Chapter 32: Stay with me till the end

Su Nian's grip on the phone suddenly tightened, her knuckles turning white. Li Yuan, that scumbag, had actually used their former joint design to collaborate with a large company and pocket the fruits of her labor. How shameless!

"You mean, he took the award-winning design he and I shared and cooperated with your company without my knowledge?" There was a layer of ice in her voice.

"I'm afraid so." The other party's tone also added a bit of helplessness.

Su Nian took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. "Okay, may I ask what company you're working for?" She tried to keep her voice steady.

"Chen's Clothing Company. We'll have the legal department involved in this matter to avoid any future disputes."

"Thank you for letting me know." After hanging up the phone, Su Nian threw the phone on the sofa, leaned his back against the cold wall, and felt a stuffy feeling in his chest.

Li Yuan was truly despicable! No wonder he shamelessly persuaded her to work in the studio like a parrot every day. It turned out that this was his plan.

The phone screen lit up, and it was a message from Si Yan: "Are you asleep?"

Su Nian's fingertips hovered over the screen, typing and deleting, and finally replied with only two words: "Not yet."

The next second, the phone rang. "What's wrong? The voice doesn't sound right." Si Yan's voice came through the receiver, with subtle concern.

Su Nian looked out the window at the night, and suddenly she didn't want to be so stubborn anymore. "Li Yuan...he used the award-winning design he and I worked on together to collaborate with another company, but he didn't tell me."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of keyboard tapping. "Which company?"

"Chen's Clothing Company."

"Got it." Si Yan's voice deepened. "Don't panic. The design copyright has your signature on it, so he can't make any waves. I'll go to the law firm with you tomorrow to sort out the evidence."

"But……"

"No buts." He interrupted her hesitation, his tone reassuring, "The thief should be anxious, not you."

Su Nian looked at the lamp on the coffee table. The warm yellow light spread across her hands, and the icy grievance in her heart melted away. "Yeah."

After hanging up the phone, she opened the dialog box with Li Yuan that had been silent for a long time, typed in a message, and then deleted it.

Finally, she locked the screen and stood up, walked to the desk and took out the dusty USB drive - it contained all the original manuscripts and creation records of her designs, which were her original collections.

If Li Yuan wants to play dirty, then she will accompany him to the end.

The next morning, Si Yan came to Su Nian's house with breakfast.

When Ms. Su Hong learned about this while having breakfast together, she was also gritting her teeth in hatred.

"Auntie, I will accompany Nian Nian to the law firm later. Don't worry, we will definitely get justice." Si Yan comforted her.

Si Yan took Su Nian to the law firm of his childhood friend Zhong Jie. That day, they were having a welcome party for Qin Chuan, who had just returned from China, and among the people who were drinking there was Zhong Jie.

He, Qin Chuan, Zhong Jie and Wu Yichen have been friends since childhood.

"Ah Yan, what a rare visitor! Is the sun rising from the west?" Zhong Jie was busy sorting documents when he looked up and saw Si Yan coming in with a girl. His eyes lit up instantly, "Oh, and he brought a beautiful girl with him. Is this... the iron tree blooming?"

Si Yan didn't respond. He sat down on the sofa and raised his chin towards Zhong Jie: "Be serious, this is my girlfriend, Su Nian. Nian Nian, this is my friend Zhong Jie."

When Su Nian heard the word "girlfriend" from Si Yan for the first time, her face suddenly became hot and her heart was beating like a deer.

"Girlfriend?!" Zhong Jie dropped the document in his hand onto the table with a "clack". He stared at her like she was an alien. "You, this thousand-year-old iceberg, have finally come to your senses? It looks so small. Si Yan, are you...reserving the flowers of the motherland in advance?"

Si Yan raised his eyebrows, his eyes carrying a hint of danger: "One more word of ridicule and I'll send Qin Chuan to come."

Qin Chuan had something on him, so Zhong Jie immediately dropped his playful smile and rubbed his hands together as he approached: "No, no, no, no, I'm wrong, isn't that okay? Tell me, what is it that requires a top lawyer like me to intervene?"

Su Nian whispered, "Hello, Lawyer Zhong."

Si Yan looked at Su Nian's shy appearance, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously. His girl was just timid. He reached out and patted her shoulder gently, signaling her not to be nervous.

Zhong Jie came back to his senses, quickly put away his joking expression, and said seriously: "Okay, no more jokes. Tell me the details."

Su Nian took a deep breath and explained the whole story.

Zhong Jie took notes as he listened. Afterward, he adjusted his glasses and said confidently, "No problem. With the original manuscript, the creation records, and the signatures on the designs, we're sure to win this case. I'll start preparing the materials now and try to get the case filed as soon as possible."

Si Yan looked at Su Nian, his eyes full of encouragement: "Don't worry, Zhong Jie is here, everything will be solved."

Su Nian looked at Si Yan and Zhong Jie gratefully, and the uneasiness in her heart dissipated a lot.

Si Yan stood up and said, "Thank you. I'll make an appointment when I'm free."

"Hey, are we leaving?" Zhong Jie shouted from behind, "I guessed right, you haven't even graduated from college yet. Why don't you chat for a while? I haven't even asked how you two met..."

Si Yan didn't even turn around, pulling Su Nian out, leaving Zhong Jie muttering on the spot: "He values ​​women over friendship! But then again, this girl looks younger, but she's a good match for him..."

After sending Su Nian to the door of the tailor shop, Si Yan reminded her: "Don't think too much, wait for my news."

Su Nian nodded, and looked at his back as he turned and left. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up - it turned out that he was quite energetic when it came to arguing with people.

Zhang Qiuyan finally saw Su Nian at the tailor shop recently. "Niannian, you look good recently."

"Qiuyan, what do you want to say?"

"Hey, tell me about your love life!" Zhang Qiuyan came over with a gossipy look on her face.

Su Nian's face turned red. She remembered Si Yan's words "my girlfriend" and her heart began to beat faster again.

"That's not true..." She denied it, but the smile that she couldn't hide betrayed her.

Zhang Qiuyan blinked. "You're still not admitting it. Even a fool can see the sweetness on your face. Tell me quickly, is it that handsome guy from last time?"

Su Nian bit her lips lightly and nodded.

"Wow!" Zhang Qiuyan jumped up excitedly. "When did you two get together? This is so sweet!"

Su Nian didn't want to say too much, and just briefly recounted Li Yuan's situation and the process of Si Yan's help.

Zhang Qiuyan cupped her hands together and said, "Si Yan is so reliable! You have to catch him well."

Su Nian smiled and nodded, her heart filled with warmth.

She walked to the fabric section, her fingertips running over several pieces of fabric before finally settling on a piece of navy silk—lustrous as the night sea, cool to the touch. She started by making Si Yan a set of home clothes. The measurements she'd taken last time were already memorized.

She neatly cut the fabric to the desired length and laid it flat on the workbench. Her silvery scissors cut through the silk almost silently, leaving only sharp curves. Following the outlines she had sketched in her mind, she carved the shape of the neckline and sleeves. Under the lamplight, the navy blue material glowed warmly, as if enveloped in moonlight, waiting to be sewn into a warmth that would sit comfortably against the skin.