CHAPTER 246: CHAPTER 246: TAKING THE STAGE TO RECEIVE THE AWARD

For such an important occasion, she doesn’t even have a decent outfit.

Taking another glance at her, Chen Meilan sighed and withdrew her gaze, coughing lightly as she began to speak.

After briefly explaining the stage precautions to the three of them, she dismissed the other two and called Su Xiaoxiao aside.

"Comrade Su, go to the clothing section and pick out an outfit. Charge it to my account."

Chen Meilan stared at her for a moment, then suddenly said. As if afraid of being misunderstood, she quickly added, "This is for the sake of our department store’s image. You need to know that the leaders here today are not only from our department store but also from the higher-ups. You represent the face of our department store."

Su Xiaoxiao scratched her head, "Director Chen, you’ve misunderstood. I have money myself..."

She had simply overslept that morning, thrown on whatever clothes she found, and came to work, completely forgetting about the award ceremony today.

If she had remembered, she would have dressed beautifully for the occasion.

"Alright, no need to be polite with me. This is for our department store."

Chen Meilan patted her shoulder earnestly and turned to leave.

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

What kind of look was Director Chen giving her just now? Pity, sympathy, and regret?

Chen Meilan seemed to misunderstand her. She wasn’t that poor, quite the opposite, she was quite well-off now.

It seemed she needed to buy a few more new outfits in the future.

She went straight to the clothing section, picked out two outfits, and also chose one for everyone at home.

She picked bell-bottom pants for herself, paired with an orange floral blouse. It was a bright color, but with her fair skin, it made her look vibrant.

Thinking for a moment, she went to the fabric section, intending to buy a piece of floral fabric in the same color to use as a headband.

The sales clerks at the fabric section were already familiar with her, and upon hearing she wanted floral fabric, they enthusiastically showed her all the scrap pieces for her to choose from.

A few minutes later, Su Xiaoxiao appeared at the entrance of the meeting room, completely transformed.

Zhang Yulan, who was anxiously looking around at the entrance, was stunned when she saw her, and then her eyes widened in shock, "Oh my gosh, I thought some big star had arrived. Xiaoxiao, you look amazing."

Indeed, clothes make the person. The shabby little country girl from a few minutes ago had turned into a fashionable young lady.

Su Xiaoxiao was a bit embarrassed by the compliment, "Sister Zhang, has the award ceremony started?"

Zhang Yulan smacked her forehead, "It’s about to start. I was just looking for you, hurry up, the leaders have all arrived."

She hurriedly dragged Su Xiaoxiao into the meeting room.

The other two sales clerks waiting to receive awards were already waiting below the stage.

Su Xiaoxiao quickly stood over there.

As soon as she got into position, she felt a gaze on her and curiously turned her head to meet Song Weidong’s awestruck eyes.

He was sitting next to Director Song, his eyes fixed on her, unblinking, as if mesmerized.

Seeing her look over, he awkwardly scratched his nose and looked away.

At this time, the young man sitting next to Song Weidong nudged his shoulder with his finger, "Weidong, do you know that pretty girl by the door?"

Seeing he was pointing at Su Xiaoxiao, Song Weidong frowned, "Why are you asking about her?"

Chen Zhigang’s eyes lit up, "So you do know her! Does she have a boyfriend?"

Chen Zhigang was Song Weidong’s childhood friend, and his father was the deputy director of the city’s supply bureau, tagging along for the event.

Hearing this, Song Weidong’s frown deepened, "What does it matter to you whether she has a boyfriend or not?"

Chen Zhigang grinned foolishly and scratched his head, "I was just thinking if she doesn’t have one, I might give it a try. I’ve never seen such a pretty girl before."

"You’ve got no chance, don’t waste your time."

Song Weidong’s voice was a bit cold.

After speaking, he added another line to reassure himself, "She does have a boyfriend, so stop having ideas."

"Oh."

Chen Zhigang couldn’t help but glance over again, feeling a bit regretful. It was hard to come across someone who suited his taste, and she already had a boyfriend.

Just then, the award ceremony officially began, and with the host’s enthusiastic voice, Su Xiaoxiao was the first to step onto the stage to receive her award.

She usually dressed casually, wearing whatever was comfortable and not caring about her image.

This time, with a slight makeover, quite a few male comrades stared blankly at her, asking around which counter she was from.

Zhang Guoqing also looked incredulously at Su Xiaoxiao on stage, nudging Qian Xiaoyan next to him with his finger, "Did Comrade Su always look this good?"

Qian Xiaoyan disdainfully patted her clothes, too lazy to respond, "Comrade Su has always looked good; it’s just that you misshapen weirdos aren’t worth her tidying up for."

The misshapen weirdo Zhang Guoqing: "..."

Meanwhile, the three outstanding sales clerks had already come onto the stage, lining up in order of rank.

Su Xiaoxiao stood in the middle, with the second place on her left and the third on her right.

The host, holding a microphone, excitedly announced, "Let’s welcome Director Song to present the awards to our three outstanding employees."

As the words fell, the audience erupted in applause.

Director Song stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked towards the stage.

Su Xiaoxiao watched as the female comrades acting as ceremonial assistants walked toward them, holding three bright red flowers, trailing behind Director Song, looking very unwilling.

She could only console herself that such a cheesy award ceremony was a feature of this era.

As she was thinking, Director Song had already reached her, awarding her a certificate while the ceremonial assistant quickly pinned the big red flower on her.

Su Xiaoxiao’s lips twitched uncontrollably, finding the big red flower truly ugly.

But facing so many leaders, she couldn’t show it and had to accept it with a smile.

No one knew who devised the award procedure, but after the ceremonies, they required each awardee to give an acceptance speech individually.

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

No one told her about such an important task beforehand, at least giving her a chance to prepare.

Watching the two people beside her calmly take out their prepared speech scripts, Su Xiaoxiao felt completely unprepared.

She had a feeling some villains were out to get her!

Below the stage, Zhang Dongmei watched Su Xiaoxiao with a smug look, her face full of mockery.

Yesterday, when Chen Meilan asked her to remind Su Xiaoxiao to prepare a speech for going on stage, she hadn’t told her anything, just waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

Soon, she’d enjoy watching Su Xiaoxiao flustered and panicked on stage. Doesn’t she usually flaunt her success? Let her flaunt it all she wants now.

The speeches proceeded in reverse order, and after the first two quickly finished theirs, it was Su Xiaoxiao’s turn to step up.