《Light and Shadow and the Girl》Sold for a Sky-High Price of 50 Million!

…Chi Chi thought she might be seeing things and tapped into the headline once more.

She counted the zeroes again. There was no mistake—it really was fifty million…

The most expensive piece she'd ever sold had fetched just over three hundred thousand…

While Chi Chi was on the phone, Xavier Foster had taken the opportunity to shower. He had just emerged from the bathroom.

Seeing her frozen on the bed, he walked over with concern. "What's wrong, baby?"

“Zhiye… I—I think I’ve struck it rich…"

Her expression was irresistibly cute, her pretty eyes wide in astonishment, her cheeks flushed and tinged with disbelief.

"Mm, struck it rich?"

Xavier Foster had a fair idea what she meant, but forced himself not to grin, feigning ignorance.

"Look, look."

She thrust her phone at him—on the Weibo page, a dizzying trail of zeros stared back at them.

"Baby, you're remarkable."

…

Chi Chi shook her head, still in disbelief. “But… even some much more famous painters never sold for this kind of money. Zhiye, could there be a mistake?”

"No way. You should trust former employees of the Fu Group—we’re professionals."

"…But, that's so much money, just for my work."

"Mm. Maybe—just maybe—someone really, really, really loves your art."

Xavier Foster tucked her messy hair behind her ear and kissed her softly. "Now that you're rich, will you support me?"

Chi Chi finally broke into a smile. "Okay! I’ll take care of you. So, how much does it cost to keep you?"

"Hmm, nothing. Just keep me well-fed and I’m easy to maintain."

He spoke as he climbed onto the bed and pulled her into his arms.

"Be good. Take your medicine and get some sleep."

——

After a few days at the old house, Chi Chi had recovered her health and energy.

She could finally hold her little New Year’s Rice Cake in her arms. The little one had seen his mother these past days, but hadn’t gotten a hug.

Now, cradled in Chi Chi’s arms, he pouted in grievance.

When Ye Jing tried to take him, he tucked his tiny fists behind his back; even grandma couldn’t pry him away—he refused everyone else.

Chi Chi was enchanted by the little one’s cuteness, and laughter filled the room.

After lunch, once she’d lulled her clingy little one to sleep and placed him in the cradle at last, she found some peace.

The snow had stopped. Outside the window, the whole garden was blanketed in pristine white.

Standing at the window and admiring the wintry scene, Chi Chi was joined by Xavier Foster.

"Baby, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

Chi Chi turned, looking up at him, her slim figure resting against the ornate window ledge, his strong hand gently supporting her.

"The third brother and the others found her—the person you're looking for. Wu Hong."

He didn’t specify that she was Theodore Zane’s mother; he simply used her name. He knew that in Chi Chi’s memories, compared to Theodore Zane, Wu Hong was at least somewhat easier to face.

"Wu Hong… So it really was her. It wasn’t my imagination."

"Yeah. She’s been lingering around the art exhibit these past days. That’s what frightened you."

Xavier Foster stroked her cheek and, watching closely, found that her eyes seemed much calmer than before.

"Baby, do you want to see her? Maybe, once you do, you’ll realize everything is different now. She’s just an ordinary woman now—nothing to fear."

Chi Chi clutched his sleeve, her hand trembling, took a deep breath, and met his gaze.

"Will you come with me?"

Xavier Foster took her anxious hand into his palm, smiling. "Of course I’ll be with you. If you feel uncomfortable, we can leave anytime."

"Alright. As long as you’re with me, I won’t be afraid."

Chi Chi nestled her head against his chest, rubbing lightly.

After a bit of tidying up, the two of them left the house.

Wu Hong had been found by the third brother’s team and confined in an empty house, where the third brother himself kept watch.

When the boss arrived with his wife, the third brother provided a briefing on Wu Hong’s recent situation.

"Boss, Wu Hong’s been in the room the whole time, hasn’t spoken a word. Other than eating, she just sits on the bed and stares."

Xavier Foster acknowledged him, and led Chi Chi inside. The house was unoccupied but had all the essential furniture.

When the door opened, Chi Chi saw the woman sitting on the bed.

Hearing the door, Wu Hong slowly turned her head.

She looked much older than Chi Chi remembered—her back hunched, her body frail and emaciated, cheeks sunken in, her eyes just as they had appeared the other day: cloudy and disturbing.

As soon as she saw Chi Chi, Wu Hong’s vacant expression vanished. Her lips trembled. "Chi… Chi Chi."

Her voice was rasping, like bark rubbing together. She crawled off the bed, inching closer to Chi Chi.

Chi Chi couldn’t help but step back, clenching her fingers tightly, until Xavier Foster pulled her protectively into his arms.

Third brother planted himself between Wu Hong and them, glaring fiercely.

But Wu Hong seemed oblivious, eyes fixed solely on Chi Chi. Suddenly, she dropped to her knees with a thud. "Chi Chi… Chi Chi, please let my son go, I beg you, please release Tengfei."

Tears streamed down Wu Hong’s weathered face as she pleaded miserably.

Chi Chi shook her head, glancing toward Xavier Foster. He gave her a soothing look, his voice gentle: "Don’t be afraid."

He turned to the woman kneeling on the floor, eyes glinting coldly. “Hah. Scum like him belong right where he is."

"Wu Hong, you’re the one who enabled that trash. All of this is your own doing."

Xavier Foster’s tone was utterly devoid of sympathy, every word striking Wu Hong like a blow. “You should be grateful I even let him live."

He lowered his head, ice in his gaze. “Blame yourself—for raising something like that. How do you even live with yourself?"

"No… that’s not true, Tengfei just… just misbehaved a little, he just misbehaved a little…"

"I didn't… it’s not my fault, it’s not my fault…"

"…"

Wu Hong muttered, her eyes going unfocused. Shaking her head, she began to claw at her own hair.

Chi Chi frowned deeply. Xavier Foster was right—Wu Hong was nothing but a powerless, broken old woman. There was nothing left to fear.

And Theodore Zane—he would never leave that prison.

Everyone who’d ever hurt her had received the punishment they deserved.

She’d been the one trapping herself in those dark memories. Now, with someone to protect her, she didn’t have to fear them any longer.

"Zhiye…"

Xavier Foster stood, the coldness gone from his face. "What is it?"

"Let’s go home. I don’t want to see them anymore…"

"Alright, let’s go home."

He didn’t ask anything else. As long as she said it, Xavier Foster would agree.

"Third, send her to a mental hospital if she’s unwell—somewhere far away."

"Understood."

Third brother nodded, hefted the deranged woman from the floor, dumped her back onto the bed, and saw the boss and his wife out.

Once outside, he whipped out his phone. Now, let’s see—which city is the farthest from Newbridge? Heh.