Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Rising to the Occasion

With only two days left until the second coordination meeting, Su Wan's proposal revisions had entered the final sprint. After days of intense effort, she had comprehensively optimized and adjusted the plan—fully incorporating market demands and consumer experience into the commercial format distribution and spatial circulation design, while retaining her original design philosophy and adding more innovative and practical elements. Confident, she awaited the meeting, hoping to gain approval from Lu Chengyu and the other investor representatives.However, an unexpected crisis struck the afternoon before the second coordination meeting."Su Wan, it's an emergency! Something terrible has happened!" Xiao Li, a fellow designer on the team, rushed to Su Wan's workstation, his face ashen.A sinking feeling settled in Su Wan's chest—an omen of misfortune. "Xiao Li, what's wrong? What happened?""There's a problem with the geological survey report for the Stellar Center project!" Xiao Li panted. "The geological survey company just called. During their detailed investigation of the site, they discovered a large underground karst cave beneath the project area. If we proceed with construction according to our original design, it could trigger geological hazards, seriously endangering the project's safety and stability.""What? An underground karst cave?" Su Wan's mind went blank with a buzzing sound. She couldn't believe her ears. The news was like a bolt from the blue. The geological survey report was a cornerstone of the project's design and construction; if the geological conditions were flawed, all her previous efforts would be in vain. The entire design would need to be overhauled—possibly even scrapped and restarted."Director Lin already knows. She wants you to come to her office for an emergency meeting right away," Xiao Li added.Su Wan composed herself, forcing calm. Panic wouldn't solve anything—they needed a solution quickly. Grabbing a copy of the geological survey report from her desk, she hurried to Lin Man's office.Several core team members were already gathered in Lin Man's office, their expressions grim. Lin Man gestured for Su Wan to sit, then said solemnly: "Su Wan, I assume you've heard about the geological survey results? This underground karst cave has created a major crisis for our project. If we can't resolve this promptly, we won't be able to answer to the investors at tomorrow's meeting, and the project may come to a standstill.""Director Lin, I've reviewed the report. This karst cave is large-scale and located directly beneath the core area of our designed mall. Proceeding with the original plan would indeed pose significant safety risks," Su Wan said, furrowing her brows. "The key question now is: how can we adjust the design to avoid the karst cave while minimizing the impact on the project's functions and quality?""That's exactly what we need to discuss," Lin Man replied. "Time is extremely tight—we have less than a day to revise the plan. Let's hear everyone's ideas."Team members began sharing their suggestions. Some proposed reducing the mall's scale to avoid the karst cave area; others suggested relocating the core area to geologically stable ground; still others recommended using specialized construction techniques to fill and reinforce the cave before proceeding with the original design.Yet each proposal had flaws. Downsizing the mall would undermine its commercial value and appeal; rearranging the entire layout would require reworking the format distribution and circulation design—an impossible task given the time constraints; specialized construction techniques would drastically increase costs and extend the timeline, which the investors were unlikely to approve.The meeting reached an impasse, with everyone at a loss. Su Wan stared at the diagrams in the geological survey report, her mind racing as she considered potential solutions. They needed a plan that would avoid the karst cave, preserve the original proposal's strengths, and control costs and construction time.Suddenly, an idea sparked in Su Wan's mind. She looked up, her eyes bright with excitement: "Director Lin, everyone—I have a thought. We could leverage the underground karst cave to create a unique underground landscape space. For example, transform it into a large indoor aquarium or themed museum. This would not only eliminate the geological risk but also add a distinctive highlight to the project, attracting more consumers. Meanwhile, we could shift the mall's core area slightly eastward to geologically stable ground, adjusting some format distributions and circulation routes to minimize changes to the original plan."Everyone fell silent, staring at Su Wan in surprise and doubt. Repurposing the karst cave as a landscape space was a bold, innovative idea—one no one had considered before.Lin Man's eyes lit up. "Su Wan, elaborate. Is the karst cave's size and structure suitable for conversion into an indoor aquarium or themed museum? What would the renovation costs and timeline be? How much impact would it have on the overall project?""From my initial review of the geological report, the karst cave has sufficient height and area, with a relatively stable structure. After appropriate reinforcement and renovation, it can fully meet the requirements for an indoor aquarium or themed museum," Su Wan said earnestly. "While renovation costs will be higher than the original plan, we can optimize other design aspects—such as reducing unnecessary decorations and facilities—to keep costs within the investors' acceptable range. In terms of timeline, construction of the underground landscape can proceed simultaneously with the above-ground structure, avoiding significant delays to the overall schedule. Moreover, this unique underground space will become a major selling point for Stellar Center, boosting its visibility and appeal while generating additional commercial value."After listening to Su Wan's proposal, the team members nodded in agreement. This solution not only addressed the geological crisis but also enhanced the project with a unique feature—it was truly a win-win.Lin Man looked at Su Wan with approval. "Su Wan, this is an excellent idea—boldly innovative yet practical. Effective immediately, I'm appointing you as the lead for this revision. Assemble the team and finalize the adjusted proposal before tomorrow's meeting. The company will fully support you no matter what challenges arise.""Please rest assured, Director Lin. I won't let you down—I guarantee we'll meet the deadline!" Su Wan said firmly.Leaving Lin Man's office, Su Wan immediately gathered the team to divide tasks and launch the revision effort. She personally oversaw the design of the underground landscape space and the relocation of the mall's core area, while other members handled optimizations to format distribution, spatial circulation, cost budgeting, and other details.The entire team entered emergency mode, working tirelessly with clear division of labor and close collaboration. The office remained brightly lit throughout the night, with the sound of keyboard tapping, discussions, and phone calls blending into a tense yet orderly work symphony.Su Wan barely had time to drink water—she alternated between drafting designs on her computer, discussing details with the team, and consulting geological experts and landscape design firms to ensure the plan's feasibility and safety. Her eyes were bloodshot and her voice hoarse, but her gaze remained steadfast and focused.As time ticked away, dawn broke. After a night of intense work, the revised proposal was finally completed. Su Wan looked at the adjusted design and let out a long sigh of relief. The process had been arduous, but the result was satisfying. The revised plan not only successfully avoided the geological risks posed by the karst cave but also added a unique underground landscape space, making the overall design more comprehensive and innovative.She printed the proposal, double-checked it for errors, then leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes to rest briefly. She knew the upcoming coordination meeting would be another test for her and the team. She needed to stay alert and give her all to present this new, improved design to the investors.At 8 a.m., Su Wan and her team arrived at the meeting room with the revised proposal, right on time. Lu Chengyu and the other investor representatives were already present, their expressions a mix of anticipation and concern—they had been informed of the geological crisis the previous day.Su Wan took a deep breath, walked to the projection screen, and began presenting the revised plan. When she mentioned repurposing the underground karst cave into a unique landscape space, Lu Chengyu and the other representatives looked astonished. As Su Wan provided detailed explanations, their surprise gradually turned to approval and admiration."Designer Su, I'm extremely impressed by your team's responsiveness and innovation," Lu Chengyu said first after the presentation, his tone clearly appreciative. "This revised plan not only resolves the geological issue but also adds a highly appealing highlight to the project. I'm confident this unique underground landscape will become a signature feature of Stellar Center, attracting countless consumers. On behalf of the investors, I approve this revised design."Upon hearing Lu Chengyu's words, Su Wan and her team erupted in joyful cheers. Days of hard work had finally paid off. Su Wan looked at Lu Chengyu, her eyes filled with gratitude. She knew their success at the meeting was not only due to the team's efforts but also Lu Chengyu's recognition and support.After the meeting, Lu Chengyu approached Su Wan, smiling: "Designer Su, congratulations. Your performance has been outstanding—you've exceeded my expectations.""Thank you for your approval, Mr. Lu," Su Wan said, a touch embarrassed. "It's also the result of the team's collective efforts.""Regardless, your contribution is indispensable," Lu Chengyu replied. "I hope we can maintain this good cooperation as the project progresses, working together to make Stellar Center a successful commercial venture.""We will, Mr. Lu," Su Wan said firmly.Watching Lu Chengyu's departing figure, Su Wan's heart was filled with confidence and anticipation. She knew the advancement of the Stellar Center project would bring more difficulties and challenges, but she was ready. No matter what problems arose, she would face them bravely with her team, find solutions proactively, and strive tirelessly to realize her design dream.