Wen Ran didn't realize that Yan Wangshu's brief ten-minute presence in that seat had already resolved most of their troubles.
When Yan Wangshu left, his gaze lightly swept past Wen Ran. Though it didn't linger, it made her heart tremble faintly, her eyelashes fluttering in response. As they passed each other, Wen Ran subtly stepped aside to make way, catching a whiff of the pleasant cedar scent on him.
She comforted herself: Since I'm here, I'll adapt.
After Chen Xing sat down, she first apologized to Mrs. Wang, then accompanied her in selecting raw gemstones. Wen Ran followed them back and forth, but not only did Mrs. Wang fail to find any stones to her liking, her expression grew increasingly sour. In the end, she left in disappointment.
The moment Mrs. Wang departed, Li Wan rushed over. Without full makeup, her complexion looked unwell, though the bold red lipstick she wore made her presentable enough. It was unclear how long she'd been waiting nearby.
Li Wan bent over repeatedly with apologies: "Teacher Chen, I ate something bad last night and had such severe diarrhea that I was hospitalized overnight for IV fluids."
Chen Xing showed no sympathy for her explanation, her tone sharp: "Were you unconscious during the IV?"
Though usually cool and detached, Chen Xing had never lost her temper before—this was Wen Ran's first time witnessing it.
Li Wan lowered her head, voice trembling with grievance: "I'm sorry... I thought I could make it on time. I didn't expect the road from the hospital to the company to be so congested. I already..."
"You thought you could?" Chen Xing cut off Li Wan's explanation. "But did you actually manage it?"
Chen Xing had no interest in hearing reasons.
Rationally speaking, the workplace only cares about results, not processes.
Li Wan paused, bowed her head again, and repeated: "I'm sorry."
Though visibly displeased, Chen Xing refrained from further reprimands in front of colleagues from other departments. She threw out an order: "Take Wen Ran and handle the stone inventory return."
"Yes, Teacher Chen."
After Chen Xing left, Li Wan wiped her eyes with her fingers. She motioned forward: "Wen Ran, come here. I'll teach you the stone return process."
The inventory return involved verifying the stones taken out during the client's selection process. Li Wan proved experienced, clearly explaining each step.
When Li Wan finished signing, the stone warehouse staff said: "Please wait a moment. We need to confirm again."
Li Wan nodded and slumped weakly into Mrs. Wang's vacated seat. She slowly buried her face in her hands, appearing to cry again.
Adults' tears should be respected with privacy. Wen Ran simply sat quietly nearby.
A well-proportioned receptionist walked over and wordlessly cleared the remaining pastries and cups from the table.
Soon after, Li Wan's phone rang. She glanced at it and hurried to the farthest floor-to-ceiling window to answer.
Wen Ran noticed the IV needle mark still taped to the back of Li Wan's hand. As Li Wan spoke, her steps faltered as if dizzy. She staggered back two steps and leaned against the wall.
Wen Ran rushed over to find Li Wan already sitting slumped on the carpet. Clutching her forehead with one hand, Li Wan strained to control her emotions into the phone: "Mom, I'm really fine. Just regular gastroenteritis... I ate breakfast this morning... took leave from work today. I just want to sleep a bit more... okay, I know. I'll take care of myself..."
After hanging up, Li Wan rested her head on her knees, shoulders trembling slightly. Wen Ran initially moved to help her up but hesitated, unsure whether to intervene.
It was Li Wan who looked up first: "Could you get me a tissue? Thanks."
Wen Ran turned and handed her two embossed tissues from a gold-plated tray.
Li Wan sniffled and stood up. The floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the luxurious exhibition hall interior, outside stretching a clear blue sky. Yet Li Wan felt she'd plunged to rock bottom. Staring through the glass, she confessed: "I timed the IV treatment, but tried speeding it up to get here earlier. Instead, the IV failed, and I left before finishing... but still ended up late."
The sick often feel particularly fragile.
After listening, Wen Ran waited until Liwan blew her nose before speaking: "Actually, when you realized in the car that you'd be late, you could have called colleagues first. That would have given everyone time to prepare, instead of Mrs. Wang arriving while no one could reach you, leaving everyone helpless."
Li Wan turned, red-eyed with surprise at Wen Ran.
By sharing her ordeal, Li Wan had hoped for sympathy from this gentle-seeming girl. Instead, Wen Ran rationally analyzed how the situation could have been mitigated.
Li Wan pressed her lips together. She had had time to call the company but chose not to. Later, when colleagues called, she'd deliberately ignored the ringing. She'd gambled, hoping Mrs. Wang might wait for her arrival so the project could remain hers.
Remembering her mother back home and Chen Xing's attitude, Li Wan closed her eyes tearfully: "Right, I didn't want to miss this opportunity. I brought this on myself. I deserve no understanding or pity. I should pay for my actions—is that it?"
"..."
These outbursts weren't aimed at Wen Ran, but carried undeniable aggression. Li Wan whispered another apology: "Sorry, I didn't mean to..."
Wen Ran shook her head to indicate it was fine, then fetched two more tissues: "I think you should focus on solving the problem first."
In Wen Ran's view, since things had already happened, emotional indulgence was useless. Better to channel energy into damage control.
"Solve it?" Li Wan shook her head, thinking the die was cast. "There's no way. Teacher Chen..."
She trailed off, looking at Wen Ran.
Wen Ran's features were soft, her eyes clear. Sunlight through the windows illuminated her poreless, translucent skin.
From Wen Ran, Li Wan sensed something she'd never encountered since joining the company—colleagues maintained polite workplace relationships laced with unspoken competition, but Wen Ran stood apart like an observer, analyzing the situation with focused rationality free of ulterior motives.
As her emotions subsided, Li Wan began sincerely discussing the circumstances: "Do you know why our team is the least promising in the department?"
Wen Ran shook her head at the sudden topic shift.
Li Wan explained: "Teacher Chen's abilities aren't inferior to other team leaders, but she's too aloof—disdains fighting for good projects or maintaining relationships. That's why most of our projects are leftovers from the other two groups."
"..."
"I heard Mr. Yan was here today. Teacher Chen... she won't plead for me."
Wen Ran finally understood Li Wan's logic—she believed the only solution was having Chen Xing, as her supervisor, intercede on her behalf.
Li Wan sniffled: "I'll probably have to leave 'Carleer'."
Wen Ran offered a different perspective: "Rather than pinning hopes on others, why not try harder yourself?"
"What do you mean?"
"Mrs. Wang didn't select any stones today. If you can win her over, there might still be a chance."
"But Mrs. Wang..." Li Wan didn't finish—the client was notoriously difficult. Yet given the circumstances, there seemed no alternative.
Nodding thoughtfully, Li Wan agreed: "I'll try."
When the warehouse staff returned with a tablet for final confirmation, Li Wan signed. After two steps, another dizzy spell hit her. Wen Ran quickly steadied her.
"Don't rush. You should go to the hospital first."
Li Wan refused: "It's just from not eating breakfast after last night's diarrhea. I'm hungry."
"..."
"I'll grab a bagel at the café later."
Wen Ran didn't press further.
When Li Wan invited her to the café, Wen Ran declined, wanting to stay longer—this place wasn't accessible anytime.
Li Wan pointed at nearby staff tidying up: "Leave when they're about done here."
Wen Ran nodded.
The exhibition hall's left side displayed the company's haute couture collections seen in magazines. Wen Ran skimmed these with mild interest, visually absorbing their color play and details.
Further ahead were display charts of收藏级 pieces requiring appointments to view. These captivated Wen Ran more—a natural Burmese pigeon's blood ruby ring, unheated Sri Lankan sapphire necklace, emerald-cut blue diamond ring, etc.
Most astonishing was a pearl necklace: 115 round pearls interspersed with 7 teardrop pearls, its clasp set with a 7-carat old mine-cut diamond.
Wen Ran leaned slightly to examine the necklace's detail shots.
When Yan Wangshu and Qin Xiao emerged from the stone warehouse, the hall stood empty of staff. Everywhere glittered with refracted light—gems, diamonds, crystals, and lamps.
Wen Ran's white shirt tucked into pale jeans emphasized a waist so slim it seemed encompassable by two hands. Her flesh-pink shallow-toe stilettos completed the look. As she bent forward, the bow at her chest swayed, her fitted jeans outlining full, elegant hip curves.
Qin Xiao held thick files, mid-conversation when Yan Wangshu suddenly halted, murmuring almost to himself: "Third time."
Though hearing "third time," Qin Xiao checked the documents: "Director Yan, the... discrepancy should be second occurrence."
Yan Wangshu's lips quirked faintly: "Return to the office first."
The documents remained unresolved, but Qin Xiao knew better than to question. Years by Yan Wangshu's side had taught him obedience.
As Qin Xiao turned to leave, his peripheral vision caught someone by the display cases—dressed like a fresh graduate intern from some department, lingering after clients had left. He nearly approached, then paused, glancing back.
His boss stood watching the "intern," arms crossed, amusement in his eyes—a rarity for someone whose smiles never reached them.
Qin Xiao froze momentarily, but when Yan Wangshu's gaze shifted his way, he swiftly escaped. He remembered previous bidding mishaps where fear had gripped his throat, yet his legs still obeyed.
Now, his legs seemed autonomous while his mind fixated on his boss's predatory stare—like a hunter locked onto prey.