Chapter 10
Zhuang Yazhi secured about twenty projects of varying sizes within half a month, and after unifying and planning the projects, assigned them to various departments for execution.
At the shareholders' meeting, the dozen or so shareholders didn't dare to say a word, but happily accepted the project, knowing that it would mean real dividends once the project was completed.
"The general manager is undoubtedly a role model for the younger generation. With you in charge at Zhuang's, we can rest assured."
"Young and promising, he has the same demeanor as President Zhuang back in the day. Like father, like son."
They had indeed underestimated Zhuang Yazhi before; now they would genuinely admire her.
The mountain of project documents was proof of their strength. Although Zhuang Haiming didn't say anything, he had seen everything Zhuang Yazhi had done during this period. Such shrewdness and strong execution were more or less impressive.
"Thank you for your hard work, General Manager."
Zhuang Yazhi responded with a slight smile, her bright eyes revealing her pride.
She was hooked and was always ready for Zhuang Haiming to make a move.
I went back to the office to rest for a while, and my phone screen lit up with an unknown number.
"Excuse me, are you Ms. Zhuang Yazhi?"
The voice sounded so familiar, but Zhuang Yazhi couldn't quite place it.
"I am Ye Ran."
"Oh, oh, oh," I've been so busy lately I've completely forgotten about him.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
Ye Ran cleared her throat and congratulated her happily: "Ms. Zhuang, you passed the audition. I haven't been able to get in touch with you for a while. I guess you must have been busy. We've scheduled a script reading session this Friday before filming starts. Would it be convenient for you to come?"
Zhuang Yazhi suddenly realized that she had been traveling for work and had completely forgotten about the promotional video.
"Sure! See you on Friday."
The script discussion took place in the park, right across from the filming location of the promotional video.
Before arriving, Zhuang Yazhi was humming a little tune, but her good mood came to an abrupt end when she saw that familiar figure in the pavilion.
What is he doing here?
Zhuang Yazhi asked Ye Ran a question.
Ye Ran looked a little embarrassed and handed the script to Zhuang Yazhi.
"The director suddenly had a new idea and wanted you and John to appear in the scene together."
The two were talking not far from the pavilion, and John heard everything they said.
Turning around and meeting each other's gaze, an awkward atmosphere spread with the small patch of sunlight. John, the one who had been rejected, stood there somewhat at a loss.
"Oh, everyone's here." The director's arrival temporarily eased the awkward silence.
Zhuang Yazhi clearly raised her question: "It was clearly stated before the audition that one person would be selected to film the promotional video, but now..." She looked at John, her gaze suggestive.
The director chuckled and invited everyone to sit down.
The reason for this decision was that after seeing their promotional photos, the director noticed that Zhuang Yazhi and John had some resemblance in their eyes and eyebrows.
"I want you to play siblings in the promotional video, to give it a more meaningful message. I've even thought of a name for the promotional video: 'Going Home'."
The scene fell silent for a moment.
John, who always greeted people with a smile, remained completely calm at this moment, seemingly accepting the arrangement without a word.
But Zhuang Yazhi saw this as a provocative gesture, since she was the only one who objected.
Director Ye could tell that Zhuang Yazhi was a little unhappy, so he tentatively asked, "Does Ms. Zhuang have any other better suggestions?"
No suggestions, but plenty of opinions.
"Okay, let's film it then." Zhuang Yazhi agreed through gritted teeth. This was a role she had fought for, and she was determined to get it; she couldn't give it up just because the script had changed.
Even if they were deeply opposed to the joint filming, they could only endure it for the time being.
At the discussion table, the two sat facing each other reciting their lines. Zhuang Yazhi couldn't bring herself to say "brother" in the lines, and it just felt awkward.
He kept calling her "sister" without any emotion whatsoever.
After the agonizing script reading was completed, the next step was to arrange for filming to begin.
The individual scenes were filmed quickly and the finished product was good. The director gave it a thumbs up and kept saying it was good. However, when it came to the scenes with the two of them together, the more you watched, the more awkward it felt. The two of them seemed to be secretly competing with each other.
"What's going on?" The director thought it was strange and couldn't figure it out.
However, the assistant director disagreed: "Great! Isn't this exactly how siblings get along? They can't stand each other and they're ready to fight at any moment."
These words were like a wake-up call; the director suddenly realized, "Oh, right!" He immediately perked up, "Let's fight! Let's fight!"
Zhuang Yazhi seemed to understand something, "Okay." Since the director had already made the arrangements, she would just do as he said and throw a powerful punch at John.
"Ah!" John let out a scream out of surprise.
The screams that came her way only fueled Zhuang Yazhi's excitement, especially as everyone present cheered her on. She waved her hands and punched with increasing vigor, throwing hooks and hammers, chasing John all over the place.
The situation was so intense that everyone else quickly dodged, fearing they might be accidentally injured.
The day's filming ended with John getting injured.
"Does your hand hurt?" Li Si carefully applied ointment to Zhuang Yazhi's hand joints. "When you make a move, you have to learn to use brute force so that you don't hurt yourself."
"Thank you," I said, "Twisting my joint does hurt a bit."
"The director just called and said he has something to do, so filming has been postponed. Luckily, there's nothing important at the company these days, so I'll film your work schedule until Thursday or Friday. You can rest at home for the next few days."
Also, John is seriously injured and needs to rest for a few days.
"Great!" Zhuang Yazhi stretched and yawned. It would be a good opportunity to spend some time at home with her mother and also visit the Splendid Dynasty.
Although it had been a long time since I had returned to the Su family compound, the aunties there were as warm and welcoming as ever, after all, they had watched Zhuang Yazhi grow up.
"Xiaoya has grown up and is getting prettier and prettier."
"You haven't come back to visit in so long, are you afraid that your embroidery skills will fall behind and you'll be punished by the aunties?"
“Yes,” Zhuang Yazhi’s rare playful side was only shown at the Su family compound.
Looking at this vast embroidered courtyard, beautiful childhood memories resurfaced in my mind.
After getting married, Su Sinan, the mother, often traveled between two places. As the successor, she devoted almost her entire life to Jinxiu Dynasty, hoping to do better and be worthy of the Su family's legacy.
As a child, Zhuang Yazhi was inseparable from her mother, clinging to her like a little follower. Under her influence, she developed a deep understanding of embroidery from a young age and showed great talent. Her first work at the age of 8 sold for millions at auction.
"Mom," Zhuang Yazhi called out as she entered the inner courtyard, but received no response.
An older woman poked her head out from the small window: "It's Xiaoya."
"Grandma Fang, it's been a long time."
Zhuang Yazhi quickly stepped forward and responded warmly. She was the oldest and most senior aunt in the Su family compound, who had dedicated her entire life to the Su family compound.
It had been a long time since I'd seen her. Time had passed, leaving Grandma Fang with only a head of white hair and increasingly frail legs, but her hands, which held the needle, were still warm and strong.
Grandma Fang held Zhuang Yazhi's hand tightly, reluctant to let go. Her bright, kind eyes overflowed with doting affection, practically spilling from the wrinkles around her eyes.
"Your mother went out at noon, saying she was meeting a friend."
Zhuang Yazhi remembers that her mother did not like socializing and going out. She didn't know many people and could be considered friends. If you narrowed it down to the area around the Su family compound, then it was just the Shen family.
After waiting for nearly an hour, Su Sinan, the mother, finally returned, followed by a group of people who were running back and forth at the door helping to carry gifts.
Just as she expected.
In just a short while, Su Sinan had completely switched sides: "I think we've misunderstood that kid from the Shen family. We might have really wronged him. Why don't we find some time to sit down and have a good talk?"
Zhuang Yazhi expressed his disdain for this, saying that he hadn't said that just a couple of days ago.
She didn't agree, and just left it hanging.
In two months, it will be the International Fabric Design Competition. While working hard to meet the deadline, we also need to practice our skills. We all hope to win the championship in the skills competition and shine on the highest stage.
As a descendant of the Su family, Zhuang Yazhi bears not only the responsibility of inheriting skills, but also the reputation of the Splendid Dynasty, and her every move is closely watched.
After staying up late for several nights in a row to design patterns, I look haggard, with big panda eyes around my eyes.
"Hmm~" Zhuang Yazhi breathed a long sigh of relief, still feeling dazed, and before he knew it, another night had passed until dawn.
Just as I was about to take a break, my mother brought me breakfast: "How are you? You must be exhausted."
Zhuang Yazhi stretched lazily with a little coquettishness: "Mommy~"
Su Sinan picked up the design drawings and examined them carefully. While affirming them, she also offered several suggestions for modification.
“In this area, the thread embedding can be done more meticulously, so the overall appearance won’t look heavy.”
"The color treatment in this area can be slightly lighter, with the colors gradually building up."
Zhuang Yazhi listened obediently from the side, but she was so sleepy that she couldn't help but yawn.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just here to deliver breakfast," Su Sinan said with a gentle smile, sitting down to have breakfast with her daughter.
She understood; after all, her mother's eyes would light up whenever she saw textiles, and she was completely captivated by them.
Zhuang Yazhi ate her porridge in small bites. The past few days at the Su family compound had passed by very quickly. She had to rush back to Haicheng tonight.
"I wish I could stay with you for a couple more days." I don't want to leave.
Su Sinan was also reluctant to let him go, and gently coaxed, "Be good, you go back first."
Seeing her daughter's low spirits, she made a firm promise: "Wait two more months, and after I've sorted things out here, I'll go back to Haicheng with you. We'll be together every day, and we won't have to travel between the two places anymore."
"Really?" Zhuang Yazhi became excited, her bright eyes filled with anticipation.
My mother has devoted her whole life to Jinxiu Dynasty, which is nearly 2,000 kilometers away from Haicheng. The family has to travel between the two places and rarely get together.
"Of course, when has Mom ever lied to you?"
Su Sinan said earnestly, "Go home first, Mom will be there shortly."
"It's a promise, no backing out!" She held her mother's hand tightly, her heart pounding with emotion.
In the few days since returning, Zhuang Yazhi's mind has gradually calmed down with the peaceful environment, and she has thought about many things.
But the calmer things seem, the stronger the sense of crisis that wells up inside them.
The suffering in my previous life was so painful that I couldn't breathe.
In this life, she must seize the moment and every opportunity to nip suffering in the bud.
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