They spent two days at home for the New Year, and this year, Chi Chi and the others didn’t have to go visit relatives.
The Fu family had plenty of relatives, but all of them were eager to come over with their New Year blessings—the front door was practically worn out from all the visitors starting from the first day.
Even Fu Sen came along with his parents for a visit, and Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers told Chi Chi to come downstairs as well.
She sat on the side, playing with Xiao Niangao, knowing full well that this was Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers helping her cement her place in the Fu family.
All the younger family members were brought over to greet Chi Chi and send New Year’s wishes, making it clear to everyone that she was someone dear to the elders’ hearts and deserving of respect in the future.
The afternoon passed with little else happening except for the heap of red envelopes she and Xiao Niangao had received—enough to make anyone jealous.
As dinnertime approached, Xavier Foster finally finished his work for the day and came over.
Seeing the mountain of red envelopes piled on the sofa, he grinned and scooped up his chubby son.
"Our little Niangao is really something! Look at all the money he made today."
Proudly praised, the little one responded by chomping affectionately on his dad’s hand. He was teething, after all—a daily urge these days.
——
"Happy New Year, Teacher Ye! Happy New Year, Xiao Niangao!"
Tu Tu and Strawberry spent the New Year at home before returning to the studio.
They brought Chi Chi homemade fish cakes and pastries.
She accepted them with a bright smile and handed them each a large red envelope.
"Go on, take it! New Year’s envelope—may next year be full of beauty and good fortune."
The studio was indeed thriving. Their collaborating designer’s spring collection featured prints inspired by mù fúróng (cotton rose hibiscus), with skirt hems faintly layered like the petals of the blossom itself.
Soft lilac and blush tones were the perfect match for spring.
The skirt would be a limited release—just waiting for promotional photos before launching its online preorder.
Since the design was based on Chi Chi’s artwork, the designer called her on the first day of the shoot.
The designer, Li, was young and a standout among China’s up-and-coming talents. What impressed Chi Chi most was that his brand focused on Guochao—modern styles with strong traditional Chinese elements.
Because the skirt was the debut piece in the mu furong collection, Li asked if she’d like to visit the photoshoot and offer feedback.
When discussing possible locations, Chi Chi remembered the estate where she’d done her maternity photos. She sent Li a few pictures, which he loved, and she even helped him secure the place for the shoot.
Once Li found out it was Chi Chi’s family estate, he could only sigh at the inner workings of the wealthy world—and was delighted to save a hefty location fee.
With nothing pressing on her calendar, Chi Chi agreed to attend.
As usual, Xavier Foster picked her up from work that evening.
They’d made a habit of heading home early each day to avoid the afterwork crowds. Now, as the car cruised down the road, the first tender buds of spring lined the streets.
"Zhiye, I won’t be able to have lunch with you tomorrow," she said.
"Oh? Why’s that?" Xavier Foster gripped the wheel with one hand, resting the other gently on her knee. Hearing this, he glanced sideways at her.
"I’m going to observe the promotional photoshoot for the skirt. I’m quite interested, and if anything’s off, I can give feedback directly on site."
"Alright. Call me when you’re done and I’ll come pick you up."
"Okay."
Xavier Foster chuckled. "Look at you, you’re even more of a workaholic than I am these days."
"Naturally! I want to keep at it, try to catch up to you."
"As long as you’re happy."
……
The next morning, Chi Chi brought Xiao Niangao along with her.
Li had said on the phone that her presence was only needed for feedback. It would be casual.
She’d checked with him, and there was no issue bringing her son—after all, it was her family’s estate. Where else could one feel more at home?
"Let’s go, baby. Today you’re coming to work with mommy."
Xiao Niangao lay contentedly in his stroller, kicking his little feet in delight at the prospect of the outing.
Xavier Foster dropped his wife and child at the location. The memories came rushing back—just last time here, Chi Chi had barely finished a photoshoot before she went into labor. The thought still made him anxious.
She pushed the stroller closer, prompting her son to say goodbye to his father. Xavier Foster rolled down the car window.
The weather was lovely: golden sunlight gently illuminating them both. Xavier Foster crooked a finger at her.
Chi Chi bent down, expecting him to say something. Her long, seaweed-like hair slipped over her neck.
"What is it?"
He hooked an arm around her slim neck, tilted her face up, and pressed a kiss to her lips. Softly, he murmured, "Good luck at work, Miss Ye."
Chi Chi broke into a bright smile. "Good luck to you too, Mr. Fu."
He watched as she walked inside, then turned his limited edition luxury car around and drove out of the estate.
Meanwhile, in another car just behind them, a tall, slender woman removed her sunglasses and watched the car’s departure—then turned her gaze to Chi Chi’s figure.
"Tch, I’ve seen women cozy up to rich men before, but bringing a kid to do it? That’s rare," she sneered.
Competition in this industry was brutal. She only landed this shoot after sticking close to a certain someone for half a month—a favor hard-won, given her arrogance and disregard for others.
Fortunately, the designer had been abroad recently, so casting was handled by his team.
"Sister Xifei, we should go in. We’re already half an hour late," her meek assistant whispered from the side, balancing a cup of water and an overcoat.
Xifei shot her a glare. "What’s the rush? It’s just a photoshoot—let them wait."
"But, Sister Xifei, this opportunity is really important…"
"Shut it."
Her mood sour since morning thanks to her clueless assistant, Xifei’s face was twisted in impatience as she strode inside.
The shoot started soon after, but Xifei called for a break every few minutes—for water, for makeup touch-ups, you name it.
She had endless demands. The photographer, hoping for cooperation, kept quiet for now.
The studio was warm. After playing with his toes, Xiao Niangao soon dozed off.
The shoot dragged on at a snail’s pace, and Chi Chi’s brow furrowed. She felt this model’s look just didn’t fit the spirit of the collection.
Despite having a clean, fresh face, the woman’s posture and gaze felt forced, lacking sincerity.
As a sponsor and with Li’s encouragement to give feedback, Chi Chi saw no reason to bite her tongue.
She’d sat quietly on the side, gentle in demeanor, but now—her eyes suddenly shone with seriousness.
When Xifei called for yet another break, Chi Chi stood up.
"Miss, could you treat this job with a bit more professionalism? The shoot is halfway done, but progress is lagging. Could you step it up?"
Spending time with Xavier Foster had given her a certain presence—her tone cold, her gaze firm.
Xifei felt a chill as Chi Chi stared at her, but seeing that no one around seemed to recognize her, she rolled her eyes.
Probably just some rich intern, she thought, looking at Chi Chi’s student-like appearance.
Standing up—her model’s height towering over Chi Chi—Xifei looked down her nose and scoffed.
"Who do you think you are? Who put you in charge here?"