Chapter Two: A Stunning First Encounter
1565 Words
The design department was located on the 25th floor of the building. The spacious, brightly lit workspace carried the distinct aroma of coffee and the faint scent of freshly printed fashion magazines. Assistant Wang handed Su Momo over to Li Yuting, the department’s manager—a poised woman in her thirties exuding professionalism and confidence.
“Your workstation is over there,” Li Yuting said curtly, gesturing to a spot by the window. Her eyes flickered with an assessing gaze. “We have a department meeting at 2 p.m. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the team then. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with our latest design projects, especially the details of the Jin Xiu collection.”
Settling into her new desk, Su Momo opened her computer and began reviewing the design files. MK Group was currently preparing for a major product launch centered around the concept of “Oriental Aesthetics.” The collection aimed to blend traditional silk brocade craftsmanship with modern luxury design. From the materials she browsed, it was clear that this was a core project for the company, one with significant stakes.
As she immersed herself in the intricate details of the designs, a quiet commotion rippled through the office. Curious, she looked up and saw Chu Linfeng walking past the design department. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, highlighting his tall, commanding figure and outlining his silhouette like a striking portrait. Clad in a perfectly tailored dark gray suit, his every movement radiated innate elegance and authority.
In that moment, the stern and cold CEO she had met earlier seemed like an entirely different person. Su Momo found herself momentarily entranced until a soft voice pulled her back to reality.
“You must be Su Momo, right? I’m Li Xiaolin; my desk is directly across from yours.” A stylishly dressed young woman greeted her with a warm smile. “I saw you looking at President Chu. Let me give you a piece of advice—don’t pay too much attention to him. Sure, he’s handsome, but he’s notoriously strict. Last year, a designer was sent to the warehouse department over a minor mistake.”
Su Momo’s heart tightened as she recalled her morning encounter with him. Her unease grew, but she managed to maintain her composure. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll be sure to focus on my work.”
“So, how did you end up being hired directly as a designer?” Li Xiaolin leaned in, lowering her voice. “I heard they were recruiting for an assistant position. This kind of thing almost never happens at MK.”
“I’m not really sure…” Su Momo began to explain, but before she could finish, Li Yuting approached her desk.
“Su Momo, President Chu wants to see you,” Li Yuting said, her tone laced with an odd undertone. “He’s waiting in Conference Room 1.”
Not again. Suppressing the rising anxiety in her chest, Su Momo followed Li Yuting to the conference room. When she pushed the door open, she was surprised to see not just Chu Linfeng but also another man, who appeared to be in his early thirties. He was dressed in a bespoke suit and exuded an approachable demeanor, but there was an air of mystery about him.
“This is Vice President Lu Siyuan,” Li Yuting introduced.
Lu Siyuan smiled warmly and nodded at Su Momo. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard great things about your work. During your internship in Paris, your designs received considerable praise, especially that evening gown inspired by Dunhuang murals. It was truly innovative.”
Su Momo was taken aback. That piece had indeed been well-received, but it had only been showcased at a small exhibition. How could Lu Siyuan know such specific details?
“It was just a small exhibition…” she replied modestly.
“Coincidentally, the Jin Xiu collection for the next quarter needs fresh design concepts,” Lu Siyuan interrupted. “I believe Miss Su should be given a chance to lead the accessory designs for this project.”
Li Yuting looked visibly startled. “But this project is currently being handled by Zhang Mingyue…”
“I agree,” Chu Linfeng suddenly spoke, his sharp gaze locking onto Su Momo. “Since some people seem so confident in your abilities, prove them right. I expect to see your complete proposal at the design review meeting in two weeks.”
The underlying chill in Chu Linfeng’s words was unmistakable, but Su Momo met his gaze and nodded firmly. “I’ll do my best.” She knew this wasn’t just an opportunity—it was a test.
After leaving the conference room, Li Yuting stopped her. “Honestly, I’m surprised Vice President Lu recommended you. This project is critical to the company, and Zhang Mingyue has been preparing for it for months. If you need help, feel free to come to me. But…”
“But what?”
“Be careful. At MK, there’s no such thing as goodwill without strings attached.”
When Su Momo returned to her desk, Li Xiaolin immediately leaned over. “Oh my God, you’re so lucky! Getting assigned to such an important project so quickly. But…” She glanced around and lowered her voice further. “I heard Vice President Lu has been very close to Zhang Mingyue lately. She’s the daughter of a renowned jewelry magnate and supposedly has a thing for President Chu. Now that Vice President Lu has suddenly handed her project to you… this doesn’t feel simple.”
Just then, the office fell silent. A stunning woman dressed in a Chanel suit walked in gracefully, heading straight for Chu Linfeng’s office. Her features were flawless, and she exuded an air of sophistication and poise befitting a socialite.
“That’s Zhang Mingyue,” Li Xiaolin whispered. “She often comes to see President Chu, but he’s always cold toward her.”
Watching Zhang Mingyue’s elegant figure disappear into the CEO’s office, Su Momo suddenly received an internal message. It was from Lu Siyuan, inviting her to dinner after work to discuss the project in detail.
She hesitated, unsure whether to accept, when voices from Chu Linfeng’s office drifted out.
“Linfeng, you can’t keep being so distant,” Zhang Mingyue’s voice was soft but carried a hint of grievance. “I know you have issues with relationships, but…”
“Miss Zhang,” Chu Linfeng cut her off coldly, “I’ve told you before—during work hours, we only discuss work.”
“But…”
“If there’s nothing else, please leave.”
The office door suddenly opened, and Zhang Mingyue walked out, only to bump into Su Momo. She paused, her eyes scanning Su Momo before curving into a seemingly polite smile. “You must be the new designer? It seems the company has been favoring newcomers a lot lately.”
With that, she walked away gracefully, but the underlying mockery in her tone sent a chill through Su Momo.
“You’re still here?” Chu Linfeng’s voice called from his office.
“I’m sorry, I’ll leave right away…” Su Momo stammered.
“Wait,” he said, stopping her in her tracks. “Lu Siyuan’s dinner invitation—I know about it.”
She stared at him in surprise. “You… How…”
“Remember, in MK Group, there’s no such thing as a favor without motive.” His gaze deepened. “If you want to prove yourself, focus solely on your designs. As for everything else…” He paused, his tone growing colder. “Don’t be naïve.”
His words struck a chord in Su Momo’s heart. She couldn’t quite grasp the full meaning behind his warning, but it left her unsettled.
When she finally stepped out of the building, night had fallen. Standing by the roadside, she watched the city lights shimmer like stars. The events of the day replayed in her mind—the coffee incident, the sudden promotion, and the unexpected responsibilities. It all felt like a scene from a corporate drama.
Pulling out her phone, she stared at Lu Siyuan’s dinner invitation and recalled Chu Linfeng’s words: Don’t be naïve. She eventually replied with a polite rejection. In this empire of commerce, everyone seemed to wear a mask, playing their part. As for her, she was nothing more than an accidental intruder into this world.
But she had already resolved to face the challenge head-on. Whatever hidden currents lay ahead, she would prove her worth through her work. The rest—the power plays and rivalries—could unravel in due time.
As she turned to leave, her eyes drifted to the brightly lit top floor of the building, where Chu Linfeng’s office stood like a solitary beacon in the night. For reasons she couldn’t explain, a strange emotion stirred within her.
Who was this seemingly cold and distant man? What secrets did he harbor? And what ripple effects would her arrival bring to this empire of luxury?
With those questions lingering in her mind, Su Momo headed home. The night wind brushed through her hair, carrying away some of her confusion. At the very least, she now knew what she had to do—give her all and create her best designs.
That was the only answer she could offer.
- Writer
