Chapter 27: Can I Pursue You?

When sleeping with Zhu Yun, Wen Yang would instinctively wake up early—after all, her mother’s authority was undeniable. By the time she got up, Zhu Yun was already awake and had even tucked the blanket tightly around her. No wonder she had woken up covered in sweat.

Wen Yang sat up, her hair cascading down her shoulders, her neck damp with sweat.

She called out, “Mom,” before heading straight to the bathroom to freshen up. The hotel suite was well-equipped, even providing a small tube of toothpaste from a luxury brand. After washing up, she changed into fresh loungewear and stepped out to find Zhu Yun warming up breakfast.

“Your dad bought this downstairs,” Zhu Yun said. “He got red rice sausage—see if it’s the kind you like.”

Wen Yang sat on the sofa, smiling. “I sometimes order takeout from that place. It’s pretty good.”

“That’s good, then.”

“Where’s Dad?” Wen Yang asked, biting into the red rice sausage as she looked around.

“He’s on the small balcony hanging clothes. There’s a dryer here, but the balcony is too tiny—he could only open a small window.”

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“Mbld uswa eye yde R okzz oykv qsa uswa tsse dlop.”

“Of course.”

Arriving at the Studio

Yu Qing and Tao Li were already there. When they saw Wen Yang’s parents enter, they immediately greeted them warmly. Zhu Yun and Wen Li took in the small but bright and uniquely decorated studio.

They also noticed a row of green plants that Wen Yang had been taking care of.

Seeing all this, Zhu Yun and Wen Li were completely relieved. Their daughter was starting a new chapter, following a path she truly loved.

This was the best outcome they could have hoped for after coming to Nancheng.

Just then, Wen Yang received a call.

It was from the company they had been negotiating with—they agreed to collaborate. Moreover, they had recently brought in a renovation team. The foreman of that team had previously worked with Yu Qing.

He was very willing to collaborate again.

Wen Yang asked for the foreman’s name and was surprised to find out that he was the same man who had helped carry cement when Yu Qing had suffered from a heart attack. He had now formed his own renovation team.

Wen Yang handed the phone to Yu Qing.

Yu Qing was momentarily stunned before saying, “I sent him a red envelope last time to thank him for his help, but he didn’t accept it. I never expected he’d start his own business.”

Wen Yang smiled. “That’s great. We can trust him.”

Yu Qing nodded. “Yes! Let’s get in touch with them right away. That means we can start work on the Washington property.”

“Alright.”

While Tao Li kept Wen Yang’s parents company, Wen Yang and Yu Qing got to work. After finalizing the agreement, they prepared the contract. Yu Qing gestured for Wen Yang to message Fu Xingzhou to confirm the start date.

Wen Yang understood.

Businessmen valued auspicious dates. She picked up her calendar, opened Fu Xingzhou’s chat, and typed a message.

Wen Yang: President Fu, we’ve finalized the renovation team. Would you like to choose an auspicious date for the project start?

Fu Xingzhou: Jiang Yue will send you the date.

Wen Yang: Got it. Is there anything special we should prepare for the ground-breaking ceremony?

Fu Xingzhou: Keep it simple.

Wen Yang: Okay. Will you be attending that day?

Fu Xingzhou: I might come in the afternoon. Jiang Yue will handle the first brick laying.

Wen Yang: Alright, sounds good.

After confirming that he would provide an auspicious date, Wen Yang felt reassured.

Zhu Yun, who had been standing behind her, saw her checking the calendar and asked, “Looking for a start date?”

Wen Yang nodded. She flipped through the calendar and explained, “Mom, I have a client whose property is in Washington. I just finished the design, and we’re getting ready to start renovations, so I was checking if they had an auspicious date in mind.”

Having lived in Nanan for years, Zhu Yun was quite familiar with these customs.

She said, “Choosing an auspicious date isn’t easy. You have to consider the zodiac signs of everyone in the family, and only when they align can the construction begin. Based on the dates, there are only two or three good days this month.”

Zhu Yun pointed to a few dates on the calendar.

Wen Yang nodded, thinking that her mother really knew her stuff.

She circled the dates with a pen just in case they were needed for recommendations.

That morning, Wen Yang stayed busy at the studio, while Zhu Yun and Wen Li, being easygoing people, relaxed there as well, keeping her company. Their main purpose for coming to Nancheng was to see how their daughter was living.

In the afternoon, Wen Yang took her parents to Yage Community to see her current apartment. Since it was a rental, the décor naturally couldn’t compare to the home she had bought when she got married. Back then, she and Cheng Yanyu had personally overseen the renovations, with most of the decisions made by her. She had been in her senior year of university at the time, preparing to get married right after graduation. Aside from working on her thesis defense, she had spent most of her time checking on the renovations.

Every brick and tile had been carefully chosen, creating a warm and beautiful home.

The rental she lived in now was still stylishly decorated, but it wasn’t truly hers.

When Zhu Yun walked in, she had already expected a difference in the living environment, but seeing it in person still gave her a sense of loss.

As parents, they always wished for their daughter to live in the best conditions, and that previous home had belonged to her.

Sitting on the sofa, Zhu Yun asked as Wen Yang poured water, “How much did you sell that house for?”

Wen Yang casually mentioned a number and placed two glasses of water on the coffee table in front of her parents.

Wen Li said, “Nancheng’s housing prices have really gone up fast. To reach that number in just two years is pretty good.”

Wen Yang pulled up a small chair to sit across from them and nodded. “Yeah, prices have risen quite a bit.”

Zhu Yun held the water cup without saying anything.

To a mother, money wasn’t the most important thing—it was the fact that the house had been a home.

After taking a few sips, she looked at Wen Yang. “The studio must have cost a lot. Do you still have any savings left?”

Wen Yang smiled. “Plenty left. It’s not just me funding the studio—Yu Qing also invested quite a bit.”

Zhu Yun nodded. “Save what you have. Spend on what’s necessary but don’t waste money. In a year or two, your dad and I will pool some money together to buy you a home in Nancheng. Renting isn’t a long-term solution.”

Wen Yang propped her face on her hand and smiled. “We’ll see. No rush.”

Having seen both her living and working environments, Zhu Yun and Wen Li had achieved the main purpose of their visit.

For the next few days, Wen Yang took her parents around Nancheng to relax and enjoy the city. Nancheng was a livable city, with a romantic and comforting atmosphere carried by its floral scents. Zhu Yun finally understood why her daughter liked it so much.

Cheng Yanyu hadn’t given Wen Yang anything good—perhaps the only valuable thing he had left her was the connection she had formed with this city.

A Few Days Later

Zhu Yun and Wen Li returned to Nanan.

They both had jobs and had already squeezed in this short trip, so they couldn’t stay any longer.

After they left, Wen Yang’s life and work returned to normal.

Soon, Secretary Jiang sent over a date.

As expected, it was one of the auspicious dates her mother had chosen.

Good days were universal.

The Start of Renovations

On the groundbreaking day, only Jiang Yue arrived. Wen Yang and Yu Qing led the renovation team to Washington, where Jiang Yue was already waiting with all the necessary construction documents.

Smiling, he handed the papers to Wen Yang. “President Fu is only available in the afternoon, so I’ll be handling the ceremony on his behalf.”

Wen Yang nodded, taking the documents. “Alright.”

The groundbreaking ceremony had its formalities, but Jiang Yue had everything prepared. Wen Yang simply assisted, and once the formalities were done, the renovation team officially started work.

That afternoon, Jiang Yue stepped out for a while and returned carrying a large amount of afternoon tea—treats for the renovation crew.

The workers were surprised.

No wonder this was a wealthy client—treating them to food on the first day of work, and all of it was hearty and substantial.

While Jiang Yue handed out drinks, Wen Yang helped him distribute them. He turned to her with a smile. “Miss Wen, President Fu is downstairs at the café. He’s prepared some afternoon tea for you as well—why don’t you ladies head down?”

Yu Qing wiped dust off her hands, her eyes lighting up. “That’s so generous.”

Tao Li had just arrived to drop off something for Wen Yang and was also there. She blinked excitedly, clearly pleased.

Jiang Yue chuckled. “It’s only the first day, and there’s still a long road ahead. Take this chance to relax a bit. Go on.”

Wen Yang handed a drink to one of the workers and smiled. “Alright then, Secretary Jiang, we’ll head down.”

“Go ahead.”

Yu Qing was already linking arms with Wen Yang, and Tao Li grabbed her other arm, sighing, “We need more clients like this in the future.”

They hadn’t even started working yet, and they were already getting fed.

Wen Yang chuckled.

The café downstairs at Washington was high-end and private, with a luxurious ambiance.

When they entered, the leather sofas dominated the space, and the moment they stepped inside, they saw Fu Xingzhou standing by a table, taking a call.

When he looked up and saw them, he gave a slight nod to acknowledge their arrival.

Wen Yang heard Tao Li take a sharp breath.

This handsome? This young?

Yu Qing clicked her tongue. “Way better looking than in photos… This face is something else.”

Tao Li’s face turned red.

Yu Qing, on the other hand, was full of curiosity as she greeted Fu Xingzhou with a bright smile.

Fu Xingzhou nodded slightly, his gaze landing on Wen Yang’s face. She gave him a gentle smile.

The café manager walked over and served them desserts. Sitting by the window, they had a view of the seasonal flowers blooming in Nancheng. The atmosphere was beautiful. They had combined two tables, which were now filled with food.

Yu Qing and Tao Li pulled Wen Yang over, and the three of them took their seats.

Besides desserts, there were also snacks and coffee. Everything was exquisitely presented, perfect for taking pictures.

Tao Li pulled Wen Yang and Yu Qing together for a group photo. Since Wen Yang was good at photography, they pushed her to take the pictures instead. Smiling, she took the phone, adjusted the settings, and snapped a few shots for them as requested.

Fu Xingzhou finished his call and sat down a short distance away. The café owner, seemingly a friend of his, chatted with him in a low voice while occasionally glancing at the three women sitting by the window.

Since Fu Xingzhou had also ordered some extra food for their table, the café owner personally brought it over and placed it in front of them.

Seeing this, Wen Yang turned to Fu Xingzhou and said, “Mr. Fu, this is a bit too much.”

Fu Xingzhou’s fingers glided over his keyboard. He looked up at her and said, “Have a little more. Later, come over—I have something to ask you.”

Wen Yang assumed it was about work and nodded. “Alright.”

After Afternoon Tea

Yu Qing and Tao Li returned to Washington first.

Wen Yang went to the restroom, and when she came back, she sat down across from Fu Xingzhou.

A plate of freshly served cod rolls sat beside him. He reached out and pushed the plate toward her. “New item on the menu—try it.”

Wen Yang was momentarily surprised. “I’m pretty full.”

Hearing this, Fu Xingzhou simply nodded. “Then just leave it.”

But the cod rolls were coated in a golden, crispy batter, looking irresistibly crunchy. The portion was small, too. Wen Yang hesitated—she didn’t want to waste food, especially since Fu Xingzhou didn’t seem like the type to eat such snacks.

After a brief pause, she slid the plate closer and said, “I’ll have a little then. No point in wasting it.”

Fu Xingzhou glanced at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Wen Yang picked up her fork and started eating. The cod roll was crispy and full of flavor. She took her time savoring it.

Fu Xingzhou set his phone down, his gaze lingering on her as she ate.

Then he spoke, his voice deep and clear. “Your parents have gone back to Nanan?”

Wen Yang looked up and nodded. “Yeah, they’ve left.”

Fu Xingzhou hummed in acknowledgment. “Are they pressuring you to get married?”

Wen Yang was taken aback. She grabbed a napkin and lightly wiped the corner of her mouth before shaking her head. “No, they’re not.”

Fu Xingzhou nodded, looked at her, and asked, “Then, would you allow me to pursue you?”

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Sansukini: So straightforward. No beating around the bush! I like it.

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