"What's going on?" Che Fengqiong refused to believe the reality before her eyes, clutching her phone tightly, her gaze fixed angrily on Quan Jiu. "Are you all ganging up to play me? This isn't the Yunlan Pavilion's pavilion master's number at all."
Bai Jing, who had already harbored suspicions, felt her conjectures confirmed and couldn't hide her excitement.
"I was wondering back then why Yunlan Pavilion, which never relied on connections, would actually listen to her. So, so she's the pavilion master."
Wang Shuan, standing beside Bai Jing, was stunned for a moment before realizing, "No wonder you took a gamble. I never expected this little... Yunlan Pavilion's pavilion master to be so young and capable."
Liu Quan quickly asked in a low voice, "Bai Jing, are you on good terms with her? How did you meet? From your expression, it seems you only just confirmed her identity. What's going on between you two?"
Bai Jing let out a wry smile, "Do you know where I first met her?"
The two of them wore expressions of confusion.
"Tonghua Art Museum. And she's also the renowned painter 'Zhi Fan.' In that circle, she's a rising star. Her paintings are very popular, and this year her works have soared to tens of millions each."
Wang Shuan was even more shocked, his mouth agape, "I've heard of that painter too. It's her?! So young, looking less than thirty, and already achieved so much."
Liu Quan, however, accepted it with understanding, "What's so strange about that? Have you forgotten who her master is, the esteemed elder Wang Huiping? Not only is her embroidery a pinnacle in our industry, but painting is also her forte. How could her disciple be any less skilled?"
Wang Shuan nodded slightly, "Indeed, embroidery pattern design relies on drawing skills."
Liu Quan couldn't help but laugh, "It's just a pity that you design patterns, while she creates artworks."
"Alas, it truly is the younger generation surpassing the old, with the old getting washed ashore," Wang Shuan sighed repeatedly, admitting defeat.
Liu Quan asked Bai Jing again, "So how did you get to know such a mysterious figure?"
Bai Jing smiled helplessly, "Actually, we've only met four times in total, but she's truly worth befriending. I've always believed that the Yunlan Pavilion's pavilion master must have some connection with the esteemed elder Wang Huiping. Today, seeing her performance during the interview, I guessed that she might indeed be Elder Wang's disciple and also the Yunlan Pavilion's pavilion master."
Wang Shuan excitedly patted Liu Quan's shoulder, "Regardless, we've truly struck gold this time."
Bai Jing also sighed, "I really need to thank her. She even said she would help me get the director position. I thought she was just being kind and didn't think much of it, but I never expected her to actually do it."
Just as Wang Shuan opened his mouth, he saw the hateful glare from Che Fengqiong.
He scoffed, "Look at Che Fengqiong's expression now, it couldn't be uglier."
Che Fengqiong glared, clearly feeling that Wang Shuan was talking about her.
"Elders, this woman has toyed with me so much, aren't you going to do something? I'm not convinced." Che Fengqiong threw the business card on the ground. "What Yunlan Pavilion pavilion master? I don't believe it."
Such a mysterious person, even the representative of the Guofeng embroidery fashion brand. Since Yunlan Pavilion emerged, the embroidery industry had gradually seen a resurgence, which was why the Embroidery Bureau was able to organize the fashion week this year.
But now she was being told that the mysterious person, the big shot she thought was behind everything, was actually the good-for-nothing she looked down upon?
She couldn't accept it, absolutely wouldn't accept it. This was impossible, wasn't this a colossal joke?
Lou Mingfang also looked full of doubt, "What's your relationship with the Yunlan Pavilion's pavilion master? Or are you and Bai Jing colluding to trick us?"
Quan Jiu smiled lightly, "Whether I am the Yunlan Pavilion's pavilion master doesn't require me to prove it to you. What's important is that I can decide whether that embroidery in the exhibition hall outside stays with the Embroidery Bureau.
Of course, it won't be given away for free, as the item is mine. But I can rent it to you for a year. As for the rent, considering Supervisor Bai Jing's face, it can just be a nominal amount. Because I'm willing to part with this private collection, and only rent it to you for a year, also out of consideration for Supervisor Bai Jing."
Quan Jiu leaned forward slightly. Although her gaze was on Che Fengqiong, her words were directed at the entire Embroidery Bureau.
"Whether Supervisor Bai Jing has the ability to be the director, I don't know. The other elder seniors certainly know better than I do. But one thing I can state clearly is that you, Che Fengqiong, do not have this capability."
She leaned back against the chair, a half-smile on her face, "So, my vote goes to Supervisor Bai Jing. And with it, a two-meter-wide embroidery piece by the divine master, the esteemed elder Wang Huiping, valued at 214 million yuan. For rent."
Guo Pin couldn't help but laugh heartily, "This young girl, if she's going to curry favor, she should do it thoroughly."
"Senior Guo, you misunderstand," Quan Jiu smiled faintly. "I'm not selling favors; I'm simply betting on the side I've chosen."
Lou Mingfang's face darkened. After a long period of silent contemplation, she let out a hateful sigh, cursed Che Fengqiong as "useless trash," and got up to leave.
Elder Xu, Elder Chen, and the others saw this and knew that the tide had turned. Staying any longer would be meaningless, so they could only shake their heads in regret and follow Lou Mingfang out.
Seeing that those who supported her had all left, Che Fengqiong realized she had no chance left. Her eyes were practically spitting blood with hatred. Gritting her teeth, she said word by word, "Bai Jing, we'll see. You'd better hold onto that position firmly, because I will be like a hungry wolf standing below you, staring intently at your every move."
Bai Jing glanced at her, "Then you can just look up at me."
"You..." Che Fengqiong's anger surged. She shoved the embroidery stand in front of her, and the items clattered to the floor.
"I won't let this go."
With that parting shot, she left the scene, filled with hatred.
Inside, there were finally no more eyesores.
Miao Lan, as the head elder, announced Bai Jing as the new director.
Bai Jing thanked everyone in turn. When she finally reached Quan Jiu, she didn't know what to say.
As the saying goes, great kindness needs no words.
"I will definitely secure a good price for you, and you won't lose money. The annual rent can at least get you twenty million."
Quan Jiu pursed her lips and smiled, "Okay."
"Girl, what's your name?" Miao Lan came up to Quan Jiu and asked.
"Quan Jiu. Thank you to the three seniors for your support just now, and thank you for tolerating my youthful impulsiveness and recklessness," Quan Jiu said with a smile.
Lu Yuan held Quan Jiu's hand, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Jiu'er, are you married? Do you have a boyfriend? I have a grandson who just graduated with a master's degree. He's about your age, tall at 1.9 meters, and genuinely good-looking. He studied architectural engineering..."
Miao Lan couldn't help but tease, "That person at the door has been standing there for over three hours. Your grandson is good, but he can't compare to someone successful in their career. That's the son of Chu Zhenhua."
Lu Yuan pouted, "Tch, don't listen to her. Having enough money is fine. The key is the person. It's best if you get along."
Guo Pin looked approvingly, "You're a truly excellent child. So your grandmother is Wang Huiping, right? Is she doing well in her later years?"
Quan Jiu's expression paused slightly before she nodded and spoke about her grandmother's later years. After chatting for over half an hour, the three elders finally let her leave.