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

"Well, what should I say? Give me some advice." Ding Jiahe leaned closer, looking very serious.

"Stick to one principle. Don't even think about copying any of the designs," Ye Wenxi said firmly. "Make our stance clear. You can be tough on this; don't hold back."

Ding Jiahe clenched her fist: "Then I won't hold back."

"So you still want to give them some treats?" Ding Jiahe paused, her clenched fist clenched for a moment.

"Of course there are benefits, huge benefits. You only communicate with them about the upstream logic of the design, not the final design results." Ye Wenxi pulled a piece of paper from the table and started drawing on it.

"You see, all our designs have a specific entry point and background, and of course, they also include a bit of my personal aesthetic and design inspiration."

She looked up and smiled at Ding Jiahe.

"They need to put in the effort themselves in this regard. Take a piece of clothing for example; any style requires a combination of aesthetics and practicality."

"You should talk to them about how we derive our designs from their needs. Occasions, body types, target audiences, seasons, comfort, and price ranges—that's where we start. If you want good designs, dig deep yourself and get closer to your consumers."

"Don't be fooled by my lack of specific model recommendations; this is the underlying logic. Working in isolation will only produce generic products. To serve the market and consumers, how can you succeed without getting out there and connecting with people?"

Ding Jiahe's eyes lit up after hearing this: "Great! That works. Now I can have a proper chat with them. I had even planned out how to flip the table."

Ye Wenxi: "Um... take care of your health."

Ding Jiahe: "When should I go?"

Ye Wenxi: "We'll be packing up next Tuesday, so you can go on Wednesday."

Ding Jiahe: "Okay, I'll call them back and set a time."

She paused, then added, "Oh, right, Lu Weidong called during the day and said he'd come over with Wang Hao tomorrow night."

Ye Wenxi: "...I knew it."

Ye Wenxi was tidying up the account books when she suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Ding Jiahe, "Last time...you two..."

As soon as those five words were uttered, Ding Jiahe's face turned bright red.

Ye Wenxi's eyes widened in disbelief. Had he hit home run?!

Immediately, he stopped selling the goods and ignoring the customers, and dragged Ding Jiahe to a corner.

"Xiao He, keep an eye on things for me. Da Ding and I have something to discuss."

"Hey, hey, hey? What are you doing?" Ding Jiahe stumbled a couple of steps after being pushed by her.

"Tell me quickly, where are we?" Ye Wenxi's eyes shone like searchlights, her gossip spirit burning brightly.

"What? I don't understand what you're saying..." Ding Jiahe turned her face away and mumbled.

Ye Wenxi slapped her on the back: "You're pretending with me now? Have you kissed me or slept with me?!"

"Ouch! Ye Wenxi!" Ding Jiahe was so embarrassed her face almost bled, and she punched her hard. The punch was so strong that Ye Wenxi let out a wail.

But Ye Wenxi didn't let go. Ignoring the pain in her back, she still held onto Ding Jiahe's sleeve tightly, refusing to let go no matter what: "Hiss... hurry, hurry up and tell me."

"Hmph..." Ding Jiahe sighed helplessly and broke free from her hand.

"We just...we just kissed...once." Ding Jiahe's face was as red as a boiled shrimp, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"That's it? That's it?" Ye Wenxi looked disappointed, rubbing her shoulder as she turned and left. "No fun... I got punched for nothing."

"Huh?" Ding Jiahe stood there, stammering, "No?...This...you..."

..........

Saturday night.

When Ye Wenxi and Lu Weidong returned to the Lu family compound, it was already 7:30 p.m. She hadn't lingered that day, and went home early with Lu Weidong; the Lu family was waiting for them to have dinner.

A sumptuous feast was laid out on the table. Liu Xiuyun and Lu Zhenghua, the elderly couple, looked at Lu Weidong, both thinking the same thing: Lu Weidong is back.

Since getting married, Lu Weidong has been visiting home more often than he did during his years in the army. The reason is obvious. The elderly couple are happy; their relationship is good, their daughter-in-law is outstanding, and they are so loving—this is something to be pleased about.

But isn't this guy... a little too clingy to his wife?

Lu Zhenghua picked up a piece of food, looked up and asked Ye Wenxi, "Wenxi, after you enroll in school, how often will you need to make this trip?"

"I'm not sure yet. The school told me that I'll have at least sixteen class hours per week. I want to try to concentrate the time into two or three days." Ye Wenxi put down her chopsticks.

"So that's at least two full days? Maybe three?" Lu Weidong asked, his tone slightly probing.

"I can choose based on the course schedule. Besides regular classes, submitting design drafts, going to the factory, and participating in seminars can all count as class time," Ye Wenxi explained.

"It seems our family is about to produce its fourth college graduate." Lu Zhenghua looked at Ye Wenxi, his tone filled with pride and joy.

Lu Weiguo and Lu Weidong are both graduates of military academies, so they are considered college students. Lu Weihua goes without saying, and Ye Wenxi was admitted through special admission, being exceptionally outstanding.

Then... all eyes fell on Lu Xiaojun, who was engrossed in showing off.

Lu Xiaojun, feeling everyone's gaze, raised his head:

"Second Aunt, I've been working really hard lately. I only sleep four hours a day. If you don't believe me, ask my mom."

"How's it going?" Ye Wenxi asked with a smile. "There are only two months left until the high school entrance exam. Is there any hope? I remember the admission score for Harbin No. 3 High School is around 320. What's your total score now?"

Lu Xiaojun put down his chopsticks, swallowed the food in his mouth, and lowered his voice slightly: "Two hundred and one..."

"So many?" Ye Wenxi's eyes lit up. "Xiaojun, I remember your total score was only a little over one hundred before, but now it's over two hundred. Good lad, looks like you've worked hard. Keep it up!"

"Come to the military region during summer vacation, and your second aunt will cook you something delicious," Ye Wenxi said with a smile.

"What if...what if I don't pass the exam?" Lu Xiaojun asked, head down, poking at the rice in his bowl with his chopsticks.

"The special forces matter is an agreement between you and Instructor Su. But your aunt will always welcome Xiaojun. Whether you pass the exam or not, you can come and spend your summer vacation here," Ye Wenxi said to Xiaojun with a friendly smile.

Looking at Ye Wenxi, Lu Xiaojun felt that she was the most lovable person in the family.

"Wenxi, don't spoil him. This kid is always getting into trouble, and besides, you two are both so busy..." Li Shufen interjected from the side.

"I won't cause any trouble, really!" Lu Xiaojun raised his head, his voice rising. "Besides, I have my aunt with me."

Lu Weihua nodded in agreement.

"Hmph." Lu Weidong snorted coldly.

So they've formed a group already? A duo of "problem children".

"Last time was..." Lu Weidong was about to say, "Who was taken to the security office last time?" when Ye Wenxi kicked him under the table, and he immediately changed his words, "He was quite sensible last time, so don't worry, sister-in-law."