The applause from the competition still echoed in Su Nian's mind as she sat in the back of Lu Cheng's car, her heart racing with excitement and exhaustion. She had won. The Golden Needle Fashion Competition was hers, and with it, a wealth of opportunities awaited her. But with success came new challenges, and Su Nian couldn't help but wonder what price she would have to pay for this new chapter in her life.
The next few days were a whirlwind. Su Nian's phone buzzed nonstop with messages from potential sponsors, fashion magazines, and even international design houses interested in her work. It felt like the world had suddenly opened up for her, but as the flood of opportunities flooded her inbox, so too did the weight of expectations.
The fashion world was unforgiving. She had already felt the undercurrents of jealousy from other designers, and now, she could sense their competition rising. More than ever, Su Nian needed to stay focused on her dreams—dreams that no longer just involved her designs, but the future she shared with Lu Cheng.
The success of the competition should have been a time for celebration, but Su Nian found herself growing more and more exhausted. The pressure was unrelenting, and the stakes were higher than ever. It wasn't just about proving herself anymore—it was about maintaining her place at the top.
One evening, after another exhausting day filled with meetings and design pitches, Su Nian returned to their apartment to find Lu Cheng waiting for her, his expression tired but warm.
"NianNian, come here." He pulled her into his arms the moment she stepped through the door, his embrace grounding her in a way nothing else could.
She sank into him, her face pressed against his chest. "I'm so tired, Cheng. It feels like I can't catch my breath anymore."
Lu Cheng's hands stroked her hair softly, his voice low and comforting. "I know, NianNian. I know you're overwhelmed. But you don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you."
Su Nian closed her eyes, taking solace in his words. For a moment, the chaos of the outside world faded, and all that mattered was the safety she found in his arms.
"I don't know how to handle all of this," she admitted, her voice trembling. "It's like the world expects me to be perfect. But I'm just... me."
Lu Cheng pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, his gaze full of understanding. "You are perfect to me, NianNian. And that's all that matters. You don't need to be anyone else. Just be you."
She smiled softly, feeling the weight in her chest lighten just a little. "Thank you, Cheng. I don't know what I'd do without you."
His lips brushed against her forehead, his voice steady. "You'll never have to find out. I'm always going to be here."
The next morning, Su Nian was faced with an unexpected visitor—Yanmei. The other designer had been quiet since the competition, but her sudden appearance at Su Nian's door was anything but a coincidence.
"You've made quite a name for yourself, Su Nian," Yanmei said with a sneer, her eyes scanning the apartment before settling back on Su Nian. "But I wonder how long that will last. You think you've won, but it's just a matter of time before someone knocks you off your pedestal."
Su Nian stood her ground, refusing to be intimidated. "If you think your threats are going to scare me, you're wrong, Yanmei. I didn't get here by playing games. I earned this."
Yanmei stepped closer, her voice lowering. "You may have earned your place for now, but don't think people will keep believing in you forever. Especially when your marriage to Lu Cheng is all anyone's talking about."
The words hit hard. Su Nian felt a surge of frustration, but she pushed it down, choosing to focus on what really mattered. "I didn't marry Lu Cheng for status or attention. And I won't let anyone define my success by my relationship."
Yanmei's lips curled into a smirk. "We'll see how long that lasts. There's always someone waiting to take your place."
With that, she turned and walked out, leaving Su Nian standing in the doorway, her heart pounding. The game was far from over.
As Su Nian's career skyrocketed, her relationship with Lu Cheng began to face subtle strains. The demands on her time were growing, and her focus on work was leaving less and less time for the two of them. She spent hours on her designs, attended meetings, and gave countless interviews.
But as her schedule grew more packed, Lu Cheng started noticing the distance between them.
One evening, as Su Nian finished a phone call with a fashion consultant, Lu Cheng stood by the window, looking out at the city skyline. His expression was unreadable, but Su Nian could sense something was off.
"Cheng, what's wrong?" she asked, walking toward him.
He turned to face her, his brow furrowed. "It's nothing. Just... you've been so busy lately. I miss us, NianNian. We used to spend so much time together, but now... it feels like I'm just another part of your schedule."
Su Nian's heart sank. "I'm sorry, Cheng. I didn't mean for things to change like this. I just... I don't know how to handle everything that's happening right now."
"I know you're under a lot of pressure," he said, his voice softening. "But I need you to remember that I'm here, too. I want to be a part of your life, not just a background figure."
The pain in his voice was unmistakable, and Su Nian felt the weight of her neglect settle in. She had been so consumed by the whirlwind of her success that she hadn't realized how much Lu Cheng needed her, too.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, walking toward him and taking his hand in hers. "I promise I'll do better. I don't want to lose you."
Lu Cheng's expression softened, his thumb brushing over her hand. "You won't lose me, NianNian. But we need to find a balance. You can't do everything alone. Let me help you."
Su Nian nodded, grateful for his patience. "I'll make it work. For us."
The days that followed were a delicate balance between her career and her relationship with Lu Cheng. Slowly, Su Nian learned to prioritize her time, carving out moments just for the two of them. They started taking quiet walks in the evenings, going to dinners, and even planning little getaways when they could.
Lu Cheng had been right all along: they were in this together, and they needed to fight for their love just as much as Su Nian fought for her dreams.
And though the road ahead was uncertain, Su Nian knew one thing for sure: no matter what challenges came their way, they would face them side by side.