Tao You carried two cups of fruit tea while waiting for Ning Yuxuan at the mall entrance.
When Ning Yuxuan finally arrived, Tao You handed her the cup with green grape pulp.
“So?” Tao You looked at Ning Yuxuan curiously. “What did your domineering CEO boyfriend say to you?”
Before Ning Yuxuan could answer, Tao You cleared her throat dramatically. “Wait, let me guess—was it something like: ‘Woman, use my card. Buy whatever you want in this mall, and I’ll pick you up afterward’?”
Ning Yuxuan burst into laughter. “You got about twenty percent right.”
Tao You blinked. “Why only twenty? Was it the ‘woman’ part?”
Ning Yuxuan shook her head as she unwrapped the straw. “Nope.”
“Then… ‘use my card’?”
“Not that either.”
Tao You gasped in realization. “Oh! So it must’ve been ‘I’ll pick you up afterward’!”
Ning Yuxuan inserted the straw into her milk tea. “He said after we finish shopping, he’d send his driver to take both of us home.”
Tao You’s face fell. “Oh, so he’s not coming himself?”
She had been hoping to hear more of those CEO-style lines—opportunities like this were rare.
Ning Yuxuan smiled. “There’s an elder at his dinner gathering, so he went back to show respect. Sending the driver is more convenient.”
If someone prone to overthinking saw Tao You’s disappointed expression, they might assume she had feelings for Xie Zhiyan.
But Ning Yuxuan knew Tao You well enough—she was simply curious about her “boyfriend.”
After taking a sip of her tea, Ning Yuxuan asked, “Back in school, whenever someone pursued me, you’d always want me to stay far away from them. Why the sudden change?”
Tao You took a big gulp of her own drink, eyes narrowing in satisfaction.
“That’s completely different!” she retorted. “Those guys were like Shen Chipeng and Chu Bowen—did they even look in the mirror? How dare they chase a beauty like you with those faces.”
Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow. “Did you even see what Xie Zhiyan looks like?”
“It was too dark, couldn’t see clearly,” Tao You admitted.
“But!” she quickly added, “I could still sense his aura. And his silhouette—you don’t need to see his features to know he’s a total hunk. Plus, he’s so tall. I approve!”
Ning Yuxuan smirked. “Didn’t expect you to rate him so highly. I’ll pass along the compliments sometime.”
Tao You grinned. “By the way, aside from arranging the driver, what else did you two talk about? It took you so long.”
She had spent ten minutes buying the tea and expected Ning Yuxuan to be waiting, but after finishing, she still had to linger at the entrance for two more minutes before Ning Yuxuan showed up.
Ning Yuxuan’s expression shifted slightly. Earlier…
Xie Zhiyan had asked if she wanted a grand wedding.
And somehow, she had agreed without thinking.
Within minutes, she was already regretting it.
Weddings were a hassle—she’d never had one herself, but she’d heard enough about the exhausting preparations.
Blame it on the way he looked at her and the way he spoke—it had all been too persuasive.
When Ning Yuxuan stayed silent, Tao You nodded knowingly. “Got it, got it. Couple talk, right? I won’t pry. Let’s go shopping!”
The two spent two hours at the mall, reluctant to leave even as closing time approached.
Tao You made plans with Ning Yuxuan to meet again soon.
Xie Zhiyan’s driver was already waiting outside, dropping Tao You off first before taking Ning Yuxuan back to the villa district.
The next morning, Ning Yuxuan had an appointment with a designer, so she went to bed early.
When she woke up, she yawned her way to the dining room—only to bump into Ning Shiyue.
Ning Shiyue was usually busy with work, so Ning Yuxuan rarely saw him at home during the day.
She raised an eyebrow. “Morning. What are you doing here?”
He was spreading strawberry jam on toast and rolled his eyes. “Why can’t I be here?”
Ning Yuxuan grabbed a slice of toast. “Where’s Mom?”
Ning Shiyue handed her a butter knife. “She said she’s meeting with a producer today—with Qin Man.”
Ning Yuxuan remembered. “Oh, right. I forgot.”
After reading the script for The Misaddressed Letter last Sunday, Ning Fei had been eager to take the role.
That same night, news of Ning Fei and Qin Man’s potential collaboration had trended. The producer, seeing the buzz, immediately reached out, expressing excitement to work with her.
With two award-winning actresses like Ning Fei and Qin Man—and the novelty of their first on-screen partnership—the film’s funding was practically guaranteed. No wonder the producer was so eager.
Ning Fei was equally interested, so she’d gone to meet them first thing in the morning.
“What about you?” Ning Yuxuan asked Ning Shiyue. “No work today? That’s rare.”
As one of the most sought-after young actors, Ning Shiyue was usually booked solid.
He scoffed. “Just a rare break. It won’t last—I’m joining a new project next week.”
As Ning Yuxuan sat across from him, he stood to pour her a glass of milk.
She took it. “What project?”
Ning Shiyue stared at her. “…”
He sighed. “I told you your memory’s terrible.”
Ning Yuxuan thought for a second. “Wait—is it that historical drama I recommended?”
Ning Shiyue nodded. “That’s the one.”
“Already?” She was surprised. “From your audition to now, it’s been less than two weeks. You’re starting so soon?”
He hummed in agreement. “They’d already finalized everything except the male lead when I went. The director liked me, and my schedule was open, so…”
Though he acted indifferent, spreading jam without meeting her eyes, he was acutely aware of Ning Yuxuan’s reaction.
She took a bite of toast and gave an approving nod. “Nice! I just finished your latest drama. With your acting skills now, you’ll totally nail the novel’s protagonist!”
The corner of Ning Shiyue’s mouth twitched upward. “Obviously!”
“What about you?” he asked. “Mom said you’ve been busy with the hotel lately.”
At this, Ning Yuxuan’s eyes lit up. “Right! I haven’t even told you my ideas yet. Got time? Let me explain.”
Ning Shiyue coughed lightly, as if reluctantly conceding, "If you insist on talking about it, it’s not like I can cover my ears and refuse to listen, can I?"
But in truth, he had brought up the hotel topic precisely because he wanted to ask her about the progress.
Lately, Ning Yuxuan had been busy with the expansion of the hotel chain—sometimes discussing plans with Ning Fei, other times with the hotel’s general manager Chen Jun, and occasionally even consulting Xie Zhiyan.
Yet she hadn’t spoken to Ning Shiyue about it at all.
Ning Shiyue knew it was probably because he was often away due to work and wasn’t a professional in the field, so Ning Yuxuan didn’t want to bother him.
Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being sidelined.
Ning Fei and the hotel manager were one thing, but even if Xie Zhiyan was Ning Yuxuan’s boyfriend, shouldn’t her own younger brother take precedence over him?
So today, seizing the opportunity, he deliberately steered the conversation toward the subject.
Ning Yuxuan quickly finished her toast, then hurried to the study to fetch her laptop and placed it in front of Ning Shiyue.
Ning Shiyue silently pulled the chair beside him back slightly.
Ning Yuxuan took the hint and sat down. "Here’s the plan—"
She pulled up the design drafts for him. "Out of the four locations I acquired, two will undergo renovations to update the facilities. I’m meeting the designer later to inspect the sites and finalize the details."
"As for the other two," she opened another document, "I’m thinking of turning them into themed hotels. One near the university district will be an esports hotel, and the other will have a retro Republic-era aesthetic—something like this."
She showed him the concept images. "What do you think?"
Ning Shiyue’s expression flickered with surprise. "Not bad."
It was far more polished than he’d expected.
To Ning Yuxuan, Ning Shiyue’s "not bad" was practically high praise.
Pleased that her hard work had earned his approval, she grinned. "Right? Any suggestions? Or just any thoughts—I’d love to hear them."
Ning Shiyue scrolled through the document, pausing thoughtfully. "This retro theme reminds me of a movie Mom starred in."
Ning Yuxuan nodded eagerly. "Exactly! That’s where I got the inspiration! See, we really are siblings—thinking alike!"
Ning Shiyue scoffed lightly. "Only at times like this do you bother complimenting me."
They spent a while discussing the hotel designs, with Ning Yuxuan jotting down several new ideas sparked by their conversation.
If not for her ten o’clock meeting with the designer, she might have talked with Ning Shiyue all morning.
Ning Yuxuan had Uncle Li drop her off near the subway station in Tongxing District, close to the first hotel location.
The designer, Yuan Shu, arrived by subway at the same time.
The hotel wasn’t far, so they walked over together.
Yuan Shu, thirty-one, looked younger than her age. Her outfit—a loose-fitting shirt paired with tailored trousers—was effortlessly stylish, exuding a relaxed yet polished vibe.
Ning Yuxuan had hit it off with her the day before; Yuan Shu grasped her vision almost instantly.
They resumed their lively discussion as they walked, but at the hotel entrance, a uniformed security guard stopped them.
"Sorry," the man said, looking down his nose at them. "This place is under new ownership and closed for renovations. If you’re looking for a room, try somewhere else."
Ning Yuxuan frowned. "I am the new owner."
The guard glanced at her, then at Yuan Shu.
Two young women, neither looking older than thirty.
He’d been told the hotel’s owner was a retired actress in her fifties.
As for the general manager, he’d seen a photo—a man, and definitely not this young.
He repeated dismissively, "Like I said, we’re renovating. No unauthorized personnel allowed."
Ning Yuxuan exchanged a look with Yuan Shu.
She’d visited headquarters with Ning Fei a few days prior, meeting the management team, including the general manager and several branch managers.
But these new locations were still in the early stages, with minimal staff—none of whom would recognize her.
During previous inspections, she’d always been accompanied by Ning Fei, Chen Jun, and others. This was her first time arriving alone with the designer.
The guard, seeing two casually dressed young women, had clearly decided they weren’t worth his respect.
Ning Yuxuan kept her voice steady. "The owner of Huayuan Hotels is Ning Fei. I’m her daughter, here to inspect the site with our designer. If you don’t believe me, call your supervisor to confirm."
The guard gave her another once-over and smirked. "You’re the boss’s daughter? Then I’m her son. Doesn’t matter who you are—no entry."
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city...
A woman in a bohemian-style dress sipped her coffee, eyeing the man across from her. "Your daughter already broke up with that Gu boy, didn’t she? Why bother meeting him now?"
The speaker was Yan Qinrui, Lin Yuanfeng’s current wife.
Their marriage was one of convenience, devoid of deep affection.
Fortunately, their expectations aligned—neither interfered much in the other’s life, making for a stable, if unromantic, union.
The Yan family primarily dealt in fashion, with investments in other industries, ranking just below the Lins on the wealth charts.
Ten years Lin Yuanfeng’s junior, Yan Qinrui had two older brothers handling the family business, leaving her free to indulge her interests—hence her trip to the city to explore a new boutique.
Lin Yuanfeng shook his head. "I wasn’t planning to, but something Ning Yuxuan said last time stuck with me."
Yan Qinrui arched a brow. "Oh?"
Lin Yuanfeng: "She asked me, if conflicts of interest ever arose between the Gu and Ning families, whose side I’d take."
Yan Qinrui snorted. "Obviously your own daughter’s."
Lin Yuanfeng smiled faintly. "Naturally. But it made me wonder—has Gu Yunhao already made moves against the Nings? Is that why she asked?"
Yan Qinrui’s expression sharpened. "Ah. In that case, you should meet him. If that brat’s scheming anything, better crush it before it takes root."
Lin Yuanfeng looked at his wife in surprise. "You shouldn’t know the Gu family, right? Why do you seem to dislike that Gu kid so much?"
Yan Qinrui frowned in disgust. "I don’t know him personally, but Gu Yunhao started giving your daughter the cold shoulder the moment he fell for some minor celebrity, forcing her to break up with him. Not only that, he and his new flame even teamed up to smear your daughter as a homewrecker. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil."
Whether before or after marrying Lin Yuanfeng, Yan Qinrui had never worked a single day in her life. Her daily routine consisted of socializing with friends, shopping, and enjoying afternoon tea.
Beyond that, she spent her time binge-watching dramas and variety shows.
She had scrolled through every trending topic related to the show Dear Mom, witnessing the entire scandal unfold and reverse in real time.
Seeing the stunned expression on Lin Yuanfeng’s face, Yan Qinrui was even more shocked. "Lin Yuanfeng, don’t tell me you had no idea your daughter was being slandered?"
Lin Yuanfeng: "..."
He was busy with work and didn’t have time to keep up with online gossip.
He’d heard in passing that his daughter had trended, but by then, the matter had already been resolved. Since he was told she had the upper hand in the court of public opinion and hadn’t suffered any real harm, he hadn’t bothered looking into it further.
As Lin Yuanfeng remained silent, Yan Qinrui shook her head and muttered, "Now I understand why both your kids are so distant from you..."
Thankfully, she’d never wanted children—otherwise, she’d be furious knowing they had a father like him.
"Alright, enough of this," Yan Qinrui waved her hand dismissively. "It’s almost time. You should go meet that Gu kid and give your daughter the justice she deserves. I have plans with friends anyway."
...
Outside a high-end teahouse in Beicheng, Gu Yunhao paced nervously.
As the young master of the Gu family, it had been a long time since he’d personally waited at the entrance for anyone.
But today, he was meeting the richest man in Jincheng. The outcome of this meeting could make or break his career.
Among the Gu family’s younger generation, he was the only one who had already graduated from university. His father had been trying to help him establish authority within the family, but Gu Yunhao had squandered every opportunity so far.
Many in the family looked down on him, whispering behind his back that he was nothing but a spoiled, incompetent heir.
This time, armed with his father’s investment, he’d attempted to break into the hotel industry—only to hit wall after wall, becoming the laughingstock of the business circle once again.
Though he and Cen Meng had fallen out, her advice had still proven useful.
After pulling strings to secure this meeting with Lin Yuanfeng, he couldn’t afford to mess it up. He needed to leverage his grandfather’s old ties and secure a partnership with Lin at all costs.
Gu Yunhao had prepared meticulously. The moment Lin Yuanfeng’s car pulled up, he rushed forward to greet him.
"Chairman Lin!" Gu Yunhao bowed slightly. "I’m Gu Yunhao. It’s an honor to finally meet you!"
Lin Yuanfeng gave a slight nod. "Mm."
Gu Yunhao maintained a deferential posture as he escorted Lin Yuanfeng upstairs to the private room.
The moment they sat down, Gu Yunhao couldn’t resist cutting to the chase. "Chairman Lin, the reason I requested this meeting is—"
Lin Yuanfeng raised a hand, his expression unreadable. "No rush. Let’s enjoy the tea first. Business can wait."
Gu Yunhao’s smile stiffened. "...Of course."
If they weren’t discussing business, then personal connections were the only topic left.
Gu Yunhao knew little about his grandfather’s past dealings with Lin Yuanfeng, so he scrambled to steer the conversation toward the old man’s current well-being, hoping to evoke some nostalgia that might work in his favor.
Lin Yuanfeng played along amiably, his lips curled in a faint smile as he occasionally nodded or hummed in agreement, reminiscing about the elder Gu’s glory days.
But every time Gu Yunhao tried circling back to his proposal, Lin Yuanfeng deftly sidestepped it.
Gu Yunhao had only ever tagged along to his father’s business dinners before. Now, facing a seasoned negotiator alone, he finally understood what it meant to deal with a fox who’d spent centuries in the game.
Lin Yuanfeng saw right through him, while he couldn’t even begin to guess the older man’s intentions.
Frustrated but not daring to show it, Gu Yunhao forced himself to feign interest in the trip down memory lane, all while silently screaming inside.
After an entire hour of tea-sipping and small talk, Gu Yunhao seized another opening. "Chairman Lin, regarding the hotel equipment we discussed earlier..."
This time, Lin Yuanfeng set down his cup and finally acknowledged the topic. "Ah, yes. You mentioned wanting the Lin Group to be your supplier?"
Gu Yunhao’s heart leaped. "Yes, Chairman Lin."
Lin Yuanfeng smiled. "That can be arranged."
For a moment, Gu Yunhao thought he’d misheard. His face lit up. "Chairman Lin, you mean—?"
Given Lin Yuanfeng’s earlier evasiveness, he’d nearly given up hope.
Lin Yuanfeng chuckled. "I do have an interest in collaborating with Beicheng businesses. I’ll bring your proposal to the board for discussion."
Unable to contain his excitement, Gu Yunhao shot to his feet. "Thank you, Chairman Lin! As for the contract—"
Lin Yuanfeng waved him off. "Now, now, young man. Patience. We’re not at that stage yet."
Gu Yunhao coughed awkwardly. "Right, of course. When would be a good time to discuss the specifics, then?"
Lin Yuanfeng shook his head. "You youngsters are always in such a hurry. Yunhao, you could learn a thing or two from your grandfather. These things take time. We have internal evaluations to complete first."
Gu Yunhao blurted, "To be honest, I am under some pressure because—"
Lin Yuanfeng cut him off again, laughing. "See? There you go again. Don’t worry—I’m very keen on working with bright young minds like yourself. But everything must follow procedure. Good things come to those who wait, no?"
Gu Yunhao paused, turning the words over in his head.
Chairman Lin seemed to be saying the deal was as good as done—it just needed to go through the board’s formalities before contracts could be signed.
In other words: sit tight and wait for the good news.
Relief washed over him. If Chairman Lin was on board, the rest was just red tape. He could start laying the groundwork elsewhere and finalize the paperwork with Lin later.
Beaming, Gu Yunhao bowed again. "I understand, Chairman Lin. Thank you!"
...
Outside a hotel in Tongxing District, Beicheng.
Ning Yuxuan stood under the shade of a tree, having just been turned away by security, and dialed Ning Fei’s number.
But Ning Fei was likely still in talks with the producer—the call went unanswered.
Ning Yuxuan was considering who else to call when she noticed another figure approaching from inside the hotel.
The security guards immediately snapped to attention.
"Manager Wang!" The security guard instantly dropped his earlier aloof expression, replacing it with an ingratiating smile. "What brings you here in person?"
Manager Wang appeared stern, his tone indifferent. "The boss sent me to pick someone up. I came out to check."
The guard chuckled. "Ah, such a trivial matter shouldn’t require your personal attention. I could’ve handled it!"
Manager Wang shot him a glance, thinking to himself that the opportunity to build rapport with the boss’s daughter was something he’d handle personally.
Adopting a reproachful tone, he said, "I’ve been watching you stand here from afar, barely moving. What’s taking so long?"
"Oh!" The guard hurriedly explained, "You see, there were two young ladies trying to get in. I stopped them, but one of them insisted she was the boss’s relative..."
Manager Wang waved his hand dismissively. "A minor issue like that—just a few words should’ve been enough to send them away."
The guard nodded. "Exactly, I was just—"
"Wait." Manager Wang’s expression suddenly shifted. "Where are these two young ladies now?"
