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nChapter Seventy-One: Needless Doubt

nYan Jin got caught up in his thoughts.

nNeedless to say, this jewelry box design was very, very familiar to him…

nAfter searching for so many years, just as he was about to see the light at the end of the tunnel, Yan Jin suddenly got cold feet.

nThere was a voice deep in his heart that told him over and over again – Yes, it is. This is the person. This is his Mr. Mystery.

nThe name Mr. Mystery was a name that Yan Jin had given to Fish and Hamster – You Can’t Have Both.

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nWhen they were fighting with SI for that overseas billionaire’s dea, YL won the deal that was worth a thousand bricks of gold and the chance for a priceless collaboration with just one drawing that had no name signed on it.

nWhen Yan Jin stood in front of a group of conniving old foxes in SI corporation’s meeting room, he could not use the hilarious name Fish and Hamster – You Can’t Have Both. Instead, he told the audience that the designer who saved them in this desperate crisis was Mr. Mystery.

nThe mystery designer, Mr. Mystery.

nBecause they called him the mystery designer, he should remain anonymous.

nThe people from SI could tell that Yan Jin was messing with them, but they could not do anything about it.

nIt was true that he was messing around – Yan Jin had long grown tired of those people who liked to flaunt their seniority, so he made use of that opportunity to mock them to his heart’s content – that was Yan Jin’s original intention.

nHowever, the name Mr. Mystery was not created because he wanted to fool them.

nIn his life, there was a Mr. Mystery who had appeared before. A person who connected his past and future, yet left no clues behind – it was Mr. Mystery.

nAfter pondering for a long time, Yan Jin finally thought of how he should word his question.

n… Have you designed anything other than jewelry?

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nYan Jin thought he would be very nervous, but he was not. When he raised that question, his emotions were surprisingly calm.

nBefore even replying, he already knew the answer.

nHe once said that so long as this designer appeared before him, he would definitely be able to recognize them.

nYan Jin had never lied before.

nHe would not overestimate his own abilities, so when he said ‘I can’, it meant that he would definitely be able to do it.

nHowever –

nFish and Hamster – You Can’t Have Both: Never ever.

nYan Jin felt helpless.

nIf someone else was rejected so resolutely, perhaps he would doubt on his own judgement. But Yan Jin would not.

nHe knew the reason Fish and Hamster – You Can’t Have Both replied that way was because the other party had yet to realized what type of designer he was.

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nHe had once heard from the most respected person in his life that it was very rare for a designer’s style and standards to change because of the requester and his request. But it was not impossible. When there was a designer with such characteristics, more often than not, they would face restrictions from their official career because of their outstanding talent and capability. Their extraordinary talent would be restricted by the supposed ‘company’s philosophy’ as well as the client’s request and end up unable to show off their true capability.

nThe ingeniousness that no mortals could fathom would only be released when they could express themselves freely.

nAnd the person that Yan Jin respected the most was the same type of designer. In all his works, only the jewelry that he designed because of his job was unable to warm people’s hearts.

nIt was highly possible that Fish and Hamster – You Can’t Have Both was that type of designer as well. In addition, it seemed that he himself had not realized it.

nYan Jin had a way to verify if Fish and Hamster – You Can’t Have Both was really his Mr. Mystery. He had a lot that he wanted to say and much more that he wanted to tell Mr. Mystery.

nBut now was not the time.

nYan Jin sighed.

nThe Autumn Release Conference was just before his eyes. It was less than twelve hours before the official opening. If he was to acknowledge Fish and Hamster – You Can’t Have Both right now, YL may have to give up on this year’s Autumn Release Conference.

nIn that instant, Yan Jin certainly felt that the Autumn Release Conference was really trivial… but thankfully such thoughts quickly disappeared.

nSuppressing his urges, Yan Jin confirmed the display method for the exhibition item with Fish and Hamster – You Can’t Have Both. Then, he contacted Secretary Fang and threw the file to his employees to plan and dragged the design director up to amend the color coordination…

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nChairman Yan’s energetic drive influenced the entire group of YL employees. They did not dare to slack as they cautiously and conscientiously did whatever task was asked to them – no one even grumbled about staying up through the night.

nIt was four hours before the Autumn Release Conference would begin. They had finally settled everything.

nYan Jin rubbed his temples as he leaned on the couch with his eyes closed.

nBecause of the overexcitement last night, the passion that burned in his heart was too strong. It was nice that he had finished his work, but the fatigue after the work was done was also surprisingly strong.

nIn just a quick moment, Yan Jin accidentally fell asleep.

nIt was rare for him to dream of something that had happened a very, very long time ago.

n……

nHe once thought that there would be nothing worth anticipating in his life ever again.

nHe had come back from overseas and would take everything that belonged to him. He would send those sinners to hell and then, then nothing else.

nHis life had already come to an end long ago. The person he was right now only continued existing in this world in order to fulfill some regrets that he had.

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nYan Jin once thought that he had already planned what he should be doing everyday in his future. Next, all he had to do was to routinely complete those tasks, wait for the results, and then everything would come to an end – even if everything included himself.

nUntil he took over YL.

nAllowing him to take over YL was no doubt a stupid move made by the Yan family. It was so stupid that Yan Jin did not even consider including it into his plans.

nHowever, so what? It just quickened the progress of his victory.

nThat was what he thought back then. Now, he was extremely grateful to the Yan family for such a stupid move.

nHe could even say that the reason the Yan family was still struggling on whilst at death door right now was undoubtedly because YL had become the beam of light that brightened Yan Jin’s boring life.

nIt was not an intense kind of glow, but it certainly made him anticipate the future.

nAnd the source of all that was just one small stupid item.

nWhen he had just taken over YL, Yan Jin was not even clear about the difference between jewelry design and clothing design. And yet there were many things waiting to be done in YL that left Yan Jin with no time to adjust himself slowly. Helpless, Yan Jin got his assistant to search for capable talents all over the world and ask around about the industry’s news. He did not idle either as he tried all sorts of ways to infiltrate the leading corporation at that time, SI, which was a mighty figure that no-one dared to approach.

nThat was the point where Yan Jin had met Lin Zhou.

nFrom the words of that junior designer, Yan Jin received a lot of information that he needed. He also found out about some… surprising matters.

nThe ex-chief designer was a gifted talent that appeared once in a century. He suddenly appeared fifteen years ago. Using his extraordinary talent and insight, he saved SI, which was being targeted by several big corporations at the time. It could be said that he was the pioneer of SI’s flourishing dynasty.

nHowever, that outstanding designer suddenly vanished into thin air five years ago. Since then, no one had ever heard of him.

nYan Jin heard from Lin Zhou about that gifted talent’s name, then went into a trance.

nNo matter how many years had passed, he would never forget that name.

nThat name was the only warmth that he knew in this icy cold world.

nThat was the person that he had utmost respect for, even now. It was a pity that he did not have the chance to preserve any of his work.

nThose precious treasures that brought warmth to his life were all confined in the flames of that large fire.

nOne year later, YL had gradually gotten back onto the right track and was almost able to stubbornly compete against those established brands.

nYan Jin could not put into words himself why he continued to manage this corporation whose survival had no relation to his future plans.

nThis was the second time that he derailed from the life he had planned for himself.

nThe first was without a doubt the day that he took over YL.

nIt was enough that he did that twice – he could tolerate the little joke that fate had played on him, but he would not indulge in it any further.

nThe end was already within reach.

nAfter YL had entered the eyes of the public, the people that Yan Jin had to entertain increased. Regardless of whether he was willing or not, he had to participate in some of the events held within the industry.

nThe Lin Zhou that he had met a year ago, was no longer a junior designer. He had stabilized his position in SI. Then, even after knowing his identity, they still kept in touch as normal friends.

nOnce, Lin Zhou suddenly mentioned that he was preparing a design event for his alma mater. He asked if Yan Jin could provide some sponsorship.

nYan Jin gladly agreed.

nRegistration for this event was done online. All participants could seal the things that they wanted with their receiving address into a small bottle. This was also controlled by the internet. It was like a mini game of message in the bottle. The number of designers were limited, so whoever’s bottle the designer received was based on their luck. The designer would draw a design, and then they could either hand make the item or process it in a factory. The final product would then be delivered to the owner of the bottle by the event’s association for free.

nAlthough it was an event with a new idea, the business attribute was not strong enough, yet the effort put in was huge. This was why Lin Zhou could not get any sponsorship for such a long time The reason Yan Jin had agreed was simply to pay back the help that Lin Zhou had given him back then.

nPlus, he may not have the chance to do such a thing anymore.

nAs a sponsor, Yan Jin had also participated in the event under Lin Zhou’s hearty invitation.

nYan Jin pondered for very long as he stared at that empty page. He could not come up with anything that he wanted.

nThere was nothing to be done. He was indeed such a boring person.

nHe did not have things that he anticipated, nor did he have a future that he wished for.

nDeath was an ending that he had been waiting for.

nIt was just that, it felt like a pity…

nIf it was not for that big fire, perhaps he could still preserve some of those things.

nThe things that would accompany him into the grave.

nAs the boss behind the scenes, Yan Jin’s bottle would obviously not be picked based on luck. Every designer that participated in that event had made a free design for Yan Jin. The designers naturally knew who Yan Jin was and almost all the designs were made to fit his identity.

nOne month later, Yan Jin received a bunch of watches, cufflinks, ties. It was then that he recalled the existence of that event.

nRight until the end, he did not write any words. Instead, on that blank piece of paper –

nYan Jin drew a question mark.

nHe did not understand the meaning of that question mark himself. Obviously, those greenhorn youngsters who were not even considered to be designers would not understand either. They had all created something according to their ideas – putting elements of question marks onto every corner of those watches, cufflinks and ties.

nYan Jin looked at those weird looking designs which were both funny and extremely embarrassing. He was slightly disappointed.

nIn the end, he picked up a silver colored little bell.

nIt lacked any decorative design, any elements of question marks, and was nothing special in particular. It was one of those stupid little bells that anyone could buy for ten dollars a box at the market.

nYan Jin harbored eerie emotions as he called Lin Zhou.

n“Oh, that bell. It’s even handmade. The designer was anonymous, but he left some words, which were ‘use the magnifying glass…’”

nYan Jin did find a magnifying glass as he examined the stupid little bell thoroughly, feeling like he had been played. He did not find anything outstanding.

nIn the end, for some unknown reasons, Yan Jin held the bell up, shined light from the bottom, and used the magnifying glass to look.

nAfter spending almost three hours, Yan Jin finally saw the only secret that the bell had.

nWithout a doubt, that was a cheapskate bell that anyone could buy for ten dollars off a street stall.

nThe only differences were the three letters lightly carved on the interior.

nThe three letters that Yan Jin had spent three hours to find.

nIt was worth it, because he had been looking for this answer for fifteen years.

n——?

n——YES

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