Magazine Editor

The silver Audi drove into the underground parking lot of the Fashion Building near Workers' Stadium. Murong Feng found a parking spot, got out of the car, and locked it while heading toward the elevator. He was wearing a white short-sleeved polo shirt today, looking quite spirited.

At that moment, a green Beetle suddenly turned the corner from the other side, nearly grazing Murong Feng. The car came to an abrupt halt right next to him. The driver's window rolled down, and a young woman wearing large black sunglasses poked her head out, looking flustered. "Sorry, sorry... I didn't hit you, did I?"

Seeing the woman's nervous demeanor, Murong Feng, though a bit angry, decided not to overreact. "Be careful while driving. It's dangerous if you actually hit someone!" He spoke sternly before walking around the front of the car toward the elevator. He didn't notice the woman's face flush with embarrassment and anger as she muttered, "Really? I didn't even hit you. What's with the attitude?"

Murong Feng took the elevator to the 8th floor, home to the offices of Fashion Weekly.

Fashion Weekly is a new fashion magazine published by Hong Kong's Ming Pao Media Group in mainland China. The magazine primarily covers the latest international fashion trends, various fashion events, and analyses and reviews of new trends. Murong Feng had previously published film and book reviews in another magazine under the same group, and the editor who liaised with him had recently been promoted to editor-in-chief of Fashion Weekly, thus inviting Murong Feng to the office today.

The entire 8th floor was the office of Fashion Weekly. The décor was unique, with large white backgrounds complemented by geometric patterns in red, blue, and red. The streamlined European-style furniture, spacious reception area, and brightly colored magazine logo all conveyed the boldness of a magazine backed by a major group, poised to make a splash in the fashion magazine industry.

The editor-in-chief, Ouyang Lanruo, had her office at the far end of the workspace, separated by frosted glass walls. Ouyang, who loved orchids—a fact well-known in the industry—had her office filled with greenery. She was busy typing at her glass desk but smiled when she saw Murong Feng enter with her secretary. "Xiaofeng, you're here. Have a seat! I'll be done soon."

Murong Feng smiled and sat on the red sofa nearby. The secretary brought him a cup of tea and then left.

Ouyang Lanruo appeared to be in her early thirties, according to Murong Feng's guess. A graduate of the Art Department of Northern University, she had studied abroad and worked for a fashion magazine group in France. Possibly because of her long involvement in the fashion industry, she was exceptionally well-maintained, looking no older than 24 or 25. Truly stylish women often wore light makeup, and luxurious cosmetics were the secret to their beauty and confidence. Today, Ouyang wore a yellow suit with a purple silk scarf casually draped over her left shoulder. Her long, cloud-like hair fell over her shoulders, adding to her graceful and charming demeanor. Murong Feng couldn't help but admire her as he looked around.

Ouyang Lanruo quickly finished her emails and looked up, locking eyes with Murong Feng. Seeing the admiration in his bright eyes, she felt a slight blush but quickly laughed, "What's the matter? Don't recognize me? We haven't seen each other in a while. What have you been busy with lately?"

She had always admired this junior from the same university, a talented Chinese literature student. When she was an editor, she had been captivated by his submissions and had personally sought him out. It was largely thanks to her that Murong Feng decided to become a freelance writer. However, Murong Feng often felt lazy and rarely visited her, mostly staying in touch via email. Recently, he hadn't submitted anything for a long time. Now that she had transferred to this magazine, she had invited him over to help him with his finances.

Murong Feng smiled, "I've been taking it easy, just handling some freelance work here and there."

Ouyang Lanruo was about to ask more when the door opened, and the secretary led in a woman. To Murong Feng's surprise, it was the woman who had nearly hit him with her car. Stepping out of the car, her appearance and figure were quite striking.

"Vivi, come in. Let me introduce you. This is Murong Feng, our new editor for the urban fashion section, specializing in film and tv. He's very talented!" Ouyang Lanruo seemed to have a good relationship with the woman named Vivi, smiling as she made the introductions.

Murong Feng smiled and extended his hand, "Hello, we've already met."

Vivi, seeing his outstretched hand, reluctantly shook it lightly, "Sorry about earlier. I'm Xu Wei, but you can call me Vivi." She was inwardly cursing her bad luck. This impolite guy was now part of her department.

Ouyang Lanruo curiously observed the odd dynamic between them and asked, "Do you two know each other?"

Xu Wei replied curtly, "I almost hit him in the parking lot downstairs."

Ouyang Lanruo looked surprised, "The parking lot? Murong Feng, did you drive here? When did you get a car? Looks like things are looking up for you!" She didn't expect Murong Feng to have bought a car so soon. She knew his financial situation well before. Inviting him to work here was partly to help him out financially.

Murong Feng smiled and explained, "Yes, I just bought it recently. I made a bit of money not long ago." His calm demeanor reassured Ouyang Lanruo, who was happy for him and didn't press further. She then explained some stylistic points of the new magazine to both of them and asked Xu Wei to show Murong Feng around.

Xu Wei led Murong Feng on a tour of the office. While she showed him around, she couldn't help but feel annoyed, recalling how stern he had been with her earlier. She suddenly asked, "I don't often hear Lanruo praise people like that. A talented guy? Which university did you graduate from?"

Seeing her thoughts written all over her face, Murong Feng found her somewhat amusing. This woman didn't seem as clever as he had initially thought. He smiled and replied, "I'm not really that talented; it's just Lanruo being kind. I graduated from the Chinese Literature Department of Northern University."

"Wow, Northern University's Chinese Literature Department? No wonder. So, Lanruo is your senior! You two seem close. Do you have a good relationship?" Xu Wei asked, somewhat enviously.

"More or less. She was my editor when I submitted articles to Weili Magazine," Murong Feng replied casually while taking in the surroundings.

Fashion Weekly lived up to its prestigious background. Despite being newly launched, it was already teeming with talent. The office was filled with bustling activity and numerous attractive individuals. No wonder Ouyang Lanruo confidently said there were plenty of beauties here.

Although Murong Feng wasn't particularly interested in beauties and romance at the moment, the pleasant work environment was a definite plus. His smile only deepened Xu Wei's irritation; to her, he seemed to be a phony.