Quan Jiu smiled slightly, her gaze still fixed on Lou Mingfang, Che Fengqiong, and the others. "So, it's 6 to 4 now. Even if Senior Xiang were present and voted for you, your five votes would still be the minority. Therefore, regarding the appointment of the Director, Elder Lou and Elder Xu, you should have no objections, right?"
Che Fengqiong clenched her fists, her fingernails digging into her palms until it hurt.
The previous vote had already determined the outcome: 6 to 4. The six people on the opposing side were a united front, while her own side only had four. If it came down to a vote, it was clear she had completely lost her chance at the Director position.
Her anxious gaze turned to Lou Mingfang. They absolutely could not proceed with the vote now, or there would be no chance of winning.
Lou Mingfang understood her meaning. After a moment's thought, she said, "Of course, we must elect someone, but how we elect them is another matter. I believe we shouldn't blindly rely on voting. Everyone knows that voting is often the most unfair method. After all, some people are good at putting on a show and garnering votes. The results of such an election might not be convincing."
Wang Shuan scoffed, "Lou Mingfang, are you questioning the Elder Council's voting system? Are you declaring war on the entire Elder Council?"
Lou Mingfang's expression turned stern. "Wang Shuan, don't take my words out of context. I'm simply saying that while voting is necessary, the most important thing is whether the candidate for Director has made significant contributions to the Embroidery Bureau. Throughout history, rewards have been based on merit. If someone expects to ascend to the Director position through connections alone, I will be the first to object."
Elder Xu and the other two immediately chimed in, "Yes, we object."
Miao Lan sat on a stool, her expression serious and her demeanor like a still lake, observing Lou Mingfang and the others.
Lou Mingfang's face twitched slightly. She forced herself to meet Miao Lan's gaze, but her flickering eyes betrayed her current nervousness and unease.
"I don't believe I've said anything wrong. If anyone has a different opinion, please voice it."
No one spoke. With Miao Lan presiding and Guo Lu and the other accompanying her, the atmosphere in the room gradually became oppressive. Even Shi Yan and others dared not breathe a word.
After a moment of silence, Quan Jiu softly said, "Regarding contributions to the Embroidery Bureau, that is indeed a fair point. Elder Lou, do you have any good ideas?"
Lou Mingfang almost couldn't hold her breath. Despite being an elder herself, to be spoken to like this by a junior made her blood pressure soar.
"Heh, what ideas could I have? I'm an old woman, my thinking isn't as active as you young people. Why don't you tell us what good ideas you have?" She glared at Quan Jiu with a sarcastic tone.
Quan Jiu, however, was not one to be modest. She smiled and said, "Before the interview, I heard Shi Yan mention wanting to communicate with the Pavilion Master of Yun Lan Pavilion to keep the embroidery piece in the exhibition area. After all, that artwork is a priceless treasure for the Embroidery Bureau, isn't it, Shi Yan?"
Shi Yan's face twitched. After a moment's hesitation, she remembered that she was about to leave the Embroidery Bureau, especially since Che Fengqiong was the one who had fired her. Thus, she had no more reservations.
"Yes, Supervisor Che had previously asked me to find Supervisor Bai and ask her to contact the Pavilion Master of Yun Lan Pavilion to persuade her to part with the artwork. She also said that if Supervisor Bai couldn't do it, it would mean she didn't care about the Embroidery Bureau."
Quan Jiu nodded understandingly. "It seems this matter is of utmost importance. Esteemed seniors, if I may say, there's no standard for determining 'great contribution.' Since that's the case, why don't we set one? Whoever completes this task will be awarded the Director position. What do you think of my proposal?"
Che Fengqiong immediately objected, "This is unfair to me. Bai Jing already has a good relationship with people from Yun Lan Pavilion, and that artwork was personally delivered to Bai Jing by someone from Yun Lan Pavilion. How can I compete with her?"
Quan Jiu looked somewhat puzzled. "Supervisor Bai knows people from Yun Lan Pavilion?"
Bai Jing shook her head. "Not exactly. I'm in charge of this fashion week exhibition, so it's normal for someone from Yun Lan Pavilion to hand the artwork to me."
"Supervisor Che, do you have any other objections?"
Che Fengqiong's stomach ached with frustration. This woman, who just moments ago she had dismissed as a useless simpleton, was now a rank above her and could even decide her fate. How could she tolerate this?
"You are an elder, what right do I have to speak? Anything I say is pointless." She glared at Quan Jiu resentfully.
Quan Jiu narrowed her eyes and smiled. "Since you have no objections, what about the other seniors? What do you think?"
Che Fengqiong felt a blockage in her chest, her face turning a shade of liver-red. This woman was completely unyielding.
Just as she was about to try and salvage the situation, Miao Lan spoke, "I have no objections. I've seen that artwork, and even if it's just displayed at the Embroidery Bureau for a while for everyone to copy and learn from, it's worth it."
The others expressed their agreement.
Before Che Fengqiong could find an opportunity to speak, Quan Jiu said, "Since both parties involved agree, and all the seniors agree, for the sake of fairness, please have Supervisor Bai publicly share the contact information of the person she's in contact with. You two will contact them separately. Whoever succeeds will be the new Director."
Bai Jing had no objections and handed Che Fengqiong a business card from Hua Qing.
Che Fengqiong clutched the business card tightly, trying to seek help from Lou Mingfang.
However, Lou Mingfang had closed her eyes and was feigning sleep, as if she had nothing more to say.
Che Fengqiong glared venomously at Bai Jing, gritting her teeth. "Bai Jing, you can do this. I thought you were quite simple, but I didn't expect you to be so calculating. I underestimated you."
Bai Jing glanced at her indifferently, not taking it to heart, and turned to call Hua Qing.
At this moment, Quan Jiu lazily took out her phone and sent a message to Hua Qing. Soon, Bai Jing received the number from Hua Qing.
After Bai Jing hung up, Che Fengqiong hurriedly called Hua Qing, also asking for the contact information of the Pavilion Master of Yun Lan Pavilion.
To her delight, she thought it wouldn't be easy to get the Pavilion Master's phone number, but the person readily provided it.
Seeing Bai Jing still looking at her phone, she decided to dial Hua Qing's number first.
A phone ringtone sounded in the room, cheerful and clearly a song favored by young people.
Quan Jiu apologized to those around her and smilingly answered the call.
"Hello? Who is it?"
Che Fengqiong's face lit up with joy. She quickly bowed and nodded. "Hello, may I ask if this is the Pavilion Master of Yun Lan Pavilion?"
Quan Jiu leaned back in her chair, her slender legs elegantly crossed, and slowly said into the phone, "That's right."
Wang Shuan and Liu Quan, sitting beside her, both tilted their heads and looked at her with suspicion.
Quan Jiu continued, "What do you need me for?"
Lou Mingfang's slightly closed eyes snapped open, and she looked at Quan Jiu in disbelief.
But Che Fengqiong in the corner hadn't reacted yet, still excitedly introducing herself into the phone, "Pavilion Master, hello. Sorry to bother you, I am a supervisor at the Embroidery Bureau..."
"I know, Supervisor Che. Haven't we met before?" Quan Jiu chuckled softly.
Hearing this light chuckle, which sounded familiar and even echoed, Che Fengqiong paused, then suddenly turned around to look at Quan Jiu, who was seated.
Quan Jiu raised her phone. "Supervisor Che, why are you calling me when you can say anything to my face?"
Che Fengqiong's eyes widened in shock, she even forgot to breathe. She stared intently at Quan Jiu. After a long moment, she quickly hung up the phone and then dialed it again.
"La la la~" The cheerful music played again.
Lou Mingfang and her group wore expressions as grim as if they had lost all their stock investments.