Chapter 449: The Fuse

5:50 AM.

The sound of the alarm clock drifted gently in the clean and crowded bedroom.

Yao Lingling opened her eyes slowly, her eyelashes trembling, and the next second she sat up abruptly.

There were 10 minutes left until sunrise, the sky outside the window was already dyed with a layer of hazy morning glow, and the room was still dim.

Turning on the small night light on the bedside table, she spaced out for a while, her thoughts gradually clearing up.

Yao Lingling picked up the phone beside the pillow, glanced at today's weather forecast, and just opened WeChat.

An unread message entered her sight.

【Tang Song: "Come on, Designer Lingling!"】

The sending time was 5:30 AM.

Yao Lingling's fingertips paused slightly, a bright smile appearing on her face, and her whole person became energetic.

According to her understanding, at this time point, Senior had just woken up.

That is to say, the first thing he did after waking up was to send her a WeChat message.

Clicking on the chat box, her fingertips danced briskly on the screen.

【Lingling: "(≧≦) Thank you Senior for the encouragement!"】

【Lingling: "Today is September 13, sunny, autumn is crisp and refreshing, the outfit suggestions are as follows..."】

After sending the message, she put the phone aside, stepped on the cool floor with bare feet, and gently pulled open the curtains.

Taking a deep breath, feeling the refreshing crispness unique to autumn, her whole person seemed to have been applied with an "excitement buff."

The Yan Province International Fashion Exhibition officially opened today.

You know, those who could attend were all industry experts, media masters, and government leaders.

Next, it was time for her, Designer Lingling, to show her face!

Yao Lingling picked up the "Tang Song Sketch" drawn by hand on the table, kissed it in the air, twisted her waist and hips, and walked toward the bathroom humming a song.

Going to the bathroom, washing up, putting on makeup...

Changing into a capable and fashionable professional suit, Yao Lingling came to the second bedroom.

"Bang bang bang—" She knocked on the door forcefully, saying loudly: "Damn Minmin, are you packed?"

"Wait a while!"

The door was pulled open, and Li Shumin, who was wearing a mask, walked out, looking at the energetic Yao Lingling, smiling and giving a thumbs up: "Too dashing, beautiful!"

"Hehe, you really know how to talk." Yao Lingling patted her shoulder satisfactorily. "Hurry up and pack your things, we have to go to the exhibition hall to check first, and then I'll go to the opening ceremony."

"So envious." Li Shumin pouted. "I also want to attend, heard there are several big internet celebrities at the ten-million level, really want to go and join in the fun."

Yao Lingling shrugged. "I really can't help with this, I'll take a few more photos for you when the time comes."

Shangya Fashion Design only had 6 designers who could attend the opening ceremony.

The reason she had this qualification was mainly because her work was going to participate in the catwalk segment.

8:00 AM, the entrance of the Yancheng International Convention and Exhibition Center was already crowded, mostly staff from clothing companies.

After showing their temporary work permits, the two entered the exhibition site smoothly.

The air was filled with a faint perfume scent and the fragrance of fresh flowers, and the entire venue was full of fashion and vitality.

The huge center hall was neatly divided into exhibition booths.

Each booth was carefully designed, with lighting, decoration, and display each having its own characteristics.

The sound of high heels, the noisy sound of walkie-talkies, and the occasional shouting connected into one, filling the tense atmosphere.

"Good morning, Sister Xuan!"

"Morning, Lingling."

Her smooth promotion to designer back then also had Peng Xinlei's help.

Passing through the bustling crowd, the two greeted each other and walked into the clothing display area of the booth.

As a well-known local clothing design enterprise, Shangya's position was very good, located in the core area.

Looking at the new Chinese-style women's clothing designed by herself hanging on the rack, Yao Lingling was full of joy in her eyes.

Li Shumin pulled her good sister's arm, sighing: "Too beautiful, looking forward to the picture of the model wearing it walking on the T-stage!"

"You'll see it this afternoon, hehe."

Li Shumin nodded vigorously. "Next, just wait for our big designer Lingling to go on stage to receive the award."

Yao Lingling smiled playfully, just about to say something, when a cold voice suddenly came from her ear: "Yao Lingling, Li Shumin!"

Yao Lingling and Li Shumin turned around and saw Liang Jiani, who had a serious expression and arms crossed.

"Sister Liang." "Sister Liang."

Liang Jiani's eyebrows raised, her voice raised an octave: "Go over and help tidy up, don't waste time here."

"Alright, Sister Liang." Yao Lingling was still smiling, as if she didn't hear the thorn in her words, pulling Li Shumin's sleeve and walking toward the negotiation area.

Looking at the clothes on the exhibition rack, then looking at Yao Lingling's back, a flash of playfulness and expectation flashed in Liang Jiani's eyes.

After walking a bit further away, Li Shumin bit her lip and complained in a low voice: "This old witch is just jealous of you! Deliberately looking for trouble for us."

"It's fine, let's just hide." Yao Lingling comforted her in a low voice and began to get busy.

Regarding Liang Jiani's temper, Yao Lingling knew it too well.

After all, since joining the company, she had always been Liang Jiani's assistant, helping her run around, doing all kinds of dirty and tiring work, and occasionally having to take the blame and be scolded.

Later, she, this assistant, suddenly "soared into the sky," becoming a lead designer on equal footing with her.

Liang Jiani had always been very aggrieved in her heart, often making sarcastic remarks and finding opportunities to suppress her.

Especially for this international fashion exhibition, Yao Lingling's work would represent the "Qimeng brand" to participate in the catwalk show, and she herself would also attend the opening ceremony as a designer representative.

While Liang Jiani lost to other colleagues in the internal competition and only had the qualification to participate in the exhibition.

Her mentality was simply about to explode.

Yao Lingling didn't want to provoke her, so she could only walk around her.

The Porsche 911, like a silver lightning, drove out of the underground garage lightly.

The car body reflected a faint light under the morning sun, as if plated with a layer of faint gold edge.

Lin Empress Mu Xue's fingers tapped the steering wheel lightly, saying casually: "When we get to the venue, you must not talk nonsense."

"Hmm hmm, I know!" Xu Ning nodded vigorously, tidying the collar of her suit.

This was the first time she wore a formal suit, very unaccustomed.

Lin Empress Mu Xue turned around and swept a glance at her, somewhat helpless: "If it weren't for not having a suitable candidate, I really wouldn't want to bring you, no presence at all. Forget

Xu Ning smiled with some embarrassment, "Alright, President Lin!"

Hearing her form of address, the corners of Lin Empress Mu Xue's mouth couldn't help but lift slightly.

She was attending this event alongside Jiang Yanbin in her capacity as a senior executive of Rongliu Capital, acting as a representative of the organizers, and would be receiving high-ranking government officials and prominent entrepreneurs.

Naturally, she needed a secretary by her side to carry her bag and collect business cards.

While there were people in the Rongliu Capital administrative office she could dispatch, she was essentially out here on "private business," and even intended to arrogantly suppress Wen Qiuyue; naturally, she didn't want other colleagues to know about this, lest it reach Tang Song's ears.

If there were an opportunity in the future, she could mention it to Tang Song and hire another secretary under her to assist with her work.

Thinking of this, Lin Empress Mu Xue couldn't help but start indulging in wild fantasies.

Hehe, that Shen Yu Yan would be quite good.

She had always been prying into her work content, so having her serve as her secretary would be just right.

Although she felt some repulsion toward Shen Yu Yan deep down, Lin Empress Mu Xue had to admit that this woman was exceptionally smart and also possessed high standards.

Ordering her around to do chores every day and occasionally bringing her out would also be quite impressive.

Soon, the car drove into the parking lot of the Yancheng International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The two got out of the car, and Xu Ning helped Lin Empress Mu Xue carry her Hermès Birkin, a hint of trepidation flashing in her eyes as she looked at the magnificent building before her.

According to Seeing Xiao Xue, today's event was grand, and provincial leaders would be attending.

Glancing at Xu Ning beside her, Lin Empress Mu Xue suddenly said, "Xu Ning, you've been staying at my place for almost two months now, right?"

"Ah!" Xu Ning's face turned pale, and she said nervously, "Ye... yes, almost. Seeing Xiao Xue, are you trying to kick me out?"

She hadn't earned a single cent yet.

Even with the scattered living expenses Lin Empress Mu Xue had given her, totaling over a thousand, there wasn't much left.

Plus, with a mountain of debt, she truly couldn't afford to rent an apartment.

Of course, she was also very reluctant to leave the luxurious living environment of the Lanfeng International Apartments.

"Hehe." Lin Empress Mu Xue rolled her eyes at her in annoyance. "In two days, I'll rent a one-bedroom apartment for you at Lanfeng International Apartments through the company's channels. You move over there; I'll cover the rent for now. You're always hanging around my place, and my boyfriend feels awkward coming over to sleep."

Lanfeng International Hotel and the apartments were originally assets of the Yunxi Building, and the executives of both sides were very familiar with each other.

With her current status and position, as long as she said a word to the hotel side, getting an apartment would be easy, and the rent could be ignored.

Although she wouldn't dare use her position for personal gain, helping a friend rent a 40-plus square meter apartment was nothing at all.

Xu Ning instantly breathed a sigh of relief, beaming with joy, "Oh, oh, so I'm still staying there? That's great. I'll definitely pay you back once I earn money. Thank you, Seeing Xiao Xue."

"Forget it, just focus on helping me manage Snow Sugar Culture."

As the two talked, they arrived at a small side door of the convention center.

"President Lin!" "President Lin!"

Several voices filled with respect suddenly rang out.

Xu Ning's heart tightened as she saw four staff members in uniforms and wearing work badges walk quickly toward them.

"President Lin, I am Zhou Chi from Meigou. Chairman Jiang asked me to wait for you here."

"Oh, hello Secretary Zhou, Chairman Jiang has already told me." Lin Empress Mu Xue nodded slightly, her tone relaxed, "Let's go in."

Soon, surrounded by the group, Lin Empress Mu Xue strode into the convention center.

Because there were many participating companies and the personnel were complex, the opening ceremony was held in the internal conference center.

After walking for a few minutes, the group went straight to the luxuriously decorated VIP waiting area.

Since there was still a long time before the start, there weren't many people in the VIP area, only some executives from the organizers and co-organizers.

Just then, a middle-aged man around 40 walked over quickly and said loudly in Mandarin with an accent, "President Lin, good morning."

Beside him followed quite a few well-dressed men and women with strong auras.

Lin Empress Mu Xue wore a polite smile on her face, her tone light, "Good morning, Chairman Jiang."

Jiang Yanbin introduced enthusiastically, "This is our Rongliu Capital's Chief Assistant, Ms. Lin Empress Mu Xue.

President Lin, this is Director Sun Yun of the Yancheng Commerce Bureau...

This is the President of the Yan Province Textile and Garment Industry Association, Mr. Zhang Wenshuo..."

"Hello, Director Sun."

"Hello, Ms. Lin."

Looking at Seeing Xiao Xue's tall and "imposing" back, Xu Ning's throat felt dry, and her eyelids twitched.

Although she had heard the scale was very high, she hadn't expected it to be this high.

And these big leaders all seemed particularly polite to Seeing Xiao Xue.

After some enthusiastic pleasantries.

Lin Empress Mu Xue took her "secretary" Xu Ning and sat down on a sofa in the lounge area.

Soon, staff brought over steaming hot tea.

Lin Empress Mu Xue lowered her head to sip the tea while checking the time.

A smile of anticipation appeared on her face.

Wen Qiuyue, you stinking bitch!

It's time for you to get to know me all over again!

Hahaha!

...... At the clothing exhibition hall.

A colleague with whom she had a good relationship patted Yao Lingling on the shoulder, "Lingling, stop working. Aren't you attending the opening ceremony? It's time to go over and prepare to sign in and enter."

"Oh, oh, alright." Yao Lingling hurriedly put down her work, picked up her bag, said goodbye to Li Shumin, and walked quickly toward the outside.

After walking a few steps, she saw Liang Jiani also follow out, keeping a distance neither too far nor too close.

Yao Lingling pretended not to see her, lowered her head, and arrived at the east side of the exhibition hall, taking the elevator straight to the 2nd floor.

After passing through a large door, a gorgeous red carpet appeared on the ground.

On the LED screens on both sides, precautions for the meeting and exhibition introductions were playing on a loop.

At the end of the red carpet was the sign-in area.

Although there was still a long time before the start, some people had already gathered.

Yao Lingling tidied her hair and collar, and walked over quickly.

!

She waited in line for a while.

When it was almost her turn, Yao Lingling took out the temporary work permit issued by the organizers.

On it was a QR code representing personal information, which was also their invitation to attend this opening ceremony.

After queuing for a while, it was finally her turn.

She presented the QR code for scanning, and a red message popped up.

【You do not have entry permission for this event, please contact the organizer for verification】

The staff at the sign-in desk reminded her politely, "Sorry, you are not on the invitation list for this opening ceremony."

"This..." Yao Lingling said with a face full of anxiety, "I am a designer participating in this exhibition, how could I not be on it? Did something go wrong?"

As she spoke, she put the QR code up again.

It was still the "no permission" prompt.

Feeling the strange gazes around her, her face turned red and hot instantly, and she muttered anxiously to herself, "This... shouldn't be... our leader said before that my information had already been recorded."

The staff member reached out politely, "Please wait to the side, we will verify it for you again later."

"Okay, thank you." Yao Lingling hurriedly moved to the side, a layer of fine sweat seeping out on her forehead from anxiety.

In order to gain the recognition of her colleagues and fearing that others would have too many opinions.

She had specifically arrived at the exhibition site early to help out.

Other qualified designers had already entered in groups, and there were still 40 minutes left before the opening ceremony began.

Now that such a big problem had suddenly occurred, it would be troublesome if it couldn't be solved.

Just then, her shoulder was suddenly bumped.

Yao Lingling turned her head and saw Liang Jiani walk straight past her.

She arrived at the sign-in desk, presented her QR code, and walked into the turnstile.

Noticing her astonished gaze, Liang Jiani showed a cold smile on her face, "Yao Lingling, you'd better confirm with your leader to see if there were any changes you weren't notified about."

Hearing this, Yao Lingling's heart skipped a beat.

Each company had a limited number of spots for the opening ceremony; the fact that Liang Jiani, who was originally not on the list, could enter meant that someone had been bumped.

She wasn't stupid, and immediately thought of herself.

But how could this be possible?

She hadn't received any news, and her leader Xiao Mingxuan hadn't mentioned it either.

Yao Lingling pursed her lips tightly and asked anxiously, "Sister Liang, do you know what's going on?"

Liang Jiani just looked at her mockingly and didn't speak.

Yao Lingling let out a breath, took out her phone, found Xiao Mingxuan's number, and dialed it directly.

"Beep, beep, beep—" The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.

Yao Lingling stood at the entrance of the passage, watching the gradually increasing flow of people, her face turning pale.

She didn't know what had happened, but she felt uneasy.

"Lingling?" A gentle and surprised voice suddenly sounded from behind her.

Accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps.

Liang Jiani raised her eyebrows, looked up in the direction the voice came from, and her expression paused slightly.

Walking toward this side was a very sexy woman.

Her figure was tall and voluptuous, her gaze confident and bright, and she was wearing a dark blue suit, her makeup and attire very exquisite and fashionable.

Behind her followed two people dressed as assistants, one male and one female.

The whole person looked full of aura, showing elegance and composure.

Yao Lingling was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly greeted, "Sister Wen Ruan."

"Hmm." Wen Ruan looked at the expression on her face and asked with concern, "Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine." Yao Lingling bit her lip and lowered her head to hide her panic.

Wen Ruan raised her eyebrows slightly and affectionately took her hand, "What's wrong? Tell your sister."

With her emotional intelligence and IQ, Yao Lingling, a little sister who had just left campus, couldn't hide any worries at all.

"I..." Feeling the warmth of the big sister, Yao Lingling was silent for a moment before whispering, "Our company is an exhibiting enterprise for this clothing exhibition. I was originally invited to attend this opening ceremony, but scanning the code just now showed I didn't have permission. It's okay, Sister Wen Ruan, I'll call my leader and see if I can resolve it."

"Oh? Is there a problem with the invitation?" Wen Ruan smiled and touched her head, "It's okay, I'll help you solve it."

Yao Lingling was stunned, then hurriedly said, "Sister Wen Ruan, wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

"Not trouble, very simple." Wen Ruan chuckled and winked at her, "If you feel bad about it, treat me to a meal later."

Hearing her words, Liang Jiani opposite her curled her lips in disdain.

Saying it so easily and casually.

Who do you think you are? The organizer?

Yao Lingling bit her lip and said sincerely, "Thank you, Sister Wen Ruan."

She just wanted to get in first, and then find the company leaders to ask what was going on.

Wen Ruan turned to the girl beside her and said, "Dandan, call the person in charge and explain the situation."

"Okay, President Wen!" Wang Dandan responded, picked up her phone, dialed a number, and whispered a few words.

After a moment, she put down the phone and whispered, "They'll be here soon."

"Hmm." Wen Ruan nodded slightly, took Yao Lingling's hand, and said, "I felt bored today, but having you here is a surprise. Let's go in and talk slowly."

Yao Lingling took a deep breath and said with gratitude, "Thank you, Sister Wen Ruan! Sorry to trouble you."

She knew Wen Ruan's background wasn't simple; after all, she had once encountered her and Director Yang of the Quan Jing Law Firm at the Lanfeng International Hotel.

But she hadn't expected her to have such great energy.

"Alright, why are you being so polite with me?"

Just then, a man around 50 walked over quickly.

He first looked at Wang Dandan, then came to Wen Ruan, smiling broadly, "Hello President Wen, I am the manager of the reception department, Li Wenzhi."

"Hello, Manager Li." Wen Ruan nodded, pulled Yao Lingling's arm, and said, "This is my friend, sorry to trouble you."

"You are too polite." Li Wenzhi went straight to the turnstile, took a card from his pocket, opened the turnstile, and gestured enthusiastically, "Please, everyone."

Wen Ruan said thank you and pulled Yao Lingling, who was still in a daze, inside.

The mocking smile on Liang Jiani's face gradually solidified, feeling as if she were dreaming.

Are you kidding? A phone call made the manager of the reception department run over to open the door?

Even their Chairman Xiao Liguo didn't have this kind of face.

What is her background? How could this Yao Lingling know such a person?

Seeing Wen Ruan pass by, Liang Jiani quickly lowered her head, her body trembling slightly.

After their figures disappeared.

Liang Jiani hurriedly took out her phone and told Wen Qiuyue about Yao Lingling getting in.

After passing through a long passage, the view suddenly opened up.

The nearly two-thousand-square-meter conference center was spacious and atmospheric.

A gorgeous and solemn stage, rows of neat tables and chairs, elegant red silk ribbons, brilliant LED screens, dazzling lights...

At a glance, it was extremely visually impactful and atmospheric.

The two walked inside for a while, and Wen Ruan patted Yao Lingling on the back, "Lingling, do you want to sit with me?"

"No need, Sister Wen Ruan." Yao Lingling shook her head, "I'll go find the company leaders and ask about my invitation."

Seeing Yao Lingling's distraction, Wen Ruan didn't say much, nodded slightly, and said, "Go ahead."

"Thank you, Sister Wen Ruan." Yao Lingling bowed, her gaze sweeping across the venue, looking for her colleagues.

Soon she discovered Xiao Mingxuan, but at this moment he was standing beside Chairman Xiao Liguo, chatting with a group of people.

Those people were obviously big shots; she even saw the Chairman of the Jiaxin Group, Wen Zhenhua, who was Wen Qiuyue's father.

Yao Lingling bit her lip, but didn't dare to go up; after all, they were all big leaders.

Immediately after, she saw the company's Design Director Peng Xinlei, and beside her were several colleagues from the company.

Yao Lingling let out a long breath and walked quickly toward Peng Xinlei.

Just then, the phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated.

Yao Lingling took out her phone and looked at it.

【Li Shumin】

Answering the phone, Yao Lingling said softly, "Hello, Damn Minmin, what's wrong?"

Immediately after, Li Shumin's panicked voice came through the receiver: "Lingling, HR just called me and said... said I was laid off."

"What?" Yao Lingling's footsteps stopped abruptly, her voice filled with disbelief, "Why? Isn't our business unit just established? We are still hiring externally, why suddenly lay people off?"

"I don't know, my mind is a mess right now." Li Shumin's voice trembled, carrying a hint of crying.

Yao Lingling gritted her teeth and whispered comfortingly, "Don't worry, I'll find Xiao Zong later and ask what's going on."

"Then help me ask, Xiao Zong gave me a raise a few days ago..." Li Shumin's voice was full of grievance.

"Hmm, wait for my news." Yao Lingling hung up the phone, but her heart felt heavy.

Based on her understanding of Xiao Mingxuan, he shouldn't know about this, which meant this was a decision made directly by the company's leadership.

Although Qimeng was nominally a business unit, because it was just starting, many things were not yet independent.

For example, HR, finance, etc., still belonged to the Shangya system.

And anyone who could bypass Xiao Mingxuan to lay people off was at least a big leader at the vice president level.

Thinking of her suddenly invalid invitation, Yao Lingling had an ominous premonition.

Just then, her phone rang again.

【HR Director - Sun Rong】

Yao Lingling's hand gripped tightly, she answered the phone and whispered, "Hello? Director Sun?"

"Hello, Lingling, it's like this, there's something I need to notify you about." Sun Rong's voice was calm and serious.

"Please go ahead." Yao Lingling took a deep breath.

"You have been promoted to lead designer for almost three months. According to the company's comprehensive evaluation of you, I'm sorry, you didn't pass the probation period. Your position will be adjusted back to assistant designer, and the leader's meaning is to reassign you to the design department."

A "boom" went off in Yao Lingling's head, and her face turned pale instantly.

The only person Sun Rong would refer to as "the leader" was probably the Chairman and President, Xiao Liguo.

"But don't be discouraged, keep working hard, there will be many opportunities in the future..."

In the receiver, Sun Rong's voice continued.

Suddenly, a pair of glittering red high heels appeared before her eyes.

Yao Lingling slowly looked up and saw Wen Qiuyue wearing a fashionable dress.

Their gazes met, and a contemptuous smile rose on her face.

(End of chapter)