Chapter Ten: Claiming the Prize

These ideas were both novel and unique. The key point was that, during her last visit with her mentor, her mentor had also proposed a similar design direction.

However, the design concept described by Yan Xuan was even more mature and comprehensive.

From the very beginning, Director Wu’s indifferent demeanor shifted to one of upright concentration, listening intently. These changes gave Yan Xuan great confidence, and his explanation became increasingly smooth.

“Director Wu?” When Yan Xuan finished, he noticed Director Wu lost in thought and called out softly.

“Hm?” Director Wu snapped back to attention, her expression suddenly serious. “Yan, how long would it take you to produce a complete set of drawings for this design?”

Yan Xuan lowered his head and considered for a moment. “I can have them ready for you by next Monday.”

Tomorrow was the weekend. He didn’t plan to work overtime these two days; instead, he would go claim his prize and then visit home. Calculating the time, if he pushed himself a bit in the evenings, submitting the drawings on Monday shouldn’t be a problem.

After all, the completed design already existed in his mind.

“Good. I’ll be waiting for you. Don’t let me down.” Director Wu stood up and gave Yan Xuan a firm pat on the shoulder.

“Understood.” Yan Xuan nodded. “There's one more thing…”

“You want confirmation of your permanent position? I can answer you right now. Next month, you’ll be a full employee!” Director Wu replied with conviction.

Such a designer had a boundless future ahead—she was determined to keep him.

“That’s not it.” Yan Xuan shook his head. “It’s about my deleted design.”

“I believe you,” Director Wu said, nodding again.

Anyone with such mature and innovative ideas wouldn’t be afraid to show her a design. Her previous doubts were already overturned.

“What I mean is, I know who deleted my design.”

“Who?” Director Wu’s tone turned harsh.

Someone maliciously deleting another’s design was truly vicious. Such a person was a cancer to the company, and she would not tolerate their presence.

Yan Xuan fiddled with his laptop for a bit, pulling up a video and showing it to Director Wu. “My laptop has an anti-theft feature that records anyone who tampers with it.”

He had won this little gadget at random from the system that morning. He’d initially thought it was useless, but it turned out to be invaluable at a critical moment.

Director Wu’s eyes remained glued to the video until it finished, after which she took a deep breath.

“Send me a copy of the video,” she said coldly. “I’ll see that you get an answer.”

“Of course.” Yan Xuan stood up. “Director Wu, I’ll leave for the day, then.”

“Alright. I’ll be waiting for you, next Monday.” For once, Director Wu’s face broke into a rare smile—a reward for someone she appreciated.

Yan Xuan was momentarily taken aback, then nodded and left.

Once outside the office, he exhaled deeply.

Part of it was relief at having passed this ordeal; another part was because of Director Wu’s smile.

Director Wu was undeniably beautiful, but normally as cold as ice. That fleeting smile just now was like the first thaw of snow in spring, beautiful enough to touch the soul.

He shook his head to banish the image, then headed back to the design department.

Inside, people were still whispering. Yan Xuan paused to listen, then entered with a cold laugh.

Seeing him return, the chatter paused for a moment. But observing his seemingly dejected appearance, they quickly resumed whispering, each thinking they understood the outcome.

Yan Xuan ignored them, packed his things, and prepared to leave.

Tang Xueying had already finished packing and followed him. “Yan…”

“Hey, Yingying.” It wasn’t until they left the office building that Yan Xuan’s expression relaxed into a smile.

“Huh? Yan, you…” Tang Xueying’s eyes widened, puzzled by his change in mood.

“Ha, startled you, didn’t I?” Yan Xuan grinned. “Don’t worry, I’m not getting fired. On Monday, I’ll give those rubberneckers a surprise!”

Although she didn’t understand his meaning, Tang Xueying nodded earnestly. “You can do it, Yan!”

Yan Xuan smiled mysteriously.

Monday would be the day of reckoning.

He and Tang Xueying took the bus home together. As always, Yan Xuan shielded her in the corner with his body, but his thoughts had already drifted to how he would spend that five million.

First, he had to buy a car. Then he could drive Tang Xueying to and from work daily, sparing the petite girl from the crowded bus.

He also wanted to buy a new home for his family—the current place was far too small and old.

Looking at Tang Xueying gazing out the window, Yan Xuan thought living in the same neighborhood as her wouldn’t be bad either. At least they could commute together, and share meals as companions.

The thought made Yan Xuan smile involuntarily.

Tang Xueying turned to him with a questioning look.

Yan Xuan chuckled softly. “I’ll tell you on Monday.”

Tang Xueying answered with a smile.

After seeing her get off, Yan Xuan disembarked a few stops later. The apartment he rented was still two stops away, but he wanted to search for things his little black pet could devour.

Along the way, he always found discarded items for his little black pet to consume.

With more and more things consumed, Yan Xuan began to notice certain patterns and tricks.

By the time he reached home, the little black creature was already full and curled up in his palm.

He grabbed a simple bowl of noodles downstairs, then went up to continue his design work.

What Yan Xuan didn’t know was that, as soon as he left, Director Wu made a phone call.

During the call, she discussed Yan Xuan’s design with her own mentor.

Director Wu’s rapid ascent to become the director of a major interior design firm at such a young age was no accident—she had the talent and the accolades, having won many awards as a student and continuing her excellence in the industry.

This, too, was thanks to her mentor, the renowned master designer, Zhang Jingsen.

Zhang Jingsen was a celebrated designer, with many works familiar to the public, such as the illustrious Blue Marina Seven-Star Hotel, which featured seventeen uniquely styled suites, each a classic in its own right. He had also designed the lobbies of several listed companies.

After their conversation, Master Zhang expressed great interest in Yan Xuan and said he might soon visit her city, hoping to meet the promising young man.

The next morning, Yan Xuan washed up and headed straight to the prize center.

Every lottery draw had a jackpot, but not every draw produced a winner. This time, there was one winning ticket.

Outside the prize center, many reporters awaited the arrival of the lucky winner.

Yan Xuan felt a chill run up his spine as he watched from a distance.

He had indeed won, but he had no intention of letting the world know—a sentiment every lottery winner must experience.

After some thought, he wandered into nearby shops, bought a hat, and a mask.

If money weren’t so tight, he would’ve bought a fake wig as well.

Bracing himself, he pushed open the door. The reporters at the entrance eyed him suspiciously. “Sir, are you here to claim a prize?”