Dinner was set at the River View Hotel—naturally, one owned by the Fu family.
Because Chi Chi didn't want things to feel too over the top, President Foster didn't clear out the entire revolving restaurant. He simply reserved the best, quietest table.
Chi Chi wore a black dress with a beige overcoat, her long, softly curled hair cascading down to her waist, her light makeup perfectly done. Since having the baby, she gave off a new, gentle beauty that made her even more captivating. Arm in arm with Xavier Foster, the two of them walked into the restaurant at a leisurely pace.
Knowing the boss and his wife were coming, the restaurant manager had been waiting at the door. When they arrived, he personally led them to the window-side table.
The table was arranged just as Xavier Foster requested—romantic, but understated. Nothing gaudy.
Chi Chi couldn't help but play with the small bouquet in her hands, utterly delighted by it. Meanwhile, Xavier Foster quite willingly carried his wife's little pearl handbag.
The manager trailing behind them tried to avert his gaze. He couldn't help but click his tongue—if it weren’t for the president’s good looks, seeing a macho man carrying a pearl purse would be nothing but greasy!
Though the restaurant had plenty of other diners, it was an understated and elegant French establishment, so everything felt peaceful, with hushed conversations floating around.
The gentle strains of a violin filled the air, setting everyone at ease.
Spotting the attractive couple, diners couldn’t help but lift their heads, watching them walk by.
Someone recognized Xavier Foster, gasping in a hushed voice. Everyone knew the hotel belonged to the Fu family, but no one expected to bump into the CEO of Fu Corporation himself.
The previous trending topic on Weibo had brought Xavier Foster’s press conference videos back into the spotlight, along with all those dashing magazine photos.
"Wow, he really is so loving to his wife!"
"So romantic, he even bought her flowers!"
"How is it men can look so natural holding a pearl bag?!"
"I want a photo, but I don’t know if it’d be okay…"
Xavier Foster and Chi Chi sat down at their table, which was lit by a single small overhead lamp. In the sparkling crystal glasses, tiny candles flickered softly.
Having pulled out the chair for Chi Chi, Xavier Foster took his seat as the servers began bringing out their specially prepared dinner—a selection of delicacies flown in that very afternoon: black angus rib-eye cubes, tuna salad, crab and avocado mousse, tender roast lamb, cheese brioche, caviar…
There was a wide array, but each dish was just a tiny portion. Xavier Foster had the chef make everything smaller, wanting Chi Chi to taste a little of each.
Next time, he'd know to only order what she truly loved.
"Baby, see if there’s anything you like."
This was, in truth, their first real date—a true candlelit dinner together. Xavier Foster wanted everything to be perfect. Every little detail was for her happiness.
Previously, he’d scoffed at all those so-called romantic couple rituals, but now, he wanted to give every one of them to Chi Chi. He wanted her to be cherished, just like any ordinary girl, experiencing all the romance love could offer.
"I really do like everything! I’m not a picky eater, you know."
Chi Chi wasn’t lying—aside from carrots, she could eat pretty much anything. Growing up, there was never a choice; you ate what you had.
But she understood Xavier Foster was trying to make her happy, and her heart positively soared.
With elegant hands, Xavier Foster picked up his knife and fork, cutting the steak into bite-sized pieces before gently moving them onto Chi Chi’s plate. Then he spread cheese and avocado mousse onto a slice of bread and placed that on her side as well.
"Then have more of what you like best."
His voice was soft and warm, with a trace of laughter, somehow enchanting.
Cared for in this way, Chi Chi couldn't help but smile. Her favorite, she realized, was the coconut pumpkin mousse, sweet and bright.
She passed the little spoon to Xavier Foster. "Try this—it's delicious. I really love it."
Xavier Foster took a spoonful and tasted it—sweet, creamy, perfectly her style.
His cold features softened into a gentle smile. In the end, she was still his little girl.
"Whoa, what’s that?"
"Look at the Dongzhu Tower! Oh my gosh, who covered it like that?"
"Are they making a big confession? Quick, take a picture!"
The once-quiet restaurant burst into excited whispers. Following the commotion, Chi Chi looked out the window.
No wonder everyone was shocked—across the river, the Dongzhu Tower was the tallest landmark in the city, and also the largest outdoor advertising screen. During golden hour, an hour’s slot cost upwards of a million yuan. And right now, it was that very time.
On the tower, pale hibiscus blossoms slowly unfurled from the base, climbing the hundred-meter-tall screen. In the center, delicately written in light lavender script, was a single line:
[Thank you for being by my side]
Just one glance, and Chi Chi’s heart thudded wildly. Those hibiscus flowers—they came from her own artwork…
Even though they were used as a translucent background, she could tell at once—they were painted by her.
Her lips parted in shock, and her eyes grew wet. She turned away from the ginormous screen, instead gazing at the man across from her.
Xavier Foster never took his eyes off her. He watched his little wife, just as curious as everyone else, see the words, then the disbelief, then surprise and emotion flicker across her face…
In his eyes, there was only her.
Chi Chi’s small hand pressed against the window. Sniffling, she asked softly, "Is that for me?"
Xavier Foster nodded and stood up, gently wiping away the tears about to fall from her cheeks.
"Why tears? According to my research, girls are always happy when they see these things."
Chi Chi couldn’t help but laugh. "What research shows that?!"
"Mmm. Henry Hart looked it up for me—'108 Ways to Win a Girl’s Heart.'"
Chi Chi turned to look outside again. "This must be so expensive. I have to look at it for a while longer."
…
Six-foot-two President Foster, still half-bent, hand hanging awkwardly in the air, looked positively lost… Wasn’t his wife supposed to gaze at him, give him a kiss, or throw herself into his arms?!
All around, the whispers continued; girls crowded to the windows, snapping photos.
"So romantic! I’d cry if someone did that for me!"
Chi Chi nodded, wholeheartedly agreeing—she was moved to tears too.
"And the words are so touching! Not a simple 'I love you,' but something gentle and heartfelt."
"Whoever did this must really love their girl."
Chi Chi nodded again—yes, he really did love her.
"But who is it? Who would spend so much? The ads on Dongzhu Tower are billed by the minute—just a few moments, and thousands, gone!"
"Right? And it doesn’t look like it’ll end soon."
"What flower is that—a hibiscus? It looks like a painting."
"Right! Snap a picture and look it up."
…
Chi Chi wasn’t exactly famous, but she’d painted plenty of hibiscus flowers—two of her best pieces even hung in Shui Yun Jian, making her somewhat known in artistic circles.
Patting her chest, she thought, 'Hopefully no one tracks me down!'
They watched for a long while before Xavier Foster finally managed to coax his reluctant wife home.
Helping Chi Chi into her overcoat, he wrapped an arm around her, ducking his head to speak softly, putting himself at her height.
"Baby, whenever you want to see it again, I’ll take you. I could put a message there for you every day."
"…" Chi Chi pinched his waist, half-laughing, "Extravagant husband! That’s too expensive—really, one time is enough. I’ll remember it forever. Thank you, hubby."
Xavier Foster couldn’t help but laugh. He kissed her right there in the hotel lobby, then led her out the door.