In the room, Cheng Xiyang and Liu Yufang were still talking.
"Mom! Keep those thoughts to yourself—don’t go around saying them outside!"
"Don’t worry, I just can’t stand that mother and daughter pair, so I’m venting to you. Once the cameras start rolling tomorrow, I won’t say a word out of line."
"Sigh… I hope you remember that tomorrow. I was practically scared to death by what you said this afternoon."
"What’s the big deal? You’re just too cautious, son. I was only telling the truth! That rude little brat deserves—"
Ning Yuxuan didn’t linger outside their door. She walked to the innermost room and knocked.
She was knocking on Qin Man’s door, but Cheng Xiyang and Liu Yufang’s room suddenly fell silent, cutting off Liu Yufang mid-sentence.
A second later, Jiang Ning'an’s voice came through. "Who is it?"
"It’s me, Ning Yuxuan," she replied. "Are you and Teacher Qin still awake? I wanted to borrow something—hope it’s not too inconvenient."
"Of course! Just a second, I’ll open the door!"
Moments later, Jiang Ning'an, dressed in pink cartoon pajamas with bunny ears on the hood, opened the door. "Yuxuan, come in. My mom just finished showering—she’s drying her hair."
The bathroom door was closed, the hum of a hairdryer faintly audible.
Ning Yuxuan stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
Jiang Ning'an’s pajamas, complete with fluffy rabbit ears, were a stark contrast to her usual poised, elegant on-screen persona.
Noticing Ning Yuxuan’s gaze on the ears, Jiang Ning'an smiled sheepishly. "I saw these on sale at the mall and just grabbed them."
Ning Yuxuan raised a brow. "Really? But last time during the gift exchange, Teacher Qin gave you a rabbit plush. Do you just… really like bunnies?"
Jiang Ning'an looked surprised, then slightly flustered. "You’re way too observant, Yuxuan."
Ning Yuxuan grinned. "Bunnies are adorable. I love your pajamas too."
Jiang Ning'an brightened. "Really? Then I’ll buy you a matching set when we’re back!"
Ning Yuxuan didn’t hesitate. "Sure, I wear a medium."
Jiang Ning'an visibly perked up. "Honestly, I’ve always loved cute clothes like this! But my agency insists on the ‘cool, mature’ image, so I rarely get to wear them."
Ning Yuxuan chuckled. "Then wear them off-duty as much as you want. Indulge yourself."
Jiang Ning'an blinked in surprise. "I thought you’d say something like, ‘Don’t care what others think.’"
Ning Yuxuan shook her head. "I can’t tell you how to feel. And as performers, image matters. My mom obsesses over her looks before every shoot—double-checking makeup, outfits, everything."
Jiang Ning'an laughed. "Careful, or I’ll tell Teacher Ning you’re gossiping about her."
After some light banter, Jiang Ning'an remembered Ning Yuxuan’s initial request. "Oh! You said you needed to borrow something?"
Ning Yuxuan explained that Ning Fei had leg discomfort and wanted to borrow a massage gun.
Jiang Ning'an nodded. "Got it! Let me check my suitcase."
She rummaged through her luggage and returned not just with the massage gun, but also a foam roller, an acupressure hammer, and a box of muscle relief patches.
"Take all of these for Teacher Ning," she said, piling them into Ning Yuxuan’s arms. "See which one she prefers."
Ning Yuxuan laughed. "This is overkill."
Jiang Ning'an grinned. "My mom gets sore a lot, so we always pack these."
Ning Yuxuan took just the massage gun. "I’ll start with this. Don’t want to leave Teacher Qin with nothing."
Jiang Ning'an insisted on adding a few patches. "At least take these—they work wonders and are super convenient!"
Ning Yuxuan accepted them, then asked, "What time do you and Teacher Qin usually sleep?"
"Earliest? 10:30. Maybe 11. I’m a night owl, and Mom’s not an early sleeper either."
Ning Yuxuan nodded. "Then I’ll return the gun before 10:30."
As she stepped out and closed Qin Man’s door, a voice called from behind.
"Yuxuan."
She turned to face Cheng Xiyang. "What?"
He held out a small sachet. "This is a calming herbal pouch—helps with sleep. For you and Teacher Ning."
Ning Yuxuan didn’t take it.
Cheng Xiyang’s smile faltered. "It’s harmless, really. Check my room if you want—Mom has one too. It’s not like I’d dare poison anyone."
Ning Yuxuan arched a brow. "Seems you’re well aware our relationship isn’t great."
Cheng Xiyang stiffened but quickly forced another smile.
"I know Shiyue and I are too different, so he dislikes me. And because of him, you probably do too. But since we’re stuck on this show together, I’d rather we get along."
Ning Yuxuan remained impassive. "Shiyue’s issue with you isn’t just about personality."
Cheng Xiyang: "..."
She watched his expression shift before continuing coolly, "If you’re worried about earlier—I don’t meddle in others’ business."
Clearly, the pouch was just a pretext. He wanted to know how much she’d overheard and whether she’d talk.
"But," Ning Yuxuan added, her voice icy, "if you cross me or my family, I won’t hold back."
With that, she headed upstairs, leaving Cheng Xiyang no chance to reply.
Clutching the rejected sachet, his fingers tightened until the fabric crunched. Only then did he snap out of it, gritting his teeth as he retreated to his room.
—
Back in her room, Ning Yuxuan handed the massage gun to Ning Fei.
As her mother worked on her sore calves, they chatted idly.
During the villa filming, all electronic devices were confiscated from the guests.
Therefore, they couldn’t contact the outside world and had limited entertainment—no social media, no binge-watching shows or videos.
But there was a silver lining: it gave Ning Fei more opportunities to chat with her daughter.
Ning Fei sat on the bed using a massage gun on herself, while Ning Yuxuan sat across from her, snacking.
"By the way, Xuanxuan," Ning Fei glanced at her daughter, who was munching on dried tofu, "how’s it going with that guy who was pursuing you? Any progress?"
Lately, Ning Fei and her daughter had grown much closer, so much so that she now felt comfortable asking about her love life.
In the past, even a slight mention would have sparked an argument.
Ning Yuxuan paused, the snack bag in her hand. "Him? Well…"
Ning Fei studied her daughter’s expression and, sensing no resistance, pressed further, "Is he still chasing you? Or have you made up your mind?"
Ning Yuxuan blinked.
Last time, when she walked Xie Zhiyan to the garage, she had promised him she’d tell her mother when the time was right.
Now seemed as good a moment as any.
After a brief hesitation, she nodded slightly. "I… said yes to him."
Ning Fei, who had been massaging her calf with the gun, froze mid-motion. "Really?"
Ning Yuxuan: "Mhm."
"Then…" Ning Fei looked at her daughter, "can you tell me who it is? What’s his name? What does he do?"
"You know him." Ning Yuxuan pressed her lips together. "Xie Zhiyan."
Ning Fei: "…"
Over the past while, Ning Fei hadn’t been entirely oblivious to the subtle shifts between Xie Zhiyan and her daughter.
But given how different their personalities were, she’d assumed she might be overthinking it.
Now, hearing it straight from her daughter’s mouth, she was stunned.
She stared at Ning Yuxuan, momentarily speechless.
The massage gun slipped onto the bed with a soft thud, buzzing against the mattress.
Snapping out of it, Ning Fei turned it off.
She looked up at her daughter. "Xuanxuan, I… I’m a little surprised."
Ning Yuxuan grinned. "I can tell."
Ning Fei double-checked, "You and Zhiyan are together? He was the one who pursued you?"
Ning Yuxuan: "Yes."
Ning Fei’s mind raced back—Xie Zhiyan’s first visit to their home in years, the supermarket trip, the hotpot dinner, the gifts he’d brought her…
As she pieced it together, she asked, "When did this start? That day he came to discuss investing in Huayuan—were you two already together then?"
Ning Yuxuan laughed. "No, not that fast. Mom, remember? I’d just broken up three days before that."
Ning Fei nodded. "Ah, right."
"What about when he came for hotpot…?"
Ning Yuxuan propped her chin on her hand. "He was pursuing me then."
Ning Fei murmured, "No wonder…"
That day, she’d noticed her daughter acting differently around him.
"When did you agree to be with him?" Ning Fei asked.
Ning Yuxuan: "Last weekend, when he visited. I meant to tell you that night, but… something came up."
That something was Ning Shiyue.
Ning Fei fell into thought.
She still couldn’t quite believe her daughter was dating her best friend’s son.
After knowing each other for ten years, both she and her friend had assumed these two would never click.
Noticing her mother’s silence, Ning Yuxuan got up from her bed, tossed the snack wrapper on the table, and sat beside Ning Fei.
The bed dipped slightly, pulling Ning Fei back to the present.
"Mom," Ning Yuxuan batted her lashes, "do you support us?"
Ning Fei, still processing, replied, "…Of course. If you’re happy, I’m happy."
Ning Yuxuan teased, "Really? You didn’t like the last one."
She didn’t want to mention that name again.
But Ning Fei knew exactly who she meant and shot her a look. "That’s completely different!"
Ning Yuxuan tilted her head. "How?"
Ning Fei: "Zhiyan is a good man. He’s considerate, nothing like that person who… always made my daughter cry."
Ning Yuxuan smirked. "How do you know Xie Zhiyan won’t make your daughter cry too?"
Ning Fei’s gaze sharpened. "Has he already made you cry?"
Ning Yuxuan blinked, then burst out laughing.
If Xie Zhiyan heard this, he’d probably swear he was wronged worse than Dou E.
"Not yet," Ning Yuxuan clarified, taking pity on him. "But you know his personality—he’s not exactly the ‘sweet talker’ type. What if he upsets me later?"
Ning Fei pondered for two seconds. "Then you teach him. Comforting someone isn’t rocket science. Even if he fails at first, he’ll learn eventually."
Ning Yuxuan was taken aback. "I thought you’d tell me to be more understanding, considering how successful he is now."
Growing up, Xie Zhiyan had been the gold standard—the "model child" every parent praised.
Though Ning Fei never compared them outright, she’d often complimented him in private.
Now, as a high-flying business tycoon, he was practically untouchable.
Ning Yuxuan figured most people would call her entitled for expecting him to coddle her.
Ning Fei shook her head. "No matter how successful a man is, he should care about his partner’s feelings. And besides—"
She tapped her daughter’s forehead affectionately, "you’re my daughter. I’ll always take your side, no conditions."
Ning Yuxuan’s lashes fluttered.
The next second, she threw her arms around Ning Fei. "Mom, you’re the best!"
Ning Fei stiffened briefly before softening into a smile. "You’re such a grown woman, still clinging to your mom like a kid."
Ning Yuxuan squeezed tighter. "I don’t care! I’ll hug you like this even when I’m fifty! And you can’t say no!"
"Alright, alright. Who else would I let hug me but my clingy girl? Wait—your hands are greasy! Don’t wipe them on my clothes—"
"Hold on, I’ll wash them first, then hug you!"
…
After the massage, Ning Fei’s legs felt much better.
A little past ten, Ning Yuxuan went upstairs to return the massage gun, grabbing another pack of dried tofu on her way out.
When she knocked, Qin Man was in bed, reading a script.
This time, it was Jiang Ning'an's turn to dry her hair in the bathroom.
Seeing Ning Yuxuan arrive, Qin Man smiled and said, "I heard from Ning'an that Ning Fei's leg is bothering her?"
Ning Yuxuan nodded. "Yes. But luckily, your massage gun helped a lot. She’s feeling much better now—thank you."
Qin Man replied warmly, "No need to thank me. Ning Fei’s issue must be an old injury from filming, right? I’ve had the same problem. Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of products—some worked, some didn’t—and I’ve kept notes in my phone. Once the show returns our phones, I’ll send the list to your mom."
Ning Yuxuan grinned. "Thanks so much, Teacher Qin."
Qin Man waved it off. "It’s nothing. Oh, and I also know a great traditional Chinese medicine doctor. I’ll pass along their contact info too."
Ning Yuxuan agreed with a smile.
She could tell that Qin Man and Jiang Ning'an were very much alike—both came off as distant and even a little unapproachable at first.
But once someone extended kindness, they reciprocated wholeheartedly.
After a pause, Qin Man hesitated before speaking again. "Yuxuan, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to tell you."
Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Qin Man glanced toward the bathroom before continuing, "I really loved the birthday gifts from you and Ning Fei. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. And also..."
She paused briefly. "These past few episodes of the show... I’m truly grateful to you and your mom."
Ning Yuxuan blinked. "Huh?"
Qin Man looked slightly awkward but pressed on. "If it weren’t for you and your mom, Ning'an and I... wouldn’t have resolved our misunderstandings so quickly or grown this close."
Ning Yuxuan chuckled. "Teacher Qin, you don’t need to thank me. We barely did anything—just said a few words here and there."
Qin Man shook her head. "I mean it. What you and your mom did meant a lot to us."
She knew Ning Yuxuan was sharp enough to understand without further explanation.
Just then, the bathroom door opened.
Jiang Ning'an stepped out and paused when she saw Ning Yuxuan. "Done with the massage gun?"
Ning Yuxuan hummed in confirmation and handed her a pack of dried tofu. "Brought you a snack. It’s really good—try it when you have time."
Jiang Ning'an accepted it cheerfully. "Then I won’t hold back!"
"Teacher Qin, Ning'an," Ning Yuxuan bid them farewell, "I’ll head back now. Get some rest."
At half past ten that night, Ning Shiyue finally returned to his hotel.
He had just arrived in Haicheng that morning and, after a short break, headed straight to the film set.
With shooting starting the next day, there was plenty to prepare.
Ning Shiyue met with various crew members and even attended a dinner with the cast.
He disliked socializing, but in the entertainment industry, it was unavoidable—endless toasts and small talk with different people.
By the end of the day, he was exhausted.
Back in his room, all he wanted was to collapse into bed.
As the male lead, he had a packed schedule, and with an early call time the next day, he needed to be well-rested.
Yet after a quick shower, he couldn’t resist checking Weibo.
He hadn’t kept up with the show in a while, and it felt like something was missing. Plus...
That person he despised was still on it.
Ning Shiyue had planned to skim briefly before sleeping.
But as he scrolled through the trending topics, his expression darkened.
Thanks to Cheng Xiyang’s company’s swift PR, public opinion had shifted—from widespread criticism of Cheng Xiyang and Liu Yufang to overwhelming support for him.
Several flattering hashtags about Cheng Xiyang now dominated the top spots:
#ChengXiyangSaysHe’llBeADotingGirlDad
#ChengXiyangAdvisesGirlsToLoveThemselvesFirst
#ChengXiyangWishesHeHadALittleSister
The headlines alone made Ning Shiyue sick.
If he hadn’t accidentally stumbled upon Cheng Xiyang’s family secrets, he might’ve believed the act.
During their early days in the talent show, Ning Shiyue hadn’t disliked Cheng Xiyang—in fact, he’d felt a kinship with him.
Ning Shiyue had trained in dance for over a decade, while Cheng Xiyang was a skilled vocalist. Among the contestants, they stood out as the best in their respective fields.
Two young men, barely a year apart in age, bonding over the grueling competition—it was natural.
Cheng Xiyang had even taken the initiative, often inviting Ning Shiyue to collaborate on performances and offering singing tips.
One of their duo stages remained the most-watched video from the entire show.
But right before the finals, Ning Shiyue overheard Cheng Xiyang on a phone call.
That was how he learned Cheng Xiyang had an older sister. Their family was poor, and the money Cheng Xiyang used for his competition outfits and music licenses? It came from the compensation his sister received after a car accident—money that should’ve gone toward her treatment.
Because of it, she’d missed the critical window for recovery and was left with severe, lasting damage.
As an outsider, Ning Shiyue couldn’t interfere, but from then on, he kept his distance.
Now, Cheng Xiyang’s hashtags were flooded with praise from fans and paid supporters:
"Cheng Xiyang is seriously the most respectful guy toward women! Obsessed!"
"See? Netizens jump to conclusions, but our Xiyang is flawless under scrutiny!"
"Thank goodness Cheng Xiyang’s morals are rock-solid. With all this evidence, no one can slander him!"
If it were just baseless flattery, Ning Shiyue might’ve endured it.
But some comments also took shots at Ning Yuxuan:
"Something felt off when everyone was praising Ning Yuxuan earlier. Older folks have traditional views—was it really her place to lecture a senior on national TV?"
"Ning Yuxuan is so fake. She just wanted to flaunt her ‘wokeness’ at Liu Yufang’s expense."
Certain accounts even clipped Ning Yuxuan giving Cheng Xiyang a 59/100 score, omitting the context to mislead viewers:
"Who does this girl think she is? Rating people like that—so disrespectful!"
"Ning Yuxuan’s no better than those gross guys who rate their female classmates’ looks. Hypocrite much?"
"I’ve had a bad feeling about this for a while. Back when everyone was unanimously praising Ning Yuxuan, I didn’t dare speak up—since when is rating someone like that something to boast about?"
Others even targeted Ning Yuxuan’s family, dragging Ning Fei into it.
"Let’s not even talk about Cheng Xiyang’s mother—Ning Yuxuan’s own mom gave her a younger brother, didn’t she? If you ask me, it’s not Cheng Xiyang’s mom who favors sons over daughters, it’s Ning Fei!"
"LOL, I didn’t dare say it either. Cheng Xiyang’s mom only had one child, and it just happened to be a boy. But Ning Fei had two—who knows if she was trying for a son?"
"Cheng Xiyang is an only child, while Ning Yuxuan has a younger brother. Honestly, Cheng Xiyang’s side seems more 'noble' to me."
The more Ning Shiyue read, the angrier he got.
He recognized these arguments all too well—it was obvious someone was manipulating public opinion behind the scenes.
He didn’t even bother checking with his manager this time. Instead, he directly drafted a Weibo post and hit send.
Ning Shiyue V: "Some people really need a reality check. Just because you clawed your way into the industry by leeching off your family doesn’t mean everyone else did the same. What goes around comes around—just you wait."
