The buzzing of whispers grew louder.

Hearing that the proposal was already under construction, others could no longer concern themselves with Nie Weiguo’s pettiness and began directing their questions to Xia Xiaolan, bypassing him entirely.

They weren’t trying to give Xia Xiaolan a hard time; they had genuine questions that would keep them up at night if left unanswered!

“Does this infinity pool have to be built next to a water body?”

“How is the water circulation resolved…”

“Is there a difference between hidden pool edges that slope inward versus outward?”

“Outward sloping should be best, but the technical difficulty is highest!”

“Is the Nanhai Hotel funded by Hong Kong investors? This matches Hong Kong preferences…”

“Materials – did you notice the material choices? Regular pools use ceramic materials, like mosaic tiles, but she’s using natural stone cut in large pieces, which certainly looks high-end… while many of our designs still use small tiles for decoration.”

Some questioned Xia Xiaolan directly, while others discussed among themselves.

This design proposal, with a budget of 30 million Chinese yuan, truly created a high-end visual effect.

If the completed project achieved 80% of the design proposal’s effect, it would be excellent. Such a proposal for just 30 million yuan was quite acceptable – Beijing’s Great Wall Hotel had invested 75 million US dollars, spending far more!

Xia Xiaolan was right – tourist hotels and foreign-related hotels have become an undeniable trend in the domestic construction industry in recent years.

The Great Wall Hotel, Xiangshan Hotel, Nanhai Hotel, and others were just the beginning.

What started as questions directed at Xia Xiaolan gradually evolved into a broader discussion.

Not a single question left Xia Xiaolan speechless. Nie Weiguo’s expression grew increasingly sour as the symposium developed around Xia Xiaolan’s design.

“Alright, everyone pauses for a moment. Let me interrupt with a question!”

The participants had to listen when Mao Kangshan spoke.

Even among experts, there were hierarchies, and both Mao Kangshan and Ning Yanfan were at the top.

The buzzing gradually quieted as Mao Kangshan pulled the microphone to his mouth: “How did you end up leaving the young lady out while questioning each other? You’re forgetting who started this discussion. Does anyone else have questions?”

“No, I think we’re done.”

“It’s indeed a novel concept, very inspiring.”

“Teacher Mao, we’ve finished our questions.”

Mao Kangshan nodded, fixing his gaze on Nie Weiguo:

“Little Nie, tell us, was Old Ning right to recommend Xia Xiaolan for the symposium? Is she qualified?”

Nie Weiguo had thoroughly searched the materials but couldn’t find any flaws to attack Xia Xiaolan.

How could he?

A design proposal already under construction, approved by hotel investors – the ones paying were in charge, and they didn’t need Nie Weiguo’s opinion!

Xia Xiaolan maintained her smile, which only irritated Nie Weiguo more.

He couldn’t believe this proposal came from a first-year undergraduate student.

Nie Weiguo refused to accept that some people’s talents far exceeded his own. First Ning Xue, now Xia Xiaolan – these girls studying architecture must have Ning Yanfan as their ghost designer!

But Nie Weiguo had no evidence.

Ning Yanfan wasn’t afraid of gossip, openly stating that Xia Xiaolan’s proposal was better, willingly paving the way for her.

Xia Xiaolan thoroughly understood every detail of the proposal, answering all questions without hesitation.

Nie Weiguo was very reluctant, but with Mao Kangshan watching him and the entire venue’s eyes upon him, he forced out a fake smile:

“In terms of experience, Junior Sister Xia may not qualify, but with Teacher Ning’s recommendation and her innovative work, she certainly deserves to participate in the symposium!”

Nie Weiguo is such a petty person.

Now he was calling her Junior Sister Xia.

Acting as if he hadn’t been targeting her since last night.

“Teacher Mao, since Senior Nie has no more doubts, I’ll return to my seat. I’d like to hear other seniors’ presentations!”

Mao Kangshan casually mentioned:

“Have Group Leader Xing move your table to the front. Sitting alone in the back isn’t convenient for discussion.”

Had nothing changed?

No, things had changed.

This time when he suggested moving her table forward, no one objected. They all agreed with Mao Kangshan!

They had acknowledged Xia Xiaolan’s abilities – she wasn’t just attending casually or filling a spot, but was qualified to discuss modern Chinese architectural creation with them!

Xing Lixin was sweating profusely, unsure where to move the table.

A middle-aged woman in the second row stood up, “Let Little Xia sit with me, away from their crowding!”

So Xia Xiaolan moved to the second row.

There weren’t many women attending the symposium today. Xia Xiaolan noticed the nameplate on her table read “Hou Qi” and respectfully called her Teacher Hou.

Hou Qi pulled her to sit down and whispered:

“Nie Weiguo is just petty. You’ll be in this circle for a long time, don’t antagonize him too much.”

Hou Qi was being rather forthright for their brief acquaintance. Xia Xiaolan nodded obediently, knowing better than to share her true thoughts with strangers.

Nie Weiguo’s antagonism had actually helped her integrate into the symposium circle. Take Hou Qi, for instance – she clearly disliked Nie Weiguo, which made her friendly toward Xia Xiaolan.

But Hou Qi couldn’t have stood up for Xia Xiaolan earlier. Before Xia Xiaolan demonstrated her abilities, no one would have risked helping her.

Everyone who qualified to attend the symposium had earned their place through hard work and wouldn’t easily let sympathy cloud their judgment.

If Xia Xiaolan had been exposed as unqualified, anyone who helped her would have suffered consequences.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t angry. Helping in times of need was always harder than adding to success. They weren’t related and didn’t know her – why should they trust her?

Glancing at Nie Weiguo, Xia Xiaolan suppressed her irritation.

Though the situation had turned in her favor and she wouldn’t openly clash with Nie Weiguo now, that didn’t mean she was done dealing with him!

…

“That’s it?”

Xu Yuejin was happy to see Xia Xiaolan overcome the challenges.

But letting Nie Weiguo off so easily felt unsatisfying to him.

Ning Yanfan frowned: “A petty person has thick skin and can bend with the wind. Everyone can see through Nie Weiguo’s intentions, but since he didn’t make absolute statements, he can still squirm his way out. In his words, his challenging of Xia Xiaolan was for the symposium’s benefit.”

There was nothing they could do about someone who could shamelessly endure such humiliation.

Unless they could find concrete evidence to completely overthrow Nie Weiguo, they couldn’t drive this truly petty person out of the circle.

Ning Xue watched the second row, where Xia Xiaolan had said something that made Hou Qi beam with delight.

Ning Xue suddenly realized that whenever Xia Xiaolan wanted to, she could become friends with anyone! Similarly, there was no opponent she couldn’t handle.

“Grandfather, she won’t let Nie Weiguo off the hook.”