CHAPTER 247: CHAPTER 247: THE SPEECH

Su Xiaoxiao met Zhang Dongmei’s gaze across the crowd, seeing her face filled with anticipation to see a show, and knew this must be her doing.

Zhang Dongmei wanted to see her make a fool of herself in front of everyone, but she was determined not to let that happen.

She calmly walked up to the stage, maintaining a dignified smile that made her look confident and composed.

Seeing her like this, Zhang Dongmei furiously gripped the hem of her clothes, thinking, "Let’s see how long you can keep up the act. Your embarrassment is coming soon!"

She watched the stage, nervous and excited, trembling all over with anticipation. Soon she would mercilessly mock Su Xiaoxiao, crush all of her dignity underfoot, and grind it into dust.

Su Xiaoxiao walked to the center of the stage, while the previous two women had read from their scripts, she held nothing.

Standing on stage, Zhang Yulan immediately became anxious below: "Oh no, did no one tell Xiaoxiao she had to give a speech? Why is she so unprepared? There are so many leaders watching; if she embarrasses herself, it’ll be huge."

Qin Shuang was also nervous, trying hard to appear calm: "Maybe, maybe Xiaoxiao has already memorized her script..."

After saying this, she herself was uncertain.

Zhang Dongmei silently sneered, eager for things to start. She wanted to find the best angle to see how Su Xiaoxiao would lose face in front of so many people.

She folded her arms, her gaze excited and enthusiastic.

Su Xiaoxiao smiled slightly at the audience and began, "Thank you to all the leaders for this opportunity; I feel deeply honored to be chosen..."

She spoke slowly and smoothly, without any stumbles, surprisingly no less impressive than the previous two sales clerks who read from their scripts.

As if joking, having spent days slaving away at a nine-nine-six job, she had done this sort of thing many times before.

The content was more or less similar every time; even without preparation, she could recite it backwards effortlessly.

It was nothing more than thanking the leaders, thanking everyone, buttering up the leaders, and at the same time, considering the feelings of the colleagues who didn’t get selected, appropriately downplaying herself to highlight others...

This task, she was skilled at.

As the last syllable fell, the conference room was silent for two seconds, then erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Su Xiaoxiao bowed and smiled as she stepped down, always maintaining her calm and composed demeanor.

Qin Shuang let out a long breath: "I told you, Xiaoxiao was definitely prepared in advance."

Zhang Yulan silently gave Su Xiaoxiao a thumbs up, saying, Xiaoxiao, you were great.

Sitting beside Director Song was Liu Zhongguo from Lin City’s general supply.

At this moment, he was watching the young woman on stage with interest: "This young woman is excellent, not very old and speaks very well. She’s newly hired and managed to get selected as the first place. Old Song, where did you find such talent?"

Director Song glanced at him: "Why do you care, stop plotting to poach my staff."

His son originally had a crush on Comrade Xiao Su; he thought she had nothing but her looks and somewhat looked down on her, but after getting to know her better recently, he realized this girl was clever and resourceful, indeed a good seedling.

Maybe it was his son who wasn’t good enough for her.

Liu Zhongguo frankly said, "I wouldn’t mind."

He had just heard from Manager Wang that the batch of Hong Kong clothing previously stuck in Lin City’s Second Department Store was sold thanks to Comrade Xiao Su’s idea.

Not only did they sell out, but she also turned them into best-sellers.

Comrade Xiao Su is truly talented; he made the right move coming here.

Just thinking about this, he saw Director Song’s clueless son couldn’t take his eyes off her as she stepped down from the stage.

Director Song sighed—oh well, if his son could pursue her successfully, he wouldn’t object.

The speech segment soon ended, and the attending leaders each took the stage to speak, encouraging those who were not selected. The awards ceremony concluded successfully.

Director Song was chatting with a few visiting leaders from Lin City when he saw Song Weidong eagerly stand and prepare to leave, he frowned: "Where are you going?"

He was just thinking of introducing him to a few people, but the moment it ended, he was ready to run away.

"Dad, I have something to do, you don’t need to wait for me."

Song Weidong quickly tossed out a sentence and turned and ran outside.

On the other side, Zhang Dongmei angrily blocked Su Xiaoxiao’s path: "Did you know about the speech today and prepare in advance?"

Or else, how could someone like Su Xiaoxiao, whom she deemed a poor student, deliver such a smooth acceptance speech, which she considered herself unable to do.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at her and shook her head: "Of course not, sis is just naturally smart, but as for you... if you’re lacking, try harder!"

After saying that, she no longer paid her any mind and turned to walk away.

Zhang Dongmei was embarrassed and even angrier.

Su Xiaoxiao had just taken a few steps when she heard someone call her from behind.

"Comrade Su."

Su Xiaoxiao turned her head and saw a plainly dressed middle-aged man looking at her kindly, with Director Song from Lin City’s general supply standing beside him.

"Old Song, look at you getting all worked up. I’m not here to poach staff, just to talk to Comrade Su for a couple of minutes."

Liu Zhongguo looked at Director Song with disdain. He had heard this young woman was clever and suggested having a chat with her, but Old Song followed along as if worried she might be taken away.

A director without the slightest bit of magnanimity!

From their close demeanor, Su Xiaoxiao quickly guessed that this other person was likely also a leader at Lin City’s municipal general supply.

She promptly greeted them: "Hello, leaders."

Liu Zhongguo tidied up his clothes and smiled at Su Xiaoxiao: "Comrade Su, I have a question I’d like to ask you."

"Leader, you’re too kind. I’m delighted you want to ask me. Don’t mention asking for guidance."

Her gaze was genuine as she looked at him, thinking every leader here outranks her, so she should do her best to ingratiate herself to them.

Liu Zhongguo didn’t expect this young lady to be so modest, feeling pleased, he glanced disdainfully at Director Song beside him: "I want to have a private chat with Comrade Xiao Su, so give us some space."

Director Song’s eyes widened, wondering if he intended to poach her.

"Look at you getting nervous. I’m just asking something, relax."

Only then did Director Song reluctantly move aside.

Liu Zhongguo found a quiet corner to ask what he had been wondering: "Comrade Xiao Su, hello, I’m Liu Zhongguo from Haining City’s municipal general supply, you can call me Director Liu."

Su Xiaoxiao immediately sweetly called out: "Hello, Director Liu."

Liu Zhungguo was delighted by this address, smiling broadly: "We’re all part of the same system, so I’ll be frank with you. Over there, we have quite a few department stores stocking outdated clothing styles, which have been stuck in the warehouse not selling. I’ve heard you have ideas on clothing coordination, does Comrade Su have any suggestions?"