Chapter 64

The court date was set for three months later.

In the meantime, Wen Xin never saw her uncle and aunt again. They probably never imagined that the once introverted and forbearing Wen Xin would one day completely sever ties with them. Shock and anger gave way to fear and resentment.

No matter their reaction, Wen Xin never wavered in her resolve.

She wanted them to repay everything that rightfully belonged to her.

She wanted them to pay the price.

Unbeknownst to her, time slipped toward the New Year. For her uncle and aunt, the case would make this their most agonizing holiday yet. But for Wen Xin, it marked a fresh start—a clean break from her past suffering.

The evening before the holiday break, Shi Qianyu treated everyone in the office to dinner. After polling the group, they settled on a venerable old stir-fry restaurant.

A big crowd showed up. They gathered around the table, taking seats in order. It was a company gathering, after all, so seating mattered. Shi Qianyu took the head seat, and as the newcomer, Wen Xin ended up directly across from her.

Before long, steaming platters of dishes arrived one after another, filling the air with heat and mouthwatering aromas that whetted everyone’s appetite.

Shi Qianyu offered a few brief words, then everyone clinked glasses. The office crew were all great people—easy to talk to and quick to let loose. The mood was fantastic.

“Happy New Year to smooth sailing and everything going your way.” Wen Xin’s gaze kept drifting to Shi Qianyu, so she noticed the other woman looking right at her as she spoke.

Emboldened, Wen Xin echoed her, raising her own hopes for the future along with the group: “Everything going your way!”

Just then, a massive burst of fireworks streaked across the window outside, dazzling and breathtakingly beautiful.

That’s what life was for—those fleeting moments.

Gao Qiu beside her wasn’t much of a drinker. One glass in, and she was already tipsy. She grabbed Wen Xin’s arm and exclaimed in awe, “So pretty! Did you see that, Wenwen?”

“I saw it,” Wen Xin replied with a nod. “It’s gorgeous.”

“Come year, let’s keep looking out for each other.” Gao Qiu had sneaked herself another pour at some point and solemnly clinked glasses with Wen Xin alone. “Next year, you have to be even happier, Wenwen.”

“Sure,” Wen Xin answered just as earnestly. “We all will.”

Gao Qiu threw her head back in a hearty laugh. “Cheers!”

Her antics had half the table chuckling along.

After the meal, Shi Qianyu had Assistant Wang call cars for everyone. Then, on a personal note, she handed out thick red envelopes to each employee—a generous thank-you for their companionship and hard work over the past year.

Was there a better boss out there? Nope.

“Thanks, Director Shi!” They waved goodbye, all of them beaming.

“See you next year.” Shi Qianyu smiled. Once everyone had gone, she doubled back. Wen Xin was still at the table, waiting for her. Drunk but buzzing with energy, her eyes and cheeks flushed.

She even reached out for her red envelope, mimicking the others’ tone: “Director Shi.”

“Where’s mine?” she asked.

Adorably.

Wen Xin wore the down jacket Shi Qianyu had given her that day—a soft powdery pink with white faux fur trim at the collar and cuffs. Playful, pretty, and perfect against her fair skin.

Shi Qianyu looked down at her, brushing a hand gently over Wen Xin’s flushed white cheek, teasing, “Take Sister’s home with you.”

Wen Xin paused a beat, then accused, “Director Shi, that’s favoritism.”

Unable to resist, Shi Qianyu kissed her forehead. “Is it?”

“Yes,” Wen Xin replied.

Shi Qianyu laughed, dropping the playfulness. “Truth is, I made yours extra thick. Couldn’t hand it out in front of everyone. Okay if we do it at home?”

Wen Xin agreed, tilting her head to kiss Shi Qianyu’s cheek in return. “Okay.”

They shared a smile, took each other’s hands, and left the restaurant for the ride home.

Loving someone was like tending a flower—Shi Qianyu always kept a close eye on Wen Xin’s changing state. The drama wasn’t fully resolved yet, but she could tell this Wen Xin was far brighter and more outgoing than before.

The old Wen Xin had no friends, no family. Her games were the only place she could pour out her feelings. To understand her better and draw closer, Shi Qianyu had created the Shi Yu account.

Back then, Wen Xin had leaned too heavily on Shi Yu. Now she had real support, making the account feel less essential.

While wrapping up her last bit of work, Shi Qianyu logged into Shi Yu’s account. They still teamed up for games now and then, swapped hellos in chat, but the vibe was clearly different.

Wen Xin had gone from listener to sharer of joy.

Shi Yu: 【Good evening. How was your day?】

Fresh off her dailies in bed, Wen Xin rolled over contentedly and typed: 【Great. A really good day.】

Wen Xin asked her: 【You?】

So Shi Yu spun another lie, rattling off a fabricated day: back home with family for dinner, shopping, even a movie.

Fake, but it made Wen Xin happy: 【Sounds wonderful.】

They chatted back and forth a bit. Remembering Wen Xin’s ongoing event, Shi Qianyu offered: 【Want to knock out those event quests?】

But Wen Xin turned her down: 【Nah, super sleepy today. Heading to bed.】

She bade Shi Yu good night—and an early “Happy New Year.”

Shi Yu: 【Yeah, you too. Happy New Year.】

No more typing from the bed. Instead, a big lazy stretch.

Shi Qianyu slipped out of the game quietly, sat on the bed’s edge, and stroked Wen Xin’s face. “Sleepy? Want to rest?”

Wen Xin shook her head. “Not sleepy. I’m waiting for A-Yu.”

“Really not tired?” Shi Qianyu asked.

Wen Xin blinked, smiling at her. “Not at all. Wide awake.”

She did look it.

So that “sleepy” line had been a fib. Rejecting Shi Yu’s invite, but insisting on waiting up for Shi Qianyu—classic double standard.

Shi Qianyu recalled Wen Xin’s recent line about favoritism. The shoe fit her too.

But Shi Qianyu was delighted. “Shall we shower together?”

“A-Yu still has work left?” Wen Xin asked.

“No rush.” Shi Qianyu replied. Nothing took precedence over Wen Xin.

Wen Xin agreed. They headed to the bathroom for a hot shower, dried their hair, switched off the lights, and slipped back into bed together.

In the moonlight, Shi Qianyu pulled her close. “Holiday starts tomorrow. Anything you want to do?”

“I want to go back and visit my parents. Light some incense, talk to them.” Wen Xin no longer hid her past. Shi Qianyu was the one person she trusted completely—everything laid bare.

“Sure.” Shi Qianyu nodded. “Anything else?”

“Let’s buy some couplets together.” Even for New Year, Wen Xin had no desire to return to that old cold house. “Stock up on ingredients and snacks too. I’ll cook for A-Yu.”

Shi Qianyu nodded again. “Sure. More?”

Wen Xin pondered, but the wine from earlier left her mind fuzzy. “That’s it.”

“Really nothing else?” Shi Qianyu pressed.

Wen Xin nodded. “Nope.”

With that, Shi Qianyu fell silent, opened the nightstand drawer, and pulled out a plump envelope.

She handed the red envelope to Wen Xin, meeting her eyes with a soft smile. “Sister was just asking for this the other day. Forgot already?”

It was seriously thick—the envelope stuffed to bursting.

Wen Xin stared, stunned. No one had given her one since her parents died. Growing up meant trade-offs and forgetting; New Year was just a slightly livelier day—paste up couplets, make a nice meal, done.

But with the envelope in her hand, the holiday spirit hit her full force.

“Thanks, A-Yu.” Wen Xin’s eyes sparkled with shock and emotion. “This is way too much…”

“Not at all.” Shi Qianyu shook her head. “Hold onto it for now. More for New Year.”

“More?”

“Yeah, different hats. This one’s from Director Shi. The holiday one’s from A-Yu.”

Wen Xin’s eyes lit up again, brimming with excitement and anticipation. “Then I want to give A-Yu an even bigger one.”

Still so cute. No matter what, Wen Xin was always cute in Shi Qianyu’s eyes.

Shi Qianyu laughed upon hearing this. Buoyed by Wen Xin’s words, she began to look forward to the New Year right alongside her. Leaning down close to the woman before her, she planted an affectionate kiss on her cheek. “Good. I’ve got it memorized.”

She gave her a gentle reminder. “Don’t forget this time, little drunk.”

Wen Xin lifted her hand and looped it around her neck. In the moonlight, her fingers traced their way to Shi Qianyu’s lips—first caressing them softly, then brushing them with a light kiss. Shi Qianyu had drunk quite a bit today as well; a faint whiff of alcohol lingered in her breath, and her lips carried an even warmer heat.

Wen Xin casually shot back at her.

“You’re the drunk one.”