The fashion world was a battlefield, and with Su Nian's recent victory at the Golden Needle Fashion Competition, her reputation had skyrocketed. But as the spotlight grew brighter, so did the shadows of those who sought to bring her down.
It started with a subtle shift—whispers in the fashion world, quiet rumors spreading among designers, stylists, and influencers. Su Nian felt it on her first day back at the studio, as her team seemed unusually tense. Then, her assistant, Li Mei, pulled her aside.
"Su Nian," Li Mei's voice was urgent, "have you heard about Tang Xue?"
Su Nian frowned, unsure of where this was heading. "Tang Xue? The designer from Beijing?"
Li Mei nodded. "She's been making waves on social media, and she's coming for you. I overheard some of the staff saying she's got a new collection that's… inspired by yours."
Su Nian's heart sank. Tang Xue was a renowned designer with a reputation for being ruthless. She had a following in the industry, and her designs were elegant and bold—but Su Nian had always believed her own work to be just as original.
"Is she copying my designs?" Su Nian asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"It's not just about copying," Li Mei said quietly. "She's trying to undermine you. Rumor is, she plans to reveal a collection that will overshadow yours in the upcoming season. And she's already pulling strings to get it into the biggest fashion shows."
Su Nian's chest tightened. She had worked so hard to get to this point—fighting tooth and nail to prove herself in an industry that rarely made space for newcomers. And now, it seemed like someone was going to try to take it all away.
Later that evening, Su Nian sat at the dinner table, swirling her glass of wine absentmindedly. Lu Cheng watched her from across the table, his brow furrowing in concern as he noticed the tension in her posture.
"Something's bothering you," he said softly, his voice gentle but firm.
Su Nian looked up at him, her eyes shadowed with frustration. "There's a new designer, Tang Xue. She's… coming after me. Trying to steal my designs, undermine my work. It feels like she's trying to destroy everything I've built."
Lu Cheng's expression hardened. "I won't let anyone take what's yours, NianNian. You've worked too hard for this."
Su Nian shook her head, her hands gripping the edge of her glass. "It's not just about the designs. It's the way people in this industry work. They don't care about talent or hard work. It's all about who has the most influence, the most connections."
He stood up and walked over to her, his hands resting on her shoulders. "You've got something more important than that, NianNian. You've got the heart and soul that no one can replicate. People like Tang Xue might be able to mimic designs, but they can't mimic your passion. Your vision."
Su Nian's eyes softened as she gazed up at him, grateful for his unwavering belief in her. "But what if it's not enough?"
Lu Cheng knelt in front of her, lifting her chin so that their eyes met. "It will always be enough. Because no one else in this world is you."
Her heart fluttered at his words, and for a moment, the worries of the world seemed to vanish. But the reality of the situation remained, and Su Nian knew she had to prepare herself for what lay ahead.
The next few weeks were a blur of anxiety and preparation. Su Nian poured every ounce of her energy into creating her next collection, determined to prove to the world—and to herself—that she could withstand any challenge.
But as the days passed, the pressure mounted. She heard more and more about Tang Xue's upcoming collection, and it was clear that the other designer was not only copying elements of her designs but actively working to overshadow Su Nian's reputation. The whispers became louder, and the industry began to take notice.
One afternoon, while Su Nian was working late at the studio, she received an unexpected visitor—none other than Tang Xue herself.
The other woman walked into the room with a confident, almost mocking smile. "Su Nian, congratulations on your recent success," Tang Xue said, her tone smooth but laced with subtle venom. "It must be nice to know that your designs are finally being noticed by someone who matters."
Su Nian stood up, her gaze sharp. "What do you want, Tang Xue?"
"I just wanted to congratulate you in person," Tang Xue said, her eyes scanning the room. "It must be so gratifying, knowing that you're being copied by someone with such an established reputation. Don't worry—I'll make sure everyone knows where the real talent lies."
Su Nian's heart raced. It was clear Tang Xue wasn't here for pleasantries. "If you think you can intimidate me, you're wrong," she said firmly. "I don't need to prove myself to you or anyone else. My designs speak for themselves."
Tang Xue smiled, her eyes gleaming with cold amusement. "We'll see about that, won't we?"
And with that, she turned and left, leaving Su Nian standing in the silence of her studio, her chest heavy with the weight of the impending battle.
Later that night, after Tang Xue's visit, Su Nian found herself sitting beside Lu Cheng on the balcony of their penthouse, the city lights twinkling in the distance.
"You don't have to face her alone," Lu Cheng said, his voice a low rumble in the quiet night. "I'll take care of it. You don't have to waste your energy on her."
Su Nian shook her head. "No. I want to do this myself. I've always fought for what I've wanted. I won't let anyone take that away from me, Cheng."
Lu Cheng's jaw clenched, his protective instincts kicking in. "You don't have to fight this alone, NianNian. Let me handle it."
But Su Nian turned to face him, her expression determined. "I don't want to be anyone's 'project' or 'charity case'. I'll handle this in my own way, with my own strength."
His gaze softened as he cupped her cheek, his thumb gently tracing her skin. "I respect that. But know that I'm here for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I'll be by your side."
Su Nian smiled, the warmth of his love settling in her chest. "Thank you, Cheng. I can do this."
As the days passed, Su Nian threw herself into her work. She had her doubts, yes, but there was something deeper than fear driving her forward—her passion, her ambition, and the love and support she found in Lu Cheng.
She wouldn't let anyone take what was hers… not even Tang Xue.