Chapter 26:

Mu Wenhuai also rushed to the estate today. He had been on business trips recently and originally planned to go to London again, but the old master had been calling him every day these past few days, saying that Xingyao had arrived, and the conversation never seemed to end.

It was rare these years to see the old master so fond of a younger generation, lavishly praising her without reservation.

Not only the old master, but Pei Yu also admired Xingyao.

After thirty years, Pei Yu’s next attempt at figure painting was Xingyao’s work.

Mu Wenhuai had just arrived home not long ago, and Mu Jinpei was walking back from the riverside holding Ji Xingyao’s hand. The moment Mu Wenhuai saw Xingyao, he finally understood why Pei Yu liked her — their temperaments were similar, their auras matched.

If Pei Yu had been willing to have a child back then, that child might have been as spirited as Xingyao.

After a brief introduction, Mu Wenhuai went to the kitchen.

…

Ji Xingyao quietly asked Mu Jinpei, “Why is Uncle Mu wearing an apron?”

Mu Jinpei replied, “Thanks to you, my dad is personally cooking today. Usually, he only makes Chinese food for my mom.”

Ji Xingyao nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Mu Jinpei with a half-smile, “So are you going to learn from Uncle Mu in the future?”

Mu Jinpei exchanged looks with her for a few seconds. “You sit down for a bit, I’ll go to the kitchen.” He wasn’t good at cooking, uninterested, and lacked patience, so he could only help his father with small tasks.

…

The living room quieted down, with only Ji Xingyao there. She picked up a magazine to browse.

Xie Yuncheng came in from the backyard. He had just made a phone call near the helicopter and seeing only her in the living room, paused briefly then left.

The secretaries were still working in the cabin. Seeing Xie Yuncheng come back and forth, they asked, “Boss, any other instructions?”

Xie Yuncheng asked, “Has Ji Xingyao painted any figure paintings recently?”

…

The question was too sudden; the secretaries were unprepared. Two years ago, the boss had purchased one of Ji Xingyao’s figure paintings, but since then he hadn’t paid attention to her, so naturally they hadn’t either. The only answer that could disappoint the boss was: “Sorry, I’m not sure. That’s my oversight.”

Xie Yuncheng said nothing more, didn’t linger in the cabin, and turned to leave.

…

In the afternoon, the sky gradually cleared.

The sun weaved through the clouds, appearing and disappearing faintly.

…

After the meal, Ji Xingyao accompanied her grandmother to walk the pet.

Mu Jinpei wandered alone by the river, distracted, thinking about company matters, the plan for Ji Changsheng, and his feelings for Ji Xingyao.

Unconsciously, he walked to the spot where Ji Xingyao had done ice ballet that morning.

Her words “I love you” echoed in his ears all afternoon.

…

At noon in the kitchen, his father asked him when he would return to Beijing and when he would bring Xingyao back to the estate again.

They were leaving tomorrow; who knew when they’d come again — maybe there wouldn’t be a next time.

…

The next day.

The New York trip ended; the afternoon flight was back to Beijing.

Ji Xingyao woke up, applied eye and face masks, then began to put on makeup. Before falling in love, she rarely used expired makeup. Now, besides painting, the happiest thing was experimenting with makeup.

…

Mu Jinpei thought she put on makeup to find creative inspiration and had gifted her several makeup sets.

There was a light knock on the door — two soft taps.

The door was half-opened, and Mu Jinpei pushed it in. “Up early?”

“Mm, been up for almost an hour.” Ji Xingyao started applying eyeliner.

“Why not sleep a little longer?”

“I’ve slept enough.”

She had slept well through the night, one of the few times she managed more than ten hours straight.

…

Mu Jinpei leaned against the dressing table, unusually relaxed, watching her put on makeup. He never quite understood makeup. “Doesn’t it hurt sliding a pencil on your eyelid like that?”

Ji Xingyao: “…This is an eyeliner pencil.” She said without much thought, “Didn’t you pay attention when your ex-girlfriend put on makeup?”

Mu Jinpei looked at her through the mirror, and Ji Xingyao glanced at him in the mirror too, giving him a meaningful look without stopping her makeup.

After a quiet moment, he said, “If you want to know about my love life, you can just ask.”

Ji Xingyao replied, “Am I that bored?”

Mu Jinpei wasn’t always able to understand Ji Xingyao’s train of thought, sometimes unsure if she was joking or serious. Regardless of whether she meant it or not, he honestly answered, “It’s my first relationship. If I’m sometimes inattentive, please be understanding.”

Ji Xingyao smiled, “I won’t be understanding at all. If I do, you’d slack off, and I’d be the one who loses out. You’d better be thorough.”

She continued applying eyeliner on the other eye.

…

Mu Jinpei’s phone vibrated — it was Chu Zheng. He immediately muted it. “What do you want for breakfast?”

“A slice of mille-feuille and a cup of coffee.” Ji Xingyao finished her eyeliner and put the pencil away. “Your pastry chef’s skills are pretty good.”

Mu Jinpei leaned down; Ji Xingyao slightly tilted her head up, giving him her lips, and they kissed softly.

“I’m going out to take a call.” He left the bedroom.

Chu Zheng called to report that the drawing boards and all painting supplies were ready on the plane. A professional was hired to adjust the lighting to meet all lighting needs during painting.

He asked, “Mu, anything else you need to bring on the plane?”

Mu Jinpei thought for a moment. “Bring one more person.”

Chu Zheng asked, “Who? I’ll prepare it now.”

Mu Jinpei: “Our pastry chef.”

Chu Zheng: “…”

…

Back in Beijing, Ji Xingyao went home; the old master had asked her to bring gifts to her parents.

It was Saturday, and her parents were both home for a rare day.

Her father was reading documents in the living room, her mother practicing dance nearby. The music didn’t distract her father at all.

Seeing her return, her mother turned off the music and busied herself preparing fruit in the kitchen.

Ji Xingyao put down the gifts and hugged Ji Changsheng. “Dad, did you miss me?”

Ji Changsheng pretended to be angry, “You’re heartless. You ignored my video call pretending you didn’t get it. Why should I miss you?”

Ji Xingyao leaned on his shoulder, acting spoiled, “I was just seeking creative inspiration, so I couldn’t video call you in time. Later, I did call you back.”

“Who knows if you just didn’t want to answer? You young people all do that; not surprising.”

“Dad, you should be more confident in yourself.”

Ji Changsheng stopped arguing, ruffling her hair. “Stay and eat at home today. I’ll be on a business trip for a couple of days, won’t be back until the New Year.”

Ji Xingyao nodded repeatedly.

Yin He prepared a fruit plate for her daughter, smiling, “Looks like you gained a lot.”

Since she stepped in the door, Ji Xingyao had been smiling, satisfaction shining in her eyes.

She didn’t hide her joy. “I finished a piece on the plane, took eleven hours.” She broke her own record again.

For more than ten hours straight without moving or resting, Mu Jinpei cooperated well, only once bringing her dessert and fruit, feeding her because she didn’t have time to eat, saying nothing the whole time.

This was the most smooth and satisfying creation since she started painting — when inspiration came, she wished she had two pairs of hands.

Originally, she planned to finish the piece in the studio after returning, but Mu Jinpei, fearing boredom during the long flight, prepared all painting tools in the plane bedroom for her.

Inspiration burst forth like a fountain in that moment.

Yin He was happy for her and casually asked, “What did you paint this time?”

Ji Xingyao smiled, “It’s a secret.”

Yin He fed her another piece of fruit, “What secrets do you have from your own mom?” She told Ji Xingyao to go wash her face. “Mom will put on a mask for you. You didn’t sleep all night; you need to take good care of yourself.”

Ji Xingyao was busy painting on the plane and didn’t have time to put on makeup. Now, with a bare face, she stretched and got up to go to the bathroom.

Ji Changsheng was looking over some documents but hadn’t turned a page for a long time, clearly distracted. From the recent conversation between his daughter and wife, it was obvious that Ji Xingyao was completely immersed in her relationship with Mu Jinpei.

This immersion didn’t cause her to neglect her profession; instead, it sparked a burst of inspiration.

For him, this was both tricky and sensitive.

Ji Changsheng put the documents aside and rubbed his throbbing temples.

Lately, he’d been having light sleep and many dreams; insomnia had become a daily occurrence.

Because of Mu Jinpei’s appearance, he found himself involuntarily thinking about the past every day.

Last night, he even dreamed about some past scenes—everything was pitch black in the dream, but he knew clearly it was some place from the past.

Then the place was swallowed by a raging storm, and after that, nothing remained.

He struggled awake, drenched in cold sweat.

His phone vibrated, bringing him back to reality.

Secretary Feng Liang sent over the itinerary for the next few days. Ji Changsheng’s flight the next day was to South Africa to inspect a project he was collaborating on with Xie Junyi.

He called Zhang Bo and instructed him to bring other bodyguards to accompany him to South Africa.

Recently, his daughter had been in Beijing and was inseparable from Mu Jinpei, so there was no need for so many people to follow her around.

Before hanging up, Ji Changsheng remembered something, “The car Xingyao wanted should be arriving soon. When it does, make time to pick it up.”

Zhang Bo responded. Actually, the car wasn’t really for Xingyao’s own use.

Xingyao stayed at home until evening before going back to her own apartment. On the way, she thought about stopping by the M.K. building to see Mu Jinpei but changed her mind.

After spending more than ten days stuck together, they needed to give each other some space.

The next day.

Ji Xingyao had just gotten up when the doorbell rang—it was Zhang Bo.

Zhang Bo had just received a call: the sports car he ordered had already arrived at the port and could be picked up today. Ji Changsheng had mentioned it yesterday, but he didn’t expect it to arrive so quickly.

The sports car was a gift Ji Xingyao bought for Mu Jinpei. Initially, when Mu Jinpei had conceded to a 70/30 split in the agency contract per her request, she had given him a kiss as a spiritual reward, and the material reward was this sports car.

Zhang Bo asked, “Are you staying home today or going to the studio?”

Ji Xingyao thought for a moment, “I’ll go to the studio. Zhang Bo, you pick up the car, I’ll drive there myself.”

Zhang Bo disagreed—not because he doubted her driving skills but because he didn’t feel safe letting her travel alone.

In his eyes, she was still a child who hadn’t grown up, and he worried whenever she went anywhere alone.

“I’ll take you. It’s not urgent right now anyway.”

After he said this, his right eyelid twitched several times without warning.

Maybe the jet lag hadn’t settled yet. He only rested for a little over two hours last night, so the eyelid twitch was normal.

Ji Xingyao hadn’t washed up or put on makeup yet. Plus, she needed to eat breakfast, which would take some time. So she decided, “I’ll just paint at home today, so you don’t have to run back and forth—it’s a hassle.”

Before leaving, Zhang Bo repeatedly reminded her, “Just paint at home. Don’t go anywhere. If you want to go out, wait until I come back.”

Ji Xingyao smiled helplessly, “Zhang Bo, this is Beijing. It’s very safe.”

Zhang Bo replied the same way: “You can’t be too careful.”

Ji Xingyao cooperated and agreed. She didn’t really have anywhere else to go and was lazy to move around.

Having not stayed home for more than ten days, she opened the window to air out the room and did some simple cleaning. Being on a high floor, there was basically no dust.

The coffee machine lay quietly on the kitchen glass counter. She tapped rhythmically on the coffee machine with her fingers. If Mu Jinpei didn’t come over, she wouldn’t have any coffee to drink.

She opened her phone and sent Mu Jinpei a cool animated gif of a beautiful woman smoking. [Morning]

It was the first time Mu Jinpei received such an image. He was usually serious, and no one ever sent him emojis or gifs. He looked at it several times; the expression in the gif resembled Ji Xingyao’s.

[Up yet?]

Ji Xingyao: [Yeah.] Then she moved the coffee machine onto the coffee table and sent him a photo of the canvas in the living room. [Starting work soon.]

Mu Jinpei immediately noticed the coffee machine front and center in the photo. She didn’t take the picture randomly—it was a hint that she had no coffee left. [Not going to the studio today?]

Ji Xingyao: [Yeah, painting at home is fine too.]

Mu Jinpei: [I’ll come see you at noon.]

Ji Xingyao put the phone aside and took out her notebook, listing everything she needed to finish today. Halfway through, she stared at her pen. Though it was exquisite and expensive, writing with it wasn’t as smooth as Mu Jinpei’s old fountain pen, nor did it feel as good.

Near noon, Chu Zheng returned from an outing and went directly to Mu Jinpei’s office to report.

A few days ago, Mu Jinpei had written down a surname on a sticky note and asked him to visit when he had time. Today he finally found a suitable opportunity.

“Mr. Mu, everything is progressing smoothly. He’s willing to cooperate with us.”

Mu Jinpei was making notes in his notebook. This result was expected. “He’s always coveted the actual power of the Ji Group but just couldn’t find a chance to deal with Ji Changsheng, nor did he have the strength. Now cooperating with us, it’s all benefit and no harm for him. Only a fool would refuse.”

He closed his pen. “No more contact with him from now on.”

“Understood.” Chu Zheng added, “He himself said he hopes not to have private dealings anymore. He knows how to cooperate with us.”

Mu Jinpei responded with a hum and closed his computer. Handling Ji Changsheng originally didn’t need such an elaborate plan or for him to personally intervene. It was time-consuming and exhausting, and his appearance might cause complications.

But if he didn’t do it this way, Ji Changsheng wouldn’t suffer the pain he deserved, nor would Mu Jinpei be able to unleash over twenty years of hatred toward the Ji family and Ji Changsheng.

Now, the method Mu Jinpei used against Ji Changsheng was to fight fire with fire, making Ji Changsheng taste the bitter fruits he had once sown.

Chu Zheng happened to glance at the blue dots on Mu Jinpei’s right pinky fingernail. He thought it was paint Mu Jinpei had accidentally touched and hadn’t noticed.

He tactfully reminded him, “Mr. Mu, do you want to clean the paint off your hand first?”

Mu Jinpei: “No.” He paused, “I’ll wash it in a couple of days. It’s nail polish Xingyao put on.”

Chu Zheng: “…”

Mu Jinpei looked at the two star-like blue designs on his nails. When they got back from the airport yesterday, Ji Xingyao had been fiddling with her makeup and had whimsically painted two blue stars on his nails, repeatedly telling him not to remove it.

Chu Zheng continued his report, “Vice Chairman Xie’s family has arrived in Beijing, but Xie Yuncheng didn’t arrive with them.”

Mu Jinpei said indifferently, “Xie Yuncheng isn’t coming?”

“No,” Chu Zheng hesitated, “He’s flying back by himself.”

Xie Yuncheng loved flying. He could pilot helicopters and passenger planes easily. The M.K. Holdings airline was now managed by him. He used to be a captain and liked to challenge the most complicated routes.

Later, he resigned as captain due to busy company operations, but whenever he had the chance, whether on business trips or vacations, he always piloted the plane himself.

Mu Jinpei didn’t pursue the topic. He wasn’t very interested in Xie Yuncheng’s affairs. “I’m going out. No need to follow me.”

No need to guess—Mu Jinpei was going to the studio to find Ji Xingyao again.

He had something else to tell his boss about Xu Rui, but the boss already grabbed his coat and headed out, so he didn’t spoil the mood.

There was a traffic jam on the way, and Mu Jinpei arrived at the residential complex after noon.

Ji Xingyao was waiting downstairs. She quietly counted the elevator buttons, and when it reached 1, she looked up at the elevator. The door slowly opened, and Mu Jinpei was already waiting for her at the elevator entrance.

It had only been one night without seeing each other, yet she truly understood what missing someone felt like.

Mu Jinpei lifted her up. Before their lips could meet, the noise and laughter from another elevator interrupted them. Three boys came out — two older ones in their early teens, and a younger one around six or seven, holding a soccer ball.

Following them were a couple in their sixties or seventies, both dressed in sportswear and sneakers.

The kids shouted back while playing, “Grandpa, Grandma, hurry up!”

“Grandma, Grandpa, you’re chasing us!”

“Coming, coming!”

Suddenly, laughter erupted again as the children tumbled and wrestled together.

Mu Jinpei’s kiss with Ji Xingyao was interrupted by the kids. He kissed her forehead and gently put her down.

Xingyao said, “The kids are on winter break; the neighborhood is livelier than usual.”

Mu Jinpei nodded. Kids nowadays were really noisy but also truly happy. His own childhood was quiet, spent under the watchful eyes of his great-grandmother’s tears and the constant presence of hatred.

Since he could remember, the household was suffocating. Communication between Pei Yu and Mu Wenhuai was rare, sometimes barely two words exchanged in a day. He thought all adults were like that — quiet and busy.

Ever since he found out he was adopted, he had been especially obedient, never making any selfish demands to his foster parents.

The atmosphere at home was stifling, even more so at his grandparents’ estate.

Over the years, he had forgotten what a genuine smile felt like, and didn’t even know what happiness truly was.

Ji Xingyao pressed the elevator button, pulling Mu Jinpei back to the present.

Upstairs, the door closed behind them, blocking out all outside noise.

Mu Jinpei looked into Ji Xingyao’s eyes, noticing a few red veins. “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

Xingyao hesitated for half a second. “Not bad.”

Mu Jinpei saw through her lie but didn’t call it out. “Go take a nap, I’ll make coffee for you. Once I’m done, I have to go back — got a meeting this afternoon.”

Xingyao didn’t nap. As he started making coffee, she hugged him from behind, feeling the strong, textured lines of his back. Then she looked up carefully.

“When will you have time?” she asked.

“Want to paint my back?” he replied.

“How did you know?”

Mu Jinpei said bluntly, “You’re more interested in my hands and back than in me.”

Ji Xingyao smiled wryly. “Don’t underestimate yourself.”

She stopped staring at his back, leaning her cheek against it, gently rubbing a few times. “I love all of you.”

Mu Jinpei was busy working; his heart suddenly tightened. He turned on the faucet — the sound of running water drowned out his heartbeat.

Xingyao couldn’t see his expression from behind, so she squinted.

She really hadn’t slept well last night. Though they hadn’t shared a bed during their time in Manhattan, he accompanied her every night. She’d hold his hand while he sat by the bed reviewing documents, leaving only after she fell asleep. Last night, sleeping alone was unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

Her bad habit of mixing day and night, staying up late, had left her with light, sensitive sleep, making it hard to fall asleep.

She leaned on his back, breathing in his familiar scent, feeling drowsy.

Mu Jinpei finished preparing, wiped his hands with a towel, turned, and lifted Ji Xingyao to sit on the glass countertop. She cooperated, tilting her head slightly. His kiss followed.

These days, they shared many deep kisses every day — at home, in the car, in the M.K office, even at the grandparents’ estate.

Whenever no one was around, they couldn’t help themselves.

At first, she accidentally bit him a few times, but now she knew how to breathe properly and how to respond.

Today’s kiss was long and deep.

Just as Ji Xingyao left his lips, Mu Jinpei kissed her again, then picked her up in a princess carry. “Coffee’s almost ready. You go nap, I’ll pour it into a thermos for you to drink when you wake.”

Xingyao looked at him. “You’re going back to the office?”

“Yeah, meeting at three.” He put her down on the bed, pulled the blackout curtains, and said, “Sleep.” Then he closed the door and left.

The bedroom was soundproofed; nothing outside could be heard.

Mu Jinpei opened the living room window and stood calmly by it for a moment.

When the coffee was done, he snapped back to reality, poured it into a thermos, and set it on the worktable.

Xingyao’s phone was still in front of the computer. Mu Jinpei took it and brought it to the bedroom. “I don’t know when I’ll be done. I’ll call you as soon as I get off work.”

Xingyao nodded and set her phone to silent on the bedside table.

She had gotten used to holding his hand to fall asleep lately. Now, instinctively wanting to reach for his hand, she realized he was about to leave for work. Her raised arm finally settled back on the blanket.

Mu Jinpei took off his watch and placed it in her hand. “Hold this like it’s my hand.” He leaned over and kissed her on the eyes. “Sleep.”