The design draft that Ji Shi showed was still a work in progress, but Xia Yuan immediately took a liking to it.
No particular reason.
It was the style that Meng Xiyue adored.
Ji Shi wiped the cake crumbs off her hands and asked, “How is it?”
Xia Yuan smiled and picked up the cake beside her, saying, “I’m very satisfied.”
Ji Shi, understanding the unspoken agreement, picked up her cake and tapped it against Xia Yuan’s, “I’ll have it ready for you the day after tomorrow.”
After saying that, they exchanged smiles.
The day after tomorrow, the day before New Year’s Day.
Hearing this, Xia Yuan was overjoyed, but then remembered that Ji Shi was now the chief designer, and asked, “Is work not busy anymore?”
Ji Shi smiled slightly, “Work can’t be done by just me.”
Xia Yuan raised an eyebrow in agreement and took a bite of the cake, “Yes, that’s how it should be.”
As the two were chatting, the office door was suddenly pushed open with a loud noise, catching them off guard.
Xia Yuan and Ji Shi both turned cold, looking at the woman who entered with a similarly frosty expression.
“Director Ji, why did you send my design draft back?” she demanded aggressively, showing no respect.
Zhang Jiahui was the design team leader, having worked in the company for six or seven years, and had gained some seniority. She was on the verge of breaking through when someone swooped in and took her place, which made her furious.
In terms of seniority and work, who could compare to her? When the previous design director left, they had even recommended her. It was supposed to be a sure thing, but out of nowhere, a newcomer had come to snatch it away, turning her into a laughingstock in the company.
A genius designer from abroad?
Zhang Jiahui didn’t buy it; having a few awards without substantial work meant nothing.
Ji Shi appeared very accommodating, “The company’s philosophy is to incorporate your own style into innovation. Team Leader Zhang, you have integrated someone else’s concept, so it’s only natural to redo it. Is there any other issue?”
Plagiarism was a serious accusation for a designer, capable of easily ruining a designer’s future.
After hearing this, Zhang Jiahui’s face turned pale. The office door was open, and there were so many onlookers outside. If this accusation spread, she could forget about surviving in the design department.
Facing Ji Shi’s smiling face, which seemed to be touched by a spring breeze, she couldn’t help but feel a chill run down her spine. Suddenly, she remembered that whenever someone tried to pick a fight, Ji Shi always wore this expression. They all thought Ji Shi was too weak, trying to establish herself in the company by pleasing others, which was why she never used her position to pressure anyone.
Looking back, they had never really gotten on Ji Shi’s good side.
Suppressing the urge to flee, she said, “Director Ji, don’t slander me. You say I plagiarized, but do you have any evidence?”
Ji Shi smiled slightly, “Sylvie Ben is my friend. Your work has copied her latest piece ‘Unique.’ Although you’ve made quite a few changes, the traces are still evident upon comparison, for example…”
Then, Ji Shi began to list the similarities one by one.
The more Zhang Jiahui listened, the paler her face became. Sylvie Ben wasn’t well-known in the design world and had little fame. Zhang Jiahui only knew her from a niche website with low traffic, and it was an overseas site, which immediately sparked her thoughts.
At first, she felt a bit anxious about her design, but after receiving praise from other designers, she became a bit carried away. She had kept her guard up and waited a couple of days, and when no one noticed, she submitted it directly. However, it was returned the same day with just two words: “Redo.”
Hearing the comforting and encouraging whispers around her, she thought that Ji Shi was just jealous of her talent, which gave her the confidence to confront her.
Now, it truly felt like a case of losing the chicken while trying to catch the rice. Listening to the whispers outside, Zhang Jiahui was on the verge of tears.
It was over for her; with this stain on her record, promotions and raises would no longer be related to her.
Yet Ji Shi still wouldn’t let her off the hook: “Team Leader Zhang, you’ve been with the company for a long time. I hope you won’t make this kind of mistake again. This time, I won’t report it, but you should take care of yourself.”
Each word pierced her heart, more painful than a punishment. Zhang Jiahui clutched her design draft and left in disgrace.
Once she was gone, Xia Yuan, having enjoyed the show, smiled and said, “This feeling is truly nostalgic.”
Back in school, Ji Shi dealt with those troublemakers in just this way, stripping them of both their inner and outer layers.
Ji Shi smiled gently, and everything was left unsaid.
After a while, Xia Yuan left, planning to catch up another time.
As soon as she got into the van, Zhong Le was handing her water and massaging her back. In a good mood, Xia Yuan handed her Ji Shi’s signature.
Seeing the signature, Zhong Le let out a squeal and carefully tucked it away.
Once Zhong Le calmed down, her face flushed with excitement, she asked, “Sister Xia, where are we going next?”
Xia Yuan thought for a moment and named a shopping mall.
The ring was almost ready, and she wanted to go celebrate.
…
When Meng Xiyue returned home from work, she found a pile of shopping bags in the living room, while Xia Yuan was busy tidying up.
Meng Xiyue rolled up her sleeves, squatted down, and helped her organize.
Seeing Meng Xiyue pull out a piece of clothing, Xia Yuan quickly said, “I knew this outfit would be perfect for you the moment I saw it.”
Meng Xiyue revealed a barely noticeable smile, “I already have a lot of clothes.”
Since Xia Yuan moved in, Meng Xiyue’s wardrobe had been mostly taken over by her. Every time Xia Yuan went out shopping, she hardly bought anything for herself, but Meng Xiyue’s clothes were piling up.
Xia Yuan didn’t care about that, her eyes sparkling with joy, “I just want to spend money on you.”
She said it without hesitation, filled with warmth.
Meng Xiyue’s fingers moved between the shopping bags, and after a moment, she asked, “Yuan’er, do you have any plans for New Year’s Day?”
Xia Yuan suppressed her excitement, lowering her head to hide her unusual reaction, “We’re going back to celebrate with my brother in the evening.”
As for what could happen during the day, that was another story.
Meng Xiyue had no objections to this, “Okay.”
Once they finished organizing, they started cooking. Ever since Xia Yuan learned to cook, she would always prepare one or two dishes for dinner.
Seeing Meng Xiyue enjoy the dishes she made filled Xia Yuan with a sense of accomplishment.
After dinner, Xia Yuan pulled Meng Xiyue, “The drama I filmed is premiering today, come watch it with me.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Xiyue obediently sat down on the sofa.
As the opening theme played, Xia Yuan’s figure flashed briefly on the screen.
“The Harem” used a non-linear narrative, and her scenes appeared in the second episode during the emperor’s memories of meeting the female lead.
The female protagonist enters the palace with the goal of ascending to the position of empress, to embody the virtues of a mother and bring glory to her family. Therefore, as a substitute, she doesn’t mind at all.
However, this substitute is quite cunning; she imitates the empress Jia Yue’s appearance while retaining a bit of her own personality, gradually encroaching upon the emperor’s affections. Meng Xiyue is not interested in this palace intrigue drama. After watching for about twenty minutes, she asks, “When do you make your appearance?”
Xia Yuan glances at Meng Xiyue’s cold expression and replies, “In the second episode.”
Each episode is forty-five minutes long.
“…”
Seeing her suddenly fall silent, Xia Yuan laughs, “Don’t want to watch?”
Hearing her cheerful laughter, Meng Xiyue’s eyelashes flutter, “I only want to see you.”
Xia Yuan, holding Meng Xiyue’s arm, tries to pull her upstairs, “I don’t like watching either; let’s skip it today.”
Meng Xiyue remains unmoved, “It’s the premiere today; I want to see you appear.”
Xia Yuan is both amused and exasperated by her stubbornness. Although she is close to frowning in impatience, she also feels a bit sweet inside. “I’ll make a call to have the original footage sent over. We can watch it quickly; my scenes are very few, and we can finish it today.”
Meng Xiyue agreed.
Xia Yuan acted quickly; less than five minutes after making the call, the footage was sent over. It even included the episode number and the time of her appearance.
Xia Yuan felt very satisfied, and of course, she wouldn’t forget to give the other party some benefits. Xia Yuan’s role only had about twenty minutes of screen time, and they finished watching it soon.
Xia Yuan pulled Meng Xiyue up, and this time, the latter obediently stood up with her strength. Xia Yuan suppressed a laugh, “Let’s go; you should read now.”
Meng Xiyue responded and, after going upstairs, started reading. Xia Yuan, sat nearby with her phone, discussing how to propose with Ji Shi.
The venue, atmosphere, music, and lines.
Once they started chatting, they couldn’tstop. By the time Meng Xiyue finished her shower and came out, Xia Yuan was still lying on the bed, smiling brightly.
“Yuan’er, it’s time to shower.”
Xia Yuan saw her coming over and immediately shut off her phone, sitting up with a smile, “I’ll be right there.”
After saying that, she took her phone into the bathroom, where Meng Xiyue had already prepared the clothes she needed to change into.
Meng Xiyue didn’t find anything strange about this; usually, when at home, Xia Yuan liked to smile and scroll through her phone.
…
December 31st.
Xia Yuan received the finished ring made by Ji Shi. It was simple yet exquisite, understated and low-key, perfect for everyday wear.
Seeing her unable to put it down, Ji Shi asked, “Why don’t you try wearing it?”
Xia Yuan held the ring she wanted to wear on her ring finger, shaking her head happily, “I want Meng Xiyue to put it on for me.”
Ji Shi, used to being shown off, was already accustomed to it: “Alright.” She then asked, “Have you booked the restaurant?”
Hearing it was a serious matter, Xia Yuan carefully put the ring away, “It’s booked, and I’ve made sure the layout is clear. We’re just waiting for tomorrow.”
Ji Shi smiled and said, “You really are… eager.”
Xia Yuan replied matter-of-factly, “Because the person I want to marry is Meng Xiyue.”
Ji Shi was momentarily stunned, then smiled with her eyes curved, “Then I need to start picking out bridesmaid dresses right now.”
Xia Yuan raised her eyebrows, proudly saying, “I already had someone design the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses over a month ago.”
Ji Shi didn’t know what to say, but seeing Xia Yuan’s sweet expression made her smile involuntarily, and she blessed her, saying, “Then I’ll be waiting to celebrate with you.”
As the two chatted, they began discussing who to invite. Xia Yuan simply skipped over those she didn’t like, and Ji Shi naturally had no objections.
The atmosphere was lively, with the two laughing and joking, occasionally throwing in some playful teasing.
…
Secretary Gao knocked on the president’s office door, “President, this is what you ordered from Country Z a month ago.”
Meng Xiyue looked at the gift box on the desk, and ripples appeared in her calm eyes, “I understand.”
Secretary Gao adjusted his glasses, his gaze flickering slightly, as if he hadn’t seen anything at all. He diligently continued to report on his work, but his eyes unconsciously fell on Meng Xiyue’s cool and exquisite face. Upon closer inspection, a few traces of suppressed emotions could still be seen.
Softness and excitement.
After he finished his report, Meng Xiyue spoke again, and only then did Secretary Gao leave.
Before closing the door, he noticed Meng Xiyue picking up the gift box, her thin lips pressed together slightly, revealing a hint of nervousness.
