Chapter 78: Establishing Her Personal Brand

Qiao Xi added, “All the clues may point to the Lu Corporation or Lu Yanzhi.”

“But I need you to look beyond the surface and uncover the original source of the funds and the real identity of the donor.”

“Ranran, this is very important to me. I need to know the truth.”

On the other end of the line, Gu Ranran was clearly taken aback, needing several seconds to absorb the weight of Qiao Xi’s request.

Yet she didn’t press for details, answering crisply and without hesitation, “Understood, leave it to me! I’ll dig up the true ‘Brother Snail’ for you, even if I have to search every inch of ground. It will be kept strictly confidential!”

After hanging up, Qiao Xi walked to the window, her heart quietly stirred with emotion.

As evening approached, the last rays of sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the living room in a warm, golden glow.

Qiao Xi nestled in the sofa, absentmindedly watching a television program.

The sound of the door came from the entrance—Fu Yancheng had returned.

He took off his suit jacket, loosened his tie, and his gaze immediately found the slender figure on the sofa.

Fu Yancheng walked straight over, naturally sitting beside Qiao Xi and, with a long arm, drew her into his embrace as she pondered.

“What are you watching so intently?” he asked.

Qiao Xi leaned into his arms, shaking her head.

She was about to speak when she saw Fu Yancheng take a beautifully bound document envelope from his briefcase and hand it to her.

“Take a look at this.”

His tone was calm.

Qiao Xi accepted it with some confusion, undid the string, and pulled out the papers inside.

The moment her eyes landed on the bold characters on the first page, her breath caught—

“Proposal for Independent Operation of ‘Shiguang’ High-End Personal Cosmetics Brand”

“This is… a personal brand for me?”

Qiao Xi’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she quickly flipped through the pages.

This was not merely a gift, but a pledge of unwavering support—a platform lifting her career and dreams to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Fu Group itself.

“Yancheng…”

Qiao Xi looked up, her eyes reddening in an instant. “When did you prepare this?”

Fu Yancheng gazed down at her delighted and touched expression, a gentle curve forming at his lips. “I’ve been planning this for some time.”

“My Xi Xi is the brightest star in the sky—she deserves her own radiance and stage.”

He paused, his voice growing more earnest and deeply tender.

“Shiguang—do you like the name? From now on, you needn’t represent the Fu Group anymore. You are yourself—Dr. Qiao Xi, founder and soul of the Shiguang brand.”

Qiao Xi gazed at the man before her. Not only did he shield her from storms, he was building her a ladder to the stars with his own hands.

Unable to hold back any longer, she threw her arms around Fu Yancheng’s neck.

She buried her face in his shoulder, her muffled voice thick with emotion. “I love it… I love it so much…”

“Thank you, Yancheng…”

Fu Yancheng tightened his embrace, holding her securely.

He lowered his head, his chin brushing the top of her hair, his voice full of indulgent affection and a helpless laugh.

“Silly girl, it’s just a business proposal. You’re this moved already.”

His deep voice was especially gentle in the quiet living room. “Actually, this wasn’t my original plan.”

He had long since sworn to crown her with his own hands, to see all her brilliance and talent receive the highest recognition in the world.

And “Shiguang” was only the beginning of that promise.

He paused, as if recalling something, a hint of regret in his tone. “I’d originally set my sights on a niche but promising luxury cosmetics brand called ‘Snow Kiss’.”

“The design concept and product style were unique. I thought it suited you perfectly and wanted to buy it for you to run.”

Qiao Xi, nestled in his arms, stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Fu Yancheng didn’t notice, continuing in a low voice about the founder and head of that brand, who had been unwavering in their refusal.

No matter how generous the Fu Group’s offer, the answer remained a firm no—unyielding and stubborn to the end.

He gave a helpless laugh and shook his head. “There was no way forward with the acquisition, so I decided to create a new brand tailored just for you.”

“But now, it seems ‘Shiguang’ is even better. It belongs to you completely, built from nothing, with a meaning all its own.”

Qiao Xi was stunned by his words.

So… the reason he tried to acquire Snow Kiss was to give it to her?

When Fu Yancheng finished, he noticed Qiao Xi had been silent for a long while.

He loosened his arms in confusion and looked down, only to see her wide-eyed, nearly shocked expression, as if she’d heard something unbelievable.

“Xi Xi? What’s wrong?” he asked, gently cupping her cheek.

Qiao Xi snapped back to reality, her eyes flickering as she quickly lowered her gaze.

She instinctively licked her suddenly dry lips. “It’s… nothing… I just didn’t expect you’d thought of something like that…”

Fu Yancheng assumed she was simply overwhelmed with joy and didn’t think much of it.

“By the way, the Fu Group’s annual gala is in a couple of days,” he said after a pause. “I’ve already arranged for your gown and jewelry. They’ll be delivered tomorrow morning.”

At this, Qiao Xi managed to pull herself out of her earlier daze and looked at him, her lashes still damp.

“When did you prepare all this… How do you always think of everything…” she murmured.

Fu Yancheng smiled, drawing her back into his arms. “My Mrs. Fu deserves nothing but the best.”

—

On the day of the gala, Fu Yancheng had arranged for a top styling team for Qiao Xi.

The lead stylist respectfully presented her with the gown prepared long in advance—

A floor-length gown in deep ocean blue, shimmering with pearlescent light, exuding utmost elegance.

Then the hair and makeup team invited Qiao Xi to sit, beginning a meticulous transformation that lasted for hours.

When everything was complete, Qiao Xi rose slowly and looked at her reflection in the mirror, and even she was taken aback for a moment.

The woman in the mirror was almost too beautiful to be real.

No longer the bare-faced engineer from the lab, but Mrs. Fu—her radiance had just begun to bloom, impossible to look away from.

Her petite, fair face was softly made up, her eyes bright and dark, the slightly upturned corners painted with delicate allure.

Finally, the stylist swept up her long, lustrous black hair, letting a few softly curled strands fall beside her neck.

This revealed the graceful line of her swan-like neck, adding a touch of lazy elegance to her appearance.

A knock sounded at the door, and Fu Yancheng appeared at the threshold.

He was already dressed, his perfectly tailored black tuxedo setting off his noble and composed demeanor.

When his gaze landed on the gorgeously dressed Qiao Xi, his steps faltered for a moment.

In his deep eyes flashed an unmasked amazement and possessiveness.

With all others gone, only the two of them remained in the spacious bedroom.

Qiao Xi’s heart began to race; she could keenly feel the heat of his gaze—undisguised admiration and deep desire.

Nervous, yet unable to suppress her anticipation, she stole a glance at the tall figure in the mirror as he approached step by step.

Fu Yancheng stopped behind her, extending his arms to wrap her in an embrace.

His voice was low, husky with longing. “There’s still time… The gala—we can be late.”

Qiao Xi’s body tensed instantly, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably.

She understood his meaning at once—there was no mistaking it.