Lan Qianqian’s pupils darted left and right, completely avoiding his gaze. “Um… I have plans with colleagues for lunch.”
With just a single sentence, Xuan Mohan knew she was lying. His eyes instantly turned cold, and his tone grew stiff. “Are you sure you made plans with colleagues?”
Why was he asking that? Did he know she was supposed to have lunch with her senior? Impossible, she had just arranged it with him. She couldn’t help but glance up at him. His gaze was so sharp, as if it could see through all her thoughts. This was the first time she had ever seen him like this, making her heart tremble. Lan Qianqian lowered her gaze and nodded slightly, completely oblivious to Xuan Mohan’s suppressed, extreme calm.
He gently peeled away her hand, his voice devoid of emotion. “Mm, I’ll head up first.”
Phew. Thankfully, he didn’t ask further. “Mm, go ahead quickly.”
She wasn’t trying to deceive him, she just didn’t know how to explain. This time, Xuan Mohan left without looking back.
After Xuan Mohan left, Lan Qianqian resumed her work. After an unknown amount of time, there was a “knock, knock.”
Looking up from her work, she saw Sister An Lan. She recognized the person from her attire. If she had to describe elegance and grace, she had only ever seen Sister An Lan like that in the entire department.
“Sister An Lan~” Lan Qianqian forced a smile.
Ji An Lan smiled. “Qianqian, if you’re free now, would you like to come to my office for a chat?”
Being able to chat with Sister An Lan, she didn’t know how much she could learn. So, she nodded and followed her.
Upon reaching the director’s office, Ji An Lan took Lan Qianqian’s hand with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Qianqian. I’ve been a bit busy lately, so I didn’t know you were sick. How are you, are you better now?”
So that was it. Lan Qianqian shook her head. “It’s okay, Sister An Lan. You’re always very busy, and I’m already better. Thank you for your concern, Sister An Lan.”
The fact that she could even think of her was good enough, she couldn’t possibly accept her apology.
Ji An Lan’s smile became brighter. “Why are you being so polite with me? It’s good that you’re better. I mentioned I wanted to bring you a gift last time. See if you like it?”
Saying that, she took out a long box from her pocket and opened it, placing it before Lan Qianqian with her slender hand.
Lan Qianqian hadn’t expected to receive a gift from Sister An Lan. She glanced at it and then looked away. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly noticed how beautiful the jewelry was, referring to its design. She then lowered her head and looked at it meticulously again.
Afterward, she couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, “Sister An Lan, this necklace is designed so cleverly, and it’s elegant and beautiful. Where did you get it?”
Ji An Lan took out the necklace. “I knew you would like it. This is the latest work from the international design master, aiya.”
Lan Qianqian was instantly astonished. “You mean *that* aiya?”
She had studied this industry for several years, so she knew a few famous figures. Especially this one, whose name was like thunder in her ears, essentially echoing throughout the design world. She had gathered a lot of information about her and greatly admired her.
Ji An Lan blinked and chuckled lightly. “It’s her. But her finished pieces are incredibly difficult to obtain, especially since she rarely appears in public now.”
It was common knowledge that aiya didn’t lack money. Her family was wealthy, and her husband was even wealthier, so her creations were purely driven by passion. Every time a piece was released, it would be snatched up like crazy, and its value was even more immeasurable. Buyers were primarily collectors, as each piece was designed by her alone.
While others promoted their works through their own fame, she completely embodied the concept of letting the work speak for itself. That is, when the item was placed before you, its design alone would tell you it was an aiya original.
Lan Qianqian was truly like her loyal fan, but she knew she would likely never have the chance to meet such a person. If she had seen aiya’s work even once, she would definitely recognize it because the ingenuity of its conception couldn’t be described through pictures alone.
Lan Qianqian pursed her lips. At this moment, she truly envied Sister An Lan. Although her own fate wasn’t as smooth, fate had given her much: a good family, a successful career, and family who doted on her. Just this one necklace represented an investment far beyond her imagination.
If it weren’t for her appearance, then her life, plus her marriage, would be perfect…
Shaking her head, she didn’t want to dwell on these thoughts. Feelings shouldn’t be about who came first. She was also selfish and didn’t want to give up Xuan Mohan. If Xuan Mohan liked Sister An Lan, she would consider… snatching him away?
Lan Qianqian was startled. How could she have such a thought? In her previous views, only those who truly loved each other should be together. But just now, the moment she thought of Xuan Mohan liking Sister An Lan, a surge of madness arose, wanting to break them apart.
She was a little scared. Why had she become like this?
Was it because she liked Xuan Mohan too much? And if she truly couldn’t end up with him in the future, what would she do? Lan Qianqian dared not think about it.
“Qianqian, Qianqian?”
A slender, well-proportioned hand waved in front of her, and only then did she snap back to reality. She said with undeniable envy, “Sister An Lan, your hands are too beautiful!”
She had seen them before, but now, adorned with aiya’s necklace, they were truly stunning. Her own hands were also pretty, but they were still a bit lacking compared to someone as pampered as her.
Ji An Lan playfully waved her hand in front of her again. “How is it? Isn’t it very beautiful? I want to get an aiya bracelet to match for high-end banquets. When she designs one, I’ll have my father get me one.”
Lan Qianqian was already incredibly envious, but it wasn’t hers. “Mm, it matches Sister An Lan very well.”
Ji An Lan glanced at Lan Qianqian and covered her mouth with a light chuckle. “Don’t just look. This was actually meant for you.”
The latter immediately shook her head. “Sister An Lan, are you kidding? How can this be for me? It’s too valuable.”
Ji An Lan gave her a playful glare. “It’s okay, I have a few more at home. Consider this as an advance payment for your compensation for this project. The Xuan Corporation treats its employees very well, and besides, I have high hopes for you.”
Lan Qianqian was very firm this time. “We already agreed on the compensation, so I can’t accept yours, Sister An Lan. And this is your personal item, what would it mean if I took it?”
“Sigh~” Ji An Lan sighed.
“What’s wrong, Sister An Lan?” Lan Qianqian asked with concern, noticing her sudden sigh.
Ji An Lan looked a bit troubled. “I’m about to end my single life.”
Lan Qianqian’s heart skipped a beat. Was Sister An Lan getting married? And who was the groom?
“Bang, bang~” Lan Qianqian could hear her heart beating rapidly, almost leaping into her throat.
“Sister An Lan, what do you mean?”
Seeing Lan Qianqian’s dazed expression, Ji An Lan suddenly burst into laughter. “Qianqian, you look so cute when you’re being silly. Isn’t it that Mohan has always been reluctant to marry…”
After a pause, Ji An Lan glanced at Lan Qianqian and continued:
“So my mother is worried I’ll be left behind too, and she’s arranged a marriage for me.”
What exactly did Sister An Lan mean by that? Couldn’t she just say it clearly? At this moment, she wished she could grab her by the neck and force the words out.