Lu Nianzhi took a sip of black coffee and paused before continuing, "I deliberately asked around about news within the industry. Although there were a few bits of gossip I couldn't confirm, several shareholders within Jinxiufang are very much against letting Shi Ning take over Jinxiufang."
"Also, according to the gossip, Shi Ning's reputation doesn't seem to be very good, but there is no solid evidence."
"I guess Jinxiufang is doing this as Shi Yue's indirect way of helping. Giving Shi Ning a chance to gain experience and achieve results after leaving Jinxiufang, then those shareholders won't have much to say."
Rong Dai hadn't expected there to be so many twists and turns within Jinxiufang. Although Lu Nianzhi told her this, she didn't mention the time Shi Ning impersonated her and stole her embroidery work.
"It shouldn't come to that. Jinxiufang has great financial resources and influence in the industry. They wouldn't snatch such a small place from me."
She didn't take it to heart. She had already bought the house, so how could Jinxiufang take it back?
Seeing that she didn't seem to care much about the matter, Lu Nianzhi naturally didn't say anything more.
After sitting at the cafe for a while, Lu Nianzhi left early to deal with matters at the studio.
Rong Dai sat alone in the cafe. Because it was a holiday, there were exceptionally few people in the shop today, making it feel rather deserted.
But this quiet and comfortable environment was a pleasure for Rong Dai.
She drank coffee while taking out her phone to look at the news about this TK Fashion Show.
The theme for this TK Fashion Show was "Encounter."
One look and you could tell it was a topic related to love. Rong Dai became engrossed in her phone, her mind already forming the outlines of what she wanted to create.
Although she had learned about the classics and trends of high-end brands in this era online, she needed to incorporate elements of this era into her work.
This posed some difficulty for Rong Dai.
When making the skirt for Little Sister-in-law previously, she had simplified styles found online.
Moreover, Little Sister-in-law was holding a private classical music concert, so even if the clothes were a bit retro, it was understandable and helped set the mood.
But it would be different on the runway.
Works needed soul, and also needed to intuitively express her ideas.
This TK Fashion Show was an opportunity for her. If she missed it, who knew when such a chance would come again.
With the Huo Family Enterprise's capabilities, it wouldn't be hard for her to get resources.
But she wanted to win over everyone with her own abilities, not rely on the Huo Family Enterprise's reputation to suppress others.
She had to present a work that would astonish and impress.
"Dai'er? Is that really you?"
Just as she was lost in thought, an exclamation came from above her head, and the scent of perfume reached her nose.
Rong Dai instinctively frowned slightly. She didn't like being disturbed while contemplating something.
She looked up at the two delicately dressed girls before her, puzzled for a moment as she swiftly searched her mind for their identities.
Song Xuechun, Liang Jiayi.
They were classmates from her grade.
Fortunately, Huo Shaoting had already compiled all of the original host's information for her earlier, including people she had more contact with growing up, like classmates.
Otherwise, when seeing these people, she really wouldn't have been able to recognize them at all.
After all, they were complete strangers to her.
She nodded, a faint, polite smile appearing on her charming cheeks, "Happy New Year, you didn't go home?"
Song Xuechun was tall and sweet looking, while Liang Jiayi wasn't very tall, but luckily had a face that could be described in internet lingo as 'first love'.
Song Xuechun smiled, "Do you mind if we sit down?"
"Please have a seat." Rong Dai smiled lightly and shook her head, inviting the two to sit down. She then had the waiter come to take their orders.
She still needed to complete her studies at the school later, so interacting more with these schoolmates could allow her to understand more about things at the school too.
After all, the information Huo Shaoting gave her could only organize and quantify what was on the surface.
Interpersonal relationships were a very wondrous thing that couldn't be fully expressed through numbers.
"The teacher assigned us a task this year. TK will have its first fashion show in China this time, and our school managed to obtain the opportunity to go backstage and learn. Each person also has to hand in a manuscript. If the person in charge at TK takes notice, we can obtain the chance to study in France at TK's headquarters for one year."
"So while we still have time now, the two of us and quite a few classmates stayed at school. There are only three spots this time, so the chance is rare."
After sitting down, Song Xuechun explained it to her, and Liang Jiayi nodded along at the side. It was evident the two were very concerned about this assessment.
"It's a pity you took leave from school, otherwise you could have participated too. Opportunities like this don't come often."
Liang Jiayi said regretfully.
But Rong Dai just smiled, "If not this time, then next time."
If not for her opening a studio, such a chance would indeed be very rare for a university student.
Song Xuechun looked her over and took a sip of her latte, eyes full of puzzlement and curiosity as she asked, "Dai'er, are you okay? When we returned to school and heard you took leave, we were surprised for a bit, didn't expect you to suddenly acquire Wang of Shengjing."
"We couldn't contact you this time period and had no way to do anything for you."
Rong Dai smiled lightly, she could tell these two had decent personalities and were probably quite popular types at school.
"I'm fine, you should work hard and seize this opportunity."
Liang Jiayi sighed regretfully, frowning bitterly, "Probably not that easy. Aside from our school, Fangsheng Ya School also obtained the chance this time. Yao Shilin and Cai Yunmeng will also participate. Last time they took part in the design competition, they not only won the championship but almost swept all the awards."
"I heard they also seem to be collaborating with Jinxiufang this time. Word within Jinxiufang also seems to have spread. If they can obtain TK's spots this time, they can directly get an offer from Jinxiufang."
Song Xuechun also nodded worriedly at the side, "Those two are top competitors. Diehard fans of Jinxiufang too. For this spot, they will surely go all out."
"If we can get the spot, that's best, but what if we can't. Fangsheng Ya is a private school and has nurtured many outstanding designers these past few years. They've always been at odds with our school."
"If Dai'er you hadn't taken leave, you definitely could have crushed them."
Liang Jiayi chimed in, her words full of regret.
