A whirlwind marriage with a high-ranking official: Lights out, don't force me to take the initi

An empty classroom in the teaching building of the Provincial Academy of Fine Arts.

The classroom is not large, about 20 square meters.

The walls were painted with light green wainscoting, and the blackboard was an old-fashioned cement blackboard, with some parts worn white, and the chalk tray was filled with broken chalk stubs.

The windows are old-fashioned wooden frames, and the afternoon sun shines in at an angle, cutting out several warm yellow patches of light on the ground.

Ye Wenxi and Xiao He sat facing each other on two wooden chairs by the window.

The interview was nearing its end. In addition to asking some professional questions, she also talked about her thoughts and future plans.

"What kind of job do you want to do after you graduate?" Ye Wenxi asked.

Xiao He looked at her with a hint of admiration in her eyes:

"I hope I can be like you."

"Do you also do fashion design? Or..." Ye Wenxi asked.

"I'm not entirely sure yet, but I hope to shine in my field and be a useful person, just like you."

Ye Wenxi didn't say much, just smiled and nodded. But Ye Wenxi never paid attention to what people said, only what they did.

Ye Wenxi opened his notebook and began explaining the work details:

"It will be kind of you to come to the military compound once a week. If I can go back to Harbin to meet you, you can save yourself one trip."

"Besides this, my design drafts and ideas must be kept strictly confidential. All your manuscripts, sketches, notes, and the information we communicate must not be disclosed to anyone."

"Thirty yuan a month. There are extra bonuses if you do well. But that depends on your performance."

……

"Look, are there any other problems?" Ye Wenxi asked, looking up.

"No, no more," she nodded repeatedly, a slightly excited smile on her face.

Ye Wenxi closed the notebook, stood up, extended her hand to the other person, and spoke calmly but solemnly:

"If everything is fine, please sign and put your fingerprint on this cooperation agreement."

This was a pre-prepared agreement for joint military-civilian employment and confidentiality, except that Xiao He's version was specifically for probationary and temporary workers.

The document clearly outlines the job duties, salary settlement, garment material management, and rules for entering and leaving the camp, with a confidentiality clause added at the end.

The official seal of the joint military-civilian garment company was neatly stamped at the bottom of the page.

While the government hasn't fully liberalized individual business licenses yet, this official seal is legitimate. She obtained it through the military logistics department, using the name of a joint military-civilian production unit, to provide a certificate from the supervising unit. Only after approval and registration by the public security bureau was the official seal engraved.

"You can double-check," Ye Wenxi said, handing her the trial contract.

Xiao He quickly glanced at the terms and conditions, then decisively picked up the pen, signed, and pressed her fingerprint.

Ye Wenxi took the terms, glanced at them, and smiled:

"Ding Jiahe, I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration."

The two shook hands. Ye Wenxi stood up, preparing to leave.

"Teacher Ye," Ding Jiahe called out to her.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Ye Wenxi turned around.

"My roommates... they also submitted their resumes and portfolios. I wanted to ask, do they have a chance?" Ding Jiahe asked softly, a little embarrassed.

Ye Wenxi glanced at her, then sat down again:

"Sit down and talk."

She paused, then slowly began to speak:

"That's right. I've just started recruiting design assistants, so I can't determine exactly how many people I need right now. Also, your abilities and performance will need to be assessed through practice."

"Right now, one person might be enough, but as things develop, there may be replacements or expansions."

She looked at Xiao He, her tone serious:

"So I can't give you a direct answer as to whether they can get the job right now. But what I can say for sure is that as long as their abilities meet the hiring requirements, everyone has a chance."

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Ye." Xiao He nodded.

"Did they ask you to do it?" Ye Wenxi asked.

"No," Xiaohe shook her head, "They, like me, all love fashion design."

She paused, then added:

"If they could get a little closer to their dreams like I have, that would be the greatest encouragement and support for them."

"It's not easy for us to meet people who share the same aspirations and passions."

"So... I'd like to ask for them."

Xiaohe smiled, pursing her lips, a little embarrassed, feeling that she might be asking for too much. Then she quickly added:

"But I will work hard with them! Don't worry, I won't reveal your trade secrets."

Xiao He looked up, a little embarrassed, and asked sincerely:

"But could I discuss with them the direction of our efforts? Could I give them a rough outline of what qualities would qualify them to work with you?"

Ye Wenxi looked at her and remained silent for two seconds.

"Of course," he replied with a smile.

The bus ride from the Academy of Fine Arts to Central Avenue took half an hour.

Ye Wenxi leaned against the car window, watching the old buildings on the street recede into the distance, her mind still preoccupied with the job interview she had just had.

She was somewhat wary and cautious of this classmate, even regarding her as part of a plot, a pawn that had been arranged.

But she never expected that she would end up asking that question.

The car stopped at Central Avenue Station, interrupting Ye Wenxi's thoughts.

She got out of the car and walked along the stone path, where she could see the old sign of the Russian restaurant in the distance.

As you push open the door, a wonderful aroma of cream, coffee, and toast wafts out.

As soon as I entered, I heard Lu Weihua's loud voice:

"Let me tell you, this is the best! Last time I ate it, I practically licked the plate clean!"

Ye Wenxi looked in the direction of the sound and saw Lu Weihua with Zhang Yunxia, ​​Ding Jiahe and Zhang Xiangyang sitting in a booth by the window. Several dishes had already been served on the table.

"I heard your loud voice as soon as I walked in." Ye Wenxi walked over and scolded her with a smile, "In public places, be mindful of your dining etiquette."

"I was just happy," Lu Weihua said with a grin, lowering his voice.

"Second sister-in-law, don't argue with me today. I'll invite the two older sisters!" Lu Weihua patted himself twice.

Zhang Yunxia was a little embarrassed and whispered:

"Weihua, let's just have some regular noodles, why are you taking us to eat such expensive food..."

Lu Weihua waved his hand dismissively: "It's nothing! It's not easy for me to treat you all!"

Ding Jiahe, on the other hand, was extremely excited and kept studying the menu.

"This is the borscht, right?" she said, pointing to the bowl of bright red soup on the table.

Zhang Yunxia scooped up a spoonful of borscht, brought it to her nose, and smelled it:

"Isn't this just tomato soup? They even add a red vegetable, and they're charging such a high price with a fancy name!"

Ding Jiahe sighed helplessly, "Sigh, Sister Yunxia is allergic to romance."

Zhang Xiangyang held a piece of bread spread with butter, humming happily as it smelled delicious.

"Mom, eat! You can eat a lot!"

Ye Wenxi raised an eyebrow at Lu Weihua:

"I'm giving you a chance, but don't regret it later, this place is extremely valuable."

"I know, I've eaten here before, have you forgotten?" Lu Weihua shook his head smugly.

Ye Wenxi twisted her body and pouted, mimicking her: "I—came—to—eat—before—you forgot?"

"So what if you ate here once with your 'illegitimate' partner?" Ye Wenxi rolled her eyes at her.

"What?!" Zhang Yunxia pushed away the bread Xiang Yang offered her. "What's going on?"