The Cold-Faced CEO's Unparalleled Warm Wife

UntitleChapter Three: The Game of Powerd Episode

Morning, MK Group Design Department.

Su Momo arrived at the office early, ready to dive into the preparation of the Jin Xiu collection’s design proposal. The sudden weight of this responsibility left her feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Determined not to squander the opportunity, she pooled together every ounce of inspiration she had accumulated over the years.

“You’re surprisingly early,” a cold, sharp voice interrupted her thoughts. Su Momo turned around to find Zhang Mingyue leaning casually against her desk. Her makeup was impeccable, and her smile carried an undertone of disdain.

“Miss Zhang,” Su Momo greeted politely, rising from her chair.

Zhang Mingyue sauntered closer, her heels clicking softly against the floor. “I heard Lu Siyuan handed over the accessory designs for Jin Xiu to you. Quite a… bold decision, wouldn’t you say?” There was a trace of mockery in her voice. “But enthusiasm alone doesn’t make a good designer.”

“I will do my best,” Su Momo replied calmly.

“Do your best?” Zhang Mingyue chuckled. “Do you even realize what this collection means to MK? It’s tied to the company’s strategic expansion into the international market. Do you really think a rookie like you can shoulder such a responsibility?”

Before Su Momo could respond, Lu Siyuan’s voice rang out behind them. “Now, Miss Zhang, that’s hardly fair. After all, it’s precisely because she’s new that she brings fresh, innovative ideas, don’t you think?”

Zhang Mingyue’s expression froze for a moment before she quickly regained her composure, flashing an elegant smile. “You’re absolutely right, Vice President Lu. Let’s see what she can do.” With that, she turned and walked away gracefully.

“Don’t mind her. That’s just her personality,” Lu Siyuan reassured Su Momo. “By the way, since we missed our chance to talk about the project yesterday, how about lunch today?”

“Sorry, Vice President Lu…” Su Momo hesitated.

“Just call me Lu Siyuan,” he interrupted.

“Vice President Lu, I’d prefer to focus on the design proposal for now,” she said tactfully.

Lu Siyuan didn’t seem surprised. “Fair enough. But if you encounter any challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.”

As Lu Siyuan walked away, Li Xiaolin immediately leaned in. “Wow, you’ve got guts, rejecting Vice President Lu twice.”

“Why do you think he’s being so… enthusiastic toward me?” Su Momo asked, half to herself.

Li Xiaolin lowered her voice. “Rumor has it that Vice President Lu has been trying to gain more influence on the board. With the company about to undergo major personnel changes, maybe he’s…”

“Su Momo.” A deep male voice interrupted their conversation. Su Momo turned to see Chu Linfeng standing in the office, his expression unreadable. “Come to my office.”

Inside his spacious office, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow on the minimalist yet luxurious decor.

“How is the Jin Xiu collection proposal coming along?” Chu Linfeng asked directly.

“I’m exploring traditional brocade patterns and experimenting with ways to translate them into modern accessory designs,” Su Momo replied, pulling out a few hand-drawn sketches. “These are some of my preliminary ideas.”

Taking the sketches, Chu Linfeng examined them carefully. The designs, imbued with a distinctly oriental charm yet infused with modern aesthetics, made his sharp features soften slightly. “Interesting. But…” He paused, his voice turning stern. “Do you understand why this project is so important?”

“It’s tied to the company’s strategy for entering the international market, isn’t it?” she ventured.

“It’s more than that,” he said, walking to the window. “MK has secured its place in the domestic luxury market, but internationally, we’re still seen as nothing more than an ‘Eastern manufacturer.’ This collection is our chance to showcase the true power of Chinese design.”

Hearing this, Su Momo suddenly understood. “So, it’s not just a product line—it’s…”

“It’s a ticket into the global market,” he finished, turning to face her. His gaze was sharp. “Now do you see why I said this project shouldn’t have been handed to you?”

“President Chu, I know I lack experience, but I believe—”

“Believe what?” he cut her off. “That passion alone is enough to carry you through? You’re too naïve.”

Su Momo clenched her fists. “Yes, I am naïve. But it’s exactly that naivety that allows me to think boldly and act fearlessly. During my internship in Paris, I realized that many international brands only use Chinese elements superficially, without a deeper understanding of our culture. That’s where my strength lies.”

Her words gave Chu Linfeng pause. After a moment of silence, he walked to his desk and pulled out a file. “This is the proposal Zhang Mingyue prepared. Take a look.”

Su Momo flipped through the pages. Zhang Mingyue’s designs were undoubtedly polished and professional, but there was a lack of originality—they felt overly safe and predictable.

“Do you see the problem?” Chu Linfeng asked.

“They’re… too safe,” Su Momo said thoughtfully. “While technically flawless, they lack the kind of innovation that would truly captivate an international audience. What we need are designs that stand out and surprise people.”

His eyes darkened slightly. “Do you know why Lu Siyuan chose you for this project?”

“I…”

“Because your résumé perfectly fits his narrative. Your Paris internship, your awards, and your impressive portfolio—it’s all ammunition for him. If you succeed, he’ll take credit for discovering you. If you fail…” He gave her a meaningful look. “It won’t cost him anything.”

The weight of his words hit her like a stone. The complexity of the power plays within the company was becoming increasingly clear.

“And you?” she asked bravely. “Why did you agree to let me handle this project?”

For a moment, his expression softened, though he seemed unaware of it. “Perhaps… I want to see what kind of miracle you’re capable of.”

Just then, the office door opened, and Lu Siyuan entered. “President Chu, the board meeting has been moved up to now.”

“Understood.” Gathering his files, Chu Linfeng turned to Su Momo before leaving. “Remember, this isn’t a game.”

That evening, the design department emptied out, but Su Momo stayed late, engrossed in refining her ideas. A call with her former mentor, Jean de Vienne, had sparked a flood of inspiration. She was eager to bring her new concepts to life.

“You’re still here?” a familiar voice startled her. She turned to see Chu Linfeng standing behind her.

“President Chu? You’re still at the office?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he replied, stepping closer to her desk. His eyes scanned the designs on her computer screen. “New ideas?”

Nodding enthusiastically, she began explaining, “I’m deconstructing traditional brocade patterns and reconstructing them using modern geometric forms. This way, we preserve the oriental essence while giving it a futuristic edge. Look here…” She pointed to her sketches. “The phoenix motif can be reimagined like this—fragmented and reassembled. It feels both familiar and avant-garde.”

As she spoke, her excitement shone through, and she forgot entirely who she was talking to. For his part, Chu Linfeng listened intently, his expression softening ever so slightly.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway, breaking the moment. Both turned to see Lu Siyuan and Zhang Mingyue entering the office.

“Working late?” Lu Siyuan asked with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Zhang Mingyue, elegantly holding Lu Siyuan’s arm, cast Su Momo a pointed look. “It seems Miss Su is very… dedicated.”

The atmosphere grew tense. Chu Linfeng’s expression turned cold. “I was just checking on progress,” he said curtly before leaving, though his gaze lingered on Su Momo for a moment longer.

“Miss Su, care to join us for a late-night snack?” Lu Siyuan offered. “We could discuss the project.”

“Thank you, Vice President Lu, but I’d like to focus on completing my design ideas,” Su Momo declined politely.

Zhang Mingyue chuckled. “So diligent. Could it be you’re trying to impress President Chu?”

“No,” Su Momo replied firmly, meeting her gaze. “I just want to do my job well.”

After everyone had left, Su Momo stayed behind, poring over the old photos and sketches that Assistant Wang had handed her earlier. They were designs created by Chairman Chu in his youth, and they exuded a timeless brilliance.

“Why would President Chu show me these?” she asked.

Assistant Wang had replied cryptically, “Perhaps he sees something special in you. Did you know the Jin Xiu collection was originally Chairman Chu’s idea?”

This revelation only deepened her resolve. Hours later, as dawn approached, Su Momo finally completed the initial draft of her new design proposal. The sketches on her screen shimmered with the essence of authentic oriental beauty, reimagined for the modern world.

Looking at her work, she smiled to herself. This was more than just a project—it was her answer to everything. Whatever challenges awaited her, she was ready.

4o