I saw Ivy again at noon on Monday. She returned from outside holding her work ID, her makeup less meticulous than on her first day of employment. Wen Ran was about to take nap and casually asked the returning Ivy, "Have you eaten?"
Ivy looked at Wen Ran and shook her head: "Want to go get coffee?"
While Wen Ran was still wondering if she was being invited, Ivy already pointed at the door: "Let's go."
The second-floor café was nearly empty during lunch break. Sitting in a corner, Wen Ran and Ivy looked like they were about to share secrets. This was indeed Ivy's intention. She leaned toward Wen Ran and whispered:
"Did you know Xu Yuling and Wu Yunshan used to be extremely close? Like mentor and protégée?"
Wen Ran shook her head—she didn't know. Her drowsy eyes drooped at the corners, looking vacant.
Ivy had clearly anticipated Wen Ran's cluelessness, but seeing her fragile, helpless demeanor now genuinely stirred pity. Suppressing her frustration, Ivy began systematically outlining Wen Ran's precarious situation:
"Wen Ran, our department has three chief designers leading three teams. You at least know that, right?"
Wen Ran nodded. Though she'd been treated as invisible all week, she understood the basics.
Apart from the standalone Watch Design Department, there were Boutique Design and Haute Couture Design Departments. The Boutique Design Department where Wen Ran worked had three teams led by three chief designers: Team 1's chief designer was Chen Xing, Team 3's was Wang Xuyang.
Ivy sniffed:
"I heard Wu Yunshan temporarily became acting supervisor of our department not just because she quickly distanced herself from Xu Yuling—she's also implicated in the real reasons behind Xu Yuling's dismissal."
This was news to Wen Ran.
Ivy continued:
"Wu Yunshan is an opportunist. Hardly anyone in the department respects her now."
Wen Ran had noticed this—especially chief designers Chen Xing and Wang Xuyang, who always left Wu Yunshan's office looking furious.
Ivy:
"We've been assigned to Team 1, the least promising group."
Wen Ran nodded, slowly pouring milk into her hot chocolate. Noticing her distracted demeanor, Ivy frowned and raised her voice:
"What are you doing?"
"???" Wen Ran blinked and explained: "It's too sweet. I'm diluting it with milk."
Hearing this, Ivy froze, then grew angry:
"I'm discussing serious matters. Are you even listening?"
"I am." Wen Ran nodded earnestly, reciting: "You said our team has no future."
Slightly appeased, Ivy moderated her tone:
"Maybe because we were personally hired by Xu Yuling, Wu Yunshan resents us. That's why she placed us in Team 1."
Learning from earlier, Wen Ran immediately responded this time: "Understood." Her obedience softened Ivy.
Ivy sighed, speaking more gently:
"Colleagues say you sit dutifully at your desk all day and leave exactly on time?"
Unsure of Ivy's source but honest, Wen Ran nodded.
"Ivy, you need to understand—only top-tier companies like 'Carleer' hire designers purely based on portfolios. Outside of Carleer, no company would dare hire designers without credentials or experience. Get it?"
"...Yes."
Academic qualifications were the golden ticket. Without an impressive resume, even exceptional talent wouldn't earn employers' time—efficiency ruled this fast-paced society. Compared to others, Wen Ran was merely fortunate to have privileged origins that made her education less critical.
But she wasn't Xinixiya—Master Bai Weiliang's star pupil—anymore. She was Wen Ran, a bottom-tier jewelry designer. She understood all this.
Ivy:
"So you must seize this opportunity to pass probation."
Pass probation? Meaning...
"Fail..." Wen Ran's hand jerked, spilling milk down the cup. Her eyes widened with worry: "...and get fired?"
Ivy slid a tissue under the milk stain:
"Now you panic?"
Wen Ran furrowed her brows:
"What's the evaluation criteria for passing probation?"
"From what I know, our team's chief designer Chen Xing's assessment carries the most weight."
Wen Ran's brows furrowed more tightly.
Avy hadn't meant to frighten her either:
"Alright, there might still be time now."
"Time?" Wen Ran asked humbly, "What do I need to do then?"
"First, you need to build good relationships with the seniors in the group. You're not an independent designer – what's with you being alone all day? Then, don't just wait passively. If there's no work, go actively seek some out. Make others feel your proactive attitude."
Wen Ran nodded, finding Avy's advice reasonable:
"How can I get along better with the seniors?"
Avy tilted her head toward the coffee counter, raising an eyebrow meaningfully. Wen Ran nodded:
"Understood."
When the lunch break ended, Wen Ran brought each senior in Group One a cup of coffee. Finally, she took a coffee to Chen Xing's office. Chen Xing wasn't old. If makeup reflected personality, hers was edgy.
Wen Ran offered the coffee:
"Teacher Chen, summer makes people drowsy. This coffee will help refresh you."
"Thanks." Chen Xing looked up at Wen Ran, surprised, "Anything else?"
Wen Ran handed over a stack of design sketches:
"I didn't receive tasks last week, so I drew these drafts in my free time. If you have time, please review them."
Wen Ran thought this explanation could salvage her image as proactive.
"Drop the formal 'you'." Chen Xing took a sip of coffee, eyeing the sketches and recalling Wen Ran's memorable self-introduction, "Don't you know digital drawing?"
Wen Ran did.
Wen Ran:
"I prefer hand-drawn sketches on paper."
Chen Xing's expression remained unreadable as she glanced at her desk:
"Leave them there. I'll look when I have time."
Wen Ran placed the sketches on the desk and added tactfully:
"Teacher Chen, I'm ready to assist with any work arrangements."
"Mmm."
Seeing Chen Xing had nothing more to say, Wen Ran turned to leave. As she reached the door, Chen Xing remarked:
"Practice more digital drawing."
Wen Ran nodded agreement.
Returning to her workstation, Wen Ran saw colleagues sketching designs or discussing softly. The office smelled slightly stronger of coffee than usual, but otherwise seemed unchanged.
As Wen Ran sat down, Avy leaned over.
"I'm adding you to the group chat."
Before Wen Ran could ask which group, her phone vibrated. She opened it to see Avy had invited her to a group named 'Workers Who Don't Sleep' containing all Group One colleagues.
Wen Ran looked at Avy. Avy whispered:
"We're all just ordinary workers here. What hostility? Newcomers just need to take initiative to blend in."
Wen Ran nodded at her coffee cup – the beverages being the group's admission ticket.
Avy leaned closer:
"Be careful what you say in the group. Remember – three people can have three separate group chats."
Wen Ran paused, then nodded.
She suddenly recalled her teacher and senior once advising:
"After joining a company, just focus on design. Don't worry about anything else."
At the time she hadn't fully understood – what else would a designer need to handle or worry about? Now she knew. Wen Ran suddenly felt grateful for this experience.
Avy stood up packing her bag:
"I need to visit the boutique. Bye."
Wen Ran sincerely offered:
"Let me treat you to dinner when you return."
Avy didn't pretend refusal:
"Sure."
After Avy left, quiet returned around Wen Ran. Occasional phone vibrations revealed colleagues complaining in the group:
Colleague A: [Is Mrs. Wang insane?]
Colleague B: [Just send her to the raw gem field.]
Colleague A: [I really don't want to deal with her tomorrow. Maybe I'll call in sick.]
Colleague C: [Don't. Handle your own responsibilities.]...
From the fragments, Wen Ran pieced together that the difficult client Mrs. Wang was coming tomorrow, and no one wanted to handle her.
The next morning, before Wen Ran could sit down after storing her bag, Chen Xing emerged from her office:
"Wen Ran, come in."
Wen Ran hurried over.
Chen Xing tapped the design portfolio:
"You drew these in one week?"
Wen Ran nodded:
"Yes."
Chen Xing leaned back:
"You never attended design school, correct?"
"Correct."
"Where did you learn these techniques?"
Wen Ran answered calmly:
"From a master craftsman."
Chen Xing's sharp eyes appraised Wen Ran before twitching a smile:
"Not bad. Some natural talent."
Though outwardly composed, Wen Ran's palms were sweating.
Knock knock knock— Office door interrupted.
Chen Xing called:
"Enter."
A male colleague entered nervously:
"Teacher Chen, Mrs. Wang's here but..." He swallowed: "Li Wan hasn't arrived. No answer from her phone."
Chen Xing frowned:
"Wasn't this scheduled?"
"No." The colleague exhaled: "Teacher Chen..."
"Spit it out."
The colleague whispered:
"President Yan is in the exhibition hall."
Chen Xing froze, then strode out briskly, Wen Ran trailing behind. Passing workstations, Chen Xing demanded:
"Who's available?"
Silence.
Wen Ran seized the chance:
"Teacher Chen, I'm free."
Chen Xing glanced:
"Follow me."
Wen Ran had only been to the second-floor café before. This was her first time entering 'Carlisle's exhibition hall. The vast space used carefully calibrated lighting to showcase jewelry's optimal visuals. Though dazzled by the displays, Wen Ran kept pace inward to the VIP reception area.
From afar, Wen Ran saw Yan Wangshu sitting on a sofa chatting with a lady. Chen Xing's heels clicked rapidly, Wen Ran nearly jogging to keep up. Her heart raced – from exertion or Yan Wangshu's sudden glance their way.
Slowing as they approached, Chen Xing appeared completely composed by the time they reached the sofa. She nodded slightly:
"President Yan, Mrs. Wang, good morning."
The plump Mrs. Wang didn't turn from her seat, small hat tilted:
"Morning? President Yan and I have been chatting ages."
Chen Xing looked embarrassed.
Yan Wangshu remained detached, leisurely fastening his cufflinks before standing:
"Mrs. Wang, excuse me."
His departure clearly signaled them to handle their own issues.