The distance from "Lanyu Feng" to "Tanyuan" was less than a kilometer. Close to the villa area, the roads were wide with sparse traffic, allowing cars to speed freely.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived.
The sensor-activated European-style gate slid open, revealing inner roads resembling urban streets. Winding paths flanked by lush greenery bloomed with seasonal flowers.
As the car slowed, Yan Wangshu's slender fingers gripped the steering wheel. "Do you like it here?"
"...It's alright."
"You don't like it," he stated matter-of-factly.
Who was she to dislike it? Wen Ran scrambled to amend her words: "The place is expansive. Walking might be inconvenient, and there are so few people... it feels a bit eerie."
Yan Wangshu nodded slightly, as if agreeing. After a pause, he remarked, "It's better during the day."
"...Oh."
The car twisted through turns until reaching a small Western-style building. They descended to the parking garage via a side entrance. Though multiple luxury cars already occupied the level, Yan Wangshu drove down another floor and parked. This level too was filled with high-end vehicles.
Wen Ran followed him out, then took the elevator to the first-floor lobby. The soaring floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a courtyard outside and layers of verdant foliage beyond, obscuring neighboring houses.
Yan Wangshu suddenly answered a call, conversing in French. Feeling awkward, Wen Ran stood frozen, glancing around aimlessly.
Abruptly, a warm hand lightly brushed her back. Yan Wangshu moved the phone aside and murmured, "Feel free to explore."
"May I visit your collection room alone?"
He pointed at the elevator. "Second floor, turn right, last room."
With a polite nod, Wen Ran took the elevator upstairs. Exiting right, she passed a striking landscape painting in the hallway before reaching the end.
The door opened to a study setup—a Huanghuali wood desk, matching chair, and tea stool. The pristine minimalism betrayed infrequent use.
Moving inward, Wen Ran discovered a display wall showcasing traditional crafts: wooden Guanyin statues, cloisonné tripods, jade-carved corals, and filigree artworks—all priceless treasures. Yan Wangshu appeared particularly devoted to filigree craftsmanship. Two rightmost columns displayed filigree plates, filigree "Fu Lu" symbols, filigree jade scepters... Golden hues shimmering under warm lighting dazzled the eyes.
Scanning the collection, Wen Ran's heart leapt when she spotted the filigree incense box. Suppressing excitement, she opened the glass partition and reached inside. Her fingers closed on empty air. After futilely grasping, she withdrew her hand.
Proper etiquette demanded the owner's permission first. Closing the partition, she counted the gems adorning the lid—six turquoises, twelve rubies—identical to her memory. Long moments passed before she shifted attention elsewhere.
Other pieces warranted equal admiration. On the second row rested a three-dimensional phoenix. With wings spread and chest uplifted, the mythical bird stood atop auspicious clouds. Entirely crafted through wire-wrapping techniques, its exquisite latticework showcased ethereal delicacy. Few modern artisans retained this near-lost craft, leading Wen Ran to assume it was an antique. Yet the finish appeared too pristine.
She activated her phone camera. The faint clink of glass interrupted. Turning, she saw Yan Wangshu enter. His left hand held two wine glasses whose delicate collisions produced the sound. His right carried a slanted decanter where crimson liquid swirled against crystal walls, blooming and dissolving like scarlet blossoms.
Placing the items on the desk, he poured. "Care for some?"
"Thank you." After accepting, Wen Ran gestured at the incense box. "Mr. Yan, may I examine this?"
As wine cascaded into glasses, he glanced sideways. "By all means."
Her eyes curved involuntarily. Approaching the desk, she requested, "Gloves, please." Yan Wangshu retrieved gloves from a drawer.
Setting her phone down, Wen Ran donned the gloves and reverently lifted the filigree box. Even through latex, the engraved patterns evoked childhood memories—the comforting presence of her grandfather. Yet she knew this treasure wasn't yet hers.
Her trembling fingertip traced the surface. "Where did you acquire this, Mr. Yan?"
"Can't recall." His gaze fixed on her slender neck as he swallowed wine, Adam's apple bobbing. "Nervous?"
"Worried about damaging it." She turned with a soft smile.
Yan Wangshu felt his composure waver—an unsettling yet intriguing sensation. Ignoring his reaction, she rotated the box. "The restoration here is impeccable."
"You noticed the repairs?"
The seamless craftsmanship nearly concealed them, but Wen Ran recognized where a filament had once frayed. Meeting his eyes with demure deference, she said, "Barely."
"You appreciate traditional crafts?"
"Deeply."
"Commendable."
After thorough admiration, she carefully replaced the box. Closing the partition, she pointed upward with bright-eyed curiosity. "May I see that phoenix?"
Resting the glass against his lips, he nodded.
She glanced between the artifact and him. He remained seated, swirling his wine with idle elegance—waiting. Swallowing, she requested, "Could you retrieve it? It's too high."
Their eyes locked briefly before amusement tugged his lips. Draining his glass, he stood. His piercing gaze carried undefined intensity.
As he approached, Wen Ran instinctively held her breath, retreating a step. Now standing oppressively close, she caught his faint cedarwood scent and observed the fabric straining over muscular contours as he reached upward.
Wen Ran hurriedly averted her gaze and was about to turn away when a voice drifted down from above."This one?"
Without looking up, Wen Ran kept her eyes fixed on the tip of his shoes. "Mm."
The next second, a gleaming gold filigree tray came into her view.Wen Ran froze for a moment before raising her head, brows furrowed. "It's a phoenix!"She had clearly stated it was a phoenix.
As the words left her mouth, Wen Ran realized her tone had unconsciously turned sharp. She was just thinking of how to remedy it whenYan Wangshu let out a soft 'ah,' his voice carrying no displeasure. "I asked you, and you agreed."
The accusation felt utterly unreasonable. Not wanting to argue, Wen Ran muttered, "...I didn't see it clearly."
"With your head lowered, of course you couldn't." His teasing tone was unmistakable.Wen Ran: "..."
Yan Wangshu asked again, "This one?"Wen Ran looked up, her gaze trailing over his prominent Adam's apple, sharp jawline, straight nose bridge, full forehead, beautifully defined arm muscles, and slender fingers...
She confirmed, "Yes."There was clearly only one phoenix. Why did he keep asking for confirmation over and over?He was clearly teasing her.
Since when did he develop this kind of habit?But she knew better than to challenge someone in their own domain.Besides, she wasn't one to hold grudges anyway.
Yan Wangshu handed the phoenix to Wen Ran. Cradling it, she turned around, revealing her elegant neck and shoulders - skin so pale and smooth it resembled fine jade.
Facing away from Yan Wangshu, Wen Ran dared not apply any pressure, feeling the phoenix was as fragile as if it might snap.Not daring to look too long, she turned back and returned it. "Is this antique restoration?"
"New piece.""New? There are still artisans who master the filigree technique nowadays?"
Yan Wangshu placed the phoenix back on display. "You know about filigree work?""I do." Her enthusiasm surfaced despite herself. "Filigree, also called 'floral work' or 'pattern weaving,' is the most delicate and difficult goldsmithing technique. There's flat filigree and three-dimensional filigree. This phoenix uses filigree craftsmanship - truly exquisite."
Yan Wangshu turned and walked to the desk.Wen Ran pressed, "Mr. Yan, is the artisan still alive?"
"Yes.""What's their name? Which city are they in?"
Yan Wangshu poured wine into a glass. "Su Ci. In Beidu."Su Ci?Such an elegant, distinctive name. Wen Ran felt a flicker of recognition.
Beidu...Oh! Su Ci!Yan Wangshu's mother!To think it was her work!
Wen Ran's heart sank, knowing a visit was impossible now.With a resigned sigh, she turned to study the filigree incense box.
Tapping the glass partition with her gloved finger, she silently vowed: Just wait a few more months, little incense box.Imagining the joy of bringing it home, an unconscious smile curved her lips.
Suddenly, a dark shadow enveloped the brightly lit display case, completely shrouding Wen Ran.The thick carpet muffled all footsteps. By the time she noticed, Yan Wangshu was already standing unbearably close - close enough for her to feel the cedarwood scent radiating heat.
His eyes burned with unmistakable desire as he extended the wineglass toward her, the red liquid swirling inside.Wen Ran's mental defenses shuddered. Disbelieving yet reflexively retreating, her small hand swiped through the air.
Wine sloshed from the goblet, splattering the floor and staining her forearm.Looking down, she saw the红酒 seeping into the carpet. No time to mourn the expensive rug - her mind whirled in chaos.
Putting distance between them, Wen Ran bowed apologetically. "Mr. Yan, I'm sorry."Yan Wangshu exhaled sharply, tone unreadable. "Clean up in the bathroom."
Following his gesture behind him, Wen Ran immediately locked herself in the bathroom. Leaning against the door, she gasped for air.After several steadying breaths, she rushed to turn on the faucet, letting the rushing water drown out her thunderous heartbeat.
Hands braced on the sink, she stared at her reflection - eyes glistening, cheeks flushed.Wen Ran wasn't stupid. She'd been too enchanted by the filigree box to notice earlier, but now...
Dinner. Driving her home. Inviting her here... All for this?The only flaw in this logic was - how could her plain features possibly attract someone like Yan Wangshu?
Or perhaps this was just a fleeting whim? A one-night fancy?It must be. They'd barely met a handful of times.
Unversed in such 'scenarios,' her legs felt boneless. Reaching for her phone, she remembered leaving it outside - spiking her panic.Yet she reasoned: Someone of his status wouldn't resort to force. A clear refusal should suffice.
Washing the wine from her arm, she rehearsed what to say upon exiting. How to react if he turned beastly.
Five minutes later, Wen Ran emerged.Yan Wangshu sat rigidly in the rosewood chair, frost emanating from his striking features - a complete transformation.
The decanter before him stood nearly empty.At her approach, he glanced up briefly before coldly stating, "The car's downstairs. The driver will take you back."
???What kind of reversal was this?Before she could process it, Wen Ran grabbed her phone from the desk.
Turning to leave, she noticed the glaring wine stain on the carpet."Mr. Yan, about that..."
"Out!" The icy command sliced through air.Startled, Wen Ran fled like the wind.