The Awakened Red Rose [13]

The returnees weren’t fools. Once they realized the identity of the young man, they immediately understood that Yin Minglu was a coveted senior, a low-key and mysterious emerging designer highly regarded by cutting-edge magazines. His future prospects were promising, with collaborations planned with major groups like Fanluo Jewelry. He had an abundance of connections and resources. As long as the young man was willing to share a bit, it would be enough to benefit them. If the young man was willing to let them join the collaboration project, even if it was in an assistant role, to collectively share the cake of jewelry design, it would be like a windfall from heaven.

They couldn’t let this opportunity slip by. One by one, they stood up, trying to intercept Yin Minglu on his way.

Qiao An was the only returnee who didn’t try to persuade or even stayed in place, making him appear particularly “independent.” Everyone feared that his attitude might affect the entire group. So, someone nudged him with their elbow, urging, “Say something, Qiao An.”

Aren’t you usually quite eloquent? Say a few words now! The others were like ants on a hot pan, anxious and restless.

Under continuous urging, Qiao An took a deep breath. Facing the young man who was about to leave but was now blocked by enthusiastic colleagues, his face darkened. He struggled to find words, feeling as if his heart were being tormented in hot oil. Unfortunately, he couldn’t say a word. Even if the young man was the emerging designer “m” with many resources, Qiao An was not willing to please him, especially considering the incident involving Zhou Jinheng.

Qiao An’s refusal to speak and his clear resistance made him stand out even more. Other returnees cursed him in their hearts, thinking that his arrogant self-esteem had taken over, preventing him from acknowledging someone younger as a senior. While hierarchical distinctions were not common in the design field, those with skills, resources, and connections held the upper hand. Regardless of age, latching onto influential figures was the norm. A simple acknowledgment of seniority could easily improve relationships in China, making it a profitable deal.

“Why be so stubborn? Just apologize like us, and the senior will surely forgive you.” “If the senior is willing to teach you, you’re fortunate. Having the right mentor in design is crucial. Don’t act so superior. I saw you bought the ring designed by the senior the day before yesterday; you must like their design.” Others chimed in, not necessarily considering Qiao An’s feelings but rather trying to distance themselves from his attitude. So, one by one, they pretended to criticize Qiao An and even revealed some of his shortcomings.

Seeing Qiao An’s stubbornness and refusal to back down, as the boss, Lou Wang couldn’t help but grow cold, contemplating the idea of dismissing him.

However, nobody expected that Yin Minglu suddenly spoke up, saying, “I can teach, but I’m currently working on a batch of new design drawings, and my energy is limited. I can only teach one person.”

Before the returnees could get excited about who the lucky one would be, Yin Minglu’s next words hit them like a ton of bricks. He continued, “I think it should be Qiao An. Although he may not have a prominent resume among you, his talent is the best. I have high hopes for him.”

This not only indicated Yin Minglu’s willingness to teach despite Qiao An’s arrogant attitude but also praised Qiao An for having exceptional talent. Everyone was impressed by the young man’s generosity, magnanimity, and willingness to overlook past grievances. The envy in the eyes of the other returnees intensified instantly, shooting daggers at Qiao An.

The young man only chose Qiao An, leaving the others to fend for themselves. It was clear that he had abandoned them. How could they not resent Qiao An?

Initially, he was the one belittling the senior, instigating everyone to have opinions about the senior. While everyone desperately tried to keep the senior, he remained indifferent, seemingly wanting to implicate them along with Qiao An. In the end, the senior was willing to teach only Qiao An?

This was undeniably hateful and terribly unfair.

Everyone didn’t hate Yin Minglu, they only hated themselves for not being insightful. They regretted believing the slander, listening to Qiao An’s words about the young man having no skills, relying on favoritism from superiors, and being kept. In fact, if they had approached and taken a closer look when the young man was drawing, they would have known. The young man was not without skills; on the contrary, he possessed exquisite technical abilities. His drawings were not random doodles, but carefully planned creations that brought to life a vivid and magnificent celestial scene.

What infuriated them was that they fell for Qiao An’s instigation and didn’t take a closer look. Otherwise, they would have discovered that the slightly famous designer “m” was right under their noses, close enough to touch.

This was a perfect example of not recognizing a golden opportunity, and now they regretted it deeply. They were truly remorseful, realizing that they missed out and had no one to blame but themselves. Even their efforts to salvage the situation were in vain.

They only hated Qiao An, the main culprit, but ironically, it was Qiao An who caught the attention of the senior, and he was even willing to teach only him. At that moment, the envy and anger of the returnees reached its peak.

Yin Minglu couldn’t be bothered to consider their feelings. With a casual wave of his hand, he made it clear that they should withdraw on their own. His demeanor was reminiscent of a little emperor dismissing palace attendants in a TV drama, adorable to the extreme. Meanwhile, Lou Wang’s lips curled slightly, completely unaware that he was also one of those being driven away by the young man.

As he left, Yin Minglu cast another glance at the Qiao-named¹ designer left alone. His eyes were sharp. As someone in a superior position, he didn’t have the same patience as the young man. Being bullied and excluded had already incurred Lou Wang’s dissatisfaction, and the Qiao designer’s defiant expression just now had further displeased him. However, since the young man had a favorable opinion of this Qiao-named individual, Lou Wang could tolerate it and decided to give the person one last chance.

Once Qiao An showed any signs of misbehavior, daring to oppress the senior, he shouldn’t be surprised if he received a resignation warning. His subordinates would not tolerate such behavior that magnifies small issues.

Yin Minglu, taking Qiao An under his wing, not only frequently assigned tasks but also introduced his own clients to Qiao An. He allowed Qiao An to handle these clients, portraying an exemplary image of a respectful and capable junior towards a senior. Everyone regarded Qiao An as a fortunate individual chosen by the senior, and they couldn’t help but envy him.

Little did they know that Qiao An was feeling bitter.

He did the dirtiest, most laborious, and least appreciated tasks in the team. The clients introduced by the young man were often those with demanding requirements, low compensation, and difficult attitudes. The tasks that the young man didn’t want to take on, yet didn’t want to offend the clients by rejecting, were all pushed onto Qiao An. It was euphemistically stated as wanting to provide him with ample training, but in reality, it was a ruthless exploitation of his value.

These tasks required Qiao An to spend half a day just chattering, leaving him with no time to learn new skills or even to meet up with old friends. Yet, Yin Minglu managed to maintain a facade of generosity. In the eyes of others, his willingness to teach the junior and provide networking resources was already commendable.

Nobody could find any fault with it. On the contrary, Qiao An, who couldn’t do things well, was looked down upon and despised. People thought he was wasting the senior’s resources by tagging along. This made Qiao An almost burst out in frustration.

This was precisely Yin Minglu’s goal. He wanted to throw this annoying and opportunistic hot potato away, then find an excuse to keep Qiao An under his watchful eyes alone. This way, he not only gained the boss’s sympathy but also made others perceive him as tolerant and generous. Eventually, Qiao An became an easy target, transforming from the core of the returned scholars’ team into an isolated and unsupported commander. Due to jealousy, the returnees would compete to ostracize him and talk behind his back. Yin Minglu was merely using their own tactics against them. If Qiao An wanted others to exclude him, then he, in turn, used means to make people exclude Qiao An and ensured that the latter had grievances that he couldn’t voice.

“Sen… Senior, the documents are all here. I’ve tidied up.” Despite the resentful glares from the returned scholars, Qiao An, reluctantly, addressed the younger boy with the term “senior” and placed a stack of project documents on the young man’s desk.

The young man was busy tending to the potted plant he was growing. Upon hearing Qiao An’s words, he nonchalantly responded with a faint “Hmm,” without continuing the conversation or showing any interest. He continued to place the potted plant in the sunlight, letting it bask in the sun. Then, he took out a self-made small watering can and poured some water onto the plant’s roots.

After watering, the young man retrieved a magnifying glass from his side and observed the plant’s leaves for several minutes.

In the past, the actions of the young man were perceived by the returned scholars as unprofessional, but now everyone knows better. He was not engaging in unprofessionalism; instead, he was observing life! How else would he create inspiration drafts for the natural series of plants? It’s ironic that they couldn’t recognize his talent and thought he was openly slacking off in the office.

Qiao An couldn’t help but ask, “Senior, is this potted plant your muse?”

With a casual “Hmm” in response, Yin Minglu’s dark eyes moved closer to the magnifying glass. Qiao An could only see the young man’s black-and-white irises enlarging through the lens, resembling a primary school student at the zoo trying to get a close look at an animal. The naturally emanating cuteness made Qiao An, who was “getting on in years,” feel a tinge of envy.

Qiao An took another glance at the seemingly unremarkable plant. He realized that people in this industry indeed had various quirks. Regardless, he couldn’t bring himself to spend an entire afternoon observing a plant. To him, it was a waste of time, even life, and downright boring.

However, the young man’s success told him that this was a necessary path to success. With a pair of bright eyes that could discover the charm of life and exceptional drawing skills, the young man could turn an ordinary leaf into a unique piece of art. The meticulous craftsmanship turned into exquisite jewelry. Qiao An couldn’t achieve this, and the feeling of wanting to learn but failing to do so made him increasingly frustrated.

Especially since he recently revealed his intention to resign from the position of the young man’s assistant. Everyone was incredulous, and some even condemned him, calling him “ungrateful” and suggesting that he must have learned enough from the young man and now wanted to go solo, branding him as an opportunist.

This “ungrateful” label hit him hard, and it scared Qiao An into immediately abandoning the idea. He temporarily dared not act recklessly. A designer’s reputation was crucial, and if such negative rumors spread, not only would his career struggle to take off, but it might also face a premature end.

With this in mind, Qiao An had to suppress his frustration and continue to handle miscellaneous tasks for the young man. At the same time, he continued making plans to meet up with Zhou Jinheng.

Thinking about Zhou Jinheng, Qiao An’s gaze suddenly focused on the young man’s fair and concentrated face. Considering the recent unkind treatment he had received, his heart pounded, and he clenched his phone. He wasn’t sure if the young man already knew his identity, aware that he was Zhou Jinheng’s first love, and thus, was exploiting and enslaving him in this manner.

However, the young man’s behavior didn’t match Qiao An’s expectations. Normally, upon learning about their intertwined relationship with someone close, the reaction shouldn’t be this calm. Yet, the young man seemed to not recognize him, treating him like a distant junior—neither friendly nor intimate. It was precisely this composed attitude that made Qiao An unable to figure him out, leaving his heart suspended in uncertainty. Subconsciously, there was also a hidden excitement, a desire to shatter the perfect calm facade of the young man.

Unfortunately, his wish was not fulfilled. As Qiao An delved deeper into the company, he discovered that the young man was extremely popular, highly skilled in his work, and advanced planning projects that others would charge for were stacked on his desk. He wasn’t the decorative and incompetent figure that Qiao An had imagined based on his overseas experience. Without Zhou Jinheng, the young man would still thrive.

Qiao An realized he couldn’t overshadow the young man’s brilliance. Due to his limited skills, he failed to gain recognition from superiors and couldn’t seize resources from the young man. Instead, he found himself suppressed, relegated to being an industrious assistant, handling miscellaneous tasks and organizing drafts, occasionally taking on some trivial commissions during his free time.

He failed in his strategy to surpass the young man in work capabilities and earn recognition from Zhou Jinheng. Now, he could only consider a Plan B.

As for the rings that were originally intended as tokens of love, Qiao An had long disposed of them. Losing over a hundred thousand was indeed painful, especially since Zhou Jinheng’s card had been inactive for a long time. Qiao An had been financially tight for several months. Nevertheless, since the rings were designed by the young man, he wouldn’t even consider giving them to Zhou Jinheng, even if he destroyed them on the spot. It’s often said that items can evoke emotions, and looking at that beautiful ring, it was impossible to determine whether Zhou Jinheng would be reminded of Qiao An or Yin Minglu.

—Qiao Family—

Dressed in a professional skirt suit, Chen Ke visited the Qiao family, carrying a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Qiao couple warmly welcomed her, expressing a bit of complaint, “Why do you always bring so many things when you visit? A young girl like you should avoid carrying heavy loads. Come in quickly and have a seat.”

The gifts from Chen Ke might not be expensive, but they were practical and appealing to the elderly, such as vegetables, fruits, mooncakes, pastries, or even seafood and dried goods. From the choice of gifts, the Qiao couple could tell that Chen Ke was not the kind of girl who spent money extravagantly. She was frugal and knew how to manage a household, making her a suitable candidate for a family life. Additionally, Chen Ke, being a high school teacher recognized by the school every year, was gentle and patient, making her an ideal daughter-in-law.

The more the Qiao couple observed Chen Ke, the more satisfied they became. Even if Qiao An hadn’t explicitly expressed his opinion, they were eager for the young couple to register their marriage this year, host a wedding banquet next year, and, in the following year, present them with a grandchild. They couldn’t wait to become grandparents and hoped for a bit less stress.

Moreover, selecting a daughter-in-law from within the country is undoubtedly a good choice. In their opinion, foreign women are all promiscuous and immodest! The elderly Qiao couple had no idea about their son’s taste. Even with someone as suitable as Chen Ke right in front of him, he often brushed off the idea, leaving the elderly couple worried. They thought that their son must have been dazzled by those scantily clad foreign women after spending a few years abroad. As a result, they constantly racked their brains, creating opportunities for Chen Ke and Qiao An, encouraging the two to be together.

Little did they know, their son was attempting to forcibly divert his own sexual orientation to please a wealthy man, ensuring continued support for his high-quality lifestyle. Consequently, he had no genuine interest in women.

Facing the warm hospitality of Qiao An’s parents, Chen Ke smiled gracefully. After sipping a cup of warm water, she subtly began to inquire, “Aunt and Uncle, has Qiao An been very busy lately? I tried to make plans with him, but he always says he’s too busy.”

The elderly couple was always thin-skinned and not adept at lying. Hearing this, their faces showed a bit of embarrassment. Of course, they still tried to excuse their son, saying, “Chen Ke, you know, Qiao An has just returned to the country, and he has recently joined a large company. It’s normal for him to be a bit busy with work.”

In reality, they were well aware that their son, as soon as he returned to the country, spent all his time contacting old friends and attending weekend gatherings. He preferred being with a group of sweaty men rather than accepting invitations from refined women like Chen Ke. They didn’t know what was wrong with him. So, when Chen Ke asked the question, the elderly couple felt guilty and embarrassed.

“Oh, I see.” Chen Ke nodded as if she believed them. However, behind her seemingly trusting demeanor, her eyes revealed a shadow. Despite her gentle and kind appearance, Chen Ke was a professional woman who had stood on the podium facing mischievous and rebellious students during her career. If her temperament was too soft, she couldn’t control them and might be bullied by the students. Therefore, she had a strong and determined character.

She allowed herself to acknowledge that she lacked charm and couldn’t attract suitors for blind dates.

However, she absolutely would not tolerate prospective partners who had no intention of marrying her, deliberately kept her hanging, and were insincere while dating her. They let her invest wholeheartedly in the relationship, especially recently when she frequently probed into things. Chen Ke found that Qiao An seemed uninterested in women. Even when they went out, he was always engrossed in texting or calling someone. He spent more time with his so-called “brothers” than with her, and he even bought a men’s ring.

It was hard for her not to speculate.

But she didn’t have evidence yet. She decided to observe a bit more and see if her suspicions were accurate. If Qiao An dared to deceive her and had plans to dupe her as a cohabitant while maintaining a relationship with her, she definitely wouldn’t let it go. As for Qiao’s elderly couple, she would carefully consider whether they were aware of the situation. If they knowingly introduced her to their son, who had such peculiar habits, she would surely go crazy. The neighborly relationship would be over, and she would make sure they paid back every penny they consumed from her.

—At the company—

Off work, amidst the hurried figures of others rushing to catch their buses, the young man leisurely packed his belongings. The cold wind blew outside, and he put on a down jacket, slowly wrapped a scarf around his neck, and donned a warm hat before finally leaving.

Seeing this, Qiao An forcefully suppressed his urge to leave quickly. His eyes were fixed on the young man’s every move, following behind him as if he were leaving casually. In reality, he couldn’t wait to rush to a certain person.

Qiao An’s unusual excitement and the almost visible hostility about to spill from his eyes made Lou Wang, who was waiting for the elevator, frown slightly. Worried about what Qiao An might have in mind, a concerned thought flashed through his mind. He adjusted his coat, striding over with large steps.

In the crowd of bustling figures leaving work, of course, Zhou Jinheng naturally spotted his little rose at a glance. Especially since the other was afraid of the howling wind, burying the whole face in the scarf, revealing only a pair of beautiful and clear eyes. He walked with a trembling appearance, seeming to shiver while walking. It was extremely cute.

Zhou Jinheng subconsciously walked over, embraced the person, and just as he was about to smile, his expression froze the next moment. Because not far behind the young man was Qiao An. The latter was still smiling at him, like an old friend.

The person who had lingered in his heart during his youth, the one he had repeatedly avoided since returning to the country, unexpectedly appeared before him without warning. Zhou Jinheng was genuinely taken aback. He hadn’t expected that after Qiao An returned to the country, he would end up working at the same company as the young man.

He held the young man’s cold hand, his mind went blank, and he momentarily forgot what to do.

Meanwhile, Lou Wang observed the trio from a distance. His keen observational skills allowed him to discern that there might be some history between the boyfriend of the young man and the returned overseas Chinese with the surname Qiao. Especially the expression on Qiao An’s face just now, eagerly wanting to show off and assert dominance, was deeply imprinted in Lou Wang’s mind.

Making sense of the relationships between these individuals was a bit challenging for him. Lou Wang furrowed his brow, worried that the young man might be kept in the dark about the complicated connections between his boyfriend and the former lover, Qiao. He needed to keep an eye on these people, hoping the young man wouldn’t think he was meddling too much.

Author’s note: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided nourishing drops!

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