Ning Yuxuan never imagined that things would end up with Xie Zhiyan, Ning Fei, and herself all going to the supermarket together.
When it came to winning the favor of elders, Xie Zhiyan seemed to be naturally gifted, as if all his skill points were maxed out.
Back in the day, Xie Zhiyan was the classic example of “that perfect kid.” In middle school, Ning Yuxuan often heard from teachers and other parents about his impressive achievements.
Although Ning Fei didn’t say much, Ning Yuxuan could tell that she really liked her best friend’s son.
Ever since Xie Zhiyan invested in Huayuan, Ning Fei’s attitude toward him had become incredibly warm and friendly.
Ning Yuxuan almost wanted to tell Ning Fei that Xie Zhiyan’s willingness to invest was actually because she had exchanged a bright red notebook from her bag—not because Xie Zhiyan was just a nice guy.
After leaving the villa district, it took less than ten minutes on foot to reach a comprehensive supermarket.
Xie Zhiyan parked the car in the villa’s garage, and the three of them walked to the supermarket.
Ning Fei walked in the middle, Ning Yuxuan linked arms with her mother on the right, and Xie Zhiyan walked on their left.
Xie Zhiyan and Ning Fei started chatting about Zheng Xinmei, and Ning Fei laughed heartily at his teasing.
“You’re spinning tales about your mom like this? Next time I see Xinmei, I’m going to have a serious talk with her about you.”
They were deep in conversation, so much so that Ning Yuxuan felt a bit out of place.
After just a few sentences, Ning Fei extended an invitation: “Zhiyan, Xiao Yue is coming back tonight. Remember how clingy he was to you when he was little? If you’re free tonight, why don’t you join us for hotpot?”
Ning Yuxuan had already anticipated how things would unfold: “He—”
“Sure,” Xie Zhiyan replied even faster than she could, “I’m not busy today anyway.”
Ning Yuxuan: “...”
Looks like on the very first day they got their marriage certificate, she was destined to see this face all day long.
At the supermarket, Xie Zhiyan went to grab a shopping cart.
It was still early before dinner time, so the supermarket wasn’t crowded. The three of them strolled leisurely.
Most of the ingredients for hotpot were frozen, so they first picked up some snacks and drinks.
Of course, Ning Yuxuan did most of the shopping since Ning Fei and Ning Shiyue didn’t really eat snacks at home.
Ning Fei mentioned the specialty Xie Zhiyan had sent last time from Xingcheng: “By the way, Zhiyan, I haven’t properly thanked you for the specialty Xiao Yue brought back last time. Especially that brand of dried tofu—Yuxuan really likes it. She said she couldn’t find it online and even wanted to find someone to buy it on her behalf.”
Xie Zhiyan gave Ning Yuxuan a meaningful glance before smiling gently at Ning Fei: “Really? I had no idea about that.”
Ning Yuxuan: “...”
What Ning Fei said was true. That brand of dried tofu was better than any she had tried before, and it was so rare that Ning Yuxuan couldn’t even find it on any online store despite searching with photos.
But to go out of her way to ask a busy man like Xie Zhiyan just for a pack of dried tofu seemed a bit ridiculous, so she let it go.
Just now, when Xie Zhiyan looked at her in that suggestive way, Ning Yuxuan suddenly felt she was still too understanding.
Ning Yuxuan deliberately spoke slowly, “Since we’re on the topic, Xie Zhiyan, how about you become my personal shopper? Every time you or your friends go to Xingcheng, you could bring me back a few packs of dried tofu. How does that sound?”
Xie Zhiyan replied without changing his expression, “Sure.”
Ning Yuxuan: “It’s a deal then! If you ever forget, I’ll hold you accountable!”
Xie Zhiyan, clearly entertained, played along, “Should we sign a contract?”
Ning Yuxuan, fired up by his teasing and competitive spirit, snapped back, “...Fine! I’ll draft the terms for you to sign as soon as we get home!”
The two of them bantered back and forth, while Ning Fei stayed silent, watching her daughter and Xie Zhiyan thoughtfully.
From what Ning Fei knew, ever since she stopped taking her daughter to the Xie family, Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan hadn’t been in contact for several years.
Their relationship… was it really that good?
Halfway through their supermarket trip, Xie Zhiyan’s phone rang—it was his assistant.
If it weren’t for an urgent work decision, the assistant wouldn’t have disturbed him so casually.
Xie Zhiyan found a quiet corner to take the call, while Ning Fei and Ning Yuxuan continued walking ahead.
Ning Fei glanced back at Xie Zhiyan in the distance, then asked her daughter, “Yuxuan, you and Zhiyan…”
Ning Yuxuan blinked, “What?”
Ning Fei hesitated, “That person you said was pursuing you before... was it Zhiyan?”
Ning Yuxuan froze for a second.
She almost forgot that after finishing a livestream the other day, she had mentioned having a suitor to Ning Fei in her room.
After asking, Ning Fei shook her head slightly, as if she couldn’t quite believe it.
She had asked on a whim, but thinking it over carefully, the possibility of Xie Zhiyan pursuing her daughter seemed very slim.
Firstly, Ning Fei knew this close family friend’s son well and understood that Xie Zhiyan’s personality was worlds apart from her daughter’s.
Secondly, Ning Fei thought, if Xie Zhiyan really liked her daughter, he would have shown it years ago. Why wait until now?
Besides, Zheng Xinmei and she were the two people who knew the kids best, and neither had noticed any signs over the years.
It was probably just her overthinking.
Ning Yuxuan had been hesitating whether to go along with it and admit it, but seeing Ning Fei deny it first, she immediately felt defiant.
“Mom.” Ning Yuxuan tugged at Ning Fei’s arm and nodded toward Xie Zhiyan’s direction, “What does your shaking your head mean? Do you think it’s impossible for him to be interested in me?”
Ning Fei: “Well, not exactly…”
Ning Yuxuan looked at her mom and, pretending to be serious, made her case, “Just look at your daughter—this face, this figure, and such a great personality. Isn’t she worth him seriously pursuing?”
Ning Fei couldn’t help but laugh at her daughter, “Yes, yes, she definitely is!”
“Exactly!” Ning Yuxuan said seriously, “That’s why I’m carefully considering it. Even if Xie Zhiyan’s conditions are decent and he really likes me, I’m not that easy to win over…”
Ning Fei hesitated, about to say something: “Xuanxuan…”
Ning Yuxuan’s face remained calm, unfazed: “Did I say something wrong?”
Ning Fei shot a glance behind her.
Ning Yuxuan suddenly realized something.
She turned around to look, and Xie Zhiyan, having finished his phone call sometime ago, was now standing right behind her.
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
These past few days, whether on the show or at home, it was Ning Yuxuan who had been putting Ning Shiyue on the spot, leaving him speechless.
Seeing her daughter finally at a loss for words was rare, and Ning Fei couldn’t help but laugh while smoothing things over for her daughter: “Sorry, Zhiyan, Ning Yuxuan and I were just joking.”
A faint smile appeared in Xie Zhiyan’s eyes: “I know.”
Ning Yuxuan stood next to Ning Fei, glaring at Xie Zhiyan.
Xie Zhiyan subtly raised an eyebrow and calmly added, “And Yuxuan really is exceptional. I also… like her very much.”
He deliberately slowed down the last few words, locking eyes with Ning Yuxuan without a hint of emotion.
Suddenly, Ning Yuxuan’s heart skipped a beat.
…
After Gu Yunhao found himself blocked by Ning Yuxuan, all the frustration inside him had nowhere to go.
Just then, Cen Meng called.
Gu Yunhao answered impatiently, launching into a tirade: “Didn’t I tell you not to come looking for me these past few days?”
A couple of days ago, he and Cen Meng had agreed that, for the sake of their future, they needed to lay low and avoid meeting for a while.
Otherwise, if the paparazzi caught them, it would be bad for both Cen Meng and the Gu family’s reputation.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Cen Meng’s voice came through, tinged with hurt: “Yunhao… what’s wrong with you? I didn’t say I wanted to meet you, I’m just calling…”
Gu Yunhao took a deep breath.
He realized his attitude towards Cen Meng had been harsher than before.
It was all because Ning Yuxuan kept pulling at his heartstrings, unsettling his emotions.
He told himself: this isn’t right.
The person he loved had always been Cen Meng. How could he be impatient with the one he loved just because of a woman he had already let go?
Gu Yunhao forced himself to regain patience and softened his tone: “Sorry, Mengmeng, I was in a bad mood and took it out on you.”
After a moment, the gentle voice on the other end replied: “It’s okay, Yunhao, I know you didn’t mean it.”
Gu Yunhao felt a little relief in his heart.
His choice was right after all—only his Mengmeng could be so understanding, so gentle and lovely.
“Why did you call me, Mengmeng?”
“Yunhao, I heard… the Xie family invested in the hotel owned by Ning Yuxuan’s family?”
That was like pouring salt on his wound.
Gu Yunhao instantly grew irritated again, forcing himself to reply, “Yeah, so what?”
“Yunhao, do you think Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan might be—”
“Impossible!” Gu Yunhao denied without a second thought. “Absolutely impossible!”
He slowly exhaled. “Mengmeng, what exactly did you call me for? Just to say these ridiculous things? You have to understand, I’ve sacrificed so much just to be with you!”
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds.
Cen Meng gripped her phone tightly.
How could she not feel Gu Yunhao’s impatience toward her today?
But since the recent incident almost implicated Gu Yunhao, she had to endure and hold back her feelings, so he wouldn’t grow tired of her and to win back his love.
No matter how bad Gu Yunhao’s attitude was, she had to maintain a gentle and steady demeanor.
Besides, only Gu Yunhao could help her with what she wanted to do now.
These past few days, Cen Meng had been having a recurring dream.
In the dream, she had everything she desired: love, wealth, and career success, while Ning Yuxuan lost everything and was left with nothing.
At the very end of the dream, she stood as the absolute victor, looking down on Ning Yuxuan from above, mocking her for being overambitious and greedy.
But when she woke up, all those things she longed for still belonged to Ning Yuxuan.
Cen Meng was unwilling to accept this; she was determined to change everything.
“Yunhao,” Cen Meng said softly, “didn’t you say your father gave you some money, and you wanted to enter the hotel business? Since Ning Yuxuan and her group are opening a new branch in Tongxing District, why don’t we acquire a chain hotel there too? Didn’t you recently have your eye on a high-end hotel that’s reasonably priced?”
Upon hearing this, Gu Yunhao sneered inwardly: women really have no idea about these things.
He patiently explained, “That’s what I thought before, but now that Xie Zhiyan has invested, hotel prices in Tongxing District have gone up. Although the increase isn’t huge, I’ve calculated that if we buy that hotel at the current price, the funds left for renovation and opening will be extremely tight.”
His father had only given him limited funds to train him, and he had to handle all negotiations himself.
Those people treated him politely because he was the eldest grandson of the Gu family, but they didn’t take him seriously—they saw him as just a kid playing house.
At first, Gu Yunhao didn’t realize this and even felt pleased that everyone was so courteous to him.
Later, he discovered that while they treated him with great respect, the moment money was involved, they kept dodging and never put real cash on the table.
Thinking about how many obstacles he’d encountered and how much time he’d wasted recently, Gu Yunhao felt annoyed.
Cen Meng said, “Yunhao, I have an idea.”
Gu Yunhao asked, “What is it?”
Cen Meng replied, “I remember you told me your grandfather is going to have dinner with the richest man in Jincheng soon, someone who is your grandfather’s close friend despite their age difference.”
“I said it before, so what—” Gu Yunhao stopped halfway, “Are you saying…”
“Yes,” Cen Meng said firmly. “I heard that the Lin family, the richest in Jincheng, mainly deals in electronic equipment, including all kinds of appliances for hotels. Why don’t you ask your grandfather to take you along to some social events? Try to get to know Mr. Lin. It might help.”
Gu Yunhao pondered for a moment.
He had always thought Cen Meng was just a clever woman with a bit of wit but clueless about business. Yet, he had to admit, her suggestion this time sparked his interest.
The biggest expenses in hotel renovations, besides the hard construction, were all the electrical devices.
From TVs and projectors to air conditioners and water heaters, plus countless other gadgets—all of them required a huge financial investment.
If he could secure a long-term deal with the Lin family and get favorable prices, his funds would suddenly become much more flexible.
And, on top of that, his family wouldn’t look down on his abilities anymore.
After some calculation, Gu Yunhao found Cen Meng’s proposal quite feasible.
He said happily, “Mengmeng, you really opened my eyes. You’re right. I’ll ask my grandfather later to help me get introduced to Mr. Lin from Jincheng.”
Hearing this, Cen Meng was also pleased. “I’m glad I could help. Yunhao, go take care of it quickly. I’m fine here. Once the rumors online settle down a bit, I’ll come find you.”
…
At the supermarket.
Ning Fei didn’t take Xie Zhiyan’s comment about liking her daughter as a romantic hint. She thought it was just a polite way for him to defuse the awkwardness.
After all, a busy supermarket isn’t exactly the place for heartfelt confessions.
The three of them strolled through the frozen food aisle, gathering all the ingredients needed for hotpot.
By the time they got home, it wasn’t yet dinner time, and Ning Shiyue had already messaged saying he was still on his way back.
Ning Yuxuan simply pulled Xie Zhiyan into the study, where they discussed hotel matters for quite a while.
By around five in the evening, Ning Shiyue finally arrived.
He had heard that Xie Zhiyan was home today, but seeing him there still made Ning Shiyue a little uneasy.
“Mr. Xie…” Ning Shiyue stood in the living room, awkwardly greeting him.
Ning Fei found her son’s demeanor amusing. “Xiaoyue, stop standing there like a statue and come help me carry things out of the kitchen.”
Xie Zhiyan said, “Auntie, Shiyue and I will take care of it. You just rest.”
Ning Fei nodded, “Alright then, you two young men come on.”
Xie Zhiyan and Ning Shiyue went to the kitchen together, carrying out the stove and ingredients.
After a few trips, Ning Shiyue felt less distant around Xie Zhiyan and called him “Zhiyan-ge” just like before.
The four of them sat down in the dining room, Ning Fei and Ning Yuxuan on one side, Ning Shiyue and Xie Zhiyan opposite them.
The hotpot base was just like the ones they used to have at home— a yin-yang pot. But this time, there was one more person enjoying the spicy side.
Ning Fei noticed Xie Zhiyan picking up a meatball from the spicy broth and curiously asked, “Zhiyan, I remember you didn’t really eat spicy food when you were little, right? When did your taste change?”
Xie Zhiyan replied calmly, “My mother preferred mild flavors when I was young, so I followed her. But as I attended more social gatherings later on, I started trying different tastes.”
Ning Fei nodded. “That makes sense. People’s tastes do change over time. Shiyue hated eating braised dishes as a child—he’d cry whenever he ate them. But now, he can eat some of it.”
Hearing this, Ning Shiyue glanced at Ning Yuxuan.
Having just finished a shrimp dumpling, Ning Yuxuan caught his look and shot back, “What are you trying to say?”
Ning Shiyue snorted softly. “Actually, I still don’t like braised pork. I just force myself to eat a little because Yuxuan loves it…”
Ning Fei smiled. “When a family eats together, everyone has to make some compromises.”
She loved both children equally.
But when it came to her daughter, Ning Yuxuan, Ning Fei’s feelings were different—she was willing to accommodate her more.
Not only was Yuxuan her firstborn, but after giving birth to her, everyone in the Lin family except Ning Fei and her husband looked down on them both.
Especially before Ning Yuxuan turned five, her health was fragile, and she was sick frequently.
Ning Fei would never forget that family banquet at the Lin household, when her sister-in-law openly showed disdain in her eyes as she looked at her: “An uneducated actress, giving birth to a sickly, money-draining daughter. I don’t understand what Yuanfeng was thinking, always standing up to the old master for you.”
Because her husband’s love for her remained as strong as before their marriage, even though he couldn’t fully shield her from the family’s pressure, he did his best to protect her from gossip. That was why Ning Fei didn’t choose to divorce immediately.
She always felt that since the Lin family disliked her daughter so much, she had to protect and love Yuxuan twice as much, ensuring her daughter would never be hurt.
Later, Ning Fei gave birth to Ning Shiyue, and the Lin family’s attitude toward her improved somewhat.
But by then, Ning Fei was completely disillusioned with married life. Even her husband’s love couldn’t make her endure being trapped in the Lin family’s old mansion any longer.
Once her daughter and son grew older, and Yuxuan’s health improved, Ning Fei resolutely divorced and left Jin City with her two children.
At that time, her husband was not highly regarded at home, and the Lin family’s eldest and second brothers already had several sons. So when Ning Fei proposed leaving with the children in exchange for a clean break, the Lin family didn’t resist much.
Her husband’s two older brothers and their wives were more than happy for her to take the children and never come back, so they wouldn’t have to share any of the Lin family’s inheritance.
Back then, no one could have imagined that with the passage of time and a twist of fate, it would be her former husband, Lin Yuanfeng—the youngest son of the Lin family—who would one day become the main authority in the Lin household.
“...Mom?”
Ning Fei was momentarily lost in thought before realizing Ning Shiyue was calling her.
She offered her son an apologetic smile. “It’s nothing, just reminiscing about the past. Mom’s getting old and can’t help but think about old memories sometimes.”
Ning Yuxuan pouted beside her. “Mom, you’re not old at all! Didn’t you see the comments on Weibo’s trending page? Everyone says time only makes a beauty more graceful. You’re still as elegant and beautiful as ever!”
Ning Fei’s face lit up with a smile. “Only you know how to flatter me.”
Though she had come to accept the natural aging process, hearing her daughter’s words still warmed her heart.
“Oh, right,” Ning Fei said, “where were we just now?”
Ning Shiyue replied, “We were talking about the different tastes between Yuxuan and me.”
“That’s right,” Ning Fei nodded with a smile and turned to Xie Zhiyan across from her. “You probably don’t know this yet, Zhiyan, but since they were little, Yuxuan and Shiyue have had completely opposite tastes. Shiyue and I prefer lighter flavors, while Yuxuan loves spicy food. Shiyue likes steamed dishes; Yuxuan is all about braised flavors.”
A gentle smile flickered in Xie Zhiyan’s eyes as he asked softly, “So, Auntie, how did you manage that?”
Ning Yuxuan shot Xie Zhiyan a quick glance.
This man really knows how to change his face.
At this moment, Xie Zhiyan wore a warm smile, exuding the refined air of a courteous gentleman, making anyone who saw him feel as if a spring breeze had blown through.
Compared to the imposing “President Xie” at the birthday banquet—who had been cold and commanding toward everyone—he seemed like a completely different person.
Ning Yuxuan wasn’t sure whether Xie Zhiyan genuinely cared about these family matters or was just putting on a show in front of the elders.
Ning Fei took a sip of plain water and cleared her throat. “I could only ask the housekeeper to prepare dinner each night catering to both their tastes. But in the end, each of them would only pick the two dishes they liked best. Their choices were so distinct that if you didn’t know better, you’d think there was a clear boundary on the table.”
“Fortunately…” Ning Fei shifted the topic. “As Shiyue grew up, he gradually started trying some of the spicy dishes Yuxuan loves. Isn’t that right, Shiyue?”
Ning Shiyue gave a noncommittal hum and raised his eyelids to glance at Ning Yuxuan. “Too bad some people still don’t appreciate it.”
Ning Yuxuan smiled brightly and locked eyes with him. “I’m not unappreciative! Haven’t I been encouraging you to keep trying? Come on, put in a little more effort—”
She plucked a piece of beef from the spicy pot and tossed it into Ning Shiyue’s bowl. “Try some spicy food?”
Ning Shiyue: “...”
The young man stared at the piece of beef now swimming in chili peppers in his bowl, his nose wrinkling in disgust.
“Ning Yuxuan, you really are...” Ning Shiyue searched his mind for every colorful phrase he had ever learned. “Pushy, relentless, insatiable—like a greedy snake swallowing an elephant!”
Ning Yuxuan beamed. “I’m just saying you still have room for improvement!”
Ning Shiyue was left speechless by her shamelessness.
He disdainfully pushed the piece of meat to the edge of his bowl with his chopsticks and muttered quietly, "With you like this, what if you get married someday..."
Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"
Ning Shiyue hadn’t intended to continue, since in his mind, his sister getting married and starting a family was something far off in the future.
But seeing Ning Yuxuan’s smug expression, he couldn’t help but tease her further. "I mean, what if your future husband has different tastes? Would you treat him the same way?"
Ning Yuxuan blinked, her eyes instinctively flicking toward the man sitting across from her for a brief second.
Xie Zhiyan happened to be looking at her at that moment.
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
"Exactly!" The next moment, Ning Yuxuan spoke confidently, "If you want to be my husband, you have to accommodate my tastes! No arguments!"
