Chapter 212: Warm Moment Captured

John took the phone smoothly and started directing everyone casually.

"Charles, put your arm around Olivia!"

"Yes! Lily, you stand on my side... why are you standing so far away from me!"

Finally, the photo was taken.

In the glow of the sunset, Charles naturally had his arm around Olivia's waist. Olivia leaned against him, her smile gentle and sweet.

John was grinning widely, his arm loosely positioned behind Lily.

Though Lily's expression still showed a bit of feigned disdain, the corners of her eyes and brows carried a smile.

A photo full of warmth and happiness.

On the way back, John drove Lily.

This time, Lily sat in the passenger seat.

Olivia and Charles drove themselves.

Soothing music played in the car. Olivia was playing with the little woven grass rabbit in a great mood.

"Did you have fun today, Olivia?"

Charles drove with his eyes on the road, his voice carrying a smile.

"Yes, I did."

Olivia turned her head to look at him. The streetlights flickered across his chiseled profile.

"It felt like... an ordinary couple, no, an ordinary married couple going out on a date."

"Hanging out with friends...simple and easy, but really comfortable."

Charles freed one hand and held hers.

"Then let's do this more often."

"Okay."

Olivia squeezed his hand back, her heart filled with a solid and warm sense of happiness.

She looked at the night scenery flying past the window, then at Charles, who was focused on driving beside her.

From now on, through thick and thin, daily life, and grand adventures, they'd face it all together.

This feeling was really good.

In the car ahead, the atmosphere had clearly warmed up too.

John played upbeat music, tapping the steering wheel to the rhythm, stealing glances at Lily from time to time.

Though Lily still had her face turned toward the window with a stern expression, at the angle he couldn't see, the corners of her mouth quietly curved into a small arc.

It seemed that for this bickering couple to completely make up and hold hands again, it would just take a barbecue meal or a movie.

Life was clearly looking more and more promising.

But after the fun outing, the work that needed to be done couldn't be delayed.

Because of all that mess with Tyrell and Katya, they'd fallen behind on a lot of progress, and the studio had a pile of backlogged work.

The "Autumn Breeze" project had turned misfortune into fortune and gained great fame, with orders flying in like snowflakes.

But that also meant a much heavier workload.

Olivia was so busy that she barely had any free time, often staying at the studio until late at night.

Charles felt bad watching her, but he couldn't tell her to stop working.

He knew the studio was her passion, the place where she proved herself.

That evening, Charles came to the studio again to pick her up from work.

When he pushed open her office door, he saw her asleep at her desk, which was piled with blueprints. She still clutched a drawing pen in her hand, with faint dark circles under her eyes.

Charles walked over quietly, carefully pulled the pen from her hand, and picked up the thin blanket draped nearby to cover her.

Despite his gentle movements, Olivia woke up.

She rubbed her eyes, her voice hoarse from just waking up.

"You're here... I guess I accidentally fell asleep."

"If you're tired, go home and sleep." Charles touched her face. "Why push yourself so hard?"

Olivia sat up straight and stretched, but her eyes were bright and shining.

"I can't help it, I need to catch up on the progress we lost. Plus, I have a new idea."

She pulled Charles over to a large whiteboard covered with messy lines and concept sketches.

"Look, that 'New Cultural Landmark' project—the public bidding is coming up soon, right?"

Olivia pointed at the whiteboard, her tone growing excited.

"I've been thinking, this landmark shouldn't just be a building. It should be a connection point between Harmony City's past, present, and future—something with warmth and story."

Charles nodded, listening carefully.

Though he didn't understand the specifics of design, he knew how to listen, especially to his wife.

"I grew up in Harmony City and watched it transform from a small fishing village into what it is now."

Olivia's gaze grew distant.

"I remember when I was little, my grandfather took me to the old streets. Those stone-paved roads, the carvings on old houses, and the sound of ship horns from the docks... These things are becoming rarer and rarer now."

"But I don't think they should be forgotten."

She turned to face Charles, her eyes burning with intensity.

"So I want to use modern design language to 'weave' these memories back into this new landmark. Not just simple retro styling, but a kind of... emotional continuation and rebirth."

"So that everyone who sees it can feel the roots and soul of this city."

She spoke with some excitement, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Charles looked at her glowing face, his heart stirring.

He rarely saw her so radiant when talking about design, so... captivating.

Through her description, he seemed to see that picture full of everyday warmth and old Harmony City memories.

"That's a great idea."

Charles held her hand, his tone affirmative.

"It has more depth than those concepts that just pursue exaggerated shapes and novelty, and it's more moving."

Getting his approval, Olivia smiled even more happily.

But then she looked a bit worried.

"The idea is there, but how to actually implement it, how to express those memories and emotions through architectural language—that's pretty challenging."

"Plus, the competitors are all strong. Just the Green Group's reputation alone might not be enough..."

"Who said we're relying only on the Green Group's reputation?"

Charles raised an eyebrow, interrupting her. "This time, we'll try a different approach."

"What approach?"

"The Green Group and Olivia's studio will officially form a deep partnership and bid together."

Charles looked at her, his gaze steady and strong.

"The Green Group will provide resources and channels, and handle structure and engineering implementation."

"You, Olivia, will lead your team as the chief design party, with full authority over creativity and concepts."

"We'll each play to our strengths, and our pitch will be—'An Emotional Dialogue Between Tradition and Modernity.'"

Olivia was stunned. "Joint bidding? Me... as chief design party? Is that... okay? What about the board..."

"I'll handle the board."

Charles's tone left no room for doubt.

"I believe in your abilities, and I believe in the potential of this concept."

"This isn't about helping you out. I'm finding a design with real soul for the Green Group, something that will last."

"We're doing something meaningful together."

The trust and support in his eyes were real and tangible.

Olivia's heart filled up all at once.

He wasn't pitying her or doing her a favor.

He genuinely recognized her talent and vision and wanted to work alongside her to achieve a common goal.

This feeling of being unconditionally trusted and supported by the person you love, and being able to fight side by side—it was just too good!

"Okay!"

Olivia nodded firmly, her eyes reigniting with determination.

"Let's do this together!"