The moonlight was exceptionally bright tonight, casting a silvery sheen over the ground. The overlapping tree shadows resembled intricate paper-cut umbrellas.
Wen Ran's thin heels clattered unevenly against the pavement. Qin Xiao glanced back warily at her, then leaned close to Yan Wangshu's ear and murmured a few words.
Yan Wangshu neither turned around nor slowed his pace.
Wen Ran quickened her steps, calling out breathlessly, "Mr. Yan."In the next moment, Qin Xiao extended an arm to create a barrier between them.
Wen Ran instantly understood—this was a boundary she couldn't cross.Though they'd shared cars, dined together, and she'd even visited his home, all those moments had occurred only because he permitted them.
She automatically shifted half a step sideways, maintaining a polite distance as she followed. "Mr. Yan, may I trouble you for a moment?"
Yan Wangshu continued striding forward as if he hadn't heard her, his chiseled profile cold and detached under the moonlight.
Qin Xiao interjected, "Any issues should first be discussed with your department head."
Wen Ran shot Qin Xiao an apologetic glance but pressed on, raising her voice slightly across the distance. "Mr. Yan, regarding Miss Zhong's commercial design project—I'd like to understand why my work was excluded."
When Yan Wangshu remained silent, her tone grew more urgent. "Your feedback is crucial to me."
Still no response.
A black executive car had long been parked nearby. The driver opened the rear door and stood waiting.
Yan Wangshu stepped inside. Just as Qin Xiao moved to shut the door, Wen Ran grabbed its edge, her slender fingers whitening from the force.
Qin Xiao instinctively seized her arm in warning, but she refused to let go.
Wincing in pain, Wen Ran met Qin Xiao's gaze with helpless, glistening eyes. "I know… I know…"Her lips trembled, words faltering.
She knew this was inappropriate, knew she was being unreasonable.Yet she needed that answer—it would determine the trajectory of her future.
Clutching the doorframe, her voice dropped to a whisper. "Mr. Yan, I'm sincerely seeking your guidance."
Yan Wangshu finally turned to look at her.Her delicate frame leaned forward slightly, the wrist gripping the car door appearing fragile as porcelain. Her long lashes framed determined eyes that held no trace of retreat, only unwavering resolve.
When Yan Wangshu glanced at Qin Xiao, even he seemed surprised by the sharp warning in his own gaze.
Qin Xiao released his grip.
Yan Wangshu lowered his head with a self-mocking chuckle, as if startled by his own reaction.
Uncertain of his mood but clinging to hope, Wen Ran softened her tone. "Mr. Yan, I didn't mean to impose, but—"
"You've already disturbed me." His icy interruption carried the natural authority of someone born to command.
Wen Ran's grip loosened. "I'm sorry."Yet she persisted, voice trembling. "But your evaluation truly matters to me."
Yan Wangshu closed his eyes, swallowing the strange pang her plea evoked—that same clawing sensation he'd felt before. "I don't have time now."
A spark of hope lit her features. "Then may I wait for you?"
He offered no answer.
Taking the hint, Wen Ran glanced at Qin Xiao and politely closed the car door herself. "How long should I wait?" she asked Qin Xiao.
"Unclear," he replied dismissively before entering the passenger seat.
As the car disappeared under dim streetlights, Wen Ran walked back toward the office building. A gust of wind shook nearby branches, making her hug her arms. Only then did she notice the stinging pain in her right hand—the blister from an earlier burn had ruptured during the struggle.
It didn't matter. The answer was worth it.
Taking a deep breath, she found the pain fading.
Back in the office, harsh fluorescent lights emphasized the emptiness. With no immediate tasks, she attempted sketching but couldn't focus. Pacing became her rhythm against drowsiness.
A security guard knocked during patrols. "Why aren't you heading home?"
"I need to stay a bit longer," she replied.
"Come back tomorrow," he urged.
"I'll keep track of time."
By midnight, exhaustion weighed heavy. She wandered toward Yan Wangshu's office, peering uselessly through his frosted windows as before.
Footsteps echoed.
Turning, she saw Yan Wangshu and Qin Xiao approaching. A small smile broke through as she greeted, "Mr. Yan, I was just… just stepping out."
He frowned. "Why are you still here?"
Confusion flickered across her face. "I was waiting for you."
Yan Wangshu shot Qin Xiao a displeased look—neither had expected such literal obedience.
"Reschedule the France market meeting for five minutes from now," Yan Wangshu ordered Qin Xiao before leaning casually against the corridor ledge. "Your design—'Jade Bamboo,' was it?"
"Yes."
"Do you know the market value of that white-ice jadeite?"
She began detailing the gem's qualities: "The uniform particle size, delicate texture, symmetry—"
He cut her off with an impatient gesture. "I didn't ask for analysis."
Yan Wangshu glanced at his wristwatch: "You have four minutes left."
Even a slow-paced person like Wen Ran suddenly felt the urgency, her blood seeming to boil: "Just under fifty thousand yuan."
Yan Wangshu: "Then let me tell you now—its design fee is several times more expensive than that jadeite."
Wen Ran tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze as she pondered his words.
Yan Wangshu had no time to dawdle with her and stated bluntly: "So your design was flawed from the very beginning."
After speaking, he turned and walked away.
Flawed... from the beginning?
Wen Ran felt her entire body stiffen. After snapping back to reality, she hurried after him: "Design is meant to enhance beauty and highlight the main stone—how is that wrong? If your aesthetic preference is gaudiness, then I truly disagree."
Yan Wangshu clenched his jaw, turned around, and lowered his head slightly, exuding intimidation: "So you want it to become a classic? To endure through generations?"
Wen Ran wanted to argue—isn't that right? Good design should naturally endure, not just serve as a fleeting spectacle.
But she didn't dare talk back, biting her lip instead as she waited for his next words.
Yan Wangshu: "This jadeite itself is cheap. Using expensive design to elevate a low-value main stone—what were you thinking?"
"..."
Yan Wangshu continued: "This inexpensive jadeite was gifted to Miss Zhong by her elders when she was born. That's the only reason it's been kept and sent to Carle's design department for redesign. Miss Zhong is eighteen this year. She loves extreme sports, heavy metal music—have you researched any of this?"
Wen Ran slowly shook her head.
Yan Wangshu stared into her glistening eyes, his tone devoid of warmth:
"Do you think she'd like this classic style?"
"Or do you think she'd preserve this cheap jadeite in its current design for future generations?"
"A designer, beyond basic creativity, expertise, and taste, must understand client needs and infuse their work with the soul the client requires."
His icy voice pierced straight into Wen Ran's heart: "Wen Ran, you're not an artist or an independent designer. In my eyes, you don't even qualify as a competent designer."
Wen Ran fell silent, her lashes lowering slightly.
Her shadow, cast by the light onto the white wall, appeared small and fragile.
Yan Wangshu felt uneasy lecturing a young woman—it almost felt like bullying.
The next moment, Wen Ran bowed respectfully: "Thank you. I'll reflect carefully."
After speaking, she turned and left calmly.
Yan Wangshu suppressed his discomfort, glanced at his watch, and returned to his office.
Wen Ran stayed awake all night, her mind replaying Yan Wangshu's reprimand.
Her heart ached. Previously, she'd only heard praises like 'Wen Ran, you're such a talented designer.' Yan Wangshu had shattered that illusion.
As she dwelled on it, a realization struck her: Yan Wangshu, despite his busy schedule, had thoroughly researched Miss Zhong's project for this review. Meanwhile, she, the designer, had overlooked the client's needs.
He was right—she wasn't a qualified designer.
The horizon began to pale. Wen Ran had forgotten to close the curtains last night. Sunlight broke through the clouds, casting golden rays into the room.
Wen Ran sat up, the thin blanket sliding to her waist.
She tilted her head, shielding her eyes with her fingers, and smiled softly.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late to understand.
She still had time to improve, correct her mistakes, and become a qualified designer.
She now had clarity.
Wen Ran grabbed her phone, submitted an urgent half-day leave request through the company system, then got up to close the blackout curtains before returning to bed.
By noon, she woke up, stretched, freshened up, and took a taxi to the office.
The midday sun scorched. By the time she arrived, she was both hungry and thirsty.
Calculating the time, she headed to the second-floor café first.
During the lunch break, the café was empty except for a man and woman at the counter—Yan Wangshu and Ding Yao.
Ding Yao stood sideways, arms crossed, chatting comfortably with Yan Wangshu.
Wen Ran instinctively turned to leave.
"Wen Ran—" Ding Yao glanced toward the entrance and called out.
Screaming internally, Wen Ran forced a smile and walked over.
She greeted: "Mr. Yan, Mona, good afternoon."
Ding Yao tilted her head: "Afternoon. What'll you have?"
Her overly familiar tone gave Wen Ran a bad premonition.
Sure enough, Ding Yao added: "Mr. Yan's treating."
Wen Ran politely declined: "No need."
She then looked at Yan Wangshu, their eyes meeting directly.
Yan Wangshu shifted his gaze naturally to her shoulder bag.
Wen Ran wrapped a hand around the dark red leather, her pale hand revealing faint veins.
She instinctively explained: "I took leave. I'm not skipping work."
Ding Yao laughed: "She did take leave, Mr. Yan. Don't scare my staff."
"Scare?" Yan Wangshu studied Wen Ran, slowing his words, "She seems plenty bold to me."
Wen Ran pressed her lips together, ignoring his jab.
Ding Yao sensed an odd tension, her eyes darting between them.
Yan Wangshu stepped aside slightly and asked: "What would you like?"
Was he actually offering?
Wen Ran wanted to avoid further interaction. She averted her eyes, focusing on the menu: "Iced coffee... chocolate bagel... original flavored baked cheesecake. That's all. Thank you."
Ding Yao burst out laughing: "Mr. Yan, my subordinate's making you splurge."
Wen Ran's cheeks flushed—she'd misunderstood his initial question.
She considered paying herself but decided against it.
Yan Wangshu and Ding Yao collected their coffees first.
Ding Yao waved her cup: "We'll head out first."
Wen Ran nodded: "Goodbye."
Yan Wangshu exited first, slowing his pace to wait for Ding Yao.
Ding Yao caught up and gossiped: "Do you know each other?"
This implied more than professional acquaintance.
Yan Wangshu hummed in acknowledgment.
Ding Yao widened her eyes, glancing back at Wen Ran waiting at the counter.
Yan Wangshu suddenly asked: "Why did she take leave?"
Ding Yao recalled the reason and chuckled: "She claimed insomnia last night needed half a day to recover."
Yan Wangshu: "..."