Princess Syndrome - Chapter 21
Chapter 21: Slap
Everyone in the company knew Xie Lan. She was a designer hired by the head office with a high salary, she had won the Best New Designer award after graduating, then she had gone on to win several other awards. Last year, she won the Best Creative Award. She had always been Su Qi's claim to fame. Her single products had ranked first in sales several times.
She was one of the best designers with bestselling products.
Normally, all companies would be rushing to snatch her up and treat her like a treasure, but Su Lingyue didn't. She had not only confiscated her designs in the head office but had also prohibited her from participating in the spring collection show. Such arbitrary actions had naturally resulted in her being scolded by the old chairman and then thrown into a branch company.
This incident was still talked about now.
No one thought that the two people involved would meet like this.
Xie Lan was wearing a white shirt, brown wide-leg pants, thin high heels, a high ponytail, and was standing in front of Su Lingyue like an old friend she hadn't seen for a long time. She didn't show any resentment. Su Lingyue was looking at her.
After thinking for a bit, she nodded. "Long time no see."
Zhang Xian was curious. "You two know each other?"
Xie Lan said, "Miss Su and I used to work together at Su Qi."
Zhang Xian's brow furrowed slightly. Why didn't she know about this? But knowing that Su Lingyue was in the head office before, it wasn't surprising that she had worked with Xie Lan. She smiled. "Take a seat."
Xie Lan had arrived last, but she sat at the front.
The design department's colleagues exchanged glances. Only Chen Zhiyao's face grew increasingly ugly.
The previously decided themes didn't change, but Xie Lan brought new designs. Su Lingyue looked up and saw four new shoe designs, all different styles, two pairs of high heels, one pair of flats, and one pair of sneakers.
She immediately took a liking to two of the pairs, one was wedges, and the other was stilettos, with rounded toes. One was designed with a small bow on the rounded toes, cute and beautiful, and the other was designed with gray crystal facets, simple and elegant. She could tell without Xie Lan explaining that these two designs were dual compatible. One was downward compatible, for students and even young people who had just entered the workforce, and the other was upward compatible, catering to a more mature and intellectual audience.
It was a very clever design.
Xie Lan didn't explain the target audience of the two pairs of shoes too much, instead, she said, "For these shoes, I chose the M469 material, which is soft and elastic, and the material used for the soles is different. It can fit the foot better, and is comfortable and breathable."
"And most importantly," she looked at Zhang Xian, "This is to create a unique pair of high heels that fit every woman."
In recent years, using the M469 material's softness and fittingness, "unique" wasn't such a rare advertising slogan, but what was interesting about these shoes, was that the two pairs looked independent, yet also like a mother-child set. That uniqueness was rare.
Zhang Xian was very satisfied.
She clapped. "Not bad, very good."
Applause broke out in the office. After Xie Lan sat down, she looked at Su Lingyue. Su Lingyue didn't clap or say anything. She just lowered her head and took notes.
Soon the meeting ended. Both of Xie Lan's pairs of high heels were selected for the autumn collection. When Su Lingyue was organizing the meeting minutes, Xie Lan said, "Miss Su, want to get a coffee?"
Su Lingyue said, "Sorry, I don't have time."
She rejected her without hesitation.
Xie Lan laughed behind her, her gaze fixed tightly on Su Lingyue's back.
As soon as Su Lingyue opened the door, she left.
Ji Zhiyi was finished with her work and looked up. She didn't see Su Lingyue. She pressed the internal line and Su Lingyue's phone rang. Someone picked up. "Hello, this is the secretary's office."
Ji Zhiyi asked, "Where's Assistant Su?"
Wu Meiyan recognized Ji Zhiyi's voice and quickly said, "Assistant Su went to a meeting downstairs."
Ji Zhiyi asked, "Which downstairs?"
Wu Meiyan said, "The design department's meeting."
Ji Zhiyi hung up the phone and leaned back in her chair, her hands mindlessly clicking on the mouse. After a while, she stood up and left the office. When the secretaries saw her come out, they whispered, "Does President Ji have a meeting?"
"No, right?" Another one retorted, "It's probably something else."
Ji Zhiyi didn't have anything else to do. She just walked to the design department. The meeting had just ended, and people were starting to come out. She stood at the end of the hallway, but she didn't see the familiar figure. Just as she was about to go inside, she saw Su Lingyue come out.
Just as Su Lingyue stepped out the door, she was called by Zhang Xian.
Zhang Xian asked, "Want a coffee?"
Su Lingyue said, "Okay."
Zhang Xian went with Su Lingyue to the tea room. Before they even entered, they heard people talking. "Why did Xie Lan come?"
"She's probably here for President Ji, right? She's posted on her Moments several times that she wants to collaborate with President Ji."
"I think so too. Her intention is pretty obvious."
Su Lingyue lowered her head, not saying anything.
Zhang Xian went inside with her. The others quickly found excuses to leave. Zhang Xian asked, "You don't seem to like Miss Xie?"
Su Lingyue thought about it and said, "It's nothing."
Zhang Xian poured her a cup of coffee. "Did you two have a feud before?"
Su Lingyue said, "You don't know..." Then she realized, "You just returned to the country, so you probably don't know."
Zhang Xian was curious. "What happened?"
Su Lingyue said, "I retracted her design drafts before."
Zhang Xian was even more curious. "Why?"
Su Lingyue paused for a few seconds. "There wasn't a reason."
Zhang Xian: ...
If she wasn't looking at that harmless, beautiful face, she would really have gotten angry!
But.
Beauty deserved to be forgiven.
Before knowing Su Lingyue, Zhang Xian had never thought that she was a visual person. After all, Ji Zhiyi was so beautiful, and she had never had a crush on her. But after meeting Su Lingyue.
She realized that beauty was different from beauty.
Although they both seemed cold and indifferent, they were obviously different. Su Lingyue's coldness was a kind of detachment with no desires, while Ji Zhiyi's was a kind of indifference that came with a feeling of being oppressed.
Being with her would more often make her aware of her attitude.
Rather than her beauty.
This was completely different from being with Su Lingyue.
She said, "Miss Xie's designs are very creative."
Su Lingyue nodded.
Zhang Xian continued, "So, I will still keep her in the design department."
Su Lingyue sipped her coffee. "Are you worried I'll try to sabotage her?"
She turned to look at Zhang Xian, her eyes clear.
Zhang Xian said, "I hope..."
"I won't," Su Lingyue said. "Business is business, and personal matters are personal. I won't mix the two."
She never put herself in a position she didn't belong.
She was an assistant.
So she would do what an assistant should do.
Including retracting Xie Lan's design drafts back then.
Zhang Xian raised her coffee cup, giving a toast. Su Lingyue held her cup, pinched the rim. After Zhang Xian finished drinking, she put down her cup and left with her.
Outside, Ji Zhiyi was standing there. She walked into the tea room, looking at Su Lingyue's unfinished coffee. She looked at it for a few seconds before turning around and leaving.
Su Lingyue didn't see Ji Zhiyi when she returned upstairs. She did run into Wu Meiyan at the entrance. Wu Meiyan smiled. "Was the meeting over?"
Su Lingyue said, "Yes, I'll organize the minutes and send it to you later."
Wu Meiyan: "Okay."
Just as Su Lingyue was about to leave, she said, "Assistant Su."
Su Lingyue turned around.
Wu Meiyan said, "Are you still the one contacting Yang Zhizhi?"
Su Lingyue said, "Yes."
Wu Meiyan, thinking that she had helped her before, couldn't help but say, "For Yang Zhizhi's contact, should I talk to President Ji and get it transferred to me?"
Su Lingyue heard her concern.
It was really interesting.
When her father was alive, there weren't many people who cared about her.
But now that he was dead, one or two people were trying to take care of her.
She was still not used to it.
She said, "No need, I can handle it."
Wu Meiyan heard the stubbornness in her tone. "Then if you have any difficulties, you can come to me anytime."
Su Lingyue hesitated for a few seconds, and then nodded.
As soon as she sat down, Ji Zhiyi followed her inside. Su Lingyue glanced at her, seeing that Ji Zhiyi was in her usual mood. She went into the office. Shortly after, Ji Zhiyi sent her a message on WeChat.
[Did you book the hotel for noon?]
Su Lingyue hadn't yet. Yilin had cooperative hotels, so they always chose those few. She sent over three hotels and asked Ji Zhiyi, "President Ji, which hotel do you prefer?"
Ji Zhiyi chose the middle one.
Hao Tai, second floor.
After replying, Su Lingyue went to book a private room.
Hao Tai was usually not very busy during lunch. The second floor had six large private rooms and six small ones. Since there was only President Jiang this time, Su Lingyue booked a small private room, the second one on the left side after exiting the elevator.
As she passed by the first private room, she glanced inside. There was a man sitting there.
President Jiang had arrived early, waiting in the private room. When he saw Ji Zhiyi, he quickly stood up to greet her. Yilin's reputation had been rising these past two years. From when Ji Zhiyi had acquired a shoe company and established Yilin, this brand had quickly taken off in China. Both Jiang Yuan and San Sheng were interested in getting the regional agency for the southern area, and he had already invited Ji Zhiyi out several times, but Ji Zhiyi had said that she was busy. They also hadn't been able to meet with San Sheng, so he wasn't too sure. He hadn't expected that Ji Zhiyi would take the initiative to meet with him.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so he had to make sure to seize it.
After sitting down, Ji Zhiyi didn't say anything. President Jiang repeated the terms for their cooperation, and handed over a letter of intent. Ji Zhiyi said, "President Jiang, you know that San Sheng has been contacting me recently as well. Their offer is higher than yours."
President Jiang knew this too, but their offer wasn't that much higher. "We can still discuss the offer."
Ji Zhiyi said, "Give me a definite answer. Since I've invited President Jiang here today, I naturally want to work with you, so it all depends on your sincerity."
Hearing this, President Jiang wasn't blinded by happiness. Instead, he said, "I can apply for the same offer as San Sheng."
"Not enough," Ji Zhiyi said, "Add another 30%."
She sipped some warm water, her movements slow and graceful.
President Jiang's expression changed slightly. "President Ji, 30% is too high."
Ji Zhiyi said, "President Jiang, no matter if it's online promotion or offline retail, San Sheng's experience and channels are far above yours. The reason I chose to work with you is because I want a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership. Yilin is still growing, and we can work with Jiang Yuan to achieve a goal of mutual growth. President Jiang can also see Yilin's potential. Our new spokesperson is about to be released. Do you still think 30% is too high?"
New spokesperson? President Jiang asked, "Is it Miss Yang?"
Ji Zhiyi smiled, not saying anything.
It was like she was acknowledging it.
Su Lingyue was sitting beside her, watching her say things about matters that hadn't been decided yet with such confidence. She couldn't help but admire her. At the same time, when they had finished their tea, she knew to refill their cups.
President Jiang paused for a few seconds. His phone rang. He apologized. "I'll take a call."
Ji Zhiyi took a sip of her tea. "Take your time, President Jiang."
President Jiang left the private room.
Ji Zhiyi put down her cup and poured a cup of tea for Su Lingyue. Su Lingyue was curious, but she didn't say anything. She waited for President Jiang to return. But the door to the private room remained unopened.
She shifted her body, taking a sip of her tea.
She couldn't help but glance at Ji Zhiyi.
Ji Zhiyi said, "What do you want to ask?"
Since she had already brought it up, Su Lingyue wasn't going to be polite. "President Ji, if you add another 30%, Jiang Yuan won't have any profit, would they agree?"
Ji Zhiyi said slowly, "No."
Su Lingyue frowned. "You don't want to work with them?"
Ji Zhiyi turned her head. She was always quiet, almost a silent person, but Su Lingyue had found that, as long as she asked, Ji Zhiyi would still answer everything.
As expected, she heard Ji Zhiyi say, "I do."
She wanted to work together, but she was suppressing their profits so low?
If she was President Jiang, she would also be questioning whether or not Ji Zhiyi actually had any intention of cooperating. Although Yilin was currently developing well, no company would be stupid enough to help others make money while losing their own, right?
Ji Zhiyi, seeing her pretty face all scrunched up, patiently waited.
Outside the door, President Jiang was on the phone.
There were many employees and service staff passing by. He stood by the window, constantly changing positions.
He didn't notice the person behind him.
As soon as Zhou Yan exited the private room, he saw President Jiang. He had previously worked with Su Qi, and now, he was sucking up to Yilin. He had never taken those kind of people seriously, he had only wanted to say hi and say a few sarcastic words. But he hadn't expected to hear him on the phone.
And it was related to Yilin.
"President Ji said to add another 30%." President Jiang's tone was a little hesitant, "Of course I know that I can't agree, but this is just to discuss it with you."
The other side of the phone didn't say anything, and he remained silent.
After a while, "She mentioned a new spokesperson today. Last time I asked you to investigate Yang Zhizhi's background, did you do it?"
Zhou Yan moved a little closer.
President Jiang frowned. "Baoshun?"
He lowered his voice. "I understand."
He hung up the phone and turned his head, seeing Zhou Yan. President Jiang paused. Zhou Yan spoke up first. "President Jiang, what a coincidence."
President Jiang nodded slightly and brushed past him.
Zhou Yan watched him enter the private room. He went closer, and from the crack in the door, he saw Ji Zhiyi and Su Lingyue. The door was then closed by the service staff. He couldn't hear anything. He stood there for a while, then Zhou Yan entered his own private room.
Could it be that Yang Zhizhi and Baoshun were related somehow?
Was that why Ji Zhiyi had gone through so much trouble to sign Yang Zhizhi?
Zhou Yan had also asked people to inquire about Yang Zhizhi, but her information was no different from what was online, so he didn't take Yang Zhizhi seriously.
But if Yang Zhizhi really had some connection with Baoshun.
Then this was a different story.
The connections he had managed to make could be threatened if Ji Zhiyi interfered.
Zhou Yan pondered.
He decided that he should tell Zhou Shiyu about this first.
Zhou Shiyu frowned. "Baoshun? What does Yang Zhizhi have to do with Baoshun?"
"I don't know, Sister." Zhou Yan said, "I just heard some rumors. Do you think Ji Zhiyi wouldn't contact Baoshun, could she really have other channels?"
If not, there wouldn't be a reason, right?
There were so many people that wanted a piece of Baoshun. He had been spending a fortune every time he met with the investment director, but Yilin hadn't made any movement at all.
She didn't seem to have any connection with Baoshun at all.
Or was there something that they didn't know?
Zhou Shiyu asked, "Did she sign with Yang Zhizhi?"
Zhou Yan said, "Not yet."
Zhou Shiyu said, "Go find out what the price is."
Zhou Yan asked, "Sister, you want to sign her? But our contract with Miss Song hasn't expired."
Zhou Shiyu said, "Go ask first."
Zhou Yan had no choice but to agree. When he left the private room, the people in the room next door had already left. Ji Zhiyi and Su Lingyue had gotten into the car. In the end, Jiang Yuan could only increase his offer by one more point. Any higher than that would be unacceptable. Ji Zhiyi's expression was indifferent. "Goodbye."
It couldn't be seen whether or not she was agreeing or disagreeing.
President Jiang sighed and saw them off.
After getting in the car, Ji Zhiyi called the legal department, asking them to prepare a preliminary contract with Jiang Yuan. Su Lingyue couldn't figure out what Ji Zhiyi was planning. She didn't ask, and focused on driving.
When they were almost at the company.
Ji Zhiyi asked, "Did Xie Lan come today?"
Su Lingyue said, "She came, and two of her designs were selected for the autumn collection."
Ji Zhiyi lowered her head, tapping on her tablet. She asked softly, "What do you think?"
Su Lingyue slightly turned her head, glancing at her, not saying anything.
After they passed a traffic light, she said, "Miss Xie's designs are very good."
Ji Zhiyi replied to a message.
She didn't say anything more.
Soon, they arrived at the company. Ji Zhiyi said, "Ask Xie Lan to come to my office."
Su Lingyue said, "Okay."
She called the design department. After a while, Xie Lan appeared in the secretary's office. Su Lingyue helped her knock on the door and brought in two cups of tea. She heard Xie Lan blowing rainbow farts.
"President Ji, I'm so lucky to be able to come to Yilin."
Her gaze towards Ji Zhiyi was a little fiery, acting like she was a die-hard fan.
Su Lingyue silently put down the cups and left the office.
Ji Zhiyi said, "Miss Xie is too polite. It is our honor to have such a talented designer like Miss Xie at Yilin."
Xie Lan was recruited by Zhang Xian.
She had seen Xie Lan's works abroad, and she had started looking for talent before she had returned to the country. Xie Lan was the one she wanted to get the most. She thought it would be difficult, but it was very easy.
Because Xie Lan admired Ji Zhiyi so much.
In their conversation, she didn't say anything that wasn't related to Ji Zhiyi.
Zhang Xian was very satisfied, and had decided right away to bring Xie Lan over. Ji Zhiyi was also very satisfied.
Half an hour later, Xie Lan walked out of the office, looking refreshed and proud. Su Lingyue saw her with her thin high heels, swaying her hips as she brushed past, leaving a light scent of perfume.
The scent was a bit strong.
She wasn't used to it.
Just as Xie Lan left, her phone rang. As if she had foreseen it, she knew it was Ji Zhiyi. She answered the phone before the other side could speak. "President Ji, I'm coming in right now."
Ji Zhiyi was interrupted and paused. "Mm."
Su Lingyue took the organized meeting minutes and took them inside to hand to Ji Zhiyi. As usual, she returned to the coffee table and started organizing files.
She had probably guessed it already.
Like at the apartment.
Ji Zhiyi wasn't asking her to organize these things on purpose. She just wanted a reason to keep her around so that she could order her around at will. However, these files were all old records from Yilin, and while she was organizing them, she also learned quite a bit.
Moreover, organizing these files was much better than staying outside and receiving strange looks and whispers.
She was very willing to do it.
She didn't leave the office for the entire afternoon. Ji Zhiyi went out for two meetings. When Ji Zhiyi returned to the office, she looked inside through the glass above the door. Su Lingyue was looking at files, sitting on the rug, leaning against the sofa. She probably wasn't comfortable in her high heels, so she had taken them off and placed them on the side. Her legs were resting on the coffee table, and one toe was slightly swaying.
She was relaxed like a contented cat.
She stood at the door, took out her phone, and said, "Hello."
Su Lingyue, hearing the movement at the door, glanced at her phone. The meeting had ended earlier than scheduled. She quickly put on her shoes and saw Ji Zhiyi walk in, talking on the phone, her expression serious.
Ji Zhiyi sat in front of the computer, put down her phone. Su Lingyue was visible in the corner of her eye.
Su Lingyue sat up straight, putting the files on the desk. Ji Zhiyi could see the back of her head. She snapped back to reality. Her phone rang. It was Zhang Xian calling.
Zhang Xian's tone was a little urgent. "Where are you?"
Ji Zhiyi said, "The company."
"I just received a message that your godmother has landed. Did she contact you?" Zhang Xian said, "Do you want me to help you stop her?"
Ji Zhiyi said, "No need."
She hung up the phone and looked at the chat messages with her godmother. The messages she had sent a few days ago hadn't been replied to. When she had called, they hadn't picked up either. Ji Zhiyi said, "Assistant Su."
Su Lingyue turned her head.
Ji Zhiyi said, "Take the files outside to organize."
Su Lingyue was confused. Had she calmed down?
But she still nodded obediently. Then, she picked up the files on the desk and carried them outside in two trips. Ji Zhiyi's office faced her with large French windows. She looked into the office. Ji Zhiyi was pulling down the curtains.
She pondered Ji Zhiyi's attitude and intentions.
There was a commotion at the entrance. A secretary was stopping a woman. "Hello, please make an appointment first."
Su Lingyue looked over. A woman in a light brown long dress, who looked older with shoulder-length short hair and pearl earrings, had a face filled with frost and barely suppressed rage. Wu Meiyan rushed over. "What's wrong?"
The receptionist secretary almost cried, "Secretary Wu, this lady wants to see President Ji."
Wu Meiyan stood in front of her. "Hello, do you have an appointment?"
The woman's tone was icy cold. "No."
Wu Meiyan said, "Then..."
"Godmother!" a voice called from the back. Everyone looked over. Zhang Xian was walking over with a smile. "Godmother, you came and didn't say a word. I would have gone to pick you up."
Jiang Ya turned her head to look at Zhang Xian, her tone cold. "What? I need an appointment to see her?"
Zhang Xian quickly said, "Of course not."
She gestured to Wu Meiyan, and Wu Meiyan and the other secretaries made way. Su Lingyue walked out, standing in front of Ji Zhiyi's office. Zhang Xian pulled her over. "She's here to see President Ji."
Su Lingyue was pulled to the side by her. Jiang Ya pushed open the door and walked in. Su Lingyue still wanted to stop her, but Zhang Xian grabbed both of her hands.
The door closed.
Zhang Xian said, "President Ji's godmother."
It was better not to get caught in the crossfire.
Her godmother had been furious for a while now. If Su Lingyue went over now, she was definitely going to be torn to shreds!
Su Lingyue nodded.
Inside the room, Ji Zhiyi saw Jiang Ya come in and also stood up, looking at Jiang Ya.
Jiang Ya's face was stern, her eyes blazing with anger. She got to Ji Zhiyi in three steps. Just as Ji Zhiyi was about to speak. "Godmother,"
Jiang Ya raised her hand and delivered a slap!
Ji Zhiyi's head was hit to the side, and the blood rushed to her face. A hand print was instantly visible on her fair skin. She stood there without moving. Jiang Ya gritted her teeth. "You have really disappointed me!"
What the hell?
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