Li Ze first read the design requirements and then stared at the trademark pattern.
Five minutes passed, seeing Li Ze’s brows knitted tightly, Zhao Min smiled, “Little Li, just say your mind.”
“Then I hope you wouldn’t be angry.”
“I won’t be angry about whatever you say.”
Li Ze continued after being assured by her, “I feel that the logo is different from the design requirement, and this so-called elite designer is just tricking you. In contrast to the enthusiasm the customer wants, the trademark was too steady. It’s like when a client went on a blind date, though the matchmaker told him that the other party was a very passionate young girl, he found out she was a middle-aged woman having a poker face.”
Zhao Min couldn’t help but laugh.
Then she asked, “So you think this logo doesn’t match the requirement?”
“The logo itself is pretty good with a very metallic texture, but it’s far from the requirement.”
“But this elite designer is the most valuable one in our company, maybe you have misunderstood it.”
Li Ze had no choice but to figure on it again.
Zhao Min picked up the thermos cup on her desk.
Leaning against the desk, she tilted her body slightly backward when drinking the water.
After another two minutes, Zhao Min asked, “Is it a wonderful design?”
“I don’t think so,” Li Ze said bluntly, “I only feel it’s a wrong design.”
“He’s the most highly valued designer in my company, and many of the country’s famous companies have commissioned him for designing.”
“I’m sorry but that’s the truth,” said Li Ze. “Perhaps I’m not gifted enough to understand the works of the elite designers.”
“Then how can I entrust you with the commission?”
“I really can’t understand such work anyway,” Li Ze placed the paper on his desk, “If you are disappointed, then let’s cancel our contract. I’m not good at fawning others, so I might not accept the part-time job.”
“Indeed, farewell.” Zhao Min reached out to him with her hands, “Please give me your contract,”
Li Ze handed the contract to Zhao Min and left silently.
After putting it together with the contract on the table, Zhao Min said, “Although it may annoy you, I want to say that I was testing you just now.”
Hearing Zhao Min’s words, Li Ze turned around, “What do you mean?”
“It’s a test,” Zhao Min beckoned Li Ze. “Actually, I really hate those who tend to serve those in authority that only waste time on nonsense. If you were, then perhaps you will not spend your time on designing, but in pleasing me. You will feel that you just only have to please me and perhaps then I will hand in your designs among others, leaving the client with no choice. As a result, even if you can’t provide me with good designs, you’ll get a good price. I was afraid of such designers, so I decided to test you.”
Picking up the paper, Zhao Min continued, “This design requirement doesn’t correspond to this logo. Your answer was perfect.”
“Sister Min,” Li Ze was relieved, “You almost scared me to death.”
“Sorry, sorry,” the squinting Zhao Min said, “Experts will get paid more in our company, so I had to test the new designers through this method. Actually, we have plenty of designers who specialize in trademark designing, but most of them are mediocre, so I am fond of your ability. Little Li, do you know the best success story in your life?”
“No, do you have any impression.”
“You’re really unaware of your luck,” said Zhao Min. “It’s your marriage to Ding Jie.”
Hearing Zhao Min’s words, Li Ze’s facial muscles twitched. “Why do you say that, Sister Min?”
“Based on my instincts, she would offer her support for you to succeed. That is, the so-called virtuous assistance.”
“Perhaps.”
“What’s the matter?” Zhao Min asked, “Is there any estrangement between you?”
“We are fine, maybe I am unaware of the love. I just couldn’t figure it out as you mentioned.”
“A lot of men don’t know how to treasure. I hope you’re not one of them,” Zhao Min said, “now we have signed the contract, so you are officially my employee. Although you are a part-timer, you still have to follow the rules. First of all, finish the task I gave you the first time; secondly, don’t steal others work; thirdly, don’t entrust any other designer with your commission through an intermediary. Fourthly, don’t disclose the customer’s design requirements; fifth, admire the quality but the quantity. The last one is, take me as your friend during your spare time. I hope you will remember all the important rules. I’ve got an order coming from a customer in the afternoon which I will send to you later. You’d better hand in your design within five days. Of course, it’s fine if you want it postponed to within ten days.”
“No problem.”
“If you’re not busy, let’s have a chat, but if you’re busy, you might as well take your leave.”
“I have to pick up my daughter.”
“ok then.”
“See you, Sister Min.”
“Right.”
Li Ze was then ready to leave with the contract at hand.
When he was at the door, Zhao Min hurriedly said, “Xiao Li! Wait a minute!”
Because she suddenly raised her voice, Li Ze was shocked.
She took out a cuboid gift box from the drawer.
After passing it to Li Ze, she said, “An early education machine. It was given to me by the boss of another company I met this morning. My youngest son is seven years old that it won’t work for him. Take it a gift for your daughter. She could listen to music, stories, and English through it. She might probably love it for its shape.”
“Thanks, Sister Min.”
“For rational usage.”
“See you.”
“Be careful.”
“Thanks.”
Li Ze drove to the kindergarten after leaving the company.
His daughter was especially happy when he gave her the machine.
In her eyes, it was not a machine, but a doll which could sing and tell stories.
His wife had not returned when the two came home.
She came home at about thirty minutes to six.
Ding Jie was also happy that Zhao Min gave their daughter the machine. After playing for a while with her daughter, she tied up her hair and began cooking in the kitchen.
At nine o’clock in the evening, Ding Jie coaxed her daughter to sleep and entered the master bedroom.
Seeing her husband sitting in front of the computer, Ding Jie walked over to him, “Hubby, the new mission?”
“Right,” Li Ze said, “Sister Min asked me to deliver the work within five days. I am afraid whether I could do it.”
“Where there is a will, there is a way” Ding Jie said as she embraced his neck and kissed his face. “Need any advance?”
“Have a look at the requirement.”
“Then I will watch on from the bed without disturbing you.”
Ding Jie, leaning against the bed, as usual, received her husband’s message.
With the design requirements, she began to consider it seriously.
In about twenty minutes, Li Ze stood up because of the ache at his butt.
While stretching, he noticed the tears on his wife’s face, with her biting her lip.
He was startled and hurried over.
Because his wife was staring at the phone, he hurriedly moved towards her.