Chapter Sixteen: Truly Worthy of the President’s Favor

"Shangguan Ranran? Who is that? Do any of you know her?"
Everyone replied, "No, we don't. She probably isn't part of our upper circle."
Ye Litian on the stage caught sight of them and quickly stepped down,
walking over to Huangpu Shenqing. "Young Master Huangpu, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. My apologies."
"No need, President Ye, you're too polite," Huangpu Shenqing replied coldly, not sparing him a glance, his eyes fixed on Shangguan Ranran.
"And this young lady is?" Ye Litian asked, looking at the woman beside him.
"Greetings, President Ye. On behalf of the Shangguan Corporation, I congratulate your company. I am Shangguan Ranran."
She was growing increasingly frustrated. Why was this man following her around, draping his coat over her shoulders? Did she need it?
"Miss Shangguan, hello," Ye Litian extended his hand, intending to shake hers.
Huangpu Shenqing took his hand instead, finally looking at him directly. "I believe President Ye will be busy tonight, so there's no need for formalities with us."
"Yes, yes, Young Master Huangpu is right. Please feel free. I'll go attend to the other guests," Ye Litian withdrew his hand nervously, his body trembling slightly.
"Please, go ahead," Shangguan Ranran replied politely, still wondering what his intentions were.
She removed the coat from her shoulders.
Huangpu Shenqing pressed her hand, stopping her. "Keep it on, lest you catch a chill."
Catch a chill? What nonsense. Everyone here was wearing formal attire—bare shoulders, plunging necklines, or exposed legs.
Mo Yi watched from not far away, wishing he could poke out his own eyes. He wanted nothing more than to capture this scene and show it to Mo Shi and the others.
"Mr. Huangpu, what exactly are you trying to do tonight?" Shangguan Ranran's beautiful eyes held only confusion as she looked up and asked.
He didn't want anything, except to keep others from seeing her beauty. Draping the coat over her served two purposes: it shielded her from prying eyes, and signaled that she had a male companion, discouraging any advances. "Ranran—"

"You called me what? Mr. Huangpu, we're hardly that familiar, are we?"
Shangguan Ranran turned and walked away, leaving the coat on her shoulders. She couldn't be bothered with it; she had more important matters to attend to.
"Pres... President," Mo Yi stepped forward, waiting until Miss Shangguan had left before daring to approach.
Huangpu Shenqing yanked off his tie and tossed it at him. "What are you staring at? Don't you have work to do?"
Heaven help him, had his boss forgotten that Fashion Group wasn't their investment? What work was he supposed to do here?
But he dared not voice his frustration.
Cradling the tie, he went off to see if any familiar business partners were present, looking every bit like a wronged housewife.
Huangpu Shenqing unbuttoned the top of his collar, ordered a glass of red wine, and retreated to a corner,
sipping his drink as he watched her laugh and converse, feeling nothing but displeasure.
"Miss Shangguan, who is this?" asked Mr. Wang, a business partner.
"This is Shangguan Ranran. She's now the head of our department," Shangguan Miaomiao replied with a smile.
"Pleased to meet you," Shangguan Ranran's voice was cool yet warm.
"The two Miss Shangguans are truly adding value to your company," Mr. Wang remarked, and the others echoed his sentiment.
"Not at all, Mr. Wang. You're just as impressive as ever," Shangguan Miaomiao replied.
"If it weren't for Mr. Wang and our other investors, I wouldn't be where I am today."
"Ha, Miss Shangguan, you're too modest. Your professional achievements are well known to us all,"
Shangguan Ranran watched their exchange from the side—weren't they just trying to emphasize that Shangguan Miaomiao had earned her director position through merit?
But they seemed to forget that she, Shangguan Ranran, had graduated from the most prestigious university in Country Y.
"Mr. Wang, I heard your company is planning an acquisition in Lingnan, supposedly to build a factory?" Shangguan Ranran recalled the information she had reviewed that afternoon and brought it up.

"Yes, I'm planning to open a clothing processing factory there. May I ask, Miss Shangguan, why you mention this?"
They were in the process of acquiring land there, but most of it belonged to farmers who grew crops, and likely wouldn't agree to sell.
It was a source of concern for them.
"If I help your company secure this acquisition, next time you purchase factory goods, I'll offer a ten percent discount,"
Shangguan Ranran said with confidence. She had a way to secure the deal; now it was up to him to accept.
"Miss Shangguan, that's quite an offer. But if we fail in Lingnan, we could simply source elsewhere—why should we sacrifice ten percent profit for that?" Mr. Wang countered.
"I'm afraid it's not so easily replaced. Otherwise, your company wouldn't be so interested. Lingnan is close to raw materials, and land is cheap. I doubt your company would abandon such a prize so lightly."
Shangguan Ranran patiently explained, having mapped out the local situation thoroughly.
"Moreover, once the factory is built, your company could easily surpass ten percent profit. Managed well, you might even dominate the mid-to-low-end brand market."
"Excellent, truly the younger generation surpasses the old," Mr. Wang exclaimed, precisely echoing his own thoughts. He led the applause, and the others followed suit.
"Miss Shangguan is indeed eloquent."
"She has real talent."
"She's from the Shangguan Corporation. Do you think it's possible..."
The crowd gathered around, discussing animatedly. Mo Yi, standing behind them, clapped the loudest,
proud that his boss had such a discerning eye—she really was remarkable.