The exchange period was only a year, and Lan Shuo would soon return to the imperial capital.
The long-prepared gifts should be presented.
Yu Wenli's expression was calm as he reviewed the emails. Only after finishing them all did he speak.
"The Blue family's overseas investments have been rising for quite some time, haven't they?"
"Mm," the other party chuckled, his voice smooth with a very faint British accent, "given the time, it's about due for a fall."
Yu Wenli deleted the email. "Then let it fall."
"Okay!" The man's gaze playfully fixed on the several screens before him, all displaying stock market charts.
Xing'an Village.
Far from the steel and concrete, the clamor of the world, life in the mountains moved at a slower pace, and Wen Tingxue adapted quickly.
When she had nothing to do, she liked to stand on the bridge at the village entrance, watching the gurgling water below, the playful ducks and geese.
She watched the villagers coming and going, carrying water, hauling firewood, or washing clothes.
One day, Wen Tingxue had just finished her sketching assignment at a farmer's house and was about to pack her bag to head to the bridge when the strap of her painting bag suddenly broke.
The paints inside scattered across the ground, and she accidentally knocked over Lu Youran's easel.
The mixed colors splashed directly onto the low wall beside them, looking jarringly out of place.
"Oh, my goodness!"
The old woman returning with vegetables frowned and exclaimed.
"I'm so sorry, Grandma," Wen Tingxue, busy picking up her things, quickly got up to apologize. "I'll figure out a way to remove this mark."
"Grandma!"
After a moment of stunned silence, Lu Youran reacted quickly, hugging the old woman's arm and acting spoiled, her words as sweet as honey.
There was no other way.
Under normal circumstances, farmers didn't particularly like students coming to their homes to sketch.
After all, they brought paints and stayed for half the day.
It was easy to dirty the floor, and more importantly, it was inconvenient.
They had finally found this suitable sketching location and couldn't afford to lose it.
Just as the two girls were racking their brains to appease the old woman, she bent down and picked up the bag from the ground.
"Oh, you misunderstand," the old woman said with a smile. "The wall isn't important. I think that spot looks quite nice. The main thing is this bag."
The old woman looked down at where the strap had broken, her rough thumb stroking the edge.
"Girl, wait a moment, I'll sew it for you."
"No..." Wen Tingxue waved her hands, feeling overwhelmed.
"It's nothing, just a few stitches."
The old woman, nimble despite her age, went into the house and returned with needle and thread.
Seeing that she couldn't refuse, Wen Tingxue could only thank her repeatedly.
"It's a small thing, girl. You go about your business."
The old woman, wearing large reading glasses, had a round, kind face when she smiled.
Wen Tingxue suddenly remembered her grandmother, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, and her eyes stayed dazed for a few seconds.
Just as she finished mixing the colors Lu Youran needed, she heard the old woman call out cheerfully, "Girl, it's done. See if you like it?"
When Wen Tingxue went over, she was amazed.
"Grandma, your craftsmanship is truly superb," the girl with fair fingers delicately touched the embroidery on the broken strap.
She praised sincerely, "It's as lifelike as can be!"
Lu Youran, drawn over by the commotion, was also filled with admiration. "Goodness, this looks even better than my paintings!"
The old woman blushed at the praise and shyly brought a stool to the backyard.
Wen Tingxue stared at the little ducks on the bag strap, lost in thought. "How long must one practice to achieve such embroidery skills?"
"If you ask me, this is more valuable than any luxury item," Lu Youran muttered, stroking the embroidery. "It's our ancestors' legacy that's truly good."
"You, what are you always thinking about?"
Wen Tingxue said with a smile, tapping her head.
Lu Youran took the opportunity to grasp her hand and pleaded, "Can you wait for me a little longer? I'm almost done too."
She blinked and acted spoiled.
Wen Tingxue raised an eyebrow. "You've finished today's painting?"
When they came out to sketch, there was a fixed quota of paintings each day, and the teacher would critique and guide them in the evening, so they couldn't be careless.
"Hehe," Lu Youran gave a silly grin. "I had inspiration today, so I painted quickly. Wait for me!"
While waiting, Wen Tingxue drew a picture of auspicious persimmons on the low wall, which the old woman greatly admired.
In the beautiful scenery of the setting sun, Wen Tingxue leaned against the railing of the stone bridge, gazing at the quiet village bathed in orange hues.
She was contemplating the competition piece she was about to start.
Lu Youran stood beside her, snapping photos. "Got any inspiration?"
"A little, but not much."
Wen Tingxue cradled her face, tiny golden specks of light in her eyes, making her look incredibly beautiful.
Lu Youran couldn't resist taking another picture. "Honestly, you should be video calling your boyfriend right now. He'd be stunned."
She winked mischievously.
Wen Tingxue imagined the scene and chuckled. "Good suggestion, but unfortunately..."
She flipped her phone over. "He's in the kitchen experimenting with beer-braised duck."
Lu Youran looked down.
Their casual conversation was filled with sweet affection.
"Tsk, how exactly did you train your boyfriend? How can he be so good!" Lu Youran asked humbly for advice.
Wen Tingxue spread her hands. "I don't know. He said he wants to win my heart through my stomach."
"I think he wants to spoil you rotten!" Lu Youran said, her eyes watering with envy.
Just as Wen Tingxue was about to tease her about Fu Ran, her WeChat suddenly chimed with a message.
Lu Youran posted the edited photos to her Moments and scrolled through them.
Then she exclaimed, "Ahhh! I really want milk tea!" She shoved the photo in front of Wen Tingxue. "Look! Xing'er's new flavor, isn't it tempting?!"
Wen Tingxue smiled and said, "Don't worry, you'll have some later."
"Are you kidding me? This is the mountains!" Lu Youran didn't believe her.
Wen Tingxue raised her phone and said, "The CEO of Xing'er is personally delivering milk tea."
Lu Youran was dumbfounded.
Could it really work like that?
About ten minutes later, Ding Xi arrived with a milk tea cart.
Because Wen Tingxue had mentioned it in the group chat beforehand, quite a few people had already gathered at the bridgehead.
Worried there wouldn't be enough milk tea, Wen Tingxue tried to offer her own cup.
Ding Xi smiled and said, "Don't worry, there's definitely enough."
His eyes were gentle and pure black, easily inspiring trust.
Wen Tingxue met his gaze for a few seconds, took the milk tea he handed her, took a sip, and raised her eyebrows in pleasant surprise. "Mm, it's good."
Ding Xi's lips curved happily. "This is a new flavor specially made to your taste, not yet on the market."
She looked up at him, puzzled. Ding Xi smiled and explained, "I really want to thank you. If it weren't for you, Xing'er wouldn't have come back from the brink and received such significant investment."
"Let me give you some good news. In a while, Xing'er will be heavily promoted, and you might see Xing'er branches all over the country."
"Oh!" Wen Tingxue beamed with surprise. "Really? That's wonderful news."
"It's true," Ding Xi nodded. "I came this time not only to tell you in person but also because Song You mentioned you've always been thinking about milk tea, and also..."
He paused as if sharing a secret, and Wen Tingxue urged him on.
Although they had chatted on WeChat for months, this was their first time meeting in person.
There wasn't much awkwardness; instead, they were as casual as old friends.
Ding Xi didn't continue to play coy and stated directly, "Because we'll be doing large-scale marketing in the latter half of the year, the outer packaging might be changed. According to the investors, they want to take this opportunity to sign a chief designer for Xing'er."
He looked at her intently and said, "Xiao Xue, I hope this position is yours."
Wen Tingxue's heart skipped a beat. "Me? It doesn't seem... appropriate."
Ding Xi interrupted, "Don't rush to refuse. Nothing has been finalized yet, and even if it is, it will be a nationwide open call for submissions. I'll notify you then, but my intention has never changed. I truly hope you can win."
"You don't need to feel discouraged by your age or anything else. I believe in your ability and am confident we can have a pleasant collaboration."
With his words, it would be inappropriate to back down further.
"Alright," Wen Tingxue clinked her cup with his, a confident smile on her face. "When the submission call comes out, let me know. I'll do my best to win."
Ding Xi's eyes were warm as he looked at her. "I will always believe in your strength."
After delivering the milk tea, Ding Xi prepared to leave.
Wen Tingxue accompanied him to his car, relaying the villagers' sentiments. "Everyone asked me to thank you for making a special trip."
Ding Xi smiled. "It's I who should thank you for accompanying me for so long. I really like it here."
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Without so much fame, profit, and restlessness.
The village chief laughed. "You're welcome to come anytime you like. We'll provide food and lodging." Ding Xi looked meaningfully at the green mountain scenery behind him and nodded. "I will."
As he was about to get into the car, Ding Xi suddenly asked, "The emerging artist who's gained some fame on Weibo, that's you, isn't it?"
Wen Tingxue: "..."
She thought she had been keeping her online persona well-hidden.
How did he find out?
It was absurd.
"Thank you for recommending Xing'er's milk tea every day," Ding Xi explained with a smile.
Wen Tingxue instantly recalled a recent post she had made – milk tea, and a new flavor at that!
A slip-up!
"You're welcome, it's genuinely delicious," the young girl replied, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Ding Xi's lips curved. "When the funds are available, I'll definitely compensate you for the promotion."
"No..."
As Wen Tingxue began to speak, Ding Xi said, "I can't let you promote for free for so long."
After all, she had diligently managed her social media accounts for over half a year. Whether on Weibo or short videos, she had amassed a considerable following.
If she truly wanted to take on advertisements, the payment would not be insignificant.
But she had never mentioned it.
He understood her intentions and would definitely reciprocate.