Chapter 274: Real Progress

Runze’s POV

Director Luo’s video feed connects after a brief lag on my screen. She sits behind her desk, looking composed as she adjusts her camera angle. She is the director of the community art gallery that emailed me last week regarding their renovation project, and though we’ve exchanged several messages, this is the first time I’m seeing her face-to-face.

"We were worried you might be too busy with larger contracts now, Mr. Runze," Director Luo says, setting her pen down. "So when our grant came through, reaching out to you was the first thing on our agenda."

"I’m very glad you sent that email," I say, opening the digital layout of the gallery on my display. "I went through the floor plans you attached. The total footprint is workable, but the internal wall arrangement makes the interior feel cramped for a public space."

Director Luo leans forward slightly. "That building used to be a local administrative office before our foundation acquired it. The walls are thick, the hallways are narrow, and the flow of traffic inside is awkward. The back section next to the storage room is so closed off that almost nobody ever walks down there."

"I noticed the main non-load-bearing partition cutting through the middle," I say, pointing my cursor at the layout. "If we tear down that interior partition and open up the central corridor, we can connect the main hall directly to that back corner. It removes the dead end and opens up the entire floor without needing any major structural changes to the building itself."

Director Luo takes a moment to look at her copy of the plan. "That would instantly fix the bottleneck near the entrance. It would save us a lot of money compared to cutting new doors into the exterior walls."

"Exactly," I reply. "Looking at the daily foot traffic for a local neighborhood space, we shouldn’t clutter the center of the floor with permanent display cases. If we move the exhibition panels to the outer walls, we can build wide, low benches in the middle for elderly visitors and students who drop in during the day. It turns the gallery into a functional community space instead of an empty room full of display stands."

Director Luo smiles thoughtfully. "That makes a lot of sense. Most of the other architectural quotes we received just focused on high-end glass cabinets and expensive spotlights without considering how people actually use the space."

"A good design should serve the people who walk through the doors every day," I say. "I’ll draw up a rough conceptual draft based on this layout and send it over to you by Friday. Once your committee reviews it, we can schedule another call to finalize the details."

"Thank you, Mr. Runze," she says warmly. "We look forward to seeing it."

When the video call ends, I pick up a pencil from my desk drawer and pull a fresh sheet of drafting paper toward me.

I work quickly, drawing out the new circulation paths, placing the low central benches, and mapping out the open sightlines across the main floor. It isn’t a finished blueprint, just a rough preliminary sketch to lock down the core concept, but the idea is clear and practical.

When I finish, I grab a pushpin and attach the paper to the corkboard hanging above my desk.

I step back to look at it. The new sketch sits right next to the detailed plans for Grandmother’s project. Looking at both sheets pinned side by side gives me a solid sense of accomplishment. Grandmother’s project is a massive opportunity that came through my family, and this community gallery is a contract I earned entirely on my own merits. When my studio officially opens, my portfolio will reflect real, independent work.

I put my pencil away, close my laptop, and walk out of the study.

I head down the hallway to the nursery. Mrs. Wen is sitting by the crib, quietly folding a stack of small cotton towels. Inside the crib, my daughter Siying is lying on her back, kicking her feet happily against the mattress.

"Young Master," Mrs. Wen says, looking up with a gentle smile as I step inside.

"I’ll take over for a bit, Mrs. Wen," I say, walking over to the crib.

I reach down carefully, supporting Siying’s back and neck as I lift my daughter into my arms. She lets out a small, happy coo as soon as her feet leave the mattress, her tiny hands reaching out to grab the front of my shirt.

"Did you miss your dad?" I ask, holding her close and giving her a gentle bounce. "Hmm? I missed you too."

Siying babbles softly, her wide eyes looking up at my face as her fingers clutch my collar.

"Do you miss your other father, too?" I murmur, smiling down at her as I walk slowly around the nursery. "I know we both miss him, right? He’ll be back soon."

Siying lets out a high-pitched squeak in response, waving one arm wildly in the air.

Mrs. Wen chuckles, putting the folded towels into the drawer beneath the changing table. "She’s been energetic all afternoon. Young Master, you haven’t eaten anything since noon because of your meeting. I’ll head downstairs to the kitchen and bring you up some food."

"Thank you, Mrs. Wen," I say.

She smiles and walks out of the nursery. Just as she steps out into the hallway, one of the young maids leads Ling Yue up the stairs and toward the nursery door.

Ling Yue is still dressed in his work clothes, looking tired from a full day at his office, but his eyes light up as he sees us. In his hand, he carries a small luxury paper bag.

"Young Master, Mr. Ling Yue has arrived," the maid says quietly before bowing and stepping back downstairs.

"Look who’s here," I say, turning toward Ling Yue while holding Siying safely against my chest.

Ling Yue walks over to where I am standing, running a hand through his hair to loosen up after the long workday. He steps close to me, his expression softening into a relaxed smile as he looks down at Siying with quiet affection.

"I brought this back for Siying," Ling Yue says, reaching into the paper bag and pulling out a small velvet jewelry box.

He opens the lid, revealing a delicate white-gold bracelet with a small, pale jade bead resting against the velvet lining. I realize what it is immediately, the gift Ling Yue had mentioned buying for Siying weeks ago, before Jin Hao had taken him to the villa.

"Jin Hao came by the cafe near my office during my break today," Ling Yue explains, his tone quiet and steady. "He brought the bag with him and apologized."

Seeing how calm and grounded Ling Yue looks, I don’t pry or press for details. He seems completely at peace with where things stand.

"I see... It’s beautiful, Ling Yue," I say, looking down at the pale jade bead. "Siying is going to love it."

I carefully sit down on the armchair with Siying in my arms. Ling Yue steps closer, taking the white-gold bracelet out of the box. With gentle, careful hands, he unclasps the band and slips it around Siying’s tiny wrist before securing the clasp.

The small jade bead rests against her fair skin. Siying lifts her wrist, staring curiously at the shiny metal before clapping her small fisted hands together and babbling loudly.

"Look at that," Ling Yue says, a bright smile spreading across his face as he gently touches Siying’s little fingers. "It fits her perfectly."

"It really does," I say. "Thank you, Ling Yue."

"How’s work going at the company?" I ask. "Are you still drowning in files?"

"Not anymore," Ling Yue says with a light chuckle. "I finally caught up on the last stack of backlogged documents today. My team leader said he’ll assign me a new project next week."

"That’s great news," I smile. "It sounds like you’re getting into a good groove."

Before Ling Yue can answer, Mrs. Wen returns carrying a large tray. On it are two piping-hot bowls of noodles accompanied by a small dish of pickled radishes, having prepared an extra serving knowing Ling Yue was visiting and how much he loves her cooking.

"Young Master, Mr. Ling," Mrs. Wen says, setting the generous spread down on the table beside us. "Eat while it’s hot."

Ling Yue’s eyes light up at the sight of the bowl. "Mrs. Wen, you’re the best. I’ve been craving your noodles all week."

"Eat as much as you like, Mr. Ling," Mrs. Wen says with a warm smile before quietly leaving us to enjoy the meal.

Ling Yue reaches out his arms toward Siying with a grin. "Let me hold her for a bit so you can eat."

"Alright," I say, gently handing Siying over to him.

Ling Yue holds her effortlessly, cradling her against his chest while Siying babbles and grabs at his fingers. I pick up my chopsticks, watching my daughter play happily in my friend’s arms as the room fills with a quiet, comfortable warmth.

The chaotic days are far behind us now. With every small step forward, our lives are settling even deeper into the steady, solid rhythm we’ve built.