Chu Rong fell silent for a moment before standing up.
Seeing the figure beside her leave, Quan Jiu felt an inexplicable sense of loss. She chuckled self-mockingly and then wolfed down another pan-fried bun.
"Boss, one order of pan-fried buns and some pan-fried dumplings."
A gentle voice, amidst the clamor of the food street, sounded exceptionally pleasant and soothing.
Quan Jiu turned her head and saw Chu Rong receiving a portion of pan-fried buns from the boss.
He sat back down beside her.
"They smell quite fragrant," Chu Rong said with a smile, taking a pair of disposable chopsticks and breaking them apart. His well-defined fingers even made the disposable chopsticks and the food look noble.
Indeed, some people are simply not meant for the ordinary, Quan Jiu couldn't help but think.
The boss brought the grilled skewers to Quan Jiu's table, "Miss, that'll be twenty-five. Would you like a beer?"
Quan Jiu shook her head. Seeing Chu Rong already reaching for his wallet, she abandoned the idea of paying for herself.
However, to prevent Chu Rong from ordering another portion, she awkwardly pushed her plate towards him.
Chu Rong glanced at her with a smile, then picked up a pan-fried bun, took a small bite, and savored it.
After finishing the bun, he picked up a grilled skewer and ate it slowly. They didn't leave the food street until they had finished all the food.
On the way back, Chu Rong stopped at a supermarket for a moment. When he came out, he was carrying a bag. Quan Jiu looked closely and saw it was filled with various seasonings – cumin, chili powder, pepper powder, and so on.
"Why are you buying so many seasonings?" she asked, curious.
"For barbecuing and making pan-fried buns. I'll make them for you once I learn," Chu Rong said, placing the seasonings on the back seat.
Quan Jiu's heart warmed. Not wanting the air to be silent, she said lightly, "It seems you were a chef in your past life."
"Perhaps," Chu Rong smiled, then fastened Quan Jiu's seatbelt. The car soon disappeared from the food street.
...
In the evening, at the fashion week venue, the crowds had dispersed, and the brands and companies were gradually packing up.
The Embroidery Bureau, responsible for many tasks, finished slightly later. Only after most of the brands had left did they begin to pack their own belongings.
While everyone was busy, Che Fengqiong quietly made her way to Exhibition Hall A. She first opened the power distribution room, accessible only to staff, and turned off the main switch for the hall. Then, she turned on her phone's flashlight and stealthily crept into the exhibition hall.
By then, most of the exhibits had been removed. The only items left were the personal exhibits provided by the Embroidery Bureau.
Che Fengqiong strolled leisurely through the hall, her gaze lingering on each piece as if admiring it. Finally, she stopped before the most stunning piece, her eyes filled with growing madness.
"If you won't let me have peace, I won't let you have peace either," she growled in a low voice. She took out a stolen key, opened the protective glass case around the embroidery, and then menacingly raised a sharp knife. "Bai Jing, I'll destroy all this crap, and then let's see how you compensate."
She plunged the knife towards the embroidery in a fit of rage. However, as quickly as she moved, before the knife could get close, a strong hand seized her wrist and swiftly snatched the knife away. At the same time, the lights in the hall blazed on.
Che Fengqiong's face turned deathly pale. She stared in shock at her captured wrist and the sharp knife that had fallen to the floor. Then, she looked up sharply, meeting Bai Jing's calm gaze.
Before Quan Jiu left, she had warned her to be wary of Che Fengqiong damaging the exhibits. She hadn't expected this woman to actually go this far.
"Che Fengqiong, you were not destined for the position of Director, and you harbor resentment towards the Embroidery Bureau, attempting to destroy these invaluable works. Considering your years of service, though not meritorious, you have at least contributed. I will not pursue legal responsibility for this matter, but as Director, I am dismissing you."
Che Fengqiong's gaze swept over the people behind Bai Jing – several elders and a group of Embroidery Bureau employees. All of them were looking at her with cold eyes.
"Bai Jing," she roared, "You are so malicious, setting a trap to frame me! I refuse to accept this. I am a long-time employee of the Embroidery Bureau. How dare you dismiss me?"
"I dare because I am the new Director," Bai Jing said, her expression darkening. "You brought this upon yourself. Because you couldn't get the Director's position, you wanted to destroy everything here. I cannot compare to your malicious intent."
"You did this on purpose. You deliberately waited for me here," Che Fengqiong glared at Bai Jing.
Bai Jing let out a cold laugh. "I merely heard that some people would rather destroy something than lose it. I didn't believe it, so I brought people to investigate. I never expected it to be you. Everyone has seen it, and I have the video footage. If you disagree, you can take it to arbitration. I'll be waiting."
"Ah... you bunch of scoundrels! I will destroy everything here!" she yelled while struggling frantically. The security guards holding her tightened their grip. Suddenly, there was a "crack," followed by a pig-like scream.
Che Fengqiong fell to the ground in pain, looking at her dislocated wrist. She kicked and thrashed, rolling on the ground in agony.
Bai Jing pointed to two more people. The three of them stepped forward, completely subduing Che Fengqiong, and then dragged her away from the exhibits.
Bai Jing then turned to Elder Lou Mingfang and said, "Elder Lou, Che Fengqiong's behavior was extremely egregious. I am dismissing her. Do you have any objections?"
Lou Mingfang flicked her sleeve and snorted, "You are the Director. What are you asking me for?"
Unable to break free, Che Fengqiong knew she had no power to resist. She loudly pleaded with Lou Mingfang, "Elder Lou, you can't do this to me! I have been loyal to you. You can't just abandon me now."
Lou Mingfang scoffed dismissively, "Loyal to me? We are merely in a superior-subordinate relationship. My instructions to you are based on the company's arrangements. Even if you are loyal, it's only to the company and your current superior. Loyal to me? You're not my personal secretary. Don't you find it laughable to say such a thing?"
Without waiting for Che Fengqiong to say anything more, she left with a dark expression.
Che Fengqiong watched helplessly as Lou Mingfang ignored her and began to curse again, "You wretched old hag! May you die a horrible death, and your entire family perish and be without descendants!"
Hearing the insults behind her, Lou Mingfang gritted her teeth in anger and coldly instructed her subordinate, "Spread the word of her misdeeds. I want to ensure she can never enter the embroidery circle again in her lifetime."
The subordinate quickly agreed and hurried off to handle the matter.
After Che Fengqiong had finished her tirade, Bai Jing said calmly, "As a supervisor of the Embroidery Bureau, your conduct is extremely poor. I will publicly announce your dismissal on the official website. I hope you will conduct yourself accordingly."
"Bai Jing, you can't do this to me! A public dismissal will ruin my embroidery career," Che Fengqiong finally panicked, her voice trembling as she objected.
Bai Jing's face was stern. "I am merely acting in accordance with official procedures. If you wish to blame someone, blame yourself. As I said before, you brought this upon yourself."
She walked a few steps closer to Che Fengqiong and whispered in her ear, in a voice only they could hear, "Moreover, do you really think Lou Mingfang will let you off the hook after you offended her? She'll likely use you as a scapegoat to protect herself."
Che Fengqiong's eyes widened in shock. Her whole body trembled. She grabbed Bai Jing's hand in terror, "Bai Jing, I was wrong. For the sake of our many years as colleagues, please help me. I beg you."
Bai Jing forcefully pulled her hand away and couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you."
Che Fengqiong stared at Bai Jing in astonishment. After a long moment, she began to cry and laugh, "Bai Jing, I underestimated you."