Ning Anmiao wasn't stupid. She couldn't have failed to recognize the goading in Lu Yan's words.
"I can't win. I'm just not capable enough."
Lu Yan had thought for sure that Ning Anmiao would accept the challenge. He never expected her fighting spirit to be so low. He paused for a second.
Can't win?
There's no way.
"I went into the study."
Hearing this, Ning Anmiao's expression froze. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise in them.
He actually went into the study on his own initiative.
The study was filled not only with the professional tools for designing but also with many of the awards she had won in the design field over the years. At first, she was worried that Lu Yan might find them, so she hid them all in the drawers. But as she won more and more awards, the trophies and certificates grew larger, and there was no longer enough room in the drawers. She also realized that Lu Yan would never enter the study, so she just casually placed those awards on the table.
Since Lu Yan said this, he must have seen those honors.
"What were you doing in the study?"
Lu Yan coughed awkwardly but still remained calm. "I had nothing to do at home before, so I thought I'd go to the study to find some old books to read."
Ning Anmiao couldn't help rolling her eyes.
Three years ago, all the clutter in the study had been cleared out. Where could there be anything of his?
This excuse was just too far - fetched.
"Miaomiao, with your abilities, it's no problem to beat Jiang Qiwei," Lu Yan's gaze fell on her as he said word by word. "You know that yourself, don't you?"
Ning Anmiao answered quickly. "So what? I don't even want to win."
"Miaomiao."
Lu Yan helplessly rubbed his forehead. Looking at Ning Anmiao, who seemed to be deliberately going against him, he couldn't help sighing. "Are you angry that I let Jiang Qiwei into Star River Capital to be the design director with you?"
Ning Anmiao didn't say a word.
Judging from her reaction, Lu Yan knew that she had misunderstood.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a gentle tone, as if explaining his reasons for doing this. "If I had flat - out refused Jiang Qiwei that day, what would the consequences have been?"
Jiang Qiwei would have gone to Lu's mother for support. In the end, she would still have been stuffed into Star River under another name or in another department. By then, since there would be no reason to fire her, Jiang Qiwei would have become even more of a headache.
"Rather than letting her stay in another department as a hidden threat, it's better to compete with her directly and kick her out openly. That way, even if my mom wants to plead for her, I can refuse."
The corners of Lu Yan's lips curled up in a natural smile. "Only in this way can everyone know how outstanding you are."
Only in this way can everyone know how outstanding his Miaomiao is.
She is a pearl and shouldn't be buried in the sand.
After listening to Lu Yan's explanation, Ning Anmiao was stunned for a few seconds. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but finally swallowed the words back.
Although this way of handling things was reasonable, there was still an indescribable sense of oppression in her heart.
There must have been a better way to deal with this. Why did he have to be so roundabout?
"Maybe, directly refusing her and then firmly telling my mom my attitude towards her and unconditionally standing by your side would have been the best choice, right?"
Lu Yan's short words hit exactly what was in Ning Anmiao's heart.
What she wanted was this kind of absolute favoritism.
Ning Anmiao looked at Lu Yan. Just as she was about to ask why he knew this would make her happy but still didn't do it, he interrupted her.
"Miaomiao, accept this challenge and beat Jiang Qiwei." He picked up the teapot beside him and slowly brewed a cup of tea for Ning Anmiao.
"You won't disappoint me."
Ning Anmiao's eyelashes fluttered slightly. This time, she didn't refuse.
---
In the following days, Ning Anmiao also began to take this "absurd" challenge seriously.
After all, designing for twelve artists was a huge project. And since they were Star River's artists, besides making each design unique, she also had to consider the overall unity.
The difficulty was indeed not small.
However, Miaomiao already had an idea in mind.
Once she had a clear train of thought, the progress of the design draft became extremely fast. In less than three days, she had already completed the draft.
While Ning Anmiao was in the bathroom, Lu Yan walked over and leaned close to the computer. His eyes scanned the design on the screen.
His gaze stayed for a few seconds, and then he slightly raised his lips, showing a faint smile.
His Miaomiao indeed never disappointed him.
She never had.
Ning Anmiao was a perfectionist. Once she set her mind on achieving a certain goal, she would strive to do her best.
The design draft was polished back and forth several times. From the initial draft to the second and third drafts, every version had been discussed with Lu Yan.
Although Lu Yan didn't know much about design, he could still give her some suggestions from an ordinary person's perspective.
As for the design itself, Lu Yan really couldn't help much more. Looking at the spotless kitchen, he suddenly had an idea.
Just like this, after repeated revisions and polishings, the final design was finally completed.
The next day, her and Jiang Qiwei's designs would be publicly presented at the senior management meeting. Naturally, she had to revise them repeatedly to reach the best level.
She had always been very serious about design. And since this time her opponent was Jiang Qiwei, she was even more meticulous.
Two more hours passed. Looking at the colored design drawings, Ning Anmiao let out a sigh of relief. Her eyebrows relaxed, and there was a look of satisfaction in her eyes.
"Done?" Lu Yan raised his eyes and hooked his lips in satisfaction. He could already read the answer from her expression.
Ning Anmiao nodded, and her smile was also very relaxed. "Yes, it's all sorted out."
Everything was ready, just waiting for the right moment.
She let out a long breath and slumped back heavily. Suddenly, she felt exhaustion and hunger creeping up on her little by little.
Ning Anmiao rubbed her stomach. She was a bit hungry.
Lu Yan looked at her, as if he had guessed what she was thinking. Suddenly, he smiled. "Do you want to go and eat? I'll treat you."
He said it casually, but it was exactly what she wanted.
"It's only three o'clock in the afternoon. Can we go?" There was still a bit of hesitation in Ning Anmiao's heart. After all, it was still working hours.
Lu Yan smiled. "Right now, you're the boss of this company."
Did the boss need to consider the time when deciding when to get off work?
Ning Anmiao thought about it and realized he was right. The last bit of hesitation in her heart disappeared. All she wanted was to go and have a good meal to reward herself.
She thought Lu Yan would take her to a restaurant, but unexpectedly, he drove her home.
"Eat at home?" Ning Anmiao was puzzled.
At this time, the maid had just finished cleaning the house and probably had already gone home. Where could there be any food at home?
Lu Yan looked at the confusion on her face and just smiled without saying a word.
After entering the house, Lu Yan took off his shoes first and quickly put on an apron.
"I'll cook. You just wait at the dining table."
After saying that, Lu Yan walked into the kitchen.