The Awakened Red Rose [11]

However, when Zhou Jinheng learned that Qiao An’s exact return date was uncertain, he breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure whether it was a lack of confidence in his self-control or an unwillingness for his first love, Qiao An, to return.

Upon leaving, almost subconsciously, he planted a kiss on the young man’s forehead—a kiss filled with a complex mix of guilt, like an affectionate gesture between ordinary lovers yet tinged with an apology.

Even when the young man looked up, Zhou Jinheng subconsciously avoided those innocent eyes. Because the young man’s eyes were beautiful and translucent, like crystals that could see into the depths of one’s soul, Zhou Jinheng felt that his inner secrets could be exposed at any moment.

Little did he know that even without looking into his eyes, Yin Minglu knew why he was upset. It was because Zhou Jinheng’s unforgettable “White Moonlight” was coming back. After all, it was a past unrequited love. Mentioning that person’s name still brought a bit of bitterness. When they were far apart, Zhou Jinheng could avoid answering calls as a way of self-deception. However, now that Qiao An was returning to the country, there would be a gathering in the name of brothers after so many years. Zhou Jinheng would have some difficulties avoiding it.

In Yin Minglu’s eyes, this was also Qiao An’s cleverness. Even though the return date was set early, Qiao An deliberately kept it from Zhou Jinheng. Aside from wanting to give him a supposed “surprise,” the intentionally vague date would keep Zhou Jinheng’s mind in turmoil, unable to resist worrying and feeling sentimental.

As expected, in the days following their return from the yacht, Zhou Jinheng, this foolish man, seemed a bit downcast. His smile was tinged with bitterness, like a well-aged wine full of stories. The golden-framed glasses accentuated his handsome appearance, resembling an elite professional.

He still thought he concealed his emotions well, but little did he know that Yin Minglu’s gaze towards him was akin to looking at a fool. The more he enslaved Zhou Jinheng, the more ruthless he became. Doing laundry, cooking, and bringing warm water for foot baths were nothing compared to what Yin Minglu did. When the weather turned cold, he made Zhou Jinheng, this man, lie in the warm bed. After successfully warming up the cold bed, he heartlessly kicked Zhou Jinheng out and leisurely climbed in himself, which was the cruelest of all.

Zhou Jinheng dared not express his anger, feeling both shocked and wronged. He couldn’t understand why Little Rose was behaving so unreasonably and heartlessly. At least, they could lie in bed together. However, Yin Minglu remained unmoved. After all, he was such a lawless and willful boy. 

On the day Qiao An returned to the country, Yin Minglu got up early in the morning. As a senior colleague and future coworker, he had to go with the boss to pick up the group of young overseas designers who had completed their studies and returned home.

—Outside the airport arrival hall—

In addition to the three-line minor celebrities whose whereabouts were leaked and the fans who came to pick them up, the entire airport arrival hall became the most glamorous scenery due to a group of well-dressed people. Their elegance surpassed that of celebrity artists, making passersby unable to resist stopping to linger.

After all, designers, privately unkempt and disheveled, would appear neatly dressed and refined once they stepped out.

“Why haven’t they arrived yet? Is the flight delayed? They must be tired.” Tony complained, and only three layers of foundation barely concealed the dark circles under his eyes.

“The boss is so annoying. Why does he let male colleagues pick them up while female colleagues can rest in the office? It’s so unfair. I don’t like him anymore.” Tony pouted, pulling a crazy spoiled act on Yin Minglu. “Minglu, isn’t it true? You stayed up late working on the sketches yesterday. I can see that your skin isn’t as radiant anymore.”

“Moreover, as the executive director, the boss clearly doesn’t need to come.” After the boss arrived, they didn’t dare to chat freely anymore. Whether sitting or standing, they had to maintain proper posture, and they couldn’t freely gossip. It was truly torturous.

Yin Minglu took a sip of his coffee, partially hiding his face in the warm scarf, and didn’t respond. Although he was also tired, he still thought that Lou Wang’s approach was a kind of gentlemanly demeanor. However, he overlooked the fact that certain people in the industry had a different gender perception. While appearing as a male on the surface, subconsciously, he categorized himself as female¹I think he’s talking about Tony. Accompanying them to pick up the arrivals was also a considerate gesture, but everyone might feel a bit restrained.

As the center of the conversation, Lou Wang had no expression on his face. His gaze was fixed on the computer screen in front of him, and his slender fingers occasionally tapped the keyboard. It seemed like he was deeply engrossed in official business, but observant individuals could notice a slight pursing of his lips and a chilly glint in his eyes. In fact, Lou Wang had sensitive ears, and he had heard those comments. He didn’t want to leave a bad impression on the young man.

Today, he was dressed in a low-key black overcoat with a loose gray scarf draped over his shoulders, giving him a tall and straight figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Not to mention that his hair, styled with wax, was all combed back, fully revealing his handsome and profound face.

Standing casually, the other person exuded an elegant demeanor.

After Tony complained for a while, he stopped when he saw the boss looking so good. Appreciating aesthetics was that simple. Bored again, he looked around and said, “Minglu, you’re dressed like the boss. Are you wearing couple outfits?”

Yin Minglu almost choked on his coffee. “If you can’t talk sensibly, then don’t talk at all. We’re both wearing basic men’s styles, okay?” Not to mention the vast difference in the price tags of his coat from brand A and the boss’s coat from brand G. Calling them a couple outfit would probably start a fight between these two luxury brands.

“But your scarves are quite similar, too. Both are high-grade light gray, and retro isn’t in fashion this year.” After being scolded, Tony muttered under his breath, “And if I didn’t say it’s a couple outfit, and instead said you and the boss were matching outfits, you would definitely be embarrassed!”

Either way, he felt embarrassed. Thanks a lot. Yin Minglu rolled his eyes.

No one knew that, upon hearing the employees’ chat, Lou Wang’s hands, which were tapping on the keyboard, paused for a moment, then resumed calmly.

Before the chat among the few people could continue, the belated flight had finally arrived over the city and gradually descended. Everyone stood up energetically, and Lou Wang elegantly packed up his computer before leisurely standing next to the young man.

Yin Minglu then realized that Lou Wang was a full head taller than him. Other than the height difference, the two of them really dressed similarly. With the height gap and their positions, they indeed looked like a couple in matching outfits. One seemed like a powerful and elegant high mountain flower, while the other appeared as an amiable neighbor boy. He never expected that he and the boss would have such similar tastes – quite a coincidence.

Before he could say anything, Lou Wang spoke first, nodding to him. “You’ll be in charge in a moment.” Handing this group of people over to the young man in a coat who seemed a bit immature, he felt somewhat guilty but selfishly hoped that the young man could add a prominent stroke to his resume because of this. Even if it meant complaining about the difficulties of handling those overseas designers or expressing grievances about being bullied, he hoped the young man would be willing to come to him, even if it was just to complain. Lou Wang would certainly stand up for the young man.

Yin Minglu nodded, assuring Lou Wang that he would definitely complete the task. While speaking, most of his delicate features were covered by the scarf, giving him the appearance of a obedient subordinate. His attractive and clear features made him look quite cute. It was evident that even if he was “bullied,” he would never seek help from Lou Wang.

Lou Wang’s throat felt a bit dry. He politely averted his gaze, not daring to look any longer.

The group of returnee designers quickly emerged, totaling four or five people, and they walked out with a dignified and proud demeanor.

Naturally, they had the right to be proud. After spending years studying abroad at a young age and returning with a mastered skill, they were envied by others. It was a common phenomenon in this industry. No matter what kind of person they were in China, regardless of their background, once they went abroad and witnessed the prosperity and advancement of foreign countries, they tended to return with an elevated sense of pride, feeling different from their compatriots and placing themselves on a higher plane.

They were also very satisfied with the welcoming banquet arranged by the company headquarters. Not only did the deputy director personally attend, but he also brought a group of core elites from the company. Just by looking at the faces of these core designers, the returnees could recognize their reputation within the industry. These individuals already had a good reputation in China, so having them welcome the returnees added a lot of prestige, making the returnees feel highly valued by the company.

As they exchanged handshakes, the returnees inquired, “May I ask who our senior is?” Is it Tony, the jewelry designer in front of them? Or Robbie, the designer who often featured in magazine interviews? Or perhaps Andre, the designer who reportedly collaborated with many major brands and even managed top projects in China?

The returnees’ eyes gleamed with anticipation, regardless of who it might be. However, when the deputy director pointed to a young man and informed them that he was the senior who would be guiding them, the faces of the returnees turned dark.

Indeed, this young man named Yin Minglu was very handsome, but he was too young. While the returnees were amazed by his appearance, they couldn’t help but find it ludicrous and impractical. Some even wondered if the company headquarters was playing a joke on them. When they noticed the similarity in clothing between Yin Minglu and Mr. Lou, they thought they had figured something out. Naturally, they felt skeptical, questioning whether someone so young and seemingly inexperienced had the qualifications to guide them.

Aware that this group of people had already formed a biased opinion against the young man, Lou Wang’s eyes turned cold. He introduced seriously, “Designer Yin is the most talented and promising designer in our company. He has many aspects worth learning from. I hope you can follow him closely for effective learning, considering that foreign design concepts and styles differ from those in China.” In his view, the young man’s skills were more than sufficient to teach them. Whether this group of people appreciated and learned from him was their own decision. If they didn’t, he believed their skills were limited. 

The returnees listened, but inwardly, they only regarded Lou Wang’s lavish praise as a protective measure. They nodded on the surface, but in their hearts, they were very dismissive. Their eyes looked at other designers, full of envy and regret.

Little did they know, they wanted to follow capable people in the company. After all, it’s normal for people to climb higher. However, those capable individuals considered them overpriced goods, and the principle of “teach good disciples, starve the master²It implies that the teacher is so focused on educating and supporting others that they may neglect their own needs, potentially leading to personal sacrifices, including financial or emotional hardships.” applies to any profession. They were not willing to generously and kindly take on apprentices.

Of course, considering Lou Wang’s presence, even if they harbored dissatisfaction with the young ones, they didn’t dare to complain too much, fearing that they would leave a bad impression on their future boss.

Qiao An was also among this group of people. Because he knew about the relationship between Yin Minglu and Zhou Jinheng, he didn’t think Yin Minglu had a romantic involvement with the boss. However, he also believed that a boy without a reputation and skill wasn’t qualified to lead them.

He subtly withdrew his gaze from sizing up the boy, letting out a light laugh in his heart. This kid who hadn’t fully matured yet wasn’t even worthy of being his opponent. Whether in career or relationships, defeating this person would be a piece of cake.

Before he could provoke them, this group of self-proclaimed outstanding returnees was already getting agitated. If anyone was to blame, it was the boy’s lack of experience, making him look down upon. He wouldn’t speak up for him in front of the returnees to save face for Jinheng. On the contrary, he would… a sly smile appeared at the corner of Qiao An’s mouth.

Yin Minglu didn’t care about them. The boss entrusted him to lead the team, and he would lead it. After all, whether it’s releasing one sheep or a flock of sheep, if the flock disrespects him and refuses to follow instructions, it’s not his fault.

—

Fanluo Jewelry is the largest jewelry store in the capital. Recently, they launched a series of exquisite jewelry, the “Natural Forest Scenery” collection. Various jewels were crafted into distinct veins of tree leaves, vivid flowers, translucent water droplets, and even butterflies spreading their wings. Each piece was unique and innovative, dazzling and exquisite. This broke away from Fanluo Jewelry’s usual display of gaudy gold and silver in the media and was well-received upon its release, gaining popularity among the younger crowd.

The public was filled with curiosity about the emerging designer behind this series of jewelry, but unfortunately, the designer remained elusive, maintaining a low profile. Even on business cards, there was only a faintly written letter “m.”

However, this did not hinder the public’s pursuit of aesthetics and mystery. The more low-key the designer, the more the public wanted to chase after them. Qiao An and the group of returnees were also among those who appreciated these designs. Especially with young women around them, they naturally heard about this jewelry series. Not to mention, the image design of these jewels was exceptionally beautiful, suitable not only for jewelry but also for patterns on women’s clothing and accessories for entertainment products. The licensing fees alone were enough to fill the designer’s pockets.

But it was said that rarity adds value. Faced with the high licensing fees, the designer did not easily grant authorization, avoiding the risk of their designed products becoming too common.

Qiao An accompanied his companion Chen Ke to Fanluo.

Chen Ke is the daughter of his neighbor. Qiao An’s parents were displeased with his wandering life abroad and were unaware that his return to the country was to woo the young master of the Zhou family. Adhering to the traditional belief that a man should marry when he’s of age, they specially arranged a blind date for him.

Qiao An couldn’t refuse. In reality, he had no interest in women like Chen Ke who lacked charm. However, women of her honest and considerate type were favored by the older generation. Qiao An couldn’t tell his parents that he returned to China to pursue a relationship with a man, or else his deeply rooted traditional-minded parents would surely oppose him vehemently.

So, Qiao An could only reluctantly accept it with a displeased expression, treating Chen Ke as a shield to hide his true sexual orientation. He only had to endure for about half a month, find an excuse, and then break things off, going to find Zhou Jinheng.

“Qiao An, look at this butterfly-style earring; it’s so beautiful.” Chen Ke, holding onto Qiao An’s arm, looked at the stunning jewelry in the glass display case.

Qiao An lazily glanced at the jewelry, but in that single glance, his initial indifference instantly changed. As a designer, he could naturally discern the value of product design more than ordinary customers who simply found things visually appealing. He lingered at the various counters, appreciating each piece with eyes filled with admiration.

It had to be said that these jewelry pieces were truly different from the usual, exuding a magical beauty reminiscent of an elf, effortlessly attracting attention.

Previously, Fanluo targeted an audience aged twenty-eight and above because this demographic had high spending power. However, since the introduction of this nature-themed jewelry series, their stores had seen many youthful and attractive faces.

There were even quite a few young couples buying heart-shaped droplet sets for each other. This shattered Fanluo’s previous image of “their jewelry is for older people.” Of course, as the designer behind this successful series, “m” became a subject of public attention. However, Fanluo Group had concealed him quite well, fearing that he might be poached by competitors.

Just as Chen Ke was marveling, a store employee approached, smiling and saying, “Miss, your taste is excellent. The earrings and pendant you’re interested in are very popular in our store. They have a lively and lovely style that suits someone with fair skin like yourself. Would you like to try them on? They will definitely look great on you.”

Chen Ke, swayed by the persuasion, was about to seek Qiao An’s opinion when she noticed he was staring at a men’s ring with a starry sky design. The store employee opportunistically approached him, saying, “Sir, you also have great taste. This is from our upcoming Starry Sky series, a unisex style designed by the talented ‘m’.”

“’m’ designed this too?” Qiao An was surprised, expressing admiration for the designer’s talent. He seemed to recall that the Forest series had been launched less than a month ago, and its popularity had not waned. How could this person produce new designs so quickly?

For a designer recently collaborating with their group, the jewelry store staff naturally knew a lot of information. She nodded sweetly and said, “Yes, indeed. However, the Starry Sky series hasn’t been officially launched yet. The designer just asked us to display a few pieces in the store to see how they perform. It will be officially introduced in magazines next week.”

Judging from the reactions of customers who couldn’t resist being attracted and even inquired about the prices, it seemed that this series of products was destined to be a hit. Thinking about the doubled basic bonuses everyone received recently, the jewelry store staff’s smile became even more radiant and enthusiastic.

“I see.” Qiao An nodded, his eyes showing both admiration and envy. After all, colleagues could be rivals. His major overseas was in this field, and he couldn’t help but make comparisons with domestic designers in the same field. He thought that the designer who could create these designs brimming with natural vitality must be quite old. Learning from someone like that would truly not waste his talent.

Unfortunately, he was assigned by the company to work with a relatively unknown young artist who spent his days drawing and writing. He couldn’t learn much from him. Qiao An planned to talk to Jinheng someday. His little lover truly had no value. Faced with this group of returned overseas designers, he not only didn’t know how to win them over but also seemed to disregard them. It was a pity that he lacked both business skills and interpersonal skills.

He hoped that Jinheng wouldn’t be upset with him for meddling too much; after all, he was doing it for the other person’s good.

With this thought, Qiao An sighed and then looked at the pair of rings in front of him. The more he looked, the more he liked them. Unable to resist, he said to the store employee, “Wrap up this pair for me, and the size should be…” He bought a pair of aqua blue star-patterned rings because they resembled the Earth teeming with vast life and also resembled Jinheng’s eyes, somewhat dark under the sunlight. As a gift and a token of their commitment, it seemed perfect.

The author has something to say: It seems like I couldn’t write more today. I’ll continue tomorrow.

Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solution~

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• 1
  I think he’s talking about Tony
• 2
  It implies that the teacher is so focused on educating and supporting others that they may neglect their own needs, potentially leading to personal sacrifices, including financial or emotional hardships.