Chapter 122：Dreamy Babylon Contest

Lin Ruotong's words made Li Weijie and Xu Rong both look stunned, then they looked at each other.

"What's wrong? Did what I said not make sense?" Lin Ruotong couldn't help but chuckle at their reaction.

"Yeah, why didn't I think of that? This is perfect complementarity," Xu Rong also smiled.

"Hehe, Ajie is going to be the first test subject!"

Looking left and right, with both beautiful women smiling at him, Li Weijie couldn't help but smile as well. "Rong Jie, Tong Jie, you're not joking, are you?"

"Of course not, but we don't have much free time either. Besides, personal experience is limited. In addition to accepting our experience, you also need to learn the relevant knowledge you mentioned," Xu Rong said seriously.

"Mhm," Li Weijie replied somewhat absentmindedly. He understood that learning may be easy in theory but difficult in practice, especially in the current intense situation at the salon with little time to spare. He was prepared for a long battle, slowly learning, understanding, and practicing at the same time.

Lin Ruotong suddenly patted his shoulder, "Hey, Ajie, don't ignore us! We're being serious with you."

Li Weijie looked at her strangely. "I'm being serious too, aren't I?"

Xu Rong said seriously, "Ajie, let me tell you something."

Seeing Xu Rong's seriousness, Li Weijie also became serious, wondering what important matter she had to discuss. Now at such a critical moment for the salon, it was the time to support her and repay her kindness, no matter what she needed him to do.

"We were discussing something just now..."

(Xu Rong's words eased Li Weijie's worries a bit. Since she was so serious, it definitely couldn't be about what happened between herself and Lin Ruotong last night.)

"Do you know about the 'Dreamy Babylon' contest?"

Li Weijie nodded, "The 'Dreamy Babylon' Hairdressing Contest is the top international hairdressing contest that all excellent hairstylists worldwide aspire to participate in."

This wasn't a secret. While many ordinary hairstylists may not be aware of this event, top senior hairstylists and those aspiring to be top-notch hairstylists and enthusiastic hairdressing enthusiasts are well aware of this competition.

"Yes, you're right. This year is the year of the 'Dreamy Babylon' contest. Masters from all over are already eagerly preparing, and the contest committee is also preparing for the regional qualifiers," Xu Rong said, looking at Li Weijie.

Li Weijie's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that they want me to participate in the qualifiers for the Babylon contest? Am I qualified? If there are representatives to be selected for the salon, it should be Ali!

"For us, this year is very important. Three years ago, we wanted to participate in the Babylon contest. At that time, Rong was the chief designer at the salon. Although Rong could participate in the regional qualifiers, due to the lack of a strong recommendation, our preparations were inadequate, and ultimately we missed the competition last time," Lin Ruotong explained.

Li Weijie quickly glanced at Xu Rong's expression. It was evident that she was still regretful about missing the previous Babylon contest.

"Now what? Rong Jie should be able to participate, right? Rong Jie, we all support you!" Although he had not seen Xu Rong's hair designs in person, based on her knowledge, ideas, and Shen Mengli's reverence for her, Li Weijie had reason to believe in Xu Rong's abilities.

Xu Rong smiled, "I'm getting old, I won't participate this year."

"What's wrong with that? If you're old, then I'm an old man too," Li Weijie couldn't help but chuckle. Women are like this; after they turn twenty-five, they start to care a lot about their age. "Rong Jie, you don't realize how charming you still are. If you're considered old, many people should be ashamed."

Before Xu Rong could respond to Li Weijie's disguised praise, Lin Ruotong quickly approached him and jokingly said, "You mean I should be ashamed?"

"Not at all, Tong Jie, you're just as charming." Complimenting women face-to-face with bias could be dangerous, so Li Weijie quickly added.

"Really? I think you're charmed by Rong Jie," Lin Ruotong teased, "Hmm... She claims to be old, and you say she's charming. Aren't you just playing the old fox?"

"You're the old fox!" Xu Rong couldn't help but laugh and scold.

"Alright, let's get back to the point, two beautiful sisters." To stop them from dwelling on the topic of age, Li Weijie humorously changed 'sister' to 'little sister'.

"'Little sister'? Hmph! Calling your Miss Su Keko a little sister would be more fitting for you. You're forever our little brother, that's unchangeable," Lin Ruotong smirked triumphantly.

"Yeah, who said you're older than us? Just a few years apart." Lin Ruotong wasn't wrong. Li Weijie was indeed younger than them and would always be, he could only be a little brother and never become an elder brother.

But when Li Weijie heard this, he couldn't help but find it ambiguous. Why should my 'little brother' only belong to the two of you? Does this mean you have exclusive rights to it? Such thoughts even made him feel a bit excited.

"Cough, cough, Tong Jie, what do you mean? Why should I only be your little brother... Ah?" Looking at the two mature and alluring women beside him, Li Weijie's heart raced, and he couldn't help but think of something mischievous. Walking the rivers and lakes required utmost restraint.

Listening to his somewhat embarrassing yet teasing words, the two women naturally understood the implied meaning. Lin Ruotong's mind conjured up an intimidating image of the 'implied meaning', her blush deepening.

With a sweet scolding, the two women each held one of Li Weijie's arms, making him feel both pained and delighted.

"Still daring to flirt with big sis?" Lin Ruotong said coquettishly.

Xu Rong, who usually never made such jokes with Li Weijie, also felt a bit shy. If Lin Ruotong wasn't there, she wouldn't know how to respond.

"I'll sit straight and behave properly. How could I flirt?" Li Weijie protested under his breath.

"Still trying to argue..." Lin Ruotong exerted a bit of force, seeming assertive, but it was just for show, and she didn't hurt him.

"Okay, let's talk business," Xu Rong quickly let go of Li Weijie's arm, adjusted her hair, and then said seriously, "You already understand the current situation at the salon. Without breakthroughs, being surpassed and replaced by Monienzo as the number one in City A is inevitable. 

We won't just slip to second place; we might even fall further down. Originally, we had the advantage in terms of salary and promotion, but facing international chains like Monienzo, our advantages are negligible. They are preparing to invest heavily in expanding the market, offering higher salaries than us, and their international background is very attractive to many hairstylists who hope to study and work abroad."

"Many of those who joined the salon as assistants are high-caliber individuals attracted by the salon's strength. However, the front seems more promising at Monienzo as they offer better opportunities and benefits. Therefore, it's normal for them to leave. At this point, it's not about plugging the gaps. It will only make things worse. The most important thing now is to polish the salon's golden reputation and enhance our industry influence."

Li Weijie was a bit confused. The urgent matter now should be to solve the burning issues and defend the salon's market share.

Lin Ruotong saw his confusion and explained, "The salon is the number one in City A and a first-class salon nationwide, but it has no branches elsewhere and no international reputation, which is our greatest weakness. If the salon competes with Monienzo as an international salon, it won't be as impactful, and they wouldn't dare to confront us directly."

Seemingly aware of Li Weijie's lingering questions, Xu Rong smiled slightly, "Ajie, do you think distant water can't put out a nearby fire? Indeed, to elevate the salon to an international level may require a long period. Monienzo has been developing for decades. Let alone that, even fully realizing your idea from just now might win many loyal customers, but it will also take a long time. That's why we must seize this opportunity of the 'Dreamy Babylon' contest. This is a great chance and a shortcut for us to turn things around. We must make a last stand!"

Li Weijie finally understood that for Xu Rong, this year's Babylon contest was no longer about personal honor but about the salon's future! "Rong Jie, how can I help?" Li Weijie asked directly, ready to support whatever decision they made.

"You, participate in the contest!" These words came simultaneously from both Xu Rong and Lin Ruotong, the two beautiful bosses.