Chapter 19: Dreams in the Design Studio
After that night on the Star Ferry, Su Lingwan felt like a barrier between her and Huo Linshen had been broken. He was still a quiet man, and his emotional expressions were still clumsy and direct, but he was no longer reluctant to let her see his efforts and the changes he had made because of her.
He would remember her casual mentions of preferences, and when she stayed up late painting, he would silently accompany her by her side, handing her a cup of warm milk. He even began to try to respond with understanding and support when she shared interesting stories or troubles in the studio, rather than from a purely commercial perspective.
This steady, steady infiltration made Su Lingwan feel more at ease and secure than any vigorous pursuit. She seemed to be able to see the fortress of solid ice melting from the inside, because of her presence, revealing the soft and real texture underneath.
Her "debut" collection is now complete and sent to Paris for an exhibition. After a brief period of relaxation, greater challenges are coming: the daily operation of the studio and the conception of new collections.
Su Lingwan doesn't want to rely solely on the resources provided by Huo Linshen and the Su family's background. She hopes that the "Suling Wan" brand can truly gain a foothold in the fiercely competitive jewelry industry with its unique design and quality. However, ideals are often full of hope, but reality is often skinny.
Independent studios face numerous challenges: finding stable and high-quality suppliers of niche gemstones; collaborating with skilled craftsmen who are willing to cooperate with designers’ ideas; developing sales channels other than Huo’s channels; and dealing with overt or covert pressure from competitors. These trivial and practical issues are far more demanding than simple design.
That day, Su Lingwan was fretting over a soon-to-be-due order. A renowned collector had commissioned a necklace featuring a rare Paraíba tourmaline as the center stone. Its color, like the clearest seawater, was incredibly beautiful, but also exceptionally delicate, requiring extremely high standards of setting craftsmanship. The original craftsman she had partnered with had temporarily returned to mainland China for family matters, and several new workshops she had contacted either couldn't meet her standards or were fully booked.
There is only one week left until the delivery date. If it is overdue, not only will the studio face compensation, but it will also deal a heavy blow to the reputation it has just established.
Su Lingwan sat in the studio, looking at the beautiful tourmaline and the unfinished design, her brow furrowed, at a loss. She didn't want to rely on Huo Linshen for everything. This was her own dream and career, and she hoped to solve it on her own.
Seeing her worried look, Selina tentatively suggested, "Ms. Su, why don't you ask Mr. Huo? He has a wide network of contacts and may be able to contact a suitable craftsman."
Su Lingwan shook her head and said firmly, "No, Selina, this is my own business. I want to solve it myself."
She tried making a few calls and sending a few emails, but the responses were either disappointing or fell on deaf ears. As time ticked by, the pressure weighed on her like a huge rock.
Just then, her email pinged. It was an email from Italy, from a top-tier jewelry house she had long admired but never encountered: Bottega di Bellezza (Beauty Workshop). Known for its exceptional craftsmanship and exceptional gemstones, and a behind-the-scenes collaborator with many top jewelry brands, the house was renowned for its long wait times and discerning clientele.
Su Lingwan opened the email with suspicion, and was surprised by its content. The email, written politely and professionally, explained that they had stumbled upon designs for Su Lingwan's "First Look" collection (she had previously posted concept art for some non-core styles on her personal website) and were deeply impressed by the inspiration and craftsmanship. They also mentioned that one of their experienced craftsmen was currently in Hong Kong for an academic exchange and was available to work on a short, challenging project. They asked if she was interested in collaborating, and provided her contact information.
This is truly a timely help!
Su Lingwan was so surprised and delighted that she could hardly believe her eyes. She immediately called the contact number in the email. The other party confirmed the content of the email and said that the craftsman would be free the next morning to discuss in detail.
After hanging up the phone, Su Lingwan was immersed in the joy of a bright future. But after calming down, a trace of doubt emerged in her mind. This was too much of a coincidence. How could a studio of Bottega di Bellezza's caliber take the initiative to notice a budding designer like her? And why did one of its craftsmen happen to be available in Hong Kong?
She thought of Huo Linshen.
Is it him?
He saw her predicament and secretly provided help in a way that did not hurt her self-esteem?
When Huo Linshen came to pick her up for dinner that evening, Su Lingwan carefully observed his expression. He looked no different than usual, except when she mentioned that they had successfully found a craftsman to solve the problem, he simply said "hmm" to indicate that he understood, without asking any further questions or taking credit for it.
This actually made Su Lingwan even more certain of his guess.
Given his personality, if he had deliberately arranged this, he would never take the credit. He would just quietly clear the obstacles for her in the way he thought was most effective and least intrusive to her independence.
A warm feeling, mixed with complex emotions, surged through her heart. She was grateful for his thoughtfulness and help, yet also felt a little ashamed of her previous stubbornness, insisting she had to rely entirely on herself. Perhaps true strength lies not in rejecting all help, but in accepting kindness while maintaining independence and growth.
The next day, Su Lingwan's meeting with the craftsman from Bottega di Bellezza went smoothly. The craftsman possessed exceptional skills and shared similar philosophies. He offered many constructive suggestions for treating the Paraíba tourmaline. The two enjoyed a lively conversation and quickly finalized the details of their collaboration.
The problem that had troubled her for many days was easily solved.
The order was delivered perfectly as scheduled. The collector praised the finished product highly and even posted a special praise on the social platform, which brought considerable attention to Su Lingwan's studio.
After this incident, Su Lingwan noticed that the studio's operations seemed to be running much more smoothly. Some suppliers who had previously been difficult to approach became more proactive, and some potential clients even extended olive branches. All of this happened quietly, without the slightest trace of deliberateness.
She knew that Huo Linshen must have been behind this. He did not publicly declare his support, but chose a more advanced approach - respecting her dreams, protecting her wings, quietly paving the way for her when she needed it, but leaving the stage and the spotlight entirely to her.
That night, Su Lingwan leaned in Huo Linshen's arms, watching an old movie on the living room TV. She suddenly raised her head, looked at his well-defined jawline, and asked softly, "Huo Linshen, the 'Bottega di Bellezza' incident, and those subsequent suppliers...you arranged it, right?"
Huo Linshen's eyes were still fixed on the TV screen, his fingers occasionally tangling with her hair. He paused slightly after hearing her words. He lowered his head and met her clear eyes, which were filled with understanding and gratitude.
He didn't deny it, but just asked calmly: "Is it effective?"
Su Lingwan nodded: "Very good. It solved my big problem."
"That's good." He returned his gaze to the screen, his tone calm, "I'm just offering an opportunity. It's up to you to seize it and achieve results."
His words were simple, but they instantly filled Su Lingwan's heart.
He didn’t say “I helped you solve it”, but rather “You took a chance”.
Instead of taking credit, he attributed his achievements to her.
This kind of respect is more precious to her than any material support.
She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you," she said sincerely, "thank you for... your understanding and respect."
Huo Linshen's body stiffened slightly, and then he tightened his arm around her waist. He tilted his head, his deep eyes looking particularly focused in the dim light.
"Su Lingwan," he called her name, his voice low and solemn, "Your dream is dazzling."
“So, go ahead and fly.”
"I'll be down there, watching you."
It is not to support you, nor to restrain you.
Instead, I watch over you, protect you, and clear away the storms for you, so that you can soar in the sky that belongs to you without any worries.
Su Lingwan's eyes felt slightly hot. She buried her face deeply in his neck and nodded vigorously.
She was so lucky to meet such a man. He might not understand the romance of love and romance, but in his most practical, clumsy and sincere way, he created a blue sky for her to pursue her dreams freely.
The dream of the design studio is her own journey.
And his protection is the most solid and warmest support for her on her journey.
She knew that there might still be thorns on the road ahead.
But as long as he was behind her, she had endless courage.
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