Chapter 366: How Could There Be No Wedding Candy?

The next morning, Xia Xi went to the company and summoned Huang Shiyu to the office.

The project discussed at yesterday's meeting was the renovation of a coffee shop, requiring a strong countryside style because it is located beside a small river in the suburbs. It is currently in the preliminary discussion stage, and no formal contract has been signed yet.

"Sister Xi, you called me." Huang Shiyu closed the office door and walked to the desk.

Xia Xi held a push-button pen, its tip pressed against the desktop, clicking as she pressed it repeatedly: "What do you think about the coffee shop's renovation?"

Huang Shiyu: "Me?"

Xia Xi pushed a gray folder toward her, tapped it twice with her finger, and got straight to the point: "You've been with me almost a year; I've seen your work ability. I mean, would you like to try handling this coffee shop project as practice? The owner's request is simple: a countryside style that blends with the surrounding scenery, nothing else."

Huang Shiyu pointed at her own nose in disbelief and said the same word: "Me?"

Xia Xi was amused by her reaction and nodded: "Exactly, it's you."

Huang Shiyu opened her mouth, remained silent for a while, needing time to digest.

"Do you really want to be my assistant forever, never considering a promotion or raise?"

Xia Xi's sentence struck straight at the heart.

Huang Shiyu felt embarrassed to admit her ambition, muttering: "Being your assistant isn't bad either."

Xia Xi set down the pen, crossed her arms leaning against the chair back: "If you're going to say that, then I'll give the project to someone else. Pei Yichuan seems quite interested."

"Um..." Huang Shiyu's face flushed with anxiety before she admitted her true thought: "I want to try, but will the client agree?"

"That's my responsibility to worry about; I'll communicate clearly with the other party."

Huang Shiyu felt both excited and uneasy: "But I'm worried I might not do well—what if the client isn't satisfied?"

"Everything has a first time." Xia Xi could empathize with her feelings, having gone through it herself. To build her confidence, she softened her tone: "Besides, I'm here behind you to hold the fort. Go ahead and do it; once you have a plan ready, I'll review it."

Huang Shiyu hesitated no longer: "Thank you, Sister Xi." Her eyes grew warm, moved to the point of not knowing what to say.

Xia Xi stood up, walked out from behind the desk, patted her shoulder: "Do a good job."

Huang Shiyu nodded firmly: "Mm."

"All right, nothing else. Go do your preparations." Xia Xi walked to the bookshelf, pulled out a few books, and handed them to her: "Flip through them when you have time; they'll help."

Huang Shiyu hugged the books to her chest, overjoyed, shaking her head and giggling twice as she backed out of the office.

These days, Xia Xi's life has been a three-point line: company, home, and Su Jinru's place.

She and Xia Yue took turns comforting her; Xia Xuan's emotions stabilized considerably, she ate and rested on schedule, no longer locking herself in her room. She also had Xia Xi come home once to bring her computer and drawing tablet so she could get back to work.

Xia Xuan said: "I previously promised the publishing house two cover illustrations and four interior illustrations, signed the contract, but progress is only halfway; I've already collected the deposit, so I must deliver on time."

After explaining to her two sisters, she put on over-ear headphones and buried herself in drawing, working intensely.

Soon a draft appeared on the computer screen, the lines messy but the general outline discernible.

In work mode, Xia Xuan forgot all her worries—Chen Songbai, Miao Yijia, everything shut out of her world; her mind held only the image on the screen as she considered the next composition.

Xia Xi and Xia Yue exchanged a glance and left the room.

Xia Yue whispered: "What exactly is Chen Songbai planning? No divorce, no other moves—just this stalemate."

"Don't worry about him." Xia Xi glanced at the closed door, voice soft: "Just look after Xuanxuan."

She had never told Xia Xuan that Chen Songbai was very likely innocent, that nothing had happened between him and Miao Yijia. Before the matter is resolved, she cannot give Xia Xuan false hope.

Even if there's only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, if the hope comes to nothing, it will only bring Xia Xuan greater harm.

Xia Yue sighed, feeling heartbroken for her little sister yet powerless. Xia Xi could see it, and naturally Xia Yue could too: Xia Xuan still loves Chen Songbai, can't bear to leave him, and can't tolerate his mistake; even though her mood has improved a bit and she shows nothing, one can imagine her inner turmoil is agonizing.

"Mom is cooking; want to stay and have something?" Xia Yue said.

Xia Xi glanced at her watch; it was still early, she had only been there about twenty minutes: "No, I'm going home to eat; Zi Heng and Xu Yanfeng are waiting for me at home."

Xia Yue sympathized with her hard work and said: "I'll keep an eye on Xuanxuan, make sure nothing happens to her. As for you, you don't need to keep running back and forth; with work so busy, take care of your health."

Xia Xi laughed, gave her a hug, lightly patting her back: "Lately it's been fine, not especially busy."

Xia Yue saw her to the door. While waiting for the elevator, Xia Xi turned around, thought a moment, and said: "Xu Yanfeng and I are about to get our certificate; Xia Xuan is feeling down, so we're not celebrating—just let you know."

Xia Yue stared blankly for a moment; after days of gloom, she finally heard some good news, the corner of her mouth lifting: "Congratulations."

It wasn't easy for Xia Xi to get back together with Xu Yanfeng either; Xia Yue genuinely felt happy for her, and as she turned to go inside, her eyes welled up. Perhaps after enduring many bad things, even a little joy easily moves her to tears.

On Saturday, Xia Xi went to Su Jinru's house again, taking Xia Xuan out for a stroll to relax.

Xia Xuan held a cup of room-temperature fruit and vegetable juice, following Xia Xi as they leisurely wandered the mall, entered a women's clothing store, and Xia Xuan headed straight to the floor-to-ceiling window. There hung a row of dresses; Xia Xi hurried over: "Do you see anything you like? I'll buy it for you."

"Sis, I have money." Xia Xuan lowered the straw, blinked, her expression a little proud: "Do you know how much one of my commercial illustrations sells for?"

Xia Xi smiled and asked along with her: "How much?"

"Over two thousand, and that's just the basic rate; for a full-body double portrait, the price goes up." Xia Xuan pointed outside: "I'm not looking at the dresses; I'm looking at the shop across the way."

Xia Xi looked across the street; on the first floor was a newly opened candy shop, perhaps only a few days in business, with neat tripod flower baskets of wheat stalks at the entrance, and a banner hanging that read "New Store Opening," everything at 20% off.

"Let's go buy some candy later." Xia Xuan turned to look at her, smiling: "I heard Big Sis say you and your brother-in-law are getting your license—how can there be no wedding candy? Aren't you planning to give some to your company colleagues? After all, it's a happy occasion."

Xia Xi rubbed her forehead: "If you hadn't mentioned it, I really wouldn't have thought of that."

Xia Xuan: "Should I be thanked for reminding you?"

"Yes." Xia Xi rubbed her head.

They bought two skirts in the store, Xia Xi carrying them, the two walked out hand in hand, crossed the road to the opposite side, and entered the candy shop. It happened to be a day off, and with the opening event, the store was full of customers; the originally spacious aisles were a bit crowded.

Inside, the decor was cozy; everything in sight was macaron-colored, filled with a sweet aroma, rows of metal shelves holding acrylic boxes packed with various candies.

Xia Xuan tore off a few plastic bags, bent over to look at the labels on the acrylic boxes, picking flavors she liked. Xia Xi followed her, adding casually: "Buy a bit more; I have many colleagues."

Xia Xuan handed her two bags: "Don't just watch—you pick too; there are so many varieties, I can't choose them all."

Xia Xi took the bags, was about to look at the chocolate on the opposite wall, when her gaze shifted and she caught sight of a familiar face among the moving customers.

Xia Xuan tapped her arm: "This filled soft candy looks delicious, only a little left—call the attendant to restock…"

Xia Xi didn't respond; Xia Xuan tilted her head in confusion, but saw her staring in a direction. Following her gaze, she saw Miao Yijia in the crowd, wearing a long strap dress printed with large patches of vivid oil painting, a black velvet bow tied on her shoulder, smiling as she turned her head to chat with her companion.

In an instant, the smile on Xia Xuan's face froze, her blood surged.