"Can we discuss the matter without resorting to personal attacks?" A male colleague from Group One finally spoke up, swiveling his chair to face the accuser. "Wen Ran may be an intern, but that doesn't mean you can bully her like this!"
"Oh ho! Jumping to her defense already? Do you think we're all blind to your motives?"
"What exactly are you implying?"
"Exactly what you're thinking. Unlike some attention-seekers, proper people like me never have men rushing to our defense." Her sarcasm dripped with venom.
The male colleague shot to his feet: "I haven't even exchanged a single word with her!"
"Really? So if you had actually spoken, would you be throwing punches for her now?"
This exchange finally ignited Chen Xing's fury: "Do I suddenly become invisible here?"
The male colleague glanced at Chen Xing before being pulled back into his seat by his group members. The female provocateur from Group Two showed no restraint even before Chen Xing, continuing her veiled attacks: "Teacher Chen, you shouldn't let personal bias cloud your judgment."
Group Two members, molded by Wu Yunshan's leadership, had cultivated an air of superiority. Their team consistently handled premium projects, granting members more visibility. Though Wu Yunshan currently held the acting supervisor position, the entire department knew no one could challenge her impending official promotion. Even Chen Xing's chief designer title might soon be eclipsed by their faster-rising careers.
Chen Xing's gaze sharpened as she turned sideways: "Are you lecturing me now?" She pointed imperiously at the floor before her: "Then come stand here and educate me properly."
Confronted by Chen Xing's superior position, the woman's face flushed crimson before paling. The office plunged into anticipatory silence.
Chen Xing directed her attention to Xiang Xiaoyue: "Are you absolutely certain you placed the wax mold inside?"
Xiang's eyes widened dramatically: "Without question!"
Chen Xing countered coldly: "Yet when Wen Ran delivered the document bag, its security seal remained fully intact. This eliminates the possibility of loss during transportation."
Wen Ran stepped forward, voice steady: "We can verify with the director's housekeeper. I specifically requested her to inspect the document bag's condition upon delivery."
Xiang Xiaoyue's eyebrows knitted tightly, unprepared for Wen Ran's meticulous precautions. Blinded by panic, she blurted: "Then perhaps she stole it herself!"
The accusation hung like a guillotine. Wen Ran laughed bitterly, recognizing this as the most absurd scenario her twenty-odd years of life had presented.
Aiwei moved protectively to Wen Ran's side: "That's completely unfounded!"
Xiang Xiaoyue's mouth snapped shut, realizing her overreach. Wen Ran fixed her with a mocking stare: "You're officially accusing me of theft now?"
Xiang's throat bobbed before she stiffened her neck: "Yes!"
Rather than argue, Wen Ran turned to retrieve her phone - this required police intervention. A new voice sliced through the tension: "What's this commotion?"
Wu Yunshan materialized in the doorway. Xiang Xiaoyue scurried over, adopting a plaintive tone: "Teacher Wu, it's about the missing wax mold ring we sent to the director."
Wu Yunshan's response carried practiced calm: "Didn't we already arrange for replacements? Why prolong this disruption?" Her words revealed prior consultation - but only Xiang's sanitized version where minor issues were smoothly resolved.
Xiang shot Wen Ran a sidelong glance: "I merely suggested she exercise more caution in future tasks. She's the one making mountains from molehills."
Wen Ran cut through the pretense: "She just publicly accused me of theft."
Wu Yunshan's head swiveled toward Xiang, who stammered: "I originally thought she'd been careless! But since she insists the seal was intact... logically, she must have stolen it during delivery!"
Wen Ran advanced like a prosecutor: "Where's your proof of having placed it inside?"
"I did place it!"
"Baseless claims!" Wen Ran met her glare unflinchingly. "Then I declare that when I received the document bag, its contents felt no thicker than standard paperwork. The wax mold was never inside!"
"You're lying!"
"SHE'S TELLING THE TRUTH!!!" The new voice came from Li Wan bursting through the doorway, fresh from resolving Mrs. Wang's complaint and eager to celebrate with Wen Ran. Her excitement evaporated at the confrontation.
Li Wan positioned herself beside Wen Ran: "I encountered her during the delivery! I actually held that document bag - it definitely only contained papers!"
Wu Yunshan's gaze became an interrogation beam. Xiang pointed accusingly: "They're from the same group! Of course they'll collude!"
Wen Ran stepped into the spotlight: "Then produce your witness. Will any Group Two colleague vouch for you?" Her challenge swept across the silent faction.
The stillness spoke volumes.
Some marveled at the intern's audacity confronting Xiang before Wu Yunshan - textbook "newborn calf defying tigers". Others mourned the career suicide of burning every bridge.
Wu Yunshan raised her hands in mock conciliation: "We're all colleagues here. The director hasn't escalated this matter, and the wax carving team is already rectifying our department's error. Must we squander work hours on blame games?" Her tone turned statesmanlike: "Ultimately, this reflects on our entire department - my responsibility as supervisor. Let's consider this closed and maintain workplace harmony."
The collective tension dissipated like popped balloons. Colleagues returned to desks, the show apparently over. Li Wan and Aiwei flanked Wen Ran, murmuring comfort: "Let it go. It's over."
But Wen Ran remained statue-still. To her, ambiguity meant future whispers branding her a thief. She watched Wu Yunshan and Xiang retreating, the latter's smirk lingering. Years later, Wen Ran would recall this moment with wry amusement - her younger self resembling a kitten foolishly swiping at jungle predators, yet still cherishing that naive courage.
"WHY WON'T YOU SETTLE THIS?!" The cry froze all movement. Wu Yunshan and Xiang turned, the latter's smirk slow to fade.
Wen Ran marched to the office's central stage, confronting Wu Yunshan: "As our supervisor, shouldn't you enforce fairness? Why shield wrongdoing?"
Wu Yunshan's incredulous sneer contained genuine shock: "What did you say?"
Aiwei lunged to restrain Wen Ran: "Have you lost your mind? Do you want to get blacklisted?"
"Exactly!" Wen Ran's heart hammered confirmation. She maintained eye contact: "I said you're showing favoritism!"
Xiang inserted herself: "Have you overdosed on stupid pills?"
Wen Ran brandished her phone: "I'm filing a police report."
Wu Yunshan's command cracked like a whip: "Intern!" The omission of Wen Ran's name stung more than the tone. Aiwei grabbed at the phone.
Wu Yunshan's mockery dripped with condescension: "Are we children? Reporting colleagues over petty squabbles?"
"Petty?!" Wen Ran's voice rose. "Being branded a thief is 'petty'?!"
Aiwei hissed urgently: "Everyone knows you're right! But you'll become department poison! Think about your future!"
The warning only crystallized Wen Ran's resolve. She'd rather resign than endure this toxic hierarchy. Wu Yunshan's anger stemmed equally from public humiliation and this nobody's defiance.
The supervisor launched her killshot: "Is this some slum alleyway? This is Carrelle - China's premier jewelry house, media darling of fashion circles. Should we become industry laughingstocks because some uneducated girl can't handle office banter?" Her lip curled. "Even without proper design education, you should understand basic social decorum. Theft suspicions toward non-academic interlopers are natural. What would police achieve? Jail someone over hypotheticals? Proceed, and you'll force me to terminate you!"
Each word carved deeper. Since when did education justify baseless defamation? Wen Ran shook off Aiwei's grasp: "This cesspool of injustice isn't worth my loyalty! If you won't seek truth, the law will!"
Chen Xing intercepted her: "Wen Ran, internal matters stay internal."
Wen Ran scanned the room - every gaze framed her as hysterical. Even Group One colleagues radiated disapproval. Society demanded swallowing indignities - dignity being weightless against practicality.
When conflicts pitted Group Two against One, tribalism ruled. When authority spoke, obedience followed. When her actions threatened departmental reputation, she became the enemy.
Adults wear civility until interests clash. Was this right? Wen Ran had no answer.
Li Wan trembled but stepped forward: "I'll testify. That document bag truly held only papers."
Aiwei groaned: "Don't pour oil on fire..."
Wu Yunshan's kohl-rimmed eyes narrowed at this new challenger. Though quailing under the gorgon's gaze, Li Wan stood firm: "I'm... just honoring truth."