Chapter 8

A crescent moon hung in the sky as the restless Chi Yumo sat alone in the courtyard, gazing at the hazy tree shadows in the distance and the faint moonlight overhead.

Had Xiao Yi gone to question Shi Youwan? How did she ask? And how did Shi Youwan respond?

The phone screen lit up, showing the time as 8:05 p.m.

“Miss Mo, come inside and wait.”

Seeing her dressed all in black, still wearing the hat and mask from earlier while sitting outside, Chen Han felt heartbroken. The outdoor temperature was in the twenties, and bundling up like that must have been so hot and uncomfortable.

“Has Sis sent any new messages?” Chi Yumo turned to look at Chen Han, hoping to get the latest on Shi Youwan’s whereabouts from her.

“No, but she should be back soon.” Chen Han handed her a wet wipe. “I’ve had everyone else stay away. Take off the hat and mask and wipe your face.”

“Thanks, Aunt Han.”

Chen Han held the items she’d removed while Chi Yumo wiped her face. Then, two beams of light swept in from the gate dozens of meters away, followed by a familiar business van pulling up to the house.

Chi Yumo stood up joyfully just as Shi Youwan stepped out of the van.

In her youth, Chi Yumo had always wished time would pass faster, so she could skip the awkward years and grow strong enough to protect her grandmother without worry.

But now, she only hoped time would stop, letting her hold onto this moment of tenderness and happiness.

She never wanted to wander aimlessly again.

To find someone like this, guard a home like this, and grow old together—how wonderful that would be.

“Wait long?”

The woman walked toward her gracefully, reached out to gently stroke the marks left by the mask on her face, and sighed. “Be good. Don’t wait outside next time. It’s hot in summer, cold in winter—you’ll get sick.”

“Mm,” Chi Yumo felt ashamed of her willful behavior and lowered her head, twisting the wipe in her fingers. “I was happy today and wanted to see you early.”

She had returned a few minutes later than expected due to a sudden issue in a business meeting that dragged on.

Qiao Ke handed Shi Youwan’s briefcase to Chen Han and casually chimed in, “Miss Mo, President Shi had Kai Ge speed up several times on the road. You can see how eager she was to get home. She has you on her mind. Congrats—you got what you wanted. Kai Ge and I are happy for you too.”

Qiao Ke and Zhang Kai had only learned about Chi Yumo’s acceptance into the Provincial Drama Troupe from Shi Youwan a dozen minutes earlier, which explained why the usually safety-conscious president had demanded speeding at night.

“Alright, you two head back first.” Shi Youwan’s commanding tone made Qiao Ke’s heart skip a beat.

“Thanks, Sis Qiao Ke, and thanks, Kai Ge.” After thanking them, Chi Yumo handed the wipe back to Chen Han and took Shi Youwan’s hand.

“Sis, safety first. As long as you say you’ll come back, no matter how long, I’ll wait. Next time, I promise I’ll obediently wait inside.”

Shi Youwan was extremely punctual and hated lateness in business dealings, refusing to be late herself.

She could be more flexible with her return time home, but with Chi Yumo waiting for her…

“Mm, let’s go in.”

…

A feast of coconut chicken awaited in the dining room.

The coconut aroma wafted through the air, refreshing Shi Youwan’s spirits.

This wasn’t her first time eating the dish—she’d tried it years ago on a business trip out of town and hadn’t thought much of it then. But tonight, the coconut scent awakened her taste buds and whetted her appetite.

Someone mischievously tickled her palm. “If Sis guessed right, tonight’s coconut chicken is my selfish little touch. After dinner, I want to hear Sis tell me the difference between the coconut aroma in the soup… and mine.”

Shi Youwan’s ears heated up. She shot the culprit a mildly annoyed glare, pulled her hand away, and said, “You sit first. I’ll go wash my hands.”

She had already washed her hands upon entering, but it was mainly an excuse to fetch something.

Chi Yumo felt a small surge of pride and sat at the table. She ladled two bowls of fresh soup from the bubbling pot and added some bright green chopped scallions to her own.

She remembered every detail of Shi Youwan’s preferences clearly.

Of onions, ginger, and garlic, Shi Youwan only ate ginger, not onions or garlic.

She herself ate onions and ginger but not garlic.

Shi Youwan also remembered her tastes and had solemnly told her not to change for her sake.

Today was a happy day.

She couldn’t afford a slip-up in some overlooked detail that might displease Shi Youwan and ruin the evening’s mood.

Whether Shi Youwan hurried home for punctuality or to dine with her, that “eagerness to return” touched her deeply.

When Shi Youwan returned to the table, she held a gray velvet box.

“A gift. Congratulations on achieving your first goal.” She sat beside Chi Yumo and placed the box in front of her. “Open it and see.”

“Drink the soup first, Sis.” Chi Yumo served the bowl instead. “You drink, then I’ll open it.”

Shi Youwan followed her hand, grasped her wrist to lift it higher, took a small sip, and praised sincerely, “Better than outside. Aunt Han must have had the kitchen put in a lot of effort. Have you tried it?”

“Mm, as long as Sis likes it.”

Chi Yumo didn’t lower her hand. “One more sip. It’ll be less fresh once we add the ingredients.”

After feeding Shi Youwan half a bowl, Chi Yumo set it down and refilled it.

Then she opened the box. Sure enough, it held a necklace whose price she couldn’t guess. “Sis…”

“No pressure.”

Shi Youwan knew what she was thinking and explained, “The materials aren’t expensive—just ordinary green peridot paired with white pearls. Take a good look. The green and white are like a simple young coconut, full of life and pure, just like you.”

She knew something too pricey would make Chi Yumo refuse it or not wear it. Peridot and pearls were common and affordable on the market.

Hearing Shi Youwan’s explanation of the necklace’s meaning—and knowing she had no reason to lie—Chi Yumo relaxed.

She touched the two “stones” lovingly, warmth flowing through her body.

“Thanks, Sis. I love it.”

She turned to Shi Youwan, her face beaming with pure joy and a hint of coquetry. “Can Sis put it on for me?”

“Sure.”

But just as Shi Youwan reached for the box, her phone rang from the other side.

Work calls went through Qiao Ke 24/7. Only extremely important people and matters reached her personal line.

Chi Yumo couldn’t see the screen.

“Answer it first, Sis.”

“Mm, you eat.” Prioritizing, Shi Youwan took the phone and walked away to take the call.

A wooden sliding door separated the dining room from the living room. Even with Chi Yumo’s sharp hearing, she couldn’t make out the voice on the other end, but she had a bad premonition.

She heard Shi Youwan say—Okay, hold her steady. I’ll be right there.

What had to come would come eventually.

Since Xiao Yi had said she’d confront her face-to-face, she’d stop at nothing to see Shi Youwan. Shi Youwan might just indulge her as a junior, but Chi Yumo’s feelings for her were no longer those of a young one for an elder.

Shi Youwan, with her vast experience and sharp insight, couldn’t have failed to notice Xiao Yi’s improper intentions over the years, could she?

Or… was Shi Youwan deliberately indulging it?

Gazing at the carefully prepared table of hot and cold dishes, untouched, the warmth in Chi Yumo’s heart froze into an icy river.

She picked up her soup bowl and drained it. The soup was hot, but her heart was cold.

As Shi Youwan’s footsteps approached, Chi Yumo smiled and asked, “Does Sis have something to handle?”

Whether billion-yuan deals or personal matters, she had no right to ask Shi Youwan to spend twenty or thirty minutes eating with her first.

In Shi Youwan’s brilliant, predetermined life path, she was just an insignificant speck of dust, drifting with the wind, unable to choose where to land.

How had she grown so presumptuous in just five days?

If Xiao Yi’s obsessive, unrequited love—without blood ties—was twisted, then wasn’t her own possessive desire, humble as dust, equally twisted?

To put it harshly, she was truly a toad lusting after swan meat.

She wasn’t even as good as Xiao Yi.

Shi Youwan hummed in affirmation, stood by her side, and used her slender fingers to delicately hook the necklace and fasten it for her.

“Sorry, Xiao Mo. I have an emergency to handle and need to go out.” She even bent down to plant a kiss on Chi Yumo’s cheek from behind.

Chi Yumo steadied her suddenly erratic heartbeat. “Coming back tonight?”

Shi Youwan said “yes,” but with hesitation.

Chi Yumo hugged her from the front, nuzzling like a kitten to greedily absorb her warmth. “Mm, then I’ll eat all this with Aunt Han. I’ll stay here tonight and wait for you.”

Though others in the villa could drive, Zhang Kai was Shi Youwan’s most trusted driver right now. They hadn’t gone far before she called him to turn back.

Qiao Ke was still in the car and got out to fetch Shi Youwan’s bag from this side.

“President Shi, let me get it.”

Meeting her assistant’s puzzled inquiring gaze, Shi Youwan paused before getting in. “Stay and eat with Xiao Mo?”

“…” Qiao Ke hurriedly waved her hands and shook her head. “President Shi, wherever you go, I go—that’s my duty and resolve as your personal assistant.”

She wasn’t afraid of Chi Yumo. Everyone agreed Chi Yumo had a good personality—versatile and multifaceted.

Sunny like a little sun when happy, gentle like a lamb when meek, passing like clouds and rain when sad, stern like a boss when serious.

But precisely because Chi Yumo was so well-behaved and understanding—and because Qiao Ke knew about her difficult past decade—it was hard to face her when she seemed lonely and hopeless.

“Is Xiao Mo hard to get along with?” Shi Youwan settled into the car and tossed another question at Qiao Ke.

“…” Qiao Ke paused, then had a flash of inspiration and deflected. “Miss Mo is great, really great. Don’t believe me? Ask Kai Ge.”

Zhang Kai was always steady and taciturn. He met Shi Youwan’s eyes in the rearview mirror and said measuredly, “President Shi knows best what Miss Mo is like.”

As soon as Qiao Ke, who had just gotten in back, heard this, she gave a thumbs-up, admiring his skill.

Working close to Shifeng Group’s president required not just a tight lip but knowing when and how to speak.

Qiao Ke confirmed the address. “Navigation’s correct, Kai Ge. Let’s go.”

“Wait! Kai Ge, wait!”

Chi Yumo suddenly ran up to the car, startling Zhang Kai—who had already shifted gears—nearly out of his wits. Fortunately, he accelerated gently and avoided disaster.

As the door opened, Shi Youwan worriedly grabbed Chi Yumo’s outstretched wrist. “Xiao Mo.” There was a hint of anger too.

“Miss Mo, blocking the car like this is gonna scare us to death!” Qiao Ke had lost half her soul. “You have our numbers—calling would’ve been faster than rushing over!”

“Sorry.” Chi Yumo had dashed out in a panic, forgetting about the phone.

While Shi Youwan had gone upstairs to change and wait for the car, she’d made sandwiches in the kitchen with ready ingredients. Hearing the car start outside made her anxious.

“Sis,” she held out three paper bags with both hands, “I don’t know if you’ll eat anything else tonight or how long you’ll be busy. These are three toasted sandwiches with fried chicken cutlet, egg, and lettuce. Simple, but they can tide you over.”

Qiao Ke’s throat tightened; she wanted to bite her tongue, regretting the reproach in her earlier words. But words spoken were like spilled water—irretrievable.

“Thanks.” Zhang Kai was the first to thank her.

Shi Youwan gripped Chi Yumo tightly, her emotions complex and surging.

Qiao Ke boldly took the food from Chi Yumo’s hands on her behalf and thanked her sincerely. “Thanks so much, Miss Mo. We’re starving. Kai Ge and I will eat ours, and we’ll make sure President Shi finishes hers too.”

After a minute or two of stalemate, Shi Youwan finally let go.

She leaned back in her seat, her expression noticeably cooler, and calmly ordered, “Zhang Kai, drive.”