Mrs. Wu: [Everyone, there's new gossip about CEO Xie Zhiyan and his little girlfriend!]
Mrs. Liu: [Oh my, Mrs. Wu, you really have the best sources!]
Mrs. Li: [Which little girlfriend? The old one or the new one?]
Mrs. Wu: [Ahem! There’s no old or new—it’s all a misunderstanding. Just look at this and you’ll see!]
Mrs. Wu sent a screenshot of a phone screen to the group chat—a photo she had taken from Ning Yuxuan’s Moments.
After posting the image, Mrs. Wu leisurely sipped her floral tea, silently counting the seconds in her head.
Sure enough, within fifteen seconds, no fewer than five messages popped up in the group.
Mrs. Li: [Is this the girlfriend’s Moments?]
Mrs. Liu: [Mrs. Wu, what does this mean? I recognize the long-haired girl—that’s the Ning family’s young lady—but who’s the short-haired one?]
Mrs. He: [??]
...
Mrs. Wu typed slowly: [Here’s the thing. The short-haired girl Xie Zhiyan drove home yesterday is Ning Yuxuan’s best friend.]
Mrs. He: [So when Xie Zhiyan’s car was spotted yesterday, he was just giving his girlfriend’s best friend a ride home?]
Mrs. Li: [Mrs. Wu, you’re sure about this? That’s really what happened?]
Mrs. Wu: [Absolutely! His girlfriend even posted this on her Moments to clarify!]
Mrs. Liu: [Then this girlfriend of Xie Zhiyan’s must be something special! She’s got the busiest man in the city acting as her personal chauffeur to drive her friends around!]
The ladies in the group all gasped in amazement.
They could hardly believe it—Xie Zhiyan, who hadn’t had a girlfriend in years, was suddenly dating someone who had him wrapped around her finger like this.
He was spoiling her rotten!
At the same time, someone in the group noticed a small detail.
Mrs. Li: [Mrs. Wu, this screenshot is from your own Moments, isn’t it? You’ve added Ning Yuxuan as a friend?]
Mrs. Liu: [Oh, you’re right! The background is your family photo, isn’t it?]
Mrs. He: [Mrs. Wu, you’ve got connections! I tried adding her the other day, and she didn’t accept me!]
Mrs. Wu elegantly popped a rose pastry into her mouth, watching the group’s reactions with smug satisfaction.
Finally, someone had noticed.
The moment she saw Ning Yuxuan’s post, Mrs. Wu had taken the screenshot—deliberately leaving a sliver of her own Moments background visible, just to show off.
She had been quick to get Ning Yuxuan’s contact info through her connections and had added her immediately.
When it came to gossip and scandal, if she claimed to be second in the socialite circles of Beicheng, no one dared call themselves first!
Mrs. Wu: [Oh, well, you know, my husband has a bit of influence in business circles. The young lady probably added me out of respect for him. She’s been quite warm toward me.]
In reality, after adding Ning Yuxuan, they had exchanged nothing more than polite greetings.
But since none of the other ladies could check her chat history, she could say whatever she wanted.
Mrs. Li: [Mrs. Wu, you should’ve mentioned it sooner! I’ve been trying to add her too, but she never accepts. Maybe you could introduce us?]
Mrs. Liu: [Oh, Mrs. Li, really! She’s a young girl—she probably doesn’t want to deal with middle-aged women like us. Let’s not force ourselves on her!]
Almost simultaneously, Mrs. Wu received a private message from Mrs. Liu.
Mrs. Liu: [Mrs. Wu, you and I are the closest in this group. Remember how my husband helped yours land that order last time? If you hear anything new about Xie Zhiyan’s girlfriend in the future, make sure to tell me first!]
As if by coincidence, two other ladies also slid into her DMs, asking her to help them add Ning Yuxuan as a friend.
Mrs. Wu read all these messages, her ego soaring.
She replied to each: [Oh, she only added me because of my husband’s connections. I doubt she’d want to add others, but I’ll try my best!]
In truth, she had no intention of helping them.
If they got direct access, how could she remain the primary source of gossip?
Besides, this was a golden opportunity to get closer to the Xie family—only a fool would share such a valuable connection.
Ning Yuxuan, meanwhile, was completely unaware that her friend request had become Mrs. Wu’s bragging right among the socialites.
She was lounging in the back seat of a luxury car, playing a tower defense game on her phone.
Xie Zhiyan sat beside her, wearing Bluetooth earbuds as he attended a short meeting.
At first, Ning Yuxuan had the game’s sound on speaker, and Xie Zhiyan hadn’t said anything, so she hadn’t turned it off.
To her, the sound effects were an essential part of the experience—the satisfying pew-pew of cannons firing and monsters exploding made the game way more fun.
The driver, hearing the chaotic symphony of game noises from the back seat, broke into a cold sweat.
As far as he knew, the only person who could get away with disturbing Xie Zhiyan during a meeting was Ning Yuxuan.
But since Xie Zhiyan hadn’t complained, the driver certainly wasn’t going to tell her to turn it down.
Only when Xie Zhiyan finished listening to his subordinate’s report and unmuted himself to speak did Ning Yuxuan glance at him and finally mute the game.
Unbeknownst to her, the driver also let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Ning Yuxuan had been playing this game for a few days and had reached a particularly tricky level.
Her second attempt at the current stage had just ended in failure.
She exhaled deeply and instinctively looked over at Xie Zhiyan.
He had already closed his laptop, the meeting apparently over, and met her gaze.
Ning Yuxuan blinked. "You’re done?"
Xie Zhiyan gave a quiet "Mm."
"Perfect!" Ning Yuxuan turned the game’s sound back on, and cheerful background music once again filled the car—this time even louder than before.
Since Xie Zhiyan was free now, she could blast the audio without restraint.
The driver: "..."
Xie Zhiyan looked at her, amused. "You asked if I was done just so you could turn the sound back on?"
Ning Yuxuan saw nothing wrong with this. "Yeah!"
She defended herself earnestly: "The sound is part of the experience! This level’s really hard—I need the full effects to get in the zone!"
Xie Zhiyan chuckled. "Weren’t you the one who said you were nervous earlier?"
Ning Yuxuan: "It’s an hour from my place to yours. I can’t stay nervous that long."
She had been a little tense when they first got in the car, which was why she’d started playing the game to relax.
But after failing this level twice in a row, she was fully invested—now, all she cared about was beating it.
"Enough talking." Ning Yuxuan pressed the "Try Again" button and rearranged her in-game troops.
Her fingers flew across the screen as the car filled with bizarre sound effects once more.
Five minutes later, she finally cleared the level—barely.
Ning Yuxuan swiped away the game and opened WeChat to check for missed messages.
The moment she did, a flood of new friend requests popped up like bamboo shoots after rain.
After skimming through the verification notes, she didn’t hesitate before turning to the man beside her.
Xie Zhiyan met her gaze calmly. "What?"
Ning Yuxuan was adamant. "Did you tell someone about us again?"
Xie Zhiyan raised a brow in silent question.
Ning Yuxuan huffed. "Last time, my private WeChat got bombarded because you told people I was your girlfriend."
Xie Zhiyan chuckled, unhurriedly defending himself. "This time, I genuinely didn’t say a word."
Ning Yuxuan narrowed her eyes. "Really?"
Xie Zhiyan nodded.
Ning Yuxuan frowned. "Then why are all these people…?"
Xie Zhiyan analyzed coolly, "Maybe someone recognized us when I drove you home yesterday. The car isn’t common, and many know my license plate."
Ning Yuxuan stared. "So." She pointed at him. "It’s still because of you."
Xie Zhiyan offered, "Want me to handle it?"
Curiosity flickered in her eyes. "How?"
Xie Zhiyan held out his hand. "Let me see who’s trying to add you."
Skeptical but intrigued, Ning Yuxuan handed over her phone.
Xie Zhiyan scrolled briefly before returning it. Then he pulled out his own phone and dialed a number.
"Uncle He, I need a favor."
After a brief exchange, he hung up. "Done. Ignore those requests—no one will bother you for a while."
…
Once word spread about how "special" Xie Zhiyan was to Ning Yuxuan, many couldn’t resist trying their luck again.
Dozens sent new friend requests, each with flimsier excuses than the last.
It was rude to add someone out of the blue, but they assumed a young woman new to the scene wouldn’t mind.
If she was easily swayed, they might just score resources from the Xie family—high reward, no risk.
But no one expected Mrs. He, the current head of the He family (longtime allies of the Xies), to address it at a banquet.
She’d taken a call mid-event, and everyone knew it was Xie Zhiyan’s doing—just delivered through Mrs. He since the party was at her estate.
The message was clear: Stop harassing his girlfriend’s private contacts.
For business? Use her work WeChat.
The moment this spread, the elite circles buzzed anew.
The name "Ning Yuxuan" now carried even more intrigue.
.
An hour later, the car finally stopped at the gates of the Xie family estate.
The trunk was packed with gifts for Zheng Xinmei—some chosen by Ning Fei based on her friend’s tastes, some prepared by Xie Zhiyan, and only a third picked by Ning Yuxuan herself.
Xie Zhiyan carried most of the bags.
Ning Yuxuan held only the lightest one (containing the scarf she’d picked) and a bouquet of ice cream-colored asters.
Before they reached the door, Zheng Xinmei rushed out to greet them.
"Oh, Yuxuan! You’re finally here!"
The woman wore an elegant moon-white gown, timelessly graceful.
Ning Yuxuan hadn’t seen her in ages and meant every word: "Auntie Zheng, you look just as young as the last time I saw you."
Zheng Xinmei beamed. "Still as sweet as ever, I see! Though you’ve grown even prettier—no wonder my son’s so smitten."
She took the asters from Ning Yuxuan. "Are these for me? Gorgeous! Zhiyan never remembers to bring flowers."
From then on, Zheng Xinmei chatted nonstop with Ning Yuxuan, leaving her son ignored.
Finally, Xie Zhiyan interjected, "Mom, it’s hot outside. Let’s continue indoors."
Zheng Xinmei shot him a look. "I’m catching up with Yuxuan, and you’re ruining the mood."
But she ushered Ning Yuxuan inside anyway.
Pointing to a corner, Zheng Xinmei ordered her son to drop the gifts there. "We’ll open these after dinner. Yuxuan, sit! The food’s ready—I’ll bring it out so we can eat while we talk."
When Ning Yuxuan tried to help, Zheng Xinmei firmly blocked her from the kitchen.
Stuck waiting, Ning Yuxuan fidgeted.
As a child, she’d happily mooched meals here without a second thought. Now, she felt like a fish out of water.
Was it maturity—or the change in her relationship status?
Xie Zhiyan, also banished from the kitchen, sat beside her. "Mom loves hosting. Humor her," he murmured.
Ning Yuxuan relaxed slightly, amused.
Soon, the table was laden with dishes—every one of Ning Yuxuan’s favorites.
Her surprise was genuine. "Auntie, these… are all my top picks!"
Zheng Xinmei grinned. "Right? Zhiyan remembered perfectly. Tell me if the flavors hold up!"
Ning Yuxuan shot Xie Zhiyan a hidden glare before biting into a rib.
"Delicious!" She nodded eagerly. "Exactly how I remember—best ribs ever."
Zheng Xinmei laughed. "Good! I was worried I’d gotten rusty."
Ning Yuxuan sampled each dish, praising them creatively until Zheng Xinmei was radiant.
Cooking and baking were Zheng Xinmei’s passions. Pastries could be shared, but meals…
Cooking becomes quite a challenge when it's just for one person—preparing a meal for a single diner is even harder than cooking for a whole family.
Her son only came home once or twice a month, and his reaction to any dish was always the same, leaving her with no sense of accomplishment.
But now that Ning Yuxuan had come to visit, she finally had a chance to shine.
"Don’t just keep praising me, dear," Zheng Xinmei said with a laugh. "If you like it, eat as much as you want. I made all your favorite dishes this time. Next time you visit, I’ll have plenty of new specialties for you to try."
Ning Yuxuan’s cheeks were stuffed with a large piece of braised pork, and she nodded vigorously in response.
Zheng Xinmei’s eyes crinkled with delight.
"Zhiyan," she said, turning to her son. "If only you were half as sweet-tongued as Xuanxuan, I’d be over the moon."
Xie Zhiyan smiled faintly. "Well, then the two of us average out perfectly to meet your expectations."
Even though Zheng Xinmei was long accustomed to her son’s dry humor, she couldn’t help but laugh. "What kind of logic is that?"
Truly, chatting with Ning Yuxuan was far more uplifting.
By the time dinner ended, Ning Yuxuan was thoroughly stuffed—so much so that her once perfectly fitted dress now felt uncomfortably tight.
She was grateful she hadn’t chosen a body-hugging style, or else the zipper might have burst open.
With the housekeeper handling the dishes, Zheng Xinmei asked her son to bring out the gifts he had stored away earlier, arranging them on the coffee table for Ning Yuxuan to see.
There were many presents, all carefully selected with the help of Ning Fei and Xie Zhiyan—each one tailored to Zheng Xinmei’s tastes.
Zheng Xinmei examined them one by one, growing more pleased with each. "Xuanxuan, let me be honest—today has been the happiest I’ve felt in years."
The praise was so high that Ning Yuxuan was momentarily at a loss for words. Instinctively, she glanced toward Xie Zhiyan.
Xie Zhiyan spoke up. "Mom, if you say that, she’ll feel obligated to visit you all the time now."
Zheng Xinmei caught the underlying message—her son was reminding her not to pressure Ning Yuxuan.
But today, she truly was overjoyed.
First, because her son had finally brought a girlfriend home after all these years. Seeing him open up like this filled her with genuine maternal pride.
Second, because she genuinely adored Ning Fei’s daughter—beautiful, kind-hearted, and though she’d been a bit impulsive in the past, she’d matured wonderfully.
Most importantly, they got along effortlessly.
Since her husband’s passing, Zheng Xinmei’s greatest wish had been for someone to talk to.
She had no interest in mingling with most of the high-society crowd—those relationships were exhausting, and she’d had enough of that in her younger years.
Her son was busy with work, carrying the weight of the family business, and she knew better than to demand he visit more often.
But now that Ning Yuxuan was dating her son, it felt like the best possible outcome.
Zheng Xinmei smiled warmly. "Your mother mentioned you’ve been helping her manage Huayuan lately. I know you’re busy, but if you ever crave my cooking, just call—you’re welcome anytime!"
Ning Yuxuan grinned. "I’d love to, but if I keep eating like this, I’ll probably gain twenty pounds."
Zheng Xinmei waved a hand. "You’re too thin now—a little extra weight would suit you just fine!"
After admiring the gifts, Zheng Xinmei excused herself to the restroom.
The coffee table was laden with fruit, but Ning Yuxuan was far too full to even consider another bite.
Seizing the moment alone, Ning Yuxuan turned to Xie Zhiyan with mock accusation. "We agreed you wouldn’t tell your mom what dishes I liked! Why did you go back on your word?"
Xie Zhiyan remained unruffled. "She asked me what you enjoyed eating. I couldn’t exactly lie to her."
Ning Yuxuan sighed, gesturing to the slight bulge of her stomach. "Look what you’ve done. I’m completely stuffed because of you."
Xie Zhiyan’s gaze softened with concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"
Ning Yuxuan shook her head. "Not exactly, but I definitely can’t eat any fruit now."
"Speaking of which," she changed the subject, "why hasn’t your mom asked anything about us? She’s just been chatting casually with me."
Before coming over, Ning Yuxuan had worried about fumbling her answers to Zheng Xinmei’s questions—but now it seemed her fears were unfounded.
A faint smirk flickered in Xie Zhiyan’s eyes. "I finally brought a girlfriend home. She’s probably afraid of scaring you off with too many questions."
Ning Yuxuan rolled her eyes. "Well, then I’ll keep my mouth shut. If she asks you anything later, make sure you don’t slip up."
Just then, Zheng Xinmei returned to the living room.
"Xuanxuan," she said, "I haven’t asked yet—how long are you planning to stay?"
Ning Yuxuan replied, "I have a variety show to film with my mom tomorrow, so I need to get to the set early for preparations."
The implication was clear—she couldn’t stay too late tonight.
Zheng Xinmei nodded. "Oh, right! I almost forgot you two have that weekly program. Where’s the filming location?"
Ning Yuxuan gave the approximate address.
Zheng Xinmei thought for a moment. "That’s quite close to here, isn’t it? Why don’t I call your mother and ask if you can just stay the night?"
Ning Yuxuan froze.
