Chapter Eight: Envy, Jealousy, and Resentment

The one who spoke was Ma Yi, a male colleague from their office. Unlike Yan Xuan, he was an assistant specifically in charge of post-production for design drawings.

Yan Xuan had been with the company for three months, doing much the same work as Ma Yi. The latter, taking advantage of his seniority, often sneaked his own tasks over for Yan Xuan to handle as well.

He had originally thought that Yan Xuan would never become a full-fledged designer and would, in the end, end up as a design assistant just like himself. Yet to his surprise, when Supervisor Hu tried to bully Yan Xuan yesterday, Director Wu happened to witness it and even gave Yan Xuan a chance.

Since yesterday, Ma Yi had been secretly filled with envy.

Both had studied design, and Ma Yi had even joined the company two years earlier—so why was Yan Xuan the one to catch Director Wu’s eye?

Although whether Yan Xuan could be promoted still depended on the design he would submit to Director Wu before the end of today, Ma Yi was already feeling a sense of crisis.

The thought that he might have to assist Yan Xuan with future projects left him deeply unsettled.

What’s more, Yan Xuan was close with the most adorable girl in their office, perhaps the whole company, which stoked Ma Yi’s jealousy even more.

So when he saw Yan Xuan order extra dishes, Ma Yi immediately sensed an opportunity. Yan Xuan was notoriously broke, usually settling for a meal that cost no more than twenty yuan, just a simple rice bowl. Today’s spread was clearly a treat from Tang Xueying.

Ma Yi’s words dripped with sourness and sarcasm, drawing glances from several nearby tables.

Those who knew Yan Xuan looked knowingly amused, while the others were either curious or openly disdainful.

Tang Xueying’s face changed; she instinctively looked to Yan Xuan, anxious to speak, but he stopped her with a glance.

Yan Xuan shot Ma Yi a look, then spoke with deliberate sincerity, “Brother Ma, you shouldn’t judge me by your own standards. You and I—we’re not the same kind of people.”

A snicker escaped a young woman at a nearby table, who quickly turned away.

“Oh, so just because you got a plate of sweet and sour pork, you think you’re generous?” Ma Yi’s face flushed with anger.

Yan Xuan had never dared talk back like this before. Clearly, his temper had grown now that he was on the verge of being promoted. Ma Yi would have his revenge soon enough.

“You’re right, Brother Ma,” Yan Xuan nodded seriously. “So from now on, I’ll be responsible for Yingying’s lunch every day.”

For a moment, Tang Xueying was both astonished and delighted.

Her happiness wasn’t about the prospect of free lunches, but rather the possible reason behind it.

Could it be that Brother Yan… actually likes me, even just a little?

Anyone with eyes could read the shy joy on Tang Xueying’s face. The onlookers murmured in admiration; she was already beautiful, but her bashfulness made her breathtaking.

The way people looked at Yan Xuan was filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Most of these looks came from the men; the women, on the other hand, watched the two with envy of their own.

Yan Xuan was undeniably handsome. Though his clothes were plain and he was clearly not wealthy, not every woman valued money above all else. Few were as materialistic as Zhou Man and Liu Peina.

Most women hoped for a reliable, motivated man—and if he was clean-cut and good-looking, so much the better.

Yan Xuan was clearly a prime example of just that.

“Fine, fine,” Ma Yi laughed in exasperation, nodding. “But Xiao Tang is such a pretty girl, you can’t get away with just cheap rice bowls every day.”

“No problem. Every day will be better than today,” Yan Xuan replied without hesitation.

Tang Xueying had always been kind to him. They’d joined the company together, but she was different—she had always been close and helpful, reminding him of when he first met Zhou Man.

So now that he had money, it was only right to look after her.

“Good, we’ll hold you to that,” Ma Yi said, turning away angrily, but the flash of venom in his eyes showed he already bore a grudge against Yan Xuan.

Soon, their dishes began to arrive.

Tang Xueying lowered her head, eating slowly. Yan Xuan, on the other hand, was famished. Though he’d had a good breakfast, perhaps the mental strain of working on the designs had left him especially hungry, and he ate quickly.

Half a bowl of rice disappeared in no time. Noticing that Tang Xueying had barely touched her meal, Yan Xuan asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing. I’m fine,” Tang Xueying snapped out of her daze, shaking her head vigorously.

“Really? Your face is so red. Are you sure you’re not sick?” Yan Xuan looked at her suspiciously.

She shook her head again.

Since she wouldn’t say, Yan Xuan couldn’t guess and simply went back to his meal.

When lunch was over, Yan Xuan paid the bill—his last two hundred yuan was instantly cut in half. Still, as long as he had enough left to get to the prize redemption center tomorrow, that was all that mattered.

Back at the office, Yan Xuan threw himself into work and finally, by three o’clock, completed his design.

He let out a long breath—one more step toward becoming a full designer.

If yesterday he’d only been somewhat confident—after all, Director Wu was known for her discerning eye—now, after studying the randomly drawn “Essential Guide to Interior Design, Volume One,” his perspective had greatly improved. If it hadn’t been for his initial limited concepts, a fresh design would have taken him even further.

Supervisor Hu emerged from his small office and beckoned him over. “Yan, come here for a moment.”

Yan Xuan got up and left.

Ma Yi watched Yan Xuan enter the office, then stood and announced, “Everyone, today’s regular meeting is moved up by half an hour—get ready.”

The others were surprised but, albeit unwillingly, rose and headed for the conference room. Ma Yi, the last to leave, allowed himself a sinister smile.

After Yan Xuan left Supervisor Hu’s office, he felt strangely unsettled.

Supervisor Hu had rambled about all sorts of irrelevant things, then simply dismissed him.

Something was off!