Wen Ran and Zhai Xinyi returned to the Zhai residence. The housekeeper brought two small cups of prepared osmanthus honey water.
Zhai Xinyi took small sips. "Actually, my brother is pretty good, right?"
She seemed to have completely forgotten her earlier "denunciation" of Zhai Chengjing during the car ride home.
Wen Ran stifled a laugh, dragging out her tone. "Right—"
Wen Ran struggled with jet lag and slept poorly.
At dawn the next day, Wen Ran woke up.
She moved Zhai Xinyi's arm from her waist and nudged her. "I'm going home to spend more time with Teacher. Do you want to come?"
Zhai Xinyi, clinging to the blanket, mumbled, "No. I'll come find you after I wake up."
After washing up, Wen Ran went downstairs. The Zhai family's housekeeper brought over the pre-prepared breakfast.
"Has Shixiong eaten?" Wen Ran asked.
"He went to the company very early. He's been busy lately."
Wen Ran frowned, absentmindedly picking at her breakfast.
Upon returning home, Bai Weiliang was in his studio. Wen Ran greeted him before heading to the kitchen to make cinnamon rolls.
After finishing the cinnamon rolls, she prepared some delicate snacks and invited Bai Weiliang to the garden for tea and conversation.
Compared to Shanghai, the weather in M Country was much cooler, perfect for outdoor relaxation.
Wen Ran watched the small white flowers swaying in the breeze. "Teacher, you should come out more often. Don't stay cooped up in the studio all the time."
"Have I said that to you any less? Since when do you use my own words to lecture me?"
Wen Ran grinned mischievously. "I've been improving."
After a moment of hesitation, she whispered, "Teacher, I'll be returning to China after dinner."
Bai Weiliang looked surprised, setting down his cinnamon roll. "You just got back!"
Wen Ran had prepared her excuse: jade carving was a hands-on craft, and she was at a critical stage for regaining her touch. Prolonged breaks might cause her skills to rust.
This reasoning left Bai Weiliang speechless.
But his disappointment seeped through, his tone sharpening. "I thought you'd stay longer. Just one day—such a hassle."
Wen Ran offered sweet words. "It's no hassle. I just missed you and wanted to visit."
Hearing this, Bai Weiliang's anger dissolved. Besides, with her departure imminent, how could he stay upset?
He instructed the kitchen staff to prepare Wen Ran's favorite dishes for dinner.
As they chatted, Zhai Chengjing arrived from the company.
Wen Ran set down her snack and stood. "Shixiong, I'll make you some tea."
"Thank you." Zhai Chengjing sat down.
After a few steps, Wen Ran turned back. "Shixiong, will you stay for dinner?"
Zhai Chengjing shook his head. "No, I have matters to attend to later."
Wen Ran said nothing more and went to the kitchen.
When she returned to the garden, she overheard Zhai Chengjing say, "He must have used some tactics."
Confused, Wen Ran was about to set down the teacup when she heard him add, "Yan Wangshu handles things much more decisively than his sister."
Yan Wangshu?
Wen Ran's heart skipped. Her hand trembled, spilling hot tea.
She gasped in pain.
Zhai Chengjing quickly grabbed her hand. "Why so careless?"
"Are you burned?" Bai Weiliang stood urgently.
Wen Ran reassured, "Teacher, I'm fine."
Zhai Chengjing rose. "Teacher, I'll take her to rinse it."
Wen Ran initially wanted to go alone but decided to ask Zhai Chengjing about his earlier comment.
In the kitchen, the housekeeper fetched burn ointment despite Wen Ran's protests.
Under the running faucet, Zhai Chengjing held her wrist, examining the redness on her thumb.
Wen Ran repeated, "Shixiong, I'm okay."
"Rinse it longer."
Wen Ran complied.
After a while, she asked, "Shixiong, when you mentioned Yan Wangshu using tactics… is he obstructing our company's entry into the domestic market?"
Zhai Chengjing glanced at her.
Wen Ran pressed, "Is it serious?"
"Just normal business competition. Don't worry."
Wen Ran fell silent.
The same dismissive response.
Everyone downplayed the company's troubles, though she sensed something amiss.
Pulling her hand back, she said gravely, "Shixiong, I've grown up. You can tell me about company matters."
Zhai Chengjing chuckled, repositioning her hand under the water. "If you burn yourself serving tea, how grown-up is that?"
Wen Ran bit her lip, defeated.
"I just want to help."
"Focus on your designs. That's how you help."
Her heart sank.
The housekeeper handed over ointment. "Take this for the flight. Don't let it blister."
"Thank you."
Zhai Chengjing suddenly asked, "You're leaving?"
"Yes." Wen Ran avoided his gaze, repeating her excuse about jade carving practice.
Zhai Chengjing accepted this. After a pause, he studied her. "Do you remember Yan Wangshu?"
Wen Ran blinked. "Hmm?"
"You remember him?"
"Of course. His name is unique—'moon.'"
And he still had her filigree incense case. How could she forget?
Zhai Chengjing probed, "Did you meet him in Shanghai?"
Wen Ran shook her head. "No. Why?"
"You rarely remember unimportant people."
Goosebumps rose on her neck. She was terrible at lying.
Changing the subject, she said, "Shixiong, help me apply the ointment."
"Alright."
Afterward, Zhai Chengjing returned to discuss company matters with Bai Weiliang.
Wen Ran wanted to join but was gently refused. "It's business talk. You wouldn't understand."
They were excluding her. She knew.
Dinner was early. Zhai Xinyi missed it, while Zhai Chengjing—initially busy—stayed to drive Wen Ran to the airport.
The plane landed in Shanghai late at night. City lights transformed from lines to dots, stretching into the distance.
Her pre-booked car waited at the airport. Exhausted, she collapsed into bed upon arriving home.
On Monday, Wen Ran struggled at work.
During office hours, she drowsily swayed at her desk.
Aivi felt her forehead. "Are you sick? A cold?"
"Just tired."
Li Wan approached, whispering to Aivi while glancing oddly at Wen Ran.
Aivi couldn't resist. She shook Wen Ran's wrist gently. "Ranran, it's okay. There'll be more chances."
Wen Ran blinked. "What?"
"Next year. We'll make it next year."
Wen Ran: "???"
Li Wan also walked over, placing both hands on Wen Ran's shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze. "It's okay. We'll enter the Apollo Competition together next year."Wen Ran's foggy mind finally snapped back to clarity.Her gaze shifted between Ai Wei and Li Wan's faces before she opened the department announcement in disbelief. With sore eyes, she focused intently, reading it twice.Among the five shortlisted entries in the second round of the commercial design category, her name was indeed absent.Later, whatever comforting words Li Wan and Ai Wei offered fell on deaf ears.Her head already ached from exhaustion, and her eyes throbbed. Now, it felt as though a heavy weight pressed on her chest, making it hard to breathe.Wen Ran pulled up her pre-scanned design draft.The sketch featured a unique bamboo-jointed ring shank, with a circle of sparkling diamonds surrounding the main stone, accentuating the pure beauty of the white ice jade.Belatedly, she realized her beloved "Jade Bamboo" had been eliminated, defeated, lost.She comforted herself: there's always someone better, victory and defeat are common in life.Yet, she desperately wanted to know—where had she fallen short?
On Wednesday, Ms. Zhong selected her favorite piece: Wu Yunshan's design.As per protocol, the winning entry was revealed.Wu Yunshan's work incorporated olive branch motifs into the ring shank, its width matching the main stone. The 18K yellow gold setting used traditional craftsmanship to encircle the central stone with delicate diamonds.It was fashionable, unique, and well-executed.But to Wen Ran, it felt like pairing mint candy with caviar—a mismatched combination.
Wen Ran photographed both Wu Yunshan's design and her own, then sent them to Zhai Chengjing.She needed validation: Senior, which piece do you prefer?Zhai Chengjing, still awake, replied quickly: The second one.Wen Ran sought confirmation: "Jade Bamboo"?Zhai: Yes.Two seconds later, another message arrived: Whose work is the first one?After a pause, Wen Ran typed: A designer I know. Can you tell who did the second piece?Zhai: Yours.Wen Ran: How?Zhai: Your style.Wen Ran: So that's why you picked the second one?Zhai: Of course not!Zhai: Yours is genuinely better.Zhai: By a significant margin.
Even Zhai Chengjing's unwavering confidence failed to soothe Wen Ran.After hesitating, she approached Ding Yao.Wen Ran: "Mona, do you have a moment?""Of course.""I just saw Teacher Wu's winning design."Ding Yao immediately understood. She pulled out a chair for Wen Ran: "Have a seat."The gesture felt awkwardly comforting. Wen Ran forced a polite "thank you."Ding Yao spoke first: "You want to know why your piece didn't make it, right?"Wen Ran nodded."Honestly, I thought your concept was excellent. I don't know why it was eliminated in the second round—the judges must have their criteria. You know I don't participate in evaluations." When Wen Ran remained silent, she added, "You're young. There will be plenty of opportunities. I truly believe in your talent!"Hearing this rehearsed response, Wen Ran knew she'd get no answers. The competition's fairness required Ding Yao's neutrality.As Wen Ran left, Ding Yao emphasized earnestly: "Your design was truly remarkable."Wen Ran smiled politely: "Thank you, Mona."
Back at her desk, Wen Ran reopened both designs side by side on her tablet.Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the device's edges.Ding Yao's words echoed:—Your work is truly exceptional.Memories surfaced of past praises from mentors and seniors:—You have real talent.—Your designs are brilliant....Were these compliments genuine?Or mere courtesy?For the first time, Wen Ran doubted herself.
Ai Wei, finishing her tasks, noticed Wen Ran still fixated on her tablet.She couldn't fathom why Wen Ran was acting like this was her first major setback.So dramatic.Yet Wen Ran's despondent expression softened Ai Wei's irritation.She sidled over: "Wen Ran, come on—it's not the end of the world."Wen Ran turned, eyes dull: "I know."Ai Wei sighed: "Stop staring. It won't magically bloom flowers."Wen Ran obediently set the tablet down.She glanced up at the window framing blue skies and village treetops.
Suddenly, Yan Wangshu walked past the window—immaculately groomed, posture elegant, detached as an irrelevant bystander.This was the man who had rejected her work.Clarity struck Wen Ran. She'd waited days for the final result, compared the designs, questioned the outcome.This wasn't about refusing to accept defeat.She needed to understand her failure.She refused to remain stagnant under mentors' protection, circling the same ground. Her ambitions reached far beyond.To break free, she first needed answers.And only Yan Wangshu could provide them.
After work, colleagues gradually dispersed.Since Ding Yao's arrival, the culture of performative overtime had faded.Ai Wei packed up: "Ran Ran, leaving soon?""I'll stay a bit longer.""Alright, see you tomorrow.""Bye."
Wen Ran occupied herself with minor tasks, attention fixed on the window.Outside, daylight fully surrendered to darkness, the trees dissolving into night's embrace.She checked her tablet: 8:07 p.m.Sighing, she propped her head on one hand, staring blankly at the window: "Why hasn't he left yet?"
As the old saying goes—speak of the devil.Yan Wangshu and Qin Xiao walked past the window, one after another.Wen Ran blinked, then bolted after them.