The three parted ways, with Avi and Li Wan heading toward separate subway entrances, while Wen Ran walked toward the street to hail a taxi.
After waiting, a taxi finally pulled up in front of her, only to be snatched by a young couple who suddenly appeared.
Wen Ran pulled out her phone to book a ride through a ride-hailing app.
It was a weekend evening during peak hours, and the app showed 67 people ahead in the queue, estimating a 15 to 20-minute wait.
She sat on a roadside bench to wait, scrolling through photos she'd taken earlier at the Starry Sky Art Museum to post on her social media Moments.
The moment she shared the post, Zhai Xinyi liked it and messaged her:
Zhai Xinyi: Where'd you go for fun?
Wen Ran: The viral museum.
Calculating the time difference, Wen Ran realized it should be around 4 a.m. where Xinyi was.
Wen Ran: Why are you awake at this hour?
Zhai Xinyi: Transiting back to the U.S.Wen Ran vaguely recalled Xinyi mentioning a business trip last week but couldn't remember the destination.
Wen Ran: How's Teacher been lately?
Zhai Xinyi: No idea. I haven't visited since you left.
Wen Ran: I want to visit him over a weekend.
Zhai Xinyi: Just two days? That's too rushed. Why?
Wen Ran gripped her phone, her mind replaying the emotional ups and downs of the week.
Wen Ran: I just miss him.Xinyi didn't reply immediately, so Wen Ran added:
Wen Ran: And I miss you too.
After a pause, Xinyi responded bluntly:
Zhai Xinyi: Did someone bully you?
Wen Ran smiled bitterly. She didn't feel bullied—just unsettled.
Wen Ran: No. I just genuinely miss you all.
To divert the conversation, she typed:
Wen Ran: Guess who I had dinner with earlier?
Zhai Xinyi: Who?
Wen Ran: Yan Wangshu.
Xinyi sent a voice message, her tone excited: "Did you two go on a date?!"
Date? Wen Ran nearly rolled her eyes. Holding the voice button, she replied: "We just ran into each other. It was a coincidence. But…"
Remembering Yan Wangshu's intense gaze during the meal, she typed:
Wen Ran: Xinyi, I was with two colleagues when we bumped into him. He treated all of us, including his niece, to dinner. Doesn't that seem odd?A chill ran down her spine despite the summer heat: Is he suspicious of me?
Xinyi bombarded her with replies:
Zhai Xinyi: You're overthinking.
Zhai Xinyi: Stay calm and act natural. Why would he care about a junior designer?
Zhai Xinyi: Besides, treating subordinates after a chance encounter is normal.
Zhai Xinyi: My brother does the same for his top employees.
Wen Ran frowned.
Wen Ran: We're not "top employees."
Zhai Xinyi: Pretty ones count too [smiley face].
Wen Ran: [dizzy]
Zhai Xinyi: Oh, has my brother contacted you?
Wen Ran: He called last week.
Zhai Xinyi: I meant recently. He's back in the country.
Back?
Wen Ran had no idea Zhai Chengjing had returned.
Wen Ran: He didn't reach out. I didn't know.
Zhai Xinyi: Probably busy with his schedule.
Wen Ran: Any highlights from your trip?
Xinyi sent several long voice messages complaining: "Highlights? What could I get from a backwater place? I'm melting in this heat…"
Wen Ran chuckled as she listened.
By 8 p.m., the heat had eased, but the mall crowd had grown. The night sky resembled a dark canvas smudged with hazy stars and a faint crescent moon.
Under the warm glow of a streetlight, Wen Ran sat on an iron bench, her aqua-green skirt draping over her feet. Leaning lazily against the armrest, her delicate collarbone and petite frame painted a serene picture.
A fair-skinned, boyish-looking student in his twenties sat nearby, stealing shy glances at her. He blushed but couldn't muster the courage to speak.
Yan Wangshu's car idled on the curb. He lit his second cigarette, exhaling slowly as he watched. When the boy approached Wen Ran, his jaw tightened. Crushing the cigarette, he accelerated toward them.
Lowering the window halfway, his deep voice cut through the noise: "Wen Ran."
She looked up, instinctively clutching her phone. Standing calmly, she approached and bent slightly: "Mr. Yan."
His gaze flickered over her. "Get in. I'll drive you."
Wen Ran hesitated, forcing a polite smile. "Thank you, but I'll manage."
He smirked. "Aren't we heading the same way?"
Before she could reply, the window closed, leaving a terse command: "Get in."
The car carried a faint cedar scent.
The car slowly made its way through an old street. Outside the window, elderly people strolled while fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans, and young couples nestled together playfully.
Wen Ran glanced at the air conditioning vent and unconsciously wrapped her arms around herself.
Yan Wangshu preferred 25°C.
Without a word, he pressed the controls twice, adjusting the temperature to 27°C.
Wen Ran stiffly murmured, "Thank you."
As the car stopped at a crosswalk, Yan Wangshu turned to look at her. Watching her tuck loose strands of hair behind her ear, revealing delicate earlobes, he smiled: "Weren't you planning to leave 'Carlisle'?"
!!!
Why bring this up so abruptly?
Wen Ran tried to deflect: "Oh, I just... suddenly figured things out."
She forced a polite laugh: "Heh."
When pedestrians cleared, Yan Wangshu lightly pressed the accelerator, his tone casual: "Figured what out?"
"..." Trapped, Wen Ran licked her lips and recited flatly: "'Carlisle' is an outstanding company. Under your leadership, I believe I'll gain invaluable experience that will add brilliance to my ordinary life! I promise never to repeat that impulsive behavior from that afternoon. I'll work diligently and conduct myself properly!"
"Outstanding company?" Yan Wangshu latched onto the absurd phrase, retorting, "Wasn't it a 'crummy company' before?"
Wen Ran inhaled sharply.
She turned to stare at him. Streetlights filtered through banyan leaves, dappling his face. The curve of his lips was unmistakable.
He was teasing her, but she couldn't fathom why.
Softening her voice, she pleaded: "I'm still young. Please forgive my immaturity."
Her fragile tone resembled a kitten's meek appeal.
Yan Wangshu felt an invisible scratch across his chest.
Abruptly, his expression sobered, voice turning serious: "Wen Ran. Why did you join 'Carlisle'?"
"Huh?"
The car merged into main traffic, stuck at an intersection.
His gaze pinned her, stripped of earlier nonchalance.
Wen Ran averted her eyes, throat tight.
A car honked aggressively nearby, trying to cut into the turn lane.
The atmosphere crackled.
Why was he asking this? Did he know something?
Suddenly, his dining with her and offering a ride felt suspicious. Could their meeting not be accidental?
She dismissed the paranoid thought.
Yan Wangshu noted every flicker of her discomfort – the fidgeting, the panic, the vulnerability.
Her doe-eyed look made her seem wronged.
He sighed inwardly – her appearance granted her too much natural advantage.
As traffic moved, he pressed the accelerator harder, tone gentling: "Wen Ran. What do you want most right now?"
He glanced sideways: "Truth."
The word struck her sternum.
After prolonged silence, she answered: "To win the 'Apollo Jewelry Design' competition."
Yan Wangshu pressed: "Then what? Become an independent designer?"
"Yes."
She braced for more questions, but he fell silent.
The stifling quiet compelled her to fake scrolling through her phone.
A notification popped up – Senior Zhai Chengjing: [Arriving in Shanghai tomorrow. Meet?]
Tomorrow was Sunday. Manageable.
She replied: [Sure, Senior.]
Zhai: [I'll reach Shanghai by noon. Send me your hotel address.]
She had no hotel: [I'll come find you.]
Zhai: [Fine.]
Zhai: [Brought you something. Want it?]
Assuming it was a gift: [Yes [docile emoji]]
No reply followed.
The car halted at 'Lanyu Feng' residential gates.
Wen Ran unbuckled her seatbelt: "Thank you, President Yan."
Before she could exit, Yan Wangshu called lowly: "Wen Ran."
"Hmm?"
"'Apollo' is fair and impartial."
Impartial meant opportunities existed.
She smiled: "Yes."
"You're too young. No credentials."
"?" She paused, nodding obediently: "Yes."
"Independent designer – you need time."
"??" Another nod: "Yes."
Yan Wangshu tapped his lips, exhaling: "Compile a portfolio. Submit it to my office Monday."
"???" Though confused by his sudden interest, she nodded: "Yes."
He studied her silently.
Squirming under his gaze, she finally ventured: "I'll head back now. Drive safely."
Pushing the door open, her skirt hiked up as she stepped out, revealing slender calves.
"Wen Ran."
She turned. He wasn't looking at her.
Leaning against the headrest, his arm rested on the console. Veins traced his hand, tendons faintly protruding.
He tapped the leather: "You mentioned wanting to visit my home?"
???
Memory surfaced – I want to see your collection. May I?
Yan Wangshu turned. Pale irises narrowed as he extended the invitation: "Coming now?"
"Yes." No hesitation.
She pulled her legs back, smoothed her skirt, shut the door.
Yan Wangshu chuckled: "Seatbelt."
She obediently clicked it.
The snap echoed sharply.
He didn't drive immediately, staring ahead into darkness – contemplating his own breached boundaries.
Glancing at her, seeking answers, he found her biting her lower lip to suppress a smile, eyes glittering like captured starlight.
Her expectant glance between him and the road silently urged: Why aren't we moving?
Yan Wangshu trusted his self-control. Closing his eyes briefly – whatever consequences, he'd handle them.