Xu Jing was chatting with the director, but her eyes never left Han Yutong.
The girl was pure of heart, not good at socializing, and a newcomer. She could easily be led astray, so Xu Jing couldn't afford to not keep a close eye on her.
When she saw others pointing and whispering about her dress, Xu Jing immediately excused herself from the director and went to Han Yutong's side. "Is something wrong?"
She asked this deliberately, wanting to change the subject.
Han Yutong shook her head.
"Sister Xu, is it? Is this how your artist attends a party? Isn't it a bit too shabby!" the girl who had started the commotion said dismissively, her nostrils flared.
Children like this, raised in wealthy families, were bound to be proud and arrogant.
Xu Jing smiled at her, recognizing the other girl instantly. "Miss Zhang, is there some misunderstanding? No matter how humble our Qinghe artists may be, they wouldn't be so careless. We wouldn't deign to wear counterfeit goods."
Zhang Wenwen's face darkened at her words.
She had been pampered since childhood and had never been looked down upon like this. She pouted unhappily. "I just returned from abroad last week. There was a dress at a fashion show very similar to this one. However, that dress was black with white chiffon, embroidered with phoenixes. What else could yours be but a knock-off?"
"Who said this is a knock-off!" Xu Jing raised an eyebrow calmly. "Since Miss Zhang attended the fashion show, you must know the name of that fashion designer, right?"
"Her surname is Su. She's a top fashion icon in China and an internationally acclaimed designer." Zhang Wenwen rattled off details about her idol.
Xu Jing smiled and continued, "Then does Miss Zhang know what our Qinghe boss's surname is?"
This stumped the other girl.
"How would I know! It's just a small company, what's there to be so proud of!" Zhang Wenwen impatiently turned her head away.
Her agent returned from an outside phone call and saw the tense atmosphere in the room. Upon inquiring, she learned that her little princess had caused trouble again. She quickly plastered a smile on her face and apologized to Xu Jing. "Sister Xu, our Wenwen is new to this industry and doesn't know much. Please, as a senior, be understanding."
"Oh?" Xu Jing responded with a fake smile. "My Yutong is also a newcomer. Does she deserve to be ostracized by others?"
"How am I ostracizing her? She herself..." Zhang Wenwen started to say more, but was stopped by her agent's glare.
"Actually, it's not entirely our Wenwen's fault. The style she saw at Fashion Week was very similar to this! And she only said it was similar, she didn't say anything else..."
Seeing her trying to shirk responsibility, Xu Jing sneered, "If you want to clear her name, you need to adopt the right attitude first. Everyone present heard what she just said; we're not deaf. Also, the dress Yutong is wearing was designed by Su Ying for her. Designer Su and our boss both have the surname Su!"
Bringing up her boss indeed made Zhang Wenwen's face darken considerably.
"I remember now! Qinghe's boss is Su He. She grew up with Su Lin, Su Ying, and the CEO of Yiteng Technology, Su. They are closer than sisters!"
"So, the dress on Yutong is indeed Designer Su's masterpiece!"
"No wonder it looks so good. It's a custom piece from a master designer!"
"I heard that Designer Su's orders are already booked until next year!" At this moment, a glamorous figure appeared before everyone. It was the award-winning actress Rao Man.
She had been late because she was being interviewed by reporters. "Sister Han is so lucky. She gets clothes made just by asking the boss! I pulled some strings and still have to wait another month or two."
Rao Man was full of envy.
Xu Jing didn't know her intentions well, as their relationship wasn't that deep. She could only try to make her own artist more appealing. "It's just a stroke of luck! Designer Su charged our boss double the price! And there won't be a next time!"
"Ah? You still count so precisely between sisters?" Rao Man feigned surprise.
"Business is business. Even close brothers keep accounts!" Xu Jing said with a smile.
Just then, a waiter pushed a cart over with dishes, and everyone returned to their seats in order.
The crisis was thus averted.
However, before leaving, Xu Jing still forced Zhang Wenwen to apologize to Han Yutong. Such a display of weakness would only lead to more. If she wasn't firmly reprimanded, trouble would continue to pour in.
Knowing Qinghe's background, everyone at the table was very polite to Han Yutong.
The dinner concluded on a pleasant note.
After dinner, Xu Jing took Han Yutong aside to have a brief chat with the director.
As they left the restaurant, Han Yutong's palms were sweaty.
"After this dinner, what are your thoughts?" Xu Jing started the car, wanting to debrief her about the banquet.
Han Yutong thought for a moment and said, "The salt-baked chicken was quite delicious."
Xu Jing:.......
She was indeed a naive child!
Xu Jing rubbed her temples and patiently explained, "I'm talking about social interactions. Tonight, so many people spoke to you. How many did you remember? Did you hear any useful information?"
"Ah?" Han Yutong came back to her senses, blushing with embarrassment. "Well, I haven't interacted with many people... I think Sister Rao Man is very nice. She didn't put on airs as an award-winning actress and kept helping me out..."
Xu Jing scoffed. "And that's good?"
"Compared to Zhang Wenwen, I think it's very good," Han Yutong said.
"Then, do you think it's easier to interact with Zhang Wenwen or Rao Man?" Xu Jing guided her subtly. The artists she managed couldn't be so naive; they would be easily deceived.
Han Yutong tilted her head and thought. "Zhang Wenwen?"
"Why? Didn't you find her difficult to deal with?"
"Perhaps because her emotions are all written on her face, so there's no need to guess what she's thinking." Han Yutong wasn't actually stupid, just inexperienced and unaware of the world's complexities.
"That's right!" Xu Jing praised. "Some people, they seem friendly on the surface, but you never know what schemes they're plotting behind your back. In the future, when you meet such people, you must be polite on the surface, and if you can avoid offending them, do so."
"Then, I'll try to avoid interacting with them in the future?" Han Yutong asked tentatively.
"Not necessarily so distant. Treat them like ordinary colleagues. Don't overthink things that shouldn't be discussed, especially about our boss," Xu Jing reminded her.
After knowing Qinghe's background, many people would undoubtedly try to curry favor.
If they couldn't reach that level, they would start with those around them.
Han Yutong, with her lack of cunning, couldn't possibly handle it.