The city morning arrived softly, brushing light over the glass panels of Ling Atelier.
Inside, silver and gold glimmered across velvet trays, and the faint scent of jasmine filled the air.
Xu Ling was already at her workstation, hair tied up, sleeves rolled past her elbows, a precision torch in one hand and a delicate ring in the other.
She was not the timid girl fate had once played with.
She had rebuilt her world one gemstone at a time — with will sharper than the blades she used to
"Good morning, Madam Xu," said Mei, her young salesgirl, stepping in with a bright smile.
"The courier dropped off more invitations. And the Golden Spoon's secretary called again about the Gala showcase."
Xu Ling didn't look up. "Did they confirm the table slot?"
"Yes, ma'am. Front section. Right beside Han Group's display booth."
Xu Ling's movements paused. That name again.
"Han Group?" she repeated calmly.
"Yes. The same one that ordered two custom sets from your last collection."
Xu Ling's lips curved faintly. "Then they'll see who they once overlooked."
Before Mei could reply, the door chimed.
A woman in heels and diamonds walked in — Madam Liu, a member of the Golden Spoon circle.
Her voice carried the arrogance of someone who thought wealth meant importance.
"Miss Xu," she said curtly. "I ordered sapphire earrings, but this shade looks… cheap. Did you run out of quality stones?"
Xu Ling placed the tray before her, calm as still water. "Madam Liu, that sapphire was cut from Ceylon-grade stock. If it looks cheap to you, perhaps the lighting isn't the problem."
Madam Liu blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You may return it," Xu Ling continued, tone level, "but please refrain from questioning my craftsmanship unless you've made jewelry yourself."
The woman's face flushed scarlet. "You— You're quite bold for a designer!"
Xu Ling met her gaze without blinking. "No. I'm simply someone who knows her worth."
The silence thickened. Then, from behind, a familiar male voice spoke.
"Madam Liu," Wang Zheng said coolly, stepping through the door, "I believe this establishment doesn't bargain with arrogance. Shall I call someone to escort you out?"
Madam Liu paled. Everyone in the capital knew who he was — and that he rarely wasted words.
She muttered something about "wrong timing" and hurried out.
Mei exhaled shakily. "Madam Xu… she's one of the board's main wives!"
Xu Ling shrugged. "So? Politeness is earned, not inherited."
Wang Zheng's lips twitched. "You're terrifying when you're calm."
She smirked faintly. "I'm just tired of bowing to noise."
Later that afternoon, Xu Ling met with her supplier in the studio lounge.
She negotiated prices with quiet strength — never raising her voice, never backing down.
Wang Zheng watched from the side, pretending to read, but his eyes never left her.
Every time she corrected a figure or calmly dismantled a greedy offer, something stirred in him — admiration disguised as interest.
"You're enjoying this," she said after the supplier left.
"Watching someone win without shouting?" Wang Zheng replied. "Yes, I am."
Xu Ling chuckled softly. "You're insufferable."
"True," he said lightly. "But I'm yours to endure."
She rolled her eyes, but her lips betrayed a faint smile.
---
The Invitation
As dusk settled, Mei returned with a golden envelope.
"Madam Xu, another invitation. From Han Group."
Xu Ling opened it slowly.
> "Madam Xu Ling,
You are cordially invited to showcase Ling Atelier's exclusive collection at the Golden Spoon Charity Gala.
Venue: Han Plaza Grand Hall
Date: One week from today
Signed, Han Yue — CEO, Han Group."
Her gaze lingered on that name.
Once, Han Yue's voice had been full of pity and fake concern. Now, it carried weight she no longer feared.
"Are you going?" Wang Zheng asked.
"Yes," she said simply. "They used to whisper behind me. Now they'll have to speak my name."
---
At Home — The Twins
That night, back at the Wang estate, the twins were at their usual mischief.
"Xiwei, don't throw that—"
Too late. A gemstone bead rolled under the couch.
"Oops," Xiwei said, grinning.
Xichen quickly added, "Mama, it wasn't me this time."
Xu Ling sighed, sitting between them on the floor. "You two are going to give me white hair before I turn thirty."
"Grandma Wang says that's because we're smart," Xiwei said proudly.
"Grandma Wang says many things," Xu Ling muttered, half smiling.
Wang Zheng walked in, arms crossed. "And none of them include breaking her favorite vases."
The twins looked at each other. "It was a small vase," Xichen mumbled.
Xu Ling chuckled. "You sound just like your father."
---
Elsewhere — The Chen Group's Shadow
Meanwhile, across the ocean in another country, the Chen Group's private investigators were closing in.
In a quiet office, Chen Yiran, the youngest brother, dropped a file on the table.
"Found her trace in a small jewelry feature in The Artisan Weekly. The brand name — Ling Atelier. Registered under Xu Ling."
Across from him, Madam Chen's fingers trembled slightly. "She's alive…"
The eldest brother, Chen Wei, frowned. "Quiet. We don't move yet. Not until we know who she's with."
Chen Yiran flipped through the photographs. One caught his attention — Xu Ling smiling faintly beside a tall man in a suit, holding a child's hand.
"Looks like she's not alone," he muttered.
Chen Wei's expression hardened. "Then we'll make her come back."
---
Back in her studio, Xu Ling locked up, unaware that her past had just begun to stir awake.
As she turned off the lights, her phone buzzed with an anonymous message:
> "Beautiful work, Madam Xu. You've made quite the name for yourself.
— An Old Friend."
She stared at the screen, brows furrowing — and then, slowly, she deleted the message.
"Let them look," she murmured under her breath. "They'll find a woman they can no longer break."