Si Li then reined herself in, looking at Shi Xinxin silently.
She had also heard that Qiao Qiao, the newcomer, was highly favored by President Shi, securing qualification for the Shi Luo Competition in just a few months.
One had to know that in previous competitions, the participating designers were either elders or chief designers, any one of whom could be renowned internationally. But looking at it now, the contestants this time were probably not even a speck of dust on the international stage.
At this thought, a hint of disdain flickered in Si Li's eyes.
Shi Xinxin raised an eyebrow, "Do you have any opinions on the designers I've chosen to participate?"
Si Li forced a disingenuous smile, "How would I dare to say that? After all, I'm just an apprentice."
Shi Xinxin heard the sarcasm in her tone and replied calmly, "You know your place. This morning, in what capacity were you advising Qiao Qiao?"
Si Li's face instantly turned red, "I..."
Qiao Qiao interjected softly, "It's alright, President Shi, it's just a small matter."
Shi Xinxin shot her a look that made her words hang in mid-air.
"Taking my money, occupying my space, yet you don't follow my orders. What a grand attitude you have!" Shi Xinxin said with a smile.
Even the veterans who had worked at CL for seven or eight years would never have been as unreasonable as Si Li. While they might have had their quirks, they genuinely admired Shi Xinxin, the decisive, capable, and strategic president.
Shi Xinxin truly hadn't encountered someone who looked down on her like Si Li in a long time.
"I'm sorry, President Shi, it was wrong of me not to give Qiao Qiao satisfactory advice, but I did make time to guide her. Is that also my fault?" Si Li retorted. xxs壹贰
Shi Xinxin raised her voice, "You know, that's not what I'm talking about at all. I'm talking about your dismissive attitude."
"Don't think that just because Qiao Qiao is a designer who's only been here for a few months, what she understands and has grasped is far more than you. What right do you have to casually fob her off?"
"No, that's not..."
"Enough." Shi Xinxin was impatient to waste more time with her, utterly fed up with such two-faced people. She pressed the intercom button, asking Yang Yue to escort Si Li out.
Sensing the shift in the situation, Si Li instantly changed her tune, "President Shi, I know I was wrong. Please give me a chance to correct it! Qiao Qiao, please put in a good word for me! I did advise you, didn't I? Even if it wasn't perfect, I still taught you!"
Qiao Qiao bit her lip, torn, and attempted to intercede with Shi Xinxin, but was again deterred by her intimidating gaze.
Shi Xinxin completely ignored Si Li.
"President Shi, it's all my fault. I promise I will never treat Qiao Qiao with such an attitude again!"
Seeing Yang Yue standing before her with a stern face, Si Li's legs almost gave out.
She truly didn't know what she would do if she lost her job.
CL was a renowned company both domestically and internationally. If she were fired from here, the news would surely spread to other prestigious companies. Then, wouldn't she be relegated to those insignificant small companies?
At the thought of this tragic outcome, Si Li wept profusely, her voice hoarse. In the end, she could only be dragged out of the office by her arm by security guards.
"President Shi!"
Even though she was already out of the office, those inside could clearly hear her heart-wrenching cries.
Qiao Qiao felt a pang of sympathy. She hadn't expected things to escalate this far. Even if Si Li had ulterior motives, she didn't deserve this. Her chances of finding another job would likely be slim. For someone in the design industry, such a blow would be immense.
"Don't pity her. Even if I hadn't kicked her out of the company today, with her condescending personality, she probably wouldn't have lasted long in the design department anyway."
Qiao Qiao felt a little less guilty and nodded.
Meanwhile, Si Li was being thrown out of the company by the security guards.
"You guys!"
Tears streaked Si Li's face, her hair clinging to it. She stumbled and fell to the ground, utterly disheveled, attracting the attention of many passersby.
The gazes of others felt like daggers piercing her. Si Li gritted her teeth fiercely. Her unwillingness and humiliation turned into a raging inferno of hatred!
Thinking of her bleak future, Si Li wished she could just smash her head against a wall and die! Her eyes, red-rimmed, fixed on the building, her gaze locked onto the CL logo!
Just then, her phone suddenly pinged with a message notification.
Si Li looked at it. It was a widely published news alert: The Su Corporation would also be participating in the Shi Luo Competition this year...
Upon seeing the words "Shi Luo Competition," Si Li's gaze became fixated. She read the headline repeatedly, and a bold, malicious thought began to take root in her mind!
Amidst the murmurs and stares of others, Si Li slowly looked up at the company's sign, a sinister smile curling her lips.
Constantly going to the art museum for inspiration wasn't a sustainable solution. Shi Xinxin instructed Yang Yue, then told Qiao Qiao to go to the design center and ask freely and boldly. She had already made prior arrangements.
Qiao Qiao felt a great sense of responsibility on her shoulders. After lunch, she hurried to the design center, consulting with one experienced designer after another.
In the evening, Qiao Qiao, holding a manuscript that had been revised numerous times, returned to Shi Xinxin's office.
She knocked softly on the door and was told to enter. To her surprise, she said, "President Shi, it's getting late. I thought you might have already left the company."
Shi Xinxin was processing some online public opinion on her computer. She had posted a clarification statement from the company's public relations account and privatized the Weibo post containing the audio recording.
The online sentiment had now reached the effect she desired. Knowing when to stop was crucial to prevent the situation from worsening.
She put down what she was doing and looked at Qiao Qiao, a hint of fatigue on her face. "Yes, it's still early. I'll probably be going back in about an hour."
"Oh, okay." Qiao Qiao handed her the manuscript, her heart full of anticipation. "I consulted with many seniors this afternoon, and this manuscript is one that both they and I are very satisfied with."
Shi Xinxin took the manuscript and indeed found many improvements. The colors were more vibrant, the details more precise, comparable to international designers.
A quick glance revealed no significant flaws.
Shi Xinxin couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. "You're such a fast learner. You managed to perfect this draft in just one afternoon."
Receiving such high praise, Qiao Qiao was delighted and happily explained the dress's significance to Shi Xinxin.
"I saw the competition's theme is 'Girl Under the Sun,' so the theme leans towards sacred purity."