Rose Thorn

Chapter 6 · The Launch Event Uprising

Lin Wanqing stood backstage at the "Stellar" series international launch, fingertips grazing the black diamond brooch on a model's neck. Thorn vines coiled from the collarbone, the rose half-bloomed, each petal treated with 3D printing technology, shimmering like starlight under spotlights.

"Miss Lin, Mr. Gu asked you to adjust the live broadcast equipment," Xia Xia's voice crackled over the walkie-talkie. "Ten minutes until the global stream starts."

She took a deep breath, heading for the backstage control room. Beyond the glass curtain wall, Gu Group's logo twinkled in the night, below a thousand-seat auditorium packed with reporters and buyers—this was her make-or-break moment from "plagiarist" to "international designer", the "vindication stage" Gu Chengyan had secured for her.

As the control room door opened, Lin Wanqing adjusted the 360° ring camera. Gu Chengyan leaned on the frame, suit unbuttoned to reveal the old scar on his collarbone, carrying a black toolbox.

"Why the personal visit, Mr. Gu?" she arched a brow.

"Preventing sabotage." He opened the box: signal jammers, backup power supplies, a micro stun gun. "Chen Zhengxiong was bailed out yesterday. Su Manni threatened from prison to 'ruin Lin Wanqing'."

Her hand paused on the dimmer. Three days ago, Su Manni was indicted for forgery, Shen Yanzhi's company sealed for embezzlement, but she knew they wouldn't quit.

"Security feeds?" she asked.

"Switched to backup systems 30 seconds ago." Gu Chengyan swiped his tablet. "But I installed thermal imaging—" He looked up. "Abnormal heat in the southeast corner."

Lin Wanqing followed his gaze: on screen, a janitorial figure crouched behind sound equipment, clutching a black device.

"That's a signal jammer," Gu Chengyan's voice darkened. "He'll cut the global stream, turn the launch into a 'joke'."

On the main stage, the host began the opening speech. As Lin Wanqing watched the timer hit "00:01:00", her heart raced. She keyed her headset: "Mr. Gu, jammer at southeast speaker three."

"Copy." His voice crackled back. "Xia Xia, activate backup power; Lao Zhou, send models out early."

The host's voice cut out. The auditorium plunged into darkness, filled with gasps. Lin Wanqing gripped the brooch, catching Gu Chengyan dashing from backstage—white shirt sleeves rolled, a coiled cheetah.

"Please remain calm." Gu Chengyan's voice echoed from emergency lights, holding the jammer on stage. "Some tried to disrupt today, but fortunately—" He flipped a switch, the jammer's red light dying. "Gu Group's backups outpace certain... conspiracies."

When lights rebooted, Lin Wanqing saw Su Manni being escorted out by guards, hair disheveled, lipstick smudged, her blue diamond watch missing, fresh scratches on her wrist.

"Chen Zhengxiong ordered me!" Su Manni shrieked. "He said if you were disgraced, he could take Lin Group's remaining shares—"

"Enough." Gu Chengyan's voice sliced. "Take her to the station, cell next to Chen's."

The launch climax surpassed expectations. When Lin Wanqing walked the runway in her "Thorn Rose" gown, thunderous applause erupted. She touched the brooch, black diamonds refracting galaxy light: "This brooch is 'Rebirth'—born of lies, yet blooming in truth."

Cameras panned to the audience, where silver-haired Jean-Pierre held up his phone, screen showing real-time translation: "Miss Lin's designs redefine 'Oriental aesthetics'."

"Next, global limited pre-sale," Xia Xia announced backstage. "First batch of 100, starting bid—"

"Wait."

A familiar voice cut in. Shen Yanzhi stood from the audience, shirt crumpled, red-rimmed eyes: "Wanqing, I need to speak."

Lin Wanqing's heart skipped. She remembered him standing before her three years ago, blue diamond in hand: "I'll provide for you"; Su Manni's words from prison: "He promised to divorce for me"; this morning's bankruptcy liquidation report, signed in his hand.

"Mr. Shen," Gu Chengyan's voice came from beside her. "This is a launch event."

"I know." Shen Yanzhi never took his eyes off Lin Wanqing. "I need to admit I stole the design draft for Su Manni. Because I thought... you didn't deserve it."

Silence fell. Lin Wanqing felt a hot rush behind her eyes—not grief, but absurdity. She recalled dismantling lies with security footage and legal clauses; Gu Chengyan's words: "Stand on your own"; and just now, wearing her design under the spotlight.

"Mr. Shen," her voice rang clear as diamond. "Three years ago, I did sign a copyright agreement. But I also remember you saying, 'Lin Wanqing's designs are defined by no one but herself'."

She removed the brooch, holding it before him: "This 'Rebirth' was adapted from the stolen draft in my safe. It proves—" Her gaze swept the hall. "True talent cannot be stolen."

Shen Yanzhi's tears hit the floor. He staggered back, knocking over a champagne tower.

That night in the studio, Lin Wanqing leaned by the window, wine in hand. Gu Chengyan wiped her design tools, movements gentle as if handling glass.

"You knew Shen Yanzhi would come?" she asked.

"Gut feeling." He didn't look up. "But when he did, I realized—" He set down the tools, turning to her. "You need no one to vouch for you. Standing there, you'd already won."

Her phone vibrated. Jean-Pierre's message: "Miss Lin, royal jewelry exhibition invites you to showcase 'Stellar' next week."

She handed him the phone. His finger traced the French invitation, corner of mouth lifting: "Seems Mrs. Gu's career is more dazzling than I thought."

"What about Mr. Gu?" She kissed his chin. "How long will you keep me as a 'contract wife'?"

His hand found her waist, pulling her close. Moonlight spilled over their joined hands, black diamond catching light—exactly like the "Exclusive to Lin Wanqing" he'd written on her sketchpad at 18.

"From the day you wore this ring," his voice husked, "it was never temporary."