Hand in hand, Chi Chi let Fu Zhiyé lead her into the house, astonished at the sheer size of the first floor.

It was around three hundred square meters, the walls all painted a creamy white that felt warm and inviting.

The wall facing the lake was made entirely of floor-to-ceiling windows, sectioned off by arching white frames. Soft, pale lavender curtains hung gently down, with a layer of white gauzy sheers outside—dreamlike yet understated.

By the windows stood several tall easels, bathed in the cozy sunlight streaming through the glass. It was easy to imagine standing here, painting, with just a glance out the window to see the lake rippling in the breeze.

To the side sat an oval table in rich brown wood, matching the chairs, while above it hung a round chandelier.

Two walls were lined with cabinetry: one held all sorts of art books, and the other neatly displayed brushes, paints, and art supplies.

Everything was even more beautiful than she’d pictured. And as Chi Chi ventured further in, she came upon a glass conservatory—inside grew her favorite Hibiscus mutabilis, long trails of snowy Daphne, and fat little succulents lining a rack.

“Wow, this is so beautiful.”

A simple little table with two chairs was set in the middle of the glasshouse, just perfect for cozy coffee breaks.

“Let’s go upstairs,” Fu Zhiyé said, tugging at Chi Chi, who couldn’t take her eyes off the scene, and leading her up.

A spiraling staircase supported by Roman columns led them to the second floor, which had been designed to look like an art gallery: irregularly-shaped walls adorned with painters’ works—the two closest to the entrance were Quentin Zane’s.

“Honey... these paintings... ahem, are they all real?”

Fu Zhiyé looked rather indignant at being doubted by his wife, giving her cheek a gentle pinch. "Of course they're real. Many of them are auction pieces I brought back from overseas, and all of the artists you like—I bought their work too. Didn’t steal or rob a thing."

Further along, two of Chi Chi's own paintings hung there as well. Those were ones he’d secretly bought from Shuiyun Jian years ago.

“...Hubby, my paintings really don’t belong among these famous works.”

Each piece was from a renowned artist, worth at least tens of millions. Hers, though...

“Nonsense. Yours are the most beautiful. They’re my favorites.”

Chi Chi’s paintings truly are lovely—her style is unique, distinctive. She’s only 23, just beginning her career, still a little raw, but that youthful earnestness is its own kind of charm.

“One day, our Chi Chi will be the best painter.”

His understated voice couldn’t hide the pride behind it. "From now on, every painting you like, I’ll buy it for you and put it here to display. This is your studio—a little art exhibit all to itself."

Chi Chi turned and threw her soft arms around him. “Honey, you treat me so well.”

“This is already enough? But I have so many, many more ways to show you how much I love you.”

He pulled her slender waist closer. Fu Zhiyé lowered his head, his deep eyes brimming with affection.

“I want to give you the very best the world has to offer.”

Chi Chi tiptoed and kissed his thin, tempting lips, sweetness in her voice: "You’re already the very best thing in my world."

After those honeyed words, she slipped out of his arms, turning to study the paintings on the wall.

Fu Zhiyé looked at his now-empty embrace. Huh? Does the world’s best husband only rate a one-minute hug?

With a helpless, doting sigh, he followed, beginning to recount the stories behind each painting. The two of them wandered through the gallery, lost in art for over half an hour.

Finally, Fu Zhiyé reluctantly led a reluctant Chi Chi back downstairs.

“All of this is yours. Look whenever you want, as much as you want—every day, if you like.”

Downstairs, two young girls were tidying up the art supplies and setting up canvases on the easels.

When Chi Chi came down, the girls peeked shyly at her, curiosity outweighing their bashfulness.

Sensing their furtive glances, Chi Chi smiled, “And who are you two?”

Her voice was gentle and sweet, soft as mochi. Emboldened by her warmth, the two girls came forward. Maybe it was their youth—faced with someone so kind, they summoned their courage.

“Ma’am, I’m Strawberry and she’s Tutu. We’re students at the art academy.”

“Ah, Strawberry and Tutu?”

“Yep! Those are our nicknames.”

The short-haired one, Tutu, was more outgoing—though, honestly, she behaved more like a kitten than a rabbit.

“Hmm, you don’t need to call me ‘ma’am’—it sounds way too old.”

Meeting girls her own age, Chi Chi joked, “Just call me... um, Teacher Xiao Ye. That’s what the girls in my old studio liked to call me.”

“Okay, Teacher Xiao Ye!” they chorused, both with sweet, eager smiles.

Chi Chi looked them over, then glanced around. “Thank you for helping organize everything! If you’re ever busy with school, don’t feel pressured to come here—your classes come first.”

She hadn’t known the studio even had employees, let alone girls this young, so she hadn’t thought to bring any meet-and-greet gifts.

“It’s no trouble—we’ve planned out our schedules well.”

Meanwhile, Fu Zhiyé was leaning against the tea counter, quietly discussing details with Henry Hart, not interfering with Chi Chi’s chat. But his eyes kept drifting fondly her way.

When he finished, and Chi Chi had wrapped up her conversation, he stepped forward and handed each girl a fat red envelope. Smiling, he said, "Look after our little one for me, will you?"

Tutu and Strawberry both waved their hands in embarrassment, “No, no, we really don’t need this! We love Teacher Xiao Ye, and her art—just being here makes us happy.”

Chi Chi accepted the plump red envelopes—thank goodness Zhiyé had planned ahead. She pressed the envelopes into the girls’ hands. “It’s tradition to give red envelopes when opening a new business! For good luck—go on, keep them.”

With that, the girls finally tucked the envelopes away, piping up with, “Thank you, Teacher Xiao Ye! Thank you, Mr. Fu!”

Not lingering much longer, Chi Chi and Fu Zhiyé left the studio. Her mood was brighter than ever, sunlight and a warm breeze swirling around them.

“Husband, let’s walk home, okay?”

"Sure," he said, taking her hand, and together they strolled off along the lake.

Strawberry and Tutu watched them go. “Awwww, did you hear that? Mr. Fu just called Teacher Xiao Ye his ‘little one’!”

“I’m melting—it’s too sweet! This is like my favorite couple ever!”

In the distance, Lao San drove up in the car.

…???

“Assistant He, where are the boss and his wife?”

Henry Hart pushed up his glasses, gesturing nonchalantly toward the lakeside with his chin. "Hmm, romantic date."

Out by the lake, the couple walked hand in hand, and Lao San wiped his eyes. “Darn it, our boss finally knows how to love someone.”

—

The studio was just about complete in every way. The grand opening was set for the end of the month, on an auspicious date.

They’d also decided to move back into their own place. Chi Chi preferred the house in Qinghe Community—it was close to both the company and the studio, and her friend Mia Moore lived in the same neighborhood.

That way, little Zao Zao and Er Dou could play together, and everyone could share meals often.

Most importantly, the Fu family estate was just too big—she really preferred cozying up in a smaller, warmer home.

Of course, Fu Zhiyé never argued. The apartment was always well-kept, so moving in would be no trouble.

It was a two-story penthouse, spacious enough for the three of them.

They planned to care for their child themselves, only calling in a nanny from the old house when needed.

Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers were reluctant to part with both Chi Chi and their little Rice Cake, but they knew the young couple needed their own space. Besides, having Ye Jing there for company was a comfort.

“Grandpa Rivers, Grandma Rivers, Mom, we’ll be home on the weekends—so don’t look so sad!”

Chi Chi hugged her mother’s arm, playing the spoiled child. “And Aunt Chen said she wants to come by for mahjong all the time! So you guys won’t have time to miss us, haha.”

Ever since Sarah Chase met Ye Jing, the two had simply hit it off—they’d become regular afternoon tea and shopping partners, more often together than with Chi Chi herself.

Once the grandparents were reassured, Chi Chi, Fu Zhiyé, and their chubby little Rice Cake all moved to Qinghe Community.