Xu Zixi was stunned. What did it mean?
She looked back at the bouquet of flowers, then at Pei Mingyuan. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Mr. Pei, did you send this?"
Pei Mingyuan smiled rather helplessly. "It's me. Knowing that you're coming back to work today, I specially ordered a bouquet of flowers to encourage you to start a new life."
Xu Zixi didn't know what to say for a moment. If he wanted to encourage her, he could just do it. Why did he send red roses? Could this stuff be sent casually? She had thought it was... cough cough.
Looking at the bouquet again, Xu Zixi said calmly,
"Sorry, Mr. Pei. The flowers are very beautiful, but I'm a bit allergic to pollen, so I can't accept them. Please don't send them again in the future." After saying that, she even pretended to sneeze a few times.
Pei Mingyuan thought she just didn't like the flowers. He didn't expect it was because of pollen allergy. He quickly said,
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't learn about the situation in advance and made you allergic. Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital to get some medicine?"
Xu Zixi blushed slightly, waved her hand, and whispered, "There's no need to go to the hospital. I'll be fine in a while."
The language of roses is only related to love. This little episode made Xu Zixi think of that night when she used Pei Mingyuan to get rid of that blind - eyed man as soon as possible. She felt both a bit guilty and embarrassed. So when she walked into the elevator with Pei Mingyuan, she deliberately kept a distance from him, and her attitude of avoiding suspicion was very obvious.
Having his flower - sending rejected and now feeling her alienation, Pei Mingyuan was somewhat hurt. He secretly sized her up through the reflective mirror of the elevator. She was someone he hadn't seen for a few days.
She had said on the phone that she ate and slept well. Seeing that her complexion did look good now, the guilt in his heart lessened a bit. At the same time, he was glad that the dismissal letter hadn't really been sent to her. Otherwise, he really didn't know how to face her again.
When she needed help the most, he not only couldn't reach out to her but also stepped on her. What was the difference between his behavior and that of that Mr. Yan?
Thinking of the diamond ring on that man's middle finger at the shareholders' meeting, Pei Mingyuan's eyes flickered slightly.
Actually, that bouquet of roses just now was not only to encourage her return. He also wanted to show his feelings to her and create an opportunity for himself. But who would have known... Forget it. Since she didn't like it, he would give her other gifts in the future.
After reaching the floor, they walked out together. When they were about to part ways, Pei Mingyuan said,
"By the way, at ten o'clock, we'll gather all the members of the project and all the winners of the project design competition for a project plan meeting to discuss the construction of the 'City of Hope' together. You should prepare well. At that time, the meeting will be hosted by you, the first - prize winner and the chief designer."
After saying that, noticing her slightly dazed expression, Pei Mingyuan smiled and said, "What's that expression on your face? Although the award - giving process wasn't completed that day, you won the genuine first prize. According to the competition rules, this project will be named the 'City of Hope', and you're the chief designer of the 'City of Hope'. Aren't you happy?"
Coming back to her senses, Xu Zixi smiled. "Naturally, I'm happy."
But his mention of the award ceremony made her recall what had happened that day.
"Will everyone come to the ten - o'clock meeting?" she asked, looking up.
Meeting her gaze, Pei Mingyuan hated himself for instantly understanding the meaning in her eyes. Quietly clenching his fist, he said, "I know who you're asking about. Don't worry. Mr. Yan won't come. I got the news that he returned to Fengcheng yesterday afternoon."
"Who said I was asking about him?" Xu Zixi denied it subconsciously, then added, "I'm worried about Cui Jiandong. Cui Jiandong is still lying in the hospital. He's already out of the competition, and now he can't attend the meeting. I'm afraid he won't be able to keep up with the work progress when he comes back to work. He's still on probation. It won't be good for him like this."
But in her heart, she couldn't help but think. He's back in Fengcheng? He must have known he had no face to stay in Haicheng anymore, right?
It's good this way. She was still worried that he would pester her. It seems he still has a bit of self - awareness.
Pei Mingyuan said, "You don't need to worry about this. I've already thought about Cui Jiandong's future. To be honest, his strength is not as good as yours. He was seriously injured this time, so he should give up the position of project manager."
Coming back to her senses, Xu Zixi said, "But he was injured while protecting his colleagues in the company. Isn't it a bit of a kick when he's down to do this? I'm afraid he won't be able to accept it for a while."
Suddenly, Pei Mingyuan thought that since that Mr. Yan wasn't around, this was a good opportunity for him to be alone with her!
"Yuan Xi, I'm planning to visit Cui Jiandong after work this afternoon. Do you want to go with me?"
Visiting Cui Jiandong was already Xu Zixi's plan for today. Adding Pei Mingyuan wouldn't be a problem, so she readily replied, "Sure."
Yes! This was a rare "two - person world"! Pei Mingyuan secretly clenched his fist and grinned happily.
At ten o'clock, Xu Zixi carried the materials and walked into the meeting room with Pei Mingyuan. The meeting room was already full of people. All the winners of the project design competition were there. Zhou Yaru even waved excitedly at Xu Zixi.
After taking their seats, Pei Mingyuan got straight to the point without any nonsense.
"Everyone, the project design competition last week has come to an end, and the final results have been determined. According to our previous agreement, we'll fully develop the entire project based on the first - prize - winning plan, and the plans of other award - winners can also obtain the management rights of some areas in the project. But exactly how to do it still needs all of us to sit down and discuss. That's why I've gathered everyone here today."
On the projection screen, the six award - winning works appeared one by one. Pei Mingyuan first clicked on the model of the "City of Hope", which was ranked first and was designed by Xu Zixi.
Looking at Xu Zixi, Pei Mingyuan said,
"When we launched the competition, we did promise to develop the entire project according to the first - place plan. But the styles of other works can't be fully integrated with the 'City of Hope' to some extent. For example, 'Coral Jungle' has a fairy - tale style, and 'All Things Grow' has a natural style. You're the designer of the whole project, and the 'City of Hope' is your work. What's your opinion on this?"
When Xu Zixi was designing the "City of Hope", she had already considered the issue of style integration. So Pei Mingyuan's question didn't stump her. She stood up, walked to the podium, and took the lead.
"Does anyone here play the tower - climbing game? In a hundred - story pagoda, each floor can be a different world. Maybe in this level, you're still in the primitive era, and in the next level, you suddenly find yourself in the vast outer space. The unknown is always the most attractive feature."