Chapter 322 – My Dear CEO Wife – A Victorious First Battle (22)
The theme for the International Design Competition had been released six months earlier. Teams wishing to participate were required to submit their works four months before the competition. Only entries that met the aesthetic and thematic standards would qualify, and teams that passed this first stage would then receive the preliminary-round topic.
It was during the period when the Wen Corporation received the competition topic that Zu Shuang went to the Liu Corporation. In her hands were the Wen design team’s creative concepts and initial drafts. While the drafts could be revised, the overall concept—being tied to the topic—was unlikely to change.
There were many teams participating, some sharing the same topics while others had different ones. Teams with the same topic would compete directly against each other.
Zu Shuang lifted her chin proudly. The Liu Corporation happened to receive the same topic as the Wen Corporation. Since the entries were presented in alphabetical order, Liu’s presentation came before Wen’s. If two similar-quality works appeared around the same time, people would naturally favor the earlier one—it’s human nature to assume the first to appear is the original.
When the Liu design team took the stage to present their work, it came as no surprise that their design received unanimous praise from the judges. Even the other design teams in the audience couldn’t help but marvel at it.
Zu Shuang gave a graceful bow to the judges, then stepped down the stairs in her stiletto heels.
Just as she was about to reach the bottom, suddenly—her shoelace snapped.
Momentum carried her forward, and she pitched downward with a startled cry.
The audience gasped and rose from their seats. A nearby reporter lunged forward to catch her, but in her panic, Zu Shuang’s perfectly manicured nails raked across his face, leaving five bloody red scratches so vivid they made onlookers wince.
Though the reporter didn’t let go, the pain weakened his grip, and the two of them fell hard to the ground together—he ended up serving as her cushion.
Zu Shuang tried to push herself up, but a sharp pain shot through her left ankle, sending her collapsing again. Unfortunately, when she shifted to stand, her knee struck the reporter’s vulnerable area; already in pain, he passed out on the spot.
Staff members hurried forward to help them both up and immediately sent them to the hospital.
In the small white room, Qiu’er watched the scene unfold with satisfaction. She spat toward Zu Shuang’s retreating back. “Serves her right.”
Xiao A patted Qiu’er’s furry head. “Feeling better now?”
Qiu’er grinned. “Perfectly done—though that poor male reporter, I do feel a bit sorry for him.”
Xiao A said, “Don’t worry. I just ran a quick check — aside from those five scratches on his face, that reporter’s fine. If you’re feeling guilty, Qiu’er, we can always go to the hospital and treat him ourselves. We’ll have him back to peak condition in no time.”
Qiu’er giggled. “Heehee, Xiao A, you’re amazing!”
Seeing the heroine suffer a setback, Qiu’er was delighted.
The same went for the designers from the Liu Corporation’s team. With Zu Shuang finally in the hospital, no one would be bossing them around during the next rounds of the competition. Once the design contest was over, they planned to resign and never again endure that kind of nonsense.
One team after another went up on stage to present their work, and before long, it was Bai Tang’s turn.
To make a good impression on the judges, Manager Luo decided that the handsome Bai Tang would give the presentation, while the rest of the team would step in to supplement his explanations.
“Manager Luo, I—I can’t,” Bai Tang said nervously. “What if I mess it up? Maybe Brother Chen should do it—he’s experienced and doesn’t get stage fright.”
Manager Luo smiled reassuringly. “It’s fine. Just speak boldly. If you make a mistake or forget something, the rest of us will help fill in. This isn’t just a presentation—it’s also a great opportunity to practice.”
The others agreed. Although design skills were the main focus, first impressions were important too.
“Alright then.” Bai Tang took a deep breath, like a soldier marching bravely into battle, and led the designers onto the stage.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon…”
Bai Tang’s voice trembled with nerves. The speech he’d memorized didn’t come out smoothly, but his voice was clear and gentle—pure, with a soft milky tone that carried a childlike sincerity. It wasn’t fluent, yet it drew out everyone’s patience and affection.
When he reached the part about light and composition, his mind suddenly went blank. He could feel countless eyes on him, and the harder he tried to remember, the more nervous he became. The more nervous he got, the emptier his head felt.
Designer Chen stepped in to add a few points, but unexpectedly, one of the judges—who had never interrupted a presentation before—spoke up: “Please let him speak.”
The task fell back to Bai Tang. The little “squirrel” looked like he was about to cry from anxiety.
The judges looked at him encouragingly. Bai Tang glanced around at them, then lifted his gaze beyond the judges to the audience.
Suddenly, a familiar figure stood up among the crowd—Wen Changhe—holding two balloons: one shaped like a little silver wolf, the other like a squirrel. Hanging from the animals’ bellies were two small signs that read:
“Tang Tang, you can do it!”
“You’re the best!”
The little “squirrel” met Wen Changhe’s gentle gaze, and suddenly, it felt like his heart had found its anchor.
He couldn’t embarrass A He. Right now, he wasn’t just representing himself—he was representing Wen Corporation, the company, and A He.
He turned around and saw his teammates smiling at him.
“Don’t be scared, Tang Tang. Just say what you need to say!” That was Qiu’er’s encouragement.
“Don’t worry, Host,” said Xiao A. “You just focus on speaking. How the judges score it is their business—we can’t control that. All we can do is give our best.”
Bai Tang sniffled, gathered his courage, lifted the microphone, and continued, “Our design is…”
Since Bai Tang had been directly involved in the project, he knew the design inside out. Whenever he started to feel nervous, he focused his gaze on Wen Changhe, just like when he practiced at home. With that as his anchor, Bai Tang grew more confident the longer he spoke. Before long, he was presenting smoothly, needing almost no help from the other designers to complete the logical explanation from start to finish.
When he finally said in English, “That’s all. Thank you, everyone,” thunderous applause erupted across the venue.
In the audience, Wen Changhe waved both hands excitedly, like a child showing off his favorite toy.
Bai Tang couldn’t help laughing at Wen Changhe’s childish gesture.
Sunlight poured over the boy’s figure, and with that bright smile on his face, he looked almost like an angel descended to earth.
Just looking at that smile seemed to sweep away every trace of gloom in one’s heart.
It wasn’t until Bai Tang and his teammates stepped off the stage that the judges finally began to write down their scores.
Bai Tang ran straight into Wen Changhe’s arms for a hug. “A He, I did it~!”
“I knew it. My Tang Tang is the best,” Wen Changhe said, untying the string around his own wrist and tying the little silver wolf balloon onto Bai Tang’s.
“This area’s close to Creative Street—there are lots of fun places nearby. Want to go take a look?”
“Yeah!” The boy’s answer was crisp and bright.
Manager Luo and the others, having witnessed the display of affection, coughed awkwardly in unison.
Wen Changhe turned to them and said, “You’ve all worked hard. The results will be announced tomorrow. Since we’re already out here, go enjoy yourselves tonight.” Then, taking Bai Tang’s hand, he added with a grin, “Tonight’s expenses—on me.”
Spending money on your own and enjoying a company-covered outing were two entirely different feelings. Hearing that, Manager Luo and the others instantly relaxed. As long as they didn’t overindulge and end up sick before the next round, they could freely enjoy the night.
With President Wen’s golden words as permission, everyone no longer minded being fed a dose of “dog food.” They packed their belongings and set off toward Creative Street.
The streets were crowded—faces of white, yellow, and black mingled together in a sea of people. Wen Changhe held tightly onto Bai Tang’s hand, afraid they might get separated in the crowd.
The afternoon sun was scorching, so Wen Changhe led Bai Tang into a forest-themed café.
The moment they stepped inside, cool air scented faintly with the fragrance of plants brushed past them.
Bai Tang’s eyes lit up. The café’s design was impressively realistic—like stepping into an actual forest. Guests sat as if having a “picnic” in the woods, with wide spaces between tables so that even if someone spoke loudly, it wouldn’t disturb anyone else.
A waiter led them to a picnic mat deep inside and asked politely, “What would you like to order?”
Bai Tang took the menu that Wen Changhe handed him. Even the food names followed the forest theme.
He read out a few that sounded pleasant to him, and the waiter smiled before leaving. When the desserts and milk tea arrived, Bai Tang was amazed—he hadn’t seen such a rustic, creative presentation in a long time.
The desserts were served on large leaves, and the drinks came in hollowed coconut shells with wooden straws sticking out at an angle.
“This looks so nice,” Bai Tang said. “A He, you drink first.”
“Alright.” Wen Changhe chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair before playfully teasing him.
The café was excellent at protecting customer privacy. Unless called for or when delivering dishes, the waiters generally stayed out of sight.
The two spent a pleasant and carefree day together.
…
The next morning, when the preliminary results were announced, Bai Tang was still fast asleep in Wen Changhe’s arms.
Manager Luo pounded urgently on their door—“Bang, bang, bang!”—as if being chased by someone.
The noise woke the two of them. Bai Tang sat up with a yawn while Wen Changhe slipped on his shoes and went to open the door.
“President Wen, the results are out! We took first place in the preliminaries!” Manager Luo said excitedly, with Designer Chen standing just behind him.
“Also, among all the teams, we scored the highest in overall impression points. Where’s Bai Tang? I have to tell him this great news!”
As he spoke, Manager Luo tried to rush inside—but Wen Changhe blocked his way.
It wasn’t that Manager Luo’s excitement was unjustified. To be recognized by the International Design Jury and actually place in the competition was every designer’s dream. He was nearly forty and participating for the first time; though it was a team event, the names of every contributing designer would be officially recorded if they won.
But there was no way Wen Changhe would just let him barge in. His Tangtang had just woken up—looking unbearably soft and tempting. There was no chance Wen Changhe would let anyone else see that.
Designer Chen, catching on from Wen Changhe’s expression, quickly tugged Manager Luo’s sleeve. “Let’s go get breakfast first. Bai Tang’s probably not up yet. President Wen can tell him himself.”
Author’s Note:
Wen Changhe: Only I get to see Tang Tang.
Half-asleep Bai Tang: A He, come back to bed~
Wen Changhe: On my way.