Chapter 501: Chapter 501: Advancing by Retreating

Lin Zhiyi and her colleagues walked to the elevator, and two elevators arrived simultaneously.

The people who stepped out, however, were different.

Gong Chen and Old Mr. Gong.

Lin Zhiyi was taken aback, not expecting Old Mr. Gong to show up here.

She instinctively glanced at Gong Chen.

Gong Chen’s dark eyes were as cold as always, revealing no expression on his face.

It seemed he had known the old master would come.

No wonder he had said those things to her in the morning.

Xue Man stepped forward to welcome them.

“Old Master, Third Young Master, welcome, everything is ready, please follow me.”

Gong Chen slightly lifted his eyelids, his gaze lightly meeting Lin Zhiyi’s.

Then he glanced away gently.

Although their eye contact lasted only a moment, Lin Zhiyi perceived a subtle change in his eyes.

The small gestures between the two did not escape the old master’s attention.

He cooled his gaze and quickly walked towards the conference room.

After everyone sat down, the meeting began.

Xue Man stood up and said, “Let’s begin.”

According to the order, colleagues presented their works one by one.

But those from the Gong Group remained expressionless and showed no reaction, obviously unsatisfied.

Finally, only Lin Zhiyi and Zhao Xuan were left.

Xue Man took a slight breath and asked, “Which one of you will go first?”

Lin Zhiyi opened her folder, just about to speak, when Zhao Xuan raised her hand.

“I’ll go first.”

Zhao Xuan confidently stepped forward to the screen.

Before speaking, she glanced at Lin Zhiyi and smiled, “The design I’m presenting today is the… dragon ring.”

“Dragons have been a symbol of our country since ancient times…”

The screen flashed, revealing her sketches and renderings.

The imposing dragon head and tail connected seamlessly, the dragon’s spine defined, inlaid with small diamonds.

A sapphire was embedded in the center of the dragon’s forehead, giving an unfathomable dark glow under the light.

But this was… Lin Zhiyi’s design.

Except for changing the gemstone on the forehead, Zhao Xuan had not altered even the arc of the dragon’s whiskers.

Zhao Xuan finished explaining her design with slight excitement.

At the end, she didn’t forget to look eagerly at the old master.

“There is probably no family in Jing City that represents the dragon better than the Gong family.”

These words indeed brought a bit of joy to the old master’s face.

Bai Ruoshu stared at the screen, displaying an impressed expression.

“Zhao Xuan is right, the Gong family is unique in Jing City. Although I also designed a ring, after seeing her design, I am ashamed of my own.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuan’s tail almost wagged with pride.

She slightly turned, seeing Lin Zhiyi’s pale face, and smiled smugly.

Lin Zhiyi noticed the gaze upon her, turning to meet Zhao Xuan’s provocation.

And Bai Ruoshu’s always cool and indifferent smile.

But at this moment, there was also a flash of contempt in her eyes.

Lin Zhiyi’s previous suspicions were confirmed.

They were indeed in cahoots.

With someone backing her, Zhao Xuan dared not fear committing such a major violation as plagiarism.

However, Bai Ruoshu seemed disinterested in fame and fortune, yet she had plenty of both. Would she really be willing to give up the collaboration with the Gong Group to Zhao Xuan?

Quickly, Zhao Xuan provided her the answer.

“Miss Bai, you are so modest. This work is actually all your credit. It was your repeated guidance that brought my work to its current state.”

“You deserve the recognition.”

Bai Ruoshu’s composed manner quickly drew Old Mr. Gong’s attention.

Old Mr. Gong pondered for a few seconds: “Miss Bai, I have heard about you from your father before, and meeting you today, you indeed are a refined lady.”

Bai Ruoshu nodded gently: “Old Master, you’re flattering me. The designer that we choose today is the real star. Let’s continue, the next one is… Zhiyi.”

She said, raising her hand to point at Lin Zhiyi.

Hearing Lin Zhiyi’s name, the old master’s expression visibly turned sour.

He urged, “Hurry up.”

Lin Zhiyi ignored him and slowly stood up, taking advantage of Zhao Xuan not yet being seated.

She pointed to the screen, “Wait a moment, I have a few questions to ask.”

Zhao Xuan paused, glaring fiercely at Lin Zhiyi.

“Lin Zhiyi, didn’t you hear the old master asking you to hurry? You’re wasting everyone’s time.”

“What’s wrong? Are you afraid?” Lin Zhiyi bluntly questioned.

Zhao Xuan gritted her teeth: “Why should I be afraid? This is my design!”

“I wasn’t asking about your design, besides I’m not asking you, I’m asking someone else.”

Lin Zhiyi’s gaze passed over Zhao Xuan and landed coldly on Xue Man.

Her work had a label with her name and was personally handed to Xue Man.

How could Xue Man not know that this was her work?

Zhao Xuan audaciously presented it, unless… she had known all along.

“President Xue, do you also endorse Zhao Xuan’s work?”

“Lin Zhiyi! Have I been too lenient with you normally? Don’t you understand the situation right now? If you cannot produce a decent work, don’t waste everyone’s time.”

Xue Man’s gaze carried a warning.

The old master was an astute individual, and with a quick glance around, he had a rough idea of what was going on.

He directly made the decision, “I think this design by Designer Zhao is excellent, I’m very satisfied, let’s settle on her work.”

Xue Man chuckled, agreeing, “Rest assured, Old Master, I will definitely instruct my team to rush the production.”

No sooner did she finish speaking than there was a light tapping sound from the upper seat.

Gong Chen’s voice was not loud, chilling, “Continue.”

Xue Man’s face turned suddenly: “Third Young Master, the old master…”

“I’m discussing business, not family matters.”

Gong Chen’s voice was deep, containing an imperceptible iciness, his deep gaze exuding a hint of danger.

In terms of business, the old master was clearly no match for him.

Everyone fell silent.

Gong Chen asked, “Any more issues? If you’re not here to discuss business, you’re welcome to leave.”

The old master’s face was tense, looking at Lin Zhiyi angrily.

Lin Zhiyi directly turned her head away, pretending not to see, and continued to ask, “President Xue, you haven’t answered my question yet.”

Xue Man’s expression shifted slightly, then became particularly firm.

“Yes.”

“Good.” Lin Zhiyi turned to look at Zhao Xuan, who was preparing to sit back down, “Zhao Xuan, since it’s a dragon prototype, what kind of dragon is this?”

“A dragon is just a dragon, what other kind of dragon could it be? Stop playing word games here, don’t find fault just because other people’s designs look good,” Zhao Xuan countered.

Beside them, Bai Ruoshu also advised, “Zhiyi, did something happen to you? You seem emotionally unstable.”

“Is it about your roommate issues? Didn’t something happen again?”

“But these are your personal matters; we’re talking about work now. I understand Zhao Xuan’s performance may have pressured you.”

“But I am no better, it’s no big deal, just try harder next time.”

Her words were said beautifully.

Yet between the lines lingered malice.

Bringing up roommate issues deliberately at this moment was nothing but an attempt to remind Lin Zhiyi of Fang Lai’er’s suicide.

Then mentally destabilize her.

And Bai Ruoshu, by retreating to advance, appeared as if she too lost to Zhao Xuan.

However, Zhao Xuan admitted that Bai Ruoshu had guided her.

In the end, face was still given to Bai Ruoshu.

While Lin Zhiyi was left with an image of someone who couldn’t separate personal matters from work, emotionally unstable.

Lin Zhiyi raised her head, her initially pale and somewhat flustered demeanor instantly calming.

She pointed to the dragon’s head on the screen, “Since it was Miss Bai’s guidance, then what kind of dragon is this?”

Bai Ruoshu observed Lin Zhiyi’s change, slightly furrowing her brows, “It’s just a dragon.”

She lived abroad, her design concepts heavily influenced by Western culture.

Regarding domestic classical culture, she knew about as much as foreigners, only superficial knowledge.

To her, domestic dragons and Western dragons were the same, mere symbols, their images scarcely different.

In reality, there are many types of dragons in the country, with numerous legends alone.

If truly traced back, it might take until tomorrow morning.

Lin Zhiyi smiled and continued, “I don’t think Zhao Xuan’s dragon is very good, and I believe the old master thinks the same.”