“But Lin Xinghuo has already established herself in the entertainment industry for a very long time; in fact, she has received the Best Actress Award before. Shu Guo’er grasped this point well, and you must have tried understanding Lin Xinghuo thoroughly beforehand. However… there’s a strong sense of imitation here. Parts of her skirt and waist are quite similar to the evening dress she has worn before. Shu Guo’er, in our industry, it’s fine to refer to other designs for inspiration, but we can’t imitate.”
When Shu Guo’er heard that, the color drained from her fair cheeks. “I-It must have been a coincidence. I…”
Han Muzi continued with her feedback. “Xiao Yiyi’s design concept is not bad, but you are limiting yourself to your past styles. As for Leng Yueyue…”
Leng Yueyue straightened her back while meeting Han Muzi’s gaze with defiance.
Han Muzi smiled faintly while commenting, “In general, the design is good, but the problem here is that there are careless mistakes, and you didn’t take into account many details.”
Leng Yueyue almost lost her cool when she heard that.
“You!”
“Whereas Li Junfeng—”
“Stop!” Li Junfeng cut her off suddenly while meeting Han Muzi’s gaze with a smile.
“Miss Muzi, my empress Muzi, I’ve confirmed that you are a pro after listening to your feedback. Please leave some dignity for us men and don’t continue with your comments.”
Han Muzi pondered before looking at the last seat at the table.
“Where’s Lin Zheng?”
That youth’s work was the only one she was happy with. However… his artwork is too dark, and although it looks magnificent and has an unmistakable presence… there’s a sense of suppression in the design.
It must be related to his personality.
“Lin Zheng didn’t show up for work today,” Xiao Yiyi answered hastily for Lin Zheng. “I think something family-related came up.”
“Has he reported it?”
“Yes!” Xiao Yiyi answered in a hurry. “I helped him type out the report once I arrived at work in the morning.”
Yan nodded. “That’s true. I just forgot to inform you.”
Han Muzi acknowledged it before gathering her documents again.
“If you don’t need me to continue with my feedback, I’m sure you guys know how to proceed with your designs.”
Apart from Li Junfeng and Wang An, who felt embarrassed, Zhang Yu was most probably the most upset. She clenched her fists tightly in her seat while shooting daggers at Han Muzi.
“I’m sure that everybody knows that we need this evening gown urgently. So until I’m satisfied with your draft, everyone shall stay on today to work overtime.”
Nobody replied to her, but their reluctance was palpable.
“Meeting is adjourned.”
Zhang Yu lost her temper once Han Muzi left the room!
“Damn her! Who does she think she is? There she was, giving us so much feedback! I wonder if she knows her stuff or she was just pretending!”
Leng Yueyue glanced at her and felt dumbstruck. “She was right, though. You didn’t even try understanding Lin Xinghuo’s previous styles, I assume. Just look at how many years she’s been in the industry, and she’s even received a Best Actress Award. Here you were, designing a girly dress for her. That’s foolish of you.”
“I…” Zhang Yu noticed Shu Guo’er, who was flushed red in the face, and so she went ahead to provoke her. “No matter how badly designed my work turned out, it’s my design. At least I’m not like someone else… who’s so bad that she has to imitate another designer.”
Shu Guo’er’s lips turned pale the moment she heard that, and her fair hands gripped her draft tightly while she bit her lower lip hard.
Shu Guo’er turned around suddenly and shot Zhang Yu an eerie stare.
“My work merely coincided with someone else’s design. Meanwhile, you are so useless that you can’t even produce any good designs. Do you think you have the right to condemn me?”
With that, without waiting for a reply from Zhang Yu, Shu Guo’er picked her folder up and dashed out of the conference room.
Li Junfeng sighed helplessly. “Sigh…”
After that, he got up and went after her.
…
Han Muzi just arrived in her office with the stack of documents. She started massaging her throbbing forehead after sitting down. Honestly, these people are so…
Yan brought a cup of coffee for her while complaining, “They are supposedly the best, but each one of them has nothing to show for in their work. Aren’t they a disappointment?”
Han Muzi glanced at Yan when she heard that before explaining patiently, “I know they are the best in the field because I’ve seen their work from the past. Zhang Yu’s design has a bubbly and energetic style; meanwhile, Shu Guo’er lacks creativity, and that’s why she tends to get her inspirations from other designers’ work. On the other hand, Leng Yueyue is rather careless, and she’s not good with details. Li Junfeng’s personal style is too strong, and as for Xiao Yiyi… she is similar to Zhang Yu. To be fair, their styles are obvious. Not to mention Wang An, who’s not good at details as well. But Lin Zheng… He’s not here since he took the day off today. He is too frosty, and I feel there’s something off with his personal design…”
With that, Han Muzi placed her cup of the coffee down and took Lin Zheng’s draft out again before scanning it meticulously.
“Isn’t it quite strange? The entire design feels intricate, but each part feels somewhat inhibited.”
Han Muzi nodded when she heard that, and she got lost in her thoughts. “I’m guessing that it has something to do with his past.”
“What past?”
Just then, Han Muzi’s phone on the table started ringing, and she checked the display screen before answering the phone call.
“Hello, good day to you.”
It was Lin Qingqing phoning her. Lin Qingqing was smiling shyly on the other end of the line while speaking into the phone. “I’m sorry to be phoning you so early in the morning, Shelly. I hope I’m not bothering you.”
Early? Han Muzi checked the time and realized that after their meeting, it was almost noon now.
She most probably just got out of bed.
Han Muzi answered with a soft tone when she thought of that, “No worries, Miss Lin. We provide 24/7 customer service.”
“Well, I thought of some elements, and I’d like to have them added to my evening gown. Are you free in the afternoon?”
Afternoon? Han Muzi nodded with a reply. “Of course. I’m available.”
“Great, in that case, let’s meet at 2PM. I’ll send you the location later.”
Yan asked in confusion after Han Muzi hung up on the call, “Was it Lin Qingqing again?”
“Mm-hmm, she wants to meet me to chat about the evening gown.”
“Oh, in that case, I’ll be off to continue with my work.”
…
On the other side, after Lin Qingqing ended the phone call, she couldn’t help but take the invitation out of the box on the table.
It was an invitation to a business banquet, and there was still a long time before the banquet date. I heard that Ye Moxuan will be there at the banquet as well. If I wear a dress I like and show up at the banquet, I’m sure he’ll be smitten with me.
Just when she was lost in her thoughts, Mrs. Lin pushed the door open and entered suddenly.
“Qingqing, what are you doing?”
“Mom?” Lin Qingqing shoved the invitation back into the box hastily before standing up while grabbing her mobile phone.
Mrs. Lin looked at her helplessly, seeing that she was still in her pajamas. Then, she reached out and flicked a finger at her forehead while scolding, “Did you just get out of bed? Quick, go and freshen up. Aunty Song is here.”
“Aunty Song is here?” Lin Qingqing’s eyes shone brightly at the mention of Song An’s name, and she immediately lowered her face shyly. “Well…”
Mrs. Lin obviously knew what her daughter had in mind, and she replied with a grin, “She’s here so you and him can meet.”
Can I meet with Ye Moxuan again?
