The days after the midnight conversation with Lu Cheng were a whirlwind for Su Nian. She tried to focus on her work at the academy, but the uncertainty swirling around her heart was impossible to ignore. Lu Cheng's promises to always be there were comforting, but the distance between them made her feel like their connection was slowly fraying.
And it wasn't just the distance from Lu Cheng that was weighing on her mind.
Su Nian had been working tirelessly on her final design for the upcoming competition when a new challenge emerged. During one of her design sessions, Clara pulled her aside, her face tense.
"Su Nian," Clara began, her voice serious, "there's something you should know."
Su Nian's brow furrowed. "What's going on?"
Clara glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before leaning closer. "There's a designer in the academy who's been spreading rumors about you."
Su Nian's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of rumors?"
Clara hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with what she was about to say. "They're saying you're only here because of your… connection to Lu Cheng. That you got in because of him, not because of your talent."
Su Nian's stomach dropped. She had always worked so hard to get where she was. The idea that someone was undermining her achievements, especially in a place like Aube Blanc, stung deeply.
"Who's doing this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Camila," Clara said, her voice filled with disgust. "She's been making it clear that she doesn't think you belong here."
Su Nian's fists clenched at her sides. She had seen Camila before—one of the more popular students at Aube Blanc. Su Nian had always dismissed her as someone who was just jealous of her talent. But this… this was something more.
"I'll deal with it," Su Nian said, her voice steady despite the fury simmering inside.
The next day, after class, Su Nian found herself face-to-face with Camila. The other girl was standing with a group of students, laughing as if she owned the entire room. As Su Nian approached, her presence caught their attention.
"Well, well," Camila said, her tone dripping with false sweetness. "If it isn't the little designer who thinks she's too good for this place."
Su Nian stood tall, her eyes unwavering. "I'm here because I deserve to be. Not because of anyone else. But I guess you wouldn't understand that."
Camila's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "Oh, I understand perfectly. You don't have to thank Lu Cheng for getting you in. We all know how powerful he is."
Su Nian clenched her jaw, refusing to let the insult get under her skin. "I don't need his help to prove myself. But I'm sure you wouldn't mind if someone did help you, would you?"
Camila's eyes narrowed. "You're just jealous because you know you don't belong here. No one takes you seriously, Su Nian. They all know how you got in."
The words were sharp, but Su Nian didn't flinch. "Keep telling yourself that," she said calmly, her voice like ice. "I'll show you just how serious I am when I win this competition."
With that, Su Nian turned and walked away, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this was only the beginning. Camila wouldn't stop. But neither would she.
That night, as Su Nian sat in her dorm room, staring at the unfinished designs on her desk, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Lu Cheng.
"I'm coming to Paris."
Su Nian's heart skipped a beat. She quickly dialed his number, wanting to know what was going on.
"You're coming?" she asked, her voice betraying her excitement.
"I'll be there in two days," Lu Cheng said, his tone firm. "I don't trust this situation. I've heard about Camila and the rumors she's spreading. I don't want you dealing with this alone."
Su Nian's breath caught in her throat. She didn't want him to come—she didn't want to seem weak, as if she couldn't handle things on her own. But hearing his voice, so protective and firm, made her heart ache.
"You don't have to," she said quietly. "I can handle it."
"I know you can," he replied. "But I don't want you to have to. I'm coming to be with you, Nian Nian. Don't argue with me on this."
She could hear the determination in his voice. There was no room for discussion.
"Okay," she whispered, her heart fluttering. "I'll see you soon."
Two days later, Su Nian was pacing outside the academy gates, waiting for Lu Cheng to arrive. She hadn't expected him to come so soon, and the idea of seeing him again after everything felt like a bittersweet relief.
The moment his car pulled up, she could hardly contain her excitement. Lu Cheng stepped out, looking every bit the CEO he was—sharp, confident, and undeniably handsome. But there was something else in his eyes today. Something darker.
He walked toward her, his gaze fixed on her face. "You look tired," he said, his voice softening when he saw the exhaustion in her eyes.
"I'm fine," Su Nian replied, trying to smile. "I've just been… busy."
He didn't buy it. "I'm not here just for you to pretend everything's okay, Nian Nian."
Before she could respond, he reached out, pulling her into a tight hug. Su Nian stiffened at first, but then melted into his embrace. She didn't realize how much she had missed him until he was right there, holding her.
"Tell me what's going on," Lu Cheng said, his voice low, as if every word was meant to comfort her.
Su Nian hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Camila… she's spreading rumors about me. Saying I don't belong here. That I'm only here because of you."
Lu Cheng's expression darkened. "I'll take care of it," he said, his voice steely. "No one disrespects you, Nian Nian. Not even her."
"I don't want you to get involved," she replied quickly. "This is my battle, not yours."
He stepped back, looking at her seriously. "No. You're not doing this alone. Not now, not ever."
Later that evening, after a quiet dinner in one of Paris's chicest restaurants, the tension between them grew. Lu Cheng's protective instincts were in full force, and it made Su Nian uneasy. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her as they sat across from each other.
"You know, I'm proud of you," he said, breaking the silence. "You're strong. And you don't need anyone's approval to prove who you are."
"I'm just trying to do my best," Su Nian replied, pushing the food around on her plate. "But sometimes it feels like I'm fighting everyone."
"You're not fighting alone," he said firmly, his voice filled with determination. "Not anymore. I'm here, Nian Nian. Always."