Chapter 46. "His surname is Sheng."
Once May is over, summer arrives in the Nanling Mountains.
The afternoon sun was still scorching at three o'clock, casting a blinding white light on the street. Tang Ci came out of the subway station, squinted, took out a baseball cap from her tote bag and put it on, then casually took out her phone to make a call.
"Sis, have you arrived at Mingsheng yet?" Xiao Jing's anxious voice came through the receiver, accompanied by the rustling sound of her getting dressed: "I just got into a taxi, I should be there in about half an hour!"
“No rush,” Tang Ci always started her work early. She asked gently, “I’ll go buy a coffee first. What would you like to drink?”
"Hazelnut Latte!" Xiao Jing smiled immediately and said sweetly, "Thank you, Sister Xiao Ci, I love you the most."
When they arrived at the Mingsheng office building, Tang Ci randomly picked a coffee shop, ordered her coffee, and sat by the window to check her design drafts.
As a traditional menswear brand in China, Mingsheng has experienced a sharp decline in popularity in recent years due to the rise of online shopping platforms. The company is striving to adapt, not only changing the designers of its clothing but also preparing to overturn the old decorations and redesign its stores. After a long bidding process, the Jianchuan Design Studio, where Tang Ci works, won the bid.
Tang Ci, as the leader of Group Two in Jianchuan Design Department, usually only handles small projects. However, the design department manager in charge of large projects happened to be on a business trip abroad these past few months, so the boss assigned Mingsheng's project to her.
Immense pressure and generous commissions were pouring down on her at the same time. Tang Ci and her assistants worked through the night for a week to finish the first draft and arranged to meet today.
After checking the manuscript, Xiao Jing arrived. Tang Ci greeted her through the glass, neatly packed up the manuscript, and went out to take her upstairs.
Inside the elevator, Xiao Jing smoothed her messy bangs and said softly, "I still feel like I'm dreaming. Our team is actually in charge of such a big project."
Tang Ci pursed her lips and glanced at her sideways: "No conclusion has been reached yet, so don't let your guard down."
Xiao Jing nudged her head: "I just didn't expect it to go so smoothly. Manager Qi is so familiar with the people at Mingsheng, yet he was willing to let us do Mingsheng's project." She then shook her head: "Maybe he's really busy abroad."
Qi Zu is a long-time employee of Jianchuan and currently serves as the design department manager. Although he is experienced, he is narrow-minded.
Last year, a shopping mall project he was in charge of was put on hold, but it was eventually taken over and successfully completed by Tang Ci, who had been with the company for less than four years.
After that, Tang Ci was promoted to the leader of the second group. Seeing her strong work momentum, her colleagues joked that she was a strong contender for the manager position.
When this reached Zidane's ears, he unilaterally created a grudge against Tang Ci and intentionally or unintentionally sabotaged her projects.
This is the second time Jian Chuan and Ming Sheng have collaborated. The first time was with Qi Zu in charge, so all the team members are worried that Qi Zu might cause trouble behind the scenes.
But he really did stay silent in the group this week, not saying a single word.
Calm surface doesn't mean there are no waves underneath. Tang Ci frowned in thought. The elevator dinged and arrived at its destination. The elevator doors slowly opened, and Tang Ci's brow relaxed. She went to the front desk and explained her purpose.
The receptionist made a call to inform them, but General Manager Chen arrived late and casually ushered them into the conference room.
After sitting down, Tang Ci took out a document from her bag and handed it to him: "President Chen, please take a look at the design draft first."
Mr. Chen glanced at the document, clasped his hands together, and didn't take it: "No rush."
Tang Ci's heart sank. After a moment's hesitation, she asked directly, "Did Manager Qi contact you?"
A hint of surprise flashed in President Chen's eyes as he looked at Tang Ci's non-threatening face. He hadn't expected her to be so direct. He coughed and explained, "Your company sent someone over yesterday. We are very satisfied with their draft. Designer Tang, you're a little late."
The situation was urgent; their second group had only finished work last night, so they couldn't advance the deadline, but—
“But we agreed to meet today…” Xiao Jing interjected indignantly.
Mr. Chen glanced at Xiao Jing with displeasure, then looked at Tang Ci and said, "We have no reason not to receive your company's visitors, especially since the contract doesn't specify who will be in charge of this project."
The implication is that until the very last moment, Mingsheng is the client who decides who will design the project.
Xiao Jing's eyes widened instantly, and her cheeks puffed up with anger.
Tang Ci patted her hand under the table and looked at President Chen, asking, "It seems there's a communication problem. Could you please tell me which group came yesterday so I can hand over my work?"
"One group." Seeing that she was so sensible, General Manager Chen didn't intend to hide it.
One of the teams was built up by Qi Zu himself. Tang Ci nodded knowingly, stood up briskly, and shook hands with President Chen: "In that case, we won't bother you any longer."
Once outside the Mingsheng building, Xiao Jing stomped her feet in anger: "That bastard Qi Zu has gone too far! It's one thing to sabotage us in the past, but this time he actually dared to directly steal our project. Isn't he afraid of the boss's wrath?"
Tang Ci twisted the shoulder strap of her tote bag and suddenly asked, "Who in the company knows that Qi Zu has connections at Ming Sheng?"
"It's all over the company," Xiao Jing scoffed. "He's related to the head of Mingsheng's business department, and the last collaboration was also based on connections."
Tang Ci murmured thoughtfully, "Then the boss should know, so why did he still give this project to me..."
Xiao Jing didn't hear what she said. She angrily hugged her phone and complained to her boyfriend. As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she sobbed and wiped away her tears.
Seeing this, Tang Ci quickly took out a tissue to wipe her tears: "Alright, alright, if this project is over, there's always another one."
"Where could there be a better project than this?!" Xiao Jing had only graduated a year ago and was discussing buying a house and settling down in Nanling with her boyfriend. They were counting on the commission from the completion of a big project to save up for the down payment. Now that their hopes had been dashed, it was inevitable that she would lose control of her emotions.
"Have you noticed that there is construction going on in the center of Changning District and Binzhou District?" Tang Ci suddenly asked.
Xiao Jing was taken aback, then nodded and said, "I heard they're going to build a hotel."
Tang Ci's eyes crinkled slightly: "It's the Yunqi Hotel."
"Really?" Xiao Jing's eyes widened instantly, and she asked uncertainly, "That Yunqi in Australia?"
It's no wonder she was so surprised. As a luxury hotel that has emerged in Australia in recent years, Yunqi has been rumored to be opening a branch in China. Online speculation suggests that the location will be chosen in the capital, but there are no rumors that it will be located in Nanling.
Tang Ci nodded: "What Jiang Zheng told me should be true."
Xiao Jing looked puzzled: "Even if we really come to Nanling, a hotel of Yunqi's level shouldn't be available to our company, right? Besides, aren't all hotels designed in the same way?"
"It's said that the president wants to adapt to local customs, which is why he wants to hire a local designer," Tang Ci blinked and said softly. "The president is returning to China tonight, and Jiang Zheng can take me to a dinner party."
Xiao Jing paused for a second, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and she hugged Tang Ci's arm tightly: "Sister Xiao Ci, my happiness for the rest of my life depends on you!!"
Seeing her expression brighten, Tang Ci smiled and said, "I'll do my best."
Xiao Jing felt relieved. Tang Ci said that doing one's best meant giving it your all. She sincerely admired her: "Sister Xiao Ci, why are you working so hard? I remember you said you didn't plan to buy a house, right?"
Tang Ci's eyes dimmed for a moment, but quickly curved into a smile: "Pay back the money, I owe loan sharks, and I'm being chased by Brother □□ for repayment."
"..." Xiao Jing pouted: "Next time, make up a decent reason."
/
After parting ways with Xiao Jing at the subway entrance, Tang Ci went to Jiang Zheng's coffee shop.
Tang Ci met Jiang Zheng at work. She was the one who designed the interior of this coffee shop. Originally, the two were just ordinary clients and contractors, but Jiang Zheng accidentally saw the wound on her right abdomen and learned that they were kidney patients.
Although Jiang Zheng came from a prestigious family, he was easygoing, and given this relationship, they naturally became close friends over time.
When Tang Ci arrived, Jiang Zheng was chatting with his friends at the bar. Hearing the doorbell, he looked up, saw her, and waved with a smile: "Tang Ci, over here."
The man sitting to Jiang Zheng's left also turned his head, glanced at Tang Ci's face, and put on a cynical smile: "Hello, beautiful lady, my name is Liu Ye, Jiang Zheng's friend."
As Liu spoke, he reached out his hand to Tang Ci.
Tang Ci stepped forward and was about to extend her hand to shake his.
Jiang Zheng slapped Liu Ye's hand away: "Ignore him."
Tang Ci could only smile and withdraw her hand, then sat down in the empty seat to Jiang Zheng's right.
Jiang Zheng casually placed the menu in front of her: "Order whatever you like, don't be shy."
Liu Ye exclaimed, "What do you mean, Jiang Zheng? I've never seen you take such good care of me before." His mischievous gaze swept back and forth between the two of them. "You two aren't having an affair, are you?"
Jiang Zheng slapped Liu Yebei again for his tactless remarks, then turned to Tang Ci and asked, "Can you say it?"
Tang Ci paused for a moment before realizing what he was asking, then nodded: "Sure, it's okay."
“We’re kidney patients,” Jiang Zheng explained to Liu Ye, sounding annoyed. “Stop using your filthy brain to make wild guesses.”
Liu was stunned for a moment, then looked at Tang Ci again. Her face was narrow and clean, her eyes were warm and gentle, but her lips were indeed a little pale. She pretended to slap her mouth and said, "I'm sorry, I offended you."
"It's really no problem," Tang Ci said with a smile. "I should also thank you for taking me to dinner tonight."
When it came to business, Liu Ye became serious: "A childhood friend of mine works at Yunqi headquarters. I heard that this president is ruthless and cold-blooded." He looked at Tang Ci and said, "You may have to be prepared to run into a wall."
“Okay.” Tang Ci nodded calmly. As a design company, it was common to run into obstacles from clients, and she was used to it.
Seeing that she remained unmoved, Liu continued, "I heard that he just laid off a group of people last month because the group's promotional slogan crossed the line of discrimination."
Tang Ci nodded: "I can understand, discrimination is a big problem."
"The problem is that this slogan was changed without the consent of an extreme nationalist employee, who then laid off the entire team." Liu also shook his head, clicking his tongue, "saying it affected the company's image."
Tang Ci's eyes widened in surprise: "That is indeed quite strict."
Liu shook his head: "My friend said that the company has been in a state of panic for the past month, and the atmosphere in the office only eased up a bit after the president returned to China today."
Jiang Zheng laughed and said, "This is quite different from their propaganda philosophy."
—A haven by the clouds, as warm as home.
Tang Ci had seen Yunqi's promotional posters online. The pristine white hotel was nestled in the clouds, with soft and warm lighting, truly feeling like home.
Just thinking that this 'home' was built by the hard work of workers like her made her sympathize with those laid-off employees.
"Maybe it's because he's a workaholic with a bad temper. I heard he works either in the office or on a plane 365 days a year." Liu took a sip of coffee and looked at Tang Ci. "He was supposed to be at the hotel to adjust to the time difference today. I asked him to have dinner with me, but he refused. I told him that I had specially hired a top designer for him, so we could talk about hotel design."
Tang Ci blushed and curled her fingers in embarrassment at his exaggerated description.
"He asked me which company I worked for, and I told him." Liu also asked, "It's Jianchuan Design Studio, right?"
Tang Ci's heart tightened, and she nodded, asking, "What did he say?"
Liu shrugged: "He said he'd never heard of it, haha."
The answer was as expected, but Tang Ci wasn't discouraged: "Will he come again tonight?"
Liu nodded: "He probably got annoyed by my pestering and finally agreed."
Tang Ci breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt burdened by having troubled others too much: "I'm so sorry to have troubled you today. How about I treat you to dinner another day? You can ask me anytime you need help with design work in the future."
"No problem," Liu said, seeing her concerns. He waved his hand and said, "I invited him to dinner because I had a project I wanted to discuss, and bringing you along was just a side thing."
Tang Ci smiled with relief: "I still have to thank you."
Her eyes crinkled when she smiled, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. Liu felt a tickle in his heart and laughed heartily, "I really want to thank you. How about being my girlfriend?"
Jiang Zheng calmly shielded Tang Ci behind him: "Give me a break. Do you think you can sort things out after talking to a few people?"
Liu Ye looked at his protective manner and smiled knowingly.
/
Liu Ye and Jiang Zheng joked around for a while longer, and then it was time for the banquet. The three of them went to the banquet together.
To facilitate business discussions, Liu booked a quiet private kitchen, but perhaps because it was a busy weekend, when they arrived, there were several children playing in the courtyard.
The children's loud voices and laughter startled the sparrows perched on the pine and cypress trees in the courtyard. A waiter in uniform hurried across the corridor and gently pushed open the door next to the pine and cypress trees.
It was the private room he had reserved. Liu raised his chin and said, "Looks like someone has already arrived."
Before he could finish speaking, a deep voice faintly came from inside the door: "Tell them to be quiet."
Tang Ci suddenly froze, her mind went blank, and she could no longer hear anything around her, only that voice echoing in her ears.
A cool breeze blew through the red walls and green tiles of the early summer night, making her shiver involuntarily.
Jiang Zheng turned his head and saw Tang Ci standing there in a daze. He raised his hand and patted her shoulder: "What's wrong?"
Tang Ci swallowed hard, looked at Liu Ye, and asked softly, "What is the last name of the president of Yunqi?"
Liu was taken aback, then slapped his forehead and laughed: "Look at my brain, I forgot to tell you my name."
“His surname is Sheng,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “His given name is Sheng Yu, but I don’t know which Yu it is.”
A scene flashed before Tang Ci's eyes: in the overgrown garden of the hospital, a young man sat on a bench, surrounded by the brilliant sunset, and lazily curled the corners of his mouth at her: "Yu, the 'Yu' in 'Zhong Ling Yu Xiu' (meaning 'beautiful and talented')."
Having worked for nearly five years, this was the first time she had come to meet a client without even asking for their name, as if fate was making her do something foolish and was pushing her to jump off a cliff.
Before me stood a thin, red-lacquered, carved wooden door—it couldn't possibly block anything out.
Liu Ye pushed the door open, and Tang Ci was led into the private room by Jiang Zheng.
The overhead lights were as bright as day, illuminating the entire small space. Five or six people were sitting at the table, but Tang Ci could only vaguely see the figure of one person.
When Tang Ci finally saw the man's sharp profile, her throat tightened instantly, and she swallowed hard, her heart pounding. But her eardrums were still throbbing.
“President Sheng, we’ve met before, so I won’t go into too much detail,” Liu Ye bowed and shook hands with Sheng Yu, then turned to introduce the two people behind him: “This is the young master of the Jiang family, and this is Designer Tang from Jianchuan Studio. I mentioned him to you on the phone.”
Sheng Yu, dressed in a dark gray suit, sat motionless by the window, his expression indifferent as he looked over.
He is indeed as cold-hearted as the rumors suggest.
Jiang Zheng shook hands briefly with him, then noticed that Tang Ci was still standing there, her narrow face drained of color. He quickly leaned close and asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"Mr. Sheng." Tang Ci shook her head as she came to her senses, stammering out a greeting, her outstretched hand trembling almost imperceptibly.
Sheng Yu's expression finally softened, her thick eyelashes fluttered, and her dark eyes held undisguised mockery.
"Tang—" As if deliberately trying to embarrass her, he raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "The great designer."
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