Wen Ran devoted herself entirely to the commercial design project, practically forgetting to eat and sleep.
By Wednesday, she finally felt confident that her design draft was a satisfactory submission.
After the lunch break, Wen Ran took her design sketches and knocked on Ding Yao's office door.
"Come in."
Wen Ran entered and saw Ding Yao typing furiously on her keyboard, seemingly busy. She kept it brief: "Mona, this is my entry for the commercial design competition."
Ding Yao didn't look up: "There are still two days left until Friday. No more revisions?"
Her tone was lighthearted, making it easy to drop formalities.
Wen Ran smiled: "No more revisions."
Ding Yao finally glanced up and reached out: "Let me see your sketches."
Wen Ran handed them over.
Ding Yao took the papers with one hand, glanced at them, tilted her head slightly, then gripped the sketches with both hands to examine them closely.
To Wen Ran, this scrutiny felt even more nerve-wracking than when her professors reviewed her designs.
After a long pause, Ding Yao placed the sketches on her desk and flashed a playful smile: "Walk me through your concept?"
Wen Ran nodded and stepped closer: "The white ice jadeite has a rounded form, so I opted for a classic setting—timeless and versatile. The bamboo-inspired band adds uniqueness and modernity."
Ding Yao nodded in approval: "Simple yet sophisticated. Interesting."
She looked at Wen Ran with genuine admiration: "For a designer your age, it's rare to see such mastery of minimalism."
Was this a compliment?
Wen Ran curved her lips: "Thank you."
Ding Yao seemed genuinely pleased, picking up the sketches again: "The name 'Yuzhu' (Jade Bamboo) is well-chosen too."
Setting the sketches down, she smiled: "Out of all submissions I've received so far, this is my favorite."
Since Wu Yunshan had already submitted her work, did this mean Wen Ran's was better?
Wen Ran's eyes crinkled with joy: "Thank you."
"Wait for the good news." Ding Yao raised an eyebrow meaningfully.
Wen Ran felt as though she'd been given a reassurance pill.
After expressing gratitude twice more, she left Ding Yao's office.
As she exited, she noticed many colleagues glancing at her subtly, but she paid no mind. She was floating with happiness.
Avi noticed Wen Ran's radiant expression and sidled up to gossip: "You look thrilled!"
Wen Ran pressed her lips together and nodded: "Mhm."
"Did she praise you?"
Another nod.
Avi shared her joy, grabbing her wrist: "Congratulations!"
Wen Ran felt the competition slot was secured. Now, she needed to focus on the actual entry.
However, Chen Xing suddenly assigned her additional tasks, tightening her schedule again.
Amidst the busyness, a new week arrived.
The first round of the commercial design competition involved the creative director eliminating weaker entries.
Wen Ran was confident her work wouldn't be cut.
When results were announced, Avi and Li Wan reacted with more excitement than Wen Ran herself.
Though internally delighted, Wen Ran maintained calm, feeling everything was progressing smoothly. With her mind at ease, she decided to visit home and booked a Friday 8 PM flight back to M Country.
During Friday's lunch, Li Wan chatted on her phone with her blind date before shyly mentioning: "My date..."
"What? Tell us!" Avi leaned in eagerly.
Li Wan: "Last time I mentioned you two joining me to meet him... Could we do it this Saturday?"
Avi agreed immediately: "Sure!"
"Li Wan, I can't." Wen Ran apologized: "I'm going home this weekend."
Li Wan pouted: "Oh..."
Avi interjected: "Can't I help assess him? Let's be real—Wen Ran's never dated. What insights could she offer?"
Li Wan texted her date: "Let me ask him."
After a moment, she put down her phone: "I previously told him I'd bring two friends to avoid awkwardness. He said he'll bring two friends too. Should we reschedule for next weekend?"
Avi smirked: "Are his friends single?"
"Probably."
"Deal." Avi slung an arm around Wen Ran: "Next week—block your schedule!"
Wen Ran nodded, her dark eyes sparkling: "You can call me Ran Ran, like my family and friends do."
"Then call me Vivi!" Avi turned to Li Wan: "You? Wan Wan?"
Li Wan shook her head: "My mom calls me Xiao Wan."
Avi teased: "Xiao Wan? Xiao Pen? Xiao Bucket? Pfft—"
Li Wan pretended to be offended: "Just call me Teacher Li then!"
Avi giggled: "I can't take 'Teacher Li' seriously anymore."
Wen Ran mediated: "Xiao Wan sounds nice."
"Right?" Li Wan shot back: "Ran Ran is lovely too."
The shift in nickmarks made Wen Ran feel their relationship had officially transitioned from colleagues to friends.
Wen Ran slept through the flight, landing in M Country at 4 PM local time.
Though she'd notified them in advance, neither Zhai Chengjing nor Zhai Xinyi came to pick her up—only the family driver arrived.
In the car, Wen Ran asked: "Uncle Zhao, is the company busy lately?"
"Seems so. Mr. Bai visits often, and Mr. Zhai sometimes comes to the house late at night to meet him."
Wen Ran knew nothing about this but softly replied: "I see."
"Still, Mr. Bai ordered a feast for your return. Mr. Zhai and Ms. Zhai will both attend."
Hearing this warmed her heart.
Upon arriving home, Wen Ran first went to Bai Weiliang's studio: "Teacher!"
Bai Weiliang turned with a kind smile: "You're back."
"Mm. What are you working on?"
"A necklace."
Wen Ran pulled a chair three meters away and sat quietly, watching him work.
The studio was so silent that the sound of tools shaping metal became pronounced. She hadn't heard this noise in ages.
Bai Weiliang bent over his workbench, the front lighting accentuating every wrinkle and age spot.
His hair seemed slightly longer—or maybe not; perhaps whiter—or maybe not...
Wen Ran couldn't articulate the emotion welling inside.
After inspecting the metal's luster and curves, Bai Weiliang set it aside, satisfied.
He turned: "Share something interesting from your trip."
Wen Ran couldn't divulge her secret activities in Shanghai. Hesitating, she mumbled: "Nothing much."
"What about that 'southern-style' jade carving technique? Weren't you interested?"
"Still learning."
"So no achievements yet?"
Wen Ran lowered her head: "..."
Every question felt like a slow blade scraping her heart.
Bai Weiliang knew Wen Ran's temperament. When she was thirteen, she became interested in jade carving and studied under a 'Yang-style' master. She excelled in theory, but struggled with practical work. Crafts like these required innate talent, and the master eventually politely declined to teach her further.
Yet the girl was stubborn. She practiced obsessively.
For over two years, without guidance or instruction, she persisted solely through self-taught theory.
In the end, she still earned recognition.
Therefore, Bai Weiliang understood that once Wen Ran fixated on something, she wouldn't relent.
He worried more about her becoming too absorbed, neglecting food and rest without anyone to care for her.
Now, seeing her sullen and dejected expression, he assumed she faced academic setbacks and comforted her, "Ranran, learning isn't instantaneous. Take it step by step, understand?"
"I know." Wen Ran shifted the topic. "Teacher, is the company busy lately?"
"Why ask?"
"Uncle Zhao mentioned you've been there often, and Senior Brother is also swamped."
"It's about finalizing our entry into the domestic market. Last-minute tasks always pile up." Bai Weiliang glanced at her. "With your senior brother handling it, you needn't worry."
Bai Weiliang doted on Wen Ran, granting her complete freedom. Thus, she'd never grasped the complexities of managing a company from bottom to top.
But now she understood and wanted to help.
Wen Ran: "Teacher, I could assist Senior Brother."
"You should help him. So even if you prefer jade carving or other pursuits, never neglect design. Understood?"
"Understood."
After more casual talk, they went downstairs.
Zhai Chengjing and Zhai Xinyi had arrived.
Zhai Xinyi wore a tailored suit and hair extensions, appearing more mature and radiant.
But her demeanor remained unchanged: "Ranran, I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you too!"
After dinner, the conversation repeatedly circled back to Wen Ran.
Thankfully, Zhai Xinyi intercepted many probing questions.
Once Bai Weiliang retired, Wen Ran changed clothes and left with her.
During dinner, Zhai Xinyi had announced plans to "go happy" with Wen Ran.
As they exited, Zhai Chengjing offered, "I'll drive you."
Zhai Xinyi objected, fabricating an excuse: "No need, Brother. Don't you have work tomorrow? We're not kids—we'll manage!"
"Work on Saturday?" Wen Ran asked.
"He's super busy! If not for you visiting, I'd probably be dragged to the office tomorrow too!" Zhai Xinyi complained, then stuck her tongue out at Zhai Chengjing. "We're going to Angle. It's safe."
Ignoring her, Zhai Chengjing opened the car door, his tone brooking no argument: "I'll drive you."
When Zhai Xinyi tried protesting again, Wen Ran stopped her.
Angle was a local bar owned by an influential overseas Chinese. Patrons partied wildly but within 'secure' boundaries.
They soon arrived.
The bar's walls were brown, its ceiling rippled stainless steel. Soft light reflections created a mellow ambiance.
The group settled at a reserved table, ordering low-alcohol cocktails.
After brief instructions to the manager, Zhai Chengjing left.
Once he was gone, Zhai Xinyi prodded: "Tell me everything about Yan Wangshu taking you home!"
Wen Ran flushed, muttering, "It was a misunderstanding."
"Dragging you home with wine? Just a misunderstanding?"
"But he let me leave. Later, when I delivered documents to his office, he refused to see me."
Zhai Xinyi frowned, silenced.
Wen Ran added, "Also, I stained his carpet. He seemed really upset."
"So he's petty after all."
Wen Ran insisted, "I never called him petty!"
"You implied it."
Wen Ran ended the discussion: "The whole thing was my mistake! Drop it! Someone like him would never fancy me anyway."
"Why not? Aren't you pretty enough? Or lacking status?" Zhai Xinyi pondered. "Honestly, if not for the business rivalry, you'd match well."
"Who wants to match with him?" Wen Ran's cheeks burned. She sipped water from a crystal glass.
"Then pair with my brother! Be my sister-in-law."
Wen Ran nearly choked: "Don't joke like that. It's awkward."
Zhai Xinyi laughed carelessly: "Just preventing you two from dying alone."
A bartender delivered their cocktails—layered pastel hues with delicate bubbles rising.
Zhai Xinyi beckoned: "Bring us whiskey!"
Wen Ran intervened: "Bad idea. What if Senior Brother finds out later?"
"I don't care!" Zhai Xinyi tossed her hair.
Wen Ran decided to sleep at her own place tonight rather than the Zhai residence.
As Zhai Xinyi defied the world, the staff apologized: "Mr. Zhai instructed no hard liquor."
Zhai Xinyi deflated: "..."
Wen Ran giggled—her senior brother had outmaneuvered them.
Frustrated, Zhai Xinyi turned to punch the sofa backrest and spotted an acquaintance. Leaning over, she called: "Young Master Xie, buy us drinks!"
A man at the neighboring table glanced over, then noticed Wen Ran: "Miss Wen, long time no see."
He toasted Wen Ran from afar.
She politely raised her cocktail and sipped.
The man resumed chatting with companions, ignoring Zhai Xinyi completely.
She turned back, fuming: "Xie Cheng, b*st*rd!"
Truthfully, it wasn't Xie Cheng's fault—who'd dare give her alcohol?
Zhai Xinyi spat: "Serves him right! Deserves his arranged marriage!"
"Arranged marriage?"
"Didn't you know?" Zhai Xinyi sneered. "The Xies are marrying into the Zheng family!"
She stood, shedding her jacket and removing Wen Ran's: "Let's dance!"
Strobe lights, rhythmic music, swirling hair and swaying hips...
Wen Ran hadn't let loose like this in ages.
They danced until sweaty, then returned.
Later, staff reminded them: "Miss Zhai, Miss Wen, it's 1 a.m."
Zhai Xinyi: "?"
Wen Ran: "?"
Staff added: "Mr. Zhai said you should head home."
Zhai Xinyi: "..."
Wen Ran: "..."
The staff concluded: "Your car awaits outside."