The protagonist of the farce was gone, and there was nothing more to see. The assembled employees glanced at their boss, whose expression was far from pleasant, took a breath, and returned to their seats.
At this moment, Yang Yue brought a girl over. However, the atmosphere was completely different from when she had brought Li Shiyu.
Shi Xinxin looked over at the sound of footsteps and saw a demure-looking girl, around twenty years old, with bangs that framed her forehead, resembling a well-behaved university student.
It was Qiao Qiao's first time meeting someone from upper management. She lowered her head slightly and said, "Director Shi, I am the designer, Qiao Qiao."
Shi Xinxin was pleased with the girl. She appeared obedient and unlikely to cause trouble, which was rare in this day and age.
She stood up, picked up her iPad, and said calmly, "In front of me, you don't need to be so cautious."
Qiao Qiao responded and then slowly raised her head, looking a little restrained.
"Take a look, was this entire gown designed by you?" Shi Xinxin held the iPad up to Qiao Qiao.
"Yes," Qiao Qiao nodded. "From the initial sketch to the coloring, this gown was completed by me alone."
In reality, Li Shiyu had forbidden anyone from collaborating with her, leaving her no choice but to work overtime for several days to complete the design draft.
Shi Xinxin was naturally aware of this.
CL's designs had always been collaborative. Among the many design drafts, Qiao Qiao was the only one who had completed hers independently. Excluding Li Shiyu's prejudice against her, it also demonstrated her superior ability.
This was why Shi Xinxin had immediately been drawn to her design draft.
Shi Xinxin's favorable impression of the obedient girl grew even stronger. She nodded with satisfaction, "My judgment was indeed correct; I've chosen a genius designer like you."
Qiao Qiao blushed slightly at her words, "You flatter me. I'm just rich in inspiration. My technique, in fact, can't compare to that of experienced designers."
"What does that matter? You just need to sketch out the general idea for me. Details can always be added later," Shi Xinxin said without hesitation.
Qiao Qiao shyly agreed, "Thank you for your praise, Director Shi."
"This isn't praise; I'm simply describing your actual capabilities," Shi Xinxin said with a smile.
She scrolled through Qiao Qiao's education on the iPad and asked, "You're quite young. You probably haven't graduated from university yet, have you?"
"Yes, I'm still an intern. I attend Jingdu University," Qiao Qiao replied.
Upon hearing the prestigious name of Jingdu University, Shi Xinxin's eyes lit up.
She had attended Yingluosi University abroad, and it, along with Jingdu University, were considered the most renowned universities in the world, admitting only a thousand students each year. This indicated how exceptional Qiao Qiao's academic performance was.
"Alright," Shi Xinxin declared, her expression noticeably more relaxed. "We'll use your design draft for this competition entry."
This surprise came too suddenly, and Qiao Qiao was momentarily stunned.
She blinked, then slowly pointed to herself, "You mean, my design draft can participate in the Shiluo Competition?"
That was the Shiluo Competition, jointly founded by senior executives of foreign Fortune 500 companies. Any work that entered the competition would be promoted to the outside world through live broadcast. Even without winning, the popularity of the artist could double internationally.
Qiao Qiao was just an intern who hadn't graduated from university yet, and design was her hobby. She had never imagined that her creations would be able to compete in the very competition that all designers dreamed of.
Shi Xinxin chuckled at her stunned demeanor, "What's wrong? Are you scared stiff, or are you unwilling to participate in this competition?"
Qiao Qiao reacted quickly this time, nodding emphatically, "I am willing!"
Even if it meant working overtime for ten consecutive days, she was willing!
Seeing the undisguised surprise and happiness on Qiao Qiao's face, Shi Xinxin asked with a smile, "So, why do you want to participate in the competition?"
Qiao Qiao pondered for a moment and said sincerely, "I want my work to be seen by more people."
Shi Xinxin was slightly taken aback.
In a daze, she seemed to see her own past, equally innocent self in the girl's pure eyes.
"Very good. I completely accept this reason of yours," Shi Xinxin said after a pause.
A part of her heart felt as though it had suddenly found release.
Finally, the design draft for the competition was confirmed. The company's shareholders raised no objections, and Qiao Qiao was chosen as the designer to represent them in the upcoming competition.
In the following days, Qiao Qiao diligently refined her design draft, while Shi Xinxin would occasionally check on her work and offer timely suggestions.
Sheng Chenjin understood that she had a lot on her plate. Apart from occasionally inviting her and their three children out for meals under the guise of the children's names, he didn't bother Shi Xinxin with anything else.
Shi Xinxin, on the other hand, punctually went to Sheng Chenjin's company every day, familiarizing the interns with the company. It took her less than three hours each day, making it quite easy.
The day before the competition, in the president's office of Sheng Group, Shi Xinxin hummed a tune while watering the plants by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
These plants had been arranged by her in the past couple of days because the office felt too cold and needed some greenery to liven up the atmosphere.
Sheng Chenjin sat at his desk, watching her engrossed in her task.
His tone was full of indulgence, "Your work will be finished in less than two days. Remember to take these plants with you then."
Shi Xinxin stopped her actions, "You're welcome. Consider these flowers a gift from me."
"Then I'll gratefully accept..."
"Stop!" Shi Xinxin put down the watering can, then slowly sat back on the sofa, settling into a comfortable position. "I don't care for your acceptance. If you truly want to thank me for my kindness, then remember to take good care of these plants from now on."
The flowers and plants by the floor-to-ceiling window were out of place in the cool-toned office. Bai Feng entered for the first time and, upon seeing them, almost thought he had entered the wrong office.
However, Sheng Chenjin was incapable of refusing Shi Xinxin anything. He nodded helplessly, "Alright, I will take good care of them."
Shi Xinxin glanced at a message on her phone and suddenly noticed the date on the screen, jolting her memory.
The days had flown by too quickly. She had been so focused on the competition design draft that she had almost forgotten about attending the banquet with Sheng Chenjin.
She felt a pang of remorse and cast a subtle glance at Sheng Chenjin before slowly saying, "Oh, right, about the banquet tomorrow, I might not be able to go."
Sheng Chenjin's gaze shifted from his computer to Shi Xinxin. He didn't appear angry; instead, he asked, "Is there something else?"
Shi Xinxin replied candidly, "Tomorrow, I will be attending the Shiluo Competition as the company's representative."