Chapter 06 - Overcome a self-doubt

It was almost nighttime. Cong Rong was continuously revising those words of Director Xia. As if it clenched her heart. Those moist eyes filled with tears.
She wasn't ready for this. However, she had to move on.
Sitting on her couch with her hands and feet cupped like a tiny ball, she glanced at the door when Ming entered.
She didn't want to bother Ming with her troubles at all. Thus, she immediately wiped her tears and hid her pain with a fake smile.

"Ming, you're back. What would you like to eat? Let me cook for you."

As Rong approached her, she instantly pulled her into a hug and shed tears. She broke down in front of her as her heart couldn't endure this agony.

Shocked, Rong didn't know what to do. Thus, she put her arms around Ming's back and rubbed it. "Calm down, sweetheart. Tell me, what is wrong?"

Despite her best efforts, she couldn't calm her down and let her cry as much as she wanted.

.............................................

After a while, when her heart slowly started to lighten, she let go of Rong's arms and wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry, Rong. I just felt lonely and needed someone for a hug."

Noticing her gloomy face, Rong felt distressed. It hurt her whenever she saw Ming suffering.
She knew the cruelty of this world. However, Ming was her only friend, who she claimed as her best friend.

She gently caressed her hand and asked once again. "What happened, Ming? Can't you share with me even?"

"Cong Rong, am I not capable of being a comic writer? Are my skills lacking somewhere?"

"Why are you thinking that way, Ming? What exactly happened today?"

Her lips turned down as she lowered her head, gasping in distress.

*Flashback*

When the meeting ended this morning, the ranking list of comics was also out. As usual, Li Wei got the first rank while Zhao Ming was last this time.
After the first time, Xiaomi seemed furious at her and already got another reason to yell at her.
He wasted no time and quickly asked her to come to his cabin.
Unknown of his motive, Ming quietly went to his cabin, where he again shouted at her.

"Do you know your rank for this month? YOU CAME LAST THIS TIME. DO YOU EVEN CARE ABOUT YOUR CAREER ANYMORE? OR DO YOU JUST CAME HERE FOR FUN?"

With his raised voice, Ming instantly flinched. She couldn't even utter a word against him. He left no moment to shout at her ever since she joined the company.

Looking at her with fury, he took out some files from the drawer and threw them on the table.
He opened each of them and showed it to her. "See this. It's a record of poor reviews about your comic. Some of them even said the writer should leave this field. Do you know why? Because you're not passionate about your work."

Clicking on his mouse, he turned the computer screen towards her. He put his finger on the screen and commented. "See, how poor the quality of your comic is? The unattractive plot, poor writing style, and even poor illustration skills. Do you think, with this work, you can be a successful comic writer?"

He bit his lower lip while mumbling. "It would be better for others if you just quit this field."

*Flashback ends*

After hearing this, Cong Rong's anger was on the seventh sky.
Expressing her rage, she almost cursed when Ming stopped her.

"Aye! Girl, it's all okay. He said right, though."

"Couldn't he speak it gently as well? I'm mad at your seniors. Let me catch him one day. I'll give him extra lessons like our Teacher Liu."

A tiny laugh curled her lips as she hit her arm. "Teacher Liu was great. Don't say something about her."

Rubbing her arms, she replied. "Only for you, Miss Liu's favorite student. For us, she was a nightmare."

"Hahaha! You guys were famous prankers at school. Almost every teacher was ready to leave their job because of you guys..."

"But teacher Liu was tough. She stayed till farewell. LMAO!"

................................................

Sitting in a calm atmosphere, Wen Shaoqing was staring at some childhood pictures with his elbows resting on the study table.
There was an unexceptional smile on his face that no one could ever see.
With his hands, he caressed a picture of him with a girl from a high school.

A tiny sigh escaped his lips as he pressed his lips firmly together. "Where did you disappear, Cong Rong? Your dumpling is missing you."

He seemed lost in his childhood memories that suddenly his phone started ringing.
With his distinctive face, he glanced at the phone. "Mom?"

Doubtfully, he picked the call and kept it near his ear.

Shaoqing: Mom?

??: So, Mr. Wen finally got time to talk to his parents.

Frowned on his spot, he again checked the name.

Shaoqing: DAD?

Dad: Yes, it's me. I know you won't pick if I call you at my number. Thus, I called from your mom's phone number.

Shaoqing: Dad, you only talk about marriage.

Dad: WEN SHAOQING!! You're an adult already. If you don't take responsibility for the family, then when will you? It's time for you to get married.

Shaoqing: Dad! I don't want to.

Dad: Wen Shaoqing, you--

Without letting him speak further, his mom snatched the phone.

"You always shout at him. That's why our son doesn't want to get married."

Putting the phone near to her ear, she gently greeted.

Mom: Son, how are you?

Shaoqing: Mom, thanks for saving me. Old Wen ate my mind already.

Mom: Aye! Shaoqing, your dad wants good for you. We desire to see a grandkid too.

Shaoqing: But, Mom...

Cutting his words off, her mom stated.

Mom: No but anymore, Shaoqing. We have waited for more than two years already. Tomorrow you'll go to meet my friend's daughter. We set a blind date for you too.

Upon listening to her, his eyes almost popped out as he choked in the air.

Shaoqing: B-blind date? WHAT?