"Like the Moon in the Sky" - Chapter 1

Pinching, filling, assembling, soldering, stacking, layering, weaving, braiding…

Min Min watched as the guest next to her moved from one technique to another, a lifelike butterfly gradually taking shape in her hands.

Her gaze unconsciously drifted to the guest’s porcelain-like face.

This guest had come to their studio half a month ago to learn filigree inlay.

Min Min had been the one to greet her that day.

The weather had been clear, but the winter chill was relentless—even the sunlight offered no warmth. Min Min, who was particularly sensitive to the cold, found her hands and feet turning icy within minutes. She lowered her head and hopped in place a few times.

When she looked up again, a Rolls-Royce Phantom had pulled up in front of her. Its jet-black body gleamed with a beautiful metallic sheen under the thin, cold winter light.

As she stood there dazed, the rear door opened, and a hand emerged—so fair it seemed to rival frost and snow.

It was almost brighter than the sunlight itself.

For fifteen consecutive days, this guest had arrived at their studio without fail, rain or shine, spending entire days learning the craft. Over those fifteen days, her clothes, bags, and accessories never repeated, and even her hair seemed to exude an air of meticulous refinement.

During this time, Min Min’s curiosity and questions had grown like a snowball.

Although their craft carried the prestigious title of “intangible cultural heritage,” it was undeniably tough, tedious, and demanding.

Min Min had taken it up partly out of genuine interest and partly out of sheer financial need.

If she had even a fraction of the wealth this guest clearly possessed—enough to afford just a few of those bags—she might have simply commissioned custom pieces she liked and spent her days lounging at home, eating and lazing about.

Now, as this guest was on the verge of “mastering” the craft and leaving, Min Min couldn’t hold back her burning question any longer.

After all, over the past half month, she’d found the guest to be quite approachable, despite her slight fastidiousness and minor obsession with cleanliness.

“Miss Zhu, what made you decide to learn filigree inlay?”

Zhu Jinyue was in the middle of applying enamel to the butterfly in her hands—a task that required her undivided attention. Her long, curled eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked down and replied, “I wanted to make a birthday gift for my grandmother.”

Min Min, who had been raised by her own grandmother, understood instantly.

Sometimes, no amount of money could compare to the sentiment behind a handmade gift. This was especially true for the ultra-wealthy, for whom money was little more than a number.

Min Min asked, “Putting so much heart into it—is it a major birthday? Will there be a big celebration?”

Zhu Jinyue replied softly, “There won’t be a celebration. She has already passed away.”

Min Min had been imagining how she would celebrate her own grandmother’s seventieth birthday if she had the means. Hearing this, her heart ached. She was very close to her grandmother and couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t know.”

“It’s alright,” Zhu Jinyue shook her head. “It’s been ten years since she passed. I mainly wanted to make something for the tenth anniversary of her passing.”

“To be remembered so fondly by her granddaughter even ten years after her passing,” Xuan Jin, the studio owner, said in her gentle, measured tone. “Your grandmother would be very touched if she knew.”

Zhu Jinyue finished applying the enamel before quietly adding, “I’d be happy enough if she wasn’t angry with me.”

After firing the enamel, Zhu Jinyue brought the finished piece to Xuan Jin for inspection.

Xuan Jin looked it over and smiled. “This is quite good.”

Zhu Jinyue, however, wasn’t entirely satisfied. But given the short time she’d been learning—this was an ancient craft that required years of practice—this was the best she could achieve for now.

“I might have to trouble you again in the future.”

Xuan Jin said, “Come anytime. I’m just happy to see young people still willing to learn seriously.”

When Zhu Jinyue stepped out of the studio, her driver was already waiting by the car.

She slid into the back seat and immediately sprawled out ungracefully.

Xuan Jin was a master artist, and Zhu Jinyue had been there to learn earnestly, so she couldn’t afford to slack off. But after sitting nearly all day for fifteen straight days, her back and shoulders were aching terribly.

Rubbing her shoulders, she sent a message to her best friend Fu Shuyu, who was still studying abroad, to complain.

Zhu Jinyue: 【So tired】
Zhu Jinyue: 【Crying cat.jpg】

Fu Shuyu, who seemed to be free, directly called her.

Zhu Jinyue answered.

Fu Shuyu’s voice came through the phone, “Isn’t this all self-inflicted? You could’ve just learned about these crafts superficially. Did you really have to try every single one yourself?”

“I hadn’t decided what to make yet,” Zhu Jinyue retorted weakly. “And how can you say you understand something without trying it yourself?”

Fu Shuyu, “That draft you showed me last time was already beautiful.”

Zhu Jinyue, “I don’t think it’s good enough.”

“Still not good enough?” Fu Shuyu said. “Or are you determined to create some masterpiece that shocks the world?”

“Of course! Now that I’m this skilled, I have to make something extraordinary to deserve Grandma, and—” Zhu Jinyue wrinkled her nose and kicked the passenger seat lightly, complaining, “I called for comfort, you know.”

Fu Shuyu laughed, “Since when do you need my comfort? What about that bargain boyfriend of yours?”

“Who knows? Working, probably,” Zhu Jinyue said indifferently. “Someone Grandpa approved of—you know the type. A workaholic.”

Fu Shuyu, “Alright then. Go to my aunt’s salon for a wash and massage—put it all on my tab. Should I have dinner sent over too?”

“No need for dinner,” Zhu Jinyue said. “My sister is picking me up for a meal today.”

Fu Shuyu sounded surprised, “Qinghao Jie actually has time to take you out to eat? Is the sun rising from the west today?”

“Pretty much,” Zhu Jinyue laughed.

Someone seemed to be calling for Fu Shuyu on the other end. “Oh, I’ve got something to handle here. Just go ahead—they all know you anyway.”

Zhu Jinyue hummed in agreement and ended the call.

Only then did the driver, Cheng Yan, speak up from the front, “Shall we head out now?”

“Let’s go,” Zhu Jinyue said, slowly sitting up and straightening herself in the seat.

Her sister Zhu Qinghao would pick her up later, so after arriving at Fu Shuyu’s aunt’s salon, Zhu Jinyue gave Cheng Yan the rest of the day off.

A staff member greeted her and led Zhu Jinyue to a VIP room.

Halfway through her hair wash, Zhu Jinyue’s phone rang.

It was Zhu Qinghao calling.

As soon as the call connected, her sister didn’t waste a single second, “Yueyue, I have a last-minute work thing tonight—”

Zhu Jinyue hung up with a sharp click.

Two seconds later, the phone rang again.

She let it ring for a good ten seconds before slowly answering.

Zhu Qinghao still didn’t bother with pleasantries, “Your brother-in-law’s friend has a set of unheated sapphire rough stones. Want me to have him get them for you?”

Only then did Zhu Jinyue speak, “You do realize how many times you’ve stood me up, right?”

“My bad, I’ll make it up to you next time.” Zhu Qinghao said.

Zhu Jinyue didn’t believe her, but her anger flared up quickly and faded just as fast—mainly because she was used to it by now.

“Stop making empty promises. Just go do your thing.”

After hanging up, Zhu Jinyue closed her eyes comfortably and continued enjoying the massage from the staff.

Just a few minutes later, her phone rang again.

Who is it this time?

Zhu Jinyue frowned and opened her eyes.

Oh, it was her “bargain boyfriend,” Fu Zhiwang.

She answered the call, “Why are you calling me?”

The person on the other end chuckled, “Why does it sound like you’re not happy to hear from me?”

Zhu Jinyue, “Not at all. I’m just surprised someone as busy as you has time to call me.”

“Since when have I been busy?”

Her bargain boyfriend laughed again. His voice, transmitted through the phone, was like a deep cello—rich and magnetic, quite pleasant to the ear.

“Your sister mentioned you’re free tonight. My friend is hosting a gathering—the one I told you about a few days ago. Want to come along and have some fun?”

Oh ho.

Zhu Jinyue vaguely remembered it.

But at the time, she had already made plans with Zhu Qinghao, so she had turned Fu Zhiwang down.

Now that Zhu Qinghao had bailed, and she had nothing else to do in the evening—plus, she’d already given her driver the night off—Zhu Jinyue found herself in need of a “driver.” So she agreed, “Alright.”

By the time Fu Zhiwang arrived, Zhu Jinyue’s hair was still being blow-dried.

Catching sight of him in the mirror, she glanced back slightly.

The man looked like he had just stepped out of a business event, dressed in a well-tailored pure black custom suit. However, he had removed his tie and undone several buttons of his white dress shirt, revealing his collarbones. The formal, solemn attire had transformed into the casual style of a leisurely playboy.

This was also what Zhu Jinyue appreciated most about him.

Unlike the work-obsessed members of her family, Fu Zhiwang never shortchanged himself outside of work—he knew how to have fun.

When their eyes met, Fu Zhiwang raised an eyebrow. He walked over to her, car keys in hand, and leaned lazily against the counter. With his free hand, he picked up a strand of her soft, voluminous, shoulder-length curls.

“Almost done?”

Zhu Jinyue swatted his hand away, “Touching my hair as soon as you get here—did you even wash your hands?”

Fu Zhiwang wasn’t bothered.

The little princess cherished by the entire Zhu family was bound to have a temper.

He had known exactly what she was like before their “arranged meeting.”

Besides, Zhu Jinyue had a face that blended beauty and cuteness—her clear, slightly round doe-like eyes grew even more lively when she was upset. Since she was two years younger than him, he was quite happy to indulge her.

“Your sister asked me to come save the day, so why is our little princess still unhappy?”

Zhu Jinyue snorted lightly, “You’re nothing compared to my sister.”

“Zhu Jinyue,” Fu Zhiwang looked down at her, “you’re breaking my heart here. I drove all the way over to pick you up.”

Zhu Jinyue retorted matter-of-factly, “How many years have I known my sister? How long have I known you?”

“Alright, got it,” Fu Zhiwang nodded. “I’ll just have to keep trying.”

Only then did Zhu Jinyue tilt her head and smile.

The Lamborghini sped up the mountainside to a newly opened private club.

Having spent the last few years abroad, Zhu Jinyue hadn’t been here before. After getting out of the car, she saw the club’s name—Shuiyue Li—and couldn’t help muttering, “What kind of messy name is that?”

Fu Zhiwan glanced at her with a smile, “Want me to have them change it?”

Zhu Jinyue could tell he was mostly joking and didn’t take it seriously, replying casually, “Sure.”

Once inside, she learned that the evening was a birthday celebration for Fu Zhiwang’s friend, Ye Qian, who had booked the entire second floor of the club.

They arrived late, and the place was already buzzing with excitement—champagne towers, elegantly dressed guests, and a lively atmosphere.

Zhu Jinyue complained, “Why didn’t you tell me it was Ye Qian’s birthday? I didn’t bring a gift.”

“Your presence alone is enough to honour him,” Fu Zhiwang said.

Zhu Jinyue insisted, “I’ll make it up to him next time. You can help me pass it along.”

“Alright,” Fu Zhiwang agreed, unconcerned about such trivial matters. “Whatever makes you happy.”

The birthday boy himself was seated on a semi-enclosed sofa at the far end of the room. Surrounding him were people Zhu Jinyue had met before—all part of Fu Zhiwang’s inner circle.

After greeting them, Zhu Jinyue noticed Fu Zhiwang scanning the room.

“Is the busy man absent again?” he asked.

“Who?” Ye Qian paused before realizing, “Oh, you mean Ah Huai? He just stepped out to take a call.”

Ah Huai?

The name didn’t ring a bell for Zhu Jinyue, so she asked casually, “Who’s that?”

“A friend of mine,” Fu Zhiwang replied.

Ye Qian chimed in, “You haven’t met Ah Huai yet, have you, little sister Zhu? The last couple of times we hung out, he happened to be busy. He’s been good friends with your boyfriend for years, just like me. You should meet him tonight. Have you heard of Weizhi? He’s the founder.”

Weizhi was a well-known company that started with gaming.

Zhu Jinyue had heard of it, but since she didn’t play games, she only nodded with little interest.

Ye Qian then turned to Fu Zhiwang, “Feel like a round of cards?”

Fu Zhiwang glanced at Zhu Jinyue, “Want to play? I’ll cover your losses.”

Zhu Jinyue wasn’t particularly interested in card games either, “You go ahead.”

“Then sit next to me and watch?” Fu Zhiwang suggested.

Zhu Jinyue pointed toward another area, “I spotted a few familiar faces over there. I’ll go chat with them.”

Fu Zhiwang followed her gaze and nodded, “Sure, come find me if you get bored.”

Zhu Jinyue wandered over and chatted briefly with a few girls she knew. When she looked up again, her eyes inadvertently landed on a man who had joined Fu Zhiwang’s group.

He wore a snow-white turtleneck sweater, and though his features were blurred by distance, there was an indescribable air of purity and clarity about him.

Someone nudged her hand, and Zhu Jinyue snapped back to attention. One of the girls handed her a phone.

“Yueyue, could you take a look at this ring and tell me if it’s worth buying?”

After discussing the latest fashion shows and jewelry with them for a while, Zhu Jinyue received a call from her senior, Ming Chan.

Ming Chan asked over the phone, “Yueyue, are you still not planning to move your studio back and reopen for now?”

Zhu Jinyue replied, “Yeah, I’ll wait a bit longer. I want to finish the gift for my grandmother first.”

“In that case, if you have time after the New Year, could you do me a favour?” Ming Chan asked.

Noticing the seriousness in her tone, Zhu Jinyue pointed to her phone and gestured to the girls that she needed to step out to take the call.

There happened to be a door nearby. Zhu Jinyue walked out with her phone, and the lively atmosphere inside instantly felt distant, replaced by the quiet of the hallway.

After listening to Ming Chan’s request, Zhu Jinyue agreed to meet her for dinner the next day to discuss it in detail.

After hanging up, she realized she was in the hallway leading to the restrooms.

Her hand felt slightly sticky—probably from one of the girls touching her after eating without washing their hands. Glancing at the signs, Zhu Jinyue decided to wash her hands while she was there.

She took a few steps forward and was about to turn the corner when she heard a woman’s voice, tinged with obvious nervousness and hope.

“Could I get your WeChat?”

Zhu Jinyue paused.

The hallway fell silent for a couple of seconds before a man’s voice responded. Unlike Fu Zhiwang’s deep, rich tone, this voice was clear and gentle, even soothing in its delivery.

“Adding someone but not replying to their messages would be rather impolite.”

The woman’s voice instantly brightened with excitement, “No, I’d definitely reply!”

It sounded promising.

Thinking she’d do a good deed for the day, Zhu Jinyue waited patiently, not wanting to interrupt.

Two seconds later, the man’s voice spoke again.

“Miss Zhao, you’ve misunderstood me. What I meant was, if I added you but didn’t reply to your messages, it would be impolite. You deserve to add someone who will respond to you.”

Zhu Jinyue: “…”

What a smooth yet deadly rejection.

The sound of high heels clicked away into the distance.

Presumably, the rejected Miss Zhao had left, but the other set of footsteps remained.

Zhu Jinyue’s patience had run out by now. Just as she was about to walk over, the clear, gentle voice spoke again, this time with a hint of amusement.

“Haven’t heard enough?”

Zhu Jinyue: “…?”

Somehow, his voice and tone felt vaguely familiar, though she couldn’t quite place it.

She took two steps forward, rounded the corner, and immediately caught sight of a tall man’s figure.

Standing in the shadows, most of his face was hidden in darkness, but the snow-white turtleneck sweater he wore looked familiar.

There were no obvious logos—the luxury was hidden in the fabric, giving him an understated, refined elegance.

Was this Fu Zhiwang’s long-time friend?

What was his name again?

Zhu Jinyue looked up and reminded him, “You’re the one blocking the path, you know.”

“Hmm, what I meant was—” His face was still partly obscured, but he seemed to chuckle. His tone sounded even gentler than when he’d rejected the woman earlier, almost as if he were coaxing her. “If you wanted to listen, you could’ve come over and listened openly.”