Chapter 61

On the floor beside the bed, a single rose was nearly completely wrapped in her nightgown, with just a hint of its stem peeking out.

Jiang Sixun, too, was buried deep beneath layers of warmth and intimacy.

But the journey wasn’t easy; unlike the nightgown that had simply fallen to the floor and snagged the rose, his advances were like a winding path home late at night—full of twists and turns, with obstacles to navigate, stopping and starting as he pressed on.

At last, he managed to push through, welcomed by the warmth of her body.

Xu Zhiyi’s fingertips nearly sank into his back.

She bit his lip, demanding that he stay still.

Jiang Sixun, soothing her, promised not to move, showering her with tender kisses.

Held in his embrace, they couldn’t possibly resemble two phones stacked on top of each other—silently pressing against one another without any movement.

As he pulled away from her lips, he braced himself on either side of her body, gazing down at her with a slow intensity.

Xu Zhiyi found it hard to withstand the desire swirling in his deep gaze, turning her head away to avoid his eyes.

With a free hand, Jiang Sixun cupped her cheek, gently turning her face back toward him.

She looked into his eyes, feeling his breath and the rhythm of his heartbeat as he drew in and out.

In this intimate dance, she clung to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Jiang Sixun was keenly aware of her every reaction, gauging his pace by her eyes and expressions.

Yet, this slow dance felt even slower than jogging twenty kilometers.

That night, on the floor, the rose wrapped in the straps of her nightgown quietly blossomed a little more.

Taking out the third rose, the box was finally empty.

Xu Zhiyi tossed the third rose to him, refusing to help him put it on anymore.

Jiang Sixun offered a soft smile, kissing the bridge of her nose. His voice was a rough, magnetic rasp after their earlier exertions. “Alright, I won’t make you help. I’ll do it myself.”

Wrapped in a soft blanket, freshly showered, her hair still smelled clean, but as soon as Jiang Sixun pulled her into his arms again, he felt that spark reignite.

The nightgown that had fallen earlier was picked up from the floor, but the blanket was accidentally kicked off the bed during their entangled moments.

Xu Zhiyi lost track of time, unsure if she had fallen asleep around three-thirty or maybe even four.

If the curtains hadn’t been drawn, the dawn might have already been breaking outside.

She woke up the next day around noon.

As she opened her eyes, she found herself nestled in Jiang Sixun’s arms. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was twelve thirty-two; he had actually stayed with her this long.

As she shifted in his embrace, Jiang Sixun stirred awake.

“Let’s sleep a little longer,” he murmured, pressing her closer to his chest.

Xu Zhiyi gave a soft “mm” in response, her legs draped over him. He lay on his side, one arm cradling her head, the other securely holding her leg to prevent it from slipping off.

“Don’t you have to go to the office today?”

Jiang Sixun closed his eyes again and replied, “I came back after finishing my work.”

“…Then what time did you wake up?”

“Six ten.”

Xu Zhiyi inhaled the fresh, cool scent of his skin, mixed with the fragrance of the shower gel that clung to him post-bath. “Waking up so early, aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine. A couple more hours of afternoon nap would do me good,” Jiang Sixun replied, pulling her closer. “Are you going to keep sleeping or get up for breakfast? Uncle Zhuang sent over some pastries.”

Originally planning to drift back into sleep in his arms, the mention of pastries changed her mind. “I’ll get up to eat. It’s not good to go too long on an empty stomach.”

Jiang Sixun chuckled softly and released her, turning away to catch more sleep himself.

But as soon as Xu Zhiyi stood up, she flopped back down onto the bed with a thud.

Her legs felt like jelly; she couldn’t even stand.

Turning her head, she saw Jiang Sixun lying on his side, perfectly positioned so she could see his face. He looked refreshed, his brows smooth and serene. Last night had clearly been exhausting; he had opened another box and used up one more rose.

Reaching out, Xu Zhiyi attempted to pinch his chin, but he swiftly caught her hand.

She pouted, “I can’t walk!”

Jiang Sixun opened his eyes and offered, “I’ll carry you.”

Xu Zhiyi raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t even washed up! From here to the bathroom, then to the dining room—can you really carry me?”

“It’s just a short distance; I can manage.” He rose effortlessly from the bed and scooped her up with ease.

Xu Zhiyi wrapped her arms around his neck. “Aren’t you tired?”

Jiang Sixun looked down at her, “My tiredness isn’t the same as yours.”

“…”

She playfully pushed his face away, refusing to let him see her.

It took two days for her to recover, and by the third day, she could walk normally again.

Jiang Sixun had arranged for her to meet with Grandpa Lu twice, but both times the response was the same: he was too busy to see anyone this week.

Indeed, as he had said, Grandpa Lu hadn’t met with any family members; even his eldest son, Lu Jianliang, waited outside the old mansion for two hours but was turned away.

“It’s probably because of Shen Qingfeng. Grandpa is refusing to see anyone,” Jiang Sixun concluded.

Xu Zhiyi thought the same; after all, one side was her eldest son’s family and the other was the youngest’s. No matter what happened, it would be awkward.

Better to stay out of sight and out of mind.

“Then I’ll take the opportunity to check out some office buildings in the next few days.”

“Looking to rent an office?”

“Yeah,” Xu Zhiyi smiled, “I want to rent an office closer to you.”

Jiang Sixun raised an eyebrow. “How about renting the office building right across from me? It’s just across the street, and you could have lunch in our cafeteria while you’re on business here.”

“That’s way too close; I can’t afford that.” The location where their group was situated was incredibly pricey.

Jiang Sixun said, “Xu Zong, it’s taken us years to establish a presence on Hong Kong Island; we need to make a good impression.”

This was the first time he had referred to her as such, and Xu Zhiyi laughed, “To make an impression, you also need money in your pocket.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “You should talk to Secretary Cai; he can negotiate the rent down for you.”

“…” Xu Zhiyi was surprised. “The building across from your office also belongs to Uncle Lu?”

“Yep.”

She leaned in closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly. “With this much money, I’ve got to hold on tight.”

Jiang Sixun chuckled. “It’ll all be yours from now on.”

The next day, Xu Zhiyi visited the skyscraper, where she was received by the property manager of the building.

Introducing herself as the head of Yuanwei Capital, she expressed interest in renting an entire floor. The manager apologized, saying, “Unfortunately, there’s nothing available right now. Only the twentieth floor is empty, but the owner doesn’t lease it out.”

They were helpless in this regard.

Xu Zhiyi was curious, “Why wouldn’t you rent it out if it’s empty?”

The manager shrugged, “I’m not sure. Secretary Cai might know the reason.”

After leaving the office building, Xu Zhiyi called Jiang Sixun, hoping he might know more than Secretary Cai.

When he answered, she relayed the entire situation.

At that moment, Jiang Sixun was in his office, able to see the building his father had bought—a kind of arena against Grandpa Lu.

He walked over to the window and looked down, but the figures on the street were too small to distinguish one from the other.

“The twentieth floor is empty?” he asked.

“Yeah. It’s been vacant and isn’t being rented out.”

Xu Zhiyi stopped on the sidewalk, shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight as she looked up at the full-glass façade of the building, wondering which floor Jiang Sixun occupied. Suddenly, she remembered that Yuanwei’s global branches were all on the twentieth floor.

“Does the twentieth floor have any special significance for Uncle Lu?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “No. The same floor makes it easier to remember.”

“…”

“Perhaps my dad wanted to establish a branch on Hong Kong Island as well. But because he didn’t want to lose face in front of Grandpa, he let go of that market to save his pride.”

This further solidified Xu Zhiyi’s idea of setting up a branch in Hong Kong, “You keep busy; I’ll wander around until you finish work.”

“Not coming to my office?”

“Nope. I love your office at Yuanwei Capital too much. I’ll hang up now.”

Xu Zhiyi found a nearby café, ordered an iced coffee, and sat down to call Secretary Cai, inquiring about why the twentieth floor of the office building was vacant.

At that moment, Secretary Cai was having afternoon tea with the boss. To be precise, the boss was sipping tea while he came over to report work, casually ordering a cup of coffee himself.

“Is KEVE planning to set up a branch in Hong Kong Island?” he asked.

Xu Heng thought for a long time before arriving at one idea for a gift: “I’ll take care of the venue decoration.” It could count as a gift, after all.

He continued, “The weather should be just right, neither too hot nor too cold, so let’s have it in the courtyard. Just let me know who you want to invite, and send me the list in advance.”

No more than a dozen or twenty guests—it wouldn’t be difficult to set up the venue.

He Yian and her husband discussed whom to invite. During the years Xu Zhiyi was studying abroad, they had always celebrated her birthday by visiting her. Just the five of them—family and Jiang Sixun—sharing a meal at home. Zhiyi never wanted to invite anyone extra, not even relatives in Manhattan.

After graduation, Zhiyi became busy with projects, often working overtime, leaving little time to return home for her birthday, so they continued to celebrate with her abroad.

This year marked their daughter’s sixth birthday back home. She asked her husband, “What about you? Any thoughts?”

Xu Xiangyi replied, “It should be livelier than when she turned ten or twenty.”

He Yian understood her husband’s feelings and replied to their son in the family group chat: “This year is special since Zhiyi will be in the country for her birthday. Let’s invite family, and we’ll invite some of your dad’s friends as well.”

Xu Heng responded: “…”

Jiang Sixun began compiling a guest list and quickly shared it in the group.

Xu Heng scrolled through the names and thought, “Are you planning a wedding or something?”

Jiang Sixun replied: “If I were getting married, I wouldn’t invite just this many people.”

At the end of the list, Xu Heng noticed the names of Lu Jianbo and Jiang Yue Ru and tagged Jiang Sixun: “Are you really inviting Uncle Lu and Aunt Jiang? How could Aunt Jiang possibly come?”

Jiang Sixun replied: “My mom will come; she and my dad have already met.”

Just as he sent the message, a call came in.

Lu Jianbo warned his wayward son that he had heard lawyers had been frequently visiting the old residence in recent days.

“Is Grandpa trying to hire a legal team to defend Shen Qingfeng? It’s hard to say.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “No way. My uncle waited outside the old residence for several hours, but Grandpa didn’t even see him.”

“You’re still keeping an eye on the old house?”

“Zhuang Bo told me. Didn’t he tell you?”

Lu Jianbo scoffed, “Not as good as you.” Then he hung up.

Inside, Shen Qingfeng waited and waited; she hadn’t even seen her private lawyer, let alone a legal team.

She felt utterly abandoned, as if she were calling out to the heavens without a reply, and the earth didn’t respond either.

The case had already been transferred; her chances of acquittal were practically zero.

She had no idea what was happening outside or whether she could be bailed out.

The thought that Lu Jianliang hadn’t sent a lawyer to discuss divorce made her wonder if that meant there was still a chance to get out?

She had hardly slept in days, feeling extreme fear and teetering on the edge of a breakdown. She felt as if she were on the brink of death, desperately clutching at any straw of hope, her eyes fixed on the door, wishing to hear someone call for her, saying someone wanted to see her.

But nothing came.

She had repeatedly requested to see her family and her lawyer, but no one paid her any attention.

Finally, on the ninth day, she had a visit from a lawyer.

The lawyer picked up the receiver and was taken aback by the sight of her.

In just a few days, the spark she once had seemed completely gone.

Shen Qingfeng sneered, “How much did Lu Jianliang pay you to betray me? Was what I paid you not enough?”

The lawyer refused to engage in an argument and relayed Lu Jianliang’s message: “Lu Zong said he has done his utmost for you. There was once a relationship, but you didn’t cherish it. He tried to get you bailed out, but it was to no avail. He won’t be divorcing you for years, treating it as a way to maintain his reputation as a good man, which is the last bit of value this marriage brings him. As for the Jinyun project, he has taken it over. There’s no need to divide between husband and wife.”

Shen Qingfeng laughed bitterly.

Even through the glass, the lawyer could see the sorrow in her eyes.

“What about Lu Jianbo? Didn’t I ask you to find him? Did he have no message for you?”

“…He did. He said you should confess everything you need to.”

“Ha.”

Shen Qingfeng didn’t even know what she was still hoping for. “That’s it?”

“Lu Zong said you’re crazy; don’t use him as an excuse. Just like he never blamed you for his mistakes. Jiang Yue Ru saw him and didn’t recognize him, didn’t take his calls, and wouldn’t speak a word to him. He deserves that.”

“He’s gone back to her? Jiang Yue Ru won’t even acknowledge him, so why does he keep going?!” she nearly shouted.

The lawyer realized that only when it came to Lu Jianbo would Shen Qingfeng completely lose her composure.

When visiting hours ended, the lawyer left and returned Lu Jianliang’s call.

Lu Jianliang didn’t care; he had been waiting outside the old residence for hours just to see his father. It was all a performance. If his father wanted to think highly of him, so be it.

After hanging up with the lawyer, he received a call from Zhuang Bo.

Zhuang Bo informed him, “Family dinner tonight.”

Lu Jianliang was taken aback, glancing at his watch—it was nearly four in the afternoon. “What’s the rush? Did something happen?”

“I’m not sure; it’s your father’s request.”

Zhuang Bo called each family member, and finally reached Lu Jianbo: “Seven o’clock, try not to be late.” It was always the same phrase.

A few minutes later, Jiang Sixun received a call from his father, instructing him to return to the old residence that evening.

“Is Grandpa finally free to see people?”

“Yeah. Family dinner.”

“Family dinner?”

“Didn’t Zhuang Bo tell you?”

Jiang Sixun: “…”

After ending the call, he turned to Xu Zhiyi. “Change your clothes; we’re going to the old residence. There’s a family dinner tonight, and everyone is going.”

Xu Zhiyi pondered for a moment, her brow slightly furrowed. “Is Grandpa planning to announce something? It’s been a week without a word from him, and now suddenly there’s a family dinner.”

Jiang Sixun shrugged, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “I’m not sure. Zhuang Bo didn’t say anything, and no one seems to know.”

The air was thick with unspoken possibilities, each one more intriguing than the last. The prospect of the dinner loomed like an unfinished puzzle, its pieces scattered, waiting to be assembled. Zhiyi’s mind raced with speculation—was it good news or something more serious? The family’s collective silence felt like a prelude to a revelation.