Chapter 45

Everyone in the conference room turned toward Ning Jiuwei at the president’s words. The Chief Designer rarely attended large meetings; when meetings were held, they were usually small ones with the Design Director. But seating followed a strict hierarchy of seniority, and Ning Jiuwei had always taken the spot just below the host in gatherings of this size.

The atmosphere felt inexplicably tense.

Ning Jiuwei wanted to pretend she hadn’t heard, but the once-noisy conference room had fallen deathly silent after Su Jinglan’s entrance—a pin dropping would have echoed like thunder. Even her own breathing and heartbeat rang in her ears, to say nothing of that clear voice carrying through the room.

“No need. I’ll sit here.” Ning Jiuwei pulled out the chair beside her and offered Su Jinglan a mild, gentle smile, her tone calm and even.

It was only after she sat that she noticed Jiang Shiyao right next to her.

Designer Little Jiang’s cheeks burned at Ning Jiuwei’s arrival, her ear tips flushing an unnatural pink despite herself. The other designers were stealing glances at Ning Jiuwei, and of course, Designer Jiang’s reaction didn’t escape their notice.

Everyone knew Jiang Shiyao loved consulting Ning Jiuwei, always addressing her as Teacher Ning. Now Ning Jiuwei had skipped the head seat entirely to sit right beside Jiang Shiyao—it was impossible not to speculate about their closeness.

“Teacher Ning.” Jiang Shiyao greeted her in a soft, obedient whisper.

Ning Jiuwei nodded calmly in acknowledgment, set her tablet on the conference table, detached the magnetic Bluetooth keyboard, picked up her stylus, and opened her notes app to jot down quick records.

Their subtle exchange didn’t escape Su Jinglan’s eyes. Her expression cooled as she strode toward Ning Jiuwei.

The Design Director inwardly groaned. She knew Ning Jiuwei all too well—the woman hated schmoozing and meetings. She’d skipped the last one using an “outing” as an excuse. Now, rejecting President Su in front of everyone, denying her even a shred of face… President Su was bound to think Designer Ning had it out for her.

The Design Director rose to her feet, poised to smooth things over and give Ning Jiuwei an easy out.

She couldn’t afford to offend President Su, but she couldn’t lose her prized Ning Jiuwei either.

“Does Designer Ning dislike me?” To everyone, Su Jinglan was the epitome of a decisive, no-nonsense president—last meeting had showcased her command of the room and her aloof arrogance. Her icy question now sent a chill through the air, leaving the others frozen in terrified silence, afraid to so much as breathe.

Was the meeting even going to start, or were they in for a dressing-down first?

Su Jinglan concealed her little ploy behind a mask of frost, smirking inwardly all the while.

“No.” Ning Jiuwei tightened her grip on her stylus, forcing her breathing to steady.

She could master her breath, but not her racing heart. Su Jinglan’s words struck like a meteor tearing through the sky, igniting a blaze that plummeted into the sea, unleashing towering waves. Ning Jiuwei’s heart battered against those relentless surges, finding no respite.

Su Jinglan stood at a measured distance, her piercing gaze sharp as a hawk’s, fixed unyieldingly on Ning Jiuwei.

“If Designer Ning doesn’t dislike me, then sit by my side.”

The Design Director seized her opening and hurried to build a bridge for them both. “Designer Ning, as Chief Designer, you belong right next to President Su. We saved the spot for you.”

After a brief stint at the far end of the table, Ning Jiuwei relocated to the seat just below the host—the closest to Su Jinglan.

These quarterly new products marked the first release under Su Jinglan’s oversight of the Design Department. The designers assumed the Azure Flame theme had been set by the Former President, but only Assistant Lin knew the truth: President Su had chosen it herself.

“Everyone’s here right on time for this meeting.” Su Jinglan sat ramrod straight at the head of the table, her clear voice measured and unhurried as she launched into the agenda. “You all know the purpose. First order of business: finalizing the design for the quarterly new products.”

“You’ve poured your days and nights into these, working tirelessly to sketch them out. But tradition has always meant selecting just one from the quarterly new products.” Su Jinglan’s eyes swept over the assembled designers before lingering on Ning Jiuwei.

Hearts clenched around the room. No way—not Ning Jiuwei? She was the Chief Designer! Why was she competing with them, the rank-and-file drafters, for the bonus?

Ning Jiuwei returned Su Jinglan’s gaze with serene composure, careful not to betray a hint of emotion before outsiders.

The fierce impulse to bolt was locked down tight within her.

“This time, the quarterly new products break from tradition. We’ll have two.” Su Jinglan turned to the woman beside the Design Director. “The first is Blazing Passion, by Designer Qi Mingqin.”

Designer Qi’s creations always hooked people with their commercial appeal. She’d dominated past quarterly selections, so no one was surprised. They leaned forward, eager for the second reveal.

Applause rippled through after the congratulations, and Su Jinglan glanced toward the foot of the table before announcing, “The other is Azure Flame, by Designer Jiang Shiyao.”

After receiving pointers from Ning Jiuwei, Jiang Shiyao had a premonition that her work would pass muster this time. Burning with intense flames of emotion, she poured her heart into the creation, sketching the profound sentiments she yearned to proclaim to the world. She produced a piece she named Passion Fire.

The themes of their two works perfectly combined to capture the essence of this quarter’s new products—Azure Flame.

With the designs finalized, Su Jinglan methodically outlined the next steps: casting, prototyping, mass production, and every crafting process in between. Her instructions were clear and concise as she delegated the tasks.

“The Production Department will coordinate directly with the two designers. Any issues or changes require their explicit approval—no arbitrary alterations to the designs.” From original sketches to 3D modeling to the final product, discrepancies were inevitable, but Su Jinglan demanded perfection to bring the designers’ visions to life.

“Yes, President Su.” The head of the Production Department jotted it down in their notebook.

Su Jinglan took a sip of water to moisten her throat, her voice remaining crisp and clear. “The Promotion Department will develop a promotional plan within three days to build hype for the quarterly new products and prime sales.”

The Promotion Director nodded. Unlike the head of Production, who dove straight into tasks, she always clarified key details first. “President Su, may we bring on a new brand spokesperson for this quarter’s new products?”

The current spokesperson had been signed two years earlier. The entertainment industry churned through celebrities like seasonal trends, and hers had plummeted in popularity and buzz this year—her sales pull was no longer there.

“Yes.” Su Jinglan replied without hesitation, clearly having given it prior thought. “I’m not well-versed in the entertainment industry. Research rising stars’ data, shortlist three candidates based on verified commercial metrics, and I’ll make the final call.”

Noticing Ning Jiuwei staring off in a daze, Su Jinglan’s stern expression softened. She curved her lips into a gentle smile.

That smile sent Ning Jiuwei’s heart reeling, blood surging to her head like oil on flames—boom, it ignited.

The familiar feverish heat washed over her, her entire body flushing hot from head to toe.

The smile flickered away in an instant, so fleeting it might have been imagined. Su Jinglan resumed her composed demeanor, her voice cool and limpid as it filled the conference room. “Ten-minute break. Designers, reconvene after. Everyone else, back to work.”

The Design Director hesitated, words on the tip of her tongue. Su Jinglan caught the look and added, “Director Zhang stays as well.”

The conference room emptied as people filed out, leaving only a few scattered designers sipping water in their seats. Ning Jiuwei leisurely packed her tablet.

She had no plans to return for the second half, though nothing showed on her face.

“Designer Ning.” Su Jinglan called as Ning Jiuwei rose to leave, standing herself. “Come with me.”

Ning Jiuwei: “…”

The moment Su Jinglan and Ning Jiuwei departed, the remaining designers clustered together, gossip buzzing.

No inflection in her voice, no expression on her face—it was obvious the Chief Designer had crossed the President.

Ning Jiuwei might seem mild-mannered, but deep down she was talented to the point of arrogance, aloof and unapproachable. She shunned socializing, never initiating closeness with anyone. The Design Director babied and shielded her, but the President offered no such indulgence.

They entered the reception room adjoining the conference room, a space typically reserved for clients, complete with tea, drinks, and desserts.

Alone at last, Su Jinglan shed her authoritative aura, reverting to the woman with the warm smile. She met Ning Jiuwei’s eyes with a knowing grin. “Designer Ning is so obedient.”

“You’re the President. You said to follow, so how could I refuse?” Ning Jiuwei fell back on strict subordinate protocol, framing their bond as purely professional.

Su Jinglan’s gaze drifted lower upon hearing this. A glint of necklace peeked out, unmistakable—the one she’d given Ning Jiuwei the night before.

The gaze burned too intensely, scorching her skin like open flame. Ning Jiuwei tugged at her collar, concealing her neck. “This necklace is mine.”

Before the words fully landed, Su Jinglan pinched the collar and tugged it open, exposing the ring tucked beneath her clothes.

Caught in the lie, Ning Jiuwei flushed with mortified anger and swatted Su Jinglan’s hand away.

Su Jinglan had seen the ring plain as day but feigned ignorance, her smile unwavering. “Designer Ning has quick reflexes. Is that the necklace from Designer Wen?”

“No.” Ning Jiuwei dropped her hand, no longer clutching her collar. “President Su, time to resume the meeting.”

The ten minutes flew by; Ning Jiuwei sensed it without glancing at her watch.

The reception room’s glass walls offered no privacy, and their tussle caught the eye of someone passing in the corridor.

“Director Zhang! President Su and Designer Ning are fighting in the reception room!” The onlooker rushed back to alert the Design Director—only she had the clout to break it up. Anyone else would just end up collateral.

This was outrageous. Zhang Xiaoyue immediately headed to the Reception Room.

Just as she stepped out of the Conference Room, she ran into Su Jinglan and Ning Jiuwei coming the other way. The pair who were rumored to have gotten into a fight showed no signs of any scuffle on their faces. The air between them lacked any tension, with no drawn swords or surging undercurrents.

President Su’s face even brimmed with a tenderness Zhang Xiaoyue had never seen before. Her eyes shone with clear appreciation and affection for Designer Ning.

In contrast, Ning Jiuwei’s usual gentle smile was nowhere to be found. It had been replaced by an inscrutable blank expression—which spoke volumes all the same.

“Director Zhang, your timing is perfect,” Su Jinglan said, meeting Zhang Xiaoyue’s probing gaze. She tucked away her softness and adopted the same serious demeanor from the meeting as she handed down her orders. “You’ll host the second half of the meeting on the Annual New Product. Designer Ning and I have business outside and won’t be attending.”

The moment the two of them left, the rumors started flying.

Su Jinglan sat in the passenger seat when a message from Assistant Lin came in. She relayed it to Ning Jiuwei. “The company’s buzzing with rumors that I beat you up, and we’re skipping the meeting to take you to the hospital.”

Ning Jiuwei glanced at it sidelong but said nothing.

They stopped at a red light, and Su Jinglan slowly leaned toward the driver’s seat. With a smile, she asked Ning Jiuwei, “Designer Ning, where are you taking me?”

~~~