His physiological preference

Yang Zhiyan nodded.

Of course she had heard of it. This competition was equivalent to the Oscars in the film industry within the cheongsam design circle.

Every year, several emerging designers emerge, and the studios of those who win awards are booked up until next year.

"The competition is divided into two parts: the provincial competition and the national finals. Only the top three teams in the provincial competition are eligible to participate in the national finals."

Teacher Mu placed the teacup on the table, sat down opposite her, and crossed her hands on her knees. "I want you to participate."

Yang Zhiyan's fingers tightened slightly on the needle. Teacher Mu looked at her, not saying "You must win the award," nor "This is to bring glory to the studio," but simply saying, "I want you to participate."

She had been with Teacher Mu for three years, and she knew the weight of those words; Teacher Mu felt she was ready.

"I do," Yang Zhiyan said.

Teacher Mu looked at Yang Zhiyan with satisfaction, her eyes filled with gratification.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll take on some of your orders to free up time for preparing your entries for the competition."

Teacher Mu stood up, picked up her teacup, took two steps, and then stopped.

"Zhiyan, don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're still young, if it doesn't work this time, there's always next time."

Yang Zhiyan nodded. After Teacher Mu left, she sat at the worktable for a long time.

Sunlight streamed through the leaves outside the window and fell onto her hands.

She was thinking about what to make for her entry in the competition. It wasn't that she had no ideas, but rather that she had too many and needed time to process them.

That evening, Qin Yuzheng made time to have dinner with her, something he rarely did.

The restaurant was chosen by Qin Yuzheng; it's a Cantonese restaurant located on the top floor of an office building in the city center, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the city's night view.

The dishes were exquisite, and the prices were exquisite too. He had been busy for several days in a row, and today was their first meeting this week.

Because he was just too busy. The preparations for the science and technology exhibition were incredibly complex, and as a core member of the organizing committee, he had to oversee every aspect, attend every meeting, and coordinate the overall situation.

When the car stopped in front of the restaurant and Qin Yuzheng got out of the driver's seat, Yang Zhiyan noticed a dark bluish-black tinge under his eyes, which was darker than a few days ago.

But when he saw her, his eyes lit up.

"Have you been very busy lately?" she asked, feigning ignorance.

"It's alright," he said.

Yang Zhiyan glanced at him but didn't expose him.

The restaurant is on the top floor. When the elevator doors open, a floor-to-ceiling window greets you.

The city's night view unfolds beneath my feet, with lights from thousands of homes and cars flowing like a river.

The distant television tower shone with colorful lights, twinkling in the night sky. Qin Yuzheng's reserved seat was by the window, covered with a white tablecloth, and on the table sat a small vase with a white orchid in it.

The two sat down, and Qin Yuzheng handed her the menu. Yang Zhiyan flipped through it, ordered two dishes she liked, and then handed it back to Qin Yuzheng.

Qin Yuzheng ordered two more dishes that Yang Zhiyan liked, then handed the menu to the waiter. The whole process took less than a minute.

He never hesitated on these matters, not because he was casual, but because he understood Yang Zhiyan's tastes.

While waiting for the food, Qin Yuzheng poured her a cup of tea. The tea was scalding hot, and wisps of white steam rose up, blurring her face.

He looked at her silhouette behind the layer of white smoke and suddenly realized that it had been a long time since he had seen her so quietly.

"How's work lately?" he asked.

Yang Zhiyan picked up her teacup, blew on it, and took a small sip. "It's pretty good. By the way, I'm going to participate in a design competition."

"What competition?"

"International Cheongsam Design Competition. First, provincial competitions, then the national finals."

Yang Zhiyan put down her teacup and slowly circled her finger on the inside of the cup. "Teacher Mu said I should give it a try."

"Go for it, baby! You're the best!" he said with certainty. "If you need any help, remember to call me."

Yang Zhiyan looked at him. "How can you help? Can you make cheongsams?"

Qin Yuzheng was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "I don't know how to make cheongsams, but I can cheer you on."

The food arrived. The shrimp dumplings had skins so thin they were almost transparent, allowing you to see the pink shrimp meat inside.

The skin of the roast goose is roasted until crispy, and you can hear a "crunch" when you bite into it;

Steamed spare ribs with black bean sauce are served in a small bamboo steamer. The salty aroma of black beans permeates the meat, and the small piece of tendon next to the bone is the most delicious part.

Qin Yuzheng put the shrimp dumplings into her bowl, the roast goose leg meat into her plate, and picked out the best pieces of ribs and placed them in front of her.

Yang Zhiyan kept her head down and ate without saying thank you. This had become their unspoken understanding when eating together.

Qin Yuzheng also enjoyed Yang Zhiyan's nonchalance, taking it as a sign that she considered him one of her own. Only a close and intimate relationship could be so relaxed and natural.

Although they were no longer boyfriend and girlfriend, he was pursuing her again, but he didn't mind. As long as he got her, it didn't matter if it took a little longer.

The two were eating when a voice came from the side.

"Boss? It really is you!"

Qin Yuzheng looked up. A man in his forties stood by the table, wearing a dark gray suit, with a slightly protruding belly and a tightly tied tie.

His face was beaming with a smile, a smile typical of business people, the curve of his lips, the degree to which he showed his teeth, every detail was just right.

Qin Yuzheng had a vague impression of him; his surname was Huang, and he was in the building materials business. When the bidding for the booth construction at the technology exhibition was underway, his company was rejected because the materials were substandard.

The bidding process was open and transparent. Qin Yuzheng had only met him once at the bidding conference, and had no other interaction with him.

But this Mr. Huang clearly didn't think so. He had been trying to find connections to get to know Qin Yuzheng, and had been asking people to put in a good word for him at various dinner parties, but he hadn't succeeded.

I never expected to run into him at the restaurant today. Qin Yuzheng put down his chopsticks, leaned back in his chair, and stared at President Huang's face.

Qin Yuzheng's eyes were oppressive, with a sharpness that could see right through a person.

"Mr. Huang, it's after get off work hours now. If there's anything work-related, please come to the Municipal Party Committee office tomorrow during work hours."

His tone was official, businesslike, and devoid of any emotion.

Mr. Huang's smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal. He was very good at adjusting his expressions.

"Sir, I just came over to say hello, that's all. Please enjoy your meal."

Mr. Huang bowed and scraped as he stepped back. After taking two steps, he looked back again, not at Qin Yuzheng, but at Yang Zhiyan.

Yang Zhiyan kept her head down and continued eating, as if nothing had happened.

But Yang Zhiyan noticed that Qin Yuzheng's eyes turned cold the moment that person walked over.

When she was with Qin Yuzheng, he was always gentle and considerate. He was so thoughtful and considerate.

She almost forgot his other side: a cold and aloof leader who was sought after and climbed to the top of the power pyramid by countless people.