Chapter 64 – Home, Family, and Late-Night Thoughts
Over on the other side of the city, in the Bai family house, Madam Bai's face twisted with jealousy and frustration.
> "This girl's smarts and talent all inherited from me, her grandmother, but they don't want to acknowledge us!"
She turned sharply to Bai Lang, who sat beside her, eyes narrowing.
> "Didn't you say the people with the camera would help us get money from them? Why is nothing happening? And they're becoming more successful… all that money should be mine!"
Bai Lang's frustration was plain. He had planned everything meticulously with the media, but not only had it failed, it had backfired. A few days ago, he had sent his daughter Bai Ai to manipulate the press, only to have her return with two broken legs. Now, with expenses piling and schemes failing, he stared at the old woman's grim and hangered face, and a plan slowly formed in his mind.
---
Bai Xia arrived home around 8:00 pm. She walked in quietly, joining her family at dinner.
> "Good evening, Mum and Dad," she said politely.
Chu Sun looked at her daughter with a mixture of pride and concern.
> "Xia'er, that thing your company built… it must have taken a toll on you. Rest more often."
Bai Xia nodded, placing a dumpling into her mouth, her expression calm.
Bai Sung's voice rang out, warm and proud.
> "Bai Xia, I'm so proud of you, I'm proud of all of you. Bai Yan, you've handled those hotels very well, leading all of them to four stars and a few to five. Congratulations on your new restaurant project."
Cheers erupted before he continued.
> "Bai Xuan, you have shown much returns and a promising future in the fashion industry. I'd like to say congratulations to you in advance for your clothing launch."
The room erupted in cheers again.
> "Bai Xia, you have shown great returns in your company. You have dominated the technology sector in China. Congratulations to you!"
More cheers filled the room.
> "Bai Yang, you have shown great achievements in sports. I was told you have been appointed team captain of your basketball team. Congratulations to you!"
Again, applause filled the air.
> "Bai Xin, you have showed exceptional talent in piano and music. My congratulations to you on your future projects!"
Another round of cheers.
Finally, Bai Sung looked at his wife, Chu Sun, who blushed slightly.
> "My beautiful wife… I want to tell you that I am truly grateful that you have given me such blessed children. They are above every achievement I've ever made in life."
The whole room radiated warmth, sweetness, and pride.
---
At 1:30 am, in Bai Xia's room, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Picking up her phone, she dialed a family number. The first ring went unanswered. On the second, a groggy voice picked up.
> "Fu Jian, are you asleep?"
> "No, I wasn't. I was just doing something. Is something wrong?"
Bai Xia could hear the heavy sleepiness in his voice.
> "How is your health?"
> "The doctors say I'm healed now. You saved my life, Bai Xia."
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
> "And is your chest still hurting?"
> "Yes, it hurts a little."
> "Why? What's wrong?" she asked, panicking slightly.
> "Because I haven't seen you in a while."
Bai Xia's face turned completely red.
> "You're so thick-skinned," she said, half laughing.
> "I can only be thick-skinned to keep my wife. You're so smart, rich, and beautiful. If I get married to you, I'll definitely be sitting pretty in the future."
> "Who's your wife? I definitely won't let you touch any of my money."
> "If you don't let me touch your money, how will I survive? You know I'm a gold digger."
Bai Xia laughed again, but after her laugh, a silence lingered on the other end.
> "Bai Xia, is something bothering you? Why aren't you asleep?"
> "Fu Jian…"
> "Humm?"
> "Do you miss me?"
> "With all of my being."
> "So when are you coming back?"
> "In two weeks' time."
> "Two weeks? That's too far."
> "Are you missing me too?"
> "Who misses you? I just want you to pay for my clothes and shoes."
> "I can make an exception, but for one condition."
> "What condition?"
> "If I come back in a week, you have to give me a hug and a kiss."
> "A stinky man! You're getting quite ambitious."
Though Bai Xia didn't think much of a hug and kiss — being from another time — she understood it was normal for couples at the fiancé stage.
> "I'll only hug you," she said finally.
> "Your offer is so tempting, my dear Bai Xia, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass and wait two more weeks."
> "Oh…"
> "I think I'll get another illness from being away from you for too long."
> "Don't talk like that," she replied softly.
After a while, they hung up, leaving Bai Xia with a lingering warmth.
---
Her gaze shifted to the new blueprint on her desk. The lines, measurements, and faint equations called to her. To distract herself, she focused on work — a world she could control. The papers weren't just designs; they were possibilities, each curve and angle a promise of something new, waiting to exist.
Bai Xia picked up her pen, tracing lines and scribbling calculations, half-erased numbers forming into meaningful patterns in her mind. She worked quietly through the night, the cup of tea beside her cooling untouched, the city outside hushed under a silvered moon.
She knew tomorrow would bring action, but tonight… tonight was for planning. For preparing. For imagining the next step that could shift the world just a little closer to her vision.