After the media crisis was resolved smoothly, Lam Moc Tra officially got a "promotion" in seating, moving from the dusty prop storage room to the main workspace of the Production Department. Her desk was right beside Tuan's, separated by only one partition from Project Director Vu Hoang Hai's glass-walled office.
May began with a launch project for a high-end cosmetics line. The atmosphere in the office was more hectic than ever. On Wednesday morning, StarBrite's lead designer suddenly called in sick just before the deadline to finalize the construction plan with the partner.
Vu Hoang Hai stood in front of a scale model of the banquet hall, his expression dark.
"If we don't finalize the entrance gate and check-in area design this afternoon, what are we supposed to use to build the stage tomorrow?" He tapped his fingers against the table in a steady rhythm. The pressure radiating from him made everyone afraid to breathe too loudly.
Tra stood timidly by the door, lightly biting her lip. She drew a deep breath and cautiously stepped forward.
"Excuse me, boss... if all you need is a detailed draft layout so the construction team can visualize the arrangement, could I give it a try? I do a lot of self-study, and I specialize in designing layouts for 3D floral art. I have a good understanding of spatial proportions and how to capture the light on different materials."
Hai and Tuan both whipped around to look at her. Hai raised an eyebrow, gave her a once-over, then nodded.
"You have an hour and a half. If you can't finish it, I'll deduct half a point from your internship score this month."
Tra borrowed Tuan's iPad and immediately sank into her own world. Enormous stylized peony blossoms, accented with intertwined vines weaving through a multidimensional space, gradually emerged in crisp detail. Exactly one hour and twenty minutes later, she placed the draft on Hai's desk. The lines weren't flashy, but the detail, depth, and feasibility of construction were far better than expected.
Hai looked at her, unable to hide his approval. "Good. Send this file to the construction team."
But the trouble wasn't over yet. That same afternoon, Bao Anh—the External Relations Director—walked into the Production Department carrying a stack of financial reports.
"Hai, I just looked over the list of material suppliers for that flower arch from your favorite intern. There are three potential partners. To ensure we stay on schedule, I recommend going straight with Supplier C, even though they're twenty percent more expensive."
Hai frowned and picked up the business matrix diagram the Accounting Department had just sent over.
"Supplier C's costs are too high. They'll eat into the post-event media budget."
"But they're the safe choice!" Bao Anh snapped. "If you choose A or B, the risk of a delay is thirty percent. Do you dare take responsibility for that?"
Tra was standing nearby, rearranging files, when she happened to glance at the business matrix on the table. She had practically worn herself out studying these kinds of charts in her corporate finance classes at school. Looking at the risk coefficients and profit margins laid out before her, she couldn't stop herself from speaking up.
"Um... Bao Anh, based on this weighted matrix, combined with the time variable, the answer should be Pa:A. Supplier A has a fifteen percent transportation risk, but its cost-offset margin is the most optimal. If we sign a contract with A that includes a late-delivery penalty clause, the actual level of security will be higher than with C, while still saving twenty percent of the budget."
Bao Anh froze and glared at Tra.
"What do you know about financial management that gives you the right to butt in?"
Hai picked up the matrix and reviewed the coefficients Tra had just pointed out. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"She's right. Pa:A is the optimal choice. Select Supplier A. Bao Anh, have your department draft the contract."
Bao Anh angrily stomped her foot and spun around to leave. Hai turned to Tra, his voice noticeably warmer.
"You saved my ass twice in one day. You're a lot more capable than I thought, Lam Moc Tra."