No reconciliation, no forgiveness! Mr. Pei leaves with nothing.

Ten minutes later, a minivan drove up.

As an assistant, Zuo Xiangnan also had to do two jobs: pick up and drop off Song Qingran back at school.

Upon entering the villa and seeing the president inside, Zuo Xiangnan didn't seem surprised, but the president's expression didn't look too good.

The car drove smoothly, and Pei Zhan kept his eyes closed to rest. Song Qingran didn't dare to disturb him. Thinking about what happened last night, she still mustered up her courage and asked softly, "Mr. Pei, may I participate in this jewelry design competition?"

My heart pounded with tension as I waited silently for a while. The man was still resting with his eyes closed, as if he were truly exhausted.

"I know you didn't get enough rest last night helping me revise the manuscript, but it's okay, I don't remember, you can get some more sleep..."

The car was parked not far from the school. Pei Zhan's van and a taxi were parked in the same line, one in front of the other.

Inside the taxi, the driver said, "...Young man, I haven't given you your change yet?"

Jiang Hua coughed frequently and slightly as she got out of the car. "No need." Jiang Hua had gone back to stay last night. When she got home, her father was already asleep. When she woke up from her nap at noon, Jiang Weiguo had already gone out fishing and had no idea that Jiang Hua had been back.

At that moment, Song Qingran also got out of the car.

"Jiang... Senior Jiang... Good morning."

Jiang Hua turned her head slightly to look at Song Qingran. Her clear and beautiful eyes were devoid of any emotion, and she gave Song Qingran no response whatsoever.

In Song Qingran's eyes, her indifference was a sense of hostile alienation.

Jiang Hua has a cold and aloof appearance. When she doesn't speak or show any expression, she gives off a fierce vibe.

Perhaps this is why Jiang Hua is not well-liked.

She was just too tired to talk. She didn't sleep a wink last night and only slept for a few hours before dawn.

She listened to the morning classes in a daze until the end.

She touched her forehead; it seemed she had a slight fever.

Jiang Hua dragged her tired body to the infirmary to get some medicine and also to receive an IV drip.

When Wen Huai was not seen this time, a relatively young nurse was giving Jiang Hua an IV drip.

Jiang's Jewelry Group

In the president's office, Zuo Xiangnan held a design draft document that she had just received from the design director and handed it over. "This is the design draft that Chairman Jiang instructed us to give to Miss Jiang for the competition next week."

Pei Zhan took off his gold-rimmed glasses with one hand and took the documents from his assistant. For some reason, at that moment, Pei Zhan felt a strange discomfort in his chest, and his eyes dimmed.

Zuo Xiangnan noticed that Pei Zhan was acting strangely and asked, "President Pei, is there a problem?"

Pei Zhan: "How's it going at school?"

Zuo Xiangnan said, "President Pei, rest assured, the school has already made arrangements, and Miss Song is still eligible to participate. However... Miss Song is unaware of our interference. I believe that with Miss Song's design talent, she will definitely achieve good results in the competition."

Once Pei Zhan's emotions subsided, he quickly regained his composure, appearing aloof and ascetic. He didn't even glance at the documents in his hand, but instead handed them back to Zuo Xiangnan. "Don't ask me about this design draft. You handle it. Also... the second-place prize money is increased to 200,000. If Chairman Jiang asks, just say it was my decision."

Zuo Xiangnan didn't need to ask any more questions to understand Pei Zhan's meaning.

This design was created by the jewelry director of the Jiang Group's design department. With his abilities, he could easily cheat Jiang Hua and get first place.

This competition was originally held for Jiang Hua, so that she could earn credits and graduate smoothly.

Jiang Hua is nothing but a pretty face, a useless vase relying on the power of the Jiang family.

With Song Qingran's talent, getting second place was more than enough for her. This prize money can be considered as compensation for Song Qingran. If it weren't for Jiang Hua's interference, she would definitely have been in first place.

Therefore, power is indeed a good thing...

Zuo Xiangnan submitted the design drafts, under the name Jiang Hua, to the organizer in the marketing department ahead of time…

At that moment, Song Qingran received this good news in her homeroom teacher's office.

The homeroom teacher was also happy for her, saying, "Perhaps it's because of your recent good performance that the department head has lifted your ban from participating in the competition, and even your punishment has been revoked."

"Qingran, you are the student I value most and who has the most promising future."

"Do your best in this competition, and don't let your teacher down, okay?"

Song Qingran was overjoyed. "Okay, teacher, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down."

In the evening, Song Qingran spent a little more time in the art studio in the teaching building after class because she was able to participate again in the design competition held by Jiang's Jewelry Group at the university.

Before she knew it, it had gradually gotten dark outside the window, until her phone, which was in her bag, vibrated and brought her back to her senses.

Upon receiving the call from Mr. Z, Song Qingran hurriedly put away her sketches and rushed out of the teaching building.

As dusk fell, golden rays of light illuminated the entire campus. Song Qingran ran all the way, and when she finally reached the school gate, there was hardly anyone left around the school.

Song Qingran quickly got into a black sedan and sat in the back passenger seat, where she reached up to tidy up the stray hairs on her forehead.

A deep, emotionless voice sounded in my ear, "Are you happy today?"

"Okay!" When the car stopped at the door, she gripped the canvas bag tightly. After mentally preparing herself many times, she finally said, "...Mr. Pei, thank you for helping me this time. Don't worry, I will definitely get good results."

After saying a word of thanks, Song Qingran opened the car door, got out, and went into the villa.

Pei Zhan rarely returned to the flower garden, which he hadn't been to in a long time.

The living room of the large, single-level apartment, which was over 200 square meters, was completely empty. It was unclear how long it had been since anyone had lived there. Pei Zhan touched the light switch on the wall, and all the lights in the living room came on. He walked to the table, his fingers tracing the surface, leaving dust on his fingertips.

Since Jiang Hua left, all her belongings have been taken away and she has never returned, as has Pei Zhan.

There's a strong smell of dust in the lobby now.

The lights in the lobby used to stay on all night. No matter how late it was, Pei Zhan would always see a woman sleeping on the sofa with a face mask on, who had accidentally fallen asleep. She was covered with a blanket, one corner of which was dragging on the floor, and her straight legs were curled up on the sofa.

Pei Zhan returned to the room, which was exactly the same as before. His gaze swept around and he noticed a ring on the bedside table that had been there for who knows how long.

He walked over, and the ring lay there quietly.

The Pei family handled the entire wedding ceremony. Even the rings were bought by Jiang Hua herself after shopping for more than two hours. After the wedding, she wore the rings, and Pei Zhan never saw her take them off.