"Tch! Stingy!"

Yang Chenglin rolled her eyes at him, quickened her pace, and stomped angrily into the car ahead of him.

Gu Xingyi chuckled and quickly followed. The more familiar he got with this onee-san, the more he realized she actually had a great personality—none of the oppressive vibe she gave off at their first meeting.

A textbook case of cold on the outside, warm on the inside.

In the end, Gu Xingyi couldn’t escape treating her to a meal, and Yang Chenglin gleefully enjoyed a big feast at his expense.

After eating, Yang Chenglin drove him to Yin Hai Entertainment. This time, they came to collect the contract—Gu Xingyi’s original goal: Xia Xiyao’s signing agreement.

As the two stepped into the elevator, Gu Xingyi noticed something strange. Yang Chenglin seemed a little low-spirited, despite having just eaten a fancy meal.

He didn’t get it—women’s moods were just too hard to understand! Like the weather, changing in the blink of an eye!

They exited the elevator and headed straight to Yang Xian’s office. He’d clearly been waiting for a while, the contract already laid out neatly on the desk.

With his usual unchanging smile, he greeted Gu Xingyi as the door opened.

"Xiao Gu, it’s a pleasure working with you! The contract is here—take a look and let me know if anything needs adding."

Gu Xingyi nodded, sat down at the desk, and reviewed the contract on the spot.

It was completely standard—three copies. As long as Xia Xiyao signed it, it would take immediate effect. Just like they’d discussed, Yin Hai Entertainment would give Xia Xiyao top-tier resources and the greatest degree of freedom.

Put simply, Xia Xiyao could do whatever she wanted. No one could force her into anything.

Exactly what Gu Xingyi wanted to see. The contract term was two years. Whether she renewed after that was entirely up to her.

After reading everything, Gu Xingyi put the contract away, stood up, and extended a hand to shake with Yang Xian.

"Thank you, Chairman Yang. Looking forward to working together."

Being able to offer such a contract improved Gu Xingyi’s opinion of him quite a bit. At least he wasn’t like those predatory capitalists who laced their contracts with traps.

"No need for thanks. I value your talent, and you value our company’s resources—it’s mutually beneficial."

"And, about your promise to write a song for our company—I won’t bother drawing up a separate contract. I trust your character, Xiao Gu."

Yang Xian stood up as well and shook hands with him.

Of course, Gu Xingyi didn’t refuse but clarified his position.

"No problem. But let me say this up front—I’ll only write main tracks, and I choose who I write for. Don’t let any random cat or dog come asking. I won’t have time for that!"

He had attitude—and the talent to back it up. Yang Xian’s opinion of him just kept improving. But when he glanced at his daughter standing nearby, he sighed to himself again.

What a shame. So young, already married—what was the rush?

"With your talent, Xiao Gu, I wouldn’t ask you unless one of our top artists needed a song. I know that anything you write will be a hit. Not just anyone deserves it."

The two sides wrapped up their cooperation happily.

Then Yang Xian suddenly changed the subject. "Now that you’ve got the contract, are you heading back soon?"

Gu Xingyi wasn’t sure why he was asking, but still answered right away. "Yeah, I’ll go back to the hotel to pack, book a flight, and head out in a bit. My work here is done."

"Is there anything else you wanted to go over, Chairman Yang?"

"No, no! Then I wish you a safe trip home!"

Yang Xian chuckled, but to Gu Xingyi, he looked a bit too happy about him leaving…

He didn’t dwell on it. Gu Xingyi said his goodbyes and got up to leave.

Yang Chenglin walked him all the way to the hotel entrance but didn’t go in. Ever since they’d entered Yin Hai Entertainment, she had seemed strangely low-energy.

"Gu Xingyi! I won’t drive you to the airport—go by yourself. I’ve got something to take care of. Later!"

Gu Xingyi turned and waved.

"Alright. Take care."

Then he turned and walked into the hotel.

Yang Chenglin stared at his back, a strange anger welling up inside her. She hit the gas and sped off.

Finally, I can go home! I miss my little darling!

That was the one thought in Gu Xingyi’s heart right now. He quickly packed up—not much, just a couple of changes of clothes.

Book flight. Check out. Grab taxi. Everything went smoothly.

...

6 PM, Jiangcheng.

Gu Xingyi, with his arms full of gifts, stepped into the familiar, slightly run-down neighborhood, his steps noticeably lighter.

In his eyes, even the weathered walls around him now felt warm and welcoming.

When he pushed open the door to his long-missed home, everything was still spotless inside. A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air. Gu Xingyi took a deep breath and strode into the living room.

The place was quiet. Xia Xiyao and Xiao Nainai didn’t seem to be home.

Not seeing them right away left a small pang of disappointment in his chest.

But in the next second, the door to the master bedroom creaked open, and Xia Xiyao walked out, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

The moment she saw Gu Xingyi, she jolted awake, her eyes widening unconsciously.

She was wearing a camisole nightgown, one strap slipping off her shoulder. Her hair was a mess from sleep, lips slightly parted—a living, breathing sleeping beauty.

Both of them froze. Bathed in the golden light of sunset, they stood there quietly, just looking at each other.

Then Gu Xingyi’s face broke into a beaming smile.

"I’m home."

A blush slowly spread across Xia Xiyao’s cheeks. She stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do, a bit flustered but feeling a subtle wave of sweetness in her heart.

"Mm~~"

She lowered her head and answered softly, absentmindedly pulling the fallen strap back up to her shoulder.

"Oh right, here. I saw someone selling these on the way home. They smelled nice, so I picked some up for you."

Gu Xingyi suddenly pulled out a bouquet of lavender. The delicate purple flowers were in full bloom, bathed in the golden glow of sunset—absolutely beautiful.

Xia Xiyao pressed her lips together, then stepped forward and gently accepted the bouquet from him, her cheeks now fully flushed.

It was the first bouquet of flowers she’d ever received from him. Lavender—symbolizing redemption and hope. She loved it.

"Thank you."

She mustered her courage and looked up at Gu Xingyi, her lashes gently fluttering.

"Have you... eaten yet?"

Gu Xingyi smiled.

"Not yet. I’m guessing you two haven’t either? I’ll make dinner. You go wake up Nainai?"

Xia Xiyao had intended to cook herself. He had just returned from a trip—he must be exhausted. But when she saw the determination in his eyes, and thought about how much better his cooking was than hers… she nodded.

"I’ll go wake up Nainai. She’ll be so happy to see you—she’s been asking about you these past two days."

With that, Xia Xiyao turned and went back into the bedroom—but this time, she left the door open.

Gu Xingyi glanced inside. The master bedroom looked quite different from how he remembered it. Xiao Nainai was sprawled out on the bed, sleeping soundly.

Xia Xiyao gently scooped her up, but the little one didn’t stir.

It wasn’t until she carried her over and kissed her cheek, whispering softly in her ear—

"Nainai, wake up. Papa’s home~"

—that Xiao Nainai finally moved. Her big, round eyes blinked open, scanning the room in a daze.

Then suddenly, they lit up. She stretched her tiny arms toward Gu Xingyi, waving them excitedly.

"Papa! Papa, hold me! Nainai missed you so much!"