In the evening, in Xi Xianqing’s studio.

Xi Xianqing’s villa was located in an elegant, secluded, affluent area of District Six, designed personally by the Old Master Xi Jianfeng himself.

Xi Jianfeng never hid his affection for his grandson: the villa boasted spacious and comfortable living areas, a workspace with exceptional lighting, and a high-security vault, all meticulously considered to meet every need.

District Six had no shortage of talented jewelry designers, yet Xi Xianqing, young and low-key, stood out among Xi Jianfeng’s many heirs as the most talked-about.

His looks are one of the reasons, but his talent is also unrivaled.

Countless popular celebrities desired to wear his creations, but he adhered to his own stringent criteria for selecting clients, insisting on quality over quantity. His design team was small and elite, and he seldom collaborated with others.

Naturally, this arrogant style was often criticized.

However, every time a new piece he crafted was worn, industry professionals couldn’t resist examining the techniques he employed, inevitably succumbing to admiration for his talent and skill.

“Absolutely stunning.” Xu Rong touched the necklace on her chest, her smile brimming with delight. “My old man’s company’s annual meeting is next month. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the finished piece every day, and today, wearing it, I know it was worth the long drive here. You didn’t disappoint me one bit.”

Xu Rong’s spiritual manifestation was a luminous blue nocturnal pearl butterfly, fluttering happily on her shoulder.

She was originally from District Six but had married the head of a tech gaming company in District Four when she was young. She was known for her boldness and generosity, and since she frequently attended banquets and galas, she entrusted Xi Xianqing with designing jewelry for her entire family.

People from District Four embraced a lifestyle of enjoying life in a timely manner, and Xu Rong’s husband’s company was filled with trendy young people. Yet, Xu Rong couldn’t part with the traditional refined aesthetics of District Six. Finding the perfect jewelry that matched both her tastes and the occasions proved challenging.

Thus, when designing this necklace, Xi Xianqing primarily used crisp, geometric woven lines that intersected to highlight an unheated pear-cut sapphire at the center. In the end, he added a single irregularly shaped wild pearl, resulting in a piece that was bold and avant-garde yet retained an elegant, delicate beauty in its details.

“But you can’t take it with you today,” Xi Xianqing said, putting on gloves and carefully placing the necklace back in its box. “I still need to adjust the chain length.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you, you perfectionist,” Xu Rong laughed. “Ai, by the way, I heard that your District’s representative assessment is starting in two months. Aren’t your troublesome relatives… going to give you a headache again la?”

Xi Xianqing didn’t answer directly. “I’ll give it my all, and we’ll each rely on our own abilities.”

Xu Rong chuckled, playfully chiding him. “But once you’re busy, it’ll likely be for half a year. So, for my girl’s birthday party, are you telling me you won’t have anything ready this year?”

Though she sounded cheerful, wealthy women of her caliber rarely made such remarks purely in jest.

Xi Xianqing didn’t say anything but only nodded to Ye Lu behind her.

Ye Lu opened another case on the table, revealing a set of jewelry resting quietly inside.

“These are conch pearls I selected from the coastal areas of District Two. They’re the finest shades of peachy pink and deep pink.”

Xi Xianqing said, “But the young lady might prefer traditional gemstones, so I also prepared a playful Padparadscha sapphire as an alternative. Even if I’m not in District Six, the designs and samples will be closely managed by the team’s designers.”

Unlike traditional pearls cultured artificially within mother shells, the cultivation of conch pearls cannot be artificially controlled. Their extended maturation period further adds to their extreme rarity. Xu Rong gazed at the conch pearls, each with a fine, flame-like pattern, all flawless in color and saturation—either meticulously selected or won at auction.

She was ecstatic. “Aiya, you’re really. Why did you sneakily prepare so many? Quickly bring it closer, let me take a good look.”

Ye Lu was about to step forward, but since Xi Xianqing was already wearing gloves, he waved a hand, indicating he’d handle it himself.

But he didn’t expect that the next moment, the phone on the desktop would start to vibrate.

Xu Rong was in a good mood and said, “It’s okay, don’t delay your business, pick it up.”

Xi Xianqing hesitated briefly, concerned it might be the caretaker calling about Xi Mufei, so he removed one glove to answer, while his other hand held one of the best-quality conch pearls from the box.

Normally, Xi Xianqing’s hands were exceptionally steady, able to carve intricate facets on gemstones, so holding a pearl of small weight wasn’t an issue.

However, just two seconds after answering the call, Xi Xianqing’s pupils trembled, and his hand shook unexpectedly!

Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure, firmly clasping the conch pearl in his palm before it could fall onto the carpet and get scratched. Mrs. Xu, standing beside him, clutched her chest and gasped, “That was close!”

And the person from the other end of the line, a voice as clear as it was gentle came through—

“Dear, are you busy?”

Hearing no response from Xi Xianqing, the other side’s breathing paused for a moment, then continued in a soft, intimate tone, “It’s me. I miss you. Why don’t you come over this weekend and have a meal with me?”

Ever since Zhu Ming’s accident, the Zhu Family’s villa had rarely been lively.

When Zhu Ming was bedridden and recovering, the numerous servants often whispered about it in private. Upon discovering this, Zhu Yingying was furious, dismissing most of them and keeping only a few to handle cooking and cleaning.

During that time, Zhu Ming’s health was so frail that he would often fall asleep for an entire day. Zhu Yingying handed her work over to her subordinates and spent her days by his bedside, waiting anxiously for him to wake.

She took care of Zhu Ming to the point of being a bit neurotic. Naturally, Zhu Ming had argued with her over it, feeling that Zhu Yingying’s constant hovering only reinforced his own sense of uselessness.

He urged Zhu Yingying to go back to managing the company, to go on dates with that District One officer pursuing her, and to live her own life.

But each time he broached the subject, Zhu Yingying’s tears would flow as suddenly as a floodgate opening.

Eventually, Zhu Ming realized that he had already accepted his inability to walk, but it wasn’t him who couldn’t move on—it was Zhu Yingying.

This time, although Xi Xianqing was only coming over for a simple home-cooked meal, Zhu Yingying still arranged for a private chef from District Two to come and prepare the food.

Full of enthusiasm, she instructed the chef, “Today’s guest is from District Six, so the tastes are different from ours in District Seven. Let’s add an extra dish, a light lotus seed soup.”

Zhu Ming watched the lively bustle in the kitchen, with Zhu Yingying moving back and forth. For a moment, he felt as if he were in a dream.

The villa’s doorbell rang and Zhu Ming’s thoughts drifted back.

Guiding his wheelchair to the door, Zhu Ming opened it to find himself face-to-face with Xi Xianqing’s dark green eyes.

The call back then had been hasty.

Especially since Zhu Ming opened with “Dear, I miss you,” which likely gave the person on the other end quite a shock. Five seconds later, he could hear only the faintest sound of breathing.

The call was on speaker, and though it had connected, the other end remained silent for a long time, causing Zhu Yingying’s expression to turn increasingly puzzled.

Feeling a mixture of anxiety and guilt that he died, Zhu Ming gritted his teeth slightly and forced a stiff smile, saying, “Say something, dear. Are you free this Sunday?”

Zhu Ming intentionally used the most cloying and affectionate tone, hoping that Xi Xianqing would catch on quickly.

The person on the other end finally seemed to grasp what was happening “…Can.”

Relieved, Zhu Ming responded in a gentle tone, “Alright, I’ll send you the address later. Goodnight?”

“…Good night.”

Zhu Ming hung up the phone almost instantly.

“He’s always like this.”

Covering his phone, he smiled at Zhu Yingying with flawless composure, “Not much of a talker, very reserved.”

Now, back in the present.

Zhu Ming stared at the impeccably dressed young man before him, tall and broad-shouldered like a supermodel on a runway. “Mr. Xiao Xi, this is my home, not your District Six high fashion week.”

A faint blush appeared at the tips of Xi Xianqing’s ears. “You insisted I dress formally when meeting your family.”

“I meant not to wear a T-shirt—”

Zhu Ming paused briefly, rubbing his temples. “My mistake. Thinking about it, you probably don’t even own clothes like that.”

His gaze shifted slightly to the line of bodyguards behind Xi Xianqing, and he asked, “Are you planning to rob my house?”

Xi Xianqing’s expression grew irritated. “At that time, it was also you who said to prepare a gift.”

After looking closely, only now did Zhu Ming realize that each bodyguard was holding an exquisitely wrapped gift box, giving him a headache. “I just meant don’t come empty-handed. This setup… were you planning to celebrate the New Year?”

From childhood to adulthood, Xi Xianqing had attended countless jewelry shows and elite auctions but had never actually been a guest in someone else’s home.

It was at this moment that he finally, belatedly, realized he might have gone a bit overboard with his preparations.

Caught between embarrassment and frustration, Xi Xianqing clenched his jaw and said coldly to the people behind him, “Leave the fruit and pastries. As for the rest, take it all back.”

But then Zhu Ming spoke up, pointing to a specific item in one of the bodyguards’ hands. “Wait, what’s in that little wooden box?”

Xi Xianqing paused. “It’s a five-tooth comb made of purple sandalwood with magnolia carvings. If you don’t want it, I’ll have them take it back as well.”

The comb’s price shouldn’t be excessive. Observing the delicate carvings on the packaging, Zhu Ming thought it might actually be an appropriate gift.

In a gentle tone, he addressed the bodyguard behind Xi Xianqing, “Please leave that one as well. Thank you.”

Xi Xianqing didn’t say anything, but his face softened a bit.

As the line of bodyguards cleared out from the doorway, Zhu Ming could finally take a much-needed breath of relief.

He looked Xi Xianqing up and down, scrutinizing his outfit for a moment before gesturing him over. “Come a bit closer.”

With a stony expression, Xi Xianqing cast him a sidelong glance and reluctantly inclined his head slightly.

Still not quite close enough, Zhu Ming simply raised his hand, placing his index finger on Xi Xianqing’s tie, then giving it a slight tug—

The distance between them narrowed instantly, and Xi Xianqing heard Zhu Ming’s soft voice. “Thank you for everything you prepared. It’s exquisite and very thoughtful.”

Xi Xianqing’s body stalled.

“It’s just that the ring and lab pod you sent have already put my aunt under a fair amount of pressure. If that mountain of gifts actually made it through my door today, she’d probably scold me to death.”

Tracing the edge of the silk tie with his fingers, Zhu Ming contemplated how to undo it. “No one’s ever put this much care into preparing something for me before. Even if you’re simply fulfilling a term of our agreement, I still wanted to say thank you.”

“People from District Six would never be disrespectful in their manners.”

After a moment of silence, Xi Xianqing spoke. “If you truly understand the trouble you caused me today, then please let me see, sooner rather than later, the value you can bring as a doctor.”

“That’s natural.”

Zhu Ming, not particularly skilled at undoing ties, gave it another tug. “But as for this tie, let’s leave it off tonight. It’s just a family dinner—let’s keep it casual.”

Xi Xianqing stumbled slightly from the pull. “…!”

When attending major events, District Six media always enjoyed analyzing Xi Xianqing’s attire and accessories, using it as a predictor for upcoming fashion trends.

His taste was never questioned, let alone anyone daring to touch his clothes.

Yet his mind had been thrown off balance by Zhu Ming’s sincere words of thanks, and now, with their close proximity, Xi Xianqing’s gaze could only settle on Zhu Ming’s fine, duck-feather thin eyelashes, leading down to his delicate, refined nose.

With his gaze frozen and unsure where to land, he actually forgot to stop Zhu Ming’s hands from undoing the tie.

“By the way, a cough means you’re to go along with my act, and tapping my leg means not to speak up or object.”

Zhu Ming didn’t notice Xi Xianqing’s expression while untying the knot in his hand, he reminded, “Remember?”

Seeing Xi Xianqing’s silence, Zhu Ming tugged at the half-undone tie and tilted his head, asking, “The signals we agreed on last night—don’t tell me you forgot?”

“…Zhu Ming,” Xi Xianqing murmured, his eyes downcast, voice hoarse, “you’d better be able to cure me soon.”

“Then play along with me tonight.” With a smile in his eyes, Zhu Ming smoothed out Xi Xianqing’s collar. “In return, I’ll naturally give it my all for you in the future.”

Author’s Note:

The little fox would never know that his single line, “Dear, I miss you,” nearly cost the big peac0ck two top-of-the-line lab pods ^_^