She regretted not thinking it through. It wasn’t deception—autumn-winter transition meant too many promos. When she remembered this one, it was nearing Shi Sui’s deadline. Helpless, she dusted off last year’s. Shi Sui wasn’t here last year anyway; she wouldn’t know. Buoyed, she stood. “President Shi, it was me.”
“Group Leader Zhao.” Shi Sui held up the plan. “This is last year’s summer-to-autumn promo. Didn’t you know?”
Cold sweat broke out on Group Leader Zhao.
Of course she knew, but Shi Sui knew too! No wonder Group Leader Lin refused to attend, always claiming she was busy. She braced herself. “I… I knew.”
Shi Sui said, “You knew and still brought it to me? Do you think there’s some brilliant strategy in here?”
Group Leader Zhao swallowed. Bracing herself, “President Shi, celebrity live-stream selling has gotten huge lately. Big effects. I think we could reference that model.”
She lacked confidence, but Shi Sui listened intently. Seeing interest, Group Leader Zhao gained steam. This was last summer-autumn’s plan; she’d pitched the idea then but got reamed by the former GM, who was old-school, dismissed live-streaming as low-class. But Shi Sui didn’t think that way. She listened with interest, then nodded. “Flesh this strategy out into a detailed plan for me.”
Group Leader Zhao perked up like she’d been injected with adrenaline, strutting out of the conference room full of fight. Jiang Nuan passed her and saw the expression, asking Shi Sui, “What happened to Group Leader Zhao?”
Last meeting, marketing’s Group Leader Lin was sick for two days. Now she always shoved meetings onto the deputy. Shi Sui said, “She’s gearing up for her promotion and raise.”
Jiang Nuan asked, “You’re promoting her?”
This was the first time Shi Sui had made an internal job adjustment since coming to the East District. Shi Sui said, “I had that idea.” She glanced at her watch. “Let’s go.”
Jiang Nuan asked her, “Do you need to go back and get your luggage?”
Shi Sui said, “I put it in the trunk this morning.”
She didn’t have much stuff—just one suitcase, which she had casually tossed into the trunk that morning. Jiang Nuan followed her out of the company. She didn’t call a driver; instead, Jiang Nuan drove. As they went, Jiang Nuan said to Shi Sui, “Your mom went back and immediately started scheduling meetings with members of various committees.”
And this time, it wasn’t a secret meeting—it was out in the open, as if deliberately putting on a show for Shi Sui.
Shi Sui said, “I know.”
The game between her and Xu Qingqing was reaching its end. Xu Qingqing would surely do everything in her power to keep Jiang Ruoning from becoming LESS’s winter main model. Even if it meant betting Fuli, she would drag Jiang Ruoning through the mud and ruin her reputation. That was Xu Qingqing’s usual tactic, and Shi Sui knew it all too well.
The two soon arrived at the airport. Shi Sui didn’t rush inside but stood at the entrance instead. Jiang Nuan asked, “Jiang Ruoning hasn’t arrived yet?”
Shi Sui said, “She should…” Before she could finish, she heard someone call out, “President Shi.”
She turned and saw a somewhat familiar woman behind her. Shi Sui remembered. “Miss Yu.”
Yu Ling extended her hand openly. “Long time no see.”
Shi Sui shook her hand. “Long time no see.”
Come to think of it, it had been over a year since they’d last met. Back in Linping, Yu Ling had been one of LESS’s initial fitting models and had worked with Shi Sui several times. She had even participated in LESS’s first big show. She had great looks and an excellent temperament. Later, when Shi Sui wanted to collaborate again, she learned Yu Ling had been poached by a company in Shangjing. They could have kept working together, but Yu Ling was too busy, and their schedules rarely aligned. So, they hadn’t crossed paths in over a year.
Yu Ling was clearly surprised and delighted to run into Shi Sui today, her joy evident on her face. She asked Shi Sui, “Are you heading out on a business trip, President Shi?”
Shi Sui nodded. Seeing Yu Ling carrying her suitcase alone, she asked, “Where’s your assistant?”
“I’m going with a senior from the company this time, so I didn’t bring one.” Yu Ling smiled. “President Shi, you’re still as beautiful as ever.”
Shi Sui said sincerely, “Miss Yu, you’re the same—actually, even more beautiful now.”
Yu Ling pressed her fingers to the corner of her lips, her gaze flicking toward Shi Sui. After coming to Shangjing, she had kept tabs on Linping’s scene. LESS had developed rapidly, quickly taking root there and expanding into the domestic market. At the time, she had asked her agent to inquire if LESS needed an ambassador—LESS still didn’t have a public-facing one. She wanted to be that person, but LESS had politely declined. Yu Ling had let it go.
Now, that ambition stirred again.
Yu Ling gripped her hand tighter, about to speak, when she heard a familiar voice: “Yu Ling.”
She turned and saw Liu Wenxiu walking over. Yu Ling smiled. “Senior Sister.”
The person next to Liu Wenxiu was no stranger either. “Ning-jie.”
Jiang Ruoning wasn’t much older than her, but she had entered the industry earlier, making her a senior no matter how you sliced it. They had worked together twice before. Back when Jiang Ruoning was still with Del, they had shot for the same brand. That day, Yu Ling hadn’t been feeling well, and Jiang Ruoning had bought her a hot drink. So Yu Ling was happy to see her. She asked Jiang Ruoning, “Are you going to Yongquan too?”
Jiang Ruoning nodded. “You too?”
Yu Ling beamed. “Yeah.” She linked arms with Jiang Ruoning. “I was worried I’d have no one to hang out with this trip. Now I do.”
Jiang Ruoning smiled at her but sensed a gaze on them. She looked up and saw Shi Sui, freezing for a moment.
Shi Sui’s eyes were fixed on the arm Yu Ling had looped around hers. Jiang Ruoning felt her skin heat up under that stare. Then Jiang Nuan chimed in, “Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Ruoning forced a smile. “Assistant Jiang.”
Yu Ling’s gaze darted between them. She leaned close to Jiang Ruoning’s ear and whispered, “Ning-jie, have you been working with LESS lately?”
Jiang Ruoning said, “Yeah.”
Yu Ling said, “Their pay and conditions are great. Back in Linping, I worked with them a few times, and it was really good.”
Jiang Ruoning nodded. No wonder Yu Ling had been chatting animatedly with Shi Sui earlier—they’d collaborated before. She suppressed her urge to probe, lowering her eyes casually. Then Wu Jie came over, dragging her suitcase. She spotted Shi Sui first. “President Shi!” Then she greeted Jiang Nuan. “Assistant Jiang.” She knew full well what was up but played dumb. “What a coincidence.”
Jiang Nuan said, “It really is. Is Miss Wu going along this time?”
Wu Jie smiled. “Yep. This time, I didn’t let Ruoning bring Miao Miao. I’m tagging along instead.”
Jiang Nuan said, “Then could Miss Wu help look after our President Shi too? She’s got a bit of a cold and isn’t feeling great.”
Wu Jie nodded eagerly. “Of course, no problem.”
Yu Ling looked at Shi Sui. “President Shi, you’re going to Yongquan too?”
Shi Sui curved her lips. “Yeah.”
Yu Ling lit up. “What a coincidence!”
Wu Jie grinned. “Coincidence? You’re all attending this private show, and LESS is sponsoring it.”
Yu Ling let out a soft “ah,” genuinely surprised. She knew LESS was growing fast, but not this fast—already linking up with Fengshang. This so-called private show was actually a joint event by several high-end luxury brands for their VVIPs: sharing resources, networking, and discussing collaborations. LESS had risen quickly these past two years, but it hadn’t made much splash in Shangjing yet. For Shi Sui, who had just arrived not long ago, to join this kind of exclusive gathering so soon was impressive.
Admiration crept into her gaze toward Shi Sui.
Shi Sui stood in the breeze and coughed muffledly, her face pale. Jiang Ruoning wanted to say something but held back. Yu Ling had already stepped over, blocking the wind for Shi Sui. “President Shi, still waiting for someone?”
Shi Sui shook her head at her. Yu Ling said, “Then let’s head in.”
She smiled at Liu Wenxiu and Jiang Ruoning. “Come on!”
Jiang Ruoning gripped her bag tightly. The group went inside, quickly got their tickets, and sat in the waiting area. Liu Wenxiu was on the phone. Yu Ling sat beside her. Jiang Ruoning kept her head down, fiddling with her phone. Shi Sui sat across from them. On her phone, Shi Sui messaged her: [Why didn’t you reply to me?]
That morning, she hadn’t responded. Those toe-curling, melodramatic lines had embarrassed her too much to face Shi Sui. Then she’d gotten busy packing, and before she knew it, she was at the airport.
Jiang Ruoning was just about to reply when Yu Ling sat down beside her with hot drinks. She closed her phone and took it with both hands. “Thanks.”
Yu Ling smiled. “No problem, Ning-jie.”
She handed one to Liu Wenxiu, who was still on the phone, and one to Wu Jie. Finally, she brought the last one to Shi Sui.
And smoothly sat down next to her.
Jiang Ruoning sipped her hot drink—no sugar, so it was bland. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and messaged Shi Sui: [Didn’t see it this morning. Why didn’t you tell me you were going to Yongquan?]
Only after sending did she realize it sounded a bit accusatory, like Shi Sui owed her an explanation. Jiang Ruoning poked at the screen, trying to unsend it.
Too late—it had timed out.
She bit her lip. Shi Sui hadn’t even glanced at her phone during that time, too busy chatting with Yu Ling.
Wu Jie, sitting beside her, showed her the phone. “Look at Ye Yu’s new look—is that fresh?”
Jiang Ruoning glanced at the screen. “Yeah, her team’s new design for her.”
Wu Jie sighed. “So cool.”
Jiang Ruoning agreed. She pulled out her phone, liked Ye Yu’s new look post. Ye Yu saw the notification from Jiang Ruoning in her Moments and smiled, messaging her: [Got time on your hands?]
Jiang Ruoning: [At the gate.]
Ye Yu: [Where to?]
Jiang Ruoning: [Yongquan.]
Ye Yu: [Me too, at the gate. Come play?]
Jiang Ruoning was tempted but thought of the swarm of agents, assistants, and possibly paparazzi around Ye Yu. If they got photographed… She declined politely: [About to board.]
Her message had just gone out when boarding started. Jiang Ruoning’s ticket was with Wu Jie, so she followed her straight to the front. They boarded, and Wu Jie pointed to a seat. “You sit here. I’ll be right behind you.”
Jiang Ruoning frowned. “Not next to me?”
Wu Jie said, “Couldn’t get adjacent seats when booking.”
Jiang Ruoning figured it was last-minute booking and was about to nod when someone approached from the side—Shi Sui, who sat right next to her. Jiang Ruoning twisted to look at Wu Jie, who avoided her eyes, looking guilty. Jiang Ruoning pressed her lips together and plopped down.
Only then did Shi Sui leisurely pull out her phone.
Jiang Ruoning glanced sideways across the aisle and locked eyes with Yu Ling.
Yu Ling took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and leaned over toward Jiang Ruoning, eyes sparkling. “Ning-jie, you’re sitting next to President Shi?”
Jiang Ruoning’s throat tightened, her voice dry. “Yeah.”
Yu Ling said, “Can I switch seats with you?”
