Chapter 20

During these few days in Boston, Xu Zhiyi had proven herself to be a competent assistant, holding herself to the highest standards and hardly taking any time off.

On the last day of the business trip, Jiang Sixun gave her a day off. She had a whole day to herself, while he scheduled a round of golf with a business friend.

The two did not see each other all day.

On the way back to the hotel from the golf course, Jiang Sixun was busy dealing with a backlog of work messages from various chat groups.

There were also quite a few messages in his personal group. Someone in the group specifically asked him and Ning Yun: [Are you two really done?]

The group consisted of younger members from the Lu and Ning families, and this message stirred up the previously quiet group.

Ning Yun replied: [It was fake from the start. What do you mean ‘really done’? (laughing)]

Ning Yinqi, seeing the chat group flooded with messages and worried about his sister’s embarrassment, worked hard to successfully change the topic.

Someone took the opportunity to ask: [By the way, when will you introduce your girlfriend to us?]

Ning Yinqi: [I don’t have a girlfriend.]

[Stop hiding. Someone saw you with a beautiful girl in couple’s outfits at the concert.]

[That wasn’t my girlfriend; it was Xu Zhiyi.]

[Xu Xiangyi’s daughter? Then it’s a good match, no need to worry about family background.]

Most of the people in the group were older than Ning Yinqi and started teasing him.

Ning Yinqi seriously explained: [I do have someone I like, and so does Zhiyi. Don’t try to match us up or make jokes about us. It might seem harmless to you, but too many jokes will make things awkward between us.]

Ning Yun was surprised: [Zhiyi has someone she likes? She hadn’t found someone suitable just a couple of months ago.]

It was rare for Jiang Sixun to speak in the group, so he asked Ning Yinqi: [Zhiyi has a boyfriend?]

Ning Yinqi didn’t reply in the large group but created a smaller group with just the three of them for more private discussion.

The first message in the small group was: [I’ll disband the group after we’re done chatting.]

Ning Yinqi responded to the previous questions: [She’s had someone she likes for a long time. We’re really just friends. Please don’t try to matchmake us or joke about it. It might seem harmless, but too many jokes will make things awkward between us.]

Ning Yun: [Okay.]

Jiang Sixun asked: [She’s had a boyfriend for a long time?]

Ning Yinqi: [No, no, no. She’s had someone she likes for a long time, an impossible person. I hope you understand now.]

Ning Yun finally understood why his cousin and Xu Zhiyi got along well—they had similar experiences.

“‘Had someone she likes for a long time,’ ‘an impossible person.’” Jiang Sixun put these statements together and thought of Qi Zhengchen.

Qi Zhengchen treated her like a younger sister, just as he did with Xu Ningwei. Having grown up together, there wouldn’t be any romantic feelings. So, she knew it was impossible.

He advised Ning Yinqi: [Since it’s impossible, there’s no need to waste time. You could use that time for something else.]

Ning Yun couldn’t stand the coldness in his words: [Not everyone can be as rational as you (heartless). Can you control whether you like someone or not? If you could, who wouldn’t want to let go? No wonder Zhiyi doesn’t like you much and still calls you Mr. Jiang.]

Ning Yinqi hurriedly tried to smooth things over: [Sis, sis, personal attacks.]

Ning Yun laughed: [Is there?]

Ning Yinqi: [Let’s put an end to this. I’m telling you this so that you won’t try to matchmake me and Zhiyi anymore (hands together). I’m disbanding the group now.]

The group was disbanded, and Jiang Sixun deleted the chat.

His fingers paused on the keyboard for a moment before he dialed Xu Zhiyi’s number directly.

Xu Zhiyi had been out shopping all afternoon. When Jiang Sixun called, she was at a porcelain counter.

He asked where she was and what time she would return.

She told him she was browsing porcelain shops near the hotel and planned to buy a few coffee cups. “Mr. Jiang, have you finished over there?”

“Yes.” Jiang Sixun asked which shop she was at and said, “I’ll come find you.” Then he hung up.

After putting away her phone, Xu Zhiyi continued looking at the coffee cups.

After browsing around, her favorite was still the Midsummer Night’s Dream series, with its painted and gilded designs that she couldn’t get enough of.

“Interested in this set?” A magnetic, pleasant voice came from above her.

Xu Zhiyi turned around to see him already beside her, arriving quicker than she had expected.

Slow to react, she replied, “Yes, this series is quite special.”

“For yourself?” he asked again.

Xu Zhiyi didn’t think much of it and nodded, planning to keep one at home and one at the office.

Jiang Sixun had never been to a porcelain store before. His personal cups and saucers were all customized by the secretary directly contacting the brand. It was rare for him to browse, so he also chose a set for himself.

He pointed to the set Xu Zhiyi had selected and told the staff, “We’ll pay for these together.”

“No need.” Xu Zhiyi quickly took out her wallet and explained to the staff, then looked at the man next to her: “Let’s each pay for our own.”

Jiang Sixun insisted: “It’s a gift for you, a meeting present.”

Xu Zhiyi declined: “It’s not appropriate.”

Jiang Sixun took out his black card and handed it to the cashier, glancing sideways: “It’s perfectly appropriate. I never miss sending gifts for Ningwei’s birthday each year. I’ll make up for your birthday gifts later, and today is just a make-up for our meeting gift.”

In his eyes, she was like Xu Ningwei, just another younger sister.

She didn’t want him to always see her as a sister. “It’s not about the cup being a gift.”

Jiang Sixun looked at her, seemingly waiting for her explanation on why giving a coffee cup as a gift was inappropriate.

Xu Zhiyi said, “Mr. Jiang, you might not know this, but cups have a homophonic meaning. ‘One cup, one lifetime.’ This kind of gift is generally exchanged between couples.”

Jiang Sixun’s inquisitive gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds. “Is there such a meaning? I’ve never heard of it before.”

Xu Zhiyi met his gaze for a moment. “It’s not really a saying; it’s just something some people care about and others don’t. But it’s best not to give cups casually to the opposite sex. Since I do care about such things, I won’t easily accept it.”

Jiang Sixun chuckled softly. “Not even among family? Not even from me?”

Xu Zhiyi replied, “No.”

Jiang Sixun decided not to insist on giving the gift and thus they paid separately.

---

After returning from the business trip in Boston, Xu Zhiyi wrapped up her work and bought a plane ticket for August 26th to return to Shanghai.

Recently, she hadn’t seen Jiang Sixun at the office. During afternoon tea, Luna bought two ice creams and handed her the taro-flavored one.

“Here, yours is the bleached Nighteye Purple.”

Xu Zhiyi: “…”

The bleached Nighteye Purple wasn’t referring to the taro-flavored ice cream.

She accepted the ice cream with thanks and didn’t explain further.

Luna said, “The boss has returned to Hong Kong. We’re not working overtime this week.”

On the third day after Jiang Sixun returned to Hong Kong, Xu Zhiyi boarded a flight back to China, only informing her parents before boarding. She landed in Shanghai early the next morning.

He Yian believed she had prepared thoroughly for her daughter’s return. Over the past month, the house had been thoroughly cleaned. She had also asked the housekeeper to rearrange all the furniture and collectibles in the living room to make the home feel warm rather than luxurious.

When the day arrived, despite the excitement and joy, a trace of nervousness was inevitable.

Why she felt nervous, she couldn’t quite say.

Busy until 11:30 p.m., she personally confirmed every detail, including whether the fruits her daughter liked were prepared.

She coordinated her outfit for the airport pickup, and since Xu Xiangyi hadn’t returned to the bedroom, she went to the study.

“Still awake?”

“I’m going to sleep now.” Xu Xiangyi, who had been daydreaming while leaning back in his chair, snapped out of it and shut down his computer.

He Yian helped tidy the files on the desk. “What were you thinking about?”

Xu Xiangyi hesitated. “Zhiyi seems a bit afraid of me. She’s always careful with her words and actions around me. I’m thinking about how I, as her father, should behave so she feels closer to me.”

He Yian comforted him, “Take it slow. We’ll spend more time with her in the future.”

Early the next morning, before dawn, He Yian woke up, dressed carefully, and went to their flower room to cut a large bouquet, wrapping it carefully.

On the way to the airport, Xu Xiangyi received a call from his parents asking if the child had arrived yet.

“Not yet. Dad, tell Mom that we’ll visit you once Zhiyi adjusts to the time difference.”

After chatting a bit more, he hung up.

He turned to his wife and said, “I didn’t expect Dad to be so nervous too. He and Mom are discussing what to say when they see Zhiyi.”

He Yian asked, “And you? Aren’t you nervous?”

Xu Xiangyi only smiled, holding his wife’s hand.

He Yian carried the bouquet she had personally wrapped for their daughter, and the faint floral scent seemed to ease her indescribable nervousness.

Arriving at the terminal, Xu Xiangyi occasionally glanced at his watch, mentally calculating if their daughter had already disembarked and was going through customs.

As they were looking out, their daughter appeared pushing a large suitcase.

“Mom.”

Xu Zhiyi quickened her pace, eager to return home.

He Yian, holding the flowers, could only hug her with one arm. “Are you tired?”

“Not tired.” She hadn’t slept a wink on the plane but felt no fatigue at all.

Xu Zhiyi then turned to the other person beside her. “Dad.”

Xu Xiangyi opened his arms. “Dad hasn’t hugged you yet.”

Xu Zhiyi’s nose tingled with emotion, suddenly feeling a lump in her throat and wanting to cry. She took a step forward.

At the moment he gently embraced her, Xu Xiangyi’s eyes also reddened.

He Yian saw her husband suddenly turn away. When he turned back, his eyes still glistened with tears.

Missing out on hearing his daughter’s first “Daddy,” and not being able to carry her on his shoulders as she grew up, was a regret he would carry for life.

As they left the airport, the morning light fell softly.

After getting off the expressway, the car drove toward the bustling city center.

Xu Zhiyi wasn’t familiar with Shanghai. Entering the villa district in such a prime location, she immediately felt the sense of “big names hidden in the city.”

Minutes later, the car slowed down, and the black and gold iron gate opened slowly. Hidden among the green trees was a French-style villa.

With a yard of several thousand square meters, featuring a tennis court and an outdoor swimming pool.

Perhaps feeling a bit anxious about coming home, Xu Zhiyi couldn’t help but grip her bag tightly before getting out of the car.

She had visited many villas before, including those of high school classmates and her second brother Qi Zhengchen, and had seen luxurious villas. But those were others’ homes, and entering them felt like a mix of shock and envy.

Today was different; stepping into her own home, the feeling was surreal, even accompanied by a touch of trepidation.

He Yian loved the French style, so the decoration naturally followed her preferences.

Twenty years later, neither the furniture nor the color schemes felt outdated.

The living room, with its seven or eight-meter high ceilings, featured a vintage crystal chandelier that reflected the room’s elegance. Xu Zhiyi’s favorite part of the living room was the floor-to-ceiling grid windows.

Morning light streamed in, divided into sections, quietly casting patterns on the handcrafted golden vine carpet.

Luxury was fully integrated into the French romantic style.

He Yian took her hand. “Let me show you the rooms upstairs.”

She led Xu Zhiyi by the hand as if guiding a child. Xu Zhiyi gently clasped the soft, warm hand.

The workers in the house seemed to be busy with their tasks but frequently glanced at her out of the corner of their eyes.

Her bedroom was on the third floor, a south-facing suite with a large private terrace.

He Yian pulled her inside. “The custom carpet took some time. The pattern was chosen by your dad.”

“Dad has great taste.”

“If your dad hears that, he’ll be thrilled.”

Xu Zhiyi neatly removed her slippers by the bedroom door and stepped onto the carpet, feeling its delicate texture underfoot.

The furniture she had chosen was in a light French style. The designer used vintage carpets and curtains, and combined them with some decorative items, blending light French with classical grandeur perfectly.

The walk-in closet and bathroom didn’t need any introduction. He Yian continued, “This is your small study. It’s not very big, but it will do.”

Xu Zhiyi took a look; even though it was described as not very big, it was still over ten square meters. The study’s grid windows overlooked the terrace.

The window was open, and the fragrance of flowers wafted in.

Sitting at the desk, she had a view of an aerial garden.

“I turned the terrace into a small garden for you. It will look even better next spring when the plants and flowers have grown.”

To maintain the continuity with the French style indoors, the flower rack was designed using French craftsmanship, with a bronze gilded hand-painted vase as an ornament in one corner of the terrace.

No wonder so much time was spent decorating this bedroom—it was all about the details.

The peonies and roses planted on the terrace were her favorites, combined with pink and purple hydrangeas, creating a gentle and romantic atmosphere. Under the flower rack, the flowers in the gilded vase were particularly pleasing to the eye, with a subtle touch of summer liveliness.

The level of floral arrangement was masterful.

Xu Zhiyi took out her phone from her crossbody bag and took a few pictures of the flower arrangements.

He Yian smiled gently. “No need to take photos. The home’s floral artist arranged them. You can see them anytime.”

Xu Zhiyi: “…”

Having a horticulturist at home wasn’t surprising, but she hadn’t expected a dedicated floral artist.

It was something she couldn’t have imagined.

“I use the flowers for important dinners with friends at home, and especially I have high standards for table arrangements,” He Yian explained with a smile.

She let go of her daughter’s hand. “You should take a shower and get some rest. I’ll go downstairs to discuss the menu with your dad.”

For their daughter’s first meal home, she and her husband planned to cook themselves. They were preparing to make homemade Sichuan dishes for lunch and Spanish cuisine for dinner, as their daughter particularly liked Spanish paella.

The last time they cooked was shortly after their marriage, when Xu Xiangyi learned a few dishes on a whim. Over the years, his cooking skills had reverted to those of a chef. Lately, whenever he had free time, he immersed himself in the kitchen to practice cooking.

With the bedroom door closed, He Yian’s footsteps faded away.

Xu Zhiyi looked around the bedroom, from the crystal chandelier to the garden-themed painting on the wall, to the heavy and intricate curtains by the window. It still felt unreal, like stepping into a luxurious castle.

After standing for five or six minutes, she regained her composure.

Her suitcase was by the door. She pushed it to the walk-in closet, where the wardrobe was almost full—lined with sleepwear and loungewear, and her mother had even prepared commuting outfits for her.

The innermost wardrobe was filled with dresses and formal wear, with a variety of styles.

After a shower, Xu Zhiyi decided not to take a nap, knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep. She took out a navy blue French-style sleeveless dress from the wardrobe.

Unfamiliar with the layout of the house, she wandered around the bedroom before finally finding the staircase down.

“Mom?”

Xu Zhiyi didn’t see anyone in the living room downstairs.

The response came from the housekeeper, who said Mr. and Mrs. Xu were in the kitchen.

He Yian, hearing her daughter’s voice, came out from the kitchen and saw her daughter.

She smiled. “Why aren’t you resting? It’s still early for lunch.”

“I’m not tired.” Xu Zhiyi lied, “I slept quite well on the plane.”

He Yian was holding a small bunch of shredded purple cabbage. She offered some to her daughter. “It’s tasty even without salad dressing.”

Xu Zhiyi enjoyed the rare mother-daughter intimacy. “Are you and Dad cooking?”

“We’re still deciding what to make.” He Yian laughed. “Your dad wants to make everything for you.”

“Just look around. I’ll continue discussing with your dad.” She turned back to the kitchen.

Xu Zhiyi, now feeling like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden, was fascinated by everything. The kitchen was divided into Chinese and Western sections, with two dining areas.

The kitchen in her adoptive parents’ large flat was integrated for both Chinese and Western cooking, which she already thought was spacious. Now, standing in her own kitchen area, she felt the concept of expansiveness.

She walked toward the Chinese kitchen, where she could hear her parents still discussing the menu.

“Dad, I’ll also cook a few dishes. I can make Sichuan cuisine. I learned it during my study abroad years. My roommates said my cooking tastes as good as the restaurants.” Xu Zhiyi tied up her hair.

Xu Xiangyi felt uneasy. Ning Wei couldn’t cook and couldn’t even distinguish seasonings. When she went abroad for university, he bought a house near her school, and a driver, housekeeper, and chef went with her to take care of her daily needs.

He Yian also fell silent for a few seconds. Seeing her daughter picking up an apron and about to tie it, she quickly walked over and took the apron from her. “Let your dad and the chef handle the cooking. We’ll just focus on eating.”

Xu Zhiyi insisted, “I want to make a couple of dishes for you and Dad to try.”

He Yian reluctantly said, “You won’t need to cook at home anymore.”

She grasped her daughter’s wrist. “Come on, let’s take a walk through the flower house.”

At 9:30, the sunlight outside was already quite glaring.

He Yian didn’t have anyone accompany them, holding the sunshade umbrella herself, and led her daughter to the flower house.

Xu Zhiyi rested her other hand on He Yian’s arm, gently linking arms.

She had wanted to do this back in Manhattan, but it had been more than two months.

The flower house was in the backyard, next to an artificial lake.

From the outside, it looked ordinary—just a glass greenhouse, but larger than most. Once inside, Xu Zhiyi was momentarily stunned by the breathtaking scene before her.

Inside was a different world, with vast seas of flowers and lush greenery intertwined, vibrant blooms, and deep greens. Wooden windows adorned with wisteria created a dreamlike, picturesque beauty.

Among the colorful flower beds was a winding pebble path extending along the lake, curving into a serene, Monet-like garden.

The glass roof had skylights, allowing rain and sunlight to directly bathe the plants.

The flower house was also equipped with an intelligent system that automatically adjusted the temperature and humidity for the plants.

He Yian let go of her hand and handed her a delicate woven basket. “Pick some roses. The chef will make rose yogurt for you tonight.”

After touring the garden, taking photos, and picking a small basket of roses, Xu Zhiyi happily linked arms with He Yian and strolled back.

He Yian tilted the sunshade umbrella toward her daughter. “Would you like to visit Beijing while you’re back?”

Xu Zhiyi nodded. “I want to see Grandma and Grandpa.”

He Yian replied, “You should visit them.”

The two elders truly cared about Xu Zhiyi. When they sent Ning Wei back last time, the two families met formally. Before leaving, Grandma reminded her twice, saying Xu Zhiyi was very frugal and didn’t like to spend money, but she mustn’t be wronged.

Xu Zhiyi added, “I also want to visit Er Ge and invite him to dinner.”

“Qi Zhengchen, right?”

“Yes, him.”

As they chatted, mother and daughter entered the villa.

In the kitchen, Xu Xiangyi was being guided by the chef on how to make spicy beef, spicy chicken, and red oil wontons.

“Also add a spicy hot pot.”

“And garlic sprout stir-fried pork. Zhiyi loves that too.”

He said to the chef, “Spicy grilled fish is a bit complex. You handle that.”

Chef: “Got it.”

While they were discussing, Xu Xiangyi’s phone rang on the glass table. He went to answer it.

On the other end was Xu Heng: “Jiang Sixun and I just landed. We haven’t cleared customs yet. Ask the chef to add a few more dishes for lunch.”

“Sixun is back too?”

“Yes.”

Xu Xiangyi: “You two are benefiting from Zhiyi’s presence today. I’ll be the one cooking.”