Although Pei Yan and Cheng Yu were the sons of the chairman and vice chairman of Donghai Investment Group, respectively, the single word “vice” represented a crushing difference in status. The position of president was bound to be many levels above that of an advertising department supervisor.
The staff present hurriedly stood at the elevator entrance to welcome Pei Yan, their attitude conveying more respect and tension than when greeting Cheng Yu.
Cheng Yu also stood up from his seat to greet Pei Yan with a smile.
Su Qiao, Qi Feng, and Fang Cheng also stood up at the same time, their gazes fixed in the direction outside the conference room glass door.
Pei Yan had a stern and solemn expression as he strode into the conference room with crisp, long strides, the well-fitted suit adding to the oppressive aura of his high position.
As he passed by, his raised glance first swept over Qi Feng’s cold, exquisite face, a fleeting softness in his eyes.
He did not even notice Su Qiao standing beside Qi Feng.
Su Qiao, however, grew nervous.
Because he was standing in a row with Qi Feng when Pei Yan had glanced over just now, he thought Pei Yan was looking at him.
Had Pei Yan recognized him, so he looked gentle towards him?
Su Qiao’s heart thumped rapidly. The sudden surge of expectation excited him, even forgetting about the humiliation of his seat being arranged below Qi Feng’s.
Pei Yan sat down and said in a deep voice, “Let’s begin.”
Only then did the others gradually take their seats.
Cheng Yu pushed a collection of Su Qiao’s works in front of Pei Yan, smiling, “President Pei, Danna.Su is the designer who designed the clothes for the spokesperson this time. He has quite a reputation internationally. Why don’t you get to know him first?”
Pei Yan glanced at Su Qiao indifferently and asked in an official manner, “Hello.”
He still did not recognize Su Qiao.
Then he looked towards Qi Feng, “For choosing clothes, shouldn’t we ask the spokesperson’s opinion? Qi Feng, what do you think?”
The excitement that Su Qiao had just raised suddenly subsided with a thud.
Qi Feng reacted calmly, also speaking politely, “According to the usual practice, the spokesperson only listens to the sponsor’s arrangements regarding the selection of clothing. After Donghai Investment finalizes the clothes, I will comply with your opinions.”
His calm and earnest appearance made him look more and more adorable to Pei Yan, who even had the urge to gently touch Qi Feng’s feet under the table.
After all, many people were present, so Pei Yan was relatively restrained. He lightly coughed and asked Cheng Yu, “What did the advertising department discuss?”
“According to the usual practice, this side does select the clothes to send to the spokesperson. However, this time…”
Cheng Yu looked toward Su Qiao and said, “Didn’t I invite an internationally renowned designer? Since that’s the case, I also invited the spokesperson to come and select the clothing style together. Moreover…..”
Cheng Yu paused again, looking at Pei Yan and smiling, “The renowned designer I invited is actually our old classmate. Pei Yan, you couldn’t have forgotten our old classmate, right?”
Qi Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly: It was indeed Cheng Yu’s deliberate arrangement.
Pei Yan was puzzled, “What old classmate?”
“Danna.Su, Su Qiao!”
Cheng Yu pointed at Su Qiao across from him and said, “Su Qiao is now an internationally famous designer.”
Hearing this name, Pei Yan was slightly startled. So Danna.Su was Su Qiao.
His heart skipped a beat as he instinctively looked at Qi Feng.
The boy was still calm and detached, with the same cold indifference in his eyes that he had when displeased. This was his usual expression when unhappy.
Was Qi Feng angry?
Could it be that Cheng Yu had said something to him?
The subtle good mood Pei Yan felt from seeing Qi Feng at the company earlier instantly disappeared. He inexplicably felt a little flustered. Only then did he look at Su Qiao beside Qi Feng.
Su Qiao was also looking at him, handsome and smiling gently, “Pei Yan, long time no see. I didn’t expect that we would meet here after such a long time. We still have a cooperative relationship. I hope this collaboration goes smoothly.”
Su Qiao’s smile was gentle, with a little mole under his upturned lips that looked very similar to Qi Feng’s. His refined aura was also somewhat like Qi Feng’s.
It was as if an invisible key had suddenly opened the dusty box sealed deep in his heart. The things inside flooded into his memories, catching him off guard.
The events of that period in high school suddenly became clear in Pei Yan’s mind.
There was indeed such a classmate with a mole under his lips. He was unconsciously attracted by that faint speck of a mole.
It seemed that through that mole, he could see another person.
Another very important person that he just could not remember.
But it was definitely not Su Qiao’s appearance.
Yet he did not know when, rumors spread around the school that he liked Su Qiao until the entire school knew about it, even reaching Pei Junhai’s ears.
He had never liked Su Qiao. He was so focused on finding the person in his heart that he had no intention of spreading unnecessary rumors.
But Song Zhe and Cheng Yu both believed the rumors then and would occasionally bring up this matter.
What if they had mentioned it to Qi Feng and made him jealous? Cheng Yu didn’t know about his relationship with Qi Feng. What if he had already told Qi Feng?
Pei Yan was clearly innocent; nothing had happened between him and Su Qiao, but his survival instincts rose in alarm at the unfounded suspicion. He avoided Su Qiao’s gaze and looked at Qi Feng anxiously, wanting to explain to him.
Seeing the shock in Pei Yan’s eyes, Su Qiao thought he had finally remembered who he was and felt secretly delighted.
The surrounding employees heard that Su Qiao was actually Pei Yan’s high school classmate. They had such a close relationship!
They immediately began to flatter him:
“Oh my, so Teacher Su is actually classmates with President Pei and Director Cheng. We really neglected you.”
“It’s very rare for a designer from our country to reach the world stage. Teacher Su is really our pride.”
“If the market knows that our spokesperson is wearing clothes specially designed by international master Su, the market response will definitely be great.”
….
It was all praises for Su Qiao.
Even the employee who had switched the name plates for Su Qiao and Qi Feng earlier deeply regretted it now.
It was obvious that Danna.Su should have been sitting in the central position, not Qi Feng.
President Pei would not fire him because of this, right?!
Amidst the flattery, Su Qiao finally regained some standing.
He straightened his back, looking confidently at the people around him, and said, “I’m afraid my design style will be too difficult for the spokesperson to carry off. I wonder if the spokesperson can adapt to my design style.”
“If the spokesperson and the clothing style can’t completely integrate, I guess it will be challenging to produce the desired effect for Donghai Investment.”
The implication was: Qi Feng was not worthy of the clothes he designed and could not support the temperament of his clothes.
“This…..”
The people around were put in a difficult position, glancing at Qi Feng as if appraising whether he could hold up Teacher Su’s clothes.
Qi Feng smiled slightly, seeming unconcerned by Su Qiao’s words.
He spoke, his voice clear and crisp, “If the investors feel that I’m not suitable for Teacher Su’s style, then…..”
Qi Feng looked back at Pei Yan, “Would it be better to change the spokesperson?”
Pei Yan: !!!
It’s over, Qi Feng really is angry, angry enough to quit as spokesperson!!
Qi Feng had actually tossed the question back to Donghai Investment’s people and also pointed out the implication in Su Qiao’s words with one line.
A trace of amusement rose in the corners of Cheng Yu’s lips.
Su Qiao thought he had angered Qi Feng and sneered inwardly in satisfaction but remained humble on the surface, repeatedly apologizing to Qi Feng, “No, no. Qi Feng, you misunderstood. I meant the problem is with my design style. How could I make Donghai change spokespeople?”
He also apologized to Donghai Investment’s people, “Sorry, it was my poor choice of words. The clothes should indeed be selected by you.”
The Donghai Investment advertising department staff present would not offend either side, only playing the mediator, tossing the problem to the leaders:
“Oh, Teacher Su, you’re too polite.”
“Qi Feng’s temperament is pretty good. He’s the spokesperson specially selected by our Chairman. He can definitely carry off Teacher Su’s designs.”
“President Pei, Director Cheng, which style of clothing do you think should be chosen for the endorsement this time?”
Cheng Yu seized this opportunity to curry favor with Qi Feng, saying: “You’re right. Qi Feng’s temperament is elegant and gentle, like a nobleman. No matter what style of clothing, it would bring out the desired effect for our Donghai Investment when worn by him.”
“As for which style to choose, we’ll have to see what President Pei says.”
The question was tossed back to Pei Yan once more.
Pei Yan secretly glanced at Qi Feng, trying to find signs of him hearing the false rumors and being angry from the boy’s undisturbed face.
His glances at Qi Feng were too frequent. Qi Feng finally responded once.
Just a light glance, as if edged with ice.
Pei Yan: It’s over!!!
Qi Feng would be extremely difficult to coax when angry this time.
Su Qiao saw the issue being left with Pei Yan and grew nervous inwardly.
He held on to the soft and elegant smile on his face, raised his lips that he thought were pretty, looked at Pei Yan, and asked softly: “Then President Pei, please make your choice.”
Pei Yan was suddenly frightened, and his soaring desire for survival made him dare not even look at Su Qiao. With a sullen face, he coldly asked the people around him: “Who decided on the endorsement deal?”
His frigid aura was such that the atmosphere in the conference room instantly tensed as soon as he spoke.
“I did,” Cheng Yu explained unhurriedly. “Having just taken office, I wanted to do something useful for Donghai Investment and invited an internationally renowned fashion designer to create endorsement outfits.”
“Su Qiao doesn’t normally take such jobs. He only agreed as a favor since I’m an old classmate. And it’s a friendly offer, and there is no fee.”
When the employees of Donghai heard that there was no charge, they thanked Su Qiao even more flatteringly.
Su Qiao gently smiled and nodded back to the surrounding grateful staff.
Pei Yan flipped through Su Qiao’s portfolio a few times before tossing it onto the cold conference room table and snorted: “Even I can see these clothes don’t suit Donghai Investment’s style. Did any of you even review this?”
Su Qiao’s smile stiffened as he looked at Pei Yan in shock.
Bearing himself with a CEO’s composure, Pei Yan spoke righteously, “The customers faced by Donghai Investment are market investors. They don’t care about what is popular nowadays, and they don’t watch fashion shows. They only care about whether our Donghai Investment can develop steadily.”
Picking up the folio, his words carried criticism, “Such so-called high fashion appears odd and unserious to investors. What message do you hope to send about our company with these outfits?”
He flung the sketchbook in front of Pei Yan, his tone harsh, “Use whatever clothes you’ve been using. No need to do all these bells and whistles!”
The sketchbook rolled twice on the table before falling at Cheng Yu’s feet.
The people who had just been fawning over Su Qiao froze, not daring to breathe a word. The atmosphere was oppressive, with not a sound to be heard.
In fact, the people in Donghai Investment’s advertising department did not care at all who designed the clothes as long as they could produce effective results.
They had flattered Su Qiao only because President Pei was an old classmate of his. But clearly, that relationship did not make President Pei treat Su Qiao any more kindly.
It seemed their old friendship was not so good after all.
Beside Pei Yan, Cheng Yu looked down at the sketchbook by his feet, his smile unwavering. He bent to pick it up. “President Pei, my apologies. I made things unnecessarily complicated. I will arrange for our usual costumes.”
He turned to Su Qiao, “It appears we will have to select different outfits. I’m sorry to have wasted your time, Teacher Su.”
Just like that, Su Qiao was rejected.
The reason why Pei Yan rejected him was not even whether Qi Feng was suitable for his design style. Instead, it is inconsistent with the corporate tradition of Donghai Investment.
This left Qi Feng completely blameless in the matter.
Su Qiao’s face flushed red, then drained white.
He honestly did not expect Pei Yan to reject his work without even a glance. Were his designs really unsuitable for Donghai Investment?
Impossible!
Pei Yan had done this deliberately to shield Qi Feng.
His heart plummeted as he glanced at Qi Feng, who had remained collected and calm throughout as if he had anticipated Pei Yan’s actions.
Why?
He was obviously just a substitute. just a fake. So why was Pei Yan so protective of him?
Su Qiao could not understand it nor accept it. But with all eyes on him now, he could not show a hint of weakness or give them something to ridicule.
He took a deep breath and forced a smile. “You’re right, my designs don’t suit the image Donghai Investment wants to portray. Still, it was nice seeing an old classmate after so many years. Even if we can’t collaborate this time, I hope we may have the chance in the future.”
His gaze bored intensely into Pei Yan as he lowered his voice, “Pei Yan, it’s been a long time. Can we get together for a meal sometime?”
Hearing his name uttered so familiarly made Pei Yan tremble involuntarily.
He instinctively looked at Qi Feng again and became even more frightened when he saw the boy’s cold expression.
This was all that bastard Cheng Yu’s fault.
Cursing internally, Pei Yan busied himself, organizing the documents on his desk as he politely declined, “I’m afraid I don’t remember every old classmate from the past. I’m quite busy with work, too, so meeting up won’t be possible.”
He said this deliberately for Qi Feng to overhear. His meaning was clear: I don’t know this Su Qiao, so don’t misunderstand me.
Having asserted his stance, he stood, the weight of his authority carried in his words, “That will be all for today. Cheng Yu will see to sending you back. The rest of you get back to work.”
His tone softened as he turned to Qi Feng, “I apologize for wasting your time today over the mistakes of our advertising department. I apologize to you on behalf of the people in the advertising department.”
Hearing this, the other advertising staff hurriedly stood and echoed apologies to Qi Feng:
“We sincerely apologize for not arranging well and wasting your time.”
“Next time, we will definitely prepare the endorsement outfits and deliver them to you personally.”
Even Cheng Yu also apologized, “No, no, no, this is entirely my fault for causing such an unnecessary waste of everyone’s time.”
Their overly polite apologies were like blows raining down on Su Qiao, leaving him utterly humiliated.
Pei Yan’s stance represented the company’s stance.
He wanted to praise Qi Feng, so everyone had to follow suit.
This was precisely why Su Qiao had been unable to forget Pei Yan all these years. What sane person would reject the favor of someone so wealthy, powerful, and high-standing?
Were all those years of longing only to have everything stolen away by this Qi Feng?
As the meeting dispersed, Qi Feng left alongside Fang Cheng, escorted out by the staff.
Watching Qi Feng’s retreating figure, Su Qiao felt his wounded pride and shaken spirit as a designer swell uncontrollably.
It was as if he were watching his last hopes crumble away. He quickened his pace, chasing after Pei Yan.
His voice trembled slightly from agitation and anticipation. “Pei Yan, wait! I…I’d like a word.”
This was the lowest Su Qiao had ever stooped, abandoning his dignity.
Pei Yan was anxious to quietly follow Qi Feng home to explain things to him.
Seeing Su Qiao approach was like seeing the god of the plague, and he avoided him.
How could he possibly speak with Su Qiao when Qi Feng was already suspicious?
He was afraid that Qi Feng would see Su Qiao talking to him, so he hurried away without sparing a backward glance. “I don’t have time!”
He even yelled at Cheng Yu, “Cheng Yu, get him out of here!”
Su Qiao:!!!
The handsome man froze, his face flushing dark red in utter humiliation.
Cheng Yu came over and tugged at his arm lightly, chuckling. “Let’s go. I’ll take you back.”
Su Qiao stood rooted to the spot for a few seconds before cold understanding seemed to dawn on him. “Cheng Yu, did you… do it on purpose? You suddenly came up to me and told me that Pei Yan had found a substitute and encouraged me to come back…it was all just to mock me, wasn’t it?”
“I did plan it, but I never imagined…” Cheng Yu smiled lightly downwards, “I never thought you would be so useless that Pei Yan doesn’t even remember who you are anymore.”
Su Qiao grabbed Cheng Yu’s collar roughly. “You bastard…!”
Cheng Yu met his furious gaze calmly, “Cooperate? It just so happens I have someone I want as well.”
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you want to show your support, you can buy me a coffee. It would make my day! For every five coffees I get, I will release a bonus chapter. You can also follow me on Ko-fi to get the latest updates on my translation progress and new projects. I appreciate your love and feedback.
