There is a type of creature in this world called a "wife-flaunting maniac."
Shen Qi hadn't understood that before.
But tonight, Shen Qi found it impossible not to.
Because from the moment they stepped into the banquet, He Yining would show off his tie to everyone he met.
"Does my tie look good tonight? My wife made it!" He Yining said, completely unafraid that everyone else's ties were world-class top brands, flaunting it relentlessly.
Thus, the entire banquet knew that President He was wearing a tie designed and made by his wife.
Wen Yibo also came.
As soon as he arrived, he sought out Shen Qi to chat.
"Xiao Qi, what exactly did you design for He Yining? Look at him, showing off all night!" Wen Yibo looked at Shen Qi with a face full of curiosity. "It sounds so pitiful, like he's never worn a tie in his life."
Shen Qi covered her face and replied, "It's all my fault!"
Wen Yibo leaned in and asked, "Did you really design that tie?"
Shen Qi nodded. "Yeah, my first work."
Wen Yibo nodded. "No wonder it's so ugly."
Shen Qi: "..."
Wen Yibo continued, "But hey, make one for me too?"
Shen Qi shot him a glare. "If it's ugly, why do you want it?"
"Because it's ugly with such style, I have to pre-order one," Wen Yibo replied matter-of-factly. "When you become famous in the future, an internationally renowned designer, I can pull out this tie and threaten you to buy it back at a high price, or it'll hurt your reputation. See, a win-win business—how clever am I?"
Shen Qi gritted her teeth. "Not making one!"
Wen Yibo grinned cheekily and pressed on, "Come on, we're friends now! As a friend, how can you just refuse a friend's request?"
Shen Qi stiffened her neck. "I can refuse!"
Wen Yibo was about to keep bantering when Feng Manlun's voice drifted over from behind. "Xiao Qi, you're here too."
Shen Qi and Wen Yibo turned around at the same time.
When Wen Yibo saw Feng Manlun, a hint of playful amusement flickered in his peach-blossom eyes. "Oh, Young Master Feng is here!"
Feng Manlun nodded at Wen Yibo. "Young Master Wen is in good spirits."
Wen Yibo gave a roguish smile. "Not at all, not at all. This is the first time I've known that Young Master Feng and Xiao Qi seem quite close?"
"Naturally. We're from the same master-disciple lineage." Feng Manlun gave Wen Yibo a meaningful look, then turned to Shen Qi. "Xiao Qi, have you finished the book I gave you last time? I've acquired a few more manuscripts from other top masters. Interested in taking a look?"
Shen Qi's eyes lit up, but then she felt it was inappropriate and quickly hedged, "Every master's manuscript has its own copyright. Wouldn't it be bad for me to browse through them?"
Feng Manlun smiled gently. "It's fine. I've already obtained the rights to these manuscripts. They're design drafts from past products. Though they're a bit dated, they can still be very inspiring for beginners."
Shen Qi felt a little thrill inside.
What she could currently see were only some of Charles's early manuscripts. She couldn't access his current ones.
Even though Shen Qi was now the president's wife of the He Group, Charles's manuscripts were under a confidentiality agreement with the He Group. Apart from He Yining and a few relevant personnel, no one else could handle them.
Shen Qi opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, He Yining's voice drifted over from the side. "Manlun, you're here too? Hey, does my tie look good? Xiao Qi designed it—her first product!"
Shen Qi and Wen Yibo both covered their faces.
We don't know that guy.
Feng Manlun's expression stiffened for a moment.
Was this a declaration of war against him?
Hmm?
So what if he was Shen Qi's senior fellow apprentice?
Shen Qi's first work was for her husband, not her senior fellow apprentice!
He Yining wrapped an arm around Shen Qi's waist and said with a satisfied expression, "I think Xiao Qi will definitely become a world-class top designer in the future! Look, even though this is her first work, you can already see the potential."
The men at tonight's banquet all wore ties that were either haute couture, custom-made by private designers, or at the very least, limited editions from world-class brands.
Only He Yining wore the most unremarkable one.
Yet everyone at the event had to compliment it with smiles!
Yes, no one dared not to compliment it!
Not complimenting it meant disrespecting President He!
And if you disrespected President He, you were out of this circle!
So, even if the tie was as bad as dog crap, they had to praise it like a flower!
That's just how President He rolled—willful!
Feng Manlun's handsome face twisted for a split second.
He quickly composed himself and said with a hint of regret to Shen Qi, "Can I have the next design?"
Before Shen Qi could answer, Wen Yibo cut in, "Sorry, the second one is already reserved. Young Master Feng will have to settle for third."
Feng Manlun's face shifted slightly again.
Shen Qi felt a headache coming on.
Her skill level couldn't even match an average brand designer.
Yet here she was, with three top-tier young masters from high society fighting over her work—how embarrassing!
Feng Manlun quickly changed the subject. "President He and Young Master Wen, what do you think of the Ministry of Commerce's proposal?"
"The Ministry rarely takes the initiative to push something so beneficial to the people. As a citizen, of course, I support the country's policies and regulations." He Yining smiled and played it vague. "Manlun, you've been in the US for so long, you might not be clear on the domestic situation. Yibo and I are mostly in the country, so naturally, we align with the nation."
Wen Yibo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, even though I'm a quarter British, I'm still Chinese! Manlun, you just got back. Why not take a good rest instead of rushing to make money? You might wear yourself out. Last time, ending up in the hospital wasn't worth it, was it?"
He Yining and Wen Yibo took turns ribbing Feng Manlun.
Feng Manlun's expression remained unchanged as he nodded. "Though I've just returned, I'm still Chinese. The Ministry of Commerce is brokering this Euro-Asian economic exchange, and I happen to know both sides well. It's my honor to contribute where I can. Hard work is nothing; even if I get tired, doing something for my hometown is a pleasure."
Shen Qi listened to their surface-level harmony and underlying jabs, finding it truly exhausting to hear.
He Yining and Wen Yibo exchanged a glance, both with a hint of coldness in their eyes.
Just then, someone murmured, "The Minister is here!"
The three, who had been at odds, immediately put on professional smiles and turned to welcome the Minister.
Soon, a crowd gathered at the entrance.
In no time, a group of people surrounded a middle-aged man as he walked toward them.
"Thank you all for coming." The middle-aged man smiled warmly, waving to everyone.
When he spotted He Yining, his face lit up with a broad grin, and he reached out his hand from afar as he approached. "President He, finally I get to see you!"
He Yining shook his hand lightly. "Not at all. When the Minister summons, how could I dare not show up?"
"How is the老夫人?" The Minister of Commerce shook He Yining's hand with great warmth.
"Thanks to your concern, Grandma is doing well. She was just thinking of you the other day, saying you haven't been over for a meal in a while." He Yining replied with a smile.
"Ah, it's a long story." The Minister shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to visit the老夫人, but I simply can't get away. I'm only here briefly to announce the content; the follow-up will be handed over to others. When I get the chance, I definitely will!"
After exchanging pleasantries with He Yining, the Minister turned to greet Wen Yibo and Feng Manlun.
Such was the absolute status of the He Group!
As long as He Yining was present, he was always the center of attention!
After the greetings, when the Minister saw Shen Qi, He Yining was about to introduce her, but the Minister gazed at Shen Qi with a puzzled expression. "Madam, why do you look so familiar to me?"
Shen Qi laughed and touched her face. "Do I have a common face?"
The Minister laughed heartily.
He Yining smiled and introduced her. "This is my wife, Shen Qi."
"So it's the young madam of the He family, my apologies." The Minister shook Shen Qi's hand and said with emotion, "President He has kept you well hidden. I didn't even know he was married. I missed out on the wedding wine."
Shen Qi and He Yining exchanged awkward glances.
Their wedding... hardly anyone knew about it.
A flicker of amusement passed through Feng Manlun's eyes.
"We'll make up for it later," He Yining quickly added.
The Minister was indeed very busy. After greeting He Yining and the others, he was immediately led to another group.
Shen Qi picked up a plate and got some food. Just as she sat down to eat, someone stood before her. "May I sit here?"
Shen Qi nodded. "Please, have a seat."
The moment the person sat down, they smiled at Shen Qi.
Shen Qi was baffled.
"Hello, let me introduce myself. I'm one of the assistants to the Minister of Commerce. My name is Shen Wu. I heard you're called Shen Qi?" the person said with a smile.
That nearly made Shen Qi spit out the cake in her mouth!
Shen Wu? Shen Qi!
Those names sounded like they were from the same family!
Shen Qi finally put down her knife and fork and looked up at the other person.
The man sitting across from her was handsome.
His looks fell short of He Yining's, but compared to most people there, he was still strikingly good-looking.
After all, having looks like He Yining and her brother Shen Lu was already an otherworldly existence.
"Yeah," Shen Qi said blankly, looking at him. "Our names are so similar!"
"In our family, we name everyone by rank. I'm the fifth, so I'm called Shen Wu." Shen Wu replied with a smile.