That week, Wen threw herself into work with renewed vigor, her mind sharpened by her recent conversation with Kai. Mei Ling's words still haunted her, a reminder of the city's merciless expectations, but Kai's support lingered, a quiet reassurance she carried like a talisman.
In the office, her colleague Eric Tan noticed the shift, a flash of irritation flickering across his face whenever he saw Wen engrossed in her tasks. Eric had been with Cheng & Partners longer than Wen, but he seemed to resent her growing confidence and determination. She couldn't help but feel his gaze prickling the back of her neck whenever she stayed late, his whispered comments a constant reminder of the invisible competition she faced.
One evening, as Wen reviewed a stack of reports, Eric leaned against her cubicle wall, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Burning the midnight oil again?" he said, his tone edged with sarcasm.
Wen glanced up, her expression calm. "Just trying to get ahead. You know how it is."
"Oh, I know," Eric replied, a glint of condescension in his eyes. "But be careful. Ambition's great, but it can be… exhausting. Especially when you don't have the connections to back it up."
The comment stung, though Wen kept her face neutral. She knew what he meant—the city favored those with ties, with family names that carried weight. People like her were expected to climb slowly, to know their place. She offered him a tight smile, determined not to let him rattle her.
"Thanks for the advice, Eric. But I think I'll take my chances."
His smirk faltered, and he muttered something under his breath before walking away. Wen exhaled slowly, steeling herself against the petty rivalries and insecurities of the office. She reminded herself that she was here for a purpose, to create a life that wasn't defined by someone else's judgments.
That night, as she rode the subway home, she found herself thinking of Kai again, wondering if he faced the same pressures within his own world. She imagined him navigating glittering rooms full of wealthy elites, where expectations hovered over him like ghosts of unfulfilled dreams.