Beijing Exhibition Center.
The annual Hua Guo Cup Fashion Design Competition was about to take place here.
Qing Yan parked the car in the parking lot outside the center and went to the main entrance to find Yin Panpan.
The entire exhibition center, inside and out, was filled with competition banners and hanging banners, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
There were many participants today, and several reporters stood at the entrance, ready to capture shots of renowned designers.
Yin Panpan stood alone in a corner and waved urgently when she saw Qing Yan. "President Qing, over here!"
Qing Yan walked briskly, exuding a cold and imposing aura. "Just call me Qing Yan. Today, I'm your assistant."
"Okay." Yin Panpan quickly nodded. "Have you had breakfast?"
"Yes."
"Why isn't your hand bandaged?" Yin Panpan noticed the bruised and swollen wrist on Qing Yan's right hand and hurriedly rummaged through her backpack. "Let me wrap it for you. I bought gauze and ointment on my way here..."
"No need."
Qing Yan didn't want to attract attention. There were cameras pointed at them throughout the competition venue today.
She didn't want to be the center of attention.
Yin Panpan saw that she didn't insist, so she also removed the bandage, revealing her own red and swollen hands.
"I didn't apply enough ointment last night."
"Ah?" Yin Panpan didn't expect Qing Yan to notice with just a glance. She hurriedly explained, "There wasn't much of the ointment left last night..."
She had squeezed hard, but only managed to get a little bit out.
"But I bought a new one on my way here. If your hand hurts later, let me know."
"Okay."
When they entered the main hall, Yin Panpan showed the confirmation message for her successful registration and exchanged it for two competition cards.
She was designer number 16.
Qing Yan was assistant number 16.
They had to swipe their cards all the way to enter the main area.
It was Yin Panpan's first time in such a sacred place. "There are so many people here, and it's so beautiful..."
Qing Yan glanced at the signs. "This way."
Numbers 1 to 20 were in the A resting area.
At this moment, there were only a few designers and assistants in the A resting area. As soon as Yin Panpan entered, she heard someone calling her name.
"Yin Panpan? What are you doing here?!"
Yin Panpan looked in the direction of the voice, equally displeased. "Yin Qing?"
"You sure have the audacity to come to any place, even when you're poor."
Yin Qing was dressed in a gorgeous dress and walked arrogantly towards Yin Panpan, intending to settle their previous grudge. But when she looked up, she saw Qing Yan standing beside Yin Panpan.
Her raised hand could only be awkwardly withdrawn.
"Here comes our loser!" Yin Qing couldn't physically touch them, so she satisfied herself with words. "Don't cry when you lose later!"
"Hmph, you're the one who'll be crying," Yin Panpan gathered her courage and bravely retorted, "Someone who doesn't even understand design, how dare you come here just to make up the numbers?"
"Me? Just here to make up the numbers?" Yin Qing sneered, "Who told you I came to participate in the competition?"
"Aren't you?" Yin Panpan looked at her skeptically.
"Not everyone has to work as hard as you to achieve rankings. What you desperately want is simply something I don't care about," Yin Qing retorted.
"Then why did you come?" Yin Panpan countered.
"Is your injury from last time healed?" Qing Yan interjected coldly, "Doesn't hurt anymore?"
"You... both of you..." Yin Qing glared fiercely at the two of them, seething with anger as she turned and left.
The surrounding designers were bewildered. What did she mean by the injury from last time? Did the young miss from the Yin family get beaten up by them?
Was it Yin Panpan and her assistant?
Oh my...
This was explosive news!
Designer No. 1 saw Yin Qing return to her seat in a foul mood and quickly brought a cup of coffee over. "Miss Yin, this is your coffee."
"Um..." Yin Qing took a sip and then splashed the coffee on the designer's clothes, "Do you want to scald me?"
"Yes, I'm sorry..." Designer No. 1 was frightened, forgetting about his own scalded self, and quickly bowed to apologize, "I forgot to remind you that it was made with boiling water from the kettle..."
"Get out!" Yin Qing's mood instantly turned sour.
Designer No. 2 hurriedly presented the dessert he had brought, "Miss Yin, have some food? I heard that eating sweets can improve one's mood."
"Early in the morning, you want to make me sick or fat? Are you trying to seduce my boyfriend while I become ugly?" Yin Qing scared Designer No. 2, who quickly apologized, "Miss Yin, you misunderstood, I absolutely didn't mean that..."
"What kind of stuff did you invite me to eat? Something bought on the roadside?" Yin Qing glanced at the dessert brand, not knowing where it was produced, and impatiently yelled, "Go away!"
"Miss Yin, the competition hasn't started yet. Shall I give you a shoulder massage?" Designer No. 3 approached gently.
"At least you know how to do things!" Yin Qing let her press twice, but her anger surged again, "Didn't have breakfast this morning? So gentle, are you trying to tickle me?"
Designer No. 3 quickly increased the pressure.
"Ah..." Yin Qing pushed her away suddenly.
Designer No. 3 lost her balance and crashed into the wall, in immense pain.
"You're asking for trouble, intentionally trying to hurt me and take your frustrations out on me! Just get out of here!" Designer Number Four approached cautiously, holding a small fan. "Miss Yin, please calm down. It's a bit hot here. Shall I fan you to cool you off?"
"What's the point of fanning? Do you want to mess up my hair? Go away!" Yin Qing gave them a displeased look. "This time, we didn't make it to the top ten, and I couldn't surpass Yin Panpan. Pack up and leave if you can't deliver. The company doesn't keep idle people!"
"Yes, Miss Yin." Though the four designers were frustrated, they had no choice but to lower their heads since they were under her roof.
"I understand..." Yin Panpan figured it out. "Although this time the designers participated in the competition individually, many companies require their own designers to register. If they don't achieve a high ranking, their salary may be reduced, or they might even face dismissal."
Yin Panpan looked at the commotion over there and said to Qing Yan, "Those four designers work at Yin's clothing company. They must have endured a lot of mistreatment from Yin Qing on a regular basis."
Yin Qing was obstinate, capricious, and excessive!
"The competition is about to start." Qing Yan wasn't interested in spectating. "Take a rest first. I'll go to the restroom."
"I'll go too." Yin Panpan didn't want to stay here and witness Yin Qing's arrogant behavior, so she followed Qing Yan out.
Just as Qing Yan emerged from the restroom, someone exclaimed in surprise.
"Qing Yan?"
Recognizing the voice, Qing Yan knew exactly who it was but didn't even bother lifting her eyelids. After washing her hands, she was about to leave.
"Miss Yao, do you know her?" Designer Number Nine, who had come with Lu Muyao, noticed the hatred in Lu Muyao's eyes as she looked at the girl. It seemed they not only knew each other but also had some grudges.
"You ruined my reputation. Are you happy now?" Lu Muyao blocked Qing Yan's path.
Qing Yan lazily looked at this person who had audaciously approached her and said, "Seeing you standing here all lively... I'm not exactly thrilled. It seems you haven't learned your lesson from last time."