In the six months since she joined Shenghua, very few of the bracelets, bangles, or jewelry sets Wen Yao designed had been accepted.
She didn’t have any standout works—let alone any recognition.
Because of this, she had gradually lost confidence in her own designs.
Now that Xing Yu was looking through her drafts, she felt extremely nervous.
Xing Yu already knew Wen Yao worked in the design department. He just hadn’t seen her work before. Thinking about her friction with Manager Zhang, he had taken the initiative to ask.
After reviewing her designs, he understood why they hadn’t passed the initial review.
He put down the drafts and looked up at her. “These will all proceed to the final review. You can go back to work.”
Wen Yao hadn’t expected all of her drafts to make it to the final round. Before, some of her designs couldn’t even get past the initial stage.
She wasn’t sure if this was just a formality… or if Xing Yu was helping her.
Either way, being able to reach the final round was because of him.
“Thank you, President Xing. I’ll get back to work.”
After Wen Yao left, Xing Yu picked up the drafts again. The pure gold bangle set blended vintage and modern styles—neither old-fashioned nor overly flashy.
As for the design concept…
Xing Yu noticed the handwritten notes beside it. The handwriting looked familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
After work, Wen Yao picked up her daughter and headed home. When they reached the entrance of the alley, she noticed several new utility poles. Even though it was already past seven, workers were still installing streetlights.
This was an old residential area. When she rented the place, the landlord had said the neighborhood was too outdated—there was no government funding for things like streetlights.
That was also why the rent was cheap.
However, the area had a high chance of being demolished in the future.
So why were they suddenly installing streetlights now?
Carrying her daughter, Wen Yao walked into the alley with questions in her mind. Inside the residential area, several residents were chatting.
“Now that there are streetlights, it’s much brighter. My mom fell before and had to stay in the hospital for half a month.”
“Exactly. They should’ve installed them long ago. I fell last year too—luckily I’m young, or I might’ve broken a bone.”
“I heard they’re also installing surveillance cameras. It’ll be safer—no more worrying about thieves.”
Listening to their conversation, Wen Yao also felt that installing streetlights and cameras would make things safer.
After what had happened a few days ago, she still felt lingering fear.
The most important thing was—the suspect still hadn’t been caught.
When they returned home, Wen Xin ran straight into the living room, dropped her schoolbag onto the sofa, opened it, and took out her drawing book.
Wen Yao had bought groceries on the way back. Wen Xin had said yesterday that she wanted cola chicken wings, so she planned to make them today.
She washed the chicken wings, scored them, and marinated them first.
Then she cleaned the broccoli.
Once dinner was ready, Wen Yao brought the dishes to the table and looked at her daughter lying over the coffee table, holding a paintbrush and drawing seriously.
“Xin Xin, wash your hands—it’s time for dinner.”
“Mom, I’ll be right there.” Wen Xin finished her last strokes, capped her pen, then picked up a small stool and carried it over to the sink. She stood on it, turned on the tap, and washed her hands.
After drying them with a towel, she put the stool back.
“Mom, did you make cola chicken wings?”
Wen Yao came over with a bowl of rice, placed one in front of Wen Xin, and handed her a pair of chopsticks.
“Yes—your favorite.”
Wen Xin picked up a piece and put it into her bowl, then suddenly looked up. “Mom, I want to invite Uncle Xing to eat cola chicken wings.”
Wen Yao paused and looked at her. “Why do you want to invite him?”
In her soft, childish voice, Wen Xin said, “Because Uncle Xing treated me to delicious desserts. I love macarons the most, so I want to treat him to the best cola chicken wings.”
Wen Yao remembered that day—when Xing Yu brought Xin Xin home, he had even packed some desserts for her.
Xin Xin had loved them.
“Uncle Xing has eaten chicken wings even better than cola chicken wings. He probably wouldn’t like the ones I make.”
“Oh…” Wen Xin looked a little disappointed, but soon smiled again. “I like Mom’s cola chicken wings the most. No matter how good others are, they’re not as tasty as yours.”
Wen Yao smiled. “If you like them, then eat more.”
As Wen Xin ate, she suddenly looked up again, her little face full of worry. “Xu Ziyang’s mom also went to a faraway place. Mom, you won’t go, right?”
Wen Yao remembered Xin Xin mentioning before that Xu Ziyang’s dad had gone to a faraway place.
Now she said his mom had too.
She immediately understood what that meant.
“Of course not. Xin Xin hasn’t grown up yet—I’ll always stay by your side.”
Only then did Wen Xin feel relieved and continue eating her chicken wings.
After returning home, Xing Yu pushed open the study door and turned on the main light. The dark room instantly brightened.
The study was large, almost a bit empty.
He walked to a cabinet, opened a drawer, took out a metal box, and returned to the desk. Pulling out the chair, he sat down.
He opened the box and took out a stack of greeting cards.
Opening one, he pulled out a birthday card.
May everything go your way,
May every year be joyful!
Xing Yu, happy birthday!
—Wen Yao
Xing Yu looked at the handwriting. It seemed similar to the writing on the design drafts… yet also slightly different.
Wen Yao had already prepared herself to be laid off or fired.
But there was still no sign of any dismissal.
As for the resumes she had sent out, she had been attending interviews whenever she had time.
Only one company told her on the day of the interview that she had passed and could start work.
Wen Yao delayed her start date, saying she still had matters to handle.
Around lunchtime, Xing Yu called.
“President Xing, is something the matter?”
“Wen Yao, all your design drafts have passed the final review.”
Wen Yao was stunned for a long moment, almost unable to believe it. All of them passed?
“President Xing, every single design passed the final review?”
“What? Do I look like someone who jokes around?”
Xing Yu’s voice was low, making it hard to tell his mood.
“President Xing, that’s not what I meant. I’m just surprised.”
Having all her designs pass the final review was a happy thing.
Wen Yao was no exception. But in the past six months, only about ten percent of her designs had passed.
This time, it was one hundred percent—no wonder she was so shocked.
Xing Yu held a bracelet design draft in his hand, featuring vintage auspicious patterns.
“That’s all.”
Wen Yao only put down her phone after he hung up.
At that moment, Zhang Wenbin walked over. “There’s a department dinner tonight. Everyone has to go.”
Wen Yao stood up upon hearing this. “Manager Zhang, I have something at home. I can’t make it.”
“What? Got a problem with me? Every time there’s a department dinner, you always have an excuse. If you don’t go tonight, you might as well resign.”
After throwing out those words, Zhang Wenbin left.
Li Shu tried to persuade her. “Wen Yao, just go. It’ll be lively with everyone there.”
Left with no choice, Wen Yao called Teacher Yu.
“Teacher Yu, I have something to do today. Do you have time to pick up Xin Xin for me?”
“Of course. I only have one class this afternoon, and I’m at home now. You go ahead with your work—I’ll pick her up right away. I haven’t seen Xin Xin in days and I miss her.”
“Thank you, Teacher Yu.”
After work that evening, the department colleagues all went to the dinner.
When they arrived, everyone realized Manager Zhang had booked a high-end Chinese restaurant.
“Manager Zhang is so generous—he actually booked a Chinese restaurant.”
“He’s being this generous for someone, isn’t he?”
The colleagues all looked at Wen Yao knowingly.
Li Shu frowned and held Wen Yao’s hand. “Ignore them.”
The private room wasn’t big—just enough for the whole department.
The colleagues deliberately left a seat next to Manager Zhang for Wen Yao.
Li Shu wanted to switch seats with her but was stopped by Yuan Qingmei. “Why are you getting involved? Don’t tell me you’re interested in Manager Zhang too?”
Not wanting Li Shu to get dragged into this, Wen Yao sat beside Manager Zhang.
Soon, drinks and dishes were served.
Yuan Qingmei picked up a bottle of liquor and poured drinks for everyone. When it came to Wen Yao, she refused directly.
“I don’t drink.”
Li Shu noticed the drinks on the table—fruit wine, peach-flavored.
She grabbed two bottles and handed one to Wen Yao. “Drink this fruit wine.”
Seeing it was peach-flavored—something she liked—Wen Yao nodded.
“Okay.”
She opened the bottle and took a sip. It tasted really good, full of peach flavor.
While her colleagues were drinking and chatting, she finished two bottles of fruit wine and ate some dishes until she was full.
Although the air conditioning was on in the private room, Wen Yao felt very hot. She touched her face and found her cheeks burning.
She stood up and left the room, asking a waiter for the restroom.
On the way, she began to feel a little dizzy.
Before reaching the restroom, she bumped into a man walking toward her.
He caught her in time, preventing her from falling.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Wen Yao looked up at him. He was tall—she had to tilt her head to see his face, though it wasn’t very clear.
He looked a bit like Xing Yu.
Xing Yu hadn’t expected to run into Wen Yao here. Smelling alcohol on her, he frowned slightly. “You’ve been drinking?”
Wen Yao shook her head. “I didn’t drink. I just had a peach-flavored beverage.”
Xing Yu: “Fruit wine, right?”
“Seems like it. Peach-flavored—it tastes really good.” Wen Yao felt her legs go weak. She grabbed onto his clothes tightly to keep from falling.
Xing Yu looked down at his sleeve being tightly clutched, then at her flushed cheeks and unfocused gaze.
Fruit wine was still alcohol—just lower in strength than liquor. People with low tolerance could easily get drunk.
And Wen Yao clearly didn’t have much tolerance.
“You’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk. Let go of me—I want to wash my face. It’s so hot! My whole body feels hot.” Wen Yao felt as if a fire was burning inside her.
At that moment, his phone rang.
Both of Xing Yu’s sleeves were being held by Wen Yao, so he couldn’t answer. With one arm, he wrapped around her waist and gently freed his sleeve from her grip.
Only then did he take out his phone and answer the call—when suddenly, someone wrapped their arms around his waist.
He lowered his gaze to see Wen Yao hugging him tightly.
Pei Xinyu’s voice came from the phone, “Brother Xing, have you arrived?”