Volume 1, Chapter 27: The Might and Magnificence of Senior Brother Yan

"For now, we have the Cloud Map contract, which will keep us busy for half a year. We couldn't handle any other orders anyway, so there's no need to shut down just yet." Jiang Shuwei's smile carried a touch of composure and confidence.

"But what if we do end up having to shut down?" Zhou Haixin asked, trembling with anxiety.

"Then I'll bring you into Director Jiang’s research lab. You can be my assistant, and I’ll still help you soar." Jiang Shuwei’s confidence was rooted in her own capability. Even if those people tried to block her path, she had thousands of other ways forward, just as she had carved out a life for herself after her mother was forced into hiding years ago.

Zhou Haixin immediately rushed over and hugged Jiang Shuwei. "You truly are the best sister one could have, Shuwei. Let's fight them! A bunch of jerks who can't stand to see others succeed."

"It's not that dire. I still need to figure out how this all happened." Jiang Shuwei’s beautiful eyes narrowed; she was not one to sit idly by. If someone were sabotaging her from the shadows, she would drag that ghost into the light and slap a talisman on them.

"Shuwei, you’re my idol, my goddess." Zhou Haixin looked at the bright face before her, realizing that while Jiang Shuwei might seem delicate, she was actually incredibly tough.

"Alright, go back to work." Jiang Shuwei set down her coffee cup. Zhou Haixin quickly paid the bill, and the two returned to work.

Sure enough, before sunset, Jiang Shuwei discovered that more than half of her studio's clients had been poached by a studio called Cloud Illustration. Their uniform pitch was that they offered lower quotes, faster delivery, and free shipping.

Jiang Shuwei stepped outside and made a phone call. "Please help me find out who the investor behind Cloud Illustration is."

The next morning, Jiang Shuwei received the investigation results, which showed that the legal representative of the company was a girl named Han Li. Jiang Shuwei did not know her.

However, at noon, Jiang Shuwei received a call from her senior, Yan Chenze. He invited her to lunch, and she arrived at the restaurant on time. After taking off his white coat, Yan Chenze wore a gray shirt, exuding a gentle and scholarly aura.

"Shuwei, 'At a Glance' is your studio, right?" Yan Chenze asked.

Jiang Shuwei was surprised, her hand tightening around her water glass. "Yes, how did you know, Senior?"

"I asked around specifically. It turns out those exquisite paintings in our hospital corridors were all crafted by your talented hands. Every day on my way to work, I’d stop to look at them. You’re truly heartless, Shuwei; I’ve been looking for you for so many years, only to realize I was looking at your work every day." Yan Chenze’s expression was nostalgic, yet his face could not hide his admiration. "The paintings are excellent; they really capture your style."

Jiang Shuwei smiled, pressing her lips together. "You’re too kind, Senior. Compared to your medical skills, my work is nothing."

Yan Chenze adjusted his refined gold-rimmed glasses and leaned in. "I heard that the hospital is looking to switch to a different studio for our artwork. What’s going on?"

Jiang Shuwei lowered her gaze, feeling dejected. "I’m not entirely sure yet. All I know is that a studio has emerged out of nowhere and snatched away most of my clients."

"Is that so? But the paintings in the hospital corridors are of such high quality that my colleagues have nothing but praise for them. The hospital must be looking to cut costs, which is why they’re considering lower prices." Yan Chenze looked at her with concern.

Jiang Shuwei shook her head. "It’s okay. After all, this is a job where you earn your keep through skill. My company just landed a major project, so I probably won't even be able to finish it in half a year."

Yan Chenze nodded. "That’s good. I was quite worried."

Jiang Shuwei looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you, Senior. You’re still as kind and helpful as ever."

The two chatted over their meal, the atmosphere harmonious. But halfway through, a vibrant-looking woman walked over, her voice sweet and affected: "Dr. Yan, what a coincidence. You're eating here too."

Yan Chenze glanced at her and said politely, "Ms. Han, indeed a coincidence."

"Is she... your girlfriend?" The woman’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Only then did Yan Chenze introduce them gracefully: "This is my junior, Jiang Shuwei."

"Jiang Shuwei? That name sounds familiar." The beautiful woman immediately fixed her gaze on Jiang Shuwei.

Yan Chenze gestured toward the woman and told Jiang Shuwei, "This is Ms. Han Li. Her family is in the medical equipment business."

Jiang Shuwei didn't like being stared at, but when she heard the name "Han Li," she locked eyes with the woman. It couldn't be a bigger coincidence. Could Han Li be the legal representative of Cloud Illustration?

"I'm Jiang Shuwei, founder of 'At a Glance.' It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Han." Jiang Shuwei stood up and offered her hand.

Han Li’s expression shifted instantly, as if she suddenly realized who she was. The curiosity in her eyes vanished, replaced by a cold indifference, and she did not reach out to shake hands. "So, you're a competitor," Han Li said with a forced, insincere smile.

Yan Chenze looked between the two women, confused. "What competitor?"

Jiang Shuwei spoke up from the side: "I assume Ms. Han's Cloud Illustration studio is the one that snatched away half of my clients."

Yan Chenze’s expression changed, and he looked at Han Li. "Ms. Han, is it really you?"

Facing Yan Chenze, Han Li looked uncomfortable. She gave a dry laugh. "I didn't deliberately poach her clients. I'd call it healthy competition between peers."

Jiang Shuwei sat back down with poise and nodded. "Very 'healthy' indeed. But it’s fine—competition only leads to progress."

Yan Chenze’s expression had darkened. He said coldly, "Shuwei and I are still eating. Please excuse us, Ms. Han."

Han Li’s face paled. She shot a resentful glare at Jiang Shuwei before saying politely, "Very well, Dr. Yan, until next time." She left, seething with frustration and spite.

Yan Chenze was a renowned surgeon at the hospital, and with his family’s prestigious connections in the medical field, Han Li, as the daughter of a medical family, had naturally wanted to curry favor with him. Unfortunately, the coldness in his eyes made her feel as though she had been cast into the cold palace.

Yan Chenze looked at Jiang Shuwei’s thoughtful face and placed a piece of meat in her bowl. "Shuwei, do you really think it’s healthy competition?"

Jiang Shuwei rubbed her temples and shook her head. "Of course not. She specifically targeted my studio to poach clients. Isn't that malicious enough?"

"In that case, you’ll need to work hard," Yan Chenze reminded her.

Jiang Shuwei looked at him playfully and mimicked Han Li’s tone from earlier: "Dr. Yan..."

Yan Chenze rolled his eyes, as if wanting to tap her head with his chopsticks. "Don't do that. I don't like her."

"But I could tell—she likes you. And... not in the 'I want to suck up to you' kind of way," Jiang Shuwei said with a mischievous grin.

Yan Chenze replied with a look of indifference: "The fact that she engaged in malicious competition with you is enough for me to strike her off my list of potential suitors."

"Wow, Senior is formidable! You’re so cool! I’m paying for this meal today, don't try to stop me," Jiang Shuwei declared instantly.

Yan Chenze shook his head, helpless. "Still as mischievous as you were in school. But your temperament has changed; it seems like you have a lot on your mind."

Jiang Shuwei paused, then smiled. "People grow up, so they’re bound to change."

"Did you encounter something unpleasant, or did someone make you grow up suddenly?" Yan Chenze’s eyes flickered as he asked in a low voice.