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Psst! We're moving!
As soon as the car drove into the yard, Yu Shaohong heard passionate, fast-paced music coming from inside the house. He didn’t know a thing about music, so he had no idea what piece it was.
It was already 10 p.m. What was that little rascal up to now?
Still, ever since his daughter moved back home, the house had become a lot livelier.
Yu Shaohong strode into the villa.
In the living room, Yu Qing was dancing.
Was that Latin dance?
He made a guess.
Yu Qing had been dancing for almost half an hour, and her forehead was already glistening with sweat.
When her father came in, she turned off the music.
Yu Shaohong grabbed a bottle of soda water, twisted it open, and handed it to his daughter. “Let me guess—you’re in a bad mood and using dance to vent?”
Yu Qing downed half the bottle in one go. “Why would you say that?”
“Your grandfather took it out on me and your brother, trying to guilt you into going back to the company. If you don’t want to, just ignore it. You’ve still got me.”
“Dad, you’ve misunderstood. I’m pumping myself up. I’m getting ready to go full force.”
Yu Shaohong didn’t believe her.
He’d been worried all day, afraid she was feeling down.
He still had a lot of work to deal with tonight, but couldn’t focus. He rushed home early to talk with her while she was still awake.
“Your grandfather’s doing this for your own good. He’s blunt, sure, and not the best with words. But when it comes to protecting his family, no one does it better.”
Yu Qing wasn’t even close with her grandfather—much less did she understand him.
She asked her father, “Is Grandpa easier to deal with than you?”
Yu Shaohong replied, “Depends on the situation. In business, no one’s colder than he is. But in private, anything goes.”
Yu Qing nodded. That was reassuring.
“Dad, go to bed early. Good night.”
She headed upstairs.
Tomorrow was Fu Jichen’s birthday. He had reminded her at least five times in his office earlier, afraid she’d forget.
She had never cared much about holidays.
She even forgot her own birthday all the time.
But Fu Jichen cared—a lot.
He cared about her celebrating his birthday.
After a shower, Yu Qing lay on her stomach on the bed, resting her chin in her hands, staring at the floor lamp by the headboard.
Her long hair spilled down her back and shoulders.
A few strands had fallen to the front.
The damp ends brushed against her phone screen, which reflected faint glimmers of light under the crystal lamp.
Yu Qing was still lost in thought.
10:31 p.m.
She sat up and opened her chat with her grandfather: [Good evening, Grandpa.]
Old Master Yu: [Not that good. I’m fixing the glaze on the tiles.]
Yu Qing: “...”
Earlier today, she’d heard from “Fish Spirit” that her grandfather had smashed a cup and scratched one of the peony-patterned tiles her grandmother loved.
Old Master Yu: [It’s late. What’s up?]
There was always a thin layer of unfamiliar distance between Yu Qing and her grandfather. She couldn’t speak as freely as she did with her father.
So, she kept it formal: [It’s my boyfriend’s birthday tomorrow. I want to bring him home to celebrate. After thinking it through, I feel I should visit you and Grandma first, and then have dinner with him and my dad. Will you and Grandma be home tomorrow night?]
Old Master Yu had been angry for a whole day and night, but finally, his mood started to ease.
He put down what he was doing and replied: [Then come to the old house for dinner tomorrow night.]
[Thank you, Grandpa.]
Old Master Yu put on his glasses and created a new family group chat.
Everyone added to the group was confused—they already had a family group. Though that one was usually quiet unless there was a gathering planned.
Yu Jingze checked the members and noticed Yu Qing was missing.
Yu Jingxin: [Grandpa, is something going on?]
Old Master Yu: [Yu Qing told me she’s bringing Fu Jichen home for dinner tomorrow.]
The others in the group were shocked and couldn’t believe it.
Old Master Yu: [It’s rare for her to be willing to try dating someone seriously. Regardless of how it turns out, at least she’s taken the first step. That’s not easy. She’s also agreed to help out at the company—she’s matured a lot. We should encourage her.]
He added: [If none of you have anything urgent tomorrow night, come back. It’s been a while since we’ve all gathered.]
Yu Jingxin was about to mention that Ji Qingyuan might have social obligations on Friday night—she’d heard something about it earlier.
But Ji Qingyuan chimed in: [Okay.]
She glanced up at the man leaning on the headboard beside her.
In the group, Grandpa sent a voice message.
Old Master Yu: [Since it’s also Fu Jichen’s birthday tomorrow, just bring a nice bottle of wine. No need to prepare anything else. I’ll take care of the gift.]
Yu Jingxin: [Grandpa, do you even know what young people like these days? Want us to help you choose?]
Old Master Yu: [I don’t really know what young people like, but I do know what Fu Jichen wants most.]
Yu Jingxin, curious: [You looked into it?]
Old Master Yu: [It’s become a bit of a running joke in our circle—the rice-paste ring. Imagine how badly Fu Jichen wants a ring? People think Yu Qing gave him one and he forgot to wear it, but you all know her—would she buy a ring?]
He shook his head with a sigh.
Because Yu Qing was his granddaughter, he naturally viewed her through rose-colored glasses. No matter how outrageous she was, only he had the right to scold her—no one else could say a word against her.
But Fu Jichen... he really had it tough.
[If Yu Qing were willing to marry Fu Jichen, I’d be thrilled. But she’s still playful—no one can rein her in.]
Old Master Yu spoke from the heart: [Honestly, I really think highly of that kid Fu Jichen. No matter the situation, he always keeps a clear head. Now that Yu Qing is willing to bring him home, we should seize the chance to help things along. If she gets married, I’ll be at peace.]
Yu Jingxin reminded: [Grandpa, is it really appropriate for you to give a ring to Fu Jichen?]
Old Master Yu: [Your grandma and I will go buy it, and Yu Qing will be the one to give it to him.]
Yu Jingxin, worried: [But she might not give it.]
Old Master Yu: [We’re this old, going out in the cold to get her a gift—would she really have the heart to reject us?]
Yu Jingze spoke up:
[Yu Jingze]: “Hard to say.”
Old Master Yu: “...”
[Old Master Yu]:
“Anyway, let’s just buy it first. Who knows, maybe she really will be willing to give it.”
In the end, Old Master Yu didn’t forget to add a reminder:
[Old Master Yu]:
“Just because Fu Jichen is coming over, don’t go thinking he’s already family. If he hasn’t registered his marriage with Yu Qing, he’s not part of our family yet.”
“Even if he does become family, I still think we should conduct business as usual. No need to go easy on anyone. Don’t take advantage of people, but also don’t suffer losses. Otherwise, over time, things will get unbalanced.”
This was the latest the Yu family group chat had ever stayed active—messages were still going at 11:30 p.m.
By then, Yu Qing was already sound asleep.
________________________________________
In her dream, there were many people.
The setting was vague.
She saw her grandmother.
She dreamed of her mother.
In the dream, she even tricked her cousin out of all his pocket money to buy a set of cartoon magical girl dress-up stickers.
She’d stuck them all over her Chinese textbook, covering the lessons. When the teacher asked her to stand up and read, all she saw were colorful stickers, and she nearly burst into tears from panic.
Shanghai alleyways, Beijing hutongs.
Carved lattice windows, bluestone pavements.
All appeared in her dream.
Then, somehow, the scene turned into a theater—she was dancing on stage.
Seated below was Fu Jichen. In the vast auditorium, he was the only one in the audience.
________________________________________
Friday, cloudy and cold.
The winter chill in the air-conditioned office made people sluggish.
Yu Qing yawned. She’d dreamed the entire night and felt exhausted.
She grabbed a bottle of mist perfume and lightly sprayed it into the mist from the humidifier.
The crisp fragrance spread through the room with the vapor.
Subtle.
Refreshing.
A knock on the door.
Yu Qing looked up—it was Qin Moling, his fingers hooked around takeout coffee. He couldn’t stand the perfume and pushed the door wide open.
Yu Qing tucked away the perfume into her bag. “CEO Qin, so free today?”
Qin Moling placed the coffee in front of her. “You weren’t around to see me when I was busy.”
“What brings you here?”
“Just checking out your office.”
“...”
Yu Qing stood up and poured him a cup of tea.
Qin Moling glanced around her office—about ten square meters, a desk, two file cabinets, and a few green plants.
Luckily, it was surrounded by glass walls, with one full-length window facing the street. It didn’t feel cramped or suffocating.
“At Lemon Group, your office was eighty square meters, with a simple rest area right next to mine. I even had the furniture customized to match my preferences.”
Yu Qing handed him the tea. “Is poaching talent this open now?”
Qin Moling: “Hiding it would be unmanly.”
Yu Qing opened the coffee lid and added milk and sugar cubes.
Qin Moling didn’t sit—he leaned casually against her desk. The waving lucky cat kept moving its paw. He reached out and pressed it down.
Yu Qing rolled her eyes. “It’s annoying, and CEO Qin is planning to compete with it?”
Qin Moling: “...”
He let go.
Glanced at his watch—he had a lunch meeting and had to rush.
“I’ll leave the tea here. I’ll come back for it when I’ve got time.”
As he left, he gently closed the door.
Not long after Qin Moling left, Yu Fei came by to invite Yu Qing to lunch. Last night, her ex-husband had asked her to help remind Yu Qing that today was Fu Jichen’s birthday.
She had refused him.
But that didn’t stop her from bringing it up to Yu Qing.
“Fu Jichen is pathetically hinting for a gift. Up to you whether you give him one or not. I didn’t promise Lu Chen anything.”
Good thing, Yu Qing had a surprise prepared.
This man…
She originally planned to tell him after work when she picked him up—but given the situation, it was better to tell him earlier, to ease his anxious waiting.
Yu Qing typed a message and hit send.
[Yu Qing]:
“Celebrating President Fu’s birthday tonight—location: Yu family ancestral home.”
Fu Jichen was at Grandpa’s house, planning a simple family dinner so the rest of the evening could be left for just the two of them.
Staring at the message, he forgot all about eating.
[Fu Jichen]:
“Yu Qing, don’t joke around. I’ll take this seriously. If you don’t take me tonight, I’ll go on my own and use this message as proof.”
Yu Qing sent a screenshot of her conversation with Grandpa.
[Yu Qing]:
“Not joking. I could mess with you any day, but not today. It’s your birthday—you’re the boss today, I’ll follow your lead, President Fu.”
The Yu family had looked him up and down a hundred and eighty times already, but Fu Jichen felt nothing.
Still chatting with Yu Qing, he even set down his chopsticks.
It still felt unreal.
[Fu Jichen]:
“Why are you suddenly bringing me home?”
[Yu Qing]:
“Shouldn’t a gift be what the birthday person wants most?”
Fu Jichen had no argument.
[Yu Qing]:
“I’ll pick you up after work. I might not even be as familiar with my grandpa as you are. Brag about me in front of him, okay? I’m off to lunch.”
Fu Jichen put down his phone and couldn’t wait to share the good news.
“I’m going to Yu Qing’s house tonight. She’s celebrating my birthday at her place.”
Old Master Fu: “Mm. Step by step.”
Ye Jinhua lifted her wine glass. “Son, congrats. You’ve finally made it. But if you’re going to her place, you can’t go empty-handed. I’ll prepare a gift for you this afternoon. As for everyone else’s presents, I’ll handle those too. But the one for Yu Qing can’t be random—it needs to be something she really likes. What does she love most?”
Fu Jichen: “Perfu—” (perfume)
He must not say perfume! Chairman Fu quickly interrupted:
“Bags. Yu Qing loves bags. That’s well known even within our board of directors.”
The father and son exchanged a glance.
Fu Jichen told his mother, “Get her a full collection—every size, every color.”
Ye Jinhua nodded. “Okay, I’ll buy however many they have.”
After lunch, Fu Jichen had to return to the office.
Just as he reached the courtyard, his phone buzzed. A bank transfer from his father—20,000 yuan.
[Fu Jichen]:
“Thanks.”
Was that a “benefit fee”?
[Fu Jichen]:
“Dad, no need to be so formal. I didn’t even think that hard—I just blurted out perfume.”
[Chairman Fu]:
“Not being formal. If you want to buy her perfume, go ahead. I’ll cover the cost. If it’s not enough, bring me the receipt and I’ll reimburse you. Just one thing—don’t let your mom find out Yu Qing collects perfume too.”
[Fu Jichen]:
“Maybe I can keep it a secret for now, but what about when I marry Yu Qing? How do I hide it then?”
[Chairman Fu]:
“As a dad, I don’t want to crush your dreams. But aren’t you overthinking it a bit? You think Yu Qing will marry you?”
Fu Jichen: “...”
A second later, his dad unsent that message and rewrote it:
[Chairman Fu]:
“Happy Birthday. May all your wishes come true! Yu Qing will marry you. Dad’s wishing you both a lifetime of happiness, in advance.”
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