A lunch made Xue Xiaoqi and Yan Kun feel extremely nervous.
"The food in this Chinese restaurant is really good," she said with an awkward smile, trying to break the embarrassing atmosphere.
"Ahaha, yes. We can consider having our company dinners here in the future," he said, following her hint and seizing the opportunity to ease the tension.
"The restaurant was specially recommended by Bo Jingyu. How could it be bad?" Shen Ximan said as she sipped her soup, feeling warm inside.
"What else did he say? Was it something about me and Zhongshi Oil? I just reached an agreement with Shen Shiyu this morning, and the news has already spread by noon. Isn't that a bit too fast?" she said with a smile, looking at the two scared people in front of her.
"Ah? Who is it? Such a person should be severely punished!" Yan Kun frowned and said vaguely. "President Wen, you must find out who it is, interrogate them thoroughly, and then fire them!"
Xue Xiaoqi blushed with shame. Under the table, she tugged at his collar, trying to signal him to stop talking.
But who would have thought that he was getting carried away!
"In ancient times, such betrayal would have been punishable by beheading! How could they leak such important information... Hey, stop pulling my clothes," Yan Kun said, giving her an annoyed look.
"Can't you let President Wen enjoy her meal in peace? Look at you! You've even spat out rice grains. It's so impolite!" Xue Xiaoqi tried to change the subject.
"Ah... You're right. I'm sorry. I'll clean it up later," he said, scratching his head with a silly smile.
Shen Ximan saw through their act but didn't say anything. She simply let it go.
"Take a break after lunch. We'll start working on the winter collection this afternoon. Once the promotional copy is ready, we can start soliciting submissions online."
"Solicit submissions?" Yan Kun and Xue Xiaoqi looked at each other in surprise.
"Don't we have professional designers in our company? Why do we need to solicit submissions online?"
Shen Ximan picked up the tablet beside her and quickly pulled up the news.
"A new batch of students from Yancheng University has graduated. We need fresh blood, not just rely on our old designers. If it weren't for the pressure from Bo's factory regarding the autumn collection, those old-timers would have dragged their feet even longer. It's good to have some new people to motivate them. The competition in the domestic market is so fierce. If we want to stay on top, we need to find other ways to strengthen our position."
Xue Xiaoqi nodded in shame. "President Wen is right."
"As the head of the design department, I've rarely participated in the design of new products since I won the international design award from Kerima. I've been too lazy in this regard. I apologize to you."
"I'll sort out all the applicants by tonight and give you a final report. I won't let you down."
Shen Ximan nodded in satisfaction. "I believe you."
"What do I need to do?" Yan Kun asked softly, still a bit confused.
"You need to prepare the relevant materials for the trip to Victoria Island next month. President Su from Su's Entertainment will also be there. You'll need to coordinate with her."
"Okay!"
"By the way," Shen Ximan said as they were about to leave. "From tomorrow on, you'll be in charge of Ahairei. Unless there's something that absolutely requires my involvement, don't contact me."
She had finally managed to infiltrate Zhongshi Oil. She wasn't going to give up now.
If she was going to do something, she was going to do it all the way!
Shen Shiyu skipped back to the apartment like a happy bird.
"Dad, Mom, let's pack our things quickly."
Yang Wan came out of the bedroom wearing a shiny shawl.
"Pack our things? What for?"
Shen Yuliang followed closely behind, lovingly playing with the purple clay teapot in his hand. "This treasure is so beautiful. I love it so much."
"Did you take my keys?"
The clothes and tea sets in their hands were the same ones Shen Shiyu had seen in Wen Jinrui's apartment. She was sure of it.
"Come on, we just borrowed them. We'll return them," he said as he lit a cigarette and hummed a tune while looking for tea leaves.
"That's right," Yang Wan said as she twisted her body in front of the floor-length mirror. "Lao Liang, do you think this shawl goes well with my red dress?"
"..." The butler, Liang, had been caught red-handed and was as cautious as a mouse. He didn't dare to say a word except to nod and bow.
"That stuff belongs to Ruirui! You should put them back right away!" Shen Shiyu stamped her foot in anger and wanted to snatch the things back.
"Hiss? Why are you being so unreasonable? Don't you remember who worked hard to repair the dress and the diamond ring you damaged last time?" Shen Yuliang glared at her.
Yang Wan looked a bit embarrassed. "It wasn't on purpose..."
"Forget it. I don't want to argue with you. Give me the keys back."
She pouted, on the verge of losing her temper.
Shen Shiyu's temper was well-known to them.
"Okay, okay. Don't be angry, my dear daughter."
Shen Yuliang smiled and handed her the keys. He spent a long time trying to calm her down.
After all, he doted on his eldest daughter the most.
"I've already booked the tickets. You should pack your things quickly."
Yang Wan was stunned. "Where are we going?"
"Of course, we're going to Victoria Island. Ruirui will take care of the company for me. I can take this opportunity to relax."
Shen Shiyu stood with her hands on her hips and laughed brightly.
"I've also hired bodyguards to protect our safety at all times."
"You're handing the company over to an outsider? No way. Absolutely not!"
Shen Yuliang was immediately against it. He sat down on the sofa angrily.
"She's not an outsider! Ruirui has helped us so much. She lent us money and introduced me to various social events. Moreover, she promised me that I'll get half of the profits from the commercial building built on the villa's land. Only a fool would turn down such a good deal."
Yang Wan jumped up and down in excitement. "Half! Oh my god, we're going to be rich!"
She excitedly hugged Shen Yuliang's cheek and kissed him hard. "Husband, we're going to be rich! President Wen is our lucky star!"
"Really? She'll really give us half?"
His determination wavered.
"Of course it's true. Ruirui and I are good friends. She even entrusted her apartment to me. What's wrong with letting her manage the company for a few days? Maybe she'll even land a few big deals. Si Ming praised me for it!"
Shen Shiyu laughed proudly and complacently. "I heard that there's an international fashion show on Victoria Island next month. We can go and have some fun."
"What are we waiting for? Let's pack our things and go now!"
The three members of the Shen family were leisurely strolling in Yancheng one hour ago. The next hour, they were sitting in the first-class cabin of the plane, dressed in designer clothes and covered in jewelry, looking forward to the next ten days of fun.
Little did Shen Shiyu know that in just these ten days, when she returned, everything would change completely.
Friends, money, status, and even her lover would all turn out to be illusions.