The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

After lunch, sunlight streamed through the blinds of the private dining room, casting dappled shadows on the table. Chen Mengyao gently put down her phone and dialed Li Xiao's number. A familiar voice quickly came from the other end, her tone calm yet authoritative: "Xiao Xiao, are you finished eating? Is it convenient for you to come to my private room now? I have something to tell you."

"Okay, I'll be right there." Li Xiao hung up immediately, quickly paid the bill, walked through the corridor, and gently pushed open the door to the private room where Chen Mengyao was.

"Sit down." Chen Mengyao gestured to the chair opposite her, then opened her mobile banking app, tapped the screen a few times, and looked up at Li Xiao. "I just transferred some money to your card. Remember what it's for." She paused, her tone steady. "First, settle the driver's fees for taking the interviewees today, according to the agreed-upon standard. Don't skimp. Second, you've worked hard too, so this money includes your hard work fee; don't refuse. Third, give each of the people who came to interview for fitness instructor positions today a lunch allowance as a thank you for taking the time to come. The amount doesn't need to be large, but it should show sincerity."

Li Xiao listened attentively, nodding as she took out her phone to jot down the key points. "Understood, Mr. Chen. Should I wait until later, until you have finalized the list of accepted students, before notifying them of the results?"

“Yes.” Chen Mengyao nodded slightly. “Ouyang Han and I need to double-check the list. There’s no rush today. You should take care of these things first, especially the driver’s side. Don’t let him make a wasted trip.”

"Okay, I'll take care of it right away." Li Xiao stood up, looking capable.

After leaving the private room, she immediately contacted several drivers, transferring the fees to each one and attaching brief thank-you messages. Then, she personally led the driver team, safely transporting the security guards and martial arts instructors who had come for interviews back to their respective addresses, one by one. Some were in the east of the city, some in the west, but she meticulously followed each trip to ensure everyone arrived safely. While coordinating transportation, she silently organized her to-do list, afraid of overlooking any detail.

At this moment, Chen Mengyao and Ouyang Han walked out of the restaurant side by side and slowly walked up the stairs. Ouyang Han raised his hand to look at his watch and smiled, "It's still early, why don't we go to the third floor? Li Jia said that the preparations for the final of the handicraft competition are almost complete, we should also find out about the situation."

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Chen Mengyao nodded. "After all, the day after tomorrow is the 17th, and the finals are just around the corner. We can't afford to make any mistakes."

The two pushed open the door to the third-floor office, the air filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and ink. Li Jia was tidying up documents at her desk when she heard footsteps and quickly stood up: "President Chen, President Ouyang, you've arrived."

"Please sit down." Chen Mengyao sat down at the desk, her tone gentle yet authoritative. "I called you here to get a detailed understanding of the preparations for the final round of the handicraft competition. Time is tight, so we need to go through every step."

Li Jia quickly opened the folder in her hand and reported in a clear and organized manner: "There are currently thirty contestants who have entered the finals. They come from all over the country and their works are diverse in style, including traditional paper-cutting, pottery, and embroidery, as well as modern metal weaving and creations using environmentally friendly materials. The list has been confirmed, and all contestants have been notified to arrive at the venue promptly at nine o'clock the day after tomorrow to sign in."

"Where are the judges?" Ouyang Han interjected. "I remember they said they invited three industry authorities and two cross-industry guests?"

“Yes,” Li Jia nodded. “The judging panel is led by Professor Wang from the Arts and Crafts Association, along with intangible cultural heritage inheritor Teacher Zhou and renowned designer Ms. Lin. In addition, we have invited Chen Ran, a host from the Culture Channel, and an art curator as special observers to increase the reach and impact of our broadcast. They have all confirmed their attendance.”

Chen Mengyao tapped the table lightly. "What about the media? Have you arranged any exclusive interviews?"

“Yes.” Li Jia turned to the next page. “The local TV station will send reporters and will record the entire event. The Culture Weekly has sent reporters to conduct on-site interviews, and there are also cooperating anchors from Douyin and Bilibili who will be there to broadcast live. We have prepared a media reception area, providing refreshments and information kits to ensure the reporting goes smoothly.”

“Very good. Make sure you send me the links to the Douyin and Bilibili live streams when they come, and I'll send them to my family.” Chen Mengyao nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject, “However, these judges and media personnel can't just work without eating. When they watch the competition, you need to prepare tea and pastries. You need to arrange for someone to be in charge of their reception. The food and drinks should be exquisite to show our sincerity. Prepare a red envelope for each person, with a moderate amount, as a symbolic expression of gratitude. Don't be too ostentatious, but don't be stingy either.”

“Understood. I’ll have them send me the live stream link as soon as they arrive, and I’ll forward it to you.” Li Jia quickly wrote it down. “I’ve already contacted the hotel’s catering department. They’ll provide snacks and tea at 10 a.m. on the day of the finals, and a buffet lunch will be served, featuring local specialties while also being light and nutritious.”

"What about order?" Ouyang Han asked. "With so many people, won't things get chaotic?"

“We have arranged six security personnel for the venue, who are under the unified command of the venue manager,” Li Jia explained. “There is a registration desk at the entrance; contestants enter with their credentials, and spectators enter with their invitations. In addition, we have trained four volunteers to be responsible for guidance, answering questions, and handling emergencies. Clear signs will also be posted on site.”

Chen Mengyao narrowed her eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and asked, "How's the venue setup? Are the lighting, backdrop, and display area all in place?"

"The exhibition area has been divided into sections according to the contestant categories, and each workbench is equipped with a toolbox and basic materials," Li Jia replied. "The backdrop design was approved yesterday and will be installed this afternoon. The lighting has also been tested to ensure the shooting and viewing effects. In addition, we have prepared a multi-camera stand for live streaming to ensure that online viewers can also clearly see the production process."

"The details are well done," Ouyang Han nodded approvingly. "However, the athletes' emotions and condition are also very important. The competition lasts for six hours; were there any breaks arranged in between?"

"Yes," Li Jia replied. "We have set up two rest periods, each lasting fifteen minutes, during which drinks and snacks are provided. In addition, each contestant is equipped with a dedicated assistant to help them gather materials and clean up tools, minimizing unnecessary interference."

Chen Mengyao smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of composure and confidence: "Very thoughtful. However, there's one more thing—the post-match awards ceremony should be concise and impactful, not drawn out. If the pace slows down, the audience's enthusiasm will easily dissipate."

The list of winners must be sealed in advance and opened by the judges on stage to increase suspense and create a sense of ceremony. The award ceremony music should be solemn, but not too somber; it should be uplifting without being oppressive. Remember to come to the villa tomorrow night to ask for the cash prize; I'll have it prepared in advance. The day after the competition ends, invite everyone who participated, including those who didn't win, to my villa. I want to personally discuss collaborations with them. Some of them, although they didn't win awards, have considerable potential and are worth nurturing in the long term.”

Li Jia smiled slightly, her tone calm and confident: "The sound effects have already been discussed with the sound engineer. We specifically chose a background music that blends traditional instruments with modern arrangements—the intro uses the guzheng as a base, the middle section adds the bass drum and flute, and the ending transitions to electronic beats, which has both oriental charm and modern tension. The overall rhythm is strong, which can enhance the atmosphere without being overwhelming. As for the subsequent arrangements, rest assured, I will take care of everything and ensure that each link is seamlessly connected."

“Very good.” Chen Mengyao slowly stood up, walked lightly to the French windows, and gently brushed her fingertips along the edge of the curtains. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating her profile and outlining a calm and determined silhouette. “This final competition is not just a contest of skills, but also a concentrated display of our brand culture. Every detail, from the music to the lighting, from the procedures to the etiquette, silently conveys our attitude: professionalism, respect, and innovation.”

Ouyang Han also stood up, his expression serious yet gentle. He walked over and gently patted Li Jia's shoulder: "Thank you for your hard work. Keep a close eye on things these next two days, and be involved in every detail. Report any emergencies immediately; don't try to handle them yourself. Also, don't neglect medical support—prepare a standard first-aid kit and have a professional doctor on standby, in case anyone gets injured or experiences a sudden health problem. Safety is always the top priority."

Li Jia nodded solemnly, her gaze firm: "Understood. I've already contacted an emergency room doctor at a nearby hospital, and they'll be on-site the whole time. Emergency access routes are also in place, so in case of any emergency, we can get someone to the hospital within ten minutes. Sound system, lighting, procedures, security, medical services... I've made a checklist for everything and checked each item one by one. I will do my utmost to make this competition a resounding success, and to ensure that everyone remembers this competition."

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Mengyao's phone vibrated slightly. She looked down and saw it was Li Xiao calling. She answered, her voice gentle yet authoritative: "Speak."

Li Xiao's clear and organized voice came from the other end of the phone: "Mr. Chen, the driver fees have all been settled, and all the applicants have been safely sent home. The lunch subsidies have also been transferred in a unified manner, with each transfer accompanied by a thank-you note, such as 'Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to future cooperation,' which is both dignified and leaves a warm feeling."

"Well done." Chen Mengyao turned around, looking at the darkening sky outside the window, a hint of approval in her eyes. "I've always trusted you. You can go back to the supermarket now. But once you're back, remember to keep an eye on the renovation progress of the gym and martial arts hall. Go to the site every day, take pictures and send them to me. As soon as the renovation is complete, let me know immediately. I'll personally inspect it and add equipment and decorations to create our own style."

“Also,” she paused, her tone becoming more pragmatic, “the fitness club, security company, and martial arts school all need receptionists, four for each. Priority will be given to those with service experience and a good image and demeanor. Once you have a dozen or so people coming for interviews, let me know, and I will arrange a time to meet them at the villa. I want to personally oversee the process, not just looking at their abilities, but also at their first impression and attitude.”

“Understood, Mr. Chen,” Li Xiao replied earnestly on the other end of the phone. “I’ve already contacted several reliable labor agencies and posted job openings. I’ve also posted job openings online. The first round of screenings is expected to be held the day after tomorrow. Once the interview list is finalized, I will report to you immediately. We’ll arrange it whenever it’s convenient for you.”

“Not bad.” Chen Mengyao nodded slightly, though the other person couldn’t see the gesture, but that was how she always did it, using body language to convey her approval. She solemnly instructed, “You must remember, the people we carefully select must be absolutely reliable. Everyone’s family background and moral character must be thoroughly investigated. Only those who pass this test can pass your interview. I don’t want anyone we hire to have complicated family relationships or be of questionable character. After all, they will be working in security companies, fitness clubs, and martial arts schools, places that deal with high-end clients. We absolutely cannot allow a receptionist’s chaotic family situation or bad character to damage our company’s reputation.” Li Xiao on the other end of the phone nodded repeatedly in agreement, promising to pay extra attention.

After hanging up the phone, the office fell silent instantly. Chen Mengyao told Li Jia to go about her business, then sat down again, turned to Ouyang Han, and asked, "In your opinion, how many hit works will emerge from this final?"

Ouyang Han smiled and said, "That's hard to say. But as long as the competition is exciting enough and the promotion is done well, even if no absolute champion is crowned, it can still generate a lot of discussion. The key is to let the audience truly experience the unique charm of 'handmade'."

“That’s absolutely right,” Chen Mengyao agreed. “With the pace of life so fast these days, works that take time to polish are more likely to touch people’s hearts.”

The sunlight outside the window gradually shifted westward, illuminating the third-floor office. Here, meticulous planning and fervent anticipation coexisted, forming an invisible net that quietly awaited the grand handicrafts festival that would commence the day after tomorrow. Meanwhile, every corner of the entire building silently gathered strength, countless small efforts converging, all culminating in a dazzling display of brilliance at that crucial moment.