"N.A.?"
Shao Yinan felt the name tug at the edge of his memory. He'd seen work signed with that moniker at the Qi family's jewelry showcase—noticed it because Qi Siran had been bragging about it for half the evening.
"So that old man wants you to go and invite some ghostly, never-seen designer called N.A.?" He sounded cold; the chill in his voice cut through the room.
Wen Yin nodded, casual as ever. "Yes. Director Shao said it might help get Shaohua more attention."
A dark slice of doubt crossed Shao Yinan's face, but he kept his restraint when he looked at her. He'd only been away from the company a day and already things were being stirred.
"So you were forced to agree?"
"Who do you find when nobody's ever seen them in public?" Shao rubbed the bridge of his nose, tired. He'd just started sorting Shaohua's affairs and still had a mountain of handovers to finish. By the time he picked Wen up it would be late.
Wen pushed a cup of hot water toward him. "Don't worry. I'll do my best."
Do his best: words that meant more than reassurance. Shao Yinan glanced up and caught the flash of mischief in her eyes. He narrowed his lids almost imperceptibly; a theory began to form.
"You're confident?"
He lifted his eyelid slowly, the look in his eyes softened by a faint affection that made him almost cruelly handsome.
Wen's lips curved in a lazy, knowing smile. "This project will move forward. I'll have N.A. here within the deadline you set."
Shao quirked a brow—just the smallest motion—and it sharpened his face into something dangerously handsome.
"You and N.A. are close?"
Shao fed her a slice of watermelon. The juice burst across her tongue; she was about to answer when his low chuckle cut through.
"Or maybe you pulled off something behind my back?"
There was a teasing catch to his voice, seductive as a hook.
Wen met his eyes. In that moment she clearly saw amusement ripple across him. She smiled without haste, all languid charm.
"That, you’ll only find out when the time comes."
Night deepened. The guest room was dim and shaded under a warm yellow light. Through his gold-rimmed glasses, Shao Yinan's profile looked severe. After a long pause he reached for his phone.
No matter what happened, he wanted Ah Yin to be impeccable.
"Look into N.A.," he said, voice flat.
When he finished the sentence his gaze gathered darkness. You just take the stage and be brilliant, Ah Yin. I'll take care of the rest.
—-
Qi Siran sat back in a chair propped with a pillow someone had thoughtfully put behind her. "So she really said yes to Uncle Shao?"
She hadn't bothered with makeup that day; her face was paler than usual.
Qi Siqing pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "Yes. She said yes."
"N.A. has never shown up in any media. Where on earth are you supposed to find them?" He was as baffled as anyone. Wen Yin had surprised him with her boldness—just agreeing to Shao Qi's request like that.
Qi Siran's mouth lifted in a smile that had a trace of meaning. "Let's see how many tricks Shao Yinan can play."
To her, Wen Yin would never have made such a boast without Mr. Shao to back her up. Everything about it seemed protected by his name.
"Anyway, we'll just sit back and watch," Qi Siqing said. His mind wandered back to the first time he'd seen Wen Yin—calm when disaster struck moments before a show, composed enough to fix everything and still send her piece down the runway perfectly.
He closed his eyes. Wen Yin was far more than Siran had guessed.
Word that Wen Yin had been tasked to invite N.A. spread through Shaohua quickly. As she climbed the stairs she felt the watchful, half-formed looks that followed behind her. She paid them no mind; she only needed to finish what was hers to do.
"Wen Yin—"
As soon as she stepped into the studio, the other designers swarmed, curiosity bubbling like water. Wen kept her expression flat, talking as if they were discussing what they'd had for lunch.
"The project continues. Another team will pick up the new work," she said.
A few of them were privy to the rumors. "But didn't you take charge of the jewelry piece? Why is it being reassigned…?"
The voice trailed off; everyone knew this was Director Shao pressuring her. If you could avoid mentioning it, you did.
Wen's tone, however, was steady as an anchor. "The division of labor will go according to the original plan. Don't worry."
That one sentence settled nerves. The designers, reassured by her poise, returned to their stations and the studio hummed on in order.
With only one day left until the deadline Shao Qi had set, Wen Yin kept at her remaining work.
Outside the design office, Shao Yuanjia stood a short distance away. From his angle he could see Wen bowed over her desk, hair catching sunlight that sliced through the window in thin, golden pieces. The light fell on her face, making her skin look porcelain-perfect. Backlit, he could even see the faint down on her cheek.
Her focused expression and delicate features were enough to enchant a lot of men.
Shao Yuanjia narrowed his eyes with barely a hint of calculation. Now he understood why his younger brother had latched on to her.
His assistant, attentive, offered help. "President Shao, shall I ask Designer Wen to come by and report the project's progress?"
Shao glanced at him, then turned as if to leave. The assistant's eager smile faded at the sight of the new boss's inscrutable manner.
A few seconds later Shao Yuanjia's voice drifted back to him, light and casual. "Have her come to my office."
When Wen pushed open the door, Shao was sitting behind his desk with plain glasses on, scanning a stack of papers. He bore a resemblance to Shao Yinan, though his expression was altogether more playful.
"President Shao." She set the file she'd organized on his desk and met his eyes—eyes that held a hint of amusement.
"How's the new project coming along?" Shao asked, his smile folding up.
Wen didn't seem eager to chat. "Everything's in the files you have."
That was meant to say: don't make small talk with me.
"And N.A.? Have you found them?" Shao asked, knowing full well the deadline Director Shao had imposed.
Wen lowered her lashes. Calm, untroubled. "I've already invited N.A."