Shang Wu leaned against him and shook her head: "Sister You has sacrificed so much for us, this little grievance is nothing, and besides, I believe in you."
She looked up at him, her eyes becoming serious. "However, there's something I have to tell you. That Qi Yan, he was probing into the Zhou family's affairs too obviously today. I suspect that his request for jewelry design from me was just a pretense; he really has ulterior motives."
Lu Rang's eyes sharpened instantly.
"I was just about to tell you this. This person has a complicated background and unclear motives, and I'm very worried. Could you try to minimize contact with him? As for the design drafts, could you have Aying handle the communication or communicate via email as much as possible?"
Shang Wu nodded: "I understand, I also feel that something is wrong with him. I will be careful."
Just then, her phone rang, and the caller ID showed it was Aying.
As soon as Shang Wu answered the phone, A Ying's voice came through, trembling with tears and panic.
"President Shang! I'm so sorry! I... I've made a mess of things! I broke Mr. Qi's brooch!"
Shang Wu's heart sank: "What? What happened? Don't panic, tell me slowly."
"I wanted to take it up to the light to check the setting details, but I slipped and dropped it. The main stone came loose and scratched the metal wire next to it, so it's deformed now and has a deep scratch..."
Ah Ying's voice was filled with despair, "Mr. Qi said this was very important to him, it was his mother's birthday present, what are we going to do, President Shang..."
"Don't cry, stay in the studio and don't move, I'll be right there."
Shang Wu hung up the phone. "Aying broke Qi Yan's brooch."
Lu Rang's expression instantly turned cold.
The name Qi Yan is now practically synonymous with trouble for him.
He picked up the car keys.
"Walk."
The two rushed back to the studio as quickly as possible.
Shang Wu pushed open the door and saw A Ying standing helplessly by the workbench, her eyes red and swollen, with tear stains on her face.
A soft cloth was laid on the workbench, and the brooch, which was already taking shape and had an exquisite design, was now lying on it.
The prong setting that should have been used to set the main stone was slightly crooked, and a jagged scratch on the side ruined the overall smooth lines. Several thin metal wires were also deformed.
The damage was more severe than Shang Wu had anticipated.
It's almost impossible to fix; it can only be redone.
"Mr. Shang, Mr. Lu..."
When Aying saw them, tears welled up in her eyes again, and her voice trembled.
"I really didn't mean to, I just wanted to..."
Lu Rang frowned as he looked at the damaged brooch.
He was already wary and displeased with Qi Yan's approach, and now he felt a mixture of irritability and anger.
His gaze was sharp as he swept over Aying, his tone cold and stern, a tone rarely heard from Shangwu.
"Who gave you permission to touch the brooch? Don't you know who Qi Yan is? Can you handle the consequences?"
Aying trembled with fear, tears streaming down her face, unable to utter a word.
Although Shang Wu was also extremely anxious, seeing Lu Rang scolding A Ying like this, she still stood in front of A Ying to protect her.
"Why did Lu tell you to yell at her? Aying didn't do it on purpose. She's been with me for so many years, when has she ever made such a mistake? It was just an accident."
She understood Lu Rang's anger, but taking it out on the already terrified A Ying wouldn't solve the problem.
Seeing Shang Wu's protective attitude, Lu Rang suppressed his anger, but his face was still unpleasant.
He knew Shang Wu valued loyalty and friendship, but what angered him was that this unexpected incident happened to Qi Yan's order.
Shang Wu turned around and gently patted A Ying's shoulder.
"It's alright, I'll handle it."
She took out her phone and dialed Qi Yan's number.
This matter cannot be hidden, nor should it be hidden.
The phone rang a few times before being answered. There was some background noise on Qi Yan's end. Was he at a social gathering?
His voice carried a hint of lazy laughter: "Miss Freya? Is there some good news to tell me at this hour? The brooch is finished ahead of schedule?"
Shang Wu's throat tightened, and she spoke with difficulty: "Mr. Qi, I'm very sorry. I have to tell you some bad news. Your brooch had an accident in the studio. It was accidentally dropped and damaged."
On the other end of the phone, Qi Yan's voice turned cold: "Miss Freya, I hope you're joking."
"I wish this were a joke, but unfortunately, it's true."
Shang Wu tried her best to remain calm and professional. "It was my assistant who accidentally dropped it while checking, and I take full responsibility. I am willing to bear all the losses and do my best to remedy the situation. If you are willing to give us a chance to remake one, we are willing..."
"Remake?" Qi Yan interrupted her, his voice barely concealing his obvious anger. "Shang Wu, tell me, what about the time? My mother's birthday banquet is next week! What am I going to give her as a gift? Do you think money is the biggest problem? I want that brooch!"
"This is a birthday gift that I personally designed, incorporating elements that my mother loves most! And now you're telling me it's broken?"
His anger was clearly transmitted through the phone, carrying an unmistakable sense of oppression.
Shang Wu was in the wrong and could only apologize repeatedly.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Qi, I know this can't be measured in money..."
"Of course you know!" Qi Yan's voice turned icy cold. "I don't want compensation. I just want the brooch delivered exactly as it was, on time. Otherwise..."
Lu Rang couldn't resist taking the phone from Shang Wu's hand.
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