While they had plans to conceive, the timing remained uncertain.

In Jiangcheng, good news came from the project team first – after reviewing Qihang’s proposal, the Project Director agreed to let them participate in the bidding.

Among the competing design institutes, Xia Xiao Lan was familiar with two. One was the Zhejiang Design Institute, where Mao Kang Shan had previously worked.

The other was the Hubei Design Institute, home to Nie Wei Guo, whom Xia Xiao Lan had previously dealt with during a conference in Jiangcheng.

The Zhejiang Design Institute was Mao Kang Shan’s former workplace, and Xia Xiao Lan was his disciple – they should have had deep connections!

However, not only did Xia Xiao Lan become his student, but she also “poached” Master Mao Kang Shan away. He stopped consulting for the Zhejiang Design Institute, focusing instead on helping Xia Xiao Lan… While Master Mao was there, the institute’s leadership had placed him on a pedestal – respecting but not necessarily liking him. The old master had deep experience but an eccentric temperament. The institute didn’t dare provoke him, as Mao Kang Shan’s criticism was like indiscriminate machine gun fire.

When Xia Xiao Lan first took Mao Kang Shan away, the institute expressed regret but was initially relieved.

However, as time passed without Mao Kang Shan at the Zhejiang Design Institute, they felt the loss deeply.

Despite his difficult personality, Mao Kang Shan’s experience and ability were their anchor. With him there, many projects naturally found their way to the Zhejiang Design Institute.

“North Ning, South Mao” – these two old masters were the most renowned domestically. Major projects often required their involvement, even if just as consultants. Having such advisors gave me peace of mind when facing difficult problems!

Take this Jiangcheng International Airport – if Master Mao were still at the Zhejiang Design Institute, they would have secured this project long ago.

Loss taught them value. Mao Kang Shan now lived primarily in Pengcheng, rarely returning to Zhejiang.

His son Mao Guo Sheng had also transferred to Guangdong Construction, leaving the Zhejiang Design Institute without leverage to attract the old master back.

Now, not only had Xia Xiao Lan taken away Mao Kang Shan, but she was also competing for projects. The Zhejiang Design Institute certainly wouldn’t welcome her.

The same went for the Hubei Design Institute.

Because of Xia Xiao Lan’s actions, they removed Nie Wei Guo like pulling a carrot with its dirt, disrupting the institute for two years.

Both institutes had complicated feelings toward Xia Xiao Lan but had to tolerate her – not just for Mao Kang Shan’s sake, but because she was the leading young architect in the country. Anyone targeting her would appear petty and intolerant.

Could they forbid Qihang from joining?

That would only make it seem like the institutes feared Qihang.

Xia Xiao Lan pretended not to notice their opinions, greeting everyone from the various institutes with her usual smile on bidding day. Everyone maintained their professional courtesy.

One institute director even joked with Xia Xiao Lan:

“You were quite aggressive last year, poaching two talented people from our institute at once. Little Xia, that’s not right – you can’t target just our institute when recruiting!”

Xia Xiao Lan responded with flattery, “I don’t personally manage recruitment at the firm. If this happened, I apologize, but let me defend myself – we keep hiring from your institute because you train such excellent talent.”

This natural and well-placed compliment left the director unable to press further, though he shook his head with a smile:

“So it’s our institute’s fault?”

Among the laughing group, Xia Xiao Lan maintained the position of a junior.

But no one truly underestimated her.

Setting aside the recruitment issues, Qihang had grown significantly, now qualifying to bid on projects like the Jiangcheng International Airport. Plus, with Xia Xiao Lan’s international reputation, no one dared slight her.

Wealthy, famous, and backed by “Artillery Mao” – who would be foolish enough to embarrass Xia Xiao Lan publicly?

This was reality – when Xia Xiao Lan fought the lawsuit against the Americans, China’s architectural circle united behind her.

After winning the case, when competition arose, they couldn’t just defer to her to bring glory to Chinese architecture – everyone needed to make a living!

Before the bidding results were announced, everyone could chat and laugh together, but when the Project Director emerged with his folder, they scattered like startled birds… The institutes weren’t just competing with Qihang, but with each other too.

The Project Director looked around:

“After discussion, debate, and evaluation by our professional advisory panel, we’ve determined the most suitable proposal for Jiangcheng International Airport is-“

The Director paused: “…the proposal from Qihang Architectural Firm.”

It was Qihang!

Frank jumped up shouting “Yes!”, Hou Qi was overjoyed – they’d chosen Qihang’s proposal?

Xia Xiao Lan felt dazed.

If she claimed Qihang came just for experience, her colleagues would probably beat her up on the spot.

Excessive modesty wasn’t just pride – it would be taking advantage and playing innocent, truly shameless…

Even so, some questioned the results, asking about the professional advisors who evaluated the proposals, while others demanded to see Qihang’s submission.

The implication was that Qihang might have connections.

It would have been ridiculous if the project team had invited Mao Kang Shan as a professional advisor – he would naturally help his disciple.

Fortunately, the project team wasn’t so foolish.

“We invited Master Ning as our professional advisor. As for Qihang’s proposal, we’re happy to share it since you’ve all signed confidentiality agreements.”

While other institutes had prepared for over a year, Qihang took less than five months yet won the Tianhe International Airport design project – even the Project Director was surprised.

Those questioning the advisor’s impartiality immediately fell silent.

Ning Yan Fan has always been compared to Mao Kang Shan. Though they weren’t mortal enemies, Ning Yan Fan wouldn’t risk his reputation to favor Mao Kang Shan’s disciple.

Masters also needed to make a living – at Ning Yan Fan’s age, reputation was crucial. There was no reason to risk his legacy.

The Project Director agreed to show Qihang’s proposal, and everyone gathered around.

With Tianhe International Airport’s budget roughly set, everyone had worked within those constraints. They thought Qihang had won by proposing a cheaper total cost but looking at it, Qihang hadn’t been conservative with the budget at all.

“Does the terminal need to be this big?”

“And the apron – how many aircraft are they planning to park!”

“The waiting hall too…”

Viewed in isolation, the proposal seemed discordant. Even in 1990, most people didn’t fully grasp how far China’s economy could develop.

Qihang’s proposal exceeded the project team’s original requirements.

Master Ning advised them, “Little Xia isn’t just an architect or Qihang’s owner. If she planned Jiangcheng International Airport on this scale, you’d better trust her judgment. Building an airport isn’t just about the next few years’ needs. A mature major airport has a long service life – we should look further ahead.”

This had nothing to do with everyone needing to make a living – Ning Yan Fan would support whichever proposal showed the most foresight!