Chapter 6: Designing a Wedding Room

Worried that Qin Huan, fresh from abroad, might not understand North City’s social hierarchy, the colleague quickly explained the extremely wealthy backgrounds of the Jiang and Ji families and their powerful marriage alliance.

Qin Huan didn’t listen. From the moment she heard that Ji Jingya was preparing for her wedding, her mind went blank.

Her gaze fixed on the woman, she saw a stunning figure. A well tailored dress perfectly hugged her curves. Her long, straight black hair cascaded down her back, smooth and glossy.

After the colleague finished, seeing Qin Huan’s stunned expression, she clicked her tongue, her eyes full of envy.

“She’s even more beautiful in person than in the newspapers! No wonder Mr. Jiang is willing to settle down.”

She sighed, propping her chin on her hand.

“I wonder who the director will assign this project to.  The wedding house of the Jiang heir!  After this project, we can all relax for the rest of the year!”

Qin Huan listened silently, then looked away.

“This isn’t our concern. Get back to work.”

She walked directly to the break room.

Seeing Qin Huan’s cold back, the gossiping colleagues exchanged glances and returned to their seats.

Team Leader Qin was excellent at her job, and her looks and figure were impeccable. They had secretly discussed that she was no less beautiful than Young Master Jiang’s fiancée, Ji Jingya.

Her personality, however, was hard to define. Not arrogant, but aloof and difficult to approach.

When Qin Huan returned from the break room, Ji Jingya had already left. The director’s assistant asked her to go to the office.

She had a bad feeling, and sure enough, Song Yali was already waiting inside.

Fang Yicen, the director, was all smiles, quickly getting to the point. Ji Jingya liked her and Song Yali’s design styles and wanted them each to submit a proposal.

Song Yali, needless to say, was thrilled and eager to start.

Qin Huan, however, kept her head down, remaining silent.

Fang Yicen asked suspiciously,

“Team Leader Qin, is there a problem?”

Qin Huan certainly had a problem. Designing a wedding house for her ex boyfriend and his current girlfriend? She didn’t have the heart for it. More importantly, she didn’t want any unnecessary connection with Jiang Jingchu.

Before she could think of an excuse, Fang Yicen waved his hand.

“Whatever the problem, overcome it. That’s it.”

Leaving the director’s office, Qin Huan lost all motivation to work.

After a long afternoon, she picked up the courier package on her way out.

The first thing she did at home was call Yi Yi.

Little Qin Zhiyi was in high spirits, cuddling a life-sized Barbie doll. Qin Huan’s gloomy mood instantly lifted.

“Yi Yi, did Aunt Ruiya buy you a new toy again?”

Qin Zhiyi shook her head vigorously.

“Aunt Ruiya didn’t buy it. Uncle Wen sent it.”

Wen Li?

Qin Huan was startled. She saw a glimpse of a man’s shirt in the video, then a man in glasses appeared on screen.

“Mommy, look, Uncle Wen is here.”

Wen Li was Qin Huan’s first mentor and the CEO of her current design company. His name suited him; he was gentle and refined.

Seeing himself on camera, he waved.

“Hi, Qin Huan.”

Qin Huan’s smile was a little strained.

“Hi, Wen Li. Why did you visit Yi Yi today?”

A smile appeared on Wen Li’s handsome face.

“I’ve visited Yi Yi several times, but you just happened to see me today.”

Qin Huan felt embarrassed.

“I didn’t know. Yi Yi didn’t mention it. Thank you for caring for her.”

“Don’t mention it. Yi Yi is like a daughter to me. I watched her grow up.”

Yi Yi didn’t understand anything about family, only that she wanted a father.  She chimed in,

“Yi Yi is Uncle Wen’s daughter, so Uncle Wen is Yi Yi’s father.”

Qin Huan was embarrassed by Yi Yi’s innocent words.  She pretended to scold her.

“Yi Yi, don’t talk nonsense.”

Yi Yi pouted, handing the phone to Wen Li and hiding behind him.

“Mommy doesn’t want Yi Yi, and she’s scolding Yi Yi.”

Wen Li patted Yi Yi’s head and looked at Qin Huan.

“It’s just a child’s words. Don’t take it seriously.”

Qin Huan wouldn’t take it seriously, but she was afraid Wen Li would if she didn’t clarify her position. His recent confession was still fresh in her mind.

She pursed her lips, changing the subject, talking about the branch office and her plans after returning to China. Finally, she ended the call with Qin Zhiyi’s goodbye kiss.

After hanging up, Qin Huan let out a long breath, lay on the sofa for a while, and was about to take a shower when her phone lit up.

It was Wen Li.

“Qin Huan, I’ve said I like you. I suggested you return to China so you could see your true feelings. Don’t worry, I’m prepared to lose this gamble. Don’t feel any burden.”

Reading the message, Qin Huan felt a pang in her chest, a bitter taste spreading through her.

In this world, Wen Li had shown her the greatest kindness besides her grandmother and Jiang Jingchu.

He had willingly helped her, bearing the reputation of a homewrecker. Later, when she was lost and helpless, he funded her studies abroad.

Even after Yi Yi was born, when Qin Huan struggled to balance work and motherhood, Wen Li silently helped her through it all.

Without Wen Li, there would be no Qin Huan today.

Qin Huan was truly grateful to him. Even if Wen Li asked for her life, she would give it without hesitation.

But now, he wanted her heart…

That night, Qin Huan didn’t sleep well.

The next day, after a short time at the office, she took a taxi to Jinyun Pavilion.

It was a restaurant hidden in the city, with a traditional Chinese courtyard style.

Qin Huan walked along the cobblestone path, through a bamboo forest, to the main restaurant.

Zou Shikai was still entertaining guests and couldn’t leave.

After sending him a message saying she had arrived, Qin Huan chose a window seat.

She sipped tea and opened her laptop to do a final preview.

Jiang Jingchu walked through the bamboo forest and saw Qin Huan by the window.

She sat at a wooden table, seemingly working, her long neck slightly bent, her hands tapping on the keyboard.

She wore a pure white dress, her long black hair loosely tied up, a few strands falling on her forehead, swaying gently in the breeze.

Jiang Jingchu stopped, wanting to keep watching her.

As if sensing something, Qin Huan felt a gaze on her.

Looking up, her eyes met Jiang Jingchu’s across the glass.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo forest, casting dappled light on Jiang Jingchu, ethereal and dreamlike.

Years ago, a boy had stood under the ginkgo tree in front of her dorm building, accompanying her through four seasons.

Qin Huan was captivated, her breath shallow, afraid the dream would vanish.

Jiang Jingchu thought he was hallucinating. He saw a longing in Qin Huan’s eyes.

He narrowed his eyes, about to examine it further, when Qin Huan’s gaze flickered, then became clear, looking away.

Jiang Jingchu frowned, sensing something, and turned to see a beautiful figure behind him.

Ji Jingya’s clear eyes curved slightly, holding up her phone.

“Waited long? Sorry, my mother is quite talkative.”

Jiang Jingchu was preoccupied and didn’t bother with pleasantries.

He nodded curtly, turning first.

“Let’s go in.”