Chapter 153 Professor Si is going on a business trip

Recently, gossip in Chen's Design Department spreads faster than a printer spits out paper. Even the coffee machine in the tea room is eager to join in the murmurs.

Speculation about the new team leader was like opening a blind box—some bet on an industry giant to parachute in, others on the boss's "house-selecting relative." News of the internship recruitment was a whirlwind, with even the cleaning lady, handing over a mop, unable to resist interjecting, "Girl, I'm afraid the requirements for this intern position are probably similar to those for a design assistant, right?"

Wen Xiaoqiao and Li Ruoyi were quietly beeping at their workstations. When Liu Zhihao was mentioned about being transferred to another team, they both covered their chests and said, "Such an attractive team leader can be transferred away just like that. Where is justice?"

But when she thought of the possible new team leader and intern, her eyes lit up immediately, as if she had turned on level 10 beauty filter: "What if the new team leader is both handsome and capable, and the intern is also a walking joke teller? Then our department will take off immediately. Wouldn't going to work in the future be as exciting as watching a TV series?"

Su Nian was sending a message to Zhang Qiuyan, asking her to quickly prepare her resume for Chen's internship position. Her tone was filled with excitement and a hint of urgency.

When Zhang Qiuyan received the news, she was sitting at her workstation in a suburban garment factory, sighing - this place is so remote that even navigation is difficult to use. Her daily commute is like traveling across cities. She has to get up at five in the morning to catch the bus, and she is exhausted when she arrives at school in the evening. She was struggling with whether to resign, and Su Nian's news was like a "rainstorm-level rescue" in the midst of "rain in time of need"!

Qiuyan's design inspiration is indeed lacking. Sometimes she can stare at a blank canvas for two hours, but her other skill points are maxed out.

During her one-month internship at the garment factory, she mastered pattern making and proofing to the point that even the workshop master praised her, saying, "This girl is great! She's hardworking and dedicated to her studies. Her calculations for fabric shrinkage are more accurate than a calculator!"

With this plate-making skill, he is qualified for an internship position in a large company like Chen's.

With Su Nian's encouragement and guidance, Zhang Qiuyan carefully prepared her resume and portfolio and applied for an internship at Chen's.

HR quickly completed the screening and sent the information of several candidates, including Zhang Qiuyan, to the design department.

Coincidentally, the intern interviewer this time was Fang Xia. When talking about Qiuyan's interview at Chen's, Fang Xia told Su Nian everything that happened immediately.

When introducing herself, Zhang Qiuyan deliberately avoided mentioning her shortcoming of "lack of design inspiration" and instead focused on her internship experience at a garment factory. "Every day, I followed my master to learn layout and cutting. At first, I couldn't grasp the shrinkage of fabrics. Later, I arrived at the workshop half an hour early every day to test shrinkage using different fabrics. Gradually, I discovered a pattern. Now, whether it's cotton, linen, or stretch fabrics, I can precisely control the size."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Xia posed a soul-searching question: "If you were asked to modify an oversized sweatshirt, retaining the loose fit but highlighting the waistline, how would you start?"

Zhang Qiuyan's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "I'm done! I wasn't prepared for this question." However, she remained calm, her mind racing. Drawing on her experience in platemaking, she answered:

"You can add hidden pleats to the sides of the waist, allowing it to hang naturally and loosely at ordinary times. When you need to highlight the waistline, you can tighten it by pulling the built-in drawstring. In addition, the shoulder line can be slightly pulled inward by 1.5 cm to avoid the problem of excessive sloping shoulders causing fattening. This way, it will not only maintain the casual feel of the sweatshirt, but also improve the body proportions."

When she answered, Fang Xia secretly exchanged glances with the HR - they were originally worried that the interns lacked practical experience, but they didn't expect that Zhang Qiuyan was not only familiar with the plate-making process, but could also propose specific optimization plans based on the pattern.

As the interview was drawing to a close, the HR representative smiled and said, "We'll get back to you within three days, but I can tell you in advance that our colleagues in the design department are very interested in your experience in pattern making."

As soon as they walked out of the Chen Building, Zhang Qiuyan couldn't help but send Su Nian a message, her words filled with excitement: "Su Nian, the interview went well! I hope to become your colleague!"

Based on Fang Xia's statement, Qiuyan's internship at Chen's is basically a sure thing.

Su Nian made a bold prediction, and it is estimated that Fang Xia’s team will have a “plate-making expert”!

Within a week, all the staff for the design department were recruited.

Wen Xiaoqiao's team leader was a woman with extensive design experience and a prestigious university graduate, much to her and Li Ruoyi's disappointment; they had hoped for a more handsome man. Why didn't HR understand that a good-looking man and a good-looking woman together made the work less tiring?

As expected, Zhang Qiuyan was assigned to Fang Xia's group. No matter what, Su Nian was very happy to be able to work in the same company with her good friend.

For the past few days, when Si Yan went to pick up his wife from get off work, the person he heard changed from Teacher Zhihao to Zhang Qiuyan, and he was secretly happy.

Si Yan was holding the steering wheel, and he caught a glimpse of Su Nian's beaming face in the passenger seat from the corner of his eye, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose.

He deliberately slowed down the car so that the overflowing joy could stay in the car for a while longer - after all, a while ago, Su Nian had been muttering all about "Teacher Zhihao". Although he knew that it was just appreciation among colleagues, he always felt uncomfortable listening to it.

At this moment, Su Nian was excitedly saying, "Qiuyan will report to Chen's tomorrow! Oh, and Sister Fang Xia's team is currently working on a series of autumn and winter sweatshirts. Qiuyan's pattern-making skills could come in handy. Maybe she can even help solve the problem of the previous pattern being too loose!"

Si Yan turned his head, looked at the sparkling light in her eyes, and said softly, "It seems that you are more concerned about this job than me. But Qiuyan is really a good girl. It is a blessing for both parties that Chen can recruit her."

"By the way, Nian Nian, I want to discuss something with you. Our department head has assigned me a task - to go to Jingbei City to attend an academic forum. The round trip will take about four days."

Si Yan thought of the business trip the academy had arranged for that afternoon. This forum was high-level, a rare opportunity. But then, looking back at his wife's growing belly, his academic enthusiasm was instantly overwhelmed by worry. How could he safely be a hands-off manager at this critical moment?

Su Nian's eyes rolled as she heard this, and she immediately arranged her schedule in her mind. She clapped her hands, her tone cheerful as if she were announcing a brilliant plan: "Professor Si, please put your mind at ease! While you're away on business, I'll be back at my parents' house—acting as a 'key protected animal' for a few days. I'll go to and from work with my dad every day, with a special car to pick me up, rain or shine. Now, you don't have to worry about me being 'left alone' at home, right?"

"That's a very thorough arrangement." Si Yan nodded, but his frown hadn't completely relaxed. "What about at the company? I can't do anything there."

"You can be even more relaxed in the company, Professor Si!" Su Nian counted on his fingers like a treasure.

"With my father in charge, and my two best friends and colleagues, Fang Xia and Zhou Yu, who are truly 'gold medal protectors,' plus Qiuyan joining us soon... this lineup is truly the 'top team for pregnant women's care. How could we possibly lack care?"

Si Yan stared ahead, seemingly focused on driving, but added in a nonchalant tone, "Well, the lineup is quite strong. Add in that... Teacher Zhihao, and it's even more perfect."

Oh no! It turns out there's a trap waiting for you!