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aishangotome · 11 days

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Main Story Chapter 16-03: Before the Storm (暴雨來臨前) | Light and Night 光與夜之戀

Chapter 16-01.

♡———♡

The TV news was reporting the latest developments in the Sun Taizhong case. The investigation had revealed that his father had also been a doctor who had mistakenly administered the wrong medication during an emergency, resulting in the death of a patient who could have been saved.

A familiar name, a familiar case. A little over a month ago, I was also part of this case, following Jesse through crime scenes and the Lianshan Society, searching for clues and evidence.

Life suddenly took a turn, and things that were once far away from me became my daily routine.

During those days, I often had a premonition that I would say goodbye to my peaceful life.

However, after that day, such a life suddenly stopped. The situation developed beyond imagination. Tangyuan and I made a three-chapter agreement that I would no longer participate, but he promised to inform me of any progress as soon as possible.

My life returned to what it was before, going to work and coming home, a two-point line. It was like having a very long dream, and I accidentally overslept but still woke up. I don't know if this is considered lucky or not.

Buzzing... After washing up, I was about to go to bed when WeChat messages suddenly started popping up non-stop.

I unlocked my phone and saw that Mao Ge had pulled me into a gossip group. Messages were popping up one after another, and I couldn't even finish reading them.

Mao Ge: Don't sleep, everyone! Wake up, wake up! Big gossip!

Li Manman: It's 1:30 in the morning, dude. Don't you have work tomorrow?

Hao Shuai: I'm listening, I'm listening. I just finished working out and got home, just in time for the gossip.

Mao Ge: If it was just ordinary gossip, would I wake you guys up? This is a big deal that concerns our future!

Mao Ge: Highlight! Key point!

Mao Ge: You are not allowed to spread what I'm about to say. I'm risking my life to create this group, and I'll disband it after I'm done.

Mao Ge: Have you heard of our company's employee committee?

You: What is that?

Mao Ge: Simply put, it's an official organization between the employees and the management.

Mao Ge: It's composed of primary employees and supervises things like the company infringing on employee rights.

Mao Ge: The employee committee at Wan Zhen also has 1.5 votes to participate in the board of directors.

Li Manman: What is all this about? Please double the speed, you're making me even sleepier.

Mao Ge: The key point is coming. Your friend, me, is a member of the employee committee. Keep it low-key.

Hao Shuai: Damn, when did you become an official? How come I didn't know?!

Mao Ge: When you were slacking off.

Mao Ge: You guys know I've been stuck as a junior designer for five years.

Mao Ge: How many five years can a person waste? I have to find a way out for myself.

Hao Shuai: You could just lie down like me, so comfortable. Happiness is the most important thing, we're not living for the company.

Mao Ge: You have a way out, you can always go back home and inherit the factory.

Mao Ge: I don't, and the rent, internet fees, water, and electricity bills are teaching me a lesson every second.

Mao Ge: I regret wasting those years before, now the gap between me and Jiang Lai is so big.

Mao Ge: Getting off topic, getting off topic. Anyway, the point is, Wan Zhen's top management is going to have a reshuffle.

Hao Shuai: A battle of the gods, this will be interesting to watch. Are you guys betting? I'll bet a month's worth of lunch.

Mao Ge: You're stupid, a battle of the gods will harm the common people. The results of the reshuffle are closely related to our future.

Li Manman: Exactly, you're stupid!

Li Manman: The PR department's overhaul is right in front of us, I don't want to pack up and leave, or be transferred to some marginal position.

Mao Ge: As you know, the chairman's position is definitely unshakeable, but this time, the vice chairman, it's worth watching.

Mao Ge: According to unreliable sources, the new PR director has a strong background, and he recommended Mr. Evan to run for vice chairman.

Hao Shuai: Who was the original vice chairman?

Li Manman: I seriously suspect you left your brain at the gym, it's Lu Ting, of course.

Mao Ge: Originally, there was no suspense about the vice chairman position, but now with Mr. Evan joining, wow, it's a stimulating battlefield!

Li Manman: You say that and I suddenly feel energized! So we get to see a real business war?

Mao Ge: A real business war is actually quite boring, it's all about secretly stealing votes, hiring marketing accounts, and stuff like that.

Mao Ge: The key point I want to say today is that in the next two months, we all need to be careful with our words and actions.

Li Manman: ?

Mao Ge: Did you know that Mr. Evan's current approval rating is not as high as Lu Ting's?

Hao Shuai: Mao Ge, it's a pity you're not a spy.

Mao Ge: You flatter me, I actually analyzed it from three aspects: rumors, micro-expressions, and human nature.

Li Manman: No mutual flattery, get to the point.

Mao Ge: Listen to my analysis.

Mao Ge: Mr. Evan has only been here for a short year, and many employees don't really know him, and Pristine had some problems before.

Mao Ge: Although they made a comeback, the process was still very thrilling.

Mao Ge: As employees, we definitely want to see the company stable, so that our jobs can be stable.

Mao Ge: Besides, Lu Ting has been running the company for many years, and he definitely has more people on his side than Mr. Evan. Doesn't it make perfect sense?

Mao Ge: So if we want Mr. Evan to win, the design center must not have any problems in these two months.

Mao Ge: And it's best to achieve some results.

Mao Ge: After all, before Director Qi left, he handed over the design center to Mr. Evan, and we're all in the same boat with him now.

Li Manman: I understand what you mean. You're saying that if we're caught making mistakes, it's inevitable that they'll use it against Mr. Evan.

Li Manman: Even if we don't make mistakes, they might deliberately find fault with us.

Mao Ge: Exactly!

Li Manman: Hao Shuai, did you hear that? Shut up starting tomorrow.

Hao Shuai: Why are you blaming me again? I'll just eavesdrop less in the bathroom.

Mao Ge: The committee will start investigating their reputation among the employees tomorrow and calculate their support rates. Be careful.

Li Manman: Don't worry about my mouth. But why isn't Jiang Lai in the group? We need to tell her too, should I add her?

Mao Ge: No, no, no! She's on a business trip, she's a light sleeper, and if she's woken up, she won't be in good spirits. I'll tell her in the morning.

Li Manman: Why did I have to open my mouth? You continue, you continue.

Li Manman: Especially you, Y/N, you need to be even more careful.

You: Me?

Mao Ge: Yes, you're now the head of Pristine and you've been promoted to intermediate designer.

Mao Ge: The whole company is watching you.

Mao Ge: Have you forgotten that when the director left, the company forum said you were originally Mr. Evan's spy planted next to the director?

Mao Ge: The director left, and you naturally took over.

Li Manman: That was really absurd, and quite a few people actually believed it.

Li Manman: They said you and Mr. Evan had an unspeakable relationship. As expected, the more absurd the gossip, the faster it spreads.

Li Manman: Although our Group A is harmonious, it may not be the case for the entire company.

Li Manman: As long as you're in the workplace, it's inevitable to encounter villains, so it's better to be careful.

You: Hmm, I understand, thank you Manman.

Li Manman: Hao Shuai, why aren't you saying anything?

Hao Shuai: Actually, I'm seriously thinking about something.

Mao Ge: The only thing you think about every day is how to maximize your slacking off at work.

Hao Shuai: I'm more motivated now, aren't I?

Hao Shuai: I'm thinking, the employee committee must need a mascot, right? What do you guys think, how about me?

Mao Ge: ...

Li Manman: My phone is out of battery, goodbye.

Mao Ge: I have been kicked out of this group by myself, 886.

Hao Shuai: Hey, don't leave! Isn't my appearance enough to be the face of the committee? What do you think, Y/N?

You: Oh, I'm suddenly so sleepy. I have to work tomorrow, everyone get some rest!

To escape Hao Shuai's bombardment, we all quickly exited the group chat, leaving the biggest stage to him.

After the interlude, the night returned to silence, and I turned off my phone and lay back on the bed.

It was already past one in the morning, and it should have been the time when I was most sleepy.

However, I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

The human body is sometimes strange. The more you crave sleep, the more awake your consciousness becomes, and your mind even replays the scenes before bed.

I don't know if it's because my emotions were fluctuating just now, disrupting my biological clock, or if what they said made me toss and turn in bed.

I wonder what Evan is doing now? Is he preparing for the election? Is he confident, or is he actually very nervous?

I think he must be nervous. Climbing up is never easy. The higher you go, the more difficult it becomes. People standing on the top of the mountain take big steps, and falling down is actually the norm.

So, besides what Mao Ge said, what else can I do for him?

However, after thinking for a long time, there seems to be nothing else I can do except try my best to do a good job with Pristine.

I know in my heart that this matter is beyond my capabilities. Even if I got promoted, I'm just a designer.

The gap between us is too big. From the moment we met, he has always been the one extending a helping hand to me, without exception.

Even when he said he wouldn't help me anymore, he still helped me a lot unknowingly.

Not only do I rely on him everywhere, but I've also brought him unexpected trouble. I don't even know why he has always helped me unconditionally.

Now rumors are flying around the company, and Lu Ting seems to be paying extra attention to me for various reasons. Any action I take might put Evan in a passive position.

And I can't help but feel his distance. Sometimes he even looks at me with a strange look, maybe he doesn't even realize it. He won't take the initiative to confide his worries and troubles to me.

Thinking of this, I feel even more depressed. The faint light in the corner makes the night seem endless. I kick off the quilt, get out of bed, and turn off the night light.

While squatting on the ground, I suddenly remember that I bought this lamp because of Evan.

Once, during a chat, he said that he felt his eyesight at night seemed to be getting worse, and he had accidentally bumped into the edge of the bed a few times when getting up in the middle of the night.

I laughed and said that he must have eaten too few carrots and lacked vitamin A, but I secretly went to the shopping website to search for night lights.

Most night lights are simple squares or circles, but this one is different. It's shaped like a blue Doraemon, which is rare. I immediately bought it.

I bought two, keeping the other one for myself.

I still remember his surprise when he received it, the helpless expression on his face, as if he wanted to laugh but held back.

In the end, he still accepted it with a smile and sent me several photos of it in use that night. The feeling at that time filled my heart once again, and I couldn't help but lightly tap Doraemon's red nose.

You: If you worried less about me, would you have less trouble?

The night light didn't understand my question and continued to emit a soft, gentle light.

I made a quiet decision in my heart.

I'll stay away from him for now. This time, let Y/N protect Doraemon.

In the end, I didn't turn off the night light. I tossed and turned in bed and fell asleep in a daze, almost missing my alarm the next day.

I barely made it to work on time. As soon as I sat down, before I could even catch my breath, bam - Manman placed a large cardboard box in front of me.

Li Manman: The second batch of samples, the factory sent them over early this morning. Take a look, and if there are no problems, I'll place the order.

Li Manman: Also, purchasing said there's a logistics issue with the acetate fabric you ordered last time, so the delivery will be delayed.

You: Did they say when it will arrive?

Manman quickly flipped through her notes and checked them twice before handing them to me.

Li Manman: Ten days.

You: Ten days? The factory can't wait that long, otherwise, the following orders will pile up.

Li Manman: There's another option. Purchasing recommends using acetate nylon stretch fabric.

Li Manman: It has 10% more luster than the plain weave we ordered.

You: What about the price?

Li Manman: That's the problem. It's more expensive, double the price per meter.

You: That means the cost of each dress would increase by at least 40 yuan, not even considering wastage.

You: 10% more luster does look better, but how much of the cost increase can we absorb?

Li Manman: The current profit margin for this dress is 90 yuan. If the cost increases by 40, we can't absorb it all.

Li Manman: We'll inevitably have to raise the price a bit.

You: Pristine is a budget brand, our target audience prioritizes value for money.

You: It's not appropriate to raise the price just for a 10% improvement in luster.

Li Manman: Agreed. So we'll wait for the fabric?

You: Let's have the factory start on the T-shirt design first. It's simpler and the estimated production time is also around 8 days.

Li Manman: That's right, you're so smart. I'll go talk to them, and you remember to check the samples.

She patted the box and was about to return to her seat when she suddenly leaned in and looked me up and down.

Li Manman: You didn't sleep well last night, did you? Me neither!

Li Manman: It's all Mao Ge's fault, talking about business wars before bed. My head was filled with images of the two CEOs fighting.

Mao Ge: You're lucky. I had a nightmare about being fired and not being able to pay my mortgage.

Hao Shuai: Isn't the loan on your small house in the suburbs almost paid off?

Hao Shuai: Speaking of which, you've been overly frugal lately, not even drinking milk tea. You didn't borrow any high-interest loans, did you?

Mao Ge: Get out of here, stop cursing me. I just feel like I've been spending too much these past few years and haven't saved much money. Can't I just be feeling insecure?

Hao Shuai: That expression doesn't look right. You always touch your neck when you lie. You're definitely hiding something from us. Forget it if you don't want to tell us.

Hao Shuai: Manman, you guys aren't sleeping well because you lack exercise. Come work out with me in the future, a strong body makes everything better.

Li Manman: I was the one who helped you get your gym membership. It's not an exercise issue. People without a care in the world usually sleep well.

Hao Shuai: How do I not have a care in the world? Manman, explain yourself. Last night, you avoided the topic of my looks.

Hao Shuai, who had been happily showing off his muscles, suddenly remembered what happened last night and started chasing Manman around the room, relentlessly demanding an answer.

Li Manman: I surrender, you're a handsome guy. But handsome guy, please focus on work. If we don't finish today, no one gets to leave.

Hao Shuai slumped onto the sofa, his forehead displaying three big words: I'm so tired.

Hao Shuai: Why do people have to go to work every day? Who invented this thing?!

It's no wonder Hao Shuai feels tired. After Sariel left, Pristine was handed over to me. The colleagues who participated in the fashion show naturally became members of the project team.

The unprecedented success of the show raised market expectations for the brand to their peak.

Ever since the official website announced that those clothes would be released as summer new arrivals, the customer service department has been receiving calls from consumers every day, urging progress.

We also started intensive preparations more than a month ago.

To give the factory enough production time, the entire team worked almost every day until late at night.

However, time still seemed to accelerate, and as the date drew closer, the factory also started operating around the clock.

Every two or three days, I had to visit the factory for inspection. Every time I came back from there, the rumbling sound of the machines would linger in my ears for a whole day.

However, this wasn't the entirety of a brand manager's job.

From design, determining the series theme, injecting my own fashion knowledge and aesthetics, to the previously rarely touched areas of procurement, production, new product launch operations, collaboration with other brands...

Even brand marketing required my control and approval.

Pristine became inseparable from me. My every move would affect the life and death of the brand, and the success or failure of the brand would also determine the future of my career.

In a nutshell, I stood in the position Sariel once held.

Dreams suddenly became reality, and with it came power. This was a miracle I wouldn't have dared to dream of a year ago.

I think no matter who it was, no matter how cautious they usually were, once hit by a miracle, they would become bold and have the illusion that they were actually very capable, daring to try anything.

They wouldn't even stop to think about how much luck was involved and whether they could actually live up to it.

It wasn't until I actually stood there that I realized I had overestimated myself and my abilities.

As for the expensive coin of power, freedom and responsibility are its two sides.

No one was there to guide me, point out my shortcomings, and tell me the direction for improvement.

So, when I was first asked about my thoughts on brand marketing, my voice seemed to be stolen, unable to give an answer.

Because I suddenly realized with horror that outside the world of pure creation, I only had a superficial understanding of everything else.

If I made a wrong judgment, it might lead to irreversible consequences.

I think I'll never forget the look in that colleague's eyes at that time, from initial expectation to disappointment to final embarrassment.

A sense of shame quickly spread throughout my body. I knew I urgently needed to break out of the designer's mindset and face reality.

From that day on, I went to the factory every day to understand the unexpected situations that could occur in the actual process and then formulate countermeasures based on them.

Whenever I encountered something I wasn't sure about, I would first imagine myself as Sariel. If it were him, how would he handle it? This method gradually allowed me to make independent judgments and no longer fear making mistakes.

The sense of accomplishment came quickly. Every time I listened to the rhythmic sound of the machines and watched the clothes take shape on the assembly line, I could briefly forget my fatigue.

If only it could always be like this. Unfortunately, fate never follows expectations and always turns against you when things are looking up, embodying the truth that "good things don't come in pairs, bad things don't come singly."

Raw material and shipping costs increased simultaneously, dyeing errors occurred, and excessive wastage - these thorny problems came one after another, catching me off guard.

There were many moments when I thought about giving up, even doubting whether I was suitable for this position.

When your abilities are limited, you have to accept that you can't do everything.

But once I thought that way, I became extremely unwilling. I didn't want to give up all the progress I had made and hand over the fruits of my labor to others, and I didn't want to let myself or Sariel down.

At the same time, I deeply understood that giving up was equivalent to admitting my incompetence, resulting in a stagnation of my career and long-term distrust from the company and the market.

There are countless talented people in the design industry. If I missed this opportunity, who knows how long I would have to wait for the next one.

During my student days, failure still had the possibility of a comeback. Schools, families, and even the entire society instilled the idea that failure isn't fatal, and what's important is the courage to start over.

But no one ever told us that talent and hard work alone are not enough for a comeback. It requires the right timing, the right place, and the right people - what we call opportunity. And as we grow older, the proportion of opportunity even outweighs choice.

This cruel and mysterious existence is always fleeting and unpredictable, let alone fair. We have to admit that some people are born lucky and favored by fate.

For most people, even if opportunity knocks on their door one day, they often either fail to recognize it, are not prepared for it, or miss it due to fear and laziness.

Therefore, I'm already lucky enough. Fate has handed me an olive branch, and I have no reason to give up.

The immense pressure makes me want to collapse into bed as soon as I get home every day, even temporarily entrusting Little Milk to An An's care. But I can't sleep soundly, always hovering on the edge of shallow dreams.

More often than not, when I see Mao Ge exhausted and slumped over his desk, or hear Manman urging the factory's progress in a near-tearful voice in the break room, I feel incredibly sorry for them.

They could easily choose to work on other projects, which would be less stressful than this one. But they all stayed.

I'm not afraid of hard work or making mistakes. I can bear the consequences, good or bad, because this is my own life.

But I can't bear the responsibility for others' lives. All I can do is try my best to reduce their pressure and burden.

It was another late night. I had sent Mao Ge and the others home early. As I looked up to stretch, I suddenly realized the clock had ticked over to the next day.

Ring ring ring - the phone on Manman's desk rang.

You: Hello, Pristine design department.

Workshop Director: This is workshop four. When will the imported filament lyocell arrive? We need to start production.

You: Wasn't that fabric supposed to arrive two days ago?

Workshop Director: That's what they said before, but we haven't received it yet.

You: Hold on, let me check.

I was about to call Manman when she called me first.

Li Manman: Purchasing just told me that filament lyocell is completely out of stock.

Li Manman: It can't be found anywhere in Europe. It's been bought up by an Asian factory!

You: Bought up? But didn't we sign a contract?

Li Manman: That factory must have offered a higher price, so they're willing to pay the penalty for breaching the contract.

Li Manman: To break a contract at a time like this, it's so unethical!

Li Manman: We've already announced the fabric content on the official website. Switching to something else would be deceiving consumers.

Li Manman: What do we do now? Is our team doomed...?

I suddenly felt short of breath.

Filament lyocell is the only high-end fabric specified for this season's new products. If something goes wrong here, it will inevitably lead to customer dissatisfaction.

Li Manman: Y/N, can you hear me?

Li Manman: Purchasing has already reported it, but by the time they come up with a solution, it will be too late for us to start production! What should we do?

Manman's tearful question came from the other end of the phone, but it calmed me down. I can't panic. I'm the backbone now. If I panic, everyone will be even more scared. I told myself this in my mind.

You: Manman, don't worry. There are also filament lyocell suppliers in China. Let's split up and ask around.

You: I believe they'll help us out for Wan Zhen's sake.

Li Manman: Really? Okay, I'll start making calls right now!

Just like that, we started a race against time to save ourselves.

However, after countless phone calls and emails, we still came up empty-handed. All the factories told me that the fabric had been bought out.

As time ticked away, I became increasingly anxious.

Finally, after exhausting all my options and trying to negotiate with the original factory again by offering resource exchanges, the answer was still "We don't have any left, sorry."

I could no longer maintain my composure and was trembling with anger.

The monotonous busy tone on the other end of the phone left my anger with nowhere to go. I felt a strong sense of helplessness, not knowing what to do next.

I thought maybe there was still a way, but I sat down on the floor. I felt exhausted, and the fatigue I had been suppressing suddenly awakened at this moment. I couldn't shake it off, and dawn was approaching.

Suddenly, the phone in my hand vibrated twice. The tingling sensation injected a bit of life into my stiff body, and I jolted awake.

Two new messages from Lu Chen.

Evan's SMS: I see the light in your office is still on. Why are you working so late? Did something happen?

Evan's SMS: If you're feeling down or don't know what to do, you can call me anytime.

You: How does Evan know? Is he at the company too?

A sudden sour feeling rushed up my nose.

You: "Actually, I've run into a little trouble..."

I typed while walking to the window, leaning out to look diagonally upwards.

In the dim morning light, everything between heaven and earth seemed silent, except for Evan's office, which was lit up.

The light wasn't dazzling, but it inexplicably had a kind of sacred power, like a lamp that God had placed in the world.

I watched for a while, and my mood miraculously calmed down a lot.

I took out my phone, deleted all the words I had just typed, and changed them to another sentence: No, I just lost track of time. I'm getting ready to go home and sleep. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Evan.

I didn't intentionally lie to him. Actually, when I saw the message, my first thought was to rely on him, just like in the past.

But a voice in my heart stopped me. It asked, have you forgotten the current situation? Didn't you say you wouldn't bother him anymore and would stay away from him?

Thinking of this, I didn't hesitate and immediately pressed the send button.

A few seconds later, another message came, still from Evan.

Evan's SMS: It's too early now, it's hard to get a taxi, and the subway isn't running yet. Let me take you home, okay?

You: How can I refuse this?!

I paced back and forth in the room, replying to the factory while thinking about how to make my refusal seem reasonable.

You: I've already asked my friend to pick me up, so I won't trouble you, Mr. Evan.

I read it twice and added an emoji at the end, making sure the tone and wording were normal and wouldn't arouse his suspicion.

The dialog box went dark, and no new messages popped up for several minutes. I breathed a sigh of relief, but I didn't know why I felt a little disappointed.

Now is not the time to think about this. I chased away this inexplicable emotion and called Manman to ask how her contacts were going.

Manman told me they had also come up empty-handed. But Mao Ge said a small factory in his hometown had once asked him about this fabric and planned to start production. He had already contacted them.

This idea suddenly inspired me. Wan Zhen only had records of large factories, maybe some small factories were also producing this fabric. If we could find them, wouldn't we succeed?!

I felt like I had grasped a glimmer of hope.

You: But even if we find them, it's definitely too late to place an order now...

You: Never mind, let's find them first! We'll figure out the rest later.

I immediately called a car to go back to my grandmother's house. I remembered that her notebook had a lot of contact information for artisans and factories. Subconsciously, I had a vague feeling that I would find what I was looking for there.

Having not slept all day, I leaned against the wall at the entrance of Wan Zhen, waiting for the car. The days were getting longer after the summer solstice, and the sunlight felt like a blazing fire in a furnace, making me drowsy.

I even felt like I could fall asleep right there, even standing up.

??: You look so sleepy, are you trying to get hit by a car while crossing the road?

The familiar voice startled me, and I forced my eyelids open to look over.

You: Sariel?!

Why is he here? Didn't he say he would be away from Guang Qi for a while? I rubbed my eyes hard and watched the figure bathed in the morning light walk straight towards me, a slight anger on his face.

Why is he angry? So early in the morning, who provoked him?

But I still subconsciously shrank my neck. Although I didn't know why he was angry, I felt guilty. He wasn't even my boss anymore.

You: Good morning, Sariel.

Sariel: Indeed, it's quite early.

Sariel: Haven't seen you for a month, how did you manage to get yourself into this state?

A month apart, how did Sariel revert back to his stern and serious demeanor? There was no trace of the gentleness from the farewell party that night.

I pouted but obediently turned my head to look at my reflection in the glass. There was nothing different from usual, just a little tired.

You: Isn't this normal? I don't have time to chat with you now. I need to go somewhere, it's urgent.

I showed him the taxi booking order to prove that I really had something important to do, but unexpectedly, Sariel immediately snatched my phone and pressed the cancel button.

You: This will cost money, what are you doing--

Sariel: You getting into a car looking like this, you could be sold and wouldn't even know it.

I was about to snatch the phone back from him as usual when I was suddenly stunned by his sharp gaze. It seemed like a long time since he had shown such an angry expression.

The last time was backstage at the Warson Prize.

Did Sariel eat gunpowder today? I was a bit baffled but still took a deep breath and suppressed my displeasure.

You: I'm just a little sleepy, but I know my own body condition.

You: I really don't have time, give me back my phone.

Sariel: Where are you going?

You: To my grandmother's house. I need to find a filament lyocell supplier.

Sariel: Even if you find one, what do you plan to do?

Sariel: Wait in line, delay the launch, turn summer clothes into autumn clothes?

Sariel: Or do you think the factory is open just for you, with plenty of stock waiting for you just by asking?

I suddenly realized that he knew about the trouble I was in. Then he shouldn't be stopping me!

You: I know orders need to be placed in advance, but can't I even try my luck?

You: It's better than doing nothing and just waiting.

Sariel: And then get rejected, blame yourself again, and fall into a vicious cycle of self-blame.

Sariel: I don't believe you're not aware of these things.

You: But I really have no other options!

You: I'm responsible for everyone!

I don't know what came over me, but I ended up yelling at Sariel. However, I didn't feel any better; instead, a deep sense of frustration followed.

Sariel was right. The chances of success were too low, practically zero.

Even if I found a supplier, placing an order now would take at least two weeks to receive the fabric, and that's assuming nothing goes wrong.

I understand all of this.

But I really don't know what else I can do besides this.

Embarrassed, I turned and left, afraid that if I stayed another second, I would burst into tears in front of him. It's so embarrassing. It's clearly my own problem, why am I taking it out on others?

As I walked, my cheeks became wet, and I could no longer tell what I was holding on to.

Sariel's footsteps chased after me. I panicked and quickened my pace, not wanting him to see my breakdown, but my wrist was grabbed.

Sariel: Why can't you use your brain and think about the resources you can utilize around you? Are you treating yourself like a machine?

Sariel: How long are you going to shoulder this alone?!

I turned my head in surprise, tears streaming down my face, sobs escaping my throat.

You: What... did you say...?

Did I hear wrong? Does he mean I can ask him for help? Won't he think I'm useless and embarrass him?

Perhaps my red eyes scared Sariel. He moved his lips but didn't say anything, only softening his gaze and looking down at me.

Sariel: Are you clear-headed now?

After waiting for a while without my answer, he sighed, bent down, looked into my eyes, and asked again seriously.

Sariel: Are you clear-headed now?

My heart softened, and I nodded slightly.

Sariel: Let's go, we'll talk in my car.

You can now read Chapter 16-05 here!

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#light and night #light and night translations #tencent otome #sariel #qi sili #light and night chapter 16 translation

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