His anger flared, almost extinguishing the last shred of his reason.
He had given her many chances.
But today, when Zuo An and his men were searching nearby, they saw her with another man, unusually intimate.
Did she even consider him at all?
"You took leave today just to go on a date with a man?" His sharp, cold gaze sliced across her face like a knife. An invisible hand seemed to grip Wen Yan's heart, making it impossible for her to breathe.
She stood up.
"I have never done anything to betray you!" With a dismissive glance, Wen Yan walked away directly.
She moved so fast that Leng Xunze didn't have time to react.
"Wen Yan!"
Zhang Chuan frowned and stood up, looking at Leng Xunze. "Sir, you've truly misunderstood. She came here today to search for her father's遗物 (yí wù -遗物)."
"Father's遗物 (yí wù -遗物)?"
Wen Shihao wasn't her father?
Seeing Zhang Chuan take out the items, Leng Xunze's eyes suddenly narrowed.
His father's belongings, so close.
He almost couldn't believe it.
He walked over step by step, his long fingers tracing the combination lock on the suitcase.
That's right.
These were his father's.
"We searched the trash cans all day, and we only met by chance. We absolutely have no relationship," Zhang Chuan said, heartbroken that the girl he fancied was married, but he still explained.
It was just that the man's expression when looking at the suitcase was too strange, as if it were not Wen Yan's father's遗物 (yí wù -遗物), but his own father's.
Finally, Leng Xunze left in silence with the suitcase.
When he arrived home, the girl was nowhere to be seen.
Several calls went unanswered, with the phone showing as switched off.
The next day, Hai Cheng, which had been clear for several days, was covered in dark clouds early in the morning, heavy and threatening rain.
Wen Yan sat at her desk, dressed in long sleeves and pants, engrossed in her work.
Everyone else was also working hard for the design exhibition.
No one wanted to fall behind.
After a morning of work, Yang Qian stretched her stiff body and turned to see Wen Yan still diligently sketching.
"Wen Yan is so diligent. With your talent, you're still working so hard. What are we supposed to do?"
"Don't be so modest. I saw you staying late to work overtime secretly," Wen Yan replied.
Yang Qian's face flushed. "You even noticed that."
Then she sighed, "Alas, the competition is too fierce. With so many designers and only a few spots, I feel so much pressure."
"Do your best and leave the rest to fate," Wen Yan said.
"That's right. Wen Yan is different. As the daughter of the Wen family, whatever she designs will be bought," a voice with a hint of a smile said.
Wen Yan glanced at her calmly. "If that were true, I wouldn't have to come to the company every day. I'd be much happier staying at home. Coming here and listening to someone's sarcastic remarks is such a mood killer."
She had figured out Liu Huanhuan's personality.
She had a tendency to target her.
Especially after she became famous.
Now, she wouldn't let anyone humiliate her.
Liu Huanhuan gritted her teeth. "Sarcastic? Am I wrong? As designers, we pursue skill, not hype. A while ago, you were more popular than celebrities. You were practically an internet celebrity designer. But a fashion exhibition is different; it requires true skill."
"Liu Huanhuan, are you forgetting that you are also an internet celebrity designer?"
"I gained my fans through my strength. Can you compare?" Liu Huanhuan said proudly.
Someone applauded.
"Well said, 'famous double standards'," Yang Qian applauded.
Liu Huanhuan was annoyed. "Yang Qian, you're just flattering Wen Yan because you see she's Wen Shihao's daughter, aren't you?"
Yang Qian wasn't angry. Instead, she said, "Liu Huanhuan, everyone can see Wen Yan's design skills. Aren't you targeting Wen Yan just because she's more popular than you? Do you think everyone can't see it?"
Exposed, Liu Huanhuan became somewhat flustered but quickly retorted, "I won the last competition. I know your capabilities. Last time, you were my defeated opponents. Now that you have a few fans, you think you're something?"
"Heh, you dare mention last time. That boss tipped you so much money. Do you think we're fools and believe he was only impressed by your skill? If you really want to prove yourself, let's have a fair competition this time and see who can get more attention at the exhibition."
Liu Huanhuan readily agreed. "Okay."
She looked at Wen Yan. "Wen Yan, do you dare?"
Yang Qian accepted on Wen Yan's behalf. "Of course, she dares."
Wen Yan, who had been watching them argue and make decisions for her, was speechless.
But she didn't refuse, as she was confident in herself.
The subsequent discussion went beyond her expectations.
Liu Huanhuan said with a fierce look, "Whoever loses, leaves Xinghua, how about that?"
Yang Qian was fearless. "Okay."
Wen Yan was speechless.
Shouldn't this kind of thing be discussed with her first?
"Liu Huanhuan, I don't think it's necessary," she said calmly.
Liu Huanhuan retorted, "What, are you admitting that you achieved success through hype? As a designer, you're greedy for online attention. No matter how good your skills are, you're letting down this industry! If you admit you're the rotten apple in the industry, we won't compete and will let you off the hook!"
Wen Yan looked at her. "No, I just think how can you be so confident?"
Liu Huanhuan's face turned red with anger. "Confidence or skill, you'll find out soon enough." With that, she left.
"Yan Yan, I don't think you need to be afraid. Liu Huanhuan is too arrogant. She's just jealous of you!" Yang Qian said angrily.
"Don't make decisions for me next time," Wen Yan said calmly.
"Alright, I just don't like her," Yang Qian said, probably realizing she had made a mistake and not daring to say more.
Wen Yan took out her phone.
She hadn't replied to any messages all day.
He had only asked a few questions about where she was.
He hadn't even come to find her.
Wen Yan felt a tightness in her chest.
Suddenly, she felt like an idiot yesterday!
As she was about to leave work, a message arrived: [Parking lot.]
Wen Yan didn't reply.
She wasn't that easy to appease.
He sent another message: [The private room at the Northern Barbecue Restaurant is booked.]
Wen Yan remained expressionless, thinking he was that easy to appease?
Leng Xunze sent a third message: [The head chef will be grilling the meat personally.]
The Northern Barbecue Restaurant was the pinnacle of barbecue. Wen Yan had always craved it, but it was too expensive, so she never indulged.
Usually, customers grilled their own meat.
The price for the head chef was very high, three times that of regular barbecue.
Wen Yan clenched her fist.
[I'll go myself.]
There was no reason to be angry with good food.
After saying that, she worked overtime for another hour. As she was preparing to leave, she suddenly received a silent phone call.
Bai Quan had called but said nothing.
The empty silence made her uneasy.
She called back, but no one answered.
Wen Yan took a taxi without hesitation to find her.
She knew the address of her newly established company, a small office in an office building. Wen Yan headed straight for her office, only to find it in disarray. Things were smashed on the desk, and the vase was broken on the floor. Amidst this chaotic mess, the woman sat on a chair, hugging herself tightly, her long hair spread out, looking exceptionally desolate and lonely.
Wen Yan's heart ached. She walked over and gently lifted her face.
A face covered in tear tracks appeared before her eyes.