The days after the gala were a blur for Su Nian. The memories of the dance, of Rémi's persistence, and of her unfinished conversation with Lu Cheng gnawed at her. She hadn't felt like this in months—pulled in two directions, questioning everything.
Was she being unfair to Lu Cheng? Should she have been more open about her discomfort? Yet, in Paris, she was chasing her dreams, and nothing could derail that.
The Workshop.
The next few days in the workshop were tense. The competition was heating up, and the designs for the mini collection were due in just a few days. But it wasn't just the work that was taking its toll.
Her interactions with Rémi grew more complicated. He was persistent, offering constant advice, and despite her polite rejections, there was an intensity in his gaze that made her uneasy. He seemed to hover around her, making her feel like she was constantly under a spotlight.
Clara noticed this and reached out to her.
"Su Nian," Clara said one morning while they were working on sketches. "Is everything okay? You've been distant lately."
Su Nian sighed. "It's just… I'm distracted. The work, and… well, I'm not used to this kind of attention."
Clara gave her a knowing look. "Attention from men like Rémi?"
Su Nian nodded, frustration lacing her voice. "He's just persistent. I've told him I'm married, but he doesn't listen."
Clara raised an eyebrow. "You need to set clearer boundaries. The last thing you want is to get wrapped up in his flirtations. He's a master at it."
"I know," Su Nian muttered, staring down at her sketchbook. "It's just… I miss Lu Cheng."
Clara smiled softly, her tone understanding. "I know. It's hard being far from your husband. But don't forget why you're here. You're here to build your future. Focus on that."
Su Nian nodded, but the truth was, she wasn't sure she could focus on anything else until she cleared the air with Lu Cheng.
That night, after another long day in the workshop, Su Nian finally found a moment to call Lu Cheng.
Her phone rang twice before he answered.
"Su Nian," his voice came through, low and tight. "You didn't answer my messages earlier. I was getting worried."
"I'm sorry, I was… busy," she replied, guilt bubbling in her chest. "It's just the gala, the designs… everything is happening so fast."
"I told you to be careful with Rémi," he said, his voice darker than usual.
She frowned. "I told you, it's not like that. He's just being friendly, trying to be a mentor. I'm not interested in him."
There was a long pause on the other end. Then he spoke again, his voice icy. "He's been flirting with you. I know that much."
Su Nian's heart skipped a beat. "What? How do you know?"
"I have my ways," he said, his tone sharp. "I don't like it, Nian Nian. I don't like seeing you around him."
She could almost feel the tension radiating through the phone. "I'm not doing anything wrong. Please trust me."
"I do trust you," he replied, though the words seemed hesitant. "But I don't trust him. And I don't like the way you're being treated like some kind of prize."
"I'm not a prize, Cheng," she said, her voice trembling. "I don't need anyone to fight over me. I'm here for my career, not for his attention."
Another silence followed, but this time it was heavier. She could sense his frustration, his jealousy, and his protectiveness. And for the first time, she realized how much that feeling mirrored her own.
"I'm sorry for not calling more," she added quietly. "I should have told you what was going on. I don't want you to feel like I'm hiding things from you."
"I don't want you to feel like I'm controlling you," he said, his voice softening. "I just… I'm trying to protect you. I love you too much to let anyone else get too close."
"I love you, too," she whispered back.
The call ended with a mutual sense of understanding, though the unease in her chest remained. She knew that their relationship was on the edge, fragile and uncertain in this new environment.
The morning after the call, Su Nian found herself standing in front of her workbench, staring at her half-finished designs. Clara had noticed her distracted mood.
"Something wrong?" Clara asked, taking a seat next to her.
Su Nian sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I think I need to make a decision, Clara. I love Lu Cheng, but I can't keep living with this weight on my shoulders. This… feeling of being torn between two worlds."
Clara's eyes softened. "It's hard, isn't it? But the only way out is through. You need to trust him, and trust yourself. It's easy to let the distance change things, but the one thing that won't change is your commitment to each other."
Su Nian nodded, but she still wasn't sure how to bridge the gap that had formed between them.
Later that night, after another exhausting day at the workshop, Su Nian sat on the edge of her bed and dialed Lu Cheng's number.
This time, he answered immediately.
"I miss you, Nian Nian," he said, his voice soft and filled with longing. "I miss hearing your voice."
"I miss you, too," she replied, her heart aching. "I don't want things to be awkward between us. I want us to be okay."
"We will be," he said firmly. "But you need to tell me if something is bothering you. I can't help you if I don't know."
She hesitated, then let out a breath. "It's not just Rémi. It's everything. The distance, the pressure of being here, the competition… I feel like I'm losing myself."
He was silent for a long moment before speaking again, his tone serious. "Nian Nian, you're not losing yourself. But you're putting too much weight on your shoulders. You've always been strong, but even the strongest people need someone to lean on."
"I know," she whispered. "But I feel like I'm alone here."
"You're not alone," he said softly. "You'll never be alone. I'm always here. I'm just a call away."
A lump formed in her throat. "Promise me, Cheng. Promise me we'll make it through this."
"I promise," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "I love you, Nian Nian. And nothing will change that."