodding in agreement. Tristan was happy with her response so he kissed her on her forehead and lips afterward.

¥ End of Flashback ¥

Obviously, Tristan was the reason why Zhen-Zhen rejected Olive's offer.

Olive was not happy with her decision but she had no choice but to accept and respect it. Her plan failed so she had to confront her directly.

There's no need to pretend. Now, she wanted to be frank and straightforward with her.

"Lillie, to tell you honestly, this is not the only reason why I came here to see you. I want to talk to you about Clifford."

Zhen-Zhen was taken aback when she heard that. She had no idea why Olive kept mentioning Clifford.

'Oh, maybe because Clifford called me Sweetie the last time we saw at the mall?' Zhen-Zhen remembered it.

'Should I correct her wrong assumption? But… I understand why Clifford did it. Sigh. I don't want to reveal his lies. What should I do?' Zhen-Zhen was having conflicting thoughts right now.

She felt sorry for Clifford after hearing his story. He was hurt because of Olive's betrayal. He even tried to end his life because of that.

With that thought in mind, Zhen-Zhen just decided to remain silent about her true relationship with Clifford.

"Lillie, I still love him. I will get him back no matter what!" Olive declared to her blatantly. She was clenching her fists while looking at Zhen-Zhen with her brave front. 

She was already expecting to receive a slap or having a fight with Zhen-Zhen and she would not back down.

However, Zhen-Zhen just remained still in her spot. She just blinked her eyes several times, thinking about what to say to her. In the end, she smiled at her sheepishly while scratching her face.

"Hmm, actually, you don't have to say this to me. If you want to get him back then you just have to show him your sincere heart."

Olive: "..."

'Eh, why is she telling me this? I expect her to say that I should stay away from her man. What's wrong with her?' Olive became more puzzled because of Zhen-Zhen's response.

"Why? Why are you saying this? Don't you hate me? Are you not mad?" She asked her quizzically.

"I don't hate you. I heard the story between you and Clifford. I can't judge you for what you have done in the past. I only heard one side of the story. I know you have your reason, though I can't understand the situation you were in before."

Zhen-Zhen took a pause before she continued.

"I could see that you are very determined to win him back. I wish you luck. I know he was devastated before but let's hope that time could heal his broken heart."

"Now, you realize that you still love him and you want to get him back then you should make and exert a lot of effort. If ever you and Clifford will be together again then this time you should cherish him. Don't hurt him again."

Olive was at a loss for words. This girl in front of her was giving her one shock after another. She didn't understand her.

Olive was about to ask her one more time but Liam suddenly appeared from behind.

"Girls, your time is up. Miss Meyer, come back to my class now," Liam said, pretending to be a strict professor.

Both ladies just looked at him helplessly. Liam chuckled after seeing their awkward expressions.

Olive and Zhen-Zhen had to follow him since they promised that they would just talk for ten to fifteen minutes.

Zhen-Zhen faced Olive one last time with her friendly smile. She waved at her and said goodbye before turning around to leave. Olive and Liam just watched her enter the class session hall.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation with her. I told you that I would only allow you to have a maximum of fifteen minutes to take her away from my class. You even exceeded five minutes so I came here to remind the two of you."

Olive could only nod her head. She somehow felt apologetic toward Liam. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright. You can just invite her again next time. So how is it? Did she accept your offer to be your muse?" Liam asked Olive with intrigue.

She just shook her head as a response. Liam could see the disappointment in her eyes. 

" I feel sorry because I know Lillie could be a great model for your creation. Too bad she didn't accept it. But don't worry, you can find another muse." He patted her shoulder, consoling her.

"Hmm, okay. I have to go. See you around," Olive said before leaving Liam. 

Her mind was still in shambles. She was still shocked about Zhen-Zhen's behavior moments ago. Her interaction with Zhen-Zhen was beyond her understanding.