Cross Lines

Chapter 6: Climbing the Ladder

On Friday morning, Zachary's new prototype had been completed, and Maggie was discussing improvements with him in the office when Jasmine’s text arrived. Maggie, holding her coffee cup with one hand, used the other to swipe open the message:

"Tomorrow night at 8, at the Sea of Clouds Club behind Fuhua. I’ll have someone meet you at the door. Party theme: cross-dressing."

Cross-dressing?! Maggie nearly spat out her coffee, coughing from the shock. Zachary looked at her but remained silent.

Qiqi is so cosmopolitan, organizing a party with such a theme. No wonder there are no men attending—what normal guy would be seen in public dressed as a woman? Maggie thought for a moment and quickly typed a reply: "Wear men's clothes?"

Another message soon arrived with just one word: "Yes."

Maggie looked at her phone, took a sip of coffee, and nodded, finding it interesting…

On Saturday morning, Maggie slept in until after ten. She got up, face unwashed, and went across the hall to ring the doorbell. After a long time, Ryan Ding, with a bedraggled hairstyle similar to hers, finally opened the door, leaning against the doorframe.

"What’s up, sis? Can’t this wait until the afternoon? I only went to sleep at 4 yesterday…"

Maggie, expressionless, said, "It’s already today at four," and walked in, "I need to borrow an outfit."

"Huh?" Ryan Ding looked puzzled and followed her inside.

"Our company is hosting a themed party, and the theme is cross-dressing."

"You’re going to dress as a man?"

Maggie nodded.

"A man looking like you would be a cross-dresser…"

Ryan Ding looked troubled.

"Stop talking! If you want to sleep, hurry up!"

Maggie was impatient. Ryan Ding pouted, "Wait a moment, I’ll find something for you. It’ll just be something that fits both our sizes. Don’t know if it’s a tragedy for you or for me…"

Maggie pushed him aside, "I’ll choose myself."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Ryan Ding grew anxious, standing by nervously. Maggie ignored him and picked a brown hunting outfit from the rack. Ryan Ding’s face changed instantly.

"This is a brand new Armani suit! Giorgio Armani! It hasn’t even been worn yet. I was saving it for when I meet my future in-laws! How can you be so ruthless, Maggie!"

"I chose it because the tags are still on. Do you think I would wear your used clothes? Besides, you don’t even have a girlfriend. What in-laws are you talking about?"

Maggie glanced at Ryan Ding and took the clothes back to her place. Before leaving, she instructed Ryan Ding, "I’ll come by your shop to do my hair after my nap. I’ll be there at four. Be ready."

With that, she slammed the door behind her, leaving Ryan Ding, who was now a bit disheveled in his own living room: lending out his most expensive clothes only to be looked down upon… What kind of person is this…

Ryan Ding’s salon was very close to the Orange Fort; just across an intersection. The shop had a large facade, stylishly decorated inside with advanced facilities. There was even a lounge upstairs where some wealthy housewives often came to pass the time. Several young stylists were busy, with deep cello music playing softly, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

The salon’s decoration and furniture design were all done by Maggie herself, as voluntary work. As the owner, Ryan Ding had no way to repay her and thus took on Maggie’s projects. In fact, Ryan Ding enjoyed styling Maggie’s hair. For someone who takes pride in making hairstyling an art, seeing his work on tasteless wealthy women was painful. Maggie, being young, fashionable, and having good hair quality, showcased many of Ryan Ding’s creative ideas perfectly, so the occasional mistreatment was bearable.

Since Ryan Ding took more time each session, Maggie’s hair was done first. Her hair was currently in a transitional phase from short to long. Ryan Ding suggested shortening the sides a bit more, styling the top into a messy, voluminous look, and adding some highlights, resulting in a modified pompadour. This would match her men's outfit and not look out of place.

Maggie stood up to take a break and had a couple of cream puffs from the salon’s afternoon tea to avoid being hungry before the party started. The salon’s makeup artist then gave her a more androgynous evening look to match her hairstyle and outfit. With the preparations complete, Maggie left the salon looking sharp and stylish.

At 7:15, Maggie confidently walked out of the salon. Dressed in a dark matte metal-textured turtleneck, a well-tailored suit, and ankle boots, she looked both cool and elegant. Long legs stepped into the pristine Little Showers and happily headed for her destination.

Fuhua was a five-star hotel Maggie had visited a few times, but she had never realized there was a club behind it. Driving down the side road, the place opened up into a different world. At the entrance, two people were waiting, and as Maggie parked and approached, they came forward to greet her.

"Are you Maggie?"

"Yes," Maggie nodded.

"President Gao sent us to pick you up. Please follow us."

One of them slightly bowed and led Maggie inside. Maggie looked around and noticed the place was upscale.

The building was not high, only three floors, and looked ordinary from the outside, likely to avoid attracting attention. Inside, however, it was a different story—like a maze, and without a guide, it was hard to navigate. They finally stopped in front of a set of large double doors. The person accompanying Maggie lightly knocked twice, listened for a moment, and then pushed open the heavy-looking door.

"Maggie, please come in."

Maggie nodded in thanks, took a deep breath, and entered.

Inside was a moderately sized semi-partitioned hall. A few people were scattered near the door, chatting happily. Jasmine was among them, and when she saw Maggie, she smiled and approached.

"You’re here?"

"Yes."

Maggie casually glanced around, not seeing the person she hoped to meet. She didn’t let it show and continued to chat with Jasmine, "President Gao."

"Today we’re all friends, so don’t be so formal, okay?"

"Sure."

"Wow, who is this so handsome?"

At the sound of the voice, someone emerged from the inner room, with big waves of hair, an impressive figure, and a tailored three-piece suit. She was the guest of honor, Qiqi.

Maggie recognized her; Qiqi, the second daughter of the Gao family, was unfamiliar with Maggie. Jasmine introduced them briefly.

"This is Maggie. Don’t you know her?"

Qiqi looked at her sister, shook her head, but then smiled, "I know the name; you were the one Emily asked me to pass the necklace to."

Maggie smiled back, "Happy birthday, and thank you for the last time, Manager Gao."

"Thanks. What manager? This isn’t a company event, just call me Qiqi, okay?"

Qiqi seemed in high spirits today, quite different from her usual aloof style. She looked Maggie up and down.

"I never noticed such a beautiful person in the company before."

Maggie naturally replied with a bit of flattery, "Our little brilliance is overshadowed by Qiqi."

Qiqi’s smile widened with pleasure. She linked arms with Maggie and said, "Come on, everyone is having fun inside."

Maggie smiled at Jasmine and followed Qiqi into the inner room. The space was larger, and Maggie spotted Emily Luo lounging on a sofa, dressed simply in a white shirt. Although her makeup was quite refined, she looked rather tired. Emily raised her eyes upon noticing the new arrivals, first looking at Qiqi, then at Maggie.

Maggie immediately smiled, this time genuinely pleased. Seeing this smile, Emily couldn’t keep up her cold demeanor and gave a slight smile in return. Qiqi took Maggie straight to Emily.

"Emily, you know Maggie, right?"

Emily sat up from the sofa, "Yes."

At least she didn’t mention anything related to medical issues, which relieved Maggie.

"I didn’t remember her before. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know her."

Qiqi was quite familiar and took a seat next to Maggie. She grabbed a piece of watermelon from the table, still on a toothpick, and started eating. Before she could say more, there was some commotion at the door as more people arrived. She patted Maggie’s knee.

"Continue chatting, I’ll go greet them."

With that, she got up and left. Maggie nodded, growing nervous again…

Left alone, what to do, what to do? Every attempt at small talk has been a failure. Should she try talking again? Staying silent is so awkward. After a pause, Maggie gathered her courage and asked, "Dr. Luo and Manager Gao are friends?"

To get to know people, sometimes you have to make small talk, Maggie thought as she took the first step.

Emily Luo looked at her without much expression. Maggie thought desperately, don’t ask me if my chest still hurts!!

"Yes, we grew up together."

Fortunately, Emily Luo only paused briefly and answered Maggie’s question normally. This reassured Maggie and gave her motivation to continue the conversation.

"Do you often attend themed parties like this?"

Emily Luo thought for a moment before answering slowly, "Qiqi likes them. I only come occasionally. I’m here today because it’s her birthday."

"Ah."

Maggie noticed that Emily Luo seemed off, quite different from the sharp and assertive doctor she had met at the hospital. Deciding to skip the usual pleasantries, she directly asked:

"Dr. Luo, you seem unwell?"

This time, Emily Luo simply closed her eyes and said, "I performed two surgeries today, stood all day, and I'm a bit tired."

Is this a hint that she doesn’t want to talk more? Maggie blinked, unsure whether to continue the conversation. At that moment, Emily Luo spoke up:

"Maggie, could you come sit over here with me?"