Chapter 19:

The girl's palm was soft and warm. Although she hadn't applied any perfume, there was a subtle sweetness that lingered pleasantly.

Zhou Jingchuan withdrew his hand.

Tang Xi was completely absorbed in the book before her, unaware of the inadvertent touch between them.

The entire afternoon, Tang Xi sat in Zhou Jingchuan’s study reading.

The butler brought in some snacks and thoughtfully purchased a milk tea for her.

However, once Tang Xi found something she liked, she would forget to eat or sleep, paying no attention to the butler’s presence.

The food on the table remained untouched.

The butler glanced up and silently asked the man by the window with his eyes. Zhou Jingchuan was writing calligraphy with a brush. Noticing the butler’s gaze, he shook his head.

The butler respectfully withdrew.

Before leaving, he cast a long, lingering look at Tang Xi.

He had guarded this place for five years, and yet no woman had ever entered Zhou’s residence at night.

Who was this young lady?

Suddenly, a ringtone broke the silence. Tang Xi hurriedly took out her phone.

Afraid of disturbing Zhou Jingchuan, who was still writing, she lowered her voice. “Hello.”

Zhou Jingchuan looked over upon hearing her voice.

Tang Xi pointed to the phone, “It’s my husband’s call. I’ll step out for a moment.”

Zhou Jingchuan nodded.

Last night, a rain shower had scattered osmanthus blossoms across the courtyard, a golden carpet on the ground.

Tang Xi stood beneath the osmanthus tree, speaking on the phone. She smiled softly, a gentle light filling her eyes, as if her entire soul had softened.

Through the carved window, the man stood silently, his gaze fixed unwaveringly upon her.

His eyes held a depth and distance as if separated by countless decades.

When Tang Xi finished the call, she prepared to leave, feeling she had disturbed Zhou Jingchuan too much and was a bit embarrassed.

“Mr. Zhou, your calligraphy is exquisite,” Tang Xi couldn’t help but praise upon seeing his work.

His brushstrokes were like drifting clouds, continuous and flowing, powerful and vigorous—a testament to his mastery in the art.

“Miss Tang, you flatter me. Your paintings are also of the highest order.”

“You’ve seen my paintings?” Tang Xi was surprised. Her works were not widely circulated; they were mostly personal hobbies and ways to pass the time.

“I was fortunate enough to see them,” Zhou Jingchuan set down his brush. “I won’t keep you any longer, please take care.”

The butler escorted Tang Xi all the way to the door.

“Miss Tang, this is from Mr. Zhou,” the butler said, presenting an antique wooden box.

Tang Xi opened it to find a brass key inside.

“This is the key to the Evening Tide Residence. Mr. Zhou said, to thank you for your help today, you may access the books here at any time.”

“Isn’t this too much trouble?” Tang Xi was eager to read those books, but since this was Zhou Jingchuan’s private domain, she felt it was inappropriate.

The butler smiled gently. “The master says it’s no problem. He seldom comes to the capital, even less to the Evening Tide Residence. And since you appreciate those books, it’s a mutual honor.”

Since the butler had said so, Tang Xi accepted the key happily without refusal.

The next day after she returned home, Gu Yu also came back.

Coincidentally, upon arriving at the film studio, his matters had already been resolved. His trip was brief and ultimately in vain.

Soon after, Gu’s father’s birthday arrived.

Because it was his sixtieth, the Gu family took the celebration very seriously.

The banquet was to be held in the backyard of the Gu family villa. Early in the morning, the event company tasked with the celebration was already bustling about.

Tang Xi had a slight headache the previous night. When she woke up, her temperature was 37.5 degrees Celsius.

“Wife, are you feeling unwell?” Gu Yu asked with concern, brushing his hand across her forehead.

“Maybe a cold,” Tang Xi rubbed her nose. “The temperature’s been fluctuating a lot lately.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t go?”

“That won’t do,” Tang Xi shook her head. “It’s my father-in-law’s sixtieth birthday. How can I, as a daughter-in-law, not show up? People would talk.”

Gu Yu hugged her gently, full of tenderness. “I’ll go find some medicine for you.”

After taking the medicine, Tang Xi went to her studio, and the movers she had hired arrived as well.