The three of them were taken aback by the question, their expressions freezing for a moment. Lou Mingfang chuckled, "You have a sharp tongue. Call it eloquent if you want to be nice, but it's just sophistry and quibbling if you're not."
Quan Jiu looked wronged. "How can this be considered quibbling? I'm just stating the facts, aren't I? Weren't the three of you recommended to the Embroidery Bureau by Director Che?" She had heard as much from Bai Jing before.
Shi Yan, having recovered, immediately retorted, "You think you can compare to us? The three of us are legitimate embroiderers. We have more calluses on our hands than you have facial hairs. What can you do? Do you even know how to thread a needle?"
As she finished speaking, the other two joined in with hearty laughter.
After her laughter subsided, Shi Yan added, "Even with recommendations, the three of us passed the interviews to get into the Embroidery Bureau. You, an outsider who can't even hold a needle, dare to challenge us. I wonder who gave you such confidence." Her gaze flickered towards Bai Jing.
"There's no rule saying what kind of person can participate in the interview, so why can't I try?" Quan Jiu said with dissatisfaction.
A glint of triumph flashed in Shi Yan's eyes. She immediately turned to Lou Mingfang and said, "Elder Lou, since she's unconvinced, why don't we let her try? After all, she's someone Director Bai strongly recommended. Director Bai's judgment is surely not bad. Perhaps she truly has talent, and we shouldn't miss out on a capable person."
Lou Mingfang thought for a moment and nodded. "Since Bai Jing vouches for her, let's give her a chance. You and Che Fengqiong can handle the interview process; I'm too lazy to bother with it."
Shi Yan quickly chimed in, "Someone recommended by Director Bai will surely hold an important position in the future, so we can't be careless. Why not invite the other elders as well? Let all the elders have a look. It could be for entertainment, too."
Lou Mingfang thought it made sense and agreed. "Then call me when you're ready." With that, she left.
Only then did Shi Yan and the other two reveal their smug expressions.
"Director Bai, your friend, the person you recommended, I truly hope she can impress everyone then. Otherwise, if the person you recommend embarrasses you in front of all the elders, it might leave a bad impression on them."
Shi Yan provocatively looked at Quan Jiu, her face practically screaming mockery.
Quan Jiu, however, smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern."
"Hmph, let's see how long you can keep that up," Shi Yan snorted, signaled the other two, and the trio swaggered away.
Bai Jing felt both angry and guilty. "You really didn't have to pay attention to them. I'm so sorry for making you endure their anger because of me."
"It's fine, I was looking for some fun too," Quan Jiu said casually.
Bai Jing didn't want her to suffer because of her and continued to persuade, "If you really like embroidery, I can teach you in private. You don't need to fall for their provocation. The interviews for the Embroidery Bureau are very difficult to pass, even for embroiderers with a foundation. They're trying to set a trap for you, to make you unable to back down."
"Embroidery, I know a little bit. It's a good opportunity to test my skills through this interview," Quan Jiu said with a careless smile.
Bai Jing took it as a young calf fearless of a tiger and didn't want to dampen her spirits. She changed her tune, "Since you want to try, then try. Don't worry, even if you lose, it won't affect me. As for them, they'll definitely find fault with you, but you're not part of the Embroidery Bureau, so you don't need to tolerate them. Don't hold back, retort them."
Quan Jiu nodded repeatedly.
The two chatted for a while longer when a text message arrived.
"I'm waiting for you in the dining area. Come and eat."
It had actually been delivered. Quan Jiu felt a strange mix of emotions, a push and pull she couldn't quite explain.
"What's wrong?" Bai Jing asked with concern, noticing a slight change in her expression, assuming it was about the interview.
Quan Jiu took a deep breath and stood up. "Let's go eat. If nothing unexpected happens, it should be the sauced seafood."
...
Bringing Bai Jing to the dining area, Quan Jiu saw Chu Rong's long legs crossed as they approached, his demeanor so elegant it was as if he had stepped out of a magazine.
Bai Jing obviously saw him too and immediately regretted it. "Am I just a third wheel? Never mind, you two eat, I'll eat next door."
Quan Jiu genuinely didn't want to eat alone with Chu Rong, so she grabbed Bai Jing's arm and giggled. "It's too late to run now."
She pulled Bai Jing to sit at the table. Quan Jiu acted as if it were natural, while Bai Jing was incredibly awkward and forced a greeting.
Chu Rong glanced at Bai Jing indifferently, not saying much. Instead, he took out two foil containers from a bag. As he opened them, the spicy aroma immediately wafted through the air.
Quan Jiu was a little surprised. One large foil container held various kinds of sauced seafood, and the other held green Sichuan peppercorn grilled fish.
She paused for a moment before stiffly managing to say, "Thank you for your trouble."
Chu Rong's smile bloomed. "It's nothing."
Bai Jing was also stunned by the food in front of her and couldn't help but gasp, "Your lunch is too extravagant."
Quan Jiu chuckled and, without any pretense, put on gloves and placed a small lobster in front of Bai Jing. Then she grabbed one herself, skillfully peeled it, and said enthusiastically, "Eat up, there's so much!"
With delicious food before her, Bai Jing no longer felt reserved. She could also see Quan Jiu's discomfort around Chu Rong and deliberately chatted with Quan Jiu.
"Are you really going to participate in the interview? You really don't need to pay attention to them."
Quan Jiu gave her a knowing look. "Worried I'll make a fool of myself, huh?"
"I don't care. I'm worried you'll be upset. This has nothing to do with you, and I've dragged you into it. And now I'm freeloading your meal, I feel so ashamed," Bai Jing said, finding the situation increasingly amusing and exasperating.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Quan Jiu smiled slightly, no longer dwelling on it, and began to eat heartily.
...
After Shi Yan and the other two left, they went to see Che Fengqiong to claim credit.
They had been recruited by Che Fengqiong. If Che Fengqiong became the director of the Embroidery Bureau, their positions would also be promoted. Therefore, they were very diligent in this matter.
"Director Che, things went even smoother than we expected," Shi Yan said with a smile. "This time, we'll definitely make the Elder Council completely disappointed in Bai Jing."
Che Fengqiong was surprised. In fact, she had instructed them to bring up the matter of Wang Huiping's authentic works with Bai Jing, aiming to curb Bai Jing's arrogance.
However, she also knew that such a small matter wouldn't shake Bai Jing's candidacy for director, so she asked doubtfully, "Really? Several old fuddy-duddies on the Elder Council are quite fond of Bai Jing."
"It's an unexpected bonus," Shi Yan recounted the events, concluding, "That foolish woman naively took the bait. We can use her to make the Elder Council abandon Bai Jing as a candidate."
Che Fengqiong thought for a moment and understood.
She patted Shi Yan's shoulder with satisfaction. "You've done a great job this time. Don't worry, as long as I get the director position, I will definitely promote the three of you."
Shi Yan and the other two were overjoyed. Then the four of them discussed the plan, and finally, led by Che Fengqiong, prepared for the interview.
...
In the dining area, Quan Jiu was eating with gusto. Of course, except for the occasional moment when a hand would suddenly appear before her, making her pause for a few seconds.
Chu Rong leisurely snapped off a king crab leg, extracted the succulent meat, dipped it in sauce, and placed it in Quan Jiu's bowl. Then he continued to peel shrimp.
Quan Jiu didn't stand on ceremony. She popped the crab meat into her mouth. It was sweet and juicy, incredibly delicious. Then, as was her habit, she urged Bai Jing, "Have some food, you've barely eaten anything."
"I am eating. Look at this mountain of shells," Bai Jing said with a smile. Suddenly, her phone rang, and she glanced at it, her expression darkening slightly.
"They're calling from there. It's probably about the interview," Bai Jing wiped her hands and answered the call.
As expected, Shi Yan's urgent voice came from the other end. "Director Bai, you need to come over immediately. All the elders are waiting for you."
Quan Jiu leaned over, her voice sweet and cute. "Then please trouble you to wait. We're still eating crayfish and grilled fish."