Main Story Chapter 12-15: Savage Game (蛮荒游戏) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Before reading this chapter, please read the previous chapter here.

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By the time I arrived the office, I am welcomed with this scene.

Sariel is sitting upright in front of his work desk, expressions particularly focused when he is browsing his computer.

It's sunset, and the entire room is dyed in an orange-red tone. It's unlike the colors that makes people feel sad, but it felt a little like sunrise.

Is he now looking at the related news to this incident? Will he see those unsightly comments?

Night: Knock the door

Light: Don't disrupt him

Night Choice: Knock the door

I subconsciously clenched on the envelopes in my hand, and softly knocked the door.

No response.

You: Director?

Still no response.

He is reading so seriously, that there is a sliver of childlike confusion showing from his face.

Light: Don't disrupt him

I saw him slowly laying down, head placed on his crossed arms, but his gaze is still fixated onto the computer.

The faint light from the screen pours onto his face, making him to look like an abandoned child sitting under a streetlight.

I turned around, and I can't help but to feel soreness in my chest.

So I quietly retreated sideways, reaching an arm out, and softly caressed the name plate with his name that is hanging on the wall.

My line of gaze drifted towards the familiar pot. I squatted down, and stared at the bird looking up with its chest high.

You: This is too lonely.

I took out the half stick of chalk from my pocket, and started doodling on the walls of the pot.

First adding a little fox, drawing a pointy pair of ears, and I accidentally crooked the fox's mouth, that made it looking a little unhappy.

I'll add three little birds then. So there will be a total of four, all flapping their wings to make the little fox happy.

??: What are you doing again? 

A cold voice sounded from behind. This scene feels very familiar, it seems like he'll always catch me each time I'm doing something "bad".

I only stood up after I'm done drawing every image.

Sariel: Are you treating my office as a kindergarten?

He took at a glance at the pot.

Sariel: The drawing is too childish.

You: What do you mean it's childish, isn't it lively? Isn't this me that you're drawing? A smart little bird.

Sariel: You're wrong, it's a little bird that crashes everywhere. Do you want to be a quadruplet by adding another three?

You: Who said that these are quadruplets? These are all different sides of me!

I pointed at the pot, and showed each of them to him.

You: This is me who is sad when I see the little fox is sad too.

My lips curved downwards as I spoke, showing an expression of grievance. Sariel turned away in disdain.

You: This is me when I know there's someone bullying the little fox, I'm very angry!

I stood akimbo, changing into an angry expression. Sariel glanced over, and frowned helplessly. 

You: This is me making silly faces to make the little fox happy.

I pressed on the tip of my nose, lips opened, and made an ugly silly face. Sariel can't hold back from letting out a smile.

You: There's still the last one.

I pointed towards the earliest bird.

You: The little birds wants to tell the little fox to not be sad, it'll always stay by his side...

The moment my voice died out, Sariel have instead suppressed his expressions, and gazed away.

Sariel: What sort of silly nonsense are you saying? Birds have a lifespan of 70 years, and an average lifespan of foxes is only 10 years. There's no way for them to be in each other's company. There aren't much people that have lesser common sense than you in this world.

You: Director, I am just making an example, so that wasn't serious...

Sariel: The group email is already sent, I'm no longer director.

My chest still wrenched in pain, so I shook my head aggressively.

You: You are the director, Director Qi. I'll address you eight hundred times a day, and I'm going to address you  as director for eight hundred times too.

Sariel: ...... Then you should take a look at the news.

You: Those are not true! You didn't plagiarize, also you're an Erda, your time is perhaps different from normal humans. This is what I think. That design draft is your work in the past, right?

Sariel looked at me with some surprise, so I gazed right back at him too, with not a single blink.

Until. my eyes feel a little sore, and until his slender eyelashes slowly closed up.

Sariel: So what if that's true? Are you going to use this ridiculous explanation to prove that I didn't plagiarize? Nobody will believe it.

You" I believe so. I have always been believing in you.

Sariel stunned for a moment. It seems like he has something that he wants to say, but he ended up changing the content.

Sariel: What brings you her?

You: There's something that I would like to show you.

Sariel: Are you thinking of applying for a switch of duty too?

Although I can hear that he is joking, but I still waved my arms violently.

You: No no! What are you talking about?! How could I possibly apply for a switch of duty?!

Sariel's expressions seemed very calm. I suddenly feel like he is seemingly really expecting me to take out an application form for duty switch to him.

Does he want me to leave?

How can he think this way?

But I'm afraid that he's really thinking this way.

You: Even if everyone else in the designer group has left, I would never leave.

Sariel: It's not good to be too stubborn.

The Sariel that is usually even more stubborn than I do have actually uttered words like this.

I suddenly feel very upset.

You: Would leaving makes it better right away?

Sariel: Based on the current situation in Pristine, this is a very normal choice.

You: I don't think so. Although the current situation is a little chaotic, but by the time the discussion turns to a bright side, and the reveal show is organized-- Everyone will definitely see Pristine's sincerity and potential.

Sariel: That requires time, perhaps it'll take years. Once trust is crumbled, it is no easy task to rebuild it.

You: Even so, we can still wait for that day to come together.

Sariel: Most people won't have that much of time to waste in their lives.

The last ray of sunlight pours behind Sariel, outlining a golden lining on him, showing his thinning lines on his cheeks.

It's just like... A wooden statue, entrusted with countless hope and sadness, but can only choose to remain quiet.

My brain went short-circuited, and I don't know what I am thinking. I nervously opened my mouth.

You: ... Are you chasing me away?

But he did not reply, unlike how he has always been. For each second the silence increases, the more anxious and sad I feel.

You: You still owe me a fur ball, you aren't going to take your words back are you?

Sariel: What if I gave you one?

You: You still owe me decades of time for me to seek knowledge. You still wanted me to chase your footsteps. Also, also... Anyway there are still so much more! As a director, you have to hone your words.

I squeezed out all of my brain juices to recall the promises we had, and there's no way for me to know what to say to let him take back what he just said. But he suddenly smiled, and from that golden pair of pupils, a certain emotion that could be said as gentleness is slowly exuding from within. 

Sariel: So I'm something you rely on now?

You: Yeah! Huh... So did you agree to it?

Sariel: I still have to consider about it.

You: There's nothing much to considerate about, look, there are many others who believe and support you besides me! Look, this missy!

I pointed to one of the letters.

You: Her family is not rich. Her parents passed away at early age, so she stopped schooling at a young age too. But she isn't willing to admit to defeat, so she self studied while working, and got into university. But she faced a problem when she is in the university. In the letter, she said, she was not confident back then, and she felt like she looked very poor. But good-looking clothings are all too expensive, so she can't bear to buy them either. After that, she found out about Pristine by accident. She originally thought it's going to be very expensive, but she ended up finding it affordable. She said, although she is now grown up, but she is still very thankful for Pristine to bring her a beautiful memory. 

You: Also this mother, she said she bought the child wear from Pristine, and the quality is excellent. The clothes aren't spoiled even if her three-year-old daughter rolls in the mud every day, it'd be even better if there are tiger cartoon prints on it in the future. This auntie also said, the number of clothing option aren't much when we get to the age of 50, it's either the patterns don't match, or they are uncomfortable. It's rare for her to meet such a brand that can consider each and every aspects of hers. These letters are brought from the shift leader from Pristine's factory, they said our brand is a good brand... So you can't give up!

Sariel drooped his gaze and listened to me quietly. Finger caressing on the letter, not showing any expression.

I nervously observed his expressions, and my heart beats quickly.

After a short silence, Sariel looked up, and a faint smile is seen from his gaze.

Sariel: If I weren't going to interrupt you, are you going to be able to talk on your own noisily for the entire day? Did I ever say I'm going to give up?

You: The mail says the brand activities are all going to be paused...

Sariel: If I were to give up, then why am I standing here for?

You: Really?

Sariel: Really.

You: I believe in you!

Sariel: Are you going to believe in everything I say?

You: Of course! Ah no, except when you called me a clumsy bird. I was just being humble for a little, but you ended up addressing me that way ever since.

Sariel: Then who was the one drawing four birds on my pot, and said that all of those are her?

You: ...... Then you can erase them.

Sariel: You wish.

You: Just be honest and say you want to keep my drawing, still being so indirect as ever.

Sariel: Hm?

You: Nothing, nothing, since the item is delivered, then I shall take my leave.

The night has fallen. It's been a long day. I turned around, and just when I ran a few steps out, Sariel's voice of affirmation is heard from behind.

Sariel: It will succeed.

Yeah, I believe so too.

After seeing the girl off, Sariel returned to his office. The moment he raised his pen, something sounded from the computer. It's an invitation window for an online conference call.

It's Evan.

Sariel: What's the matter?

Evan: You don't have to worry about the matter of removal of duty, I'll handle it after I'm back. They won't be happy for more than a couple of days.

Sariel fiddles with the pen in his hand, showing no expression from his face.

Sariel: I am not interested to participate in the inner battles of you Strains.

Evan: Internal battles of the Strains?

Evan smiled, but some mockery have instead surfaced on his face.

Evan: The culprit behind the creation and spreading of the discussion of fabric ignition is already investigated. It is indeed the men of that good uncle of mine. It has been so many years, he's still using the same old tricks. As for the design draft that accuses your plagiarism, you and I both know this well-- But there's no way for me to guess the background of the collector. So I'm somewhat curious about it.

Sariel opened his eyes, seemingly understood somethign.

Sariel: There is no such person. The bunch of old Erdas can't sit still anymore.

Evan: The Strains and the Erdas have never been in connection in the past. For them to have exchanges with Lu Ting this time-- What do you think?

Sariel: Continue the new release show for Pristine. Other matters are not in my scope of consideration.

The golden pupil met the dark scarlet pupils. Evan nodded in contemplation, but a rare expression of delight is seen from his face.

Evan: Then continue pushing this forward. I'll announce this matter once I return to the country. There will be people assisting you on the show's resources throughout this period. Although this step from Lu. Ting isn't difficult to solve, but we have to keep our guards on the force behind him that you and I don't know of.

Sariel (scoffs): But it won't happen as he wishes. This world is not anyone's game of chess.

A chaotic day is about to end, yet it is only afternoon in the city Evan is in.

He walked in the long corridor of the old castle, quietly looking at the unchanging rain outside the window, a cold light reflects from his golden rimmed glasses.

Evan: Zhou Yan, submit the materials of the few directors after they are ready.

Zhou Yan: Yes. The actor that acted as the mother is also finally found.

He has made the right bet on that chilly early spring, and hence the position of CEO is no longer Lu Ting's. This time, how will his all out bet turn out?

There will be yet another hunt tomorrow. It it goes well,   the Strains here will be of his use.

But if it's not going smoothly, then it might be impossible for him to go back for these period of time.

Evan: May Pristine's new reveal show be successful.

This-- Is his sincerest wish.

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Main Story Chapter 12-13: Savage Game (蛮荒游戏) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Before reading this chapter, please read the previous chapter here.

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Although Sariel is not in his office, but I still sat on his sofa. The air here is filled with a faint scent of white sandalwood, so it makes people to feel very peaceful.

After placing the related documents to the release show on the desk, I switched on my phone to read messages.

There isn't anything about Vesi on Wikipedia, only a few ancient study articles in an English forum. It's pointed that Vesi is not only a brand name, but also the principal's name.

It made its debut in Europe during early last century, gaining attention because the Danish royalties made an appearance to their people while donned in garments made by Vesi.

Vesi's garments brings out a rich Eastern Asian style, the usage of colors has broke the fashion boundaries in Europe back in that era.

There were many news publishers wishing to interview with Vesi to understand his unique perspective. But this mysterious designer from the east has declined all interview requests.

It didn't take long for Vesi to announce a permanent closure, and disappeared from the public from then onwards.

*T/N: To learn more about what happened to Vesi and Sariel, read his trajectory here. 

All of the garments and design drafts disappeared as if they have vanished from earth. Nobody knows what exactly has happened.

The fashion industry commented many years later, that if Vesi did not close down, it would have the potential to be one of the giants of the current luxury brands.

The floral series was the opening of Vesi, and it is also its swan song.

After that, there were many designers who imitated it, but they are all incapable to grasp onto Vesi's innermost core with intelligence. 

You: With time over a hundred years...

Is it very long? It isn't really long if I put it that way. Those antiques in Sariel's underground collection gallery have experienced much longer time than this.

But it isn't short either. It's enough to let a brand to fade out from people's line of gaze, and it also allowed the era to witness its glorious disappearance.

I carefully stared at each and every detail on the design draft.

Powerful and sharp lines, it's just like something that Sariel draws. He has a pair of slender hands, looking very skinny, but they are very powerful.

The morning glory blossoms that looks like they are stretching but also wilting, it is of no doubt that it is Sariel's style. It's closed and loose, there is nobody that can combine these two styles better than he could.

A ridiculous, yet also the only answer has surfaced in my mind.

You: The ready-to-made clothing from Pristine and this design draft is definitely coming from the same person.

And that person--

Is my mentor, the director of Warson Design Center, a genius designer that went on a hiatus ten years ago and made his reappearance.

Afterwards, I found out that he's an Erda, with two fluffy ears, and a fluffy tail.

Now I have also learnt that he was once a designer for the brand Vesi, and left a legend in the fashion industry.

No logic needed, no evidence needed, I'm just sure of it.

Just then, the office door is pushed opened. I looked up, and in a trance, I looked towards the figure standing against the light.

You: Director Qi--

Sariel: Why are you here?

He walked into the room, eyelids drooped, covered the bit of golden pupils.

I heard a sliver of surprise from his voice, but underneath it is a faint exhaustion from him.

Intuitively, I raised the document I brought, and tried my best to show him a huge smile.

You: Me? I'm here for a meeting of course.

Sariel: It's not time yet.

You: Yeah I know, I just wanted to come here earlier. Director--

What should I say? Am I asking him "did you see the discussion on the internet?", or should I ask where he went earlier, and why does he look somewhat pale?

Or should I ask him if the brand Vesi existed a hundred years ago was his? He didn't plagiarize, right?

You: Director, you--

But will he answer me? I suppose he definitely wouldn't, because he has never cared about these doubts, never cared about the defamation against him, nor he would need pity from others.

Even if I'm getting all emotional by sitting here, it's all just me feeling sensitive on my own.

I don't know what happened in a hundred years ago that has made him to stop this brand, disappear from the world, and made his reappearance in front of people in after many, many years with another name.

The only thing I can think of is that, there must've been something very serious happened in between.

The more legendary the past is, the more groundbreaking the matter of how the legend ends will be.

I can't get myself to ask for the details of this distant past with this many twists and turns, nor I would want to force an answer out of him. The only thing I can do is to believe in him unconditionally.

Sariel: Why are you suddenly addressing me as the director? Aren't you always calling me "Sariel, Sariel" so habitually?

Sariel took the paper from my hand, tone still sounding pretty much the same, but his tensed brows have soothed out helplessly.

I got startled from his question. What does he mean by why, there's no whys here.

You: Because- Because I am more prideful to be the director's student.

Sariel: .....

Seeing that he is looking slightly relieved, my mood has also gotten much, much better.

Sariel: What's with that expression of yours that looked like you're crying and laughing?

You: From where did you see me crying?

Sariel: I think you're about to.

You: You're the one who's about to, coming in with such a droopy face, it's scary. If I'm about to cry, it's also because I am scared from how you looked when you came in earlier.

Just when I finished speaking, I recalled the "crimes" that Sariel is accused with, and one of them is him scolding other colleagues until they cry.

It's clearly a joke that is overly usual between us, but now it didn't sound good at all.

You: Director.

Sariel: Hm?

You: I'll always be standing by your side. No matter what others say, I will never change. Let's make a pinky promise!

Sariel: No way, that's childish.

You: Please?

After a long time, Sariel sighed, but still reaching an arm out, and faintly hooked onto my fingertip.

His responses today seemed to have been very slow, even the movement of us making a pinky promise have became much slower.

I held back the soreness I felt in my eyes and heart.

You: Director, then I'll be taking my leave.

The clear sounds of footsteps disappeared outside the office. Sariel stared at that small patch of skin for a long time, the lingering warmth still remains.

The dull pain in his heart stopped for an instant.

The scorchingly bright lights from the window shines on his pale face. Sariel recalled, that the time he chose this office is exactly because it has the best lighting. It's so good, that he almost forgot the destiny he originally had.

Sariel: *coughs*...

He remained silent for a long time, then slowly locked the door. Switching on the computer, and for the very first time, he reads all of the comments seriously.

I slowly walked back to Group A's office. I saw a familiar silhouette pacing outside the entrance, looking very unsettled.

You: ... Gao Cheng?

Gao Cheng: Y/N? Y- You aren't in the office?

You: Yeah, I had something on earlier. Are you looking for me?

Gao Cheng: Yeah. As the director's student, I think you must be much more panicked than us now.

Gao Cheng lowered his head, clenching onto his sleeve tightly.

Gao Cheng: I- I believe in the director. If there are anything that you need me, you can look for me. I- I'll get going, I'm here to tell you this.

He lets out a long sigh of relief after finishing his words, smiled at me, and very quickly disappeared.

Buzz buzz buzz-- My phone started vibrating. An An's name jumped out from the screen.

An An: I heard about your director as soon as I got off the plane, how are you now?

You: I'm fine, don't worry.

An An: Don't panic, I'll immediately look for our chief editor now, I'm going to write an article to clarify the false accusations for your director! Our colleagues all don't believe that he plagiarizes either, that is Sariel alright?! Although his temper is bad, but he only talks to facts and never takes things personally. Trust me, what's right will not be wrong!

She sounded like she's panting from the other end of the phone, sounds like she's probably dragging her suitcase and running towards the taxi.

You: I believe you! Thank you, An An...

An An: Wait for my good news~

Opening the door, the office is much noisier than when I left.

Mao Ge: Manman, do you think it's ok to write a proposal letter like this? Director Qi's professionalism is extremely strong. Under his management, the work capabilities of the designers in the design center have improved tremendously.

Hao Shuai: I think that's very good!

Li Manman: We can also add more words to call for action, to ask everyone to join us to protect director's reputation.

Hao Shuai: I told Group B about this, they said they will sign it together!

You: This is... What's going on?

Miss Zheng Lin walked towards my side, and showed me a helpless smile.

Zheng lin: Although the company has released a notice to tell everyone to be more mindful in words--

Mao Ge: But it's clear on how Director Qi has treated us throughout all these while, so we must help the director! So we wanted to write a proposal, let everyone sign on it, and make it a material for the PR, and find ways to clarify some rumors.

Zheng Lin: So, I can only close an eye on this.

Hao Shuai: We can't offer help in other ways. But to accuse Director Qi scolding people with bad temper out of nowhere, I can definitely battle with them for a bit.

A swelling yet trembling emotion is slowly brewing in my chest. I suddenly wanted to run back to Sariel's office, and tell all of these to him. 

I wanted to tell him loudly: "See, what I think isn't wrong! There are people who are willing to stand by your side."

Clenched my fist, I opened the discussion forum for designers, and starting to sort my mind out.

Since Mao Ge and the rest are making clarifications on Sariel's working style, then I shall focus on the rumor on plagiarism.

Designers are all very sensitive towards the scope and definition of plagiarism. After a centralized discussion among professionals, perhaps a different conclusion will be received.

After composing a long block of words in the chatbox under a single breath, I shook my somewhat numbed fingers.

After some thoughts, I also sent the information on what I've witnessed on the death of the girl named Tian Zhen in the hospital to the PR department.

This might be a miracle that can't possibly happen, but we all wanted to give our best shot.

You: In conclusion, it would be wonderful if everyone knows the existence of Erdas, then there won't even be that much of problems.

Also the Strains, also Talent. Everyone will be able to tell their identities proudly. Will there be ever such a day?

I don't know, because the current war laying before us is already particularly difficult.

A notification sounded from my phone. It's an internal email to the entire company.

Mao Ge: Is the company having countermeasures already?!

Everyone opened it impatiently.

Email: Based on the decision from the headquarters-- 1, we will immediately stop all activities and production of the sub-line brand Pristine. The recovery date will be announced in the future. 2, Sariel's position as the director in the design center will be immediately halted. The brand Pristine will be fully handled by Bob temporarily.

You: Why?!

The hopes filled in my heart is all gone. Why are they pausing brand activities? And even changing the person in charge?

Isn't this indirectly admitting that it's Sariel's fault?!

My mood that just calmed down became messed up again.

Mao Ge: How did our internal email get posted into the internet?

Mao Ge angrily threw his phone towards us.

It didn't take more than two minutes since the moment we received the email for the media to announce its contents.

Sariel is once again pushed up to the peak of the discussion, and the first most popular comment is indeed a confirmation on his plagiarism.

Our comments of clarifications are merely insignificant pebbles, not even causing any splashes even if they are tossed in the sea of discussions.

Why are things always taking the worse turn whenever I felt the slightest bit of hope?!

The deep sense of exhaustion surged out from my body. The feeling of being watched strikes me once again.

Everything happened today felt like they are all staged in advance, wave after wave, striking accurately, making people having no way to counter it at all.

If I were to come forward to say that the draft a century ago actually also came from Sariel, would anyone believe it?

People would probably laugh at me for being able to tell all sorts of lies.

I buried my head into my arms, tears rolling around my eyes.

Li Manman: Ah! My friend from Group B said that there are two designers participating Pristine's brand design applied to switch groups!

Hao Shuai: Oof...

Mao Ge: That's so frustrating! Traitors!

Suddenly, a commotion sounded from the quiet corridor. I sharply captured the keywords of "clothes" and "quality".

???: Can you allow me to see the director? There are some things I would like to tell him--

HR: I'm sorry, the director is not seeing any guests right now. I hope for your understanding. We are now also very busy, please go back.

Did she say director?!

I quickly ran out, but there's nobody in the corridor. I took a few more steps forward, and only then I saw an unfamiliar woman standing by the stairs.

She leaned against the wall, staring at the floor looking lost.

You: Are you alright?

Woman: I'm fine, I'm fine...

Noticing me, the woman shook her head, and quickly wiped her tears.

You: May I ask-- Are you here to look for Director Qi?

The woman looked up in surprise. I saw her dressed complete Pristine attire, jacket, hat, even trousers and everything else.

Woman: You are--

You: Hello, I'm Warson's designer, Y/N.

Woman: You're a designer? Then can you see Director Qi?

Her eyes suddenly brightened up.

You: I can.

She took out a stack of envelopes from her bag with no hesitation, and placed it on my hand.

Woman: Hello, I'm a shift leader of Pristine's production room, surname is Ren.

Miss Ren: Can I request for your help to send this to Director Qi?

You: Eh?

Miss Ren: We heard about what happened to the director, but we aren't sure of what to do, nor we can offer help, so we thought of showing this to him.

You: These are--

Miss Ren: These are all letter of gratitude, it's our workers' relatives that have requested the factory to deliver to the company. They all liked this brand very much, they all said it's inexpensive, has good quality, it's also comfortable and classy! I told them, these designs are all made by Director Qi!

Her gaze is fixated to the front, eyes gleaming.

Miss Ren: Young miss, am I troubling you?

I shook my head, looked at the old traces of folds, and gently soothed them.

You: Don't worry. I'll definitely let the director to see them.

I took a step forward, and ran towards Sariel's office. The bits of memories since we knew each other have all resurfaced in before me.

Him being stopped by me at the garden, impatiently explained the reasons of my failure at the first time we met.

Him demonstrating the method of making a veil in a clear afternoon.

The pair of gentle pupils looking towards me in front of the splendid Princess of the Night.

That exaggerating, baffling bag of Chinese medicine that hides his clumsy concerns at my house entrance in the midnight.

......

I've decided to stop suppressing my emotions. Whether he cares about it or not, whether he needs it or not, I have to tell him everything.

To tell him that we are willing to face all of these with him.

To tell him that he has brought countless miracles to this world.

To tell him that although I have only participated a short year in his life, even if I know nothing about his past, but those are never important to begin with.

Main Story Chapter 12-10: Savage Game (蛮荒游戏) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Before reading this chapter, please read the previous chapter here.

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In the central meeting room on 47th floor of Warson Group Building.

The executives all sat in a circle. The atmosphere is quiet, serious, and tensed. What lies before them is a tentative emergency handling proposal from the PR department.

Lu Ting sits at the chairman seat, exuding some shadiness from his brows, gaze faintly stopping on every single person.

Expressions of anger, troubled, dissatisfaction, doubt... the vast variety of expressions on everyone's faces are brightened by the lamps.

Lu Ting: It has bene three hours since the crisis. The group's share has declined for more than 10.01%, this is not a normal margin. I believe a twist in discussion is on the top priority of consideration, and also the only option to be considered. Director Liu, what are the countermeasures now?

The woman addressed as Director Liu nodded. She is one of the chiefs in Warson, and also the COO of the group.

COO: The official website of Pristine has already displayed the related material identification certifications. The law department is also contacting the influencer of this video and the litigant to understand the situation. I believe what our consumer needs is the truth, so we should make clear investigations as soon as possible, and be actively cooperative with police investigations to let the rumor to collapse itself.

Lu Ting: But according to my understanding, the consumers are now feeling highly negative, the focus of the discussion has already shifted, so we have to make a response. By the time the truth has surfaced, the brand reputation has already plummeted. The most urgent matter now is to keep the consumers reassured.

Upon speaking, he looked towards the director of public relations. The man understood the gesture, and immediately stood up.

PR Director: The discussion about Sariel, the person in charge of the brand is an important element towards how it affects the brand image. To receive bribes, selling seconds at the price of top quality, there is no such thing upon internal investigations. As for the accusations of plagiarism, there are currently no evidence that states that Director Qi is plagiarizing. But there are also no evidences to prove otherwise, hence there is no way for us to make a convincing defense. As for bad temper, reprimands on colleagues, there is indeed such a matter according to internal investigations. What Warson needs the most right now is to reduce the popularity of negative discussions, and to calm the negative public opinion down. So I believe the press conference for Pristine should be delayed or cancelled. But if the reason to delay or cancel is because of productivity line of Prisitne-- It will cause further panic among consumers, affecting other brands of Warson, and further lowering the share prices of Warson. So I propose to cancel the press conference in the name where Sariel is unable to complete the designs on his own, and apologize.

His words received an agreement from a majority of directors.

Director A: Public clamours can confound right and wrong, it is impossible for us to use the company's reputation as a bet.

Director B: I agree, the stability of Warson should be placed on top priority.

Lu Ting nodded in satisfaction.

Lu Ting: I understood everyone's opinions now. Besides the above proposal, Sariel's duty as a director should also be removed, and announced to public in order to calm the consumers' emotions, and before this, halt the sub line's brand productions.

COO: The current actions the company is taking has always been clarifying the problems in quality, the main focus of the PR should not be sidetracked. Regarding the quality issues, the Chief is definitely clear that this is plain nonsense. So I believe that it is unreasonable to switch Director Qi.

Lu Ting: Oh? Then what do you think is reasonable, Director Liu? As a sub line brand, Pristine does not match the high end positioning of Warson. At the end of the day, this is a sub line that can cease to exist. It isn't good to bring trouble for the company for a brand like this.

COO: The brand Pristine under Director Qi has once brought Warson a humungous profit. This is clearly visible through our stocks price. Anniversary show, autumn-winter show and the successes in other series of grand shows have also given a shot of stability to the market. At this point of time, he is already carrying the branding of himself and the brand. Also, this is an important matter, a decision like this should consult the CEO in advance. We have to be clear on the source of the disruption in order for things to be helpful towards how we bring ourselves back from the discussion. What does everyone think?

She paused and looked around. The directors nodded itnently.

COO: I also believe we have to inquire Director Qi's opinion on this matter, I wonder if we managed to get in touch with him already?

She looked towards Mya, but Mya only placed her phone down, and shook her head in panic.

At this moment, right under the packed rain, the London clocktowers have rang in 4AM.

Traces of fresh blood has yet to be washed off by the rain, but have instead mixed with the polluted waters, and flowed far away from the city.

Evan walked out from the shadows of the clocktower, opening a snow white handkerchief, and carefully wiped every finger clean, folding it back properly, then finally took the black umbrella Zhou Yan handed to him.

There aren't much changes of expression on his face, it can even be said that he is looking overly calm.

Zhou Yan: The southern Strains already found out the news of the death of their master.

Evan: Help their family to settle down. If they are willing to be detached from the Strains, they can come to me.

Zhou Yan: Yes. Young master, there is a new situation in Warson.

With a glow of deep scarlet in his eyes, and after a short silence, the girl's panicked voice sounded by Evan's ear from thousands of miles away.

It's a panic that he has rarely seen ever since he knew her. She seemed to be worried for a certain person, and obviously it isn't himself.

Zhou Yan: There are movements from Director Lu Ting.

An email is shown on the phone screen, it is the meeting minute of the entire meeting.

Zhou Yan: He has been frequently active between the executive members. It is possible for him to bypass you and make a move to Pristine. Should we--

But even if they have returned to the car and drove off the city, Zhou Yan still hasn't received the answer he is expecting for.

Evan: The handkerchief is dirty, send it for laundry. Drive faster, we have to meet the duke of the English Strains, it's impolite to let an elderly to wait for us.

Zhou Yan agreed with a nod, no longer asking anything further.

The car drove into the night speedily, disappearing in the night skies.

At the same time, Sariel is walking in the corridor of the hospital. Every crisis that is brewing speedily seemed all unrelated to him.

CG Ward

He carried a bouquet of flowers, opened the pale blue ward door, but it's all empty inside.

His gaze fell on the vase at he corner of the walls. What lies within is no longer fresh flowers, but a bunch of bristlegrass. It seems to have been plucked for a few days, and it is already a little yellowish.

In his pocket, his phone has been vibrating non-stop.

Sariel: Hello?

Lao Zhong: Lao Qi, I'm discharged. You can't possibly have arrived the hospital haven't you? My bad, I didn't tell you. But I can already imagine the darkened expression of yours hahahaha.

The other end of the phone call paused, then let out a cheeky smile, and spoke before Sariel manages to answer anything.

Lao Zhong: Don't be in such a hurry to diss me. Old fox, I think we probably won't be able to meet from now on.

Sariel: What do you mean, aren't you taking medications right now?

Lao Zhong: That medicine is already useless on this set of old bones of mine. Before I die, I wanted to look around outside again.

Sariel's shadows on the tiles froze for a few seconds.

Lao Zhong: I've been staying in the ward every day back then, and I kept feeling like I've lived enough. And guess what, I only realized that it might not even be enough even if I live on for another few thousand years after I got discharged. Why aren't you talking? You can't be crying can you? I'd feel bad for that.

Sariel stood very upright, switching the phone to another hand, dropping his gaze as he stared at his own shadow.

Sariel: What a narcissist.

Lao Zhong: Fine fine fine, I'm a narcissist. Remember to bid farewell to Y/N for me, she has always been visiting me, I guess she is considered as my disciple now.

Sariel: Do it yourself.

Lao Zhong: Still that same old attitude. When someone is about to die, their words will be kind too. Listen to my advice, change your temper.

Sariel: What temper of mine?

Lao Zhong: Your stinky-ass temper! So stubborn like a donkey. Besides that girl, who else could possibly bear with you?

Sariel: I don't need anyone else.

Lao Zhong: Oh you, I was originally saying that you have to suffer a bit. But the moment I remembered that you have suffered enough but still having this attitude, I suppose there aren't much that can be changed. But I still want to tell you this, don't avoid others' care for you. You always shoulder everything to yourself, and when you are really troubled, you don't know how to ask for help.

Lao Zhong lets out a long sigh, and remained quiet for a while.

Lao Zhong: Back then, Lao Yang, Xiao Guo, Lao Hu, one by one... they are gone. Old friends have all withered. After knowing each other for so many years, when they are gone, they are just gone. It still feels like the days where we drink and sing are still laying before us. It's still humans that are good in writing, gather your rosebuds while you may. Old fox, don't leave regrets, and don't always live in the past, there's no way to return to the past forever. Although you've been saying that you've forgotten about it, but I think you've always been trapped in there. Humans have to look forward, at least look at the present, and it's even more important for foxes to do so!

A very faint curve appeared over Sariel's lips, and he let out a quiet smile.

Lao Zhong: Being quiet again? Forget it, I'll be annoyed when I talk to you. Duet a song with me, consider it as an ending to our ill fate. When the time comes, I'm going to tell YanWang*, to never let me meet a fox like you again in my next life.

*T/N: Ruler of Chinese hell.

The monologue singing voice of the old, hoarse is heard. Even if the phone is moved a little away, it is still clearly audible.

Sariel matched the beat, slender fingers knocking on the speaker. Thud, thud, it's like he's hitting an hollowed bamboo.

The white elms at the east gate, and the oaks on Wanqiu; The daughter of Zizhong, dances about under them. A good morning having been chosen, for the plain in the South; She leaves twisting her hemp, and dances to it through the marketplace. The morning being good for excursion, they all proceed together; I look on you as the flower of the thorny mallows, you give me a stalk of the pepper plant.*

*T/N: This is a poem titled 东门之枌, the white elms at the east gate. The current scholars generally believe this is a love poem where a young couple plays in the city, dancing, singing and exchanging gifts. This reflects the society norms in the Chen nation, and has a high cultural value. The daughter of ZiZhong, ZiZhong is a surname of the Chen nation. 

The voice gradually quiets down. The joy of the song is gone, the hand in beats have also drooped. The ward returned to its silence.

The messages blocked by the phone all surged up.

Sariel originally did not want to be bothered by it, but still opened it.

Doubts, questioning, PR solution... And the design draft that is filled with red circles of comparisons.

He knows what it is very clearly. The blurred numbers of charcoal paper on the design draft, it should have disappeared in this era.

Sariel: Apology, shutting the brand?

Sariel did not understand any of this. An internal email labeled with red exclamation marks attracted his attention.

The mail comes from the board of directors in Warson. No attachments, only a simple line.

"Director Qi, we hope for you to proactively shoulder the responsibility of the downfall of Pristine's reputation in order to not get other members of the team."

He startled for a moment, then responded before he even knew it.

There isn't a single message coming from the profile picture with a silly smile on the top of his chatting application*.

*T/N: He pinned her contact to the top.

Main Story Chapter 12-08: Savage Game (蛮荒游戏) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Before reading this chapter, please read the previous chapter here.

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No matter how many ridiculous matters have happened around me, life still goes on.

The next seasonal designs for Pristine are basically set, but there are still many unfinished preparation works for the release show next month. Being immersed within, there's almost no time for me to think about the matters of investigation.

I get to meet Sariel every other day to discuss about brand-related matters. He looked very tired, still coughing very often as usual, it's just as if he hasn't recovered from that flu for a long time.

But every time I asked if he wanted to take some rest, he would always refuse it, it's as if he won't make it if he can't seize every moment of time.

You: It feels like he's been hiding something...

Just when I was lost in thoughts, a hot cup of milk tea landed by my hand.

Li Manman: Cafeteria's milk tea on buy-one-free-one, so this cup is yours!

You: Thank you Manman~

Mao Ge: Manman, you're biased, you didn't even bring a cup for me.

Li Manman: Do you even need me to bring you one? Hasn't a certain colleague from group B bringing one for you already?

Hao Shuai: Right? We saw Jiang Lai handing you the milk tea at the stairs. It's caramel flavored, half sugar, doesn't matter if you drink it or not. Y/N you didn't see it, Mao Ge looked like a little wife, looking all shy.

Mao Ge: I did that out of politeness! Who said I was shy?! Shoo shoo shoo! I was originally planning to share a huge gossip to you guys, I suddenly don't feel like telling it anymore.

Hao Shuai: You're such a mood killer, gossips are to be shared, it's bad for your heart to keep it to youself.

Li Manman: Tell us, tell us!

Mao Ge: Did you hear that there was a troublemaker here today?

Li Manman: No, I've been working throughout the entire morning.

Mao Ge: There's an unkempt woman came to our Warson building this morning, and knelt on the floor with a thud. She yelled loudly with tears in these words: "It's you all who have hurt my daughter!"

Mao Ge: In a twinkling, HR and a few security guards immediately ran towards there. Just when they helped the woman up, she have instead pointed at them and said, "you are all wearing clothes from Warson, all of you will start burning too!"

Hao Shuai: Ridiculous. Your gossips now are getting increasingly ridiculous.

Mao Ge: Tsk, don't interrupt. What's interesting lies behind this. That woman took out a photo, saying that her daughter died from a fire in an art gallery. Her life wasn't rescued even after she's sent to the First People's Hospital. It's because she wore a dress from Pristine! The skirt started burning on its own!

You: ... ?!

Art gallery? First People's Hospital??? Now that I counted the days, the fire seemed to have happened two weeks ago!

Li Manman: Clothes burning on its own? How can this be possible?!

Mao Ge: Everyone there were shocked, but it feels sorry to see her being so hysteric. They wanted to calm her by inviting her to the office, but she ended up making a police report! She have been crying and yelling for the next half an hour, saying that she only have this daughter, and she wanted our company to compensate for her life. She even said we have colluded with the media, so this matter has been suppressed. It took the police great efforts to bring her away. I secretly took a short recording, I'll show you.

The unkempt woman had snot and tears all over, she had been shouting "Xiao Zhen, it's mommy's fault, mommy shouldn't have bought that dress for you"...

You: Xiao Zhen... This name is so familiar.

Mao Ge: I've asked around, her daughter's name is Tian Zhen.

I started to recall everything happened on that day. The mess all over the place in the gallery, the injured Charlie, the girl in life danger, the dreadfully long rescue, and the accidental death in the end--

Tian Zhen! I finally recalled it. I have indeed heard those two syllables from that doctor.

You: But why did I remember that the doctor said she's an orphan...?

Li Manman: It's pitiful, it must've been painful to lose a family member, she probably acted this way from the impact.

From the small screen, the woman stood up, crying and complaining to the bystanders, and most people have made a recording in their phones.

I felt a little nervous for unknown reasons, and subconsciously dialed Charlie's number.

You: Hello, let me ask you something. Is Tian Zhen the girl that have passed away in that fire last time?

Charlie: Yes.

There was not even a pause for half a second from the other end of the phone.

You: Then is she an orphan?

Charlie: Yeah.

The conflicting situation made me speechless. It can't be a coincidence, could it?

Charlie: What's wrong? Are you okay?

But the same name, the same location, and the same place, even dying to the same reason, how could there be something of such coincidence?

You: I... There's something that I can't think through, it's all fine now. Thank you.

After hanging up, I've decided to search for what happened that day, but the same results happened again. There was not a single news report, only a few scattering online posts of the fire in the gallery.

A familiar suddenly entered my sight, but what accompanies it is a surprising title-- Revealing the truth behind the fire! Pristine's ready-to-wear causes ignition.

You: ... Causes ignition?

This isn't an article, but a video. The main character of the video is a somewhat popular freelance influencer, known publicly from revealing a factory with ill business practices.

In the video, he stood at Warson's entrance, and explained in an intense tone.

Influencer: As everyone knows, in this season, the sub line Pristine from Warson is using recyclable materials as its selling point, and they have released a series of ready-to-wear clothings. Then does everyone knows what the recyclable material that Pristine uses actually is?

The camera moved towards a table by the side, there are a few clothings from Pristine, and some chemicals that even I am not too familiar with them.

Influencer: It's this cerium sulfide. It is one of the lanthanide metal with the highest abundance. 

He speaks as he picked up a metal bar and breaks it open.

Influencer: See this? I'm now holding a bar of cerium. As long as it is slightly rubbed against metal, it will produce sparks. To make clothes with such dangerous material, allowing oblivious consumers to fall in danger, and causing numerous fire incidents. Today, I will expose Warson Group's secrets right here!

He listed out the time of happening of the recent fires, and pointed out that the victims of fire are all wearing clothes of the same brand Pristine.

You: How can this be possible?!

I'm unable to suppress the flames of rage in me. Before I can finish watching it, I closed the video right away.

It's too far-fetched. As the member of the design group, I am very clear that the material used for Pristine's previous season is paper fiber. There was no cerium sulfide used on clothes, it's only used as a paint on a separate accessory.

Moreover, cerium sulfide is far different from cerium. Cerium sulfide isn't any dangerous material, and it can even be said that it's a common ingredient.

I took a glance at the posting time. It's one hour ago, so the number of views, shares and comments are very little, there are even a few that voiced out their doubts to the video's creator.

You: To gain attention from fire victims, it's really--

Mao Ge: What video is it? That you're gritting so much.

You: Someone said our clothings have serious quality issues, and it's even related to the few fire incidents. Look!

I raised my phone to Mao Ge.

Hao Shuai: Is it the cerium sulfide video? I saw it too! What exactly is going on?

Mao Ge: Turns out it isn't about what happened in the morning! Also, why is the number of shares this high?!

You: Wasn't it merely a few just now?!

I took my phone back. The moment I lowered my head to look at it, my head felt dizzy.

Within a few minutes, the comments and share exceed thousands, with countless comments of insult and doubt entered my eyes, they are all densely packed.

Comment 1: I took the Pristine cloth at home to give it a try, it'll really ignite after a few rubs! Thank goodness I didn't wear it after wearing it!

Comment 2: Don't Warson have too much bad ingredients already? It's almost becoming outdated as a luxury product, well didn't it come back to life only because of fake news.

Comment 3: Well isn't that just murder for money?!

Comment 4: Can anyone tell me who the designer of this cloth is?!

Mao Ge: This person is definitely making rumors! I'm so angry!

It only took over ten minutes for the number of shares to exceed ten thousand. Countless related articles appeared under the video, and the number of views from each article are all scarily high.

A notification sound is heard from Miss Zheng Lin's phone. She took a glance, made a quick reply, then turned towards us.

Zheng Lin: The company is now making a response. Everyone, please don't panic for now. The discussion on the internet is indeed very terrible, but we can't make ourselves panic. Continue to focus on your work, leave this matter to the company.

The comments on the website continues to refresh, just like the tides. There are some voices of rational queries, but very quickly drowned by fear, mocking and ridicules.

Even though Miss Zheng Lin sounded gentle and calm enough, I still can't feel settling at all.

You: Sariel...

This is the brand that he brought up with his own hands. Did he see these malicious comments?

He shouldn't be related to a matter that came without prove, but he has an indivisible relationship with the brand...

Li Manman: Oh heavens, why are they starting to scold the director?!

Manman's voice sounded with rage. She showed us her phone screen.

Li Manman: Consumers requested for him to come forward to explain about it?!

Mao Ge: They are already organizing petition to boycott Warson and Sariel consisting of 10k signatures! There's already over thousands of reposts!

You: Can I see it?

Our office buddies have all gathered in a circle. I can't see the small screen clearly, only to hear my own voice tremble.

Li Manman: The post originally still had discussions about Pristine's ingredients that causes ignition. Someone mentioned if Sariel was being undutiful as the director, and the situation blown up to an uncontrollable extent.

"Sariel sells seconds at best quality prices, is corrupted, and uses the worst ingredients and hence caused fires."

"Insiders exposes that Sariel has always been showing bad temper frequently at work, his capabilities are ordinary, only enjoying the fame and fortune with the characteristic as a young prideful designer, and it's no different from the mere act of an industry creating a God-like figure."

"I'm also from the same industry. Sariel knows nothing about design at all, there are several ready-to-wear works coming from plagiarism."

My blood have all surged up to my mind, it feels just like I'm being stabbed with needles, even my eyes are burning.

You: It's impossible for Sariel to do something like this! If it is said that Sariel knows nothing about designing, then there's nobody in this world that knows what design is!

Zheng Lin: Y/N, calm down, as long as the matter of the material is clarified, rumors like this will be debunked.

Mao Ge: Right? So any anonymous can call themselves someone from the industry now? Also this is the complete opposite isn't it? Director Qi's level is recognized throughout the world, just how many brands have been copying him every year?

I nodded as I suppressed my emotions. A bad premonition have instead growing stronger in my mind, that my fingers scrolled down uncontrollably.

Li Manman: ... Wha- What's this?

The voice by my ear became lower. I nervously looked at the images that looked extremely similar on the screen.

The same simple outline that flows smoothly, the azure wave elements, and the morning glory embroidery that adds the magical final touch.

One of them is the ready-to-wear clothes from Pristine. The introduction writes "Pristine, Design by Sariel".

And the other is a yellowed design draft, with charcoal pen outlining a blurred word and year number, "Vesi, 1908".

The person replied writes--

"As an admirer of the brand Vesi, I have requested this unpublished design draft on an auction with a huge sum of money. I don't know when Sariel touched it, but his action is clearly an unsightly plagiarism."

The post received tens of thousands of likes, and it got boosted up to the top of the community post rankings.

I looked up to see everyone's expressions that are filled with shock and doubt.

Mao Ge widened his mouth, but he did not say a thing. I returned the phone to Manman.

You: Thank you.

Taking the documents and proposal book on my table, I left the office right away.

I thought of visiting the First People's Hospital, but Tian Zhen has already passed away, so there's no proof. There's no way for the hospital to provide her information to a stranger like me. There's no way for me to trouble Charlie to get those information for me.

My footsteps gotten quicker and quicker. Although it's not the appointed time with Sariel, but there's only a single place I can go now.

You: He's not in...

Sariel's office is locked. The curtains from the inside are probably open, the bright sunlight filled the entire narrow slit from the door.

There's a small ray of light reflecting from the plant beside the door, brightening a ray of white light.

You: What is this...

I focused my gaze to look towards the tiny little drawing on it.

You: Little bird?

Is it drawn with a chalk? It's a somewhat rough image of a bird, happily looking up, as if it's showing a silly smile.

I recalled something, and moved the pot a little away in disbelief. A key suddenly appeared before me.

You: Oh you... If I don't admit myself being the clumsy bird, I won't be able to find it isn't it?

The teeth of the key stabbed into my palm. It's a little cold, but I can't feel any calmer compared to other moments.

The gaze of surprise and doubts pained me. I only hope for Sariel to not see the same expression for even a second.