Xiao Zhan's POV

It's been two weeks since I accidentally met our Boss. As I said, it will be just a one-time coincidence. As long as I didn't stay during lunch or any other time that he came or went back, I wouldn't meet him.

Other people hope and wish they can meet him, but not me. I don't know how to act when I'm facing him. Plus, he is kind of scary to me. Someone with a high position and great power like him makes me feel small.

Today, I came to work as usual, but the situation inside the office was unusual. It's still early in the morning, but people are running here and there, looking busy and anxious. I approach Qin-ji, who looks frustrated and mad with her knitted brows.

"Qin-jie, are you okay? What's happening here? Why does everyone look busy?" She flinched when I suddenly came behind her. She quickly smiles at me.

"Ohh, Xiao Zhan. Hmmm...we got a big problem."

"What problem?" I quickly asked again.

"You know that we will hold a fashion show soon. We just announced it but we never mentioned our concept and style for the fashion show. The preparation is almost done, but suddenly our competitor has announced that they will hold a fashion show too, with a concept similar to ours, but the time will be earlier. Everything looks similar. We don't know who is behind all this and their reason. Our concept is not that rare until they want to copy everything. We all think the other party wants to ensure our fashion show will be unsuccessful. Our CEO was really mad," she explained while her hands were still busy doing her work.

"So, right now we have to create everything all over again from the start?"

"That is what we should do but the time is constrained. If we still proceed with what we have, those copycat bastards will say we plagiarized them." Qin-jie sighed, "We don't know if we can finish our one-month job in two weeks."

I looked around the office and found that all of them were doing their work seriously and they looked frustrated. No more joking around.

"Qin-jie, just tell me whatever I can do to help," She smiles towards me. "Alright then, do you know how to use a camera?" I nod repeatedly.

"Yes! I'm used to it since I've got my own camera." She opens her desk drawer, takes out a DSLR and passes it to me.

"I need you to visit the city and capture some scenic places. We're going to need some new inspirations to create new concepts. Can you do that?" I smile widely towards Qin-jie.

"Yes, I can! I'll take my leave first." I quickly left the office without taking my bag and walked around the area.

I went to the main city, the park, and even historical places. I snapped whatever I thought looked beautiful and could become one of the concepts for the fashion show. I kept on going around the big city. It took almost five hours, but still, I think it's not enough. The last place I went to was Disneyland. I think this place is really beautiful. One building that attracted me the most was the castle. 

Once I'm done taking pictures, I quickly return to the office. Luckily, I have bought my takeaway lunch since I arrived. It is already 2:30 pm.

"Xiao Zhan!! How is it? Did you capture anything that we can use?" asked Qin-jie as soon as she saw me entering the office. Without saying anything, I gave the camera back to her so she could check everything. She slowly pushed the next button and looked at the pictures one by one. I anxiously waited for her response.

She stops at the last picture I took, the castle, and stares at it for quite a long time.

"Hmmm... Jie? How about we change the concept into a mix of Western and historical, plus a little bit of fantasy? Since our previous concept is more from the 15th century, we can still use some of the props and design we already have, and we need to customize or enhance them a little. How... is it?"

Qin-jie slowly turns her head towards me and stares at me. Suddenly, she stands up and hugs me.

"Thank you, Xiao Zhan!" That's all she said before she left me dumbfounded and ran to P'Jane's office. About ten minutes later, all of us were called into the meeting room.

"Alright, everyone. As we all know, we have to change our concept since an irresponsible party gives out information about our fashion show. But it's okay. Let's prove that we can do even better. Therefore, I've decided to change our concept into a Western mix with historical plus a little bit of fantasy."

I'm surprised they accepted my suggestion. All of the staff were silenced before they smiled widely.

"I guess even from the concept, you guys already get the gist, right? So, for our clothes design, all the designers wait for a while after this and we can discuss what we should add or change. Maybe you guys can find swords and shields or something relatable for the props. As for the others, just change whatever you can. Just search for anything related to our concept. Are there any questions?" All of them shake their heads.

"Alright, if no, you guys can continue your work. By the way, let's thank Xiao Zhan for suggesting this to us." My eyes widened, and my face started to redden when they all looked at me while clapping their hands and whistling.

In these two weeks, all of us, including me, were working like crazy. It seems like the concept didn't change much, but to make it seem like a whole new and fresh concept, we needed to change many things. Thank God we managed to finish it, and the fashion show went on smoothly, and the success was beyond our target. 

Yongcheng's POV

The fashion show's success delighted all the staff at A'La Mode, including me. I called Jane into my office to thank him for all his efforts.

"Jane, thank you so much for all your efforts. You and your team are seriously my best workers." He smiles and looks hesitant to say something, but I wait for him to speak up.

"Well, actually, Mr Yongcheng, the concept and idea itself came from our new assistant. He was the one who went around the city, taking pictures to give us ideas for the new concept. He was also the one who suggested the concept of Western, historical and fantasy." I knitted my brows.

"New... assistant? Who?"

"Hmmm... Xiao Zhan." That boy—that beautiful boy. From what I saw before, I knew he had the skills, but I didn't expect he was so talented.

"Seriously?? He did that?" Jane nods repeatedly.

"Xiao Zhan is a talented and gifted boy. He is such a big help to us. He often helped with the designer's work, even though he was not obliged to do so, but he liked doing it. It seems like he likes designing."

"Where did you find him?" I asked.

"I have an old friend who owns a restaurant. When I told him I was looking for assistants, he suggested Xiao Zhan. Xiao Zhan is a part-timer at that restaurant. He works as a... singer."

Singer? He got the looks and skills and now he can even sing? How many talents does he have?

"Alright. Thank you. By the way, I've reserved a restaurant so you guys can go and celebrate there. Just eat as much as you want. It's on me." Jane bows to me and leaves my office with a big smile.

Xiao Zhan is such a talent at such a young age. Too bad he is a temporary staff member here. But will he accept if I take him to work with me? Is there anyone who will reject such a good offer?

It is not my nature, but to make sure I'm not making a wrong decision, I've come to the floor under mine just to observe him. Usually, I ask Jane to meet me in my office, but now I will make an excuse to meet him in the meeting room on the 7th floor.

Sometimes, I secretly glance at him, but unlike those flirtatious women, he does not look towards me. Every time I see him, he is busy with his work or talking to other staff. I even tried to gather everyone and thank them for their hard work, but they still don't look at me. It seems like the floor is more attractive to him.

From there, I've decided. I want him to work with me.

I picked up the phone and made a call to Jane's office. "Jane, please tell Xiao Zhan to come to my office," I quickly hang up the call, not letting him question my order.

In about ten minutes, I heard a knock on my office door. "Come in," I said without diverting my eyes from the laptop. I could hear slow and hesitating steps walking towards my desk.

The younger guy keeps humming. I could sense his fear of me. "Mr Y- Yongcheng, d- did you call for me, sir?" I lift my head and look towards the fidgeting guy before me.

"Yes. Have a seat first." He nods and takes a seat in front of me.

I close my laptop and turn my body to face him. "Xiao Zhan, right? I heard from Jane that you were the one who gave them ideas about our new concept in the previous fashion show. Is it true?"

"No! I'm just suggesting that concept theme based on the pictures I took. I didn't do much. It was them who were working so hard to produce such great results, like what we saw." He is trying so hard not to take all the credit for himself.

"You're just...18 right?" He nods. "Then, how can you have such great skills in editing and designing?"

Again, he hesitates to answer. "I have loved art and design since I was a kid. So, I learned some of it from school and some... on my own." It seems like he has a passion for this field.

"Alright, Xiao Zhan. I want to ask you: If I hire you to work close to me, will you accept it?" He was silenced. He tilted his head and kept on blinking his eyes.

"I mean...if I give you a position...maybe as my assistant or a position like Jane, will you agree?" His eyes widened.

"Oh my! No! No! I won't dare! Mr. Yongcheng, I don't think I'm suitable for that kind of position. I'm still new, I know nothing about all of this fashion. Many other people are more suitable for that position than I am. It's not that I'm not grateful or thankful with your offer, but I don't think someone with only a high school qualification like me can sit in such a high position like that. I'm sorry, sir".

Wow, I'm surprised. This is the first time I've heard him talk so fast and use so many words. It seems like he really hates the idea.

I sighed. "Sorry for asking, why don't you continue your studies?" I try to change the topic.

He rubs his nape awkwardly, "It's not that I don't want to but I'm currently saving money. My parents have already died, so I have to work to support my life. I'm gonna need lots of money to enter college, so I'm working here." For the second time, I'm surprised. Who would guess this kid had a hard life?

"Xiao Zhan, listen here. I offered you that position because I saw potential in you. You're still young, so if you start to learn now, I'm sure later on you'll be great. That's why I want to offer you that position. Can't you reconsider it?" This is the first time I've practically begged someone to accept a job.

"Sorry again, Mr Yongcheng. I think that it might be a little inappropriate for someone with no qualifications like me to accept it. It might cause rumors and make others angry if they knew they had to work under someone without proper education. I don't want things like that to happen. Hope you can understand." I'm kinda out of ideas on how to make him agree.

After a moment of silence, an idea pops up in my mind. "How about I send you to college? Just pick any college. I'll pay for everything." Hearing my suggestion makes him more agitated.

"No! No! No! Mr Yongcheng, please don't do that. I could pay for my own college fees. I've been doing it well these past few years. Please, I really can't accept something free like that." He gives me a stiff smile.

"Who said that it was for free? You need to do something in return." Now he looks scared.

"Wh- what is it?"

"I need you to take care of my sons." 

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