Chapter 64

After the New Year holiday, the bidding process began, held at the Junrui Hotel under the Xu Clan Group, lasting three days, with each participating design company required to keep their presentation within fifteen minutes as much as possible.

The eight‑person team from Bo Ya Design Company split into two vehicles early in the morning, ready to depart for the Junrui Hotel.

At first the atmosphere in the car was solemn, but halfway someone couldn't hold back: "I'm so nervous I might vomit—I wasn't even this nervous on the way to the college‑entrance‑exam hall."

"Show some spine."

"If you've got spine, stop shaking your leg—you're making me shake too, don't sit next to me."

One sentence broke the tension for everyone in the car; suppressed laughter came in waves, and the atmosphere finally loosened.

Forty minutes later, the two cars pulled up one after another at the Junrui Hotel entrance. Nearby, several other cars were already parked—teams from other design firms arriving for the bidding, plus some from out of town.

They were all rivals; after getting out of the cars they exchanged glances, sparks flying in the air.

"Xia Gong, what a coincidence, you're here too." A middle‑aged man who had stepped out of a Mercedes‑benz walked up and greeted Xia Xi warmly.

Bo Ya's colleagues all looked at him, not recognizing him.

Xia Xi replied politely: "Deputy General Manager Zhang, long time no see—I didn't expect to run into you here."

Gao Ge hadn't ridden in the same car as Xia Xi; she got out of the other vehicle and saw the two exchanging greetings, slightly surprised. That Deputy General Manager Zhang—others might not know him, but she had met him before.

Zhang Wanli of Present Cypress Design Company was not only a deputy general manager but also the design director.

Present Cypress is one of Nancheng's top design firms, larger than Bo Ya and older; it was surprising that their deputy general manager would be so courteous to Xia Xi. This is what puzzled Gao Ge.

Zhang Wanli smiled, his tone full of regret: "It's a pity we couldn't bring you to Present Cypress back then."

Xia Xi returned the smile: "Present Cypress is fine; I just know my limits."

"You're just too modest." Zhang Wanli said, "If you ever change your mind, remember to contact me—Present Cypress's doors are always open for you."

"Thank you, Deputy General Manager Zhang, for your kind words."

Zhang Wanli glanced at the people beside Xia Xi, narrowing his eyes: "Never mind the rest—this time we're opponents. I look forward to seeing you shine in the bidding."

Xia Xi replied: "I'm also looking forward to seeing Present Cypress's work."

They briefly stepped apart, then walked together toward the hotel.

Xiao Pei couldn't contain her curiosity, catching up to Xia Xi and asking: "Xia Gong, are you close with the deputy general manager of Present Cypress Design?"

"Not really." Xia Xi answered briefly, "I met him abroad while I was still in school; he wanted me to join Present Cypress as a designer, but I refused. He invited me again after graduation, and I refused again."

"Wow, you turned down an olive branch from Present Cypress—you're amazing. By the way, I still don't know which school you graduated from."

Xia Xi is a direct hire; she never went through an interview, so the HR department never heard anything about her résumé.

Xia Xi said while walking: "I did my undergraduate studies in the Architecture Department at Nancheng Daxue, didn't finish, then went to University of London to study architectural design and manufacturing."

"I just remembered—our General Manager Lu also studied at University of London, so you two are…"

"He's my senior; we shared the same advisor during our doctoral research."

"No wonder."

Gao Ge overheard their conversation and was shocked several times over: first, the deputy general manager of Present Cypress was warm toward Xia Xi; now she learned that during their time abroad studying, Xia Xi and General Manager Lu were fellow disciples under the same mentor. That also explained why General Manager Lu had shown her extra attention.

Gao Ge's gaze fell on Xia Xi's profile; as she spoke, her expression was ordinary, showing no trace of pride or boastfulness. She stopped in front of the elevator and reached up to press the up button.

The Xia Xi before her seemed unchanged, yet somehow different. Gao Ge used to snap at her over trivial matters, but now she fell silent.

The elevator stopped at the eighth floor; the group stepped out, led by Xia Xi, heading in the same direction. Their steps were in sync, vigorous, bearing the air of an ancient army marching to battle.

The large conference room could hold over a hundred people. Lots were drawn to determine the bidding order. As Bo Ya's representative, Xia Xi stepped forward, drew a number, unfolded it, and reported to the teammates behind her: "We're scheduled for tomorrow afternoon."

Everyone looked pleased: "Xia Gong's luck is good—our slot isn't too early nor too late."

During the bidding, other companies could either stay to observe or leave; most chose to stay, wanting to see the competitors' work and get a sense of the field.

As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

The conference room doors opened again; everyone turned, expecting a late‑arriving design team, but instead saw a dignified figure accompanied by several elite aides.

The senior members of the Xu Clan rose in unison—old and young alike—gazing respectfully at the person leading them.

The bidding team members, puzzled, also stood up.

Xu Yanfeng's gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Xia Xi, who wore a light‑apricot‑colored wool suit, a matching half‑pleated skirt, a thin black belt cinching her waist to define the loose suit, her wavy hair tied into a low ponytail. Her striking features were softened by the cool aura she exuded.

Xu Yanfeng glanced over, then raised his hand and pressed down, signaling everyone to sit. He took off his black overcoat and handed it to his assistant, revealing a smoke‑gray suit underneath, and took the main seat.

News spread quickly; within moments everyone present knew that the person before them was the current authority of the Xu Clan Group.

"Let's begin."

Xu Yanfeng looked at the big screen and said calmly, "Start," and the bidding commenced.

However, after viewing the first few companies' design drafts, the confidence of the Bo Ya team took a hit.

Gao Ge could barely breathe, leaning slightly toward Xia Xi on her left, covering her mouth as she whispered: "The opposition is this strong—I feel we're in trouble."

This bidding proposal was hers; she was more nervous than anyone.

Hearing her, Xia Xi glanced at her—truly strange, Gao Ge was speaking to her in such a normal tone; usually she'd feel uncomfortable without a bit of teasing, but today the sun seemed to rise in the west? "It's a bit risky," Xia Xi replied.

Gao Ge: "……

*Morning ended, at noon everyone stayed for lunch at the Junrui Hotel restaurant, the surrounding chatter all about the bidding. After a one‑and‑a‑half‑hour break, they resumed in the afternoon.

After a whole day of looking at so many design drafts, everyone's heads were spinning.

When the last design company finished its presentation, everyone felt relieved, rising like a tide and streaming out.

Xia Xi went to the restroom; five minutes later she messaged one teammate, telling them to take the car back first and not wait for her—she would take a taxi home later.

In the parking lot, the others were waiting for Xia Xi when they heard Xiao He say: "Xia Gong messaged me, telling us to go ahead; she'll take a taxi home herself."

They stopped waiting for Xia Xi and each got into their two cars.

Gao Ge lingered by the car, looking at the hotel entrance, and told the others: "I have something to say to Xia Gong alone; you go ahead, I'll wait for her."

The driver started the engine; the two cars pulled away, one after the other.

Gao Ge indeed had something she wanted to say to Xia Xi alone; she stepped forward toward the hotel, but caught sight of Xia Xi walking side‑by‑side with another person, chatting as they headed toward the coffee shop beside the hotel.

That person was none other than Zhang Wanli, whom she had bumped into in the parking lot that morning.

Gao Ge didn't even know what had happened to herself; instinctively she crouched low and hid behind an off-road vehicle to the side, so that the two people didn't notice her. After they walked away, she came out again, fixed her gaze on their retreating backs, and a strange feeling crept up in her heart.

(End of chapter)