Chapter 115: Gu Anning Makes Another Move
Lu An’an completed her draft design seven days later.
Once she added the finishing touch, she stepped out of her small office in the studio and said, “I’ll treat everyone to dinner tonight.”
“Lu An’an’s treating everyone to dinner? What a surprise!”
“Lu An’an, I won’t stand on ceremony since you’re treating.”
“Let’s eat seafood and lobster.”
Gu Anning looked at Lu An’an and frowned in confusion.
A colleague piped up, asking the question on everyone’s mind, “Lu An’an, you’re in a good mood today. What’s the reason? I didn’t think a workaholic like you would know the wonders of food. The sun must have risen from the west this morning.”
Lu An’an smiled happily and said, “I just completed my draft design. It took seven sleepless days, but I’m finally done.”
“Really?” Her colleagues chattered excitedly, heaping her with praise. “That’s amazing! How’d you manage to finish the draft design so quickly?”
“I worked off an idea I previously had. I’ve always wanted to try designing something like this, so I asked myself, why not? Things sort of developed from there,” Lu An’an answered, slightly abashed.
“Talented people sure are different. I wonder how Gu Anning is doing?”
Gu Anning walked over at this time, joining the crowd. She rolled her eyes and said, “I do things slowly; I’m not one to rush my designs.”
Lu An’an did not expose her. Instead, she extended her invitation to Gu Anning, “I’m treating everyone to dinner later. Would you like to join us?”
......
“I can’t afford the food you eat,” Gu Anning waved her hand dismissively. “A cat crying over a dead mouse – that’s what you are.”
Gu Anning walked away, returning to her work with a cup of coffee in hand.
Gu Anning’s snide retort was not lost on those present. The secretary pulled Lu An’an aside and said, “Ignore her. She’s always like this. Let’s go for dinner.”
“Okay.” After Lu An’an packed her things, she followed her colleagues to a popular seafood restaurant nearby.
“Order whatever you want. It’s my treat,” she addressed her colleagues brightly. “I’ll join everyone shortly. Please excuse me for a second while I make a call.”
While everyone was ordering dinner, Lu An’an sequestered herself in the washroom, staring eagerly at her phone.
She had opened an app connected to the surveillance cameras of the studio.
The footage showed Gu Anning snooping around. After confirming that no one remained, Gu Anning used what looked like a master key and opened Lu An’an’s drawer.
Lu An’an did not expect Gu Anning to use such a primitive method this time instead of more indirect methods.
Though she did not expect it, Lu An’an understood why Gu Anning dared do so.
The brightest lights cast the darkest shadows.
The studio’s camera had already been broken once, and several draft designs were stolen. No one would think the perpetrator would attempt the same thing twice.
Lu An’an felt a smidgen of respect for Gu Anning’s smarts. It was a pity she did not employ her abilities for the right purposes.
–
In the studio...
Gu Anning fished out her phone and took photos of Lu An’an’s design drafts.
Her eyes lit up as she took photos.
This time, Lu An’an’s design draft was even better looking and more beautiful than the previous one.
Even though Gu Anning did not have high standards, she was keenly aware of the value of Lu An’an’s present design.
She suddenly felt lucky that she had not held back.
If she had, Lu An’an would far surpass her soon, forever leaving her in the large shadow she cast.
Once satisfied with the photos she took, Gu Anning returned the draft design to its original position. “Lu An’an, just you wait. I won’t let you win that easily!”