Chapter 148: A Lucky Strike
Zhang Zhigang and Dong Zhengjian’s eyes lit up.
Few young people nowadays were interested in studying ancient culture, especially when the person in question was an attractive young woman like Bai Xuening!
Zhang Zhigang asked with a smile, "Miss Bai, when did you first get into studying ancient culture? Which area are you most interested in?"
Bai Xuening answered respectfully, "I started watching antique appraisal shows in high school, but I began systematically studying ancient culture my freshman year of college. It’s been almost four years now. I’m most interested in porcelain and in calligraphy and paintings."
Four years?
Zhang Zhigang and Dong Zhengjian nodded in satisfaction.
In this day and age, everyone was rather impatient. There weren’t many young people who could settle down and truly study ancient culture.
And to top it off, this Miss Bai had been studying it diligently for four years!
Dong Zhengjian offered a word of encouragement, "Miss Bai, as long as you can remain focused and delve into your studies for a few more years, you will certainly make a name for yourself in the field of ancient cultural research."
Bai Xuening’s voice trembled with excitement. "Thank you for the encouragement, Teacher Dong! My own knowledge is still far from sufficient. I have much to learn from you two experts!"
Dong Zhengjian chuckled. "Not a problem. Miss Bai is welcome to learn from us anytime."
In truth, Dong Zhengjian was just being polite, but Bai Xuening took him seriously.
"Teacher Dong, then it’s a deal! I was just planning on joining Yuanxi as an intern Antique Appraiser. In the future, if there’s anything I’m not sure about, I’ll be sure to proactively ask you and Teacher Zhang."
Huh?
Dong Zhengjian and Zhang Zhigang froze for a moment, then subconsciously looked toward Lin Ruoxi.
’Miss Bai wants to join Yuanxi?’
’How come we didn’t know about this?’
Lin Ruoxi was also taken aback. Yuanxi was currently at the height of its success, and many famous masters of ancient culture had applied to join. She hadn’t even decided who to choose yet!
But one thing Lin Ruoxi was sure of was that she wouldn’t choose a female student who hadn’t even graduated.
Lin Ruoxi cleared her throat. "Miss Bai, you want to join Yuanxi? Have you submitted an application form?"
Bai Xuening smiled and shook her head. "President Lin, I haven’t submitted an application. Joining Yuanxi was a spur-of-the-moment idea. You and Mingcheng are so close, surely you wouldn’t refuse to help with such a small matter, right?"
’A spur-of-the-moment idea?’
Lin Ruoxi leaned back slightly, resting against the back of her chair. She crossed her arms over her chest, her posture already revealing her inner thoughts.
Tang Mingcheng was about to die of anxiety. ’What is Xue Ning doing? She really has the gall to say anything! Since when am I so close with President Lin? We’re not even nodding acquaintances, are we?’
Tang Mingcheng forced an awkward smile. "President Lin, Xue Ning is being a bit forward. Please don’t mind her. If Yuanxi doesn’t have any intern positions left, please don’t feel obligated."
Bai Xuening also realized she had misspoken. Emboldened by Dong Zhengjian’s praise, she had indeed gotten a little carried away and acted too rashly.
Bai Xuening quickly humbled herself. "I’m extremely optimistic about Yuanxi’s growth trajectory. In the future, Yuanxi is destined to become the biggest auction house not just in Luocheng or all of Dongshan, but—no, in the entire country! Yuanxi will definitely need more and more employees. I may not be the most skilled professionally, but I guarantee I’ll be the most dedicated and loyal! I will definitely learn humbly from the two teachers! I will certainly do my job well and not bring shame to you, President Lin!"
Seeing Bai Xuening adopt such a humble attitude, Lin Ruoxi’s mood improved slightly. She leaned forward a little, gazing at Bai Xuening, and slowly uncrossed her arms. Her jade-like fingers began tapping lightly on the tabletop.
’Bai Xuening is right. Yuanxi is destined to grow larger and larger. It might not even be limited to an auction house, but become a diversified conglomerate.’
’I really do need to cultivate a few trusted subordinates.’
Bai Xuening’s declaration of loyalty had struck a chord with Lin Ruoxi.
However, Yuanxi had only just established its foothold in Luocheng. Lin Ruoxi needed to balance various relationships and might not necessarily have a position to spare.
Lin Ruoxi said coolly, "I understand your intentions, Miss Bai. I will consider it. When I have a decision, I’ll inform Young Master Tang."
"Thank you for this opportunity, President Lin! I’ll drain my glass; please, drink as you see fit!"
Bai Xuening was ecstatic. She immediately raised her glass and downed it in one go.
Tang Mingcheng was also very excited. He hadn’t expected Lin Ruoxi to be so accommodating. Although she had only said she would "consider it," someone of her status would never make an outright promise. "Considering it" meant it was practically a sure thing.
"Thank you, President Lin! Here’s to you again! I’ll drain my glass; please, drink as you see fit!"
Tang Mingcheng also raised his glass and downed it.
Lin Ruoxi took a small sip, then held the glass and swirled it gently.
Tang Mingcheng knew this was Lin Ruoxi’s way of dismissing them. He quickly pulled Bai Xuening along to take their leave. "President Lin, we won’t disturb your discussion with the two teachers any longer. We’ll be going now."
Lin Ruoxi gave a slight nod.
The two of them slowly backed away a few steps before turning to walk out of the private room.
Only after the door to the private room closed did Bai Xuening let out a long breath, patting her chest with a look of lingering fear. Lin Ruoxi hadn’t shown any anger, but she had nearly scared Bai Xuening to death.
"Mingcheng, President Lin is terrifying. I didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly in front of her. I really don’t know how the Lin Family raised such a monster."
"She’s from a major family in the Provincial City, after all."
Bai Xuening said with a hint of self-reproach, "Mingcheng, was I a little too rash just now? Did I make President Lin unhappy? I bet the internship is a bust, isn’t it?"
Tang Mingcheng laughed. "Quite the opposite. You might have hit the mark by a fluke. I don’t know if President Lin liked your candid nature or if you just happened to hit a nerve, but the internship is pretty much a done deal."
"Really? I hit the mark by a fluke?"
"Yes. Maybe President Lin just happens to need a trusted subordinate. Once you start working there, you must put her interests first. Everything has to be for her benefit."
"Don’t worry. It’s my honor to work with the Pearl of Luocheng! If I can learn even thirty percent of what she knows, I’ll benefit for life."
Tang Mingcheng nodded in deep agreement. "President Lin truly deserves the title ’Pearl of Luocheng’! In her presence, the so-called ’Four Beauties of Luocheng’ are all completely eclipsed!"
The two chatted as they walked, and soon returned to their private room.
Seeing Bai Xuening’s beaming face, He Ningning knew that things had gone well and offered her sincere congratulations. "Xue Ning! Congratulations! If I’m not mistaken, you’ve secured the intern Antique Appraiser position, right?"
Bai Xuening had completely forgotten how she had just been bowing and scraping in front of Lin Ruoxi. Now, she held her head high like a proud swan.
"Of course! My Mingcheng and President Lin are thick as thieves. The moment Mingcheng opened his mouth, President Lin agreed! As soon as I’ve sorted out my studies, I can start at Yuanxi anytime."
Since Bai Xuening was propping him up like this, Tang Mingcheng naturally had to return the favor. "Hahaha, actually, my relationship with President Lin is just average. The reason she chose Xue Ning is all because of how outstanding Xue Ning is."
The entire private room erupted.
"Xue Ning, you’re so lucky! A perfect romance and a career that’s off the charts! I’m so jealous I could just fall apart!"
"Xue Ning, you’re going to be filthy rich! You can’t forget about us sisters!"
"Wow! Xue Ning, your life is basically on easy mode! You’re the template for a novel’s heroine!"
...
Amidst the chorus of flattery, Bai Xuening shot another provocative glance at Cheng Yuan. Her expression seemed to say, "See that, Cheng Yuan? Back then, you couldn’t be bothered with me. Now, I’m way out of your league!"