“Alright, give it a try,” Wen Yang said, her face slightly warm.
She stepped forward and took the suitcase from his hand. Fu Xingzhou let go and lowered his gaze to look at her. “Are you free tomorrow night?” he asked.
Holding the suitcase, Wen Yang took a half step back and looked up at him. The wind tousled her hair as they gazed at each other. At the moment she had simply said, I just wanted to give it to you, both of them knew—this pursuit had received a response.
Wen Yang’s eyes curved slightly with a smile. “I’m free.”
Fu Xingzhou’s voice was clear and cool. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow night.”
Wen Yang nodded. “Okay.”
“I’m heading up now.”
Fu Xingzhou made a sound of acknowledgment as Wen Yang turned, pulling her suitcase toward the entrance. He stood in place, watching as she walked through the doors and climbed the stairs. Only when she was completely out of sight did he turn around, placing the gift box on the passenger seat before getting into the driver’s seat.
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“He is a good person, but that doesn’t change the fact that he gives off a distant and intense aura. Those two things don’t contradict each other.” Yu Qing grinned and looked at Wen Yang. “Anyway, as long as he’s gentle with you, it doesn’t matter how he treats the rest of us.”
Wen Yang’s face flushed red again. She nudged Yu Qing with her foot.
“By the way, what was Xu Xu doing at the train station today?” she asked. From the looks of it, he seemed to be picking someone up, but Yu Qing had intercepted him instead.
Yu Qing licked her lips, which were slightly sour from the fruit. “He hired a feng shui master to pick a good date for his housewarming. That guy looked pretty legit—two white mustache streaks and an air of an enlightened immortal.”
Wen Yang raised her eyebrows. “Oh, so that’s why. I didn’t know Xu Xu believed in that kind of thing.”
“Of course he does. People around here are super into this stuff.”
“True,” Wen Yang agreed.
She pulled out a bag of pastries, making Yu Qing’s eyes light up as she grabbed some to eat. Wen Yang put away her clothes and took her pajamas to the bathroom, washing away the exhaustion of the day. When she came out, she started cleaning the apartment. After being away for almost half a month, the balcony, floor, table, coffee table, kitchen island, and cabinets were all covered in dust—it definitely needed a thorough cleaning.
Yu Qing tried to help, but ended up dropping crumbs from her snacks everywhere. Wen Yang couldn’t hold back and pinched her cheek.
“Stop eating already.”
“Alright, alright,” Yu Qing mumbled through a full mouth.
After cleaning, they each grabbed their laptops and settled on the sofa to organize their work for the next day. The renovation project for Ms. Chen’s 63-square-meter apartment in Huacheng Four Seasons had finally been completed. Before the new year, Wen Yang had gone over the final price adjustments with her. She and Yu Qing had offered a slight discount on the renovation fee, with the only condition being that Yunchi Design could make a promotional video of the finished project.
Ms. Chen had agreed.
The small discount allowed her to allocate more funds to labor costs for demolishing the walls.
As for appliances, they still provided a projector as part of the studio’s special offer—an excellent feature for small home renovations.
Wen Yang reached out to Ms. Chen to schedule a meeting for the next day.
The next morning.
After freshening up, Wen Yang and Yu Qing set off for the studio, feeling refreshed. They thought they were the earliest ones there, but to their surprise, Tao Li had arrived even earlier. Since she didn’t have the keys, she sat outside the studio, eating a bun and drinking yogurt.
The moment she saw them, she jumped up and grinned. “Sister Wen, Sister Yu, Happy New Year! Wishing you wealth and prosperity!”
Yu Qing chuckled as she unlocked the door. “Is your next line “Hand over the red envelopes”?”
Tao Li giggled.
Inside, Wen Yang placed the snacks, pastries, and oranges she had brought in the reception area. She also put a tray of red candy on the front desk and tended to her row of healthy-looking succulents.
Yu Qing pulled out a red New Year’s decoration from Nan’an and placed it on her desk.
By nine o’clock, the other two employees had arrived.
Wen Yang and Yu Qing each handed out red envelopes. The team was thrilled. Jiang Lang, their operations manager, squeezed his red envelope and joked, “This wouldn’t happen to be a scratch-off lottery ticket inside, would it?”
Yu Qing pointed at him. “That’s a great idea—I’ll do that next time.”
Jiang Lang immediately protested. “No, no, no, Sis, I was just kidding!”
The others burst into laughter.
Watching them joke around, Wen Yang smiled as she packed her briefcase. Taking Tao Li with her, she first headed to Washington to check on a renovation project and bring food for Brother Chen and his team. After that, she made her way to Huacheng Four Seasons.
Ms. Chen and her family had just returned from their hometown, and their luggage, along with some hometown produce, was still piled up near the kitchen entrance, unpacked. Today, Wen Yang also met Ms. Chen’s husband for the first time.
He was on the heavier side. When he saw them enter, he glanced at them, but his expression was far from welcoming.
Ms. Chen pulled Wen Yang to sit down and smiled. “Is the design draft ready?”
Wen Yang nodded with a smile, opened her tablet, and gestured for Ms. Chen to take a look. Ms. Chen leaned in as Wen Yang patiently explained the benefits of the renovation. Converting a two-bedroom apartment into a three-bedroom one in a 63-square-meter space wasn’t particularly challenging for Yu Qing—she had handled even smaller spaces before. This design was something she had overseen while Wen Yang worked on it.
It was also a breakthrough for Wen Yang.
Ms. Chen’s husband strolled over to stand behind them, staring at the design plans with a hostile expression. His voice was cold and laced with sarcasm. “You’ve made the hallway so narrow—who’s supposed to fit through that? I bet you didn’t consider my weight, did you?”
Hearing this, Ms. Chen turned to glare at him, silently signaling him to leave.
But he didn’t.
Wen Yang paused but didn’t get upset. Instead, she smiled and swiped to another section of the plan. Moving the coffee table to the side instantly created a wider passageway. She looked at him and explained, “A coffee table is not a necessity, but since you have elderly family members who enjoy tea, we kept a mobile coffee table. It can also function as a sofa cabinet when not in use. Look—it’s retractable and can be stored away.”
Ms. Chen’s husband stiffened slightly, staring at the design without saying anything.
Just as Wen Yang was about to continue discussing with Ms. Chen, he spoke again. “The rooms are so small now. How is anyone supposed to live in them? Am I supposed to lie down or not? Or do you just think I take up too much space and want to kick me out?”
“What are you even talking about?” Ms. Chen shot up from her seat, gritting her teeth. She knew he was just looking for trouble.
Wen Yang gently swiped on her tablet again and said, “This bed is 1.8 meters by 2 meters, which is more than spacious enough for your height and build. Sir, your size is just right. There’s also a dedicated workspace for you—this foldable panel can be pulled down to become a desk, providing you a place to work or a surface for Ms. Chen to store things.”
Ms. Chen’s husband glanced at the design again. When Wen Yang said your size is just right, his expression softened a little, but he still pressed on. “And where am I supposed to put my clothes and bedding? What’s the point of a big bed if there’s nowhere to store anything?”
Wen Yang navigated to another section of the design. “The bed has built-in storage underneath. You can store quilts, duvet covers, and off-season clothing there. There’s also an embedded wardrobe beside the bed—plenty of space for your current-season clothes unless, of course, you have 360 different outfits.”
Her last sentence made Ms. Chen stifle a laugh.
She could tell that Wen Yang was subtly mocking her husband for being difficult.
Ms. Chen’s husband, though slightly annoyed by her remark, had to admit that the storage solutions were well thought out. Besides, the wardrobe remained, and the dedicated workspace was a major plus. His expression became awkward, but he didn’t bother arguing further.
After all, the money had already been paid.
What else could he do? He had only come to vent his frustration, but unexpectedly, he had met someone who could outtalk him. With a pout, he turned and walked away.
Once he left, peace was finally restored.
Wen Yang and Ms. Chen continued their discussion.
After the final payment for the design was settled, this project was officially complete. The only thing left was to wait for the renovation team to begin work.
Leaving Huacheng Four Seasons, Wen Yang felt a sense of accomplishment.
Tao Li let out a breath and said, “The homeowner’s husband is really something…”
Wen Yang chuckled. To be honest, she found him quite annoying too. But since it was the final stretch, she just had to say a few nice words and get through it.
—
Back at the studio, Wen Yang wrapped up some final tasks. By the time she was done, it was already past six in the evening.
Her phone buzzed—it was a message from Fu Xingzhou.
He had arrived.
Wen Yang tidied up, went to the restroom to touch up her lipstick, and under Yu Qing’s exaggerated winking, grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. From a distance, she spotted his car. He stood beside it, wearing a long coat over a white shirt, tall and well-proportioned. The moment he saw her step out, he lowered his phone and opened the car door for her.
Walking down the steps, Wen Yang wore a white lace linen dress paired with a light-colored coat. The white fabric accentuated her fair skin, and with her minimal makeup, she looked almost bare-faced—only her eyes stood out, enhanced by subtle eyeshadow.
She smiled and said, “Did you wait long?”
Fu Xingzhou’s lips curved slightly. “I just got here.”
Wen Yang let out a soft “oh,” her brows lifting slightly with amusement, then bent down to get into the car. Fu Xingzhou closed the door for her before getting into the driver’s seat and starting the car.
“What do you feel like eating?” he asked in a gentle voice.
Wen Yang glanced at him. “You decide.”
Turning the steering wheel, his tone remained calm. “Something you like.”
Wen Yang thought to herself—I like a lot of things.
She hadn’t expected him to take her for Nan’an cuisine, and not just any place, but a highly upscale restaurant specializing in it. She had seen this place online before—expensive but worth every penny for the quality.
Even more intriguing, the interior design highlighted Nan’an’s iconic landmarks.
What surprised her most was the framed photograph on display—a shot of the light and shadows on Nan’an First High School’s pedestrian bridge. She had seen this exact piece at an exhibition before. Stunned, she walked over to take a closer look.
Standing behind her, Fu Xingzhou handed her the menu.
Wen Yang turned to meet his gaze. “This is that photograph, isn’t it?”
He smiled lightly and nodded.
She let out a small “wow” under her breath before following him to their table. The menu was full of familiar Nan’an dishes. As she selected dishes, Fu Xingzhou rinsed their utensils, casually rolling a cup between his fingers.
She glanced at him while ordering. “Do you want to pick anything?”
“You know this cuisine better than I do,” he said. “You choose.”
Wen Yang grinned, playfully blinking. “But you have to like it too.”
Fu Xingzhou set down the cup properly and looked at her. “I’ll listen to you.”
Under the dim restaurant lighting, Wen Yang felt her ears grow warm. She lowered her gaze and simply ordered what she wanted.
Nan’an cuisine was known for its fresh, natural flavors—whether pork or beef, the dishes retained their original taste. Some only needed a dip in a special sauce, requiring little cooking. And then there was Nan’an’s soup—always rich and flavorful.
Being able to eat food from her hometown after just a day away made her think of Zhu Yun’s cooking, filling her with warmth.
—
After dinner, night had fallen.
Fu Xingzhou took a sip of tea before setting down his cup. “Do you have any plans later?”
Wen Yang placed her napkin down and shook her head. “Nope.”
He smiled. “Let me take you somewhere.”
Wen Yang blinked in curiosity.
—
Twenty minutes later, his black sedan pulled into a private park. The headlights illuminated a sign that read Fu Family Estate—it was his family’s private park.
But as they parked, Wen Yang noticed quite a few people inside, strolling along the paths. It seemed to be in a semi-public state.
After stepping out of the car, she took in the scenery—spacious, serene, and filled with the scent of flowers. In the distance, crabapple blossoms bloomed in clusters.
Fu Xingzhou led her toward a picturesque crescent-shaped lake. Floating on its surface were lotus lanterns, their flickering candlelight casting a spectrum of colors, creating a mesmerizing scene.
The reflections on the water shimmered like scattered stars.
Wen Yang marveled, “It’s beautiful.”
Fu Xingzhou glanced at her, then gently guided her down the slope. The incline was a bit steep, so he went ahead first. Looking up at her, he extended his hand.
Their eyes met.
A few seconds later, she placed her hand in his. His fingers closed around hers, steadying her as he led her down.
Now standing on the grassy bank, they were even closer to the floating lanterns. The water rippled with golden light, making the entire scene even more breathtaking.
Wen Yang crouched down, reaching out to touch the lake’s surface—it was cool to the touch.
“Careful,” Fu Xingzhou murmured.
She laughed lightly. “It feels so refreshing.”
He chuckled and crouched beside her, picking up a lotus lantern from the side and handing it to her. “Want to release one?”
She gazed at the delicate lantern, then took it from him. “Yes.”
Holding the lantern in both hands, she carefully bent down and placed it onto the water’s surface.
Fu Xingzhou watched her as she let it go. He had rolled up his sleeves, revealing a sleek wristwatch and a well-defined wrist. Even in a relaxed half-crouch, his presence carried an air of elegance.
The lantern floated on the water, and Wen Yang gently stirred the surface to help it drift away.
Maybe it was the stillness of the night.
Maybe it was the atmosphere.
She suddenly turned to look at him.
After a moment’s hesitation, she asked softly, “Can I ask you something? When did you start liking me?”
Fu Xingzhou gazed into her clear eyes and answered quietly, “When you were taking photos in Hong Kong.”
Wen Yang recalled the moment.
Lu Zhan had tried to strike up a conversation with her, while Fu Xingzhou had been sitting in his car. Their eyes had met briefly, but back then, he had seemed indifferent—distant, even a little unapproachable.
But during dinner, he had asked if she had any food preferences, ordered her a dessert, and waited for her when they left.
Perhaps…
There had been signs all along.
With the candlelight flickering around them and the lake reflecting the stars, Wen Yang softly asked, “Then… can I ask you one more thing? About your marriage with Li Man?”
Fu Xingzhou’s expression didn’t change. Instead, he took her wrist and gently pulled her up. Noticing that her fingers were cold, he took out a tissue and carefully wiped them.
“My father passed away early,” he said calmly. “My mother couldn’t handle it, so she went abroad to grieve, leaving Qingzhou Group behind. Because of that, I had to return home and take over everything. My grandmother felt bad for me and wanted to find a suitable wife to support me—a marriage alliance, essentially. Later, my mother suggested Li Man. She needed connections and resources, and I needed a wife who was presentable in high society.”
“A mutually beneficial arrangement. So we got married.”
He lifted his gaze to hers. “That’s the whole story.”
Wen Yang had suspected that his father was either absent or deceased.
She hadn’t dared to assume the latter, but it turned out she had been right.
As for Li Man—she had only wanted to confirm it once more.
Wen Yang looked at him.
Then, without hesitation, she took a step closer.
Fu Xingzhou held her gaze for a few seconds, understanding her intention. In a low voice, he asked, “Would you be willing to give this a try?”
Wen Yang nodded gently.
“Let’s try.”
His brows lifted slightly as he grasped her wrist and pulled her a little closer. Their eyes locked, both carrying the same quiet, knowing smile.
Sansukini: I’m certainly glad she didn’t say the usual lines, “I just got out of a relationship, would you be willing to wait for me?” Coz I always like honest people. If you like it and there’s no taboo, then you should go with it. What I like about Wen Yang is that she never dwell on the past and choose to live well, even giving herself a chance to fall in love and trust another man again.
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Honesty is the key