Chapter 11-A Home, Not A Space
The past few weeks had passed in a blur of late nights, final adjustments, and meticulous attention to detail. Sienna stood in the center of Li Wei's penthouse, surveying the nearly completed transformation.
What had once been a cold, impersonal space had now become a home—one that reflected not just luxury, but warmth and character. It was a project she had poured her heart into, in more ways than one.
With only one week left in Shanghai, the reality of her departure loomed closer. Soon, she would be walking Li Wei and his team through every room, unveiling the final vision she had worked so hard to bring to life. Yet, despite the pride she felt in her work, there was an undeniable weight in her chest. This wasn't just a project anymore. This space held memories—stolen moments, whispered conversations, and lingering touches.
And soon, she would have to walk away from all of it.
Sienna had insisted that Li vacate the penthouse for the final two weeks so she could perfect every detail for the big reveal. That day had finally come.
A bold red ribbon adorned the front door of the penthouse, a symbol of prosperity and new beginnings.
Sienna stood off to the side, dressed in a curve-hugging red dress that accentuated her figure. Her hair cascaded in soft, wavy curls over her shoulders, and her makeup was flawlessly applied. She held her digital tablet in hand, ready to present the culmination of months of hard work.
When Li Wei, Chen, and Xiao Ming stepped out of the elevator, their gazes immediately landed on her.
Li Wei's dark eyes roamed over her form, his lips twitching as if holding back a comment. Instead, he inhaled deeply, keeping his expression professional. "Shall we?" he said smoothly, his voice laced with anticipation.
Sienna nodded, stepping forward. "Welcome home, Mr. Wei." She untied the ribbon, and with a graceful push, the doors swung open.
A collective inhale filled the space as they stepped inside. The transformation was nothing short of breathtaking.
The living room, once sterile and lacking warmth, now exuded effortless elegance. Deep navy and gold accents played against a backdrop of creamy whites and textured fabrics. A custom-made marble coffee table sat at the center, atop a plush Persian rug that added a touch of old-world charm. The L-shaped sectional, reupholstered in a rich midnight blue, invited comfort, while floor-to-ceiling windows framed the dazzling Shanghai skyline.
"This is..." Chen trailed off, shaking his head in awe.
"Incredible," Xiao Ming finished, running a hand along the back of the sofa.
Li Wei remained quiet, his eyes scanning every detail. The weight of his approval settled in his gaze as he turned to her. "You've outdone yourself."
Sienna smiled. "Thank you, but let's continue."
They moved to the dining area, where a stunning glass chandelier hung above a sleek walnut dining table set for eight. Custom leather chairs, handpicked from a local artisan, added refinement.
"I incorporated traditional Chinese elements subtly," Sienna explained, gesturing toward the ink-brushed artwork on the far wall.
"This piece was done by a Shanghai-based artist. It represents balance and prosperity."
Li Wei stepped closer, his fingers grazing the frame. "You remembered our conversation about balance."
"Of course." She met his gaze, a silent understanding passing between them before she led the group into the kitchen.
The once-cold, industrial space had been completely transformed into a chef's dream. A large island with a quartz waterfall countertop now stood at its center. State-of-the-art appliances gleamed under soft pendant lighting. The deep emerald backsplash added a hint of color and personality.
"This makes me want to cook," Xiao Ming admitted, earning a chuckle from Chen.
Li Wei smirked. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Sienna led them next to the master suite. The moment they stepped in, the energy shifted.
The room was a masterpiece of understated luxury—warm earth tones, soft ambient lighting, and a king-sized bed dressed in the finest silk sheets.
"I wanted this space to feel like a retreat," she said softly. "A sanctuary."
Li Wei's expression was unreadable as he took it all in. His fingers skimmed over the fabric of the duvet, then along the custom headboard. "It does." His voice was low, almost reverent.
They continued through the guest rooms, each one uniquely designed but cohesive with the overall aesthetic.
Finally, Sienna led them to the home office.
"This is where the magic happens," Sienna said with a grin.
Li Wei chuckled. "If only business deals were truly magical."
The space had been reimagined to encourage boldness, creativity and productivity. A sleek yet sturdy desk faced the skyline, built-in bookshelves lined the walls, and a custom reading nook sat in the corner. Traditional Chinese elements were adorned throughout the office with bold splashes of color.
They returned to the living room, where a bottle of champagne awaited. Sienna poured glasses, handing one to each of them.
"To a job well done," Li Wei said, raising his glass.
"To Sienna, for making this place a home," Chen added.
"To new beginnings," Xiao Ming said.
Their glasses clinked, and Sienna took a sip, the champagne fizzing against her lips. She turned to Li Wei.
"We should finalize the paperwork before I go."
Li Wei nodded. "Meet me in my study in an hour."
Later, after Xiao Ming and Chen left, Sienna sat across from Li Wei in his study. She flipped through the documents on her digital tablet, carefully pointing out the areas for him to sign, marking the official completion of the project.
Once he added his signature, she hit submit, emailing a final copy to him. A new notification popped up almost immediately—an email from her bank.
Her breath caught as she scanned the message, eyes widening at the deposit amount.
"Li, this is more than what we agreed on."
"You exceeded my expectations," he said simply. "Consider it a bonus."
She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the tablet. "But—"
His unwavering gaze left no room for argument. "You deserve it, Sienna."
A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it down, finally nodding. "Thank you."
A small, knowing smile played on his lips. "
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