Chapter 49

As the sun dipped below the horizon, its red glow bathed the three women.

Xia Zhuxi had her arm around Shen Jingsong, their hands clasped together, the diamond ring on her ring finger sparkling brilliantly.

Ding Jia stared at them in disbelief as the setting sun gradually turned her eyes red.

Xia Zhuxi said sharply, “If you’re still thinking that way, then let me tell you—you’re a knowing homewrecker.”

Ding Jia’s breathing grew ragged, her body trembling, whether from anger or sorrow, she couldn’t tell.

Ignoring Xia Zhuxi, she turned to Shen Jingsong, who was leaning into Xia Zhuxi’s embrace. “So to you, I’m just some peripheral figure you don’t even bother telling about your marriage, right?”

Shen Jingsong remained silent.

Ding Jia gave a self-mocking laugh, gazing at Shen Jingsong with mournful eyes. “Jingsong, I thought we were friends.”

This time, Shen Jingsong replied, “You said it yourself—that’s what you thought.”

Her voice was ice-cold, reminding Ding Jia of freshman orientation in college, when Shen Jingsong had taken her back to the dorm and sliced open a chilled watermelon with a fruit knife. The crisp sound echoed.

The vibrant red flesh burst with sweet juice.

Every bite was refreshing, devouring a youth that could never be reclaimed.

That had been a sunset too, with a sky painted in reds and golds just like this one.

Ding Jia understood.

It had all been her assumption.

She had assumed she had been part of Shen Jingsong’s long life, but she hadn’t.

She had assumed she was drawing closer and closer to Shen Jingsong with her efforts, but she hadn’t.

She had assumed they were more than friends.

They never had been.

When would she snap out of her self-centered delusions?

Right now, in this very second.

Tears came crashing down as Ding Jia said, “Fine. I won’t bother you again for the rest of my life.”

She turned, covering her tear-streaked face, and ran off.

Shen Jingsong frowned slightly at her words, then followed Xia Zhuxi’s lead as they walked in the opposite direction, arms still around each other.

~~~

When they got home, Shen Jingsong asked about Shao Wanwan.

Xia Zhuxi was still baffled. “I really have no idea.”

She had been completely unaware that Shen Jingsong had submitted an application to Di Chen Company. She hadn’t even mentioned it to Chu Yun. It was only after Shen Jingsong told her that Di Chen had approved it that Xia Zhuxi had been thrilled for her.

She had then asked Shen Jingsong’s opinion about whether to go to Di Chen early to make connections. Shen Jingsong had said it was best not to, so Xia Zhuxi had responded with, “Since you’ve already fought for the opportunity, just seize it boldly.”

That was it. She hadn’t done anything extra after that.

Shen Jingsong nodded. “Then it must have been Boss Chu who stepped in to help.”

That was a solid favor, one they needed to remember.

It wasn’t late yet, so Xia Zhuxi called Chu Yun to thank her.

Xia Zhuxi’s call to Chu Yun was from her official work phone, so there was no risk of being intercepted by the stone-faced secretary from the board’s office.

“Hey, Ace.” Chu Yun’s laid-back voice poured out of the receiver amid a flurry of clacking keyboard sounds.

Xia Zhuxi turned down the volume and switched ears. “Boss, thanks so much for Diva Shao’s help.”

“Huh? I didn’t say a word to Shao Wanwan about it. Oh, wait—maybe she overheard me mentioning you were chasing your wife and remembered. Now she’s handling the Di Chen project too, and that’s just her style. Don’t stand on ceremony with her.”

Xia Zhuxi got it. “Oh…” Then she’d have to thank Shao Wanwan properly another day, assuming the diva would give her the time of day.

The keyboard noise on Chu Yun’s end was deafening, mixed with all sorts of weird sound effects.

Xia Zhuxi asked, “Boss, what are you up to behind Secretary Qi’s back?”

Chu Yun protested indignantly. “Hey, hey, hey! She’s right here. Don’t slander me—I’m working.”

Xia Zhuxi wasn’t buying it.

Chu Yun went on, “Didn’t I acquire an esports club a couple years back? Then I got busy and forgot about it. Lately, there’s this veteran pro player who’s been pushed out by rookies. I poached her, and now I’m handling that.”

Xia Zhuxi thought for a moment and vaguely recalled. Boss Chu’s interests were all over the map—horse racing, hunting, skydiving, sailing. Whatever caught her fancy, she’d assemble a team, have fun, and sometimes even turn a profit.

With some time on her hands, Xia Zhuxi chatted a bit more. “I don’t know much about esports, but isn’t it a young person’s game? You called her a veteran—can she still compete?”

Chu Yun’s laugh was downright wicked. “Xia Zhuxi, aren’t you in a youth-driven field yourself? Look at all the hot new stars nipping at your heels every year, full of vigor. Oh, my Ace, don’t tell me you’re worried I’ll quit racing and leave you in the dust?”

Xia Zhuxi replied, “Go ahead and quit. I’ve got a home and hearth—plenty warm.”

“Go on, rub it in for us lonely old folks!” Chu Yun wailed in mock heartbreak, then sighed. “That veteran pro I snagged? Her temper’s worse than Qi Xuanyan’s. She disbanded all the players from the team I acquired. Now I’m a commander without an army, and there’s a year and a half until next season. Plenty to keep me busy.”

“Boss, you’re busy, so we has-beens in this short-lived entertainment biz won’t keep you,” Xia Zhuxi said, parroting the phrase right back.

Shen Jingsong hugged her from the side. “I had such a fun chat with Boss Chu.”

Xia Zhuxi shook her head and hugged her back. “I’m only happy with you.” She ended the call. “Boss Chu’s found a new obsession and she’s totally hooked.”

Shen Jingsong sat down beside her and rested her head on her shoulder. “You’re not actually a little worried, are you?”

Xia Zhuxi let out a light laugh. “Worried about what?”

Shen Jingsong teased, “Being cast into the cold palace.”

Xia Zhuxi pretended to look scared. “Yeah, what am I gonna do? If Boss Chu ditches us, will I be out of a job?”

Shen Jingsong wrapped her arms around Xia Zhuxi’s waist and looked up, her eyes sparkling. “I’ll film dramas and support you.”

A wave of softness washed over Xia Zhuxi’s heart.

Having a family really made all the difference.

The two with families were forcibly dragged by Chu Yun to fill out a dungeon party.

It was for 《Dragon Flame》, the hot online game she’d poached a veteran pro player for, gearing up for a tournament.

The game had been wildly popular in recent years, but Xia Zhuxi only liked racing games and had zero interest in complex MMOs like this.

Xia Zhuxi kept wiping out in the dungeon, and Chu Yun cursed her for being all thumbs. “Look at your wife—she’s way better than you!”

Then Chu Yun’s character bit the dust because Shen Jingsong’s healer hadn’t topped her off.

Chu Yun: “……”

What was this? Little wifey bullying the old single?

~~~

The car races were over, and the 《Slow Tune》 crew had tucked into their wrap party feast.

With the New Year around the corner, Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong turned down some commercial gigs and took it easy.

Sleeping in, watching movies, playing games.

Winter sun felt so cozy on the skin.

The doorbell rang.

Xia Zhuxi was upstairs, so Shen Jingsong headed to the entryway.

She checked the video intercom and paused in surprise.

Outside stood a woman in a deep blue-green velvet dress, holding Lulu’s hand. “Shen Jingsong?”

Shen Jingsong blinked. “Boss Lu?”

Lu Guanlan nodded. “Good thing you’re home. I have a favor to ask—mind if I come in to talk?”

Compared to Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong’s laid-back bliss, the neighbors downstairs were living in total chaos.

Not to mention the massive Lu Family—with just the year-end gala, Lu Guanlan had a headache for days.

Let alone the woman she was keeping in the villa… and the kid…

Xia Zhuxi came downstairs and brewed some tea.

Lu Guanlan took the cup. “Thanks.”

Xia Zhuxi handed Lulu a bottle of Wahaha.

Lulu looked up. “Thank you, Aunt Xia.”

Lu Guanlan got straight to the point. “Could you two watch Lulu for a couple days?”

She had to head back to the Lu Family Old Mansion on short notice. Shang Mingrong was away on a business trip, the auntie had taken leave to go back to her hometown, and Lu Guanlan didn’t trust just anyone—she’d thought of Aunt Xia and Aunt Shen, Lulu’s favorites.

Lulu was perched in Lu Guanlan’s lap right then, their faces close together, big and small.

Xia Zhuxi took a closer look and was stunned.

She hadn’t noticed before, but today, staring hard, Lulu looked just like Lu Guanlan!

Shen Jingsong said, “No problem on my end.” She turned to Xia Zhuxi. “Xiao Xi, you okay with it?”

Lulu gazed up hopefully too. “Aunt Xia, I can stay downstairs by myself. I can just come up for a bowl at mealtime…”

You could tell the kid was scared of being a burden.

Aw, this little cutie.

Xia Zhuxi smiled and ruffled Lulu’s hair. “No staying downstairs. Aunt Xia and Aunt Shen will take you out to play.”

Lu Guanlan was endlessly grateful. “Lulu’s in your hands. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow—call anytime. Thank you!”

~~~

Xia Zhuxi had been planning a quick overseas getaway before the New Year anyway.

That very night, they booked tickets and tweaked the itinerary to bring the little one to the amusement park.

The park was running a collab event—posters everywhere, elaborate setups, and cosplayers galore.

Lulu’s eyes went wide, pointing at a massive dragon model. “Aunt Xia, what’s that?”

It was the iconic game character from 《Dragon Flame》.

The park event was a tie-in with 《Dragon Flame》.

“That’s Teng Long,” Xia Zhuxi said. “Wanna touch it?”

Lulu nodded eagerly, and Xia Zhuxi scooped her up with Shen Jingsong’s help.

They hit the kids’ zone: flying bikes, teacups, mini pirate ship. Of course, no little girl could skip the carousel or Ferris wheel.

That evening, they grabbed kids’ meals at KFC, with Lulu sandwiched happily between them as they strolled the nighttime parade.

Flower floats decked in twinkling lights rolled by, and Lulu waved excitedly at the fairy and elf performers.

Crowds streamed past in glowing headbands and wings, cheering in the festive bustle.

Xia Zhuxi bought matching headbands and wings for Lulu and Shen Jingsong.

Lulu used her pocket money to snag two extras: unicorn and bunny ones.

Xia Zhuxi watched silently, guessing that it was for Lu Guanlan and Shang Mingrong.

Lulu took the small pouch, bowed to the vendor, and said thank you. Under her breath, she muttered something about one for Mommy and one for Godma.

Xia Zhuxi grew curious. Shen Jingsong noticed as well. They exchanged puzzled glances and both smiled.

They passed a 《Dragon Flame》 collab magic wishing booth.

Lulu stopped in her tracks and asked softly, “Is this wishing real?”

Of course it was fake.

But who could bear to shatter a child’s dream?

Xia Zhuxi patted the top of her head. “It’s real. Want to go inside and see?”

Lulu clutched her unicorn and bunny hair band. “Yeah!”

The wishing booth sold all sorts of game merchandise.

Two display stands drew big crowds. One was the dragon egg smashing lottery, and the other was for planting Dragon Flame crystals.

Shen Jingsong and Lulu smashed eggs and won a water cup and an umbrella. Xia Zhuxi’s luck was a bit off—she got a notepad.

The Dragon Flame crystal salesperson called out, “We’ve also got Love Crystals and Courage Crystals! Today is the last day of the event, so grab them while you can!”

Lulu was eager to try. Xia Zhuxi hesitated, though. Neither of those crystals seemed quite right for a kid.

In that moment of hesitation, Lulu approached the stand and said shyly in English to the salesperson, “Auntie, I want that Love Crystal.”

The salesperson smiled. “Got a boyfriend already at your age?”

Lulu’s face turned red. “No, it’s for my mommy and daddy.”

Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong were stunned. Mommy and daddy? Had Shang Mingrong found the father of her child?

Then what about Lu Guanlan…

Lulu used her pocket money to buy a bottle of pink Love Crystal.

Xia Zhuxi thought for a moment, then asked the salesperson to refund Lulu’s money. She paid for it herself and bought an extra bottle of Love Crystal.

Shen Jingsong watched silently as she slipped the crystal bottle into her bag, her gaze softening with tenderness.

~~~

Two days later, Lu Guanlan returned to pick up Lulu.

Lulu proudly brought along her hair band and the crystal.

Perhaps worn out from the rush, Lu Guanlan looked a little tired.

She had Lulu watch cartoons off to the side first, then pulled Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong aside to talk.

“The day before yesterday, a woman named Ding Jia applied for a stylist position at Fairy. The staff saw she had experience at Qifeng and thought it was decent, so they forwarded her resume to me. I did a remote interview. She said she was your friend.” With that, Lu Guanlan glanced at Shen Jingsong.

Shen Jingsong replied, “We were at the same school and company before. She’s not really a friend.”

Xia Zhuxi added, “Don’t hire her. Her character is no good.”

Lu Guanlan nodded. “That’s the vibe I got too.” She shrugged. “I trust my gut.”

Lu Guanlan continued, “I was thinking of overlooking any issues if she was your friend—celebrity experience is plenty for styling amateurs. But if her character’s bad, then forget it.”

Before leaving, Lu Guanlan handed Shen Jingsong a New Year’s card. “Bemben told me to give this to you. Pretty childish, huh?”

Shen Jingsong couldn’t help but smile. “You call her Bemben, so of course she’s like that. Cute, right?”

A rare hint of warmth brushed across Lu Guanlan’s perpetually cool face. “Dumb in a cute way.”

After seeing off the pair, Shen Jingsong opened the card. Shang Mingrong had drawn two rabbits on it, with wishes for a happy New Year to Not Happy and Xia God!

With Xia Zhuxi’s silent approval, Shen Jingsong folded the card and placed it on the display shelf.

A simple blessing, a touch of festivity.

Beside the bright red card sat a bottle of pink Love Crystal.

It had just been planted in the solution, with a heart-shaped card floating inside: Xi Loves Jing.

The 《Dragon Flame》 Priest’s blessing promised that the crystal would grow a little each day, and so would the love.

They headed out to shop for New Year’s goods.

Gifts had to be sent out before the holiday.

“I’m really lucky,” Xia Zhuxi sighed suddenly as they went downstairs. From Shang Mingrong to Pei Ziying to Ding Jia—and who knew how many others she didn’t even know about.

“How so?” Shen Jingsong asked.

Xia Zhuxi looked utterly serious. “I was born too late. There were so many people ahead of me in line. If fate had veered off just a little, I never would have had the chance to be with you.”

Shen Jingsong said, “That’s not how I see it.”

Xia Zhuxi turned to her.

Shen Jingsong’s brows were like graceful willows, every feature a masterpiece. “I passed by all those people just so I could wait for you.”

Fate had deviated.

But the moment they reunited, it came full circle.

Shen Jingsong settled into the car and steadied the swaying Squirrel Ornament.

She turned her gaze. Xia Zhuxi started the engine, gripped the steering wheel, her wedding ring glinting on her ring finger.

Shen Jingsong held out her left hand and gently brushed it against Xia Zhuxi’s.

Two diamond rings sparkled brilliantly.