novelraw Chapter 127: The Beginning, Not the End
Chapter 127: The Beginning, Not the End
Su Lingzhi nearly choked on her tea, "Can we move on from this topic? If it accidentally gets out, it would be quite awkward."
"Alright." Secretary Yao promised, "I’ll never mention it again."
Saying that, she cast her gaze on Su Lingzhi’s outfit, puzzled, "You’ve been at the company for almost two weeks, and I’ve noticed your clothing has been quite monotonous. Why not try a different style?"
Su Lingzhi followed her gaze and glanced at her own outfit.
Being a fashion designer, it wasn’t surprising they would pay attention to what she wore.
"All my clothes are prepared by my boyfriend; he likes to see me in these colors."
Secretary Yao froze at the unexpected display of affection, "Your boyfriend’s taste is rather..."
The words didn’t come out, and she quickly changed the topic, "These colors actually suit you."
Su Lingzhi shook her head, "I don’t think so."
She liked more diversity, but with too many clothes at home, she didn’t want to be wasteful, so she didn’t prepare styles she preferred.
She then shifted the conversation back to business and sought advice from Secretary Yao, "The designers downstairs don’t have confidence in me. Do you have any good motivational strategies to rekindle their enthusiasm?"
"Are they giving you trouble again?"
"Not really."
Secretary Yao leaned against the desk and told her, "In the entire industry, our company has the best benefits. If they’re still not satisfied, then they’re being unreasonable. You can’t indulge them too much. Once they adjust to the changes, they’ll naturally start working hard. We’re all just regular people; no one’s going to turn away from money."
Her words left Su Lingzhi deep in thought.
"But if they keep pushing your limits over and over, you might consider replacing them." Secretary Yao comforted, "This show is your starting point, not your endpoint. I believe you can manage this show well. Don’t burden yourself with too much pressure."
...
After assigning the tasks, Su Lingzhi felt quite relieved. Once the detailed schedule was released, her focus shifted back to fashion design.
Out of twenty-seven pieces, she would personally create three. Lindxu didn’t have a workshop, so from design to sample-making, everything would pass through her hands.
That afternoon, Secretary Yao brought her a black and gold invitation card, "There’s a fashion gala tonight. President Pei wants to take you to get familiar with the domestic scene."
Su Lingzhi was taken aback, "Isn’t this a bit sudden?"
"If you don’t want to go, President Pei won’t insist."
Su Lingzhi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I’ll get ready."
"Alright."
After work, she applied light makeup in her apartment, donned a modestly elegant gown, and left to meet Pei Xu.
The two sat side by side in the back seat, with Pei Xu breaking the silence, "Is the apartment living comfortable for you?"
Su Lingzhi replied, "It’s good. It’s convenient for commuting."
"There’s a gym on the second floor. You can work out there during your free time."
"Yeah." Su Lingzhi was a bit puzzled, "Do all our company colleagues live in that building? I’ve been there for a few days and haven’t run into any coworkers."
Each floor had two units, and it seemed like no one lived next door to her.
A faint light flashed in Pei Xu’s eyes as he instinctively avoided her gaze, "They probably aren’t in the same building. That was arranged by HR, so I’m not sure."
Su Lingzhi acknowledged with an "Oh," and didn’t dwell on it, turning her gaze to the window.
Later, at the hotel entrance, Su Lingzhi followed behind him into the brilliantly lit venue.
The ballroom with its crystal chandeliers was filled with the sound of clinking glasses. The guests, men and women alike, were fashionably dressed.
Pei Xu handed her a glass of juice, while he took a glass of champagne.
"Isn’t this Little President Pei?"
They both turned to look, and upon meeting their gaze, the person’s eyes lit up, excitedly looking at the two of them, "Little President Pei, who might this be...?"
Pei Xu introduced, "Lindxu’s newly joined creative director, Su Lingzhi."
From a popular emerging designer to the little princess of Lyrae, and now to Lindxu’s creative director, the transformation of these labels took less than half a year.
Those who knew her could naturally see her steady growth.
However, the leap was quite significant, leaving the man in front of them somewhat astonished as he exclaimed, "Little President Pei has really brought Lyrae’s little princess into the fold."
The word "brought" caused Su Lingzhi to swallow hard.
Pei Xu smiled and said, "Being able to bring her in is Lindxu’s fortune."
"I once discussed with a few colleagues who Lindie would choose to partner with after returning home. Never did I expect it would be Lindxu. With your strong partnership, the future of our domestic fashion scene looks promising."
"You’ve overrated me. It mainly depends on Lingzhi’s creativity." With that, Pei Xu introduced the person to Su Lingzhi, "This is the editor-in-chief of ’Character Fashion Column,’ Mr. Liang."
Su Lingzhi shook hands with him, "Editor Liang."
Editor Liang smiled, "Little President Pei can be considered a self-made entrepreneur, achieving so much at a young age by introducing fabrics internationally. Coupled with a strong designer, your rise, taking the lead in fashion is only a matter of time."
To these flattering words, Su Lingzhi’s expression was complicated, without responding verbally.
Editor Liang’s over-enthusiastic compliments were a bit off-putting.
Su Lingzhi never liked networking.
In such social settings, it seemed like everyone wore a mask, and the smiles and words expressed held no real significance. But given her new position, she had no choice but to attend certain events, treating them as opportunities to broaden her horizons.
She met several media outlets and competitors thereafter, quietly sticking by his side, listening as he smoothly managed social interactions.
There, only some fashion media individuals recognized her. Despite her achievements so far, her name wasn’t that prominent yet.
Not everyone spoke kindly to her; she faced considerable skepticism because she was too young.
Later, they encountered a woman in an emerald green qipao whose gaze was ambiguously fixed on them, "Little President Pei."
Clearly, Pei Xu’s expression darkened.
"And who might this be?" the woman asked.
Su Lingzhi faced the probing look calmly. This woman’s makeup was heavy, seemingly in her thirties; her figure was graceful, with an aura that felt vaguely familiar.
Pei Xu instinctively grasped Su Lingzhi’s wrist, saying, "I have some matters to attend to. Excuse us."
Yet right as they turned, a burly man blocked their way, "The lady wishes the two of you have a drink with her."
Their invitation was forceful, encompassing both Pei Xu and Su Lingzhi.
Under their insistent urging, they followed the woman to the hotel courtyard.
A vast pool loomed before them, dark and unfathomable, shimmering under the night’s embrace.