Xi Xiaye was taken aback. After a while, she frowned and replied, "The florist delivered it, and someone else accepted it on behalf of me."

After Xi Xiaye replied, there was no sound from the other end. She could feel that the man was getting unhappy, so after some hesitation, she asked, "Are you... angry?"

"I'm not," replied the man immediately, but she could hear the slightly grumpy tone in his voice.

His face instantly appeared in Xi Xiaye's mind. Was he frowning with a strained face? Or was he suppressing his emotions and acting calm as usual?

There was an awkward silence between them. Xi Xiaye felt a little guilty when he did not say anything, then she tried to speak in a gentle and quiet tone, "You're not really angry, are you? I... I know that he's not a good person..."

"And you accept gifts from him knowing that he's not a good person?" He sounded upset. "Has your judgment gotten clouded with me being away just for a few days? Don't accept it if it's not gold or diamond roses. Giving cheap flowers like this just shows how much of a cheapskate he is!"

His tone was very demeaning and was very different from his usual self.

Xi Xiaye rolled her eyes as a smile appeared on her face. "Then, I'll ask for two diamond roses from him next time. One for me and one for you, hmm?"

"I don't want it!" He replied.

"Fine, I got it. I won't take anything from him in the future then. When are you coming back? I went to the flower market and bought two hanging orchids. They seem pretty. I'm putting one in your office. I think it'll start to bloom around June or July. Also, I think the curtains in your office look too depressing, so I've asked people to change them to a brighter color. Go take a look in the morning. There are several nice colors available like light beige and champagne. There are also some other options. What do you like?"

Xi Xiaye then kept rambling on since she had spent quite some time in his office for the past few days. She was not really satisfied and thought that his taste was too dark, giving his office a downcast vibe all around, so she decided to give it a makeover since she was rather free anyway.

She thought he was despondent again when he did not say anything. "What is it? Don't you like it?"

Mrs. Mu did not notice that she was entering into Mr. Mu's life like a real lady boss. Of course, Mr. Mu was pleased about it. Although he had just scolded her moments ago, he was now feeling much better.

A grin spread across his strained face as he replied quietly, "Up to you. I'm fine as long as it's not that kind of girlish pink."

"So, I'll decide then?"

"Mmm."

...

Considering that he was coming back in two days, she needed to get this done quickly. As soon as she hung up on the call with Mr. Mu, she quickly called the renovation company and asked them to be there the next day at 8 in the morning.

It was almost evening when she arrived at the Mu Residence.

Wang Hui and Mu Yinan were gardening in the backyard. Wang Hui loved flowers, and there was a greenhouse in the backyard just for her to take care of her flowers. Some time ago, she wanted to give Xi Xiaye some rare species and plant them in Maple Residence, but gardening would be a real challenge for someone like her.

Moreover, she had never really liked flowers that required too much care. Instead, she admired flowers like chrysanthemums and plum blossoms which could still bloom despite the cold and were really inspirational to her.

"Chen's not home these few days. If you feel bored, you can stay here. I'm afraid that you're not used to being alone," Wang Hui said kindly to Xi Xiaye who was busy trimming the plants.

Xi Xiaye stopped her work at hand as she turned around and asked Wang Hui, "It's okay. I went back to stay with Grandpa for the past few days. It's been some time since I last went back. By the way, was Ah Shi on break yesterday? Grandfather said that she isn't home..."

"She went out after lunch. It seems like something happened at the club. She asked your grandfather to prepare some soup for her before she left. She should be coming back soon."

Wang Hui then started putting the tools away. "Alright, you stop working too. Go back inside. Let me go take a look at what your grandfather made for us tonight. He's been busy this whole afternoon."

Xi Xiaye nodded and Wang Hui walked back into the house while Xi Xiaye packed the stuff up. As she was about to go back into the house, the chime of a ringtone suddenly reached her ears.

It was not hers!

As she searched around for the source, Mu Lingshi came into her view.

Mu Lingshi's eyes darkened as she glanced at the phone screen. She hesitated, but in the end, she ignored the call and even switched her phone off.

"Is that Ah Mo?" Xi Xiaye went up to her and asked quietly when she saw Mu Lingshi's dour expression and how she seemed to have a lot welled up inside.

Mu Lingshi raised her head and looked at Xi Xiaye, putting her phone back into her pocket. She was not wearing the pair of large sunglasses now, and the scar on her face was obvious.

"Sister-in-law!" She called Xi Xiaye.

Xi Xiaye nodded and answered in a gentle tone. "Have you gotten used to your life here? I went to the club several days ago. I didn't bother you since you seemed busy. I couldn't really imagine it when your brother told me, a girl like you actually being a DJ, and even being capable of managing a night club so well."

Xi Xiaye sat down on the long bench beside the railing. She raised her head and looked at Mu Lingshi who smiled and leaned on the nearby pole. She ran her fingers through her dark purple hair as she replied, "Well, it's nothing once you get used to it. It's hard for me to imagine that you're a director in Glory World as well."

After a brief moment, she gave it some thought before speaking to Mu Lingshi, "I just feel that girls with a career like this will require a lot more courage and tenacity. Your brother... He's really worried about you..."

Mu Lingshi's eyes became complicated when she heard Xi Xiaye's words. She sighed, "Brother blames himself too much for this..."

"Sister-in-law, you and my brother... I know that you both knew each other under my grandmother's arrangement, but I really think you guys are a perfect match for each other. To be honest, you're the first person I know that my brother has taken a liking to. Brother... While he seems pretty cold, he's a good man."

Mu Lingshi could feel her heart aching when talking about Mu Yuchen. Things had been tough for everyone all these years because of what had happened in the past. The wounds had not healed even though she had gone abroad for several years.

"Brother's sense of love is still like a blank canvas, so I hope you can treat him well and look after him. He'll be sure to bring you happiness."

Xi Xiaye was surprised that Mu Lingshi suddenly uttered this to her. She wanted to talk to her about Ah Mo, but now the topic had shifted to Mu Yuchen and her.

His sense of love is like a blank canvas?

Then, it meant...

Xi Xiaye looked at Mu Lingshi in surprise.

"Ah Mo told me that Brother has been smiling more frequently after he got married to you. We should be thankful for you. I heard about what happened to you. Don't worry. We'll always support you as long as you treat Brother well."

Mu Lingshi's tone sounded determined, and her eyes seemed genuine as she had a wide grin on her face. "I really like you. Brother hopes that we can become good friends. Do I have that honor?"

Xi Xiaye smiled as she nodded. "It's my honor."

Mu Lingshi's smile grew wider, and her scar did not seem so obvious anymore. She took a deep breath as she leaned back onto the cold pole behind. "Thank you! Aside from Bro Su Chen and the others, I don't really have many friends, and I'm delighted to have someone that I can talk to."

Xi Xiaye was taken aback. Suddenly, she did not know what to say, but after some thought, she assured, "You can talk to me if you are troubled by anything. Someday, I'll introduce you to Su Nan. She's a sweet person, and the only best friend I can talk to."

Xi Xiaye could relate well to Mu Lingshi's situation. Her mother had passed away and she did not even know who her father was, and her brother... Moreover, she was currently in such a state.

Xi Xiaye could understand her circumstances. Although Mu Lingshi and her were both hanging in there, how could they not feel lonely like this?

Now, she finally understood why Mu Yuchen was so sure that she would like Mu Lingshi. He probably predicted she would relate to her situation and that they could click with each other since they shared similar past experiences.

She was relieved that she pulled herself together. No matter how tired she was all this year, she had never abandoned her true self. Otherwise, she would have ended her life long ago because of the military school incident, or she might even have pulled off an act of violent revenge on Xi Xinyi, then everything she had today would be non-existent.

Xi Xiaye, you're still one lucky girl. Fate didn't abandon you. What you've gone through before brought forth what you have today. Maybe you should still be thankful for fate!

Mu Lingshi started laughing when she heard Xi Xiaye. "No wonder my brother said you're silly. You don't even know me well and you want to introduce me to your best friend? Aren't you afraid that I might be a bad person who's just skilled at acting?"

Startled for a moment, Xi Xiaye then replied, "I believe that people he regards highly must be exceptional, and they must be good people." Her tone was serious.

Mu Lingshi's laughter got louder. "Sister-in-law, I noticed that you sure are pretty cute. I bet my brother must always tease you. However, he should be impressed by how trusting you are!"

"What about you? And Ah Mo...?" Xi Xiaye tried to slip in the question.

The smile on Mu Lingshi's face faded slightly after Xi Xiaye asked her that. However, it was unlike the bleak tone she had before. "Things can't go back to what it was like in the past for us anymore. I know what you guys are thinking about. What's happened has happened. Just like the scar on my face, it'll be with me forever and I'll never be able to wipe it off."

Xi Xiaye's heart sank when she heard Mu Lingshi.

Undeniably, that was the truth, just like how she had been unable to move on from her past back then.

"I know how you feel, but I can see that Ah Mo really cares about you. Sometimes, it's not so bad changing to a new lifestyle. Back then, when I just got married to your brother, my mother told me that at this point in my life, I should accept it when the feelings come..."

Xi Xiaye took a pause and a deep breath. "It was really tough to find someone who you like and who will treat you well at the same time. External factors aren't what's limiting you. It's your own concern that's limiting you. Life is short. We're going to get old if we don't love now. Be brave and wild."

"Just like how I'd say to my mother. I'm sure you know about her condition with my father. I really hope you and Ah Mo don't miss out on each other. It's up to you whether you want to lead a good life."

Xi Xiaye then suddenly stood up, turning her head around to look at Mu Lingshi who had a mixed expression on her face at the moment. She smiled.

"I told your brother that the way Ah Mo looked at you is like how Father looks at Mother. I think that he must really love you. If you're willing to let go of your past and accept him, I'm sure many years later, you two will become like Father and Mother."

Xi Xiaye left those words for her as she walked past her in the sunset. Her words were like the wind that breezed through the bamboo forest, revealing a dark spot within Mu Lingshi's heart.

Life is short. We're going to get old if we don't love now. Be brave and wild.

Mu Lingshi repeated this sentence to herself. For a brief moment, she could feel her eyes tearing up while her chest felt heavy, and a bitterness surfaced.

She blinked hard and sucked a deep breath. In the end, she just suppressed all the feelings she had.

As Xi Xiaye walked past the corridor, she looked at her own shadow. Suddenly, she was reminded of something. Halting in her steps, she then turned around and raised her head.

The sun was setting in the west, emitting warm and gentle rays. The faint glow was enchanting, and she stared at it for some time when the man's face suddenly appeared in her mind.

After a silent moment, she took out her phone, looked for that man's number and sent him a text.

Mu Yuchen, I miss you.

She sent it without any hesitation.

The man finally fell asleep after having some difficulty, but the message woke him up. He was wide awake after he saw the message. He stared at it for a long time, a faint gleam appearing in his dark eyes.

With a smile on his face, he replied: Me too.

She smiled when she received his text. Her heart softened, and she could feel sweetness all around her.

She did not reply afterward. Instead, she put her phone away and walked into the Mu Residence.

...

Naturally, Xi Xiaye went back to Maple Residence at night. It had been quite a few days since she had gone back and she missed their home. She felt more at ease staying at Maple Residence now.

She woke up early morning the second day. Of course, she did not forget about the renovation for Mu Yuchen's office.

It was 8 a.m. when she arrived at Glory World. The workers from the renovation company were already waiting at the entrance, and all of them went up to her the moment Xi Xiaye arrived.

Inside Mu Yuchen's office, Xi Xiaye acted like the lady boss as she discussed with the workers. "We'll put this painting here. Yeap, right there! It feels broader there. That's not bad!"

Xi Xiaye pointed at the wall right opposite the office desk as she instructed them to hang the oil painting there. She had had these in her collection for some time. Instead of leaving them unused in the Shen Residence, she had brought them over.

The curtains were brand new. There was also a hanging orchid on the tall stool beside the window. Its green leaves seemed fresh and made the whole office looked livelier. Overall, it was much more relaxing now.

After finishing the work and cleaning up the office, it was around noon. There was no one around in the company during the weekend, so Xi Xiaye locked the office up before leaving.

She planned to visit Su Nan today. It had been some time since she last saw her, and she just wanted to see how was she doing. As she went toward her car, she heard a honk. When she looked around, she saw Xi Mushan's car.

Startled, she then saw Xi Mushan's secretary waving at her from the driver's seat.

After giving it some thought, Xi Xiaye walked over slowly.

"Why are you here?"

Xi Xiaye entered the car and saw Xi Mushan's serious face.

Xi Mushan looked at her before saying, "You haven't had lunch, have you? Let's eat something. We'll talk while we eat."

Xi Xiaye wanted to drive on her own, but the driver had already started the car, so she just stayed quiet.

They went to a restaurant nearby for lunch. Xi Mushan seemed to still remember the dishes Xi Xiaye liked. Everything he ordered was her favorite.

Xi Xiaye just sat there as she watched Xi Mushan pour some wine. After a while, she grabbed the bottle from Xi Mushan and said, "Let me do it."

She then poured the wine into Xi Mushan's empty glass before pouring some for herself as well.

"I just passed by University A and saw your mother's car leave. I called you and your phone was switched off, so I just looked around and happened to bump into you," said Xi Mushan quietly as he looked at Xi Xiaye.

"Didn't Mother refuse to see you? Why do you...?"

She raised her head and looked at Xi Mushan while she was still pouring the wine. Her eyes seemed confused. "Mother said that it's impossible to return to the past with you anymore. Although I admit I wanted that to happen..."

What else could she say?

Xi Mushan had built another family with Yue Lingsi. Shen Wenna and her were just history.

"I'm just here to have a look at you guys. You don't have to be so pressured... Have Mu Yuchen and the others been treating you well?"

Xi Mushan was not really a caring person, so his question surprised Xi Xiaye, but she soon came back to her senses. She shot Xi Mushan a doubtful look before nodding. "They treat me very well."

Xi Mushan sipped his wine and replied quietly, "That's great."

Xi Mushan seemed quite crestfallen. Xi Xiaye could see the defeated vibe and helplessness of Han Yifeng around Xi Mushan at that moment.

"I believe you're aware of what happened between us Xi family and the Han family. Han Yifeng is married to Xinyi, and due to health reasons, the company is now under Yifeng's care."

Xi Xiaye nodded. "Mmm, I'm aware. I met him a few days ago at the Yueying meeting."

After giving it some thought, Xi Mushan said quietly, "I'm afraid that Han Yifeng and Xinyi's situation is already set in stone. I know you're handling the South River project for Glory World. There are several leaders from the government evaluating this project. Aside from me, there's Mu Tangchuan and several people from the Yue family. Furthermore, the Qi family have a great relationship with the Hans and the Yues, so you have to be careful."

Xi Xiaye took a deep breath and stayed silent. After a while, she replied, "Mmm, will do."

Xi Xiaye never expected Xi Mushan to tell her this. She had no idea how to reply, so she just gave a terse one.

"Father, are the Qis and the Yues long-time friends?"

Xi Xiaye suddenly remembered that someone from the Yue family was the Vice President of Qikai. Would she clash with them this time? However, if Qikai were to get things done through the Yue family, Glory World would be in deep trouble.

She had not forgotten that he had put a lot of effort into this project as well.