Wen Ran and Zhai Xinyi returned to Zhai family, and the aunt at home brought two small cups of prepared osmanthus honey water.

Zhai Xinyi sipped the drink, “My brother is actually pretty good, right?”

She seemed to have completely forgotten the “attack” on Zhai Chengjing in the car when she came back just now.

Wen Ran suppressed his laughter and said in a dragging voice, “Yes——”

Wen Ran had jet lag and didn't sleep well.

Wen Ran woke up at dawn the next day.

Wen Ran took Zhai Xinyi's hand off her waist and pushed her away. “I'm going home and staying with the teacher for a while. Do you want to come with me?”

Zhai Xinyi wanted to sleep in, so he grabbed the quilt and said, “No, I'll come find you when I wake up.”

Wen Ran washed up and went downstairs, where the aunt of Zhai family brought her breakfast that had been prepared in advance.

“Brother, have you eaten?” Wen Ran asked.

“I went to the company very early. I've been very busy recently.”

Wen Ran frowned and ate breakfast absentmindedly.

When I got home, Bai Weiliang was in the studio. Wen Ran greeted him and went to the kitchen to make cinnamon rolls.

Wen Ran made cinnamon rolls and added some delicious snacks, then invited Bai Weiliang to the garden to chat and drink tea.

Compared to Shanghai, the weather in M Country is much cooler, which is very suitable for outdoor leisure.

Wen Ran looked at the small white flowers in the garden that were swaying in the wind and said, “Teacher, you should go out more often and don't stay in the studio all the time.”

“Did I tell you this enough? Why are you lecturing me with my own words?”

Wen Ran smiled mischievously, “I have changed it.”

After hesitating for a while, Wen Ran whispered, “Teacher, I will go back to China after dinner.”

Bai Weiliang was a little surprised. He put the cinnamon roll on the plate and looked at her. “Didn't you just come back?”

Wen Ran had already thought of an excuse, saying that jade carving is a craft and she was just getting used to it, fearing that she would lose her touch if she didn't do it for too long.

Bai Weiliang really didn't know what to say about her reason.

But he couldn't hide his disappointment, and his tone became heavier, “I thought you would stay for a few more days, but you only came back for one day and made a fuss.”

Wen Ran said nicely, “I'm not making trouble. I just missed my teacher, so I came back to see him.”

After hearing this, Bai Weiliang lost his temper. Besides, how could he be angry about someone who was about to leave?

Bai Weiliang had no choice but to ask the kitchen staff to make something that Wen Ran liked in the evening.

The two chatted for a while, and Zhai Chengjing came over from the company.

Wen Ran put down the snacks and stood up, “Brother, I'll make you a cup of tea.”

“Thank you.” Zhai Chengjing sat down.

Wen Ran took two steps, stood on the garden path and looked back, “Brother, would you like to stay for dinner?”

Zhai Chengjing shook his head, “No, I have something else to do later.”

Wen Ran didn't say much and went to the kitchen to make tea for Zhai Chengjing.

When she returned to the garden, she heard Zhai Chengjing say, “It seems that some tricks were used.”

Wen Ran didn't understand and was about to put the cup away when she heard Zhai Chengjing say, “Yan Wangshu is much more efficient than his sister.”

Yan Wangshu?

Wen Ran's heart trembled, his hands shook, and the tea spilled out.

She screamed “Ah——” because of the burn.

Her hand was quickly pulled over by Zhai Chengjing, “Why are you so careless?”

“Are you burned anywhere?” Bai Weiliang stood up quickly.

Wen Ran said hurriedly, “Teacher, I'm fine.”

Zhai Chengjing stood up and said, “Teacher, I'll take Ranran to take a shower.”

Wen Ran originally wanted to go by herself, but she also wanted to ask Zhai Chengjing alone what he meant by what he just said.

In the kitchen, the busy aunt knew that Wen Ran was burned and hurried to get the burn ointment, even though Wen Ran said it was okay.

The faucet was turned on, Zhai Chengjing held Wen Ran's wrist and put her hand under the faucet.

His eyes were fixed on her slightly red knuckles, with obvious worry between his brows.

Wen Ran said quickly, “Brother, I'm fine.”

“Push more.”

Wen Ran said “Oh”.

After a while of cold water, Wen Ran felt less pain and asked, “Brother, you just said that Yan Wangshu used tricks to hinder our company from entering the domestic market? “

Zhai Chengjing glanced at Wen Ran lightly.

Wen Ran asked again, “Is it troublesome?”

“It's just normal business competition, don't worry.”

Wen Ran, “...”

It's like that again.

Perfunctory words.

She clearly noticed that the company seemed to be in some trouble, but when she asked everyone, they all said that everything was fine.

Wen Ran looked at the water flow, suddenly pulled his hand back, and said in a deep voice, “Brother, I have grown up, you can tell me some things about the company.”

Zhai Chengjing smiled and held Wen Ran's hand under the water again, “You can burn your hand while holding a cup of tea, and you still say you've grown up?”

Wen Ran bit her lip, unable to refute.

Her heart was a little empty, and she couldn't quite put it into words, “I just want to help you.”

“You can help us by designing well.”

As soon as he said this, Wen Ran felt very discouraged.

Auntie brought the burn ointment and took a closer look. “Ranran, take the burn ointment with you later and apply it on the plane to prevent blisters.”

“Okay, thank you, Auntie.”

The aunt put down the burn ointment and went about her own business.

Zhai Chengjing suddenly asked, “Are you leaving?”

“Yeah.” Wen Ran nodded, turned away his eyes and lowered his head, still saying the same reasonable words, “Learning jade carving, now is the time to get a feel for it, I'm afraid it will get rusty again after a while.”

Zhai Chengjing didn't doubt him. After two seconds, he looked at Wen Ran's profile and asked, “Do you still remember Yan Wangshu?”

Wen Ran didn't understand why he suddenly asked this, so she turned her head to look over, “Huh?”

“You remember him?”

“Oh, I remember. His name is quite special. It means Moon.”

And she was still holding her Flower Filigree Incense Box, how could she not remember it.

Two seconds later, Zhai Chengjing asked, “Have you ever met him in Shanghai?”

“!!!” Wen Ran shook his head, “No, brother, why do you ask that?”

“You tend not to remember unimportant people.”

Wen Ran got goose bumps on the back of her neck. She was really not good at covering up lies.

Wen Ran took his hand back from under the faucet and changed the subject, “Brother, please help me apply some medicine.”

“...Um.”

After applying the medicine, Zhai Chengjing went to find Bai Weiliang to continue the previous topic.

Wen Ran wanted to go, but was rejected by Zhai Chengjing, “These are all company matters, you don't understand.”

They were deliberately avoiding her, Wen Ran understood.

The dinner time was scheduled early, so Zhai Xinyi missed it. Zhai Chengjing, who had originally said he would not stay to finish the dinner, actually stayed and even had time to send Wen Ran to the airport.

It was late at night in Shanghai when the plane landed. The myriad lights on the ground changed from lines to dots and then slowly moved apart.

The car Wen Ran had booked was already waiting at the airport. She was very sleepy and fell asleep as soon as she got home.

Wen Ran still hasn't recovered from the stress of going to work on Monday.

It was her first time to slack off during work hours, and she looked shaky holding her tablet.

Ivy thought she was sick and touched her forehead, “Are you okay? Do you have a cold?”

“ It's okay, just a little tired.”

Li Wan came over, leaned on Ivy's shoulder and whispered a few words, then glanced at Wen Ran strangely. Wen Ran didn't even have the energy to ask them what was going on.

Ivy still couldn't keep it to herself, she pulled Wen Ran's wrist and shook it gently, “Ranran, it's okay, there are still many opportunities.”

Wen Ran half-closed his eyes, not understanding, “What?”

Ivy, “Next year, next year we will definitely be able to do it.”

Wen Ran, “???”

Li Wan also walked over and put his hands on Wen Ran's shoulders and rubbed them, “It's okay, we will participate in the 'Apollo Games' together next year.”

Wen Ran's dizzy mind finally came into focus.

She glanced at Ivy and Li Wan's faces twice, opened the department announcement in disbelief, and read it twice with sore eyes, concentrating intently.

Her name is indeed not among the five works shortlisted for the second round of commercial design.

Later, Li Wan and Ivy said some words of comfort, but Wen Ran could no longer hear them.

She already had headaches and eye pains due to fatigue, and now she felt as if her heart was being pressed down by a heavy object, making it hard for her to breathe.

Wen Ran pulled out the draft design he had scanned in advance.

In the draft design, the special bamboo ring wall has a circle of sparkling diamonds inlaid around the main stone, which highlights the pure beauty of the white ice jadeite.

Later she realized that the 'Yuzu' she was satisfied with was eliminated, defeated and lost.

She comforted herself in her heart that there are always people better than you and victory and defeat are common in the military.

But she really wanted to know where she lost.

On Wednesday, Ms. Zhong chose her favorite work, which was Wu Yunshan's.

In accordance with regulations, the works were published.

Wu Yunshan's work incorporates olive branch and leaf elements into the ring wall. The width is the same as the main stone and the color is 18K yellow. The main stone is surrounded by a circle of fine diamonds using traditional inlay techniques.

It is fashionable and unique, and is a good design.

But Wen Ran felt that it felt like tasting mint candy and caviar together.

It doesn't match.

Wen Ran took a photo of Wu Yunshan's work and his own work with his mobile phone, and then sent them to Zhai Chengjing.

She was desperate to prove something, [Brother, which piece do you like?]

Zhai Chengjing is still awake and responds quickly. [Second picture.]

Wen Ran confirmed unconfidently, ['Yuzhu'? ]

Zhai, [Yeah.]

Two seconds later, Zhai Chengjing sent another message, [Whose work is the first one? ]

Wen Ran thought for two seconds and typed, [I know a designer. Can you tell whose work the second one is?]

Zhai, [Yours.]

Wen Ran, [Why?]

Zhai, [Your style.]

Wen Ran, [Is that why you say the second one is better?]

Zhai, [Of course not!]

Zhai, [Yours is indeed better.]

Zhai , [More than a little.]

Zhai Chengjing's firm words did not make Wen Ran feel at ease.

Wen Ran hesitated for a while and went to find Ding Yao.

Wen Ran, “Mona, are you free?”

“certainly.”

“I just saw Mr. Wu's work.”

Ding Yao understood immediately. She stood up and pulled out a chair for Wen Ran. “Come and sit down.”

Wen Ran felt a little embarrassed by her caring behavior, and he quickly pulled himself together and said “thank you”.

Ding Yao spoke first, “You want to ask where your work failed, right?”

Wen Ran nodded.

“In fact, I really think your idea is very good. As for why you were eliminated in the second round, I don't know. The higher-ups must have their own considerations. You know, I don't participate in the judging, so I don't know the elimination criteria.” Seeing that Wen Ran didn't say anything, Ding Yao continued, “You are still young and have many opportunities. I am very optimistic about you!”

Wen Ran knew he wouldn't get any answer after hearing her talk. For the sake of fairness in this competition, Ding Yao had stayed out of it.

When Wen Ran left, Ding Yao said in a very serious tone, “Your work is really good.”

Wen Ran smiled politely, “Thank you, Mona.”

Back at his workstation, Wen Ran opened his own work and Wu Yunshan's work and placed them on the same page.

Her fingers unconsciously clasped the edge of the tablet.

She remembered what Ding Yao had just said.

——Your work is really great.

She also remembered what her teacher and senior students had said to her.

——You are very talented.

——Your design is great.

...

Are these compliments of approval genuine?

Or is it just polite talk?

For the first time, Wen Ran began to doubt himself.

Ivy finished her work and turned her head to see Wen Ran still looking at the tablet in his hand.

She couldn't quite understand why Wen Ran acted like he was facing a setback for the first time in his life.

So pretentious.

But Wen Ran's dazed and depressed look really made her lose her temper.

Ivy slowly walked over, “Wen Ran, come on, it's no big deal.”

Wen Ran tilted his head, his eyes dull, and nodded, “I know.”

Ivy sighed, “Then don't look at it anymore. You won't be able to see a single flower.”

Wen Ran obediently put down the tablet and stopped looking at it.

She raised her head slightly, and outside the horizontal window was the blue sky and the branches of the village trees.

Suddenly, Yan Wangshu walked past the horizontal window. He was meticulously dressed, with a graceful and elegant figure, looking like an insignificant person.

It was him who killed his own work.

Wen Ran suddenly sorted out her emotions. She had waited for so many days until the final winning work came out.

She contrasted and questioned.

It's not about not admitting defeat, not admitting defeat, or not accepting defeat.

She wanted to know where she lost.

She didn't want to be lost in the company of her teachers and seniors, staying in circles in one place. She wanted to explore somewhere far away.

Therefore, if she wants to break the current predicament, she must first find out the reason.

And the only one who could tell her the reason was Yan Wangshu.

After get off work, colleagues packed up and left one after another.

Since Ding Yao came, there has indeed been a trend of not deliberately working overtime.

Ivy packed her things and said, “Ranran, aren't you leaving yet?”

“I'll wait a moment.”

“Then I'll be leaving first.” Ivy turned off the computer.

“Okay, bye.”

Wen Ran was doing some menial tasks, keeping his eyes fixed on the horizontal window.

The sky gradually turned completely dark, even the branches outside the window were hidden in the darkness. Don't shake

Wen Ran checked the time on the tablet and it was already past eight in the evening.

She sighed, raised her hand to support her head, stared at the horizontal window with lifeless eyes, and muttered to herself, “Why doesn't he leave yet?”

There is an old saying, Speak of the devil and he will appear.

Yan Wangshu and Qin Xiao walked past the horizontal window one after the other.

Wen Ran blinked twice, then immediately stood up and chased after him.