Gu Lili turned the check over in her hands, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "I've never earned a cent in my life—who would have thought my very first time making money would come in such a dramatic fashion? The first thing I want to do is renovate the old house on Mount Xiliang."
"I'll tell Qingli to handle it personally," Long Yubei said. "Whatever style you envision, just let him know."
"Good. Do you know why I asked for ten million—and not a penny more?"
"Why?" he asked, intrigued.
"No one ever thinks money is too much to handle. Had I asked for twenty million, she still would've paid. But I believe in moderation. When people give in to greed, no amount is ever enough. Though Madam Gu thanked me as she left, in her heart, she was cursing me the entire time. If she dares to provoke me again, next time the price won't be just ten million."
Long Yubei brushed a kiss on her forehead. "Be good at home. I'm heading to the office."
She tilted her face up and gave him two soft kisses in return. "Will you be back for lunch, darling?"
"Of course I will. With a little temptress like you waiting at home, how could I possibly stay away?"
She laughed and nodded. "I'll be waiting."
As he stepped outside, Long Yubei couldn't help but feel that life had grown brighter with her in it.
A rare and precious feeling indeed.
…
He had barely left when Tang Qingli entered. "Young Madam, you're incredible! I just heard from the Young Master about what happened with Madam Gu. And he said you plan to rebuild the house on Mount Xiliang?"
"That's right. Start making arrangements. I'll sketch out the layout I have in mind later—just pass the overall idea to the designer. Try to match it as closely as possible. That place is home to me. I'll be returning often."
After living there for over twenty years, she had grown deeply attached to that house. She truly hoped she'd be able to return often and live there again.
"Understood."
Long Fengxi remained firm in her refusal to rekindle their relationship.
Shen Congmo didn't press the issue—he preferred a steady, patient approach.
He could see it clearly: deep down, her heart still mirrored his own. They still loved each other.
All that was needed was time—and trust—to rebuild the bridge between them.
He wasn't in a hurry.
But someone else was.
"Son, what do you think of these girls?"
Without so much as a glance, Shen Congmo replied, "Mom, you don't need to bother. My future wife has already been decided."
"You're still hung up on that girl?" Shen's mother tossed the photos onto the coffee table, her expression tight with displeasure. "You've been separated for how many years now? You still pine for her—but does she pine for you?"
"She feels the same. We just need time."
"I don't buy it. If she truly cared, she would've reconciled with you already."
"She has a knot in her heart—something she hasn't yet untangled."
"You're already twenty-six, Congmo. How long do you intend to wait?"
"One more year."
She pointed a stern finger at him. "You said it."
"I said it—and I mean it."
Leaving the house, Shen Congmo sent a message to Long Fengxi:
[My mother just tried to set me up with someone. I turned her down flat. My heart belongs to you.]
When Long Fengxi saw the message, a faint warmth spread through her chest.
Though pride and years of estrangement still stood between them, it was he who had finally lowered his guard first.
She knew all too well what she felt for him.
She hadn't intended to reply—but after a moment's thought, she picked up her phone and typed a single word:
[Mm.]
Just one simple, almost indifferent reply.
But to Shen Congmo, it was enough to make his heart soar.