Chapter 41 Part 1

Forty minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a villa.

Yun Chun stepped out and gazed at the house in the distance.

It was a study in white minimalism, quietly exuding luxury at a glance.

Drawing her eyes back slowly, she noted the mailbox standing sentinel before the gray slate path. Beyond that, the courtyard consisted solely of verdant lawn, unmarred by any other adornments.

Taking in her surroundings, Yun Chun knew this place didn’t come cheap.

Cris hefted her luggage and escorted her to the villa’s entrance.

Yun Chun stood to one side, waiting for him to unlock the door. Instead, he offered her the key he’d pulled out. “This one’s yours from now on.”

Yun Chun stared in astonishment. “Mine?”

Cris had figured anyone hearing this would react that way. He’d been looking forward to her shocked expression even before speaking. Seeing it unfold exactly as imagined, he grinned. “That’s right. Stay here anytime you visit Milan.”

In English, Yun Chun asked, “Did General Manager Mo arrange this?”

She’d never been much of a student and hadn’t even finished high school, so English had been well beyond her back then.

Her fluent speech these days came from private tutors she’d hired the year she shot to fame—because she was convinced her career wouldn’t be confined to home soil forever.

Who could have guessed it would all crash and burn midway?

At least the lessons had stuck, sparing her embarrassment around foreigners.

Switching to English as well, Cris replied, “No, this is courtesy of Director Lu’s mother.”

As Yun Chun listened, the slender key in her hand grew abruptly heavy.

Cris stepped aside. “After you—open the door.”

Yun Chun froze for a few seconds under his expectant gaze before sliding the key into the lock.

Click. Cris asked, “Would Miss Yun like to register a fingerprint? It’s more convenient.”

Yun Chun shook her head. “No need. The key will do.”

“Very well.” Cris carried the suitcase inside and set it beside the entryway shoe cabinet. Then he informed her that there were no major work commitments that day. A stylist would arrive in an hour to discuss alterations for her Fashion Week gown; Yun Chun should wait here. Afterward, she was free to rest or explore, and she could call him anytime for a ride.

Yun Chun marveled inwardly at how seamlessly everything was arranged and nodded her agreement.

Once Cris had gone, Yun Chun finally had a chance to explore the villa’s interior.

True to its exterior, the decor inside was pure minimalism.

An open kitchen featured an island counter with a crystal chandelier overhead. Walls flanked the staircase on two sides while floor-to-ceiling windows dominated the rest, flooding the space with natural light.

The sunken living room held a sofa in warm beige, glowing invitingly in the sunshine.

Yun Chun descended the steps. Tilting her head, she peered up the staircase toward the second floor, but a glass partition blocked the view. Lowering her gaze to Lu Qingxue, who was already settled on the sofa, she blinked her lashes and said, “Sister Qingxue, your place is gorgeous!”

Lu Qingxue smiled back. “Do you like it?”

“I love it!”

Yun Chun plopped down beside her. The sofa was so plush that her body sank in as she leaned back. A new environment always brought a measure of stiffness and wariness, a fear of overstepping. But here, aside from that awkward moment when the driver handed her the key and made her unlock the door, Yun Chun felt utterly at ease. Lounging bonelessly on the sofa, she showed not a hint of restraint.

Of course, she knew exactly why. This was Lu Qingxue’s home, and Lu Qingxue sat right there beside her.

It instilled the comforting notion that she could make herself as comfy as she pleased, just like at her own place.

Even so, Yun Chun didn’t go full hog. She held back quite a bit. Her shoes, for instance, stood neatly aligned in the cabinet rather than jumbled every which way as they might at home.

Curled up on the sofa, she didn’t sprawl haphazardly but sat primly still.

Lu Qingxue eyed her from the side, lips curved in amusement. “Nervous?”

Yun Chun turned her head slightly. “Why would I be?”

“You seem ill at ease.”

“I’m not.” Yun Chun paused, then added, “With you here beside me, I feel totally relaxed.”

Lu Qingxue arched a brow. “Then why not sit cross-legged?”

Yun Chun’s go-to sofa position involved tucking those long legs of hers up underneath.

Right now, though, they formed a perfect, rigid right angle.

At Lu Qingxue’s words, Yun Chun kicked off her slippers in a flash and crossed her legs. “Ahh, much better~”

Lu Qingxue merely smiled, saying nothing.

Yun Chun pulled out her phone. “I’m gonna text Sister Xing.”

“Mm-hmm.”

She angled the screen away from Lu Qingxue’s view and first messaged Qin Xing to say she’d arrived safely.

Next, she texted Xu Lanmeng: Tell Yueqin I made it to Milan in one piece, or she’ll worry herself sick.

Qin Xing: [Mm.]

Xu Lanmeng: [Mm.] Then: [How do you usually sweet-talk your mom when she’s mad?]

Yun Chun glanced at Lu Qingxue on the sofa and frowned as she typed:

[No way?]

[I just jetted off and you’re already ticking off my mom?]

Xu Lanmeng: [Didn’t tick her off.]

[Just annoyed her a little.]

Yun Chun: [What’s the difference?]

[Sorry, zero experience here. I’ve toed the line with Mom my whole life—never once made her mad.]

[What’d you do? Forget to take out the trash? Can’t be something that basic, right? Mom’s got the patience of a saint; it’d take skill to rile her up.]

Xu Lanmeng: [Mm.]

[All good now. Told her you arrived safe and sound, and she finally deigned to speak to me.]

Yun Chun: […]

[Mom’s a total softie. You… just do what she says. Don’t butt heads.]

Xu Lanmeng depended on Yueqin for everything.

If she made Yueqin mad, no more home-cooked meals. Coaxing her back to good spirits was par for the course.

Yun Chun didn’t read anything deeper into it.

Xu Lanmeng: [Everything she says?]

[Even if she’s wrong?]

Of course not.

Yun Chun had her own sense of right and wrong.

But she’d never faced any major dilemmas growing up—just everyday trifles that hardly warranted picking a side.

For little things like that, going along with Yueqin cost her nothing.

Sensing the prickliness in Xu Lanmeng’s tone, Yun Chun couldn’t be bothered to argue.

[She’s got her baby girl, that’s all.]

Xu Lanmeng: [……]

[So if your mom tells her baby girl to start dating someone, you get what that really means?]

Yun Chun’s heart skipped.

She was quick on the uptake; some implications clicked instantly.

[You told her?]

Xu Lanmeng: [She figured it out herself.]

Five seconds passed.

Xu Lanmeng: [So, as Mom’s precious baby girl, gonna obey and find someone to date?]

Yun Chun didn’t respond. It wasn’t that she had nothing to say or hadn’t pieced it together.

Lu Wanyi chose that moment to video call.

Seeing it, Yun Chun held up her phone and scooted closer to Lu Qingxue. “It’s Aunt Lu.”

Lu Qingxue hummed. “Pick up.”

Milan and home were seven hours apart; noon sunshine here meant evening there for Lu Wanyi.

As soon as the call connected, Lu Wanyi beamed. “Little Yun!”

The screen wouldn’t capture Lu Qingxue, but Yun Chun held her phone high enough to frame them both.

It was as if Lu Wanyi were chatting with the pair of them.

Yun Chun replied sweetly, “Aunt Lu.”

Lu Wanyi smiled warmly. “Mo Yue says you’ve settled in at Little Snow’s?”

It wasn’t their first video call since leaving the village; they’d kept in touch. Lu Wanyi knew Yun Chun and Mo Yue were acquainted.

Still, how had Mo Yue found out? Yun Chun paused—must’ve been the driver or Qin Xing—then nodded. “Yep, just got here.”

Lu Wanyi pressed on, “They gave you the key? Stay whenever you like on future trips to Milan.”

Yun Chun looked sheepish. “Aunt Lu, I couldn’t possibly…”

She knew it was politeness, but it kept sounding more and more like the house was hers now.

“What’s not to like? It’s sitting empty—no one lives there, and we can’t bring ourselves to sell. Your Uncle Lu pops by now and then on business trips, but otherwise it gathers dust. The key’s yours for a foothold abroad. Treat it like your own home…”

Yun Chun started to demur, but Lu Qingxue cut in from off-camera. “Just say yes. Don’t make her worry.”

Out of sight of the lens, Yun Chun gave Lu Qingxue a poke: This is on you—I didn’t put ideas in her head.

Hand withdrawn, she smiled onscreen. “Thank you, Aunt Lu.”

Lu Wanyi softened with satisfaction. “You’re family too, no need for all that formality.”

“Have you eaten? The kitchen should be stocked—help yourself.”

“Did you set that up, Aunt Lu?”

“No, Mo Yue. That girl’s so thoughtful; she covers every detail.”

They chatted a bit longer until Lu Wanyi glanced away. “Alright, get some rest. I’m hanging up now.”

“Okay.”

After bidding Lu Wanyi goodbye, Yun Chun pocketed her phone and turned to Lu Qingxue. “Sister Qingxue, and just like that, I’ve got a key to your house.”

Lu Qingxue’s eyebrow quirked upward. “What did you expect?”

Yun Chun tilted her head. “You don’t mind?”

It was such a nice house, and now an outsider like her was moving in—without paying rent, no less. Most homeowners would take issue with that.

But Lu Qingxue had worried that Lu Wanyi would get anxious, so she hadn’t let Yun Chun refuse.

Yun Chun fell silent for a moment. “Don’t worry, Sister Qingxue. I’ll only be here a few days. I won’t make a mess of the place.”

Lu Qingxue said nothing.

She reached out and gently flicked Yun Chun’s forehead—the motion tender enough that it only lifted a single strand of her bangs.

Yun Chun blinked, not understanding the gesture, and simply gazed at Lu Qingxue.

Lu Qingxue remained quiet, then said softly, “Come on, let’s check out the rooms.”

“…Okay.”

The master bedroom was upstairs, with floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the space with light. From the balcony, she could take in the entire neighborhood, and even from the bed, the blue sky, drifting clouds, and the tips of roadside trees filled her view.

No matter where she stood in the room, the sightlines were perfect.

A nap here would wash away any trace of fatigue from her body.

But Yun Chun didn’t choose the master bedroom. Instead, she headed to one of the guest rooms on the first floor.

The master was reserved for Lu Qingxue.

Her rental back home had only one bed, leaving her no choice but to share it. But this house was so spacious, with so many beds—Lu Qingxue surely wouldn’t bunk with her now.

Watching Yun Chun wheel her suitcase into the guest room, Lu Qingxue stood silently behind her.

After a quick unpack, Yun Chun emerged from the bedroom to find Lu Qingxue at the kitchen island, grinding coffee beans by hand.

Yun Chun walked over. “Did the Big Boss even stock coffee? Or did she buy it knowing you like it and just keep it here?”

She settled into a chair and sniffed the air.

The rich, soul-stirring aroma of coffee beans hung over the island.

That bitter, addictive scent… The brew would surely be smooth and full-bodied. Yun Chun’s taste buds were already tingling, and she swallowed, sniffing twice more.

Damn, Lu Qingxue had gotten her hooked on coffee.

To Lu Qingxue, though, those little sniffs made Yun Chun look just like… a puppy.

There was nothing more to it—simply that she found Yun Chun adorable.

Lowering her lashes, Lu Qingxue kept grinding. Her lips parted slightly. “I prepared it for you.”

Yun Chun blinked. “Huh?”

Lu Qingxue glanced at the phone on the countertop. “There.”

It was the one she’d asked Lu Qingxue to grab from her suitcase earlier. The screen showed a message from Mo Yue, sent just minutes ago:

[If you wake up fine tomorrow morning, brew yourself a cup of coffee.]

Yun Chun frowned. “?”

What was this weird ritual?

Besides, hadn’t she told Mo Yue last time that she didn’t like coffee? Why prepare it for her now?

Yun Chun was about to reply with a question mark but thought better of it and just texted back: Got it.

The Big Boss—who signed her paychecks—could say whatever she wanted. Yun Chun might not get it, but she’d respect it.

As for actually drinking it tomorrow… well, tomorrow.

She exited the chat and spotted her conversation with Xu Lanmeng.

No new messages. Their exchange still ended on that last note.

Yun Chun pressed her lips together and hid the thread.

She wasn’t sure if Lu Qingxue had seen it.

In any case, she didn’t want to look at it right now.