C39 Don't Worry I Still Have Me!

Zhan Yeling's tenure as the head of the Zhan family was only meant to be temporary. He served merely as the CEO, while the true authority remained with the family patriarch and Zhan Junyi.

Zhan Junyi had made it clear: at the upcoming product launch, a competition between his three sons would determine the future leader. The victor would be granted full control.

It was a bloodless yet vicious battle for power.

Zhan Yeling's fists were clenched, his eyes dark with fury.

He understood the stakes of winning and losing.

"Big Brother, better mind your own business," Zhan Yeling uttered deliberately, his words forced through clenched teeth.

"However, Second Brother, you do have a talent, especially for charming women. I can't fathom how you've managed to enchant my student, Xiong Miao. I went out of my way to pick her up from the Design Department, but she wouldn't even get into my car, let alone come with me to see you. She's probably worried about a misunderstanding on your part," Zhan Zifeng said nonchalantly, fiddling with his cuff.

Just then, a knock sounded at the office door.

"Come in!" Zhan Yeling called out.

The door swung open, and a petite woman entered. Dressed in black trousers and a khaki short coat, her appearance was rather plain.

"Director Zhan, special assistant Gu mentioned you wanted to see me," Xiong Miao said, bowing slightly with a professional smile.

She acknowledged Zhan Zifeng with a small nod as a greeting.

"Yes, Manager Xiong, Director Zhan has something to discuss with you," Gu Yi chimed in, visibly relieved at her arrival.

Caught between the two heirs' crossfire, he had been sweating bullets, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

With Xiong Miao's entrance, the tension in the room eased somewhat.

Zhan Zifeng gave Zhan Yeling another look, his expression icy, his eyes a cold abyss.

It was clear he wasn't welcome.

Recognizing this, Zhan Zifeng paused briefly as he passed Xiong Miao, "Manager Xiong, on October 28th, I eagerly await your designs on the runway. It remains to be seen whether the student can outshine the teacher, or if experience will prevail. We'll see the outcome at the show."

After finishing his statement, Zhan Zifeng exited the office.

Xiong Miao's eyes widened in shock.

What did that mean?

Her design was to be pitted against Zhan Zifeng's?

Oh my, Zhan Zifeng was her mentor for her graduation project.

He had taught her everything about design.

And yet, she had only recently graduated, still green behind the ears. How could she possibly measure up to the work of her university mentor?

"Manager Xiong, what's the matter?" Gu Yi noticed her fluctuating expressions – one moment on the verge of tears, the next utterly astonished – and asked with concern.

"Are we really going to compare our design with Zhan Zifeng's?" Although she had already gleaned this from Zhan Zifeng's remarks,

Xiong Miao sought confirmation. What if she had misunderstood?

Gu Yi nodded with gravity.

He, too, had only just learned from Zhan Zifeng that Xiong Miao was his student!

Was it even possible for a student to surpass her mentor?

That was a question of probability.

"Oh, heavens." Xiong Miao slapped her forehead, feeling utterly despondent.

She had confidently wagered with Chen that she would sail through the new product launch.

She had assumed it was a routine event.

Little did she expect to be competing, and against her mentor Zhan Zifeng's work no less!

Her once fiery confidence was now doused, leaving her as deflated as a frostbitten eggplant.

"Don't worry, you've got me. We can't afford to lose confidence," a deep, reassuring male voice chimed in.