4: The Beautiful Director's Assessment

“Beautiful Director, please calm down first, I didn't mean to insult you…” Shen Yifei said, his face full of ingratiating smiles.

At this, Liu Xiaoxiao finally deflated, a mischievous curve playing on her lips. “Now you're scared, aren't you?” she thought to herself. “Offend *this old lady* (a self-referential term used by women to assert dominance or express annoyance), and you'll get what's coming to you!”

“Hahaha, that was just a farce. As the saying goes, 'foes make friends' (a proverb suggesting that initial conflict can lead to stronger relationships), now we're friends!” Shen Yifei said, grinning cheekily.

Liu Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. *This guy’s words are just so sickening*.

To maintain her goddess-like demeanor, Liu Xiaoxiao delicately furrowed her brows (a classic depiction of a woman’s subtle displeasure) and stated sternly, “Hmph, I can give you one chance, but please show some respect and keep your distance from me.”

Shen Yifei chuckled playfully, “Beautiful Director, for this afternoon’s assessment, please go easy on me (a colloquial term meaning to lower standards or show leniency)… oh no, I mean, please be lenient!”

Liu Xiaoxiao scoffed inwardly. *This old lady* (referring to herself) conducting the assessment, and *you* (a casual, slightly derogatory term for ‘you’) think you’ll pass? Dream on!

In her mind, Shen Yifei was certainly no good, and the girls in the Public Relations Department couldn't be defiled by such a scoundrel.

“Enough with the nonsense. You’re not a member of this company right now, so please leave immediately,” Liu Xiaoxiao huffed coldly.

“Alright.” Shen Yifei shrugged helplessly. *Are all career beauties this aloof?*

If he really ended up with a director like her, life would probably be quite difficult.

Regardless, Shen Yifei still really wanted this job. As for the interview, he'd just have to play it by ear.

Leaving the Aiyya International Building, Shen Yifei wandered around outside for a bit and grabbed something to eat.

At two in the afternoon, Shen Yifei arrived at the Director’s office as agreed.

The office was decorated very simply, with a few fresh potted plants on the desk and a fish tank nearby holding a few goldfish.

The curtains were open, and sunlight poured in, making the entire office feel very bright.

There were only two people in the office: Liu Xiaoxiao and Lin Caier, the previous examiner.

“Director Liu, this is Mr. Shen,” Lin Caier introduced from beside them.

“I know,” Liu Xiaoxiao said expressionlessly, glancing at Shen Yifei.

This immediately made Shen Yifei feel a bit of pressure.

Before he could speak, Liu Xiaoxiao said, “The assessment begins now. Assistant Lin, please call over the company’s two models.”

“Alright.”

Lin Caier nodded and left the Director’s office.

“Beautiful Director, what exactly are we being assessed on in this interview?” Shen Yifei couldn’t help but ask.

Liu Xiaoxiao replied coolly, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Soon after, two beautiful models with stunning figures walked into the Director’s office, each clad in sexy, luxurious, lightweight summer outerwear.

Staring at the two beautiful models before him, Shen Yifei was dumbfounded. *What kind of assessment is this? Is it testing a man’s… abilities in *that* area?*

“Mr. Shen, although our Aiyya International isn’t an overtly commercial company, our reputation is quite high. Since you’re here to apply, you should understand our company’s operational model, right?” Liu Xiaoxiao asked with a faint smile.

“I don’t,” Shen Yifei replied bluntly, shaking his head.

“You…”

Liu Xiaoxiao was speechless. She hadn’t expected such an answer to pop out of Shen Yifei’s mouth. *What a strange character is this guy* (a pejorative term for a weird person) *—daring to apply for a job without any preparation?*

“Mr. Shen, our company is in the fashion business…” Lin Caier reminded him, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Shen Yifei suddenly enlightened, “Oh, I remember now. So, Director Liu, you’re not trying to make me design fashion, are you? My apologies, I’m not skilled in such high-end matters.”

Liu Xiaoxiao cast a disdainful glance at Shen Yifei. *Design fashion, huh? Heh, if *you* (that casual, derogatory 'you') really had that ability, you could ascend to the heavens* (a hyperbolic expression meaning extremely capable or successful)!

*This guy* (referring to him pejoratively) probably knows nothing. With that carefree and irresponsible attitude, he still wants to be the Public Relations Department Manager?

To ensure Shen Yifei was quickly eliminated, Liu Xiaoxiao said without preamble, “The outfits these two models are wearing were designed by our company, and they are also the only two summer pieces from our company that qualified for Paris Fashion Week. Although their ranking at Paris Fashion Week was lower, they are considered top-tier in China (Huaxia Nation, a more formal term for China). These two summer outfits inherently have some flaws. My assessment is very simple: Mr. Shen, please give an appropriate critique of these two summer outfits and point out their shortcomings.”

As her words fell, Lin Caier, standing nearby, gaped. *Wasn’t this assessment intentionally putting him on the spot?* Even fashion professionals would find it difficult to articulate the precise strengths and weaknesses of these designs, let alone a mere layman.

Because Shen Yifei had watched an 'adult film' (a euphemism for pornography) at the company earlier—though it wasn't intentional—it had left Liu Xiaoxiao with no good impression of him. She was eager to send him away quickly, so she simply raised the assessment difficulty significantly.

However, what Liu Xiaoxiao didn’t expect was that Shen Yifei showed no troubled expression; instead, he seemed quite relaxed and indifferent as he scrutinized the two models.

“Tsk, tsk, the designs are so ordinary. Director Liu, it seems Aiyya International’s fashion designers aren’t all that great, no wonder they didn’t get a higher ranking,” Shen Yifei said with a light chuckle.

“Oh really? Since Mr. Shen has such discerning taste, why don’t you hurry up and critique these two outfits?”

A hint of disdain flashed in Liu Xiaoxiao’s beautiful eyes. With just a dismissive "not all that great," did this guy really think the company's designers, hired for millions in annual salary, were just freeloaders (literally, 'eating free meals' – implying incompetence despite pay)?

Shen Yifei knew Liu Xiaoxiao was trying to make things difficult for him, so he couldn’t help but chuckle, “Director Liu, I’m only applying for Public Relations Department Manager. I don’t need to concern myself with fashion design, do I?”

“Our company’s Public Relations Department frequently goes out, even abroad, to participate in major fashion exchanges. How could one manage without some knowledge of fashion?” Liu Xiaoxiao chuckled softly.

*This lady* (a colloquial term for a young woman) is truly eloquent, Shen Yifei was at his wit’s end. He simply said, “Alright then, I’ll share my personal opinions.”

“Go on!”

Liu Xiaoxiao raised a delicate eyebrow, starting to anticipate what kind of unsophisticated remarks (literally, 'hick-like words' – implying lack of cultural refinement) *this guy* (referring to him pejoratively) would spout.

Lin Caier, standing by, was already silently mourning for Shen Yifei. With Director Liu targeting him like this, elimination was practically a foregone conclusion.

“First, let’s talk about the piece on the model with fairer skin. This summer outfit exhibits a distinct minimalist style, drawing elements from Jil Sander to create a new minimalist aesthetic. The exaggerated, oversized collar also appears unique, yet it still doesn't escape the established patterns of Jil Sander's design philosophy. This summer outfit might initially give the Paris Fashion Week judges a refreshing impression, but upon closer inspection, too many borrowed elements remain, which is why it didn't achieve a high ranking.”

“Now for the other outfit. This one stands out with its color combination, showing a distinct personality. It blends colorful plaids, various hues, and the layering of a saree-like garment, positioning itself between collegiate and oriental elements. While multi-color splicing can indeed catch the eye, it still lacks a central design focus. Versace, five years ago, had already released athletic dresses in this color style, so this design lacks a certain degree of novelty.”

Shen Yifei spoke at length, effortlessly reeling off his observations, leaving both Liu Xiaoxiao and Lin Caier utterly dumbfounded and wide-eyed in unison.

Not only them, but even the two models looked at Shen Yifei with astonished gazes.

The words that flowed from Shen Yifei's mouth were highly sophisticated professional terminology, articulated with logical reasoning and hitting directly at the core issues! It even made one wonder if this guy had once been a fashion designer.

As the company’s director, Liu Xiaoxiao’s psychological fortitude was considerable. She forcefully suppressed the shock in her heart, took a deep breath, and asked, “So… Mr. Shen, regarding the areas where our company’s two fashion pieces need improvement, can you offer any suggestions?”