Although Xu Yunxi accepted Liu Yun's villa, she didn't stay there that night. Amid the thrill and excitement, the three of them drove back to Xu Yunxi's own house.
As soon as they entered, the servants took Liu Yi and Shen Qi's luggage. Xu Yunxi said, "Your rooms are on the third floor. Go have your fun. I'm getting older, so I need to do some exercise and take care of myself." "Okay." Shen Qi nodded. "Auntie, you're already beautiful enough." Xu Yunxi pinched Shen Qi's cheek with satisfaction. "I've already decorated your room beautifully, and the dressing room has some girly things. I hope you'll like it. Finally, someone in our house can live in a princess room! Just thinking about it makes me so happy." Shen Qi couldn't help but stick out her tongue. "Thank you, Auntie. As long as you decorated it, I'll love it." "Oh, what a sweet talker! Why aren't you my daughter? If only I had given birth to you!" Xu Yunxi looked at Shen Qi with envy. "I'm really jealous of your mom for having such a sweet and lovely daughter." Shen Qi felt a bit awkward, not knowing what to say.
Xu Yunxi turned to Liu Yi and said, "Go to bed early tonight. Tomorrow we'll go to your godmother's house for dinner." "Sure." Liu Yi nodded. "I haven't seen godmother in a long time!" After saying that, Liu Yi said to Shen Qi, "Xiao Qi, come with us too." "Me? I'd better not." Shen Qi waved her hand. "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go." "It's fine. My godmother is very hospitable." Liu Yi grinned. "Actually, I think you two really look alike. Mom, don't you think so?" Xu Yunxi studied Shen Qi seriously and nodded. "Now that you mention it, they really do look alike. And what a coincidence, you both have the last name..."
Just as Xu Yunxi was about to say the character "Shen," her phone rang again at an inopportune moment. It was Liu Yun calling to confirm they had arrived home safely. With this interruption, the topic was dropped.
Shen Qi and Liu Yi said goodbye to Xu Yunxi and headed up to the third floor. The third floor was Liu Yi's domain. It had a bedroom, guest room, study, gym, and a small reception room. Shen Qi's bedroom was directly across from Liu Yi's.
As soon as Shen Qi entered, she couldn't help but let out a "wow." She had always thought a princess room meant a purely pink-themed room with cute furniture and bedding, like Shen Yinyin's used to be. But after stepping into the room, she realized she was completely wrong.
The room wasn't pink-based at all; it was cream white. Cream white bedding, light pink patterned wallpaper, and milky white carpet. In short, the room's colors were clean and pure. Yet every item was exquisitely beautiful. Even the bedpost was intricately detailed down to every grain.
Having studied design herself, Shen Qi immediately recognized the room's true value. This room had clearly been decorated with great care. Shen Qi's heart softened. A complete stranger had put so much thought into treating her well. How could she not feel touched? How could she not be grateful?
Liu Yi knocked on the door from outside. "Wow, Mom really did turn the room into this! Xiao Qi, just bear with it." Shen Qi turned around and smiled. "I don't think this is something to bear with. On the contrary, I really love this room!" Shen Qi opened the wardrobe; her clothes were neatly folded, and her suitcase was placed flat on one side. In another wardrobe, a row of brand-new, beautiful dresses hung. Since the weather was getting colder, they were all thin autumn outfits.
"Alright, I still think this kind of room isn't for me. Want to check out my room?" Liu Yi invited Shen Qi. "Sure." Shen Qi turned and followed Liu Yi to the room across the hall.
As soon as she entered, Shen Qi felt like she had walked into a boys' dormitory! Seriously! The theme was black and white, and all the furniture and items were practical, with no frills at all! Well, there was one flashy thing: a pair of cloisonné vases on the wall. Other than that, the room was tidy and spacious, with no other decorations.
Shen Qi's eyes widened. "Oh my god, Xiao Yi, have you always lived like this?" Liu Yi nodded. "Yeah. Those useless odds and ends just take up space. This way, everything is neat and tidy!" Shen Qi shook her head and sighed. "No wonder Auntie gets so frustrated with you." "My mom is stubborn. She wants to mold me into someone like you. But my godmother isn't like that. She really appreciates my aesthetic taste." Liu Yi poured Shen Qi a glass of water. "My godmother says it best: everyone is an individual. People should live out their own personality, not be a blind copy of someone else." "Hmm, your godmother sounds amazing." Shen Qi smiled and gave a thumbs-up. "By the way, you always mention her. Which writer is she? It's a coincidence—my mom is a writer too. Maybe they know each other." "Oh, that is a coincidence!" Liu Yi's eyes widened. "Maybe they really do know each other! My godmother's pen name is 'Crying Angel.' Have you heard of it?" Shen Qi shook her head with slight regret. "I don't think so. I haven't read much lately or kept up with writers." "No worries. When you meet my godmother tomorrow, you can ask her." Liu Yi patted Shen Qi on the shoulder. "Since you're here to relax and have fun, enjoy yourself. Now that you and He Yining have cleared up the misunderstanding, you should have a great time." Shen Qi smiled and nodded. "I will."
Counting the days, today should be the day of the finals judging. She wondered who the ultimate winner would be. But none of that mattered to her anymore.
The two of them spent a long time in Liu Yi's room, enthusiastically planning their sightseeing route. Downstairs, Xu Yunxi was on the phone. "Zi Yao, I'm bringing a little beauty to see you tomorrow. She looks a lot like you." The other person chuckled. "Alright. A girl you like must be delicate and adorable." Xu Yunxi's eyes lit up. "Exactly! Oh, that child is so refined! You know, as a dancer, I love fine things. It's a shame my own daughter turned into a tomboy—it's my lifelong regret! But heaven has eyes. My tomboy daughter brought back such a delicate, lovable child. I can't help but adore her." "Hehe, you've piqued my interest. What's the little girl's name?" The other person laughed softly. "Besides me, is she the only one you'd describe as 'refined'?" Xu Yunxi answered firmly. "Exactly! In this world, besides you, only this little girl deserves that word. Her name is Xiao Qi. I mentioned her last time!" The other person seemed to pause briefly. "Ah, the girl you mentioned. I'm curious now too." "You'll see her tomorrow. Alright, I won't keep you. I need to do my skincare routine." Xu Yunxi complained. "The air's been so dry lately, my skin feels tight. I hate this weather." The other person chuckled softly. "Alright, I brought you the latest skincare products from abroad. Remember to take them tomorrow."
That night seemed especially enchanting. It felt like everyone had gotten their wish that day. Shen Qi and Liu Yi happily arrived home. Xu Yunxi received a villa, named Shuangyun Manor. Liu Yun was happy to give away the villa. Liu Yi's godmother was happy too, because she would see an old friend tomorrow. He Yining, still in M City, was also happy because he had finally finished judging the last match and could go see Xiao Qi. Cui Yuelan was happy too. With He Yining's mother's help, she had regained He Yining's favor. Even if she couldn't make a move yet, successfully mending their emotional rift was enough to make her happy.
It seemed everyone was having a happy night, except for one person. Feng Manlun listened to the report with a grim expression. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "So He Yining snatched another piece of territory?" "Yes." The subordinate looked at Feng Manlun nervously. Feng Manlun stood up, pulled the curtains, and gazed outside. "Got it. You may leave."
Once the room was empty, he threw the newly acquired intelligence to the floor in frustration. He had been striving to catch up to He Yining, so why was he always left behind? Suddenly, Feng Manlun stopped in his tracks. "He Yining, what if I really pull the rug out from under you?" He looked at his reflection in the window and muttered slowly. "Since your company is an iron fortress, I'll have to target Xiao Qi."
A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth. Feng Manlun immediately dialed Shen Qi's number. The phone rang for a while before connecting. Shen Qi's sleepy voice came through. "Senior? Is something wrong this late?" "Xiao Qi, I seem to be in a bit of trouble." Feng Manlun spoke gently. "Where are you now?" "Huh? What kind of trouble? Is it serious? I'm in P City now." Shen Qi answered drowsily. "It's both serious and not. Are you on vacation in P City?" Feng Manlun's tone was soft. "I happen to need to go to P City too. I'll come find you tomorrow." "Mm, okay." Shen Qi was extremely sleepy and agreed half-consciously.
After hanging up, Feng Manlun's smile grew wider. P City? That really was a picturesque place. This season, with the red leaves covering the mountains, it would be a great choice for a stroll to clear one's mind.
Shen Qi's internal clock was still pretty accurate. She woke up with the first rays of morning light. After washing up, she decided to take a walk and stretch her legs.