Next morning Hu Qiang arrived in person to receive me outside my Villa.
Today he opted for his usual cool and cold outlook style, monochrome and sharp-edged suit and a steel colour silk tie. He did look handsome but also gave this feeling of unattainable and unapproachable.
As he looked towards me, his smile changed his entire outlook as if he is the first ray of sunshine after a storm.
"Morning Qiang"
"Morning my Queen."
I see him admiring me blatantly. Today I wore a work dress, a white silk shirt paired with a red skirt and LV shoes.
"Bad Wolf, what are you thinking?"
"Mrs Hu, you look too beautiful. I am already feeling jealous of the people around you."
"Stop kidding around. Let's move now otherwise, we would be late on my first day to work. That's not the first impression I want to leave behind me."
"My Queen, you just have to order around your subjects there. There is no need to sweat buckets, doing everything by yourself."
I just shook my head and walked towards the car.
He rushed to open the front passenger door for me.
(How very chivalrous…)
We didn't waste any more time and Qiang drove straight to Hu Corporations Fashion House, which is located on the 20th floor of the Hu Corporation's headquarter building, in the economic park.
As we reached the Corporation, I am given full-on VIP treatment.
We headed straight to the 20th floor; on our way Qiang informed me that I would meet Master Shi and Donna here today.
As we move in I am welcomed by a hall filled with their best designs put on display.
It actually takes a visitor on a visual journey of this Fashion House.
(It is quite charming.)
"Hello Bai Chang, I am so glad to finally see you here." Donna rushed towards me to greet me with a hug.
[Cough... Cough]
Qiang made his displeasure known.
"Relax I am a woman and not a man who will wolf down your wife here."
"It is you, which is more the reason to be wary off."
I see Qiang looked sullen.
To save the moment Master Shi arrived and everyone greeted him politely.
This man here is really well regarded by everyone in the fashion house.
"Ms Shui, come I will introduce you to the rest of the people here." He turned to Qiang and said "Mr Hu, you may take your leave now as we have a lot to prepare here. I am sure you have your appointments as well."
Qiang unwillingly started to walk towards the lift situated at the end of the hall.
(He is so weird.)
I moved with Master Shi. Donna showed me around the office.
Then we moved towards the main conference hall and start discussing the event.
"Where is the venue?" I asked them.
"Grand Park Hotel" Donna answered.
"Which part of the hotel are we using?"
"Their ballroom"
"Okay, then the stage theme?"
"I went through your designs related to it; we liked it so we are keeping it the same." Master Shi spoke up.
"So we are doing 'Eternal Sunshine' as the theme?"
"Yes, so you better buck up to pick the slag."
"Sure, no problem. I would like to go to the venue to inspect it once."
"Okay, when do you want to go?"
"First, let us sit down and have a good talk with the event managing team, then let's talk about the respective models. After that, we should take a second look at our designs and final products. I think going down to inspect the venue can wait till tomorrow but first, we need to get done with all things that I mentioned."
There is this look of approval in Master Shi as well as Donna's eyes.
I realize it was a test of my ability, to check my decision making and management skills.
Looking at their reactions, I can safely assume that I passed their bar of expectations, for me.
The rest of the day is pretty well spent by talking to various related departments, tightening our schedule around the event as well as sorting through the models.
Some were fine while some needs to be replaced.
We also have to finalize the show stopper.
Looking through the options all of us designers have shortlisted three candidates.
We just need to meet them in person to finalise our candidate of choice.
***
During Lunch Time
Qiang made an unexpected visit to floor 20 this afternoon during office lunchtime.
"What do you want? We are in our respective workplace." I whined to him.
"That doesn't mean that you would be skipping your meals."
"But..."
"I bought meals for the entire office, so you do not need to feel embarrassed. You just got out of bed as well as last week you worked very hard on your own project. So I need to make sure you at least have your food on time."
"Worried much..." I mumbled.
"Come to my office, mother sent homemade cooked food for you after she got to know you are taking heavy-duty works in the office."
"That is so nice of her."
"That is being biased towards you, as even I didn't get such a care package from her."
"I smell something burning... Mr Hu, are you on fire because of your jealousy?"
"Nah... I am happy that my Queen is being served well."
"Stop joking around, we are in our workplace. How many times do I need to remind you of this very fact?"
"Come let us not delay anymore or the foods would cool down. Then I will have to listen to an earful of scolding."
"You deserve it." I teased him.
We reached his office. I have been here once before, for our first meeting. Today I enter his office as his wife.
(At least in public)