Happy Mid-Autumn Festival
Being busy to death is one thing, but seeing your friend's love life going well is really upsetting.
It doesn't mean I don't wish you well.
"Has your project been approved by the CFDA?" Mu asked casually.
Xi Ai: "After the New Year."
On the way to see Isaac, Chu Yiqi called. Xi Ai waved her hand smugly, but Mu Jin looked away, pretending not to see it.
"Nadia told me that Miss Xi worked tirelessly to catch the information leak?"
Xi Ai felt guilty and said, "No, it doesn't count. I went to bed very early."
"Yeah?"
Ignoring Chu Yiqi's doubts, Xi Ai knew that as long as she changed the subject, she wasn't lying. So she said, "By the way, there's a Mid-Autumn Festival dinner tonight. Grandma and the others are here. Do you want to come and meet them?"
Shen Lanjin and Cheng Suhuai have always lived abroad. Usually, Xi Ai and Xi Yuchuan would take a few months each year to go on vacation together. This year was also a coincidence, as the two of them were in China directing a performance.
Chu Yiqi smiled, not minding Xi Ai's abrupt change of topic, and said, "I might not be able to come."
Chu Yiqi has a variety show recording session in the first half of the day, and she has to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala in the second half.
Although we were in the same city, it was still quite tiring to travel from the west side of the city to the east side, and we were also a bit rushed.
“I knew it, you’re so busy,” Xi Ai said. “I actually told them you prepared a gift, and I’ll bring it over this afternoon.”
Chu Yiqi was a little worried. Although she had maintained the habit of staying with the two of them for a while while she was abroad these past two years, she was always worried that she would be exposed when she returned. She asked, "Is this appropriate?"
"Who knows? It's fine if they like it."
The meeting with Isaac was mainly about Mu Jinxian, so Xi Ai had lunch with him and then left first.
Everyone was busy with their own things, so dinner was delayed. Xi Ai really encountered a peak this time, so while touching up her makeup in the car, she answered Xi Yuchuan's call: "Did you pick up my gift?"
"Take it, take it. It's all our fault for getting stuck in traffic."
"Although it's a bit funny, sister, take a picture of your sunset and show it to me."
"The Third Ring Road overpass is good for taking pictures of city sunsets."
"Is Sister Yiqi going to be there too?" Xi Yuchuan finally asked about the important matter.
Xi Ai: "Why do you care so much?"
“I know she doesn’t want to see you at all.”
Xi Ai: "..."
Miss Xi: "Now you go and properly discuss the contract terms."
Xi Ai hung up the phone, looked out the window, took a picture, and sent a copy to Chu Yiqi.
[Going home...]
Chu Yiqi didn't reply; he must be at the event.
When Xi Ai arrived, Cheng Suhuai and Shen Lanjin had just returned, and dinner had just been set out.
"Grandpa and Grandma, it's been a long time!" Xi Ai greeted them with a smile, handing them a set of Longquan celadon porcelain, and said, "This is a gift I brought. Guess what it is."
"Hopefully they won't come back."
"That's right."
Chu Yiqi was extremely busy, filming one thing and then another. Fortunately, the gala was in Beicheng, which wasn't too far away, so Chu Yiqi still managed to find time to meet with her lawyer.
Xi Ai had just finished eating and was supposed to have some casual conversation when she received a call from Schneider.
She really knows how to pick her timing. Xi Ai stood up, gave a brief explanation, and went to the balcony, where a circle of Endless Summer plants were growing along the railing, in full bloom.
Xi Ai reached out and nudged Hua Zhi, acting strangely childish, but when she spoke, she said, "Surprised, Mr. Schneider?"
"Did you do this on purpose?" Schneider asked through gritted teeth.
Xi Ai smiled slightly, as if she remembered something, and said, "No, I haven't reached the point where I wouldn't make money if I could."
However, Xi Ai listened to Chu Yiqi's advice and hired a group of tech geeks to serve her.
"Do you think I spent so many resources just to have them set up a database, a firewall, and open a secondary key?"
"What do you mean by those documents?"
Xi Ai's tone was calm, yet slightly encouraging: "It's just a reminder. Before I make an outrageous demand, you might as well agree, sir."
...
"If you drag me into this, Xi Yan won't come out unscathed either."
Xi Ai paused slightly, then smiled: "Your family's internal strife must be quite difficult, right?"
The other side was quiet. Xi Ai plucked a hydrangea and said, "Sir, you came to me not because you wanted me to investigate and pursue your role in this matter, right? It's just a 16% chance. In return, you can rest easy in this struggle. It's not a bad deal, is it?"
"Jeffrey contacted you, didn't he?"
So sometimes, the relationships in the Xi family are truly enviable; the siblings have a harmonious relationship and there is no open or covert struggle.
Even when it came to delegating authority, Xi Ai readily entrusted all overseas projects to Xi Yuchuan for full management.
Xi Ai put her phone aside, put on her headphones, and slowly picked out some flowers. She said, "So you see, I don't necessarily need you. It's more interesting that Xi Yuchuan has shared Yin Lan with me."
"Miss Xi, that's quite a skill."
"What do you think, sir?"
"It's a pleasure to work with you."
They discussed other arrangements and specific terms, and decided that Xi Yuchuan and Schneider would meet tomorrow to finalize some details.
The follow-up investigation was mainly handled by Xi Yuchuan and his team.
—Miss Xi has some other projects that have just been approved.
When he returned with the bouquet, Grandpa Xi glared at Xi Ai and said in a harsh tone, "I'll pay for your gardening class myself."
"Why don't you ask a gardener to come over?" Xi Ai strolled away, found a vase, and began to arrange the flowers.
"Oh, by the way, darling, we brought a gift for Yiqi, remember to give it to her." Shen Lanjin was wearing a velvet cheongsam. As someone who studied art, she had an indelible temperament, and her voice was gentle and melodious.
The impact of meeting the parents and having them like the other person can be quite unexpected.
Even during these two years of avoiding each other, the two of them would each spend time with their elders and hear each other's names so often that they were practically callous.
They would go to great lengths to deliver the gift to the recipient, and then mix their own selfish motives into it.
For example, customized postcards, hand-knitted scarves, or handmade plant specimens.
Xi Ai has received quite a few over the past two years.
Chu Yiqi thought he had sent it without anyone noticing, but Xi Ai could tell at a glance.
Therefore, Xi Ai would occasionally leave something for Shen Lanjin and Cheng Suhuai to give to Chu Yiqi "anonymously".
Xi Ai, unfazed, asked in a half-coquettish tone, "Grandma, don't I have a little gift? This is so sad."
“Honey, you have a bad reputation in the business world. How old are you?”
"That was me pretending to be calm."
"Come on, are you coming to stay with us tonight?"
The two houses are practically next door, just a few steps away. Visiting each other was a regular occurrence, but later, Xi Ai bought a villa in Lanxie for convenience, so she started living there more often.
Xi Ai replied without hesitation, "Okay."
Chu Yiqi sent her a message, still secretly taking photos.
This person is really carefree; at the event, they just picked up their phone and took a picture.
He then forwarded it to Xi Ai, and even said a few words of gossip.
[Actually, this mooncake was a bit awful today. I don't know who brought it, but the blind box I opened had durian filling.]
It was followed by an emoji of the Food Safety Law.
Xi Ai smiled, and Shen Lanjin leaned closer to look, but Xi Ai smiled and blocked her way.
"I won't show you." Xi Ai's eyes crinkled as she quickly replied to the message.
Shen Lanjin scoffed and turned to look at her book.
[To be honest, last year they opened a chive-filled dessert shop, which was absolutely outrageous.]
Chu Yiqi changed the subject very quickly, as if he didn't expect Xi Ai to reply so immediately, and then started sending a barrage of messages.
[By the way, I'll be back tonight.]
Xi Ai didn't expect Chu Yiqi to dare to play on his phone again, so she quickly posted a picture of the dining table.
The Xi family's chef always cooks ordinary home-style dishes, but he also prepares nutritious meals to suit everyone's tastes, and the food looks exceptionally appetizing.
A bowl of matsutake mushroom soup in front of us was steaming slightly, blurring one of Xi Ai's hands that accidentally appeared in the frame.
Chu Yiqi, with her sharp eyes, spotted a box of chocolates on the side. The packaging was exceptionally exquisite, with a texture reminiscent of the late 20th century, which actually matched the Xi family's decorating style quite well.
There was a brief silence because the other party's messages were all unexpected.
The gala was being broadcast live, so the TV in the living room was playing a video of the event.
Given the current news, it feels particularly incongruous, making people worry that Chu Yiqi might be photographed.
[Stop, stop, stop! Are you even trying to get away with this? I'm going to film you right now. Stop acting like a big shot.]
[Getting ready to go on stage backstage.]
After a moment of silence, Chu Yiqi sent another message.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
Xi Ai didn't reply because it was Chu Yiqi's turn to play next.
The woman wore a long, smoky pink dress, layered and adorned with roses.
Xi Ai's attention, however, was focused on Chu Yiqi's hands.
The director cut to a close-up, and she saw that on Chu Yiqi's wrist, besides the orchid tattoo, there was also a bracelet.
Despite having an endorsement deal, Chu Yiqi still wore this layered butterfly bracelet.
This is a very long time ago.
Xi Ai was stunned for a moment, not even catching Shen Lan Jin's teasing gaze.
When Chu Yiqi arrived, it was already past midnight. Xi Ai was leaning against the bedside, as if she knew that Chu Yiqi should have arrived, or perhaps she had been waiting for a long time.
The Xi family and her maternal grandparents had set access restrictions for Chu Yiqi, so her return did not disturb anyone—except for Xi Ai, who was already awake.
The garden lights flickered on and off, so half of the light fell on Xi Ai's balcony, almost within reach of her when she stood up.
The computer in front of Xi Ai was still on. Xi Ai always wore those glasses when she worked, with a thin gold chain hanging down to her side.
When at home, Xi Ai is always very lazy. Her pajamas are loose and baggy, with the ties half-undone. She sinks into the sofa, with a thin blanket in front of her. It looks like it's hand-woven, with the edges hanging down on the carpet, spreading out layers of lily of the valley flowers.
Blue snowflakes hung down from the semi-enclosed balcony roof, blocking Xi Ai's view.
She raised her eyes and glanced downstairs.
Unlike their neighbors, the Cheng couple preferred a more elaborate garden style, so the entire garden was piled high with various flowers.
Amidst this magnificent scene, Chu Yiqi wore a thin coat draped over her shoulders, still in her formal attire.
A breeze picked up, causing the roses on her dress to ripple. She couldn't see Xi Ai's expression clearly, but she felt that she must be smiling.
Xi Ai watched as the orange-yellow garden lights cast a soft glow on Chu Yiqi, making him appear as if he were bathed in the warmth of spring amidst the darkness of the night.
The phone screen lit up, and Chu Yiqi answered the call. Xi Ai's voice sounded both very far away and very close.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
Chu Yiqi was silent for a moment, then heard Xi Ai breathing and said, "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Would you like some mooncakes? They're the mixed nut kind."
Chu Yiqi suddenly smiled, her eyebrows curving into a smile, like spring water melting ice.
"Why are you rushing here so late?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow at noon, but I'd like to come see you during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Is this appropriate?" Xi Ai asked Chu Yiqi.
Given our relationship, is it appropriate for us to speak like this and act so intimately?
After a few moments of silence, Chu Yiqi finally said, "If you're happier now, then it's appropriate. Besides... don't Grandma and the others not know?"
Xi Ai finished her work, turned off her computer, and as the screen went dark, she said, "Get some rest. I'll take you there tomorrow."
"No need, you go about your business."
Xi Ai immediately put her newfound knowledge to use: "They don't know, so we should at least pretend to be affectionate."
Chu Yiqi is a very contradictory person. His unconscious truths are the most pleasant to hear, but when he comes to his senses, he always has to add half an insincere excuse.
They are exceptionally persistent in certain matters.
She just wanted to make sure Xi Ai paid more attention to her, so she awkwardly and indirectly affected herself until mealtime.
Because of a long-standing promise, the festival has never been absent.
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