The documents indicated that Fei Chuan held a percentage of the James family’s vast business empire—an empire guarded closely by powerful forces. And yet, within those pages was a declaration: Fei Chuan was sharing these secrets with her. Including those related to "Zero."
Not only was she being entrusted with knowledge, she was being granted the same protection and authority that the James family gave to Fei Chuan himself.
"-as the James family extend protection to Mr. Fei Chuan," the document stated, "the same rights, safeguards, and entitlements shall likewise be extended to Ms. Bei Sangyun."
At the end of the document was William James’ signature.
Bei Sangyun’s throat tightened. Tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her cheeks.
This foolish man...
What ’gift’?
He wasn’t just showing sincerity.
He was offering her his entire world.
"...How can I accept this?" Bei Sangyun murmured to herself.
How could a man be so foolish as to give away all his lifelines, secrets, and everything he owned... as a gift?
She gently placed the folders back on the table. She really needed to scold that man.
No matter what reasons he had, she couldn’t accept it.
It was... too much. She didn’t deserve it.
She tilted her chin up, trying to keep the tears from falling. After all, she had just done her makeup—she didn’t want to ruin it now.
Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the terrace.
But as she reached the base of the staircase, she froze.
The narrow steps spiraled upward like a path into the stars. Each step was scattered with delicate rose petals in soft hues—blush pink, deep red, and creamy ivory. Along the edge, flameless candlesticks flickered with golden light, their soft glow dancing like fireflies. The air was still and fragrant, carrying the gentle scent of roses.
Bei Sangyun’s heart began to race.
She stepped forward slowly. Somewhere above, she could hear a melody—violin and piano playing in harmony, faint but soul-stirring. The sapphire-blue gems on her earrings caught the light of the candles, scattering glimmers as she climbed. Each step sent her heartbeat soaring faster.
She clutched the railing tightly, trying to steady herself.
At the top, she stepped into a scene so breathtaking it felt like a dream.
A sheer canopy of lights hung overhead, like stars caught in a delicate net, glowing softly against the velvet twilight sky. The terrace floor was dusted with more rose petals, and tall glass holders filled with flameless candles glowed like scattered stardust. The entire space shimmered with magic.
To the side, a vintage CD player played the soft music she had heard. A small round table stood near the terrace edge, set with two elegant glasses, a bottle of wine, and a single sapphire-blue flower in a silver vase.
But Bei Sangyun only had eyes for the man standing beside it.
Fei Chuan stood there in a midnight-blue suit, the deep color highlighting the fairness of his skin and the natural flush of red on his lips. Under the warm golden lights, his striking features looked sharp and alluring. He resembled a prince from a dream—someone who had stepped into the real world to seduce anyone who laid eyes on him.
He held a sapphire-blue flower in one hand, and the moment he saw her, his eyes lit up.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
But halfway there, he stopped—just half a meter away from her. His gaze never left her.
Looking into his eyes, Bei Sangyun recalled a line she once read in a book from a distant memory.
It said that a person’s love would always reflect in his eyes when he looked at the one he loved. No matter how much he tried to hide it, it would show naturally.
Now, she understood it.
Even from this short distance, Bei Sangyun could see it. She could feel it. There was no need for Fei Chuan to say anything—his gaze said it all.
Her heart thumped wildly. It ached in a way that made it feel like it would burst. There were so many things she wanted to say.
But at that moment, her heart was too full. She couldn’t speak. Her throat was tight, choked with emotion.
This foolish man.
He never changed.
He was still the same Fei Chuan who had unconditionally stayed by her grave for so many years. Without expecting a response, he continued to visit, accompany her, and in the end, even breathed his last beside her.
He was still the same silly man who was willing to give everything—without her even asking.
How could someone be so foolishly devoted?
At that moment, the tears she had been holding back finally fell. Like a dam breaking, they blurred her vision.
Fei Chuan, who had been admiring her in her new dress, was stunned to see her suddenly burst into tears. The praise that was about to leave his lips was swallowed down. He hurried over to her.
"What’s wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice filled with worry. He looked her over in a panic, checking to see if she was hurt, though his touch remained gentle.
Seeing him treat her like a precious fragile glass only made Bei Sangyun’s tears fall even harder.
This is unfair. How could someone care this much for another?
Fei Chuan had never seen Bei Sangyun cry like this—except for that day in the garden, when he had cruelly thrown hurtful words at her after exposing his scheme. But this... this was different. She cried without warning.
He grew even more anxious.
"Are you hurt? Did something happen on the way?"
Bei Sangyun shook her head. She still couldn’t speak, overwhelmed by emotion.
Fei Chuan racked his brain trying to understand what might had make her cry. Then he thought of the "gifts" he had prepared. Was it that? Maybe she didn’t like them? Or... maybe he had gone too far?
But those gifts had come from the deepest part of his heart.
"...Is it about the gifts?" he asked gently. "I am sorry. I was too much."
He couldn’t bear to see her cry. If he had known it would make her break down like this, he would’ve given them to her slowly, one by one.