This jewelry store is considered a relatively high-end brand in the country, frequented by many wealthy customers.
However, someone of Xie Zhiyan's stature wouldn’t typically pick wedding rings off the shelf like this—they’d usually have them custom-made.
Had the salesperson known Xie Zhiyan’s true identity, they might have reconsidered their sales pitch and chosen their words more carefully.
Ning Yuxuan was fiddling with the bracelet on her left wrist.
Of the two she had just bought, she’d asked the shop assistant to wrap one up while she wore the other.
She hadn’t brought any jewelry for this visit, and the malachite bracelet happened to complement the dress she was wearing today.
Xie Zhiyan gently held Ning Yuxuan’s right hand. “Just browse for now, alright? Whatever catches your eye, I’ll cover the cost.”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
His words gave her the sudden urge to bankrupt him.
But then again, considering the Xie family’s wealth, even if she told the shop assistant to “wrap up everything in the store,” it would probably only make him frown at most.
Since she wasn’t in the business of running a jewelry store at home, she decided not to stir up trouble.
Without a word, Ning Yuxuan strolled over to the wedding ring section.
The salesperson’s face lit up, and they eagerly began their pitch.
“Miss Ning, do you prefer gold or silver styles? Your fair complexion suits any color—feel free to try on anything you like.”
Ning Yuxuan’s gaze swept across the display. None were unattractive, but none immediately captivated her either.
Since buying wedding rings wasn’t the purpose of this trip, she felt no urge to splurge without finding something she truly loved.
Xie Zhiyan noticed the lack of interest in her eyes. “Nothing you like?”
Ning Yuxuan answered honestly. “They’re all just okay.”
Xie Zhiyan: “If you don’t like them, we don’t have to buy. We can check out other stores.”
Ning Yuxuan gave a soft “Hmm,” then realized she’d been led into his trap.
She hadn’t planned on buying rings in the first place—what did he mean by “check out other stores”?
She glanced at Xie Zhiyan silently, but the man’s expression remained neutral, as if he’d merely made an offhand remark.
The salesperson, overhearing their conversation, guessed that selling wedding rings today might be a lost cause.
Still, wedding bands usually only had small diamonds and weren’t as expensive as the two gemstone bracelets Ning Yuxuan had picked earlier.
Knowing when to step back, the shop assistant didn’t lose heart and cheerfully suggested, “If nothing here appeals to you, we also have diamond rings over there. Would you like to see if any of those catch your fancy?”
Ning Yuxuan followed the salesperson to the diamond ring section.
This time, her eyes brightened noticeably as she eagerly scanned the display.
Apparently, she had a preference for larger diamonds—the tiny ones in the wedding bands hadn’t sparkled enough for her taste.
The shop assistant, skilled at reading customers, immediately pulled out the ring that Ning Yuxuan had lingered on the longest.
“Many of our pieces look even better when worn than they do in the display,” the sales associate said. “Lots of customers feel the same way—some rings seem just okay at first glance, but once they’re on, they can’t take them off. Here, let me help you?”
Ning Yuxuan extended her hand, and the salesperson slid the ring onto her ring finger—slightly too loose.
“Don’t worry,” the shop assistant reassured her. “The size can be adjusted. For now, let’s try it on your middle finger to see how it looks.”
Since the middle finger is usually thicker, the clerk switched it over, and this time, it fit perfectly.
Ning Yuxuan raised her hand to admire the diamond ring under the store’s lighting—the gem sparkled brilliantly.
Seeing her satisfaction, the shop assistant launched into a stream of compliments.
Ning Yuxuan shot Xie Zhiyan a glance, deliberately not asking for his opinion.
This diamond ring was for herself—he was just here to foot the bill.
Whether he sensed her thoughts or not, Xie Zhiyan played along and stayed silent.
After trying on a few more rings, Ning Yuxuan still preferred the first one.
She had the store clerk put it back on and finally waved her hand in front of Xie Zhiyan. “What do you think?”
Xie Zhiyan smiled. “It suits you well.”
Ning Yuxuan was pleased with it too.
The salesperson, sensing a successful sale, quickly had a colleague retrieve the diamond’s certification. “This is one of the finest diamonds we carry—look, the clarity, color, and cut are all top-grade.”
Ning Yuxuan nodded. “I’ll take this one.”
She wasn’t the type to agonize over purchases—if she liked something, she bought it. It wasn’t as if this would be her last jewelry purchase anyway.
Before leaving, she wandered over to the necklace section.
Tao You was about to have her engagement party, and Ning Yuxuan had already picked out a gift.
But since Tao You loved wearing necklaces, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to add one more to the present.
Ning Yuxuan snapped a photo of the display and sent it to Tao You: [See anything you like?]
Tao You replied quickly: [Wow! They’re all gorgeous. Are you buying one, Yuxuan?]
Ning Yuxuan: [Just happened to stop by a jewelry store. Thought I’d add something extra to your engagement gift.]
Tao You: [Oh no, don’t go to that trouble! I’ve heard of this brand—it’s pricey!]
Tao You: [Your thoughtfulness is enough. It’s just an engagement—no need to spend so much!]
Ning Yuxuan knew Tao You genuinely meant it—this wasn’t false modesty.
Tao You had always been considerate about money. Despite knowing Ning Yuxuan’s family was well-off, she insisted on splitting costs whenever they went out together.
Ning Yuxuan: [Don’t worry about the cost. Someone else is paying today.]
Tao You: [Who? Your CEO boyfriend?]
Ning Yuxuan’s lips curved slightly. [Mhm. So consider it a joint gift from both of us. Besides, you only get engaged once—it’s worth splurging a little.]
Convinced, Tao You dropped the hesitation: [Then I won’t hold back!]
Ning Yuxuan: [Good. Just tell me which one you like, or check their website if you prefer.]
Tao You, still reluctant to pick anything too extravagant, sent a photo of a necklace priced in the lower four-figure range—one of the more affordable options in the store.
Ning Yuxuan had the shop assistant take it out, inspected it for flaws, and had it wrapped up.
Xie Zhiyan asked, "For a friend?"
Ning Yuxuan glanced at him. "How did you know?"
She hadn’t shown him her messages.
Xie Zhiyan replied, "This necklace doesn’t seem like your style."
Ning Yuxuan and Tao You didn’t share identical tastes in jewelry, but she hadn’t expected Xie Zhiyan to be so perceptive about it.
"Yes," Ning Yuxuan admitted. "Tao You’s engagement party is coming up. This is a gift for her."
After a pause, she added, "You don’t need to pay for this necklace."
Earlier, she had told Tao You otherwise to reassure her, so she wouldn’t feel awkward picking something out.
Truthfully, Xie Zhiyan wouldn’t miss a few thousand dollars, but when it came to gifts for her friends, Ning Yuxuan preferred to handle it herself.
Xie Zhiyan said nothing.
The sales associate packaged the bracelet Ning Yuxuan had chosen, along with a diamond ring and the necklace.
They paid—Xie Zhiyan’s card covered everything except Tao You’s necklace.
When the sales associate saw the black card in Xie Zhiyan’s hand, she thought, Just as I guessed—this couple is loaded.
As she escorted them out, her gaze lingered on their retreating figures.
Miss Ning and Mr. Xie really are a perfect match.
Next time she chatted about variety shows with friends, she could boast that she’d met Ning Yuxuan and her boyfriend in person.
After leaving the jewelry store, Ning Yuxuan lifted her hand to admire the diamond ring on her middle finger.
She’d owned plenty of accessories before, but this was her first diamond ring.
If I’d known how good it looked, I wouldn’t have waited to buy one with Xie Zhiyan—I’d have gotten one just for fun ages ago.
The ring was slightly loose, so she wore it on her middle finger.
The sales associate had offered to resize it, but the process would take several days to a week.
Ning Yuxuan wanted to wear it immediately, so she declined.
Noticing her fiddling, Xie Zhiyan said, "If you want it resized later, I’ll have Assistant Liu arrange it."
Ning Yuxuan twisted the ring around her finger. "No need. I think it looks fine here."
Then she gave Xie Zhiuan a pointed look. "Besides, I’m not wearing it for any special meaning—just because it’s pretty."
Xie Zhiyan’s tone was unreadable. "True, this was a bit rushed. If it’s something with special meaning, we can take our time and have one custom-made later."
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
That’s not what I meant.
But she couldn’t be bothered to argue.
Xie Zhiyan checked his watch. "Anything else you’d like to do? We still have time before the flight."
After a beat, he added, "Anything you pick, I’ll cover."
Ning Yuxuan huffed. "You make it sound like I only drag you along shopping to exploit your wallet."
Xie Zhiyan remained deadpan. "I’m volunteering."
Ning Yuxuan laughed.
There was something unintentionally funny about how matter-of-fact he sounded.
"Fine," she said. "Let’s keep browsing."
Compared to commercial flights, private jets streamlined the boarding process, eliminating long waits at the airport.
With a 2 PM departure, Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan spent a few more hours at the mall.
They didn’t buy more jewelry—just a hat, a small gift for Ning Yuxuan’s mother.
For lunch, they tried local specialties—modestly priced but delicious.
At 1:30 PM, their driver took them to the private jet terminal.
Assistant Liu, now well-rested after a morning break at the hotel, was already waiting.
This was Ning Yuxuan’s first time on a private jet.
When Ning Fei first moved to Beicheng, she’d had to budget carefully even for rent. The Ning family’s fortune had only grown significantly in the past decade.
But "wealthy" was relative—they weren’t at the level of owning a private jet. Besides, Ning Fei rarely traveled outside Beicheng these days, so a first-class ticket sufficed for trips like this.
Ning Yuxuan was fascinated by the novelty.
Unfortunately, the two-hour flight from Jiangcheng to Beicheng only gave her enough time to explore the cabin’s lavish decor and test the onboard bar.
She didn’t get to nap in the plush bed or try the bathtub.
Disembarking, she felt a twinge of regret.
Xie Zhiyan noticed. "Next time I’m traveling for work, you could join me."
Ning Yuxuan answered without thinking: "No thanks."
As much as she liked the jet, she wouldn’t tag along just for that.
Xie Zhiyan nodded. "Then we’ll save it for our honeymoon."
Ning Yuxuan: "...When did I agree to a honeymoon?"
Xie Zhiyan replied as if stating the obvious: "Isn’t that how marriage works? License, wedding, honeymoon."
His tone was so self-assured that Ning Yuxuan blurted, "There are plenty of other steps in marriage—why not follow all of them?"
Xie Zhiyan raised a brow. "Such as?"
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
Like couples who start trying for a baby right after marriage—are we supposed to have kids too?
She bit back the words.
The more time she spent with Xie Zhiyan, the more he diverged from the person she’d once imagined him to be.
She never would’ve guessed he’d repeatedly say he missed her over the phone or plan surprises like the trunk full of gifts.
If she actually mentioned "having a baby," she half-suspected he’d seize the opening to say he wanted one.
She wasn’t opposed to children. Influenced by her mother, Ning Yuxuan sometimes thought a daughter of her own might be nice—someone to bond with and watch grow.
There’d be clashes and misunderstandings, but blood would tie them together irrevocably.
Like her and Ning Fei.
But her relationship with Xie Zhiyan was nowhere near that stage.
And in Ning Yuxuan’s mind, marriage and parenthood belonged to the distant future.
Right now, she still felt like a "mom’s girl" who clung to Ning Fei—hardly ready to imagine herself as a mother.
She met Xie Zhiyan’s gaze. "My point is, we don’t have to follow every marriage tradition."
Xie Zhiyan spoke methodically, "A honeymoon is just another way to say vacation. Once work settles down a bit, wouldn’t you like to get away and relax?"
Ning Yuxuan fell silent for a moment.
Now that she thought about it, it had been a while since she last traveled. The last time she went abroad was five years ago.
Ning Yuxuan relented, "Once the four new Hua Yuan stores stabilize, we could take a week or two off to travel."
After agreeing, she couldn’t shake the odd feeling creeping over her.
Upon reflection, she realized that their "contract marriage" had initially been intended to keep things simple, yet now it felt anything but.
Announcing their relationship, meeting the parents, planning to buy a marital home—Xie Zhiyan even insisted on holding a wedding, and now they were discussing a honeymoon. Most couples who married conventionally didn’t go this far.
The only steps they’d skipped were the proposal and engagement, given how quickly they’d gotten their marriage certificate.
From the airport terminal, they took the elevator down to the parking garage and got into Xie Zhiyan’s car.
Assistant Liu wasn’t with them—he took another car, which also carried Xie Zhiyan’s luggage back to the apartment.
Only Xie Zhiyan and his driver were in the car with Ning Yuxuan.
Ning Fei had arrived home hours earlier and sent a message to Ning Yuxuan assuring her she didn’t need to rush back.
Ning Yuxuan texted both Ning Fei and Ning Shiyue to let them know she had safely landed in Beicheng.
Xie Zhiyan sat beside her in the back seat. "Tired?"
Ning Yuxuan answered honestly, "Not at all. Why?"
A private jet was undeniably more comfortable than commercial flights—no need to arrive hours early to queue, and the spacious cabin made it easy to see why executives preferred traveling this way.
The trip from Jiangcheng to Beicheng had left her feeling as relaxed as if she’d just spent a leisurely half-day outing.
Xie Zhiyan said, "If you’re not tired, I’ve reserved a restaurant for dinner. Afterward, I’ll have the driver take you home."
Ning Yuxuan blinked.
"Xie Zhiyan," she said, "it feels like you’ve been feeding me all day."
Starting with breakfast that morning, the two of them had practically eaten their way through the entire day.
A faint smile flickered in Xie Zhiyan’s eyes. "Maybe because I’m trying to cater to your preferences?"
Ning Yuxuan mulled over his words.
Though she wasn’t offended, she feigned indignation. "What’s that supposed to mean? Are you calling me a glutton?"
Xie Zhiyan clarified, "I’m admiring your appreciation for good food."
Ning Yuxuan relented. "Fine. What’s for dinner? I’ll decide whether to accept after hearing the menu."
Xie Zhiyan had booked a Michelin-starred restaurant in Beicheng’s CBD.
Come to think of it, since they’d met, they’d never properly dined at the kind of upscale establishment Ning Yuxuan associated with someone of Xie Zhiyan’s status.
Instead, they’d frequented plenty of casual spots where meals cost less than 200 yuan per person.
The restaurant was located on the top floor of Beicheng’s Financial Tower, offering a panoramic view of the city’s glittering skyline from its floor-to-ceiling windows.
A pianist played softly in the corner, and the waitstaff were impeccably dressed in formal attire.
Each dish was small but exquisitely plated, served one after another with explanations from the staff.
Ning Yuxuan thought places like this lost their charm if visited too often—by the time the last course arrived, the first would already be digested.
But as an occasional indulgence, it was a nice change of pace.
The waiter brought two glasses of champagne.
Ning Yuxuan took a sip, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at the city lights.
Absently, she lifted her hand, studying the diamond ring on her finger.
She’d insisted the ring was just an accessory, devoid of deeper meaning.
But the marketing that equated diamonds with love was so pervasive that even she couldn’t entirely escape its influence.
Sitting across from Xie Zhiyan in Beicheng’s most luxurious restaurant, admiring the sparkle on her finger, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of emotion.
She was really married.
The marriage certificate tucked away in her drawer at home clearly stated that Xie Zhiyan was her spouse.
It had been less than two months since she realized she’d awakened to the plot, yet her mindset and circumstances had completely transformed.
How times had changed.
Lost in thought, Ning Yuxuan sighed inwardly before slipping the ring off and rolling it between her fingers.
After a while, Xie Zhiyan’s deep voice pulled her back to the present.
"Yuxuan," he said, "what’s on your mind?"
She glanced at the ring in her palm, then met his gaze.
In that moment, she didn’t feel like hiding her thoughts.
"I was thinking," she began slowly, "that it’s unbelievable I’m actually married to you."
Xie Zhiyan went still.
His brow furrowed slightly, but Ning Yuxuan didn’t try to decipher his expression—she didn’t want to.
She figured her current mood was what people called post-excitement melancholy, a rare surrender to emotions she usually kept in check.
To Xie Zhiyan, she must seem irrational.
He’d rushed back to surprise her, spent the whole day showing her a good time, and now here she was, inexplicably somber.
Yet she didn’t want to pretend otherwise.
Maybe she just needed to let her mind wander, to let her feelings run free for once.
Xie Zhiyan held her gaze, something unreadable in his eyes.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Should I put the ring back on for you?"
Ning Yuxuan’s eyes widened slightly.
She’d expected him to ask something like, "Are you unhappy marrying me?"
After all, to outsiders, landing Xie Zhiyan as a husband was a stroke of incredible luck—she had no business being wistful.
But instead, he’d noticed the absence of the ring she’d absentmindedly removed.
Ning Yuxuan hesitated for a few seconds before handing it over.
Xie Zhiyan took the ring from her palm, his fingertips brushing lightly against her skin, sending a faint shiver through her.
His voice was low and gentle. "Same as before—left hand?"
Silently, she extended her left hand.
The restaurant’s classical music had just reached the end of a piece, leaving a brief lull before the next began.
In the quiet, Xie Zhiyan slid the ring back onto her middle finger.
His hands were steady, not a single tremor as he guided it smoothly to the base of her finger.
Once it was in place, he ran his thumb over the ring, the motion sending a delicate tremor through her hand.
Xie Zhiyan’s expression softened. "There."
Ning Yuxuan’s breath caught.
Though he hadn’t said anything extraordinary, her heart began to race uncontrollably.
The piano in the corner of the restaurant fell silent for over ten seconds before finally resuming its melody.
The tune felt somewhat familiar.
Ning Yuxuan suddenly realized—it was the only piece she could still play to this day: A Commemoration of Love.
As a child, she had dabbled in many things but mastered none, whether singing or dancing. In high school, she had pestered her mother to let her learn the piano, only to give up within a year, forgetting nearly everything her teacher had taught her.
But A Commemoration of Love was simple enough that she had remembered it all this time. Whenever she came across a piano and felt the urge to play, this was the piece she would play.
Ning Yuxuan wondered if this was a coincidence.
Because she recalled that once, during a visit to the Xie family’s old estate, she had played this very song on the grand piano in their living room.
And he had been there then, too.
Ning Yuxuan lifted her gaze to meet Xie Zhiyan’s eyes.
After sliding the ring onto her finger, his hand had lingered beneath hers, warm and steady.
Xie Zhiyan spoke softly, “Yuxuan, be with me. Will you?”
