The security guards at "Lanyu Feng" were dutifully performing their duties. Despite it being past 1 AM, they were still helping Wen Ran investigate surveillance footage in the monitoring room. One guard thoughtfully poured her a cup of warm water."Don't worry, we're checking now."Wen Ran nodded: "Thank you for your hard work."
"It's our duty."
After a while, the guard sitting at the monitors turned slightly: "We've got it."
Wen Ran set down her water cup and immediately stood up to approach.
The guard zoomed in on one frame of the surveillance footage: "He entered the camera's view from XXX Street at 5:27 PM. The vehicle parked at the side of the main gate..."
The guard switched camera angles with his mouse: "Then when you returned home, Miss Wen, he got out to greet you. When you ran into the complex, he didn't follow or linger. He drove away along the original route out of the surveillance area."
The surveillance clip playing on the computer screen showed the exact moment Wen Ran had returned.
In front of the complex gate was a semicircular greenbelt with a tall wicker vase sculpture at its center. The path from the street to the access gate required walking around this greenbelt.
Looking at the clear image of the square-jawed face in the surveillance footage, Wen Ran could still feel the panic from when she'd desperately sprinted toward the complex gate.She had been truly terrified, and even now her calves felt stiff and trembling.
The footage paused at the frame showing his car driving away.Could he have just wanted to scare her?But there was no guarantee he didn't have other intentions.
The guard asked further: "Miss Wen, do you know this man?""No." Wen Ran shook her head. "He's a taxi driver who took detours because I'm not local. I reported him.""Should we help you file a police report?""..."The guard added: "Although nothing concrete happened, we can at least file a record with the police station to warn him.""Alright.""We'll contact the local precinct then." The guard produced a form. "Miss Wen, please leave your contact information for follow-up."
After leaving her details and repeatedly thanking them, the guard escorted Wen Ran to her building entrance, reminding her: "Miss Wen, this isn't resolved yet. Try not to return home late recently.""Understood. Thank you all again for today.""Our duty."
Returning home, Wen Ran hastily washed up and burrowed under her blankets.She mentally reviewed everything that had happened since coming to Shanghai.So this was what life away from home and protection looked like.No one would shield her from dangers. She had to face and resolve everything herself.It truly wasn't easy.
Wen Ran thought of Avi, who'd joined the company with her. Avi was handling things better.She also remembered Li Wan still hospitalized with IV fluids - her situation was even harder.Wen Ran gazed out the window.Behind the sheer curtains hung a crescent moon.
The next noon, Wen Ran received a call from security. They informed her the man was named Song Jianzhang, formerly employed by a taxi company. Due to Wen Ran's complaint and his history of multiple violations, he'd been fired. The police would contact Song Jianzhang, asking if Wen Ran wanted to meet him at the precinct to mediate the conflict.
After consideration, Wen Ran decided thorough resolution was needed.If she kept avoiding this, it would only paint her as an easy target.She agreed, scheduling the meeting for the weekend. The exact time would be confirmed after coordinating with Song Jianzhang.
This forced Wen Ran to apologize to Avi about postponing their weekend meal.Avi didn't mind at all - she'd actually thought Wen Ran was just being polite initially.Besides, she'd already planned a weekend trip to an ancient town in a neighboring province with a college friend.
Avi shrugged: "No problem, let's reschedule."Feeling guilty about breaking promises, Wen Ran insisted: "Next weekend then, okay?"Avi typed on her phone while nodding: "Sure."Avi realized Wen Ran wasn't someone who made empty courtesies. Their exchange had solidified next weekend's plans. Not wanting to forget again, Avi logged the dinner appointment in her schedule.
That afternoon, a colleague suddenly needed someone to deliver materials.In early July Shanghai, the 3 PM sun outside was intense enough to "cook eggs."Moreover, being errand-runner was thankless work. No one volunteered.
The colleague scanned the room and approached Wen Ran's desk: "Are you two busy?"Avi, maintaining intern awareness, had already noticed her approach and purpose.Displaying her computer screen, Avi deftly declined: "I'm just organizing this week's boutique feedback."
The colleague turned to Wen Ran: "And you?"Wen Ran truly wasn't busy. Chen Xing had approved her design drafts but only assigned practice tasks.She sighed and stood: "What needs delivering?"
The colleague placed a yellow document envelope on her desk, red manicured nail tapping the cover: "Send this to the address listed.""Okay.""Thanks." She walked away.
After she left, Avi adopted a "why are you so naive" expression: "You should've made an excuse! How can anyone be this honest?""It's fine." Wen Ran smiled. "No need to burn bridges over small things. We might need her help someday.""Ha! You're overthinking..." Avi glanced around and whispered, "That's Xiang Xiaoyue - notoriously petty in our department. Expecting her gratitude? Unless..."Avi pointed outside: "...it starts thunderstorming right now!"
Wen Ran found this exaggerated.Avi, feeling righteous, said: "She's from Group Two anyway. Want me to throw this back at her?"Wen Ran: "..."After two quiet seconds, Wen Ran pretended to stand: "Should I go confront her?"Avi grabbed her wrist, pulling her back: "Are you crazy?"Wen Ran stayed silent, lips pressed in amusement.Avi realized: "Oh you can joke too!" She poked Wen Ran's waist, making her squirm.
Examining the envelope, Avi noted: "Fushan Villa? Isn't that our director's home?"Wen Ran had never met the legendary Design Department Director, currently on a business trip. But she knew his reputation from his意境-rich designs in the US.
"This weather..." Avi interrupted her thoughts, placing the envelope on Wen Ran's lap while mock-crossing herself. "My condolences."Wen Ran: "..."
After hailing a ride, Wen Ran arrived at Fushan Villa, only to walk twenty minutes under blazing sun (thankfully with Li Wan's umbrella). An auntie received the documents - no director sighting.
Returning to the office near quitting time, Wen Ran's high ponytail had strands stuck to her neck, her fair face flushed. Returning the umbrella, Li Wan suggested: "You should cool your face."Wen Ran declined, but Li Wan insisted: "Can't ruin that pretty face!"
Li Wan then showed her computer screen - various ruby selections.Wen Ran understood: "For Mrs. Wang's preview?""Mm." Li Wan carefully folded the umbrella."When's your appointment?""Next Wednesday afternoon. Why 3-4 PM?""Strong sunlight enhances gemstone color saturation for better presentation."
Li Wan stared: "You know gemology?""Just basics.""Thank you." Li Wan repeated earnestly: "Really, thank you."Wen Ran felt awkward: "I barely helped."Li Wan shook her head: "Thanks."
At the weekend mediation, Song Jianzhang arrived half an hour late, now buzzcut in white tee and jeans - less thuggish. When police recounted events, he interrupted:"Officers, I'm fully cooperating! Why would I come if guilty? I did nothing!"
"Lurking outside a girl's home at night isn't 'nothing'!""I wanted to apologize!""At midnight? Really?"Song Jianzhang turned to Wen Ran: "I tried greeting you to apologize, but you ran! Did I harm you?"
Wen Ran met his gaze: "As a taxi driver exploiting my unfamiliarity with roads, your integrity is questionable. Waiting from 5 PM to midnight wasn't for apologies."
Song Jianzhang paused, then smirked arrogantly: "What if I suddenly felt guilty and wanted to turn over a new leaf? Not allowed?"